southernmag

For me the problem is we don't seem to be able to quickly pivot to other targets. Is that because we're incompetent in some way, or we don't actually have other targets shortlisted to pivot to? I have this daft idea in my head that the approach to bringing in players should fundamentally be quite simple; Have a list of 5-7 semi-realistic targets for a position, in order of preference, based on appropriate criteria/metrics, who you believe would improve your team. Then at the earliest opportunity (ie when transfer window opens, maybe before) you go to the first player's club and say, what do you want for him? If the club gives you a reasonable figure, you negotiate from there. Proactively. With some urgency. If they quote you something horrendous or piss you around, read the room and stop wasting your time. Move onto the next player. And so on. Maybe revisit earlier inquiries later if needed/if all other enquiries come to nothing, but prioritize getting deals done. Obviously the process is more nuanced, and somewhat more difficult than I've laid out. Happy to concede that. But I just do not believe we are professionally and proactively pushing for deals, based on the evidence of our transfer activity. Tbh, I'm not even sure we have lists of targets that are more than 1-2 deep per position. There's obviously no way to prove this but I reckon if our private transfer workings were to be laid bare publicly, many of us would be gobsmacked at how imperfect and flawed they'd be.

People will think this is over simplifying but honestly, I really believe very good signings are there to be made to move our club forward, before the end of the window. Even with all the challenges that exist. We need to stop pissing about and actually start acting like a top club. Make a prompt decision on Isak and own it - either lay down the law to him and have him stay, or get a bloody excellent deal when you sell him. Non-English club only. Alex, you don't get to call the shots here. Then sign the best players we can. There ARE options available to improve on a now non-existent Longstaff and Wilson (i.e. anyone with legs) for example. It's a weak, small club mentality to constantly bemoan how hard things are and barely sign anyone. I just don't accept that what we've done so far is the best we can do. If what we're doing isn't working, then change approach. It is fundamentally that simple imo.

There are plenty of excuses and/or mitigating factors people can come up with but to me they don't cut the mustard. Fact of the matter is our transfer activity has been seriously inadequate. We look disorganized and amateur, suggesting our methods are not fit for purpose. The consequences of two botched summers may be further reaching than we want to admit. It's not too late for the club to acknowledge its failings and adjust its approach, but I won't hold my breath. I have serious doubts that our transfer plans/methods/staff are anything near elite level, or that the club has the kind of leadership in place to drive us forward.

That's the spirit.

One other point - I don't want the club telling us how ambitious they are. I want them to show us. Words are cheap.

I honestly think we'll get only one or two in on top of Elanga. Like 60% confident. Hope I'm wrong.

City would be dumb to do this. But one can dream.

Last summer's bottle job was a major red flag. Then the first month of this summer we continued not to move, and also lost our DOF. Probably one or two other things I've forgotten too. There were signs. We can agree to disagree on that.

We were still in the monitoring phase then.

This window is going so bad it's almost good. It's almost unbelievable how badly we've fluffed it thus far.

Who ya calling a fanny, ya fanny.

I would argue there was enough basis to say what I said then. I didn't just get lucky. And with respect, if someone keeps getting rinsed for speaking what turns out to be the truth, they have the right to keep pointing that out. I love this club and want it to succeed as much as the next guy, but shooting down people who see our shortcomings is, at absolute best, counterproductive. The state of our club now (at least as reflected in transfer terms) brings me zero satisfaction.

Can you let our scouts know he exists?

Honestly, I'm on the verge of checking out from this summer and maybe some of the season too. It's no good for the mental health.

Ah yes, the old "never wanted him anyway" copium hit. If it makes you feel any better, we probably can't or won't pivot to any other keeper targets. Because reasons.

Because it requires humility, a willingness to self critique, to accept nothing short of excellence.

I said this about a month ago and half the forum piled in on me.

I'm sure there's some wonderful reason why we just can't get them. That or we have an incompetent transfer department.

I tell you what, our owners' incompetence as revealed this window, and the remorseless corruption of the cartel and football's authorities, is really testing my love for the game. The worst thing is they give you hope, hope we didn't have for so long, then rip the rug out from under you. Yes I shouldn't get my hopes up, yes we could see it coming arguably, bla bla bla. I just want to be able to dream and not have it ruined by selfish greedy so and so's.

We're clearly not being run properly. At least the owners are making that fact completely obvious.

This racks me off tbh. Under his release clause too. You'd think the humiliation of this sort of thing would spur us into changing our ways, but I won't count on it.

Those are some juicy stats playing for mid table teams.

Not if we have balls he isn't.