I agree 100%. But he sighed then because he knew them, not because of their nationality. He also signed about 37 Rochdale players. Struber has so far signed 2. Possibly one more, here.
But Struber knows him. That’s the connection. Nothing to do with nationality. (He’s not even Austrian, he’s German anyway.)
You said he'd played for him before. And I've said nothing about being Austrian. You should know what you're arguing against before refuting something I haven't claimed.
Do you think our defence required a 19 year old with limited first team experience in a league well below the level we're currently playing at?
And you're sort of backing up my point. Ethnic nepotism means you favour those you're more comfortable with, rather than choosing because of talent. Whether that's Keith Hill bringing in players from Rochdale or Struber signing players from the Austrian league it amounts to the same thing. And I'm against both.
So are you writing off all of Struber's signings already? Ritzmaier 2 and a bit games Ludewig 1 game Sollbauer yet to pull on a shirt.
I apologised for calling you a name the other day. I think you took that very well and I think you're above simply arguing with me because I did that. You may not agree with my point here, but I you may concede I'm not out of order for making it? Even if you think I'm wrong.
I think he’d be just as likely to sign a player he’s worked with before if they were American, English, Pakistani or African, though. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing to sign players that he’s familiar with, if that’s who he feels he can get the most out of. Providing 2 conditions are met: 1. Players already at the club are not left out in the cold. 2. The players brought in are good enough. I don’t see any evidence whatsoever that number 1 is happening. And so far I don’t think we’re looking bad on number 2. Ritzmaier looks better than what we already had (so far, it’s very early days) and Ludewig showed some decent spells going forward. Shaky at the back, but. I’ll give them both the benefit of the doubt for a couple more games at least.
I'm going to bed. Your opinion is as valid as mine and may well be correct. I've read it and taken it on board.
I’m not arguing with you because of that at all. My comment about that earlier in this thread was tongue in cheek, but I shouldn’t have done that, I apologise. I don’t think you’re out of order for making your point, but I think it’s too early to assume malice or anything like that. I thought Keith Hill took it WAY too far. I don’t think Struber will do so. The guy this thread is about actually looks very promising to me. 29. Experienced. No nonesense. Was Struber’s previous captain. If we sign any more from Wolfsberger, I might start to get a little bit concerned, especially if they’re fringe players, but I’m not going to complain about taking their experienced centre half and captain.
This thread is a joke.... for once we are signing an older player who has captained his side against teams like Roma. And people are whinging? For once the board are going after players that the manager specifically wants. Who cares if he’s not British. Ritzmaier looks like a good signing too imo