Summer transfer, gossip, speculation and the usual butter ollocks thread

[KevinGage]

For a reasonable fee, Pukki could certainly do a job for us. His touch and movement were excellent tonight against Ireland.

Seen the game and felt the same.

As one of 3>4 options (with a better forward still incoming) I could live with it. Send Davis and possibly Samatta out on loan.

[pauliewalnuts]

I fully understand those who are worried. We barely survived last season, which was indeed a great effort after lockdown, but I was one of many who hoped that we'd make sure it wasn't quite such a close call this season.

I'm not going to slag off anyone at the club, and I recognise that the intricacies of trading and managing multi-million pound assets must be difficult, but I don't think it's unreasonable that a supporter would like to see a team that stayed up by 1 point strengthened before they feel confident of starting a new season.

I agree with that. We need reinforcements. And really good ones. But I still believe Lange coming in meant a complete review of what we did on the recruitment front. Most agree it didn’t go to plan do we have to give the bloke time to understand what we need and identify targets based on those needs. It’s not just about lashing another £100m out. And I have no doubt well documented targets like Watkins and Benrahma are still targets. They’ve not gone anywhere. But managers always say agents from all over are calling for their clients so we have make really sound decisions this summer. As well as allowing players bought last year to mature and give kids a chance to come through. The stats and therefore the needs speak for themselves. We need to defend better. We need to create more chances and score goals.

In which case, that is dreadful timing from the club.

[SoccerHQ]

Pukki is older than Wilson isn't he?

I thought he was terrible for Norwich in the run in although was apparently playing with a toe injury. Scored 11 goals by mid January in the league which wasn't bad I guess and lightyears ahead of what our two fit striker options can realistically produce.

[pauliewalnuts]

For me as it stands if we can field a injury free side we have

a mid table defence
a top half midfield
a relegation forward line
a bottom half management team

let’s hope we can improve the forward line in the next couple of weeks and then not get any bad injuries or we will be in deep trouble again

Mid table defence?  We conceded 67 goals, a terrible stat only beaten by Norwich who finished bottom!

A stat that whilst completely true means absolutely nothing. The season was clearly in 2 parts, unlike any other season you have to look at the 2 separately. Pre-covid we conceded slightly more than 2 a game with 57 in 28. After the restart we conceded 11 in 10. That's such a stark change that quoting the overall figure and ignoring it is pointless and misleading. It wasn't just luck either, the stat for shots conceded per game changed in line with the goals figure so the new defensive stability is entirely in line with how we were playing. Over a full season a similar defensive record would make us the 7th best defence in the league.

There's an argument that we sacrificed attacking intent to allow for it but that just supports the idea that we need to change the forward line to one more suited to how we are playing now.

Fingers crossed then that if we're doing piss poor by the arse end of the season, a pandemic comes in and gives us the chance to reset,

[Toronto Villa]

I fully understand those who are worried. We barely survived last season, which was indeed a great effort after lockdown, but I was one of many who hoped that we'd make sure it wasn't quite such a close call this season.

I'm not going to slag off anyone at the club, and I recognise that the intricacies of trading and managing multi-million pound assets must be difficult, but I don't think it's unreasonable that a supporter would like to see a team that stayed up by 1 point strengthened before they feel confident of starting a new season.

I agree with that. We need reinforcements. And really good ones. But I still believe Lange coming in meant a complete review of what we did on the recruitment front. Most agree it didn’t go to plan do we have to give the bloke time to understand what we need and identify targets based on those needs. It’s not just about lashing another £100m out. And I have no doubt well documented targets like Watkins and Benrahma are still targets. They’ve not gone anywhere. But managers always say agents from all over are calling for their clients so we have make really sound decisions this summer. As well as allowing players bought last year to mature and give kids a chance to come through. The stats and therefore the needs speak for themselves. We need to defend better. We need to create more chances and score goals.

In which case, that is dreadful timing from the club.

Maybe. I’m just theorizing. But they clearly wanted a very different approach and if that means taking a bit of extra time to bring in players then maybe it’s a good thing. We’ll only be able judge this window at the end. Not with a month to go.

[mr underhill]

Twatter rumours we are in for Josh King who is even older than Wilson. Seems like Brentford might be pricing Watkins and Benrahma out of moves.

[rob_bridge]

Twatter rumours we are in for Josh King who is even older than Wilson. Seems like Brentford might be pricing Watkins and Benrahma out of moves.

Hmm not much of an upgrade

[OzVilla]

Twatter rumours we are in for Josh King who is even older than Wilson. Seems like Brentford might be pricing Watkins and Benrahma out of moves.

It doesn't bother me that he's older. Is he more versatile and whats his injury record like. Wilson always struck me as a player that would age before his time due to his knee issues. He'll probably tear it up for Newcastle now but i'm not crying that we've missed out there personally.

Regards Lange coming in, once the season was over it was clear Suso was going to be punted, that in itself forces a recruitment re-think. Fresh minds, new ideas. I'm still fairly relaxed about things at the moment, they'll know what they need and it's a strange window with the Covid issues, I know it's hard but I just think we need to show some patience.  Things will happen late in this window across the board imo.

[sid1964]

judging by the comments by Purslow anyone expecting us to sign a player who commands £100k + per week salary is going to be disappointed

[ChicagoLion]

I fully understand those who are worried. We barely survived last season, which was indeed a great effort after lockdown, but I was one of many who hoped that we'd make sure it wasn't quite such a close call this season.

I'm not going to slag off anyone at the club, and I recognise that the intricacies of trading and managing multi-million pound assets must be difficult, but I don't think it's unreasonable that a supporter would like to see a team that stayed up by 1 point strengthened before they feel confident of starting a new season.

I agree with that. We need reinforcements. And really good ones. But I still believe Lange coming in meant a complete review of what we did on the recruitment front. Most agree it didn’t go to plan do we have to give the bloke time to understand what we need and identify targets based on those needs. It’s not just about lashing another £100m out. And I have no doubt well documented targets like Watkins and Benrahma are still targets. They’ve not gone anywhere. But managers always say agents from all over are calling for their clients so we have make really sound decisions this summer. As well as allowing players bought last year to mature and give kids a chance to come through. The stats and therefore the needs speak for themselves. We need to defend better. We need to create more chances and score goals.

In which case, that is dreadful timing from the club.

i know what you mean but the owners had a senior management team of Purslow Suso Smith, they backed Purslow in December /January who backed Smith Suso. ( January transfer debacle ensued) They were about to pull the trigger on Smith in March , then lock down.
They waited for the season to end and obviously reviewed the situation resulting in Suso getting the boot and replacement made.
Not ideal but you can understand  why we might be struggling in recruitment now with a new team in place.

[algy]

judging by the comments by Purslow anyone expecting us to sign a player who commands £100k + per week salary is going to be disappointed

Yeah, seems the nature of the last relegation & the aftermath will cast a long shadow. We'll have a couple more seasons at least of bargain basement shopping and protracted negotiations. Guess it's also difficult as we've overhauled recruitment and they might have a transfer strategy that doesn't involve relocating Club Bruges' squad to Sutton Coldfield.

[nigel]

Twatter rumours we are in for Josh King who is even older than Wilson. Seems like Brentford might be pricing Watkins and Benrahma out of moves.

Hmm not much of an upgrade

Reading back a few pages people were preferring King to Wilson.

[Ian.]

I agree Oz, there’s very little happening all round at the moment. I’m still fairly sure we’ll bring in what we need this time.

[robbo1874]

Borja Baston off to French Club Leganes apparently on a free. Who?

Oh no- we’re really screwed now 🤣

[WilliamStanding]

We need Davis to step up to the plate ASAP.