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
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.
What that doesn't take into account is player losses, and effectively we're down 2 players over the 1st January, Kayal and Gallagher
Gallagher was a massive loss, not planned for at all. Kayal wasn't a loss BUT when the squad was being planned in August Bowyer clearly thought he was needed, so that's another midfielder we're down. I don't know how close Field is to returning, but when Pratley gets his 10th booking and misses 2 games, I don't see much cover in the squad at the moment for him in the engine room.
I've been very supportive of the new owners and have said that we should judge them on transfers on Saturday 1st Feb. However I'm also getting a little concerned that it 'appears' no-one has been signed. The one thought I've had is, could it be we have signed a couple of players, they are training with the squad, but we haven't announced them so as to try and keep the potential new team away from Barnsley until the very last minute? Clutching at straws maybe, but I would like to think that Bowyer/Gallen and of course Southall have something organised to strengthen the squad!
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
I don't doubt that Maddison was excited by meeting Bowyer, nor do I doubt that wage demands are an issue. But perhaps they became a bigger issue once Birmingham/Hull showed interest as this gave Maddison and his agent leverage to demand more, therefore complicating the transfer. By all accounts, the contract was fair. It's not as simple as 'okay mate sure, here's the extra £xxx per week you want because Birmingham have shown interest'.
Maddison can still be excited about meeting Bowyer, but also be keen to find out more about the opportunity at Birmingham/Hull and even using it in contract negotiations. The two aren't mutually exclusive.
I wonder with Maddison whether there is a bit of brinkmanship going on? Problem being if he goes elsewhere at the eleventh hour it may be too late to secure number 2 target. Total speculation on my part of course. Matt Southall is in a possibly unique position as a former agent and probably feels he has a winning hand in terms of getting deals done within the model budget and in fact may well see this window as essential for "making a statement". Good luck Matt, but please excuse me whilst I panic and bed wet
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.
This... best to keep our business quiet and that’s what they’re doing.
We know that fees and terms were higher for us because of people knowing where our investors are from, so rather than playing it out in public, it’s best to keep it under wraps.
They’re working hard and we just gotta wait that little bit more, signings will happen.
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.
Has anyone been to the training ground to see any activity? Is there a chance we have made signings since the Fulham game but not yet announced to give Barnsley something to think about. I would expect to only hear through official channels close to Friday.
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.
D
I also think this is playing a part, but big of a part is hard to say. Gallen has built up relationships over time and that’s important for negotiations. He’s still very much involved and apart of the whole thing, but he isn’t the sole man anymore. People will be feeling out Southall and testing the waters a bit more. That doesn’t mean that they won’t sign, just I hope Gallen is as involved as we all would like.
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!!
As far as I know, Maddison was not the player who asked for the extra £1,000 p/w.
They are not going to offer massive contracts to players in January as it will upset all the other players that are here at the moment. Better to wait until the summer to see what league we are in.
It's all conjecture. We don't really know who we are trying to sign, how many, how much we are offering.
There will be a lot of business done in the next few days. Bowyer and Gallen are fully aware we need some players and will be doing their best to get it done. Whether we get the quality or quantity required is another thing, but it's not a question that is going to be answered today.
Chill out and see where we are in 80 odd hours time.
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.
C
Also this... but we have recently learnt that prices are coming down and will continue to do so as the window comes to a close.
Deadline day will be interesting, and given what's gone on so far probably the most likely time we'll see something happen. It's when deals get agreed all round in a chain, and it's when people blink. Could be someone like Maddison deciding to take the extra money on offer now rather than holding out for more, or us deciding sod it and chucking over the money we didn't want to at the last minute to avoid having nothing. At the moment we need to replace Gallagher and Kayal to be where we were at the start of the window. The downside there is we could do with an improvement at the back as we struggle defensively with everyone fit. We also then need to rely on players returning from injury being fit, and we've seen Taylor, Cullen, JFC, Kayal and Hemed all suffer setbacks this season when supposedly returning so that's a hell of a thing to bank on. I'd like to see two more midfielders, a defender and a striker to be comfortable, and then hopefully we'll have Field, Cullen, Williams, Taylor and Oztumer playing more regularly until the end of the season to see us through.
People need to stop comparing us to other championship sides, the lack of quality we have compared to the majority is ridiculous and a fair few of them have strong benches, not to mention most don't have the level of setbacks we have had. Quite literally incomparable. There is no way we should be using other championship clubs to justify our lack of activity. Are people forgetting that's what the old lot did before and we crucified them everytime. 'We tried getting ex player over the line but it didn't happen bla bla bla'
Why is that excuse valid now?
I’m sure the clubs below us are also desperate to add more quality, regardless of how bad their injury situation may have been. We’re not the only one.
Unless we’re willing to overpay or bring in average players we won’t get signings in quicker. Being more desperate doesn’t mean other clubs aren’t waiting for replacements, or waiting to make decisions on who to loan out.
I expected more in by now, but I expected most deals to go through towards the end of the window.
All I want in this window, isn't sign of intention from ESI etc, it is just a few players that will bring creativity to our game. We've struggled in this area and will continue to do so without CG/Leko and I remember Kayal did assist Bonne for a nice goal away.
Comments
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
Gallagher was a massive loss, not planned for at all. Kayal wasn't a loss BUT when the squad was being planned in August Bowyer clearly thought he was needed, so that's another midfielder we're down. I don't know how close Field is to returning, but when Pratley gets his 10th booking and misses 2 games, I don't see much cover in the squad at the moment for him in the engine room.
Maddison can still be excited about meeting Bowyer, but also be keen to find out more about the opportunity at Birmingham/Hull and even using it in contract negotiations. The two aren't mutually exclusive.
Problem being if he goes elsewhere at the eleventh hour it may be too late to secure number 2 target.
Total speculation on my part of course.
Matt Southall is in a possibly unique position as a former agent and probably feels he has a winning hand in terms of getting deals done within the model budget and in fact may well see this window as essential for "making a statement".
Good luck Matt, but please excuse me whilst I panic and bed wet
We know that fees and terms were higher for us because of people knowing where our investors are from, so rather than playing it out in public, it’s best to keep it under wraps.
They’re working hard and we just gotta wait that little bit more, signings will happen.
Loans and perms that are reasonable for now.
There will be a lot of business done in the next few days. Bowyer and Gallen are fully aware we need some players and will be doing their best to get it done. Whether we get the quality or quantity required is another thing, but it's not a question that is going to be answered today.
Chill out and see where we are in 80 odd hours time.
I expected more in by now, but I expected most deals to go through towards the end of the window.