in Bowyer and Gallen we trust but do we trust Southall?
This is what you said 3 days ago
'I have been critical of ESi and I'm still concerned about the ownership of the various bits that makes up CAFC. However I do feel happier with the current situation having read the CAST report (thank you) and having been involved in employment negotiations for many years I understand that we need to give it the week to see which players come in/ go out.
So thank you MS for being as open as you can and good luck this week'
The optimist in me says we will have a stronger squad by Friday night. The pessimist in me says we will likely sell Taylor without an adequate replacement.
We desperately need to replace the loans that have gone back through injury or being recalled. There was a time earlier on in the season when we had so much depth in midfield, it was making matchday squad predictions a nightmare. Loans are exactly what we need right now - a stopgap to ensure we stay up whilst also avoiding paying the ridiculous fees that this transfer widow attracts.
I think we'll get a 2/3 in, a quick flurry towards the end of the week. No need to panic yet.
What is the going rate and how do you know we don’t pay it?
I said as the Window opened, and we replaced Leko with Green that we would learn as much about ESI's budget and Philosophy by who we don't sign. After 28 days, the silence is telling. The grains of United Arab Emirates sand are slipping through the egg timer
Sam, now that we're BFFs IRL I hope you'll forgive me for saying that the silence would only be telling if, by Friday night at 11pm, we still haven't signed anyone worth signing (not including Green here). I'm still hoping that the wheels are turning behind the scenes. If the signings are non existent or very disappointing, and we lose on Saturday, then it'll possibly be panic stations. But even then, so long as we can keep Taylor, Williams and Curran fit and healthy, I think we'll be fine.
February 1st is definitely the time to judge, and I have put that in many of my posts. Steve Gallen said to get 3 players in you make 10 offers, so I agree that a lot is going on below the surface( yes, just like an iceberg)
The great thing about our chance encounter on the train was we were on the same page straight away despite I only realized who you were, when you did that funny Dame Edna impression. I guess you realized who I was when you saw me standing on the box spouting fish puns.
Ps. I don't know who Curran is but if he is as good as Cullen, that will be brilliant !
1. It’s already been confirmed that this lot play their cards close to their chest; 2. Surely LB wouldn’t have signed if he sensed inactivity or, for that matter bullshit on ESI’s part; 3. Maybe we will have quite a few bodies back for Saturday.
Granted, we still need more bodies but I’m sure there’s nothing sinister behind it.
If nothing’s happened by 11:59 Friday, I take all of the above back.
It would have been nice to get the bodies in and embedded with a chance for them to train with the squad and have an idea of our approach to Saturdays game etc earlier on than whats gonna happen . The most important thing is the right bodies arrive and in all honesty I know there'll be fans blowing the trumpet of anyone that signs and then the likes of me will think they're shit until proven otherwise but come the end of the season as long as we stay up it's job done . Then 4 months of the summer transfer thread worrying about the window closing and strength of our squad for the season ahead
If we got Chirivella I would be buzzing. The lad is so composed on the ball and can pick a pass.
Yep. Can do the Cullen role but can also do the Gallagher role too. Would be very happy.
Pretty sure he can’t do the Cullen role, told he’s very lightweight. Not my opinion just a few plastic scousers I know.
He may not have the physicality of Cullen (or Gallagher for that matter) but he does exactly what we missed when Cullen was out. Picks the ball up infront of the back 4 and moves it on, keeps it ticking over, recycles and carrys on. It means we keep much more of the ball and stops the defense being over run.
He also has a good engine and brilliant range of passing which makes me think we can use him in the Gallagher role.
What is the going rate and how do you know we don’t pay it?
I said as the Window opened, and we replaced Leko with Green that we would learn as much about ESI's budget and Philosophy by who we don't sign. After 28 days, the silence is telling. The grains of United Arab Emirates sand are slipping through the egg timer
Sam, now that we're BFFs IRL I hope you'll forgive me for saying that the silence would only be telling if, by Friday night at 11pm, we still haven't signed anyone worth signing (not including Green here). I'm still hoping that the wheels are turning behind the scenes. If the signings are non existent or very disappointing, and we lose on Saturday, then it'll possibly be panic stations. But even then, so long as we can keep Taylor, Williams and Curran fit and healthy, I think we'll be fine.
February 1st is definitely the time to judge, and I have put that in many of my posts. Steve Gallen said to get 3 players in you make 10 offers, so I agree that a lot is going on below the surface( yes, just like an iceberg)
The great thing about our chance encounter on the train was we were on the same page straight away despite I only realized who you were, when you did that funny Dame Edna impression. I guess you realized who I was when you saw me standing on the box spouting fish puns.
Ps. I don't know who Curran is but if he is as good as Cullen, that will be brilliant !
I believe we will sign 2-3 players before the deadline, but I don't understand why we are leaving it last minute as always. We have had 10 days off effectively between games, you would have thought it would be reasonable to get any new players before to train so they can be integrated with the team.
Now for example we could sign one player today, they have 3 days max training. Is it poor planning or are people being stubborn and its always a tricky window, I am an optimist but I would have thought we would have made a few signings earlier.
What is the going rate and how do you know we don’t pay it?
I said as the Window opened, and we replaced Leko with Green that we would learn as much about ESI's budget and Philosophy by who we don't sign. After 28 days, the silence is telling. The grains of United Arab Emirates sand are slipping through the egg timer
Sam, now that we're BFFs IRL I hope you'll forgive me for saying that the silence would only be telling if, by Friday night at 11pm, we still haven't signed anyone worth signing (not including Green here). I'm still hoping that the wheels are turning behind the scenes. If the signings are non existent or very disappointing, and we lose on Saturday, then it'll possibly be panic stations. But even then, so long as we can keep Taylor, Williams and Curran fit and healthy, I think we'll be fine.
February 1st is definitely the time to judge, and I have put that in many of my posts. Steve Gallen said to get 3 players in you make 10 offers, so I agree that a lot is going on below the surface( yes, just like an iceberg)
The great thing about our chance encounter on the train was we were on the same page straight away despite I only realized who you were, when you did that funny Dame Edna impression. I guess you realized who I was when you saw me standing on the box spouting fish puns.
Ps. I don't know who Curran is but if he is as good as Cullen, that will be brilliant !
Left arm seamer. Useful bat.
I know Lee likes an all-rounder who can play in more than one position but...
Just an example, but if we went in for Paul Pogba, we would probably end up with his brother.
I've remained convinced that we'll get the reinforcement we need this month, but I must admit that I'm getting a bit twitchy. 4 days to go and there's not even many decent rumours.
What is the going rate and how do you know we don’t pay it?
I said as the Window opened, and we replaced Leko with Green that we would learn as much about ESI's budget and Philosophy by who we don't sign. After 28 days, the silence is telling. The grains of United Arab Emirates sand are slipping through the egg timer
Sam, now that we're BFFs IRL I hope you'll forgive me for saying that the silence would only be telling if, by Friday night at 11pm, we still haven't signed anyone worth signing (not including Green here). I'm still hoping that the wheels are turning behind the scenes. If the signings are non existent or very disappointing, and we lose on Saturday, then it'll possibly be panic stations. But even then, so long as we can keep Taylor, Williams and Curran fit and healthy, I think we'll be fine.
February 1st is definitely the time to judge, and I have put that in many of my posts. Steve Gallen said to get 3 players in you make 10 offers, so I agree that a lot is going on below the surface( yes, just like an iceberg)
The great thing about our chance encounter on the train was we were on the same page straight away despite I only realized who you were, when you did that funny Dame Edna impression. I guess you realized who I was when you saw me standing on the box spouting fish puns.
Ps. I don't know who Curran is but if he is as good as Cullen, that will be brilliant !
lol I was probably thinking of Hugh Curran (Millwall) who my grandad once told me wasn't a very nice man.
Still mystified as to why the new owners bought us - we don't seem to be doing much to avert relegation.
Seem being the key word. Simply because none of us are privy to any of the goings around transfers that any of Southall, Bowyer and Gallen are up to except one meeting Bowyer had with an unknown/assumed player.
in Bowyer and Gallen we trust but do we trust Southall?
This is what you said 3 days ago
'I have been critical of ESi and I'm still concerned about the ownership of the various bits that makes up CAFC. However I do feel happier with the current situation having read the CAST report (thank you) and having been involved in employment negotiations for many years I understand that we need to give it the week to see which players come in/ go out.
So thank you MS for being as open as you can and good luck this week'
Our interest in Maddison leaked (by the Peterborough chairman himself...) then days later Birmingham and Hull both showed interest. This turned Maddison's head and complicated the potential transfer. I doubt Bowyer/Gallen/Southall want a repeat of this so are probably keeping everything quiet - even for the more ITK journalists ie Cawley.
I've been trying to keep open to our transfer dealings this month and only judging when the window finally does close, but I would have thought - despite acknowledging prices drop considerably toward the end of the month - we would have more than Andre Green in by now.
I suspect we are playing quite a dangerous game here, and even though we might just about be okay with the players we have returning/to return, reinforcements and in particular a Gallagher replacement are needed.
Maddison - if that isn't completely dead in the water - would be a complete game changer for me. A permanent deal; likely seven-figure sum, reasonable wages; and a statement of intent to replace Gallagher with someone who will stay beyond the season. If we were to make a single signing that puts complete faith in ESI for me, it would be this (despite the player's potential attitude problems).
Chirivella would be great, too. It would be almost a like-for-like (philosophically, rather than playing style) for Gallagher, and I rate him quite highly.
Pogba sounds more necessary for cover than much else, while I have no particularly strong feelings on Idah/Parrott, though both would be welcome additions.
But I can't help feeling a little worried: late deals mean three or four league fixtures (Barnsley/Fulham/WBA/Preston) where the squad has continued to be slightly stretched, and a little less time for signings to bed in.
Still. I'll revisit on Friday night/Saturday morning.
Still mystified as to why the new owners bought us - we don't seem to be doing much to avert relegation.
This is a strange thing for an Atheist to say but, ESI saw what Lee Bowyer did with 5 loaves and two fishes, over a season and a half by getting Cafc into two Play-offs culminating with our promotion. ESI feel Bowyer can do more miracles but Unfortunately for Matt Southall and co playing youngsters that wouldn't have got in a League 1 side ( I don't mean Alfie) was one miracle too far. Interesting few days coming up.
I’m genuinely wondering whether the current thinking is that from the start of the season we have lost Gallagher, lost Leko(‘replaced’ with Green). But JFC,Field and Bonne are due back shortly. Hemed is now fit, Doughty has been a pleasant surprise and Matthews came to the club in September. We have pretty much the same squad that gave us that fantastic start so why the need to bring another three or four in( as fans we know impact of the injuries so are desperate for a bigger squad). They will only sign players that are going to make a significant difference to us but such players are overpriced or reluctant to leave a Championship or league one club where they start each week. Therefore a couple of loans is our focus.
Just seems they are getting reluctant to splash the cash and want to rebuild in the summer thinking this squad is mor than good enough to survive?
Our interest in Maddison leaked (by the Peterborough chairman himself...) then days later Birmingham and Hull both showed interest. This turned Maddison's head and complicated the potential transfer. I doubt Bowyer/Gallen/Southall want a repeat of this so are probably keeping everything quiet - even for the more ITK journalists ie Cawley.
Let's see where we're at come Friday.
There is no proof his head was turned what so ever, reports say the exact opposite. Chairman on record saying he was excited meeting Bowyer, it comes down to the fact we weren't meeting his wage demands. Why do we keep blaming other players and clubs when all these signings have been in our hands
Liverpool purloined Joe Gomez off Charlton for 3.5 million. Out of gratitude we should be first on the list for Chirivella to the end of the season. The lad will be in the shop window and then he can move to a club who pay the going rate.
Gratitude? You seen how they are behaving over the Shrewsbury replay ? Got more chance of Gallagher coming back than that.
Quid pro quo and if not written down then a tacit agreement with the Victims.
If Maddison doesnt sign for anyone else the longer it goes on Friday then I see Gallen having the following conversation with him
SG: Want to sign on those terms we offered you?
MM will then either say yes because we're the best Championship option in his eyes (In which case we get the player) or he'll say no, give me the extra 1k I asked for
If its the latter then its all depends if Gallen is prepared to then pay it - If all other avenues have been exhausted then I reckon we'll pay it, all depends on who is prepared to blink first
Of course should we get him we'll never know if we did just offer more or whether Maddison came to his senses (doubt it'll stop people moaning that we could have just paid him what he wanted making him available for Fulham)
On the other hand he may well feel he wants to be in a position where the transfer fee becomes his signing on fee in the summer (for whoever he joins) - If thats the case then I dont think it matters what anyone offers him!!
Sounds to me like we are trying hard to sign players but getting nowhere. This could be due to:
a. Our lowly league position and no-one fancies the prospect of League 1 b. Our loanees have a reputation for being driven too hard and getting knackered c. Unacceptable financial demands are being made because of the new owners. d. Southall is conducting negotiations instead of Gallen e. None of the above.
Sounds to me like we are trying hard to sign players but getting nowhere. This could be due to:
a. Our lowly league position and no-one fancies the prospect of League 1 b. Our loanees have a reputation for being driven too hard and getting knackered c. Unacceptable financial demands are being made because of the new owners. d. Southall is conducting negotiations instead of Gallen e. None of the above.
There will always be a flurry of activity right at the end - it's like a merry-go-round. Like a property "chain". One club sell a player which frees funds to buy a player and means the club they bought from has the cash to sign the player they have wanted and so on. The window in general has been quieter but there will still be a fair bit of action in the last couple of days.
I'm still hopeful on Maddison. Seems Pogba is likely. I expect a couple of others too. Sadly the last 5 or 6 years have probably not helped to whip up this frenzy of activity at transfer window time. It apparently cannot be avoided.
In honesty I would have hoped to sort something over the weekend ie a signing that would have a week of training with us before the weekend game but that doesn't seem tobe the case - as we have always done in the summer window it's a lastminute.com signing or two.
For now I will remain calm and hopeful we will get some good news in the next 36 hours to lighten spirits a bit
Comments
'I have been critical of ESi and I'm still concerned about the ownership of the various bits that makes up CAFC. However I do feel happier with the current situation having read the CAST report (thank you) and having been involved in employment negotiations for many years I understand that we need to give it the week to see which players come in/ go out.
So thank you MS for being as open as you can and good luck this week'
I think we'll get a 2/3 in, a quick flurry towards the end of the week. No need to panic yet.
February 1st is definitely the time to judge, and I have put that in many of my posts.
Steve Gallen said to get 3 players in you make 10 offers, so I agree that a lot is going on below the surface( yes, just like an iceberg)
The great thing about our chance encounter on the train was we were on the same page straight away despite I only realized who you were, when you did that funny Dame Edna impression. I guess you realized who I was when you saw me standing on the box spouting fish puns.
Ps. I don't know who Curran is but if he is as good as Cullen, that will be brilliant !
2. Surely LB wouldn’t have signed if he sensed inactivity or, for that matter bullshit on ESI’s part;
3. Maybe we will have quite a few bodies back for Saturday.
Granted, we still need more bodies but I’m sure there’s nothing sinister behind it.
If nothing’s happened by 11:59 Friday, I take all of the above back.
The most important thing is the right bodies arrive and in all honesty I know there'll be fans blowing the trumpet of anyone that signs and then the likes of me will think they're shit until proven otherwise but come the end of the season as long as we stay up it's job done .
Then 4 months of the summer transfer thread worrying about the window closing and strength of our squad for the season ahead
This lot literally bought the club without anyone knowing, so it's highly possible their new signings will also happen under the radar.
If we haven't got any new players by 11pm Friday night then people can moan, but it's Tuesday morning.
He also has a good engine and brilliant range of passing which makes me think we can use him in the Gallagher role.
I believe we will sign 2-3 players before the deadline, but I don't understand why we are leaving it last minute as always. We have had 10 days off effectively between games, you would have thought it would be reasonable to get any new players before to train so they can be integrated with the team.
Now for example we could sign one player today, they have 3 days max training. Is it poor planning or are people being stubborn and its always a tricky window, I am an optimist but I would have thought we would have made a few signings earlier.
Just an example, but if we went in for Paul Pogba, we would probably end up with his brother.
Hopefully the calm before the storm
Let's see where we're at come Friday.
I suspect we are playing quite a dangerous game here, and even though we might just about be okay with the players we have returning/to return, reinforcements and in particular a Gallagher replacement are needed.
Maddison - if that isn't completely dead in the water - would be a complete game changer for me. A permanent deal; likely seven-figure sum, reasonable wages; and a statement of intent to replace Gallagher with someone who will stay beyond the season. If we were to make a single signing that puts complete faith in ESI for me, it would be this (despite the player's potential attitude problems).
Chirivella would be great, too. It would be almost a like-for-like (philosophically, rather than playing style) for Gallagher, and I rate him quite highly.
Pogba sounds more necessary for cover than much else, while I have no particularly strong feelings on Idah/Parrott, though both would be welcome additions.
But I can't help feeling a little worried: late deals mean three or four league fixtures (Barnsley/Fulham/WBA/Preston) where the squad has continued to be slightly stretched, and a little less time for signings to bed in.
Still. I'll revisit on Friday night/Saturday morning.
Interesting few days coming up.
We have pretty much the same squad that gave us that fantastic start so why the need to bring another three or four in( as fans we know impact of the injuries so are desperate for a bigger squad).
They will only sign players that are going to make a significant difference to us but such players are overpriced or reluctant to leave a Championship or league one club where they start each week.
Therefore a couple of loans is our focus.
SG: Want to sign on those terms we offered you?
MM will then either say yes because we're the best Championship option in his eyes (In which case we get the player) or he'll say no, give me the extra 1k I asked for
If its the latter then its all depends if Gallen is prepared to then pay it - If all other avenues have been exhausted then I reckon we'll pay it, all depends on who is prepared to blink first
Of course should we get him we'll never know if we did just offer more or whether Maddison came to his senses (doubt it'll stop people moaning that we could have just paid him what he wanted making him available for Fulham)
On the other hand he may well feel he wants to be in a position where the transfer fee becomes his signing on fee in the summer (for whoever he joins) - If thats the case then I dont think it matters what anyone offers him!!
a. Our lowly league position and no-one fancies the prospect of League 1
b. Our loanees have a reputation for being driven too hard and getting knackered
c. Unacceptable financial demands are being made because of the new owners.
d. Southall is conducting negotiations instead of Gallen
e. None of the above.
I'm still hopeful on Maddison. Seems Pogba is likely. I expect a couple of others too. Sadly the last 5 or 6 years have probably not helped to whip up this frenzy of activity at transfer window time. It apparently cannot be avoided.
In honesty I would have hoped to sort something over the weekend ie a signing that would have a week of training with us before the weekend game but that doesn't seem tobe the case - as we have always done in the summer window it's a lastminute.com signing or two.
For now I will remain calm and hopeful we will get some good news in the next 36 hours to lighten spirits a bit