I think it may take a month or so before we see us gelling

Some promising signs, Hourihane looks very classy, full backs look good, and I think the centre backs will be solid. Yes there were moments when McLeod got behind us, but we will get it right.
Keeper doesn't fail me with confidence, but he's only standing in.
The midfield didn't work for me, Hourihane apart they were awful. Bailey was too quiet and gave the ball away too much, Berry was lightweight and offered little, but was playing out of position. Jennings just flattered to deceive, looks unfit and needs to lose at least a stone.
Forwards too were lightweight, Rose just doesn't do it for me, and Winnall didn't do much better, but then again neither had any service.
Like I said though early days, and still think we will be top 6.
Really enjoyed Redfearn's bar, good ambience, good people and good service. Pity it can't have more than 150 people in, because it would have an amazing atmosphere if it was chocker. And can't complain at £2.50 for a pint. Bloody £3.60 in the ground now, disgrace.

 

That's why we all paid for our season tickets before the end of April, so that we could recruit early and not have to worry about gelling once the season started.

 

Do you think if we'd signed the 20 players being talked about in May that they'd have been fully ready come 9th August, comfortable completely as a team despite lots of players not playing at this level before & only having played friendlies together?

I'm not quite sure of your expectations. We lost 1-0, we didn't play particularly well but there were decent signs that we wanted to play in the right way but we're still a few players short. That's why we signed 2 players last week and no doubt still want a few more.

 

The problem is we could be in a potential relegation fight before things improve.
Recruitment should as Conan has pointed out been done much earlier but its better late than never.
Maybe the introduction of Lita and Hemmings when fit will make us more potent up front.
Patience is the key

 

They would have been more ready though wouldn't they?

 

Doesn't matter how much you pay for players,some teams knit straight away some need time some never get on and some peak straight away then fade out .
IMO its too early to cast an opinion but one things for sure Rose is no O'Grady and needs playing to his strengths or not at all.

 

I'd like to see us get more to the byline and whipping the ball in.Both Rose and Winnall are goal poachers but the service to them left a lot to be desired.

 

Unless the service to the strikers improves Lita won't be scoring many.

 

Recruitment is not straight forward agents advise their clients TS to hold out for best bid sometimes till last minute so unless we offer stupid money we have to wait if the manager has his eyes on them.

 

No doubt about it.

But do you think we could have signed players like Treacy & Lita in early June? Or do you think they'd be more likely to weigh up their options and wait until closer to the season?

If we'd have signed 20 players by June we'd have been more ready for the game yesterday. Doesn't mean we'd have been more ready for the season or the next couple of years. Rather we had some patience than just repeat what we did last year and signed any old laiker with no real plan.

 

Eh?

 

Service is a 2 way street with positive movement the catalyst.

 

I agree but the long balls to Rose and Winnall yesterday was doomed to failure yet we kept on trying it despite there being movement from the front two.

 

Then again people might not allow the players and Manager any slack whatsoever but a few more of yesterdays displays and we will be in trouble regardless

 

I would imagine that the rest of the players we have signed would have been available on 1st July.

 

Available yes, ready to sign is totally different has as been pointed out

 

You know it's not as simple as you make out. I imagine you're quite an intelligent bloke but seem to refuse to use that when it comes to anything to do with BFC or football in general.

 

So, by coincidence, all the players we wanted to sign were not ready to do so until late July/early August?

 

"Quite" intelligent?!

I'm sure that the last time we recruited to this extent - under Hart - the squad was in place quite early so it is possible.

 

We didn't need a goalkeeper until after Steele had left. That's when we signed Turnbull.

We probably couldn't afford Winnall until O'Grady had gone. We were also after the lad from Halifax.

Sounds like we've been after McLaughlin as RB, same for that Smith who was at Bristol Rovers. Both didn't come off so we've gone for Brown.

It's not like we've waited until end of July deliberately - circumstances changed which allowed us to bring these other lads in. it sounds like a combination of getting O'Grady & Steele off the wage bill along with some extra cash from Mr Cryne has accelerated things a bit.

But, again, you know all this.