Summer window

[Smug in Boots]

@cumbrianmackem didn’t suggest that anyone shouldn’t be excited or enjoying what’s going on, I’m not sure why so many are responding in that vain.

The reason to manage expectations, which is what he did mention, is because when the fanbase convince themselves that we’ll, for example, be shoe ins for promotion this year, then if it fails to materialise the backlash becomes greater and more damaging. I’d like to see our fanbase never going on again like they did last Thursday but the likelihood of that increases the higher expectations are built.

Hmm, still don't agree mate.

We've all seen how powerful it can be when momentum builds and the supporters and team believe they can win every game. Surely that's a good thing and the players know we have faith in them.

I just can't see the point in being hesitant tbh. There'll be 3000 belting out their support at QPR and expecting us to win, you don't go all that way to 'keep your powder dry'. Your confidence can quieten the home crowd and give the team a lift so it's a big positive imo. Being excited in retrospect just doesn't do it for me.

Ha'way the Lads!!!

 

[Smug in Boots]

Most people though weren’t capable of being rational last week when the fanbase (online at least) was in total meltdown.

A few on here were predicting a toxic atmosphere with people blaming the club for Stewart, Batth and Gooch going ...

... yet 40k turned up to support the club.

A handful of 'realists' like the now vanished Kipper don't represent our support.

 

[Culinary]

A few on here were predicting a toxic atmosphere with people blaming the club for Stewart, Batth and Gooch going ...

... yet 40k turned up to support the club.

A handful of 'realists' like thev now vanished Kipper don't represent our support.

I don’t lump our online fanbase and match going fanbase (as collectives) together in any way shape or form, they’re different animals.
Online presence and opinion does have the power to influence though unfortunately. Thankfully, at the moment and for now, we have a regime that are confident in what they’re doing and seem to know to just ignore the noise (maybe the Defoe signing mk2 was a good lesson for them in that regard).

 

[dansafcman]

@cumbrianmackem didn’t suggest that anyone shouldn’t be excited or enjoying what’s going on, I’m not sure why so many are responding in that vain.

The reason to manage expectations, which is what he did mention, is because when the fanbase convince themselves that we’ll, for example, be shoe ins for promotion this year, then if it fails to materialise the backlash becomes greater and more damaging. I’d like to see our fanbase never going on again like they did last Thursday but the likelihood of that increases the higher expectations are built.

Get what you're saying but I think the majority of fans would say they want us pushing for top 6. Automatic places are going to be hard.

Naturally, if the team does well and momentum builds then so does expectation, however I think as long as the team gives it all, then the backlash won't be bad (not talking about a minority who might kick off)

Transfer window anxiety is different imo, as fans wanted to see investment from the owners, the Stewart situation and replacement for him.

 

[Culinary]

Transfer window anxiety is different imo, as fans wanted to see investment from the owners, the Stewart situation and replacement for him.

Just out of interest, do people still think that the owner hasn’t invested?

 

[clockstander]

Still baffled by Defoe's return, It could have worked out much better than it did in my opinion, I don't think he gave himself enough time tbh.
Maybe it was wrong place wrong time, I must admit I thought it a good signing at the time

 

[Smug in Boots]

Just out of interest, do people still think that the owner hasn’t invested?

He's clearly invested with the backroom changes and stadium improvements which are obviously important ...

... but we're signing players like Rusyn who won't come cheap.

If we reach the PL, this season, we'd be in great shape imo.

 

[clockstander]

Get what you're saying but I think the majority of fans would say they want us pushing for top 6. Automatic places are going to be hard.

Naturally, if the team does well and momentum builds then so does expectation, however I think as long as the team gives it all, then the backlash won't be bad (not talking about a minority who might kick off)

Transfer window anxiety is different imo, as fans wanted to see investment from the owners, the Stewart situation and replacement for him.

Top six is going to be hard no question, but we do have a great chance, if all things go our way, but it is not a given, the recent euphoria over the window, and the thrashing of Southampton is transient and not the norm, thats all that was being said as I understood it.

 

[Culinary]

He's clearly invested with the backroom changes and stadium improvements which are obviously important ...

... but were signing players like Rusyn who won't come cheap.

If we reach the PL, this season, we'd be in great shape imo.

He’s invested massively, but the narrative that became prevalent throughout the window was that he was tight and running us on a shoestring.

I’m hoping that turning down Roberts and Clarke bids may have given the peddlers of that nonsense cause to reflect but I could imagine there’ll be some using our ‘negative net spend’ to try and justify their views.

 

[Smug in Boots]

He’s invested massively, but the narrative that became prevalent throughout the window was that he was tight and running us on a shoestring.

I’m hoping that turning down Roberts and Clarke bids may have given the peddlers of that nonsense cause to reflect but I could imagine there’ll be some using our ‘negative net spend’ to try and justify their views.

That was one narrative ...

... I think that clique are a small bunch of noisy idiots who are never happy.

I'm just glad I'm nothing like them and nor are the people I see at games.

 

[Culinary]

That was one narrative ...

... I think that clique are a small bunch of noisy idiots who are never happy.

I'm just glad I'm nothing like them and nor are the people I see at games.

It purveyed its way into a load of more reasonable posters on here and on RTG, people of whom I thought much more highly.

 

[Oliver's Army]

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[Hudson92]

For what it’s worth I think we’re mint, really enjoying the ride (pre deadline day panic aside haha)

 

[Bigmackem]

He’s invested massively, but the narrative that became prevalent throughout the window was that he was tight and running us on a shoestring.

I’m hoping that turning down Roberts and Clarke bids may have given the peddlers of that nonsense cause to reflect but I could imagine there’ll be some using our ‘negative net spend’ to try and justify their views.

I do not think KLD and Speakman can be criticised I any way or form , they have built a robust management structure both on and off the pitch that will stand us in good stead for many years to come . Yes we have lost some popular players this transfer window but we have continued to replace them pro rata with talented hungry young players as we have done in previous windows with great success . I always look back at the not to distant past at the standard of players and squad comparing them with the present group of young players in our team - sorry but I think we are light years ahead with progress still ongoing .

 

[Nacho]

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I'm happy with the squad in terms of depth and cover. CM is fine for me, we've got enough players who can play there and Matete to come back before the end of the year.

 

[young2077]

Still baffled by Defoe's return, It could have worked out much better than it did in my opinion, I don't think he gave himself enough time tbh.
Maybe it was wrong place wrong time, I must admit I thought it a good signing at the time

Was a strange one, he seemed absolutely chuffed to be back in the interviews. What was more confusing was him having a chat/interview with Crouch saying he could still do it about 8 weeks after leaving.

I wonder of it was down to the manager not fancying him to be first 11 but still feeling he couldn't play him in a bit role cause of it being Defoe and the fanbase and the pr of it all?

 

[Robertson]

I'm happy with the squad in terms of depth and cover. CM is fine for me, we've got enough players who can play there and Matete to come back before the end of the year.

We’re probably missing an out and out CDM which would have been ideal. I’d rather have a squad that was slightly low in some positions though, compared to one that’s too big. There’s got to be room to allow the up and coming players to get their chance.

 

[TopCat.]

Was a strange one, he seemed absolutely chuffed to be back in the interviews. What was more confusing was him having a chat/interview with Crouch saying he could still do it about 8 weeks after leaving.

I wonder of it was down to the manager not fancying him to be first 11 but still feeling he couldn't play him in a bit role cause of it being Defoe and the fanbase and the pr of it all?

Johnson didn't want Defoe here and Neil was lumbered with him - although at least AN gave him an opportunity to show that he still had it (he didn't)
The Crouch comments were just bravado IMHO

 

[Monkey69]

He’s invested massively, but the narrative that became prevalent throughout the window was that he was tight and running us on a shoestring.

I’m hoping that turning down Roberts and Clarke bids may have given the peddlers of that nonsense cause to reflect but I could imagine there’ll be some using our ‘negative net spend’ to try and justify their views.

I think that is partly down to how the media and fans in general look at net spend IE player sales vs player recruitment, but most of us are aware that football clubs are not just run like that and the finances are a lot more complicated.
IMO I think KLD and JS will have invested heavily behind the scenes to allow us the chance to build a successful club as that investment is good for us and them. I mentioned earlier that all being said if KLD investment in his current shares it would of valued the whole club at somewhere near the 50m region give or take. what value would the club be now after only 1 season in Championship, I would say conservatively at least 120m I think the first team squad alone could probably fetch 50m if not more and then once these players develop a bit more how much will that affect value.
All things considered it points to a very good future both for us and our owners.

 

[Nacho]

We’re probably missing an out and out CDM which would have been ideal. I’d rather have a squad that was slightly low in some positions though, compared to one that’s too big. There’s got to be room to allow the up and coming players to get their chance.

Yeah we are but I don't think it'll be a problem, we've got the flexibility. I did want us to sign a CDM but now we haven't I'm ok with it, an injury would just mean a tweak and another player getting a chance as you say.