I've asked two Port Vale fans about Collins...

'Cracking player, quick, strong, can tackle. Don't know his best position though, great at CB but loves to get forward at LB'

'Definitely Championship quality and still pretty young too (23)'

'He once picked up the ball up defending a corner, ran the length of the pitch taking on about 7 Hereford players then passed to Marc Richards for a tap in, it was mental.'

I for one will give him a chance.

Great chance for him to 'acclimatise' to the Championship for the rest of this season ready for next.

 

100% in agreement with you.

 

im all for buying players from the lower leagues, 3 maybe 4, but can we seriously progress further with a full squad of lower league players? I like the management setup and im sure they will develop a few of these into Championship quality players but he cant do that to 10+ players surely.

 

That's how I feel. Hillcroft aren't magicians. Some of their signings won't come off and will be deemed flops. Nothing against a few lower league players, but I will dread next season if we don't bring in some championship class to work alongside them.

 

Name one manager in history who hasn't signed a flop

...

 

Re: Name one manager in history who hasn't signed a flop

every manager has signed a flop, but not every manager is building a squad of 3rd and 4th tier players whilst in the 2nd tier. I do believe in Hill and he will make a few diamonds art of some of these players but surely its better not just for their development but for us as a club to be buying tried and tested players at this level.

 

Re: Name one manager in history who hasn't signed a flop

You can't buy tried and tested players at this level if you can't afford tried and tested players at this level.

 

Re: Name one manager in history who hasn't signed a flop

The only way were going to get extra fans back to Oakwell and purchasing season tickets is to see investment in the 1st team. People arent going to splash out on tickets if the club arent going to buy players with a higher pedigree. I can see us back to under 8000 next season, and this isnt me being negative just realistic.

 

Re: Name one manager in history who hasn't signed a flop

So how do you suggest paying for these tried and tested types

 

Re: Name one manager in history who hasn't signed a flop

it all stands us in good sted for where we'll be within 3 years we'll have tried and test players for the league we're in then

 

Re: Name one manager in history who hasn't signed a flop

Investment needs to come from the owner, if he has no wish to invest anymore then he needs to seek investors or sell the club. I have nothing but admiration for what he has done but i worry that we are budgeting too low, on this budget we would struggle to compete in the division below.

 

Re: Name one manager in history who hasn't signed a flop

To be fair to him, we have recruited around 18 players this season. Obviously some were on loan, but still, Hill has received a decent amount of backing IMO.

 

All the more reason for retaining our tried and tested players at this level

I accept we won't be bringing in these said players, therefore in my opinion its is essential that we keep the likes of Hassell, Foster and Jim O'Brien.

 

Re: All the more reason for retaining our tried and tested players at this level

We need to break even so we can't investment first and then hope we get more fans in to pay for it.

Signing 'big names' itself isn't enough. When we signed Harewood, O'Connor etc last season, did the crowds go up?

 

And from hill himself following an interview question "Have you received the level of backing you expected?" .... "no, next question" .. whilst he has brought in quite a few, and we are supposedly on course to make a profit apparently, I can't help but feel we have done a "condems". Ie cut to deep and too fast

 

This profit quote from Hill, I didn`t hear that interview, was it that the club have made a profit or that a profit had been made on transfer dealings?

 

Not sure about the profit bit, hence I didn't quote that bit, but it inferred overall from how I remember it

 

Re: Name one manager in history who hasn't signed a flop

Can I just check, is that the owner who has kept the books looking somewhat respectable having 'saved' the club from going down the Swanee twice.. Who is currently suffering from ill health and facing some bird?

 

I have seen one or two mention it but dont know what he was referring to.

Anyone Know?

 

Re: Name one manager in history who hasn't signed a flop

Brilliant post, its about time our fans realised this!