I fear this will go same way as last season with a Schmidt type last minute signing to ‘strengthen’ our striker options. Be happy to get proved wrong....
Schmidt was tracked long term. He was coming in regardless of Moore. It was the additional striker we never signed.
Might end up with the barrel. The prerequisite Struber was looking for was players that aren't "skinny". The spreadsheet might select Mr Blobby, Vanessa Feltz and Russell Grant and Struber has to pick the best option.
Not the worst option if we got Bonne. Certainly a much lower risk signing than Kulenovic for example. Knows the league, and the country. Scored 11 last season in a side that went down which isn't too bad. Kulenovic has the traits we need and looks the part on the video clips smashing them in for the various youth teams he played in. But his record in 'proper mens' football is crap playing for some really good clubs in Europe too (Legia and Zagreb). Wonder if Macauley could be lined up as a replacement though for if Cauley goes?
Just to be clear on this. Any player we sign before the transfer window closes on 16th October (for domestic transfers) is automatically poor because we're 'scraping the barrel'. Also, any incoming transfers are absolutely NOT to increase the squad size, but to replace current members of the first team. Fair enough. Duly noted.
So on the one hand James Cryne is king of the spreadsheet and can highlight who and what we want. On the other the 80%ers are in charge of the football club and hold the purse strings. They are both chucking toys out of prams. We could end up with anyone ... or more likely no-one ... or maybe the big lass out of Little Mix as a compromise.
The little mix lass would command too much in fees/wages, we would have to settle for someone from Atomic Kitten or Eternal maybe.
If, in order to get someone like Kulenovic, we just accepted his pay demands even if they were way more than anyone else earned in the squad, it would unsettle the other players. They would then either demand a transfer or a new contract, and the club would be accused of not having any ambition if they refused to pay and ended up selling them. Or we just pay everyone way more than they’re currently on, run at a loss and risk going bust? They have to find a player who fills a gap Struber has identified, can immediately contribute, is available at the right price and on the right wages. It can’t be that easy.