selling Kitching was a no brainier but you have to have a ready replacement. You could argue failing to replace Kitching cost is promotion which is worth 8 million so we actually lost 3 million quid plus the wages of the awful recruits. the best we could come up with was McCart who showed he wasn’t really good for L2 let alone us
We also got 4million for anderson, But imo it wasn't solely down to the players, the defensive line was all over the place early on, Roberts saved so many one on one's through lack of communication in the defensive line, then the awful defending from set pieces which has been consistent throughout. We sold kitching very late in the window mcart was a poor replacement I remember mattie pollock been linked he would have been a better replacement.
Again if you add that together 9 million out. 8 million lost + any transfer fees and wages etc we still end up worse off by selling them. All conjecture and I think the Kitching money far too good to turn down but you don’t replace quality with crap and expect to succeed do you?
My reasons Not selling or signing new contracts for Cole Kane Cadden. If they weren't going or signing then don't play them. Roberts form after injury should have been dropped Connells illness. Pines injury if he had stayed fit we would be going to Wembley at least Cundy Benson Wolfe long term injured, 3 players that would have strengthened the squad. Mismanagement of Watters. Not enough game time for Cosgrove, Jalo and Russeĺl Playing McCart centrally not his position he performed much better left side. Letting Dodgson go without replacing him. Loaning out Lopata, Loaning out Shepherd, look at his stats for the games he started. Playing Williams in the back 3. Playing Mael central his best position is right side of defence. Playing Kane central mid when Connell was ill. Coles massive drop in goal scoring Time it took Phillips to recover from the playoff final against Wednesday and subsequent 3 match ban at the start of the season. Not giving Grant more game time. Earl not being dropped until his form picked up again. Constantly subbing Mcatee and not playing him deeper just behind a front 2, he isn't an out and out striker. Conceding so many goals early in games. Zonal marking at corners with every player back
Some really good points, but also pointless (as is the thread) in that the season as a whole didn't 'go wrong'. Circumstances such as Connell's illness cannot be controlled & that was indeed one of the factors in us not going one better than last year. We didn't get the breaks on and off the field this time, but we've gained valuable experience along the way.
Again I said the replacements were poor but I also think the coaching and tactics for alot of the season were questionable. A few more points, Players have agents once a players head is turned and they can quadruple their money they are going to want out. Not a fan of keeping players who don't want to be here. There are no guarantees of promotion had we kept kitching, his form was poor in the 1st few games of the season.
Mael also played his best games for us in middle of back 3. His worst (up until we dropped off this past few games) games by far has always been at the right. But he needs to improve because I imagine pines will be in the middle when he's returned to fitness
I've no issue whatsoever with selling players, it's how we've survived and will continue to do so in the future. We got good money for Mads and especially Kitching (I didn't think he was worth 4m) so credit where credit us due, but failing to replace them adequately was criminal, especially as Nareev went on record saying "we always knew Mads would be leaving this summer" it was a prime opportunity to bank the money steady the ship and bring in a couple of older heads on free transfers and integrate the likes of Lopata, MDG and Shepherd around them, to develop and turn them into the next batch of assets.
I don't believe he is as bad as we've seen, he has been poor but there has to be a reason why not just he is ××××
Finances dictate we have to trawl the lower leagues and non-league to recruit players. Either that or we must grow our own wood. The former is difficult but there are gems to be found That said the competition is fierce because so many clubs are in the same boat. Many on here complain at our failure to retain players who have become saleable assets. Firstly, it is difficult to hang on to a player who wants to go. Secondly, the release clause, which is a dilemma for the club. A release clause is needed to attract a signing but does little to retain their services if they develop into something good.
Watters may be more successful if he gains regular understanding with a strike partner, if we play with wingers and improve supply to him. Is he better as a poaching striker or run in to the channels or ball over the top or played in to his feet, feeding off a big striker flick ons. Lots of factors that can impact a strikers overall performance and success. With a different approach style of play he may score a bag full.
To some extent yes. Players want to play in the highest leagues, for the biggest clubs infront of the most fans and earn the most money they can. Agents want players to move. Its all money.