I hope I am wrong but it seems to me its going the same way as previous windows. Loads of players linked then fees agreed etc. all talk and no action. Before we know it deadline day will be here and we will be panic buying at the bottom of the barrel. Come on Tony, get these deals done early please or we will be cut adrift come the Jan window and it will cost more in the long run. This is the most important transfer window in our history if it needs a few extra million throwing at it now do it, don't wait because January may be to late and to expensive.
With the exception of Liverpool and United, there's not been that much activity involving Premier League sides so far. I'd say that was quite normal. There'll be the usual scuffles for players that performed well at this here World Cup thingy, so I'd expect delay for this, after which the top (top, t'rific) sides will then work out which players they're prepared to sell, and then there'll be the usual cascade right down until us and Leicester get to choose amongst the mediocre pool of has-beens looking for a final pay bonanza.
We're just waiting on Caulker's decision now- i'm hoping he'll have made his mind up by Monday. Can't imagine Tony will let him uhm&ah for weeks
Early business usually happens because the player concerned really wants to sign for that particular club. There is a lot of competition for the sort of targets we are after/should be after. The players concerned can take their time and speak to everyone and slowly make up their mind. They are in no rush. So how can TF and co "get these deals done early"? Offer them stupid money? Get them to buy into the dream? Give them a guided tour of Loftus Road? Get real. It is not going to happen.
Its only 5 days into the window. Do you want to force things and sign players like Maiga, Doyle, SWP, who were all rushed through? Its better to sign no one than to sign donkeys like that.
I don't mind some late deals but we need a good 6-7 players so really need some deals completed soon & we've seen some of the previous last minute signings which have ended as numbers but no quality.
I agree with the sentiment. But your argument is cock-eyed this time. The window may have opened only 5 days ago but the season ended for us six weeks ago. In reality, the more astute clubs realised a long time ago that the window is the time when deals already put together can be formalised. Posturing now and waiting for the price to drop will lead us precisely into the bear trap of panic buying dross at a price the seller wants in the last 48 hours. I'd be interested to know if our management and scouting network have actually done any work in the six weeks after Wembley. They're not school kids any longer. The proof? Maiga, SWP, not to mention, the other Ferdinand and Luke 'bloody' Young. The donkeys, as you put it. They were all last minute signings because anyone good had already been snapped up weeks earlier.
I agree with your post to certain extent but, there are a lot of factors to take onto account for a club like ours. I'm sure there has been work going on since the final whistle blew at Wembley to identify potential targets, in fact I'm pretty sure TF said in an interview that Harry had given him a wish list of players he would like to bring to the club. We hardly set the the Championship alight last season, and squeaked promotion via the play-offs, therefore we are a potential risk for any player joining. They could have one season in the PL, we get relegated and they will be off somewhere else. Now you could argue that all players are mercenary bastards and don't give a **** who they play for as long as the money is right. But my point is this, why should any player sign for us when they can sign for a club that they can be fairly certain won't go down meaning that would have to up sticks in a years time. Add to that no player enjoys playing in a struggling team. Of course we don't know if we will struggle next season, but the possibility exists. I'm sure we will do some decent business, but it may not result in us signing the players that we would all like.
Its like buying a house, you don't pay the asking price, nor do you wait until you're 5 mins from being homeless. You will pay over the odds both ways. I would imagine our first choices may be at the WC, so we have to wait for that to end, then we move down the list. Its better than signing bent and crouch now.
The World Cup has surely made this transfer window a slightly different beast than in previous non-international cup years. Loads of players/clubs will be waiting for the focus to leave Brazil, and then the scuffle for new players will start. As others have stated, if we have been wise, we have used the time since Wembley to build a detailed database of the players we are aiming to get, and a strategy in place of how we will get them. My hope is that once the cup is over, we will start seeing some pre-planned savy signings that will build a team able to cope in the Premiership next year. I have faith that the back room team have a plan and have learnt from last time...I just hope they will prove me right.
