Clubs around ushave strengthened better than us in my opinion. Blackpool have brought in some footballers who are still good enough for the Champ (Honeyman, Ihiekwe, Ebiowei) whilst also permanently signing Niall Ennis. Bolton have been clever with their recruitment and look like they’re getting a similar identity to what Plymouth has been they went up whilst also spending £2 million on three players. I think we can all agree Huddersfield will be a force. Orient have signed some very good attackers - yes they have lost a few but their squad is better than ours and have players signed who we’ve wanted numerous times over the last few years (Koroma, El Mizouni, Arron Connolly). There’s numerous other teams that I don’t wanna bore you with that have also done better business. I’m a Barnsley fan and want us near the top. I’m not a doom and gloomer, I like to this I’m a realist. This squad finishes mid table. Yes, we’ll recruit and there’s decent, my opinion will change.
Bolton looked **** and Blackpool and Plymouth have had bad starts. A CH and CF and we'll be a serious threat this season, it's not just about getting quality in, it's also a management skill of getting average players that are still here playing out of their skin. Fergie was the best at that, winning champions leagues and titles with players like John O'Shea, Nicky Butt, Wes Brown, Phil Neville etc
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t DKD play up front under Conor in the second half of the season and look really good dropping deep, passing to a winger and then running into the box? That’s the impression I got although I did watch us a lot less. Besides the point anyway as Conor has said he’s wanting a few in, which didn’t seem an alarming situation coming towards the end of the transfer window. Wording stuff like ‘sort it Mladen’ just makes it sound like our business is miles behind everyone else when it really isn’t.
I’ve given Mladan some stick and the January transfer window was insane. Like, unexplainably bad. He’s done well this window. Deadwood gone, I think we probably got a bad deal on the loans - but getting out is most important. I don’t know how much say Connor has, but whatever the situation, we are signing much more shrewd signings I think a lot of that is from CH - as it should be in my opinion. I honestly really don’t think it’s that hard to sign good players at this level if you’re smart. You don’t need to spend a lot of money and there’s plenty of players that aren’t amazing, but will do a job a league 1 level. Theres so many players either that can make a step up, or come on loan from a higher league. We look a better outfit. Hopefully when Roberts is back, a back 4 of Roberts/Shepherd + new signings might hopefully sort us out at the back. If we sign a CB, it needs to be a ready starter to play with Shep…..we have to roll this dice with Bland, Yoganathan and a couple of others. But I’d rather see our kids given then chance to step up than get a random signing in. I have high hopes for them both.
I think that's a very well-argued post. I just don't agree that even the current squad will finish 15th. Personally, I think it's top 6 if we're extremely lucky with injuries and suspensions, otherwise we'll fall short and finish somewhere around 9th. If we bring in another striker and central defender, then on current showing we'll be right up there this season. However, as you quite rightly say it's a tough league with some very decent teams.
I think we will sign that Ballard. Hopefully permanent and not loan, then that will be striker sorted. I think hourihane said two more, so would either be a winger or centre half. Hopefully a centre half but i can see it been that winger from Cheltenham.
Still don't understand how you think we will finish below last season. Our bench has looked stacked at times already. Ideally, we are striker and centre half off. But Conor may think CH isn't prio with still Mael and Roberts to return. I dont know where else you think we massively need to strengthen? 15th??
Well if Bolton have recruited better than us it didn't look that way last Saturday. We were miles better side and would have won that with 11 on the field. I wasn't impressed with Bolton. I get what your saying ,with regards recruitment, but if CH can organise these boys and squeeze another centre back into the squad ,im sure we can compete at this level.
Don’t think we can really count on Jalo to come back either. Unfortunately he just seems to come back and then get injured again.
Today absolutely highlighted that we need a centre back to come in and start immediately. Not one for the future, not one from overseas that takes time to adapt. One that can come in and slot straight in. We also need a proper number 9 to stay centrally and in the box when attacking. Also for impact off the bench when needed. I praised the transfer window for what we’ve done so far in bringing some good young players in and I still believe that. We absolutely need these last 2 bits of business though.
Question....would we take selling DKD if it meant we got a top quality centre half and a decent centre forward signed in return?
Reluctantly, yes. Agreed. It'll be the difference between a probable mid-table finish and a tilt at promotion.
I would mate, he have enough quality attacking wise in midfield if he was to be sacrificed for improvement in defence/centre forward
Then we would need 2 centre forwards in order to have cover. Wonder what figure the club would consider acceptable for DKD at this stage of the transfer window?
It's rumoured to be £5 million. Selling him for much less doesn't really make sense as his goals are probably worth that, plus he'll need replacing. But judging by the first few games of the season, will anyone be willing to pay £5 million for him? I certainly don't think they would.