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Post by eric on Jul 31, 2024 17:52:07 GMT
So why was we looking to spend at least 1 mill on the Villa keeper that chose Celtic for 1.2 mill We never were. Just like all the marque signings that we were told we were going to sign that never arrived! I reckon the new owners are keeping their powder dry and the big signings are yet to arrive . |
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Post by reamsofverse on Jul 31, 2024 18:01:36 GMT
I’m confused, what marquee signings are you talking about? And who told you we were definitely signing them? Nombe, Collins, Clarke-Johnson. I think there were others that I can’t recall just now. We were, apparently, willing to pay large fees for all of them but didn’t. It's called bigging ourselves up. Sounds good but you just look daft when you don't deliver. It's all well and good talking a good game but when you don't follow through on deals you are just noise. Weaker than last season offensively as things stand and I'm sure NJ knows that. I feel for the guy given who he has to work with. If the money isn't there and it's obvious it isn't, the last thing you want is Rodwell's lovechild Andy Scott spunking what cash there is up the wall on players you don't really want. Scott is only there so they have somebody to blame at the end of another failed season starting next month. I'm really not looking forward to my home town club battering us home and away next season. I have read a few views about Wrexham on the other forum and playing them down is laughable. They have millions just waiting to be spent. If they are there or there abouts in January, which they will be, they will buy promotion right there and then. At home they are almost unbeatable, the atmosphere in the stadium is something else despite it only being a 13,500 capacity at the moment. The best 12th man in the division by far. |
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Post by watameires on Jul 31, 2024 18:02:14 GMT
We never were. Just like all the marque signings that we were told we were going to sign that never arrived! I reckon the new owners are keeping their powder dry and the big signings are yet to arrive . Thats an optimistic view on things. The problem I see is that it’s not just about the money, players are likely to want to see we mean business and that means landing some good results and being at or near the top of the table |
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Post by aucklandaddick on Jul 31, 2024 18:11:23 GMT
Nombe, Collins, Clarke-Johnson. I think there were others that I can’t recall just now. We were, apparently, willing to pay large fees for all of them but didn’t. It's called bigging ourselves up. Sounds good but you just look daft when you don't deliver. It's all well and good talking a good game but when you don't follow through on deals you are just noise. Weaker than last season offensively as things stand and I'm sure NJ knows that. I feel for the guy given who he has to work with. If the money isn't there and it's obvious it isn't, the last thing you want is Rodwell's lovechild Andy Scott spunking what cash there is up the wall on players you don't really want. Scott is only there so they have somebody to blame at the end of another failed season starting next month. I'm really not looking forward to my home town club battering us home and away next season. I have read a few views about Wrexham on the other forum and playing them down is laughable. They have millions just waiting to be spent. If they are there or there abouts in January, which they will be, they will buy promotion right there and then. At home they are almost unbeatable, the atmosphere in the stadium is something else despite it only being a 13,500 capacity at the moment. The best 12th man in the division by far. So are you saying Reams that you think we are now weaker with Adhadme and Godden up top as opposed to May and Kanu……and Docherty and Berry in the advanced midfield roles as opposed to Dobson and Anderson? Personally I think all of summer these signings have been signed off by NJ regardless of what ever role Scott has played in the recruitment side…..I don’t believe NJ would have a player he didn’t want pushed on him…..Just my opinion…. |
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Post by reamsofverse on Jul 31, 2024 18:27:30 GMT
No mate more than happy with Godden and Ahadme but would be far happier if I had a crystal ball and could see that Miles and Chuks are not going to break down because Kanu is not adequate back up for a so called promotion winning team.
It's our midfield I have real issues with, there just isn't enough goals in it and we desperately need a CAM to make things happen on top of getting among the goals himself. Coventry and Dobson sat too deep so we have changed it and brought in two central midfielders who have limited goalscoring ability and only push us up the pitch another 25 yards or so. We need a box to box CAM goalscorer and until he comes in we'll struggle.
Something tells me NJ will go down the passing between the back four and midfield this season just like we saw in the Euro's. It's a brand of football I hate and refuse to pay money to watch, it's almost anti-football.
I'm committed to the first two games of the season and have bought train and match tickets. I then go to Reading at the end of the month and from that point we'll know our identity as a L1 promotion chasing team and if it's not what I want to watch I'll be saving my money for California and the Breeders Cup from mid-October onwards..
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2024 18:33:25 GMT
We are definitely weaker up top with May going. Dobson was also an integral part of our midfield. But Berry and Docherty should be good replacements. We are stronger in defence with Hector and Thomas gone and being replaced by A Mitchell, Josh Edwards etc. Alfie May got us out of many sticky spots with his goals last Season. Who is there to do the same this Season? I can see us finishing another Season halfway up the table. But I will still be cheering the lads on Saturday.
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Post by bexleyboy on Jul 31, 2024 18:41:13 GMT
We are far stronger then we were at the end of last season , the signings so far are a step up .. people talk about May but we relied on him to much , can see goals spread about a lot more and in Godden he a better all round player then May …
As we stand now top 6 … but as I said before there 10
Teams all expect to be in the top 6 ( not including Wrexham ) so it’s going to be the toughest league one for many a year .. but at least we are better prepared then we have been in years
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Post by aucklandaddick on Jul 31, 2024 18:41:13 GMT
No mate more than happy with Godden and Ahadme but would be far happier if I had a crystal ball and could see that Miles and Chuks are not going to break down because Kanu is not adequate back up for a so called promotion winning team. It's our midfield I have real issues with, there just isn't enogh goals in it and we desperately need a CAM to make things happen on top of getting among the goals himself. Coventry and Dobson sat too deep so we have changed it and brought in two central midfielders who have limited goalscoring ability and only push us up the pitch another 25 yards or so. We need a box to box CAM goalscorer and until he comes in we'll struggle. Something tells me NJ will go down the passing between the back four and midfield this season just like we saw in the Euro's. It's a brand of football I hate and refuse to pay money to watch, it's almost anti-football. I'm comitted to the first two games of the season and have bought train and match tickets. I then go to Reading at the end of the month and from that point we'll know our identity as a L1 promotion chasing team and if it's not what I want to watch I'll be saving my money for California and the Breeders Cup from mid-October onwards.. Totally agree that we need more goals in the middle of the park, I think this has been a major agreed talking point on all SM but Dobson and Anderson didn’t have goals in them last season so all we really had was May’s goals plus CBT’s 8 before he left… I personally prefer proven Championship offensive midfielders as per Docherty and Berry over Anderson and Dobson( playing out of position) Whilst I agree there is the chance that thry won’t score as many as ideally we would like I still see them as an upgrade on the offensive midfielders we had last season……Bishop being on trial recently tells us we are still in the hunt for another progressive midfielder and hopefully this will be the player that makes the difference…… |
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Post by bexleyboy on Jul 31, 2024 18:43:37 GMT
Anthony Scully has been told he is surplus to requirements at Pompey.…. A name linked with us few years back when he was at Lincoln , had a horrible time with injury but has proved his fitness in pre season ?
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Post by clarky on Jul 31, 2024 18:49:21 GMT
It's called bigging ourselves up. Sounds good but you just look daft when you don't deliver. It's all well and good talking a good game but when you don't follow through on deals you are just noise. Weaker than last season offensively as things stand and I'm sure NJ knows that. I feel for the guy given who he has to work with. If the money isn't there and it's obvious it isn't, the last thing you want is Rodwell's lovechild Andy Scott spunking what cash there is up the wall on players you don't really want. Scott is only there so they have somebody to blame at the end of another failed season starting next month. I'm really not looking forward to my home town club battering us home and away next season. I have read a few views about Wrexham on the other forum and playing them down is laughable. They have millions just waiting to be spent. If they are there or there abouts in January, which they will be, they will buy promotion right there and then. At home they are almost unbeatable, the atmosphere in the stadium is something else despite it only being a 13,500 capacity at the moment. The best 12th man in the division by far. So are you saying Reams that you think we are now weaker with Adhadme and Godden up top as opposed to May and Kanu……and Docherty and Berry in the advanced midfield roles as opposed to Dobson and Anderson? Personally I think all of summer these signings have been signed off by NJ regardless of what ever role Scott has played in the recruitment side…..I don’t believe NJ would have a player he didn’t want pushed on him…..Just my opinion…. last season we started with CBT and May in the team and I think they have more goals in them than any two of the new crop coming into the team. Midfield we look stronger, but it was a low bar set last season and we are probably looking to need circa 10 goals from Berry and I can't see that happening. |
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Post by aucklandaddick on Jul 31, 2024 18:49:39 GMT
We are definitely weaker up top with May going. Dobson was also an integral part of our midfield. But Berry and Docherty should be good replacements. We are stronger in defence with Hector and Thomas gone and being replaced by A Mitchell, Josh Edwards etc. Alfie May got us out of many sticky spots with his goals last Season. Who is there to do the same this Season? I can see us finishing another Season halfway up the table. But I will still be cheering the lads on Saturday. Sorry Dick but I have disagree you when you say we are now stronger in defence……Yes we offloaded Hector and Thomas but let’s not forget he was playing those two in front of Gillesphey and REG so we have only really brought in Mitchell( who is decent) to the core of that back three…..Jones at times last season was a mistake waiting to happen…… I can see Edwards as Smalls back up and (when we want to change the shape) but it’s that current back three that worries the fuck out of me……Saturday showed how fragile we are at the back and even bloody Dartford scored against us….We simply aren’t capable of keeping a clean sheet…. Agree to an extent re Dobson…..but only when played in his correct position and not the number 8 that NJ was playing him in……We need goals from this position….. Offensively we shall see if Adhadme and Godden can score the goals to replace Alfie……. |
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Post by aucklandaddick on Jul 31, 2024 18:54:05 GMT
We are far stronger then we were at the end of last season , the signings so far are a step up .. people talk about May but we relied on him to much , can see goals spread about a lot more and in Godden he a better all round player then May … As we stand now top 6 … but as I said before there 10 Teams all expect to be in the top 6 ( not including Wrexham ) so it’s going to be the toughest league one for many a year .. but at least we are better prepared then we have been in years Bexley mate you say we will be top 6 every year…..🤣….But I do agree that we will be fitter and better prepared come Aug 10th…. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2024 19:18:36 GMT
We are far stronger then we were at the end of last season , the signings so far are a step up .. people talk about May but we relied on him to much , can see goals spread about a lot more and in Godden he a better all round player then May … As we stand now top 6 … but as I said before there 10 Teams all expect to be in the top 6 ( not including Wrexham ) so it’s going to be the toughest league one for many a year .. but at least we are better prepared then we have been in years No offence BB but you really do talk some toffee. You need an appointment with the opticians to remove those rose tinted glasses. |
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Post by reamsofverse on Jul 31, 2024 19:20:25 GMT
Anthony Scully has been told he is surplus to requirements at Pompey.…. A name linked with us few years back when he was at Lincoln , had a horrible time with injury but has proved his fitness in pre season ? Proved his fitness so much that they have decided to offload him! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2024 19:20:28 GMT
We are definitely weaker up top with May going. Dobson was also an integral part of our midfield. But Berry and Docherty should be good replacements. We are stronger in defence with Hector and Thomas gone and being replaced by A Mitchell, Josh Edwards etc. Alfie May got us out of many sticky spots with his goals last Season. Who is there to do the same this Season? I can see us finishing another Season halfway up the table. But I will still be cheering the lads on Saturday. Sorry Dick but I have disagree you when you say we are now stronger in defence……Yes we offloaded Hector and Thomas but let’s not forget he was playing those two in front of Gillesphey and REG so we have only really brought in Mitchell( who is decent) to the core of that back three…..Jones at times last season was a mistake waiting to happen…… I can see Edwards as Smalls back up and (when we want to change the shape) but it’s that current back three that worries the fuck out of me……Saturday showed how fragile we are at the back and even bloody Dartford scored against us….We simply aren’t capable of keeping a clean sheet…. Agree to an extent re Dobson…..but only when played in his correct position and not the number 8 that NJ was playing him in……We need goals from this position….. Offensively we shall see if Adhadme and Godden can score the goals to replace Alfie……. I was trying to be a bit positive.😃 |
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Post by reamsofverse on Jul 31, 2024 19:22:22 GMT
We are far stronger then we were at the end of last season , the signings so far are a step up .. people talk about May but we relied on him to much , can see goals spread about a lot more and in Godden he a better all round player then May … As we stand now top 6 … but as I said before there 10 Teams all expect to be in the top 6 ( not including Wrexham ) so it’s going to be the toughest league one for many a year .. but at least we are better prepared then we have been in years You can't really believe that surely? |
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Post by valley on Jul 31, 2024 19:28:48 GMT
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Post by aaronaldo on Jul 31, 2024 20:34:07 GMT
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Post by valley on Jul 31, 2024 20:39:58 GMT
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Post by weststandfruitloop on Jul 31, 2024 22:35:09 GMT
So how do you know there was a mention if you don't know when it was? |
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Post by seriouslyred on Jul 31, 2024 23:16:32 GMT
Nombe, Collins, Clarke-Johnson. I think there were others that I can’t recall just now. We were, apparently, willing to pay large fees for all of them but didn’t. It's called bigging ourselves up. Sounds good but you just look daft when you don't deliver. It's all well and good talking a good game but when you don't follow through on deals you are just noise. Weaker than last season offensively as things stand and I'm sure NJ knows that. I feel for the guy given who he has to work with. If the money isn't there and it's obvious it isn't, the last thing you want is Rodwell's lovechild Andy Scott spunking what cash there is up the wall on players you don't really want. Scott is only there so they have somebody to blame at the end of another failed season starting next month. I'm really not looking forward to my home town club battering us home and away next season. I have read a few views about Wrexham on the other forum and playing them down is laughable. They have millions just waiting to be spent. If they are there or there abouts in January, which they will be, they will buy promotion right there and then. At home they are almost unbeatable, the atmosphere in the stadium is something else despite it only being a 13,500 capacity at the moment. The best 12th man in the division by far. There's a fair bit to unpack there starting with Wrexham... They've kept most of last season's squad but a quick look at Transfermarkt reveals 14 are out of contract next summer. Any one of six or seven clubs might spend big in the January 2025 window if they're running good. Including ourselves. What is noteworthy is the fact that Wrexham have appointed a new CEO who has held senior finance and stadium related roles at Inter Milan and in the US. www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/24400283.wrexham-afc-ceo-appointment-major-move-reds/#:~:text=Michael%20Williamson%20has%20been%20appointed,the%20things%20the%20club%20did. Executives and management of the eight favourites might all feel the heat should their teams fail to compete in the top six. And the owners of each club have the choice of either withholding new finance or supporting current management. There's a consensus forming around what we need - essentially a better attack and a better defence than that which we've all seen these last four seasons. We need players to move on, but surely there's enough headroom to bring in more talent. Will be fascinating to see how August plays out - for us and the competition. |
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Post by herewego on Jul 31, 2024 23:22:36 GMT
Such a promising start to a window but we have really took the foot of the gas. I don’t feel this team is strong enough for top 6 but hope I’m wrong. We are crying out for CAM at the moment I see our performance being very sideways and backwards
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Post by valley on Aug 1, 2024 4:28:09 GMT
So how do you know there was a mention if you don't know when it was? Said Reams good info over transfers.Have a listen a 47 min chat with fans. |
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Post by bexleyboy on Aug 1, 2024 6:09:14 GMT
Such a promising start to a window but we have really took the foot of the gas. I don’t feel this team is strong enough for top 6 but hope I’m wrong. We are crying out for CAM at the moment I see our performance being very sideways and backwards No we have not fans and Jones wanted most of the shopping done early and we have ticked that box there always going to be a spell when other teams not releasing players until they get their business done and clubs not deciding yet ( far to early ) what player will be allowed to leave on loan … as Jones said himself these last few signings given the quality of player we are looking at always take the longest .. … we could well go right up to the last few hours to get the players Jones wants . |
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Post by clarky on Aug 1, 2024 6:12:06 GMT
Such a promising start to a window but we have really took the foot of the gas. I don’t feel this team is strong enough for top 6 but hope I’m wrong. We are crying out for CAM at the moment I see our performance being very sideways and backwards Agreed, and that sort of play will bring defensive errors, just like before. |
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Post by grapevine49 on Aug 1, 2024 6:40:36 GMT
I am not sure why people believe such activities are linear. They are not. No “sales” market is ever that simple. It is up to you whether you choose to panic or not. Sometimes you do have to wait until the market comes to you. If it doesn’t you can end up looking an idiot if it does you turn out to be anything from competent to genius.
IF however it is true the club has moved to a self imposed discipline of 25/26 players (Jones has indicated a preference for 3 keepers and 22 outfield players) already moving to a process of “one out” before “one in” then some one is intent on wasting an awful lot of time (since February) and money to this point or has simply (not for the first time*) got their sums wrong.
*I recall signing Hudson to strengthen the defence to within days turn round and sell McCarthy because the high street banking industry had decided to pull its support of the football industry.
Once again the entire market looks like even more of a mess than it did this time last year…..and in all honesty there are an awful lot of unproven players going for silly prices - even with us - Ahadme is not yet near the price we allegedly paid Ipswich. May last season couldn’t fetch above £250k and 12 months later his value is tripled or quadrupled? I am not going to criticise either deal, from an operational perspective they needed to be done, but fiscally dive into this murky pool too often and you will struggle to finish the project.
Every time there is a major Euro or World Cup competition the market takes time to adjust. If we are shopping in the Championship / Premier “Surplus Department” then it will be competitive and there will be others with deeper pockets, maybe greater need and maybe less common sense. The latter is seemingly becoming an increasingly precious commodity in all aspects of society these days.
I can but assume at this point the club a) has lined up specific targets and waiting for their clubs to release the player b) is waiting for the Premier League clubs let alone the Championship clubs to simply “sort their shit out” (I note Derby made specific reference to shopping abroad because of the “ looney UK prices”) c) waiting to see what falls out of “the end of window panic”.
If there is one solace I suspect the frustration within the club is at multiple levels of ours. Indeed if you scan other club forums we are palpably not alone.
I note some Luton fans are suggesting they offer Potts a deal to January to cover their immediate problems.
I suspect even Begovic and his agent will still be content to see what comes in from Europe, Middle East or the MLS.
I am not sure anybody said this stuff is ever meant to be straightforward.
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Post by Mundell on Aug 1, 2024 7:21:58 GMT
Having never watched any of the players we’ve signed play more than once or twice (and even then I was much more focused on our own players), I don’t feel in a position to comment on whether or not we’ve now got significantly better individual players.
However, I’m not sure that’s the most important question. I’d be surprised if we aren’t already a much better team collectively than we were last season, simply because we’ve recruited specifically for Jones’ chosen playing system and, with the support of the sports science department, we’ve prepared physically for his “on the front foot” aggressive style.
While at times last season both Blackett-Taylor and May made exceptional individual contributions, structurally we were a complete mess, in part because both players were difficult to accommodate in our various playing systems which in turn led to unhelpful compromises. Once we see how the team is set up to play this season, I doubt we’ll miss either player.
Based on our expected goals (I know there are those who feel this data is of limited value) we were unlucky not to finish higher than we did last season and I’d be surprised if we’re not in the mix for a playoff place this time, even if a top two finish proves to be well out of reach.
My own primary concern isn’t with the individual players we’ve recruited per se (though it would be nice to strengthen further), but with whether Jones’ playing strategy will prove to be too primitive for today’s evolved and improved League One. I haven’t yet seen any evidence of Jones improving our passing and movement, ability to find space between the lines or to create chances. I fear that’s as much down to coaching as it is to the ability of the players.
We’ll see. It’s going to be an interesting season.
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Post by reamsofverse on Aug 1, 2024 7:48:25 GMT
You all know the main issue I have and what my opinion is on what's missing.
I feel we rushed into signing Berry and Docherty because we already had Terry Taylor who we must have written off because of his long absence last season.
He has looked better than any other midfielder during pre-season so perhaps we should have bided our time a little and brought in one of Berry or Docherty then held fire for a CAM to become available.
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Post by addickteduk on Aug 1, 2024 8:11:39 GMT
We threw away points for fun last season, and fitness, game management and just wanting to fight for the ball were evident every single game.
May and CBT got us out of trouble often, but CBT was no world-beater previously but then had one (very) good half season in a very poor side, but he still often went missing....Alfie's goals were crucial (I believe 6 were penalties) but as a team we absolutely need to share that burden far more, and the players brought in to date, whilst not being direct replacements, do all have goals in them...Godden, Berry and Doherty are solid signings, but even from the back, notably Small and Edwards will add more goal involvements.... and what of Taylor?!
We were also utterly woeful at set pieces - the lowest scorers in the league last year, and shipping many from corners - again, both things we can only improve on. Mannion looks like an upgrade on Isted / AMB, but still need more, and Mitchell will be a great signing IMO.
No doubt the lads will all be (much) fitter and hungrier, harder to play against than last season, and with a far superior physio / treatment team and facilities and, importantly, more time together from pre-season, we should generally be in a better place to start than last season.
IF we can add that leader to our Defence, another strong GK (not sold on Begovic personally), and find a goalscoring, creative AM (and of course offload the deadwood!), then I don't see many teams looking forward to playing us....and despite NJ saying he doesn't want them, I still expect a couple of Prem loans to come in too.
We realistically need to win at least 20 games to even be in the mix....even if we were pessimistic and said we'd lose both games against all the suggested top 5 teams, that still leaves room for manoeuvre if the relentless errors of last season are cut out! We lost so many points to teams we'd all reasonably expect to beat H and A.
Plus, we still have the unknown upside of a (God-willing) fitter Chuks and of course Miles to return, and I expect more from our younger lads who were forcibly overused last season due to necessity...eg. Anderson, Kanu and Assimwe - they all had moments of real class last season, and whilst ideally they'd go out on loan, working with NJ and being around more senior pros, and used at NJ's choice as opposed to as needed will only benefit the squad if they don't depart.
Whilst there is more reason to be optimistic overall, and still several weeks to improve the squad, making the Valley a fortress, and a mean defence is the first and most important focus...no clean sheets thus far isn't inspiring, but we will be better than last season! Better discipline, a few more goals from incoming talent to a more balanced team, and eradicate the incredible volume of games thrown away by stupid errors, and I think we have every chance of threatening the PlayOff spots....I also think Adhame will turn out to be a great signing.
Bookies currently have us in 6th as it stands now...a few more improvements and I think most will be confident that is certainly viable!
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Post by kings hill addick on Aug 1, 2024 8:20:19 GMT
You all know the main issue I have and what my opinion is on what's missing. I feel we rushed into signing Berry and Docherty because we already had Terry Taylor who we must have written off because of his long absence last season. He has looked better than any other midfielder during pre-season so perhaps we should have bided our time a little and brought in one of Berry or Docherty then held fire for a CAM to become available. Isn’t Berry a goal scoring midfielder? I assumed he was more of a CAM? |
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