Surely we should emulate the strategy used by Huddersfield Town? Same size town, fanbase, stadium

Spent very little like ourselves, however there was One HUGE difference in recruitment.

Only Jack Payne in the promotion season was signed from League 1 and their were none from League 2 or National League. (that went on to play regularly anyway).

Instead gems were unearthed from extensive scouting abroad. Hefele on a free, Lowe on a free, Quaner very cheap, Schindler most expensive at 1.8M. These gems were complimented with quality loan signings like Kachunga, Mooy etc.

This is what we should be doing at this level. The Brad Potts's of this world only work if we're starting in League 1. As was mentioned at the lamproom on Thursday Hourihane was far from Championship standard in the 14/15 season in terms of overall play but because we were at a lower level he was able to develop over time without his flaws getting punished too much.

Bring in the likes of Pinollos who have a wealth of experience at an equivalent or higher level than the Championship and are proven but still available on the cheap (and are not hasbeen journeymen). For example scout suitable players who's contract are running out or are playing in a country with lower wages. Then use the loan window to bring in talent from the Premiership or OGC Nice that shoud instantly improve the squad such as Matty James and Harvey Barnes.

A much better method of doing things without 'doing anything too crazy' (as is Mr. Conways infamous catchphrase) and still gives the opportunity to develop & bring players on.

 

In short, we’ll pass them in the very near future.

 

We’ve already started doing what you’re suggesting.

You’ve even given examples of players we’ve signed to do this.

Also most of our signings are fairing better in this league than when we were bottom or league one.

 

they will be relegated.... already dropping like a stone

 

One word - wages.

 

This was always the plan that we would start slow and improve year on year. As we all know though, promotion caught the club out and the players took advantage.
The takeover should theoretically get things back on track and do things a little quicker

 

Can I ask, for example, what makes Kevin Quaner a better player than say Lloyd Isgrove? Or Marley Watkins?

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. But as many have pointed out, unless Man City were heavily subsiding Mooy's wages, then that's the main difference.

Its not a sustainable long term way of doing things, and it's getting increasingly more difficult to make it sustainable due to the sheer number of clubs resorting to throwing silly money around. If they were to be relegated, they'd struggle to get back there.

 

Huddersfield certainly wouldn't have been able to throw wages at players in the same way as Wednesday Villa etc.

Once a side gets over that magical line of TV money and global exposure they will have the power to spend big so it only really matters about getting there first. Take Burnley for example, basically identical to us in terms of resources before promotion but ever since reaching the big time they've been able to bring in the likes of Andre Gray for 9M and comfortably maintain a place above 8th in the Championship.

 

Burnley have managed to stay in the Premier league which has made it sustainable. I think that is in part down to having a good manager. For every good example of spending outside your means in order to gain success, there's 2 or 3 bad examples.

Whilst it's worked in the main for Burnley, and is working for Huddersfield, Brighton and Bournemouth at present, for example, it hasn't worked for Blackpool, Portsmouth, Blackburn, Wigan, Forest, QPR, Cardiff etc.

I personally would strive for a model similar to that of West Brom or Swansea. Neither appear to be in debt, and in the main, have become fairly established in the Premier league, without the fear that if either were to drop out of the league, they'd be in a position to cope without having to make wholesale changes like Sunderland have in order to attempt to get back up. The issue at both of those clubs at present is the knee jerk reactions at the first sign of a crisis and sacking the manager.