Not sure if it’s been mentioned yet but I’ve seen an article saying we’ve already passed on Pogba as we ‘want a younger centre back with a resale value’
Not sure if it’s been mentioned yet but I’ve seen an article saying we’ve already passed on Pogba as we ‘want a younger centre back with a resale value’
Surely bowyer knew his age and he was invited to train with us
Not sure if it’s been mentioned yet but I’ve seen an article saying we’ve already passed on Pogba as we ‘want a younger centre back with a resale value’
Surely bowyer knew his age and he was invited to train with us
I think ‘want a younger centre back with resale value’ is just a let down really for him either not being good enough or not fitting in.
Not sure if it’s been mentioned yet but I’ve seen an article saying we’ve already passed on Pogba as we ‘want a younger centre back with a resale value’
Surely bowyer knew his age and he was invited to train with us
I think ‘want a younger centre back with resale value’ is just a let down really for him either not being good enough or not fitting in.
I’m sure “the model” MS talks about is around signing young players and using the academy.
As long as that’s combined with reliable proven players that’s a good thing.
We got it badly wrong in 15/16 when the bulk of the squad were from the academy or abroad.
Just hope ESI's 5 year plan will stretch to 8 or even 10 years. Over the last 50 years every time we've been relegated to the 3rd tier it's taken us 3 years to get out. And now there are bigger & better teams than Hartlepool & Accrington down there.
Relegation is very much on the cards. We are on the slide & the lack of hardened players that can stop it & turn it around is worrying. Drafting in players from the Irish league or players that have not played competitively in this league wont cut it I'm afraid. For every Gallagher there are Dodoos & Kai Kai's.
And yes, the stakes get higher every minute as the end of window approaches.
But that doesn't just apply to us. It's the same for other clubs, agents and players.
Will ESI blink?
Are ESI bluffing?
Are ESI overplaying a weak hand?
Or maybe ESI hold all aces?
F***ed if I know. It's getting tense for sure but we're in the game.
This. In previous years we've overpaid for Texeira or brought Roger Johnson back, two examples of panic signings amongst others, agents saw us coming every year throughout the RD era as easy pickings. Lets hope those days are over.
Just hope ESI's 5 year plan will stretch to 8 or even 10 years. Over the last 50 years every time we've been relegated to the 3rd tier it's taken us 3 years to get out. And now there are bigger & better teams than Hartlepool & Accrington down there.
Relegation is very much on the cards. We are on the slide & the lack of hardened players that can stop it & turn it around is worrying. Drafting in players from the Irish league or players that have not played competitively in this league wont cut it I'm afraid. For every Gallagher there are Dodoos & Kai Kai's.
Apart from 1980-81 when we got promoted 1st attempt.
And yes, the stakes get higher every minute as the end of window approaches.
But that doesn't just apply to us. It's the same for other clubs, agents and players.
Will ESI blink?
Are ESI bluffing?
Are ESI overplaying a weak hand?
Or maybe ESI hold all aces?
F***ed if I know. It's getting tense for sure but we're in the game.
This is correct but the stakes aren’t the same for every club. Some are floating in mid table with nothing at risk and can wait till summer. Some are flirting with the riches of the premier league.
we are flirting with league one so it can be argued we have less leeway than some others
Jack Byrne is an interesting one. Very talented player, always had good pedigree but had difficulty settling in the UK. Has talked at length about how he feels more comfortable back in Ireland being able to see his family regularly again.
LOI players who dominate in Ireland and then move to Championship have a spotty track record. You have the likes of Kevin Doyle and Shane Long who had great careers, players like Alan Browne who looks like hes ready to step up a division, players like Sean Maguire who is holding his head above water in the Championship but injuries have set him back somewhat.
Then you get players like Kevin O'Connor, Andy Boyle and Graham Burke who are back in Ireland within a year or two.
In lower divisions there are the likes of Chiedoze Ogbene, Kieran Sadlier and Eoin Doyle who are doing very well at L1/L2 level.
IIt can be a good league to mine as you probably can get good value when you get it right, and they tend to be on shorter contracts as the talented young players know that benefits them in their goal of getting over to England. Most of the players named above went for ~100k or lower.
From a selfish point of view I hope Shamrock Rovers get no money for Byrne. Fuck the Hooped cunts.
Just hope ESI's 5 year plan will stretch to 8 or even 10 years. Over the last 50 years every time we've been relegated to the 3rd tier it's taken us 3 years to get out. And now there are bigger & better teams than Hartlepool & Accrington down there.
Relegation is very much on the cards. We are on the slide & the lack of hardened players that can stop it & turn it around is worrying. Drafting in players from the Irish league or players that have not played competitively in this league wont cut it I'm afraid. For every Gallagher there are Dodoos & Kai Kai's.
MS is reminding me of the Sunderland CEO in the Netflix series. He had his fancy clobber, Range Rover and espresso machine but could not get any signings over the line. Funnily enough they signed Johnny Williams on loan but he got injured and they got relegated !
Even the optimists amongst us are getting a bit fed up now, I like everything Iv seen from ESI and Matt Southall but this is really going down to the wire Now, I still think we need 3/4 signings and I’m getting anxious it’s not going to happen, I don’t think talking about marquee signings and getting in for the beginning of jan to make signings and save our season has done him any favours, plus the tweet two weeks ago about deals pending made things sound close when clearly not, got 3 days to sort it but I’m getting worried.
I feel quite relieved that Taylor will be staying now because 29th tomorrow and you would've to be very inept to sell your top scorer and assists player over the last 18 months, when you could be in 21st place come Saturday. Even Roland resisted the bid 5 minutes before the window closed in the Summer, so no way will Matt sell Lyle because he would've no credibility left after working so hard at networking during the last two months and saying he wouldn't sell Taylor.
Surely we've got to get some new signings over the line before Tahnoon visits. A team weaker than before they took over at the end of the window cannot be allowed to happen. Surely?
Now only one place above the trap door. Getting out of this mess is not going to be as easy as so many of you think. I hope this is focussing the mind of ESI.
Is it wrong for me to feel like we might have seen more activity so far in the shape of incomings this window if Roland was still in charge?
Very
Don’t get me wrong, I’m very glad Roland has gone and hopeful that the new ownership will get us back on track. I’m just surprised that the ESI regime have been unable to secure more incoming business so far. I wonder if a takeover going through at the start of the window isn’t the blessing it seemed at the time if it means that vital squad strengthening is unable to take place due to the disruption caused. Maybe a couple of months before or immediately after would have been better from a recruitment perspective.
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As long as that’s combined with reliable proven players that’s a good thing.
We got it badly wrong in 15/16 when the bulk of the squad were from the academy or abroad.
Or to be more accurate multiple games of poker.
And yes, the stakes get higher every minute as the end of window approaches.
But that doesn't just apply to us. It's the same for other clubs, agents and players.
Will ESI blink?
Are ESI bluffing?
Are ESI overplaying a weak hand?
Or maybe ESI hold all aces?
F***ed if I know. It's getting tense for sure but we're in the game.
Relegation is very much on the cards. We are on the slide & the lack of hardened players that can stop it & turn it around is worrying. Drafting in players from the Irish league or players that have not played competitively in this league wont cut it I'm afraid. For every Gallagher there are Dodoos & Kai Kai's.
we are flirting with league one so it can be argued we have less leeway than some others
Oh fuck!
I still think we need 3/4 signings and I’m getting anxious it’s not going to happen, I don’t think talking about marquee signings and getting in for the beginning of jan to make signings and save our season has done him any favours,
plus the tweet two weeks ago about deals pending made things sound close when clearly not, got 3 days to sort it but I’m getting worried.