BottledDog Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Every f***ing transfer window is the same with Ashley in charge What was the last transfer window you were happy with out of interest? Depends how you look at it. There have been windows where we've come out stronger than we went in (January 2012 springs to mind with Cisse coming in and no outgoings), but I don't think I've ever felt completely happy with our squad, in the sense that we have genuine competition for places all over the pitch like the (other?) big clubs do. What I meant though is we always penny pinch, look for bargains rather than focusing on the positions that need strengthening (last summer!), try to unsettle players to force the selling club's hand. We also like to bring in unknown youngsters in the hope they develop well, which in fairness they sometimes do (Krul, Bigi). As fans we always go mad during windows at the apparent lack of progress on our reported targets, but then again we also seem to do a lot of business under the radar too. As I said earlier, our approach to transfers has its merits and its drawbacks. Personally I think we've done pretty well since Ashley came in with regards to transfer policy on the whole. My main gripe is that there seems to be a lack of understanding of the need to build a squad rather than a first team, which is especially damaging with the additional fixtures in Europe and considering a fair few purples are quite injury prone (Steven Taylor, Hatem?) and our back up players are mostly mediocire at best. You just have to look at the benches we regularly have to put out to see where our primary problem with regards to transfer policy lies. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 When was the last time we had decent enough cover across the whole squad? How many clubs can ever really say that though? Honest question. The ones competing for top honours do. The fact we don't and won't anytime soon tells you the extent of Ashley's ambition for his club, sadly. Well we're not competing for top honours, I knew that unfortunately. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 We just sold a striker who is much better, yet you weren't that bothered if I remember correctly.. You don't remember correctly and I think you underrate Sturridge, not that I'm saying that he's better than Ba. Sturridge has the potential to be an excellent player if he gets the starts through the middle like he did when at Bolton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottledDog Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 When was the last time we had decent enough cover across the whole squad? How many clubs can ever really say that though? Honest question. The ones competing for top honours do. The fact we don't and won't anytime soon tells you the extent of Ashley's ambition for his club, sadly. I'd be very surprised if supporters of 'the ones competing for top honours' didn't have very similar concerns about their fringe players as we do to be fair. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roger Kint Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 When was the last time we had decent enough cover across the whole squad? How many clubs can ever really say that though? Honest question. The ones competing for top honours do. The fact we don't and won't anytime soon tells you the extent of Ashley's ambition for his club, sadly. Well we're not competing for top honours, I knew that unfortunately. How many strikers have Liverpool, Everton & Spurs got? 2 each? Not like even the clubs we are supposed to compete with have much in reserve either. At least we are looking for another this month. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 When was the last time we had decent enough cover across the whole squad? After January window in the Championship was probably the last time we had suitable cover for every position without a drastic drop in quality. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 When was the last time we had decent enough cover across the whole squad? How many clubs can ever really say that though? Honest question. The ones competing for top honours do. The fact we don't and won't anytime soon tells you the extent of Ashley's ambition for his club, sadly. Well we're not competing for top honours, I knew that unfortunately. Oh, I know it too. Doesn't mean I will ever accept it. Shepherd was an idiot, but at least he showed some ambition. Imagine what we could do with our current approach to transfers (good scouting, focus on personality, age policy, etc) combined with an owner willing to subsidise the club to a decent extent? If Ashley had kept his early promise of making the club financially stable and additionally putting 20 million per year of his own money into the club (by means of sponsorship or whatever to make it fiscally attractive for him) we would potentially be rubbing shoulders with those competing for top honours now. Well, if he also knew how to find a very good manager too that is.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 We just sold a striker who is much better, yet you weren't that bothered if I remember correctly.. You don't remember correctly and I think you underrate Sturridge, not that I'm saying that he's better than Ba. Sturridge has the potential to be an excellent player if he gets the starts through the middle like he did when at Bolton. Fair enough. Apologies. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heake Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I reckon the clever money must be on a "Shefti-kuqi" type clogger on loan or short contract if this carries on. we got lucky with Sibiersky that one window & maybe Ashley sees that as a viable president? Its all ok waiting to the last hour of the window, gambling on the outcome of the months unsuccesfull bids comming to fruition, but nine (precious)points could well have ben squandered by then. The sad thing is, I can genuinely see 0 points from the next three games a possibility with the personell at his disposal & the current form they`re showing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Sib for president Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Icke - Son of God Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 we got lucky with Sibiersky that one window & maybe Ashley sees that as a viable president? I'd vote for him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I reckon the clever money must be on a "Shefti-kuqi" type clogger on loan or short contract if this carries on. we got lucky with Sibiersky that one window & maybe Ashley sees that as a viable president? Its all ok waiting to the last hour of the window, gambling on the outcome of the months unsuccesfull bids comming to fruition, but nine (precious)points could well have ben squandered by then. The sad thing is, I can genuinely see 0 points from the next three games a possibility with the personell at his disposal & the current form they`re showing. I think we'll get between 3 and 7 points from our next 3 games, Norwich will probably beat us but we could get something from that game, we'll beat Reading and at the minute I can't see Villa beating us and our first away win is a possibility. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeletor Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Lee Ryder getting a lot of abuse for his 'Remy only wants to come here' article Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heake Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I reckon the clever money must be on a "Shefti-kuqi" type clogger on loan or short contract if this carries on. we got lucky with Sibiersky that one window & maybe Ashley sees that as a viable president? Its all ok waiting to the last hour of the window, gambling on the outcome of the months unsuccesfull bids comming to fruition, but nine (precious)points could well have ben squandered by then. The sad thing is, I can genuinely see 0 points from the next three games a possibility with the personell at his disposal & the current form they`re showing. I think we'll get between 3 and 7 points from our next 3 games, Norwich will probably beat us but we could get something from that game, we'll beat Reading and at the minute I can't see Villa beating us and our first away win is a possibility. Be right...please Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I reckon the clever money must be on a "Shefti-kuqi" type clogger on loan or short contract if this carries on. No need to conclude that yet, it looks like we're at least trying to buy a proper striker. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottledDog Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I reckon the clever money must be on a "Shefti-kuqi" type clogger on loan or short contract if this carries on. No need to conclude that yet, it looks like we're at least trying to buy a proper striker. Unacceptable! Do, or do not. There is no try. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heake Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I really am at pains to type this as I get a feeling I know the kind of reaction (To me rather than the content), but a guy I know who has connections with Aston Villa reckons we`ve enquired about the availabilty / price etc. of Darren Bent!!. I must stress I think its a wind up, but, worringly, he`s not normally that type. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 When was the last time we had decent enough cover across the whole squad? How many clubs can ever really say that though? Honest question. I'm saying decent cover, look at the likes of Stoke and West Brom their squads are much deeper in terms of quality and if we can't compete with them in terms of squad size then we really have major issues as a club. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I don't think Stoke or West Brom's squad are any better than ours really, we just don't know how bad their reserves are. The drop in quality might be less, because the first team is worse. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I don't think Stoke or West Brom's squad are any better than ours really, we just don't know how bad their reserves are. The drop in quality might be less, because the first team is worse. Well they have more than 3 CB's and 2 CF's for starters in their 1st team squad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottledDog Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 When was the last time we had decent enough cover across the whole squad? How many clubs can ever really say that though? Honest question. I'm saying decent cover, look at the likes of Stoke and West Brom their squads are much deeper in terms of quality and if we can't compete with them in terms of squad size then we really have major issues as a club. We have a squad of 49, West Brom 40, Stoke just 36. Ok that's just in terms of numbers, but while I may be underestimating how good some of their players might be, looking through the lists I'm still really struggling to see this 'much deeper in terms of quality' claim. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I don't think Stoke or West Brom's squad are any better than ours really, we just don't know how bad their reserves are. The drop in quality might be less, because the first team is worse. Well they have more than 3 CB's and 2 CF's for starters in their 1st team squad. Well we know those two positions are our weaknesses. I'm sure most WBA and Stoke fans are having the same discussions as us, and also that they would swap the majority of their players for ours. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 When was the last time we had decent enough cover across the whole squad? How many clubs can ever really say that though? Honest question. I'm saying decent cover, look at the likes of Stoke and West Brom their squads are much deeper in terms of quality and if we can't compete with them in terms of squad size then we really have major issues as a club. We have a squad of 49, West Brom 40, Stoke just 36. Ok that's just in terms of numbers, but while I may be underestimating how good some of their players might be, looking through the lists I'm still really struggling to see this 'much deeper in terms of quality' claim. You've just counted the last squad number ffs. That would mean some teams have 99 as some players carry those numbers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFEE Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 This bit in the Journal seems to be a pretty good assessment of where we are at... The latest round of discussions seemed to suggest that the clubs remain apart on a valuation, while Rémy’s representatives play their cards close to their chest. Interest from Germany has been widely touted and The Journal understands an agent has been given a mandate to find the player a Bundesliga move. But Rémy himself seems to favour joining Newcastle’s French legion. One of Newcastle’s alternatives is to move for St Etienne’s highly-rated Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is less experienced than Rémy so represents less of a battle-ready solution. No move for Rémy is likely before Saturday, while Marseille continue to play down talk that he will be leaving in this window. Read more: Journal Live http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2013/01/10/fabricio-coloccini-wanted-by-argentinian-side-san-lorenzo-61634-32578448/#ixzz2HZhnj9dv Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 When was the last time we had decent enough cover across the whole squad? How many clubs can ever really say that though? Honest question. I'm saying decent cover, look at the likes of Stoke and West Brom their squads are much deeper in terms of quality and if we can't compete with them in terms of squad size then we really have major issues as a club. We have a squad of 49, West Brom 40, Stoke just 36. Ok that's just in terms of numbers, but while I may be underestimating how good some of their players might be, looking through the lists I'm still really struggling to see this 'much deeper in terms of quality' claim. Oh dear. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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