@Redhenry what exactly is your concern with the ownership? I know you used to have some ITK links is the dislike driven from there or is this just a hunch on the lack of signings?
The lack of signings. Also the signings made in Jan, they were under Andy Scotts watch, some seem to have forgotten those. Most new owners at other clubs will have raised the money to buy the club and enough to invest in the squad to at least have a crack at promotion. I'm hoping they will invest in the playing squad, but I am a little disappointed so far...
It can't all be like when sandgaard took over and you reported that 7 players were going to sign on day 1!
In defence of Sandgaard we missed out on a lot of key targets and still signed a number of players that should have been able to do a job. It seems they had the wrong manager to achieve that.
Now every window after that was a let down, Dobson and JRS aside.
Funny that it turns out none of them were very good after all.
Being brutally honest I’m more concerned about the defence than the attack. I think the attack will sort itself out but I’m worried that our back three / four are looking all over the place. We got away with it against Orient but we won’t against better teams. Hector and Ness in particular look shadows of last season. Early I know but the warning signs are there.
I keep reading on here that any new signing won't be fit. Can I ask why? Other teams also train and play matches
I guess it’s because 4 out 5 signings to date have not been fit to play straight away.
I think the only player we could sign that wouldn’t be fit is Sessegnon. Can’t see us bringing in any other free agent. Our targets will now either have been playing for their team or a PL U21 who has had a full season so should be able to play quicker
Being brutally honest I’m more concerned about the defence than the attack. I think the attack will sort itself out but I’m worried that our back three / four are looking all over the place. We got away with it against Orient but we won’t against better teams. Hector and Ness in particular look shadows of last season. Early I know but the warning signs are there.
Been saying for a while that you can’t expect to concede 20-30 less goals this season with largely the same defence that we had last season, the same one that conceded 66 goals.
Take Hector out and in terms of actual quality, we very much lack any. We have young players who have done well in the main, some completely new to men’s first team football, but that’s not enough or good enough to make the difference required.
Last two times we got out of League One, we had Morrison, Taylor, and Cort when we won the league and then Bauer, Pearce, Sarr, and Bielik in defence covering at times through play-offs.
Thats the standard you need to get out this league.
We have recruited well so far and we will bring in more players. It would be all for nothing if we do not sign another quality centre back because it’s the defence that will let us down this season if we don’t achieve what we all want and hope for.
Would say Hector on paper should be as good as Bauer was but who knows if he will be. I think we need another top quality centre back, preferably left footed. I think Hector and Jones are good enough but we need that 3rd CB to be the same level as Hector or better.
I keep reading on here that any new signing won't be fit. Can I ask why? Other teams also train and play matches
I guess it’s because 4 out 5 signings to date have not been fit to play straight away.
I think the only player we could sign that wouldn’t be fit is Sessegnon. Can’t see us bringing in any other free agent. Our targets will now either have been playing for their team or a PL U21 who has had a full season so should be able to play quicker
We signed Terry Taylor from Burton for a fee but he was still injured from last season & only played his first minutes last night.
Lloyd Jones has been injured & only played his first game on Saturday.
A few years back we held our for weeks to sign Ben Reeves....he didn't start for about a month after he signed because he didnt have a pre season.
Don't think just because the season has now started that players are going to be fully fit.
I'll be astounded if anyone we sign plays the very next game possible.
I keep reading on here that any new signing won't be fit. Can I ask why? Other teams also train and play matches
I guess it’s because 4 out 5 signings to date have not been fit to play straight away.
I think the only player we could sign that wouldn’t be fit is Sessegnon. Can’t see us bringing in any other free agent. Our targets will now either have been playing for their team or a PL U21 who has had a full season so should be able to play quicker
We signed Terry Taylor from Burton for a fee but he was still injured from last season & only played his first minutes last night.
Lloyd Jones has been injured & only played his first game on Saturday.
A few years back we held our for weeks to sign Ben Reeves....he didn't start for about a month after he signed because he didnt have a pre season.
Don't think just because the season has now started that players are going to be fully fit.
I'll be astounded if anyone we sign plays the very next game possible.
And if Camara had not been injured there no way he would be with us this season .. so players being injured sometimes works in your favour when it comes to getting better quality players on loan …. Think also what people need to remember is the new owners had their own list of targets which are few levels higher then we was shopping in so recruitment has almost started again two weeks ago ..
I keep reading on here that any new signing won't be fit. Can I ask why? Other teams also train and play matches
I guess it’s because 4 out 5 signings to date have not been fit to play straight away.
I think the only player we could sign that wouldn’t be fit is Sessegnon. Can’t see us bringing in any other free agent. Our targets will now either have been playing for their team or a PL U21 who has had a full season so should be able to play quicker
We signed Terry Taylor from Burton for a fee but he was still injured from last season & only played his first minutes last night.
Lloyd Jones has been injured & only played his first game on Saturday.
A few years back we held our for weeks to sign Ben Reeves....he didn't start for about a month after he signed because he didnt have a pre season.
Don't think just because the season has now started that players are going to be fully fit.
I'll be astounded if anyone we sign plays the very next game possible.
I would be very surprised if he made his debut before the season started
I think we need to get some players out before we get any in now to comply with ffp rules. Not totally sure though.
Would make sense. Plus players like Camara, May and Hector are likely pretty high earners for L1 and the wage books will need balancing quite apart from FFP regulations.
Jones played against Aberdeen so had played a pre-season game before the season started but certainly there have been some (Jones, Edun, Camara, Taylor) but not all (May, Isted) not up to speed when they signed.
Some because they had pre-existing injuries, others, like Edun, who'd been training outside the regular squad at their old clubs.
Recruitment does, from the outside at least, appeared to have reached an impasse.
I suspect that this is because there is a wage budget plus a target squad size.
So players need to be moved on. Four was the number I heard (let's not rehash the much repeated debate about which four) and two, a striker and a right wing back, coming in.
I think @Redhenry was given an unnecessarily hard time for expressing legitimate concerns about the squad depth and suitability AS IT STANDS.
The squad ISN'T ready either in fitness or in positions covered. Holden has said it himself.
But at the same time we're still three weeks away from the end of the transfer window, a period that we know is the most hectic and when more deals get done.
I share RedHenry's doubts about how effective Scott's January dealings were but accept he was coming in at short notice to clear the decks, which he did well, albeit using a lot of outward loans that are now back at Sparrows Lane. The January incoming signings however were nearly all disappointing to one degree or another.
I don't buy the "they have only been here two weeks" excuse either. The takeover was in the pipeline for months and we know TS and GFP were consulting on transfers throughout the summer.
It maybe GFP's desire to be seen to be making the deals that has delayed some transfers.
And then you have some clubs (Exeter) who don't just roll over because big boy club Charlton offer a deal. Unsurprisingly, they want to hold onto Nombe and if not then get some big dollars for him.
Who said running a football club was easy?
Of course, Rodwell and Scott know all this. I don't make the silly assumption we so often see on social media that lack of signings or even lack of rumours means lack of activity.
We shall see how it pans out over the rest of the month and then, the real test, over the season.
Jones played against Aberdeen so had played a pre-season game before the season started but certainly there have been some (Jones, Edun, Camara, Taylor) but not all (May, Isted) not up to speed when they signed.
Some because they had pre-existing injuries, others, like Edun, who'd been training outside the regular squad at their old clubs.
Recruitment does, from the outside at least, appeared to have reached an impasse.
I suspect that this is because there is a wage budget plus a target squad size.
So players need to be moved on. Four was the number I heard (let's not rehash the much repeated debate about which four) and two, a striker and a right wing back, coming in.
I think @Redhenry was given an unnecessarily hard time for expressing legitimate concerns about the squad depth and suitability AS IT STANDS.
The squad ISN'T ready either in fitness or in positions covered. Holden has said it himself.
But at the same time we're still three weeks away from the end of the transfer window, a period that we know is the most hectic and when more deals get done.
I share RedHenry's doubts about how effective Scott's January dealings were but accept he was coming in at short notice to clear the decks, which he did well, albeit using a lot of outward loans that are now back at Sparrows Lane. The January incoming signings however were nearly all disappointing to one degree or another.
I don't buy the "they have only been here two weeks" excuse either. The takeover was in the pipeline for months and we know TS and GFP were consulting on transfers throughout the summer.
It maybe GFP's desire to be seen to be making the deals that has delayed some transfers.
And then you have some clubs (Exeter) who don't just roll over because big boy club Charlton offer a deal. Unsurprisingly, they want to hold onto Nombe and if not then get some big dollars for him.
Who said running a football club was easy?
Of course, Rodwell and Scott know all this. I don't make the silly assumption we so often see on social media that lack of signings or even lack of rumours means lack of activity.
We shall see how it pans out over the rest of the month and then, the real test, over the season.
I think this is a fair reflection.. I think everyone knows we are short at the moment, but few players need to leave, I know they won't want to be left carrying the baby with some of the players. I think let's wait until the end of the month before making judgement.
Also in January, there was many obstacles in the way.. TS wasn't fully in on SE7, so made it difficult in terms of transfers!
Jones played against Aberdeen so had played a pre-season game before the season started but certainly there have been some (Jones, Edun, Camara, Taylor) but not all (May, Isted) not up to speed when they signed.
Some because they had pre-existing injuries, others, like Edun, who'd been training outside the regular squad at their old clubs.
Recruitment does, from the outside at least, appeared to have reached an impasse.
I suspect that this is because there is a wage budget plus a target squad size.
So players need to be moved on. Four was the number I heard (let's not rehash the much repeated debate about which four) and two, a striker and a right wing back, coming in.
I think @Redhenry was given an unnecessarily hard time for expressing legitimate concerns about the squad depth and suitability AS IT STANDS.
The squad ISN'T ready either in fitness or in positions covered. Holden has said it himself.
But at the same time we're still three weeks away from the end of the transfer window, a period that we know is the most hectic and when more deals get done.
I share RedHenry's doubts about how effective Scott's January dealings were but accept he was coming in at short notice to clear the decks, which he did well, albeit using a lot of outward loans that are now back at Sparrows Lane. The January incoming signings however were nearly all disappointing to one degree or another.
I don't buy the "they have only been here two weeks" excuse either. The takeover was in the pipeline for months and we know TS and GFP were consulting on transfers throughout the summer.
It maybe GFP's desire to be seen to be making the deals that has delayed some transfers.
And then you have some clubs (Exeter) who don't just roll over because big boy club Charlton offer a deal. Unsurprisingly, they want to hold onto Nombe and if not then get some big dollars for him.
Who said running a football club was easy?
Of course, Rodwell and Scott know all this. I don't make the silly assumption we so often see on social media that lack of signings or even lack of rumours means lack of activity.
We shall see how it pans out over the rest of the month and then, the real test, over the season.
I think this is a fair reflection.. I think everyone knows we are short at the moment, but few players need to leave, I know they won't want to be left carrying the baby with some of the players. I think let's wait until the end of the month before making judgement.
Also in January, there was many obstacles in the way.. TS wasn't fully in on SE7, so made it difficult in terms of transfers!
I think the talk around what happened in January is fairly pointless. TS owned the club and as such would clearly not allow a new group to come in and spend his money before they owned the club, conversely the new group would not be putting in money to improve the squad of a club they may never own if things went south (which they very nearly did!).
It is only fair to judge the new group on what has happened since they became owners, so far they have made some good quality signings but we all agree more needs to be done. Have faith - we will be siging more good quality players.
I expect at least 3-4 more new signings, with a similar amount of deadwood being moved on.
It is only fair to judge the new group on what has happened since they became owners, so far they have made some good quality signings but we all agree more needs to be done. Have faith - we will be siging more good quality players.
I expect at least 3-4 more new signings, with a similar amount of deadwood being moved on.
A reasonable stance but that means Sandgaard gets the credit for what looks, at present, the best signing of the summer in Alfie May
Jones played against Aberdeen so had played a pre-season game before the season started but certainly there have been some (Jones, Edun, Camara, Taylor) but not all (May, Isted) not up to speed when they signed.
Some because they had pre-existing injuries, others, like Edun, who'd been training outside the regular squad at their old clubs.
Recruitment does, from the outside at least, appeared to have reached an impasse.
I suspect that this is because there is a wage budget plus a target squad size.
So players need to be moved on. Four was the number I heard (let's not rehash the much repeated debate about which four) and two, a striker and a right wing back, coming in.
I think @Redhenry was given an unnecessarily hard time for expressing legitimate concerns about the squad depth and suitability AS IT STANDS.
The squad ISN'T ready either in fitness or in positions covered. Holden has said it himself.
But at the same time we're still three weeks away from the end of the transfer window, a period that we know is the most hectic and when more deals get done.
I share RedHenry's doubts about how effective Scott's January dealings were but accept he was coming in at short notice to clear the decks, which he did well, albeit using a lot of outward loans that are now back at Sparrows Lane. The January incoming signings however were nearly all disappointing to one degree or another.
I don't buy the "they have only been here two weeks" excuse either. The takeover was in the pipeline for months and we know TS and GFP were consulting on transfers throughout the summer.
It maybe GFP's desire to be seen to be making the deals that has delayed some transfers.
And then you have some clubs (Exeter) who don't just roll over because big boy club Charlton offer a deal. Unsurprisingly, they want to hold onto Nombe and if not then get some big dollars for him.
Who said running a football club was easy?
Of course, Rodwell and Scott know all this. I don't make the silly assumption we so often see on social media that lack of signings or even lack of rumours means lack of activity.
We shall see how it pans out over the rest of the month and then, the real test, over the season.
I think this is a fair reflection.. I think everyone knows we are short at the moment, but few players need to leave, I know they won't want to be left carrying the baby with some of the players. I think let's wait until the end of the month before making judgement.
Also in January, there was many obstacles in the way.. TS wasn't fully in on SE7, so made it difficult in terms of transfers!
I think the talk around what happened in January is fairly pointless. TS owned the club and as such would clearly not allow a new group to come in and spend his money before they owned the club, conversely the new group would not be putting in money to improve the squad of a club they may never own if things went south (which they very nearly did!).
Former senior member of the team shared with me that SG brought in MH and MB (recognised that didn’t work out), while AS did bring in the loans (so ineffective that I can barely remember their names). There was a financial arrangement between the parties and the two AS/SG primary objectives were to clear the out of favour/deadwood players and bring in enough talent to help us survive (as we were at the mid-lower end of the table at the time).
Those were specific tasks with mixed results, arguably SG’s MH coming out pick of the bunch.
AS has proven he can shift players via no doubt an extensive network ✅ while we are yet to see how new recruits under this new leadership will work out? I remain optimistic.
It is such a long season. As long as we can stay within a 1.5 points a game ratio until we are at our strongest fitness and recruitment wise, I think we will be in for a very competitive season. A lot of the right ingredients seem to be there for me.
Comments
He wasn’t great when we played him wing back but contributed more than kirk when playing further up field (& never hid).
Take Hector out and in terms of actual quality, we very much lack any. We have young players who have done well in the main, some completely new to men’s first team football, but that’s not enough or good enough to make the difference required.
Last two times we got out of League One, we had Morrison, Taylor, and Cort when we won the league and then Bauer, Pearce, Sarr, and Bielik in defence covering at times through play-offs.
Thats the standard you need to get out this league.
Lloyd Jones has been injured & only played his first game on Saturday.
A few years back we held our for weeks to sign Ben Reeves....he didn't start for about a month after he signed because he didnt have a pre season.
Don't think just because the season has now started that players are going to be fully fit.
I'll be astounded if anyone we sign plays the very next game possible.
Did you look at the other results by any chance ?
Millwall, Coventry, Southampton etc.
If we start losing when Dobson, Camará and Fraser play the majority of the match then we are struggling.
Some because they had pre-existing injuries, others, like Edun, who'd been training outside the regular squad at their old clubs.
Recruitment does, from the outside at least, appeared to have reached an impasse.
I suspect that this is because there is a wage budget plus a target squad size.
So players need to be moved on. Four was the number I heard (let's not rehash the much repeated debate about which four) and two, a striker and a right wing back, coming in.
I think @Redhenry was given an unnecessarily hard time for expressing legitimate concerns about the squad depth and suitability AS IT STANDS.
The squad ISN'T ready either in fitness or in positions covered. Holden has said it himself.
But at the same time we're still three weeks away from the end of the transfer window, a period that we know is the most hectic and when more deals get done.
I share RedHenry's doubts about how effective Scott's January dealings were but accept he was coming in at short notice to clear the decks, which he did well, albeit using a lot of outward loans that are now back at Sparrows Lane. The January incoming signings however were nearly all disappointing to one degree or another.
I don't buy the "they have only been here two weeks" excuse either. The takeover was in the pipeline for months and we know TS and GFP were consulting on transfers throughout the summer.
It maybe GFP's desire to be seen to be making the deals that has delayed some transfers.
And then you have some clubs (Exeter) who don't just roll over because big boy club Charlton offer a deal. Unsurprisingly, they want to hold onto Nombe and if not then get some big dollars for him.
Who said running a football club was easy?
Of course, Rodwell and Scott know all this. I don't make the silly assumption we so often see on social media that lack of signings or even lack of rumours means lack of activity.
We shall see how it pans out over the rest of the month and then, the real test, over the season.
I expect at least 3-4 more new signings, with a similar amount of deadwood being moved on.
AS has proven he can shift players via no doubt an extensive network ✅ while we are yet to see how new recruits under this new leadership will work out? I remain optimistic.