Post by seriouslyred on Jul 4, 2023 15:05:48 GMT
Could this be fully implemented when SE7 get their feet under the table,what I'm getting at is could May still be a target because the situation isn't ideal,their people aren't in situ to identify the targets they would 100% want.
I'm not doing May down at all,he's clearly competent at this level and with our chronic lack of genuine goal threat I'd welcome him personally.
I'm personally encouraged Cawley still seems to believe he's on our radar.
The problem with that plan, though, is that the potential development is built into the price. Burstow was sold for c. £1.6m to Chelsea and, frankly, he was insignificant in our team that season. So we might have to pay over £1.5m for a player with potential that wouldn't increase our chances of success now!
Dobson and Clare were brought in to add value for a transfer profit, as was Kirk, DJ, Lavelle, Gilby and, probably, some others. Clare was released after we paid a transfer fee for him and Dobson was signed on a free (although I suspect there was a signing on bonus for both the player and the Agent) and he is out of contract next summer. Gilby left on a free after we paid most of his wages for a season when he was singing about hating Charlton and all of the others are under contract as we can't give them away and don't, really, want to play them.
The point I'm making is that signing young (ish) players with potential is a gamble. Signing older players that have proved what they can do is less of a gamble and every club needs a balance and a mix of both.
Agreed that it's a very mature market with many agents and clubs all competing / fishing in the same pool. Lookman, Pope and Gudmunsson were all recruited from elsewhere for a fraction of their value to us let alone their sale fee and add ons.
It's a gamble, but the randomness can be mitigated through top coaching, management and sports science. Talent is not enough these days to guarantee a player a big pay day. They also require dedication, guidance and being played at the right times / in the right way.
That's why we need owners who can afford to underwrite the process as well as afford the costs of supplementing the coaching and sports science. We might not know the detail at Brentford but they made £30M in player sales six years running! Including Konsa.
Not every club outside the EPL (and those with parachute monies) can "do a Brentford" but we did something special in the 1990s and we should be able to do better than the last 14 seasons.
Also noting your point on older players - worth a thread of it's own. For there's a conflict between promoting Academy talent / buying in youngsters and the need for more maturity to help deliver results for a play-off finish and eventual promotion.
Somebody such as Mundell or scoham might shine a light?