For all this handwringing I'm pretty unconcerned about losing Cousins. I personally think his inadequacies played a bigger role in our relegation than most are willing to admit and I'd go as far as to say that unless they're planning on playing him in defence, we've sold QPR a bit of a dud. But a really hardworking one.
We might have held on for just a few more weeks and go an extra £500k for Cousins, but it is better to charge 200,000 fans extra just for buying a ticket.
We might have held on for just a few more weeks and go an extra £500k for Cousins, but it is better to charge 200,000 fans extra just for buying a ticket.
200,000!!
Well yes I suppose we could average a home crowd of 8,700 at a very big push.
It wouldn't surprise me if Jordan had a relegation escape clause, players and their agents these days insist these days, and thanks to Bosman have a lot more power
I raised the question as to whether academies are worth it for lower division clubs myself a few weeks ago.
The big clubs hoover up vast numbers of young players, then release a load of them aged 20/21. For a club in L1/L2, it makes much more sense to try and sign the best of these rather than go through the expense of coaching them from the age of 8
It'd be nice, but most L1 and L2 clubs can't afford the wages of these 20/21 year olds. Better to sign them on loan and on mainly supported wages. That's why you see most of them shooting out the league game at 20-23. Just ask Abdul Razak and tens of others. He probably earnt more in wages than a season of youth team funding for a L2 team.
I think the price is a giveaway. I really rate the lad and will now watch his career go from strength to strength with interest. I know a special player when I see one!
If you look at the bigger picture, it's the relegation that has led to this sale. Cousins has every right to ask to leave. He'll be of the belief he is better than league one, and I would agree with him. If we hadn't have had such a disaster of a season, then we may still have had Cousins playing with us, we may have also got a better fee if we'd have narrowly missed out on the play offs say.
As it is, if what Airman says is correct about the 3m initial asking price, then I don't see there is much more the club could've done. They started at what they thought he was worth, didn't get much interest, so lowered accordingly. Seems to me the market dictated the price for Cousins in this instance, not the club
I think what Airman is saying that we had another 6 weeks to find a better deal but KM took the money know rather than risk getting nothing and having Cousins wages on the books next season.
It is a risk and one that could have backfired if we hadn't sold Cousins and kept an unhappy player who didn't fit into the budget but it is also one that might have yielded a bigger fee in a few weeks time.
That risk is the same for all clubs and all CEOs but given KM's terrible track record (1.4E and a five year deal for Sarr, loaning instead of selling Watt and him them coming back with his wages, not being able to sell Reza so he came back with his wages, etc etc) I'd lean towards KM panicking and selling too soon.
Hopefully this might mean Roland will finally wake up to how far out of her depth she is and how she is laughed at and taken for a ride by other CEOs but I doubt it. She'll spin the story that Colin is spinning above to Roland. She's most likely telling him ST sales are good and that there is always a last minutes rush of 4k too. One day he'll lose patience with her and get rid.
I see what you mean and completely agree with your point re: Sarr and KM's shockingly poor negotiating skills that we have seen so far on players purchased and what I thought was a poor fee for Gomez.
It's just in this instance I think we've got about what Cousins is worth. The fact airman said the initial asking price was 3m led me to believe she/the club couldn't have done much more. I'm not defending her, despite my infatuation with sending her emails, I'm just highlighting that given this info from airman, plus my own opinion on Cousins' ability, plus him wanting to leave, all adds up to the right price for me
I'm not pleased with it, but I think the reaction has been more over estimation or opinion of Cousins' ability and anger at the regime, rather than maybe looking at it objectively.
Just spotted this in a Guardian article about the transfer dealings that have been completed at this stage in the Football League:
'Possibly the bargain of the summer has been completed by QPR, who have recruited Jordan Cousins, a 22-year-old midfielder whose fine performances were all the more impressive considering Charlton were crumbling around him, for a reported fee of £1.5m'
Even the Guardian are mugging us off for this transfer
I liked Cousins. 1.5m is on the very lower end of what he's worth. It's very cheap.
QPR are buying a couple of drinks at the bar and being given change for £20 rather than a tenner. Not a piss take but they'll be happy with that I'd imagine.
The fact we're incapable of negotiation doesn't shock me in the slightest. People must love dealing with KM.
Look, I'm as keen that the regime clear off as anybody else but a few months ago it was a panic to get a manager in so we could build our squad - now its a case of why are we panicking and selling players rather than waiting to the last minute? Its a 2 way street, building a squad and it appears that nobody in the London area was willing to pay more so instead of keeping a good servant tagging along, they have done the honourable thing. In danger of losing credibility when everything is seen as a disaster or stories like the solly thing are put about. They have messed up royally with most things but if we are to stand a chance of building a squad for next season we have to do so asap.
Why do you always start off saying you want the regime gone in your first sentence followed up by complete approval of everything they do?
Look, I'm as keen that the regime clear off as anybody else but a few months ago it was a panic to get a manager in so we could build our squad - now its a case of why are we panicking and selling players rather than waiting to the last minute? Its a 2 way street, building a squad and it appears that nobody in the London area was willing to pay more so instead of keeping a good servant tagging along, they have done the honourable thing. In danger of losing credibility when everything is seen as a disaster or stories like the solly thing are put about. They have messed up royally with most things but if we are to stand a chance of building a squad for next season we have to do so asap.
Why do you always start off saying you want the regime gone in your first sentence followed up by complete approval of everything they do?
Look, I'm as keen that the regime clear off as anybody else but a few months ago it was a panic to get a manager in so we could build our squad - now its a case of why are we panicking and selling players rather than waiting to the last minute? Its a 2 way street, building a squad and it appears that nobody in the London area was willing to pay more so instead of keeping a good servant tagging along, they have done the honourable thing. In danger of losing credibility when everything is seen as a disaster or stories like the solly thing are put about. They have messed up royally with most things but if we are to stand a chance of building a squad for next season we have to do so asap.
Why do you always start off saying you want the regime gone in your first sentence followed up by complete approval of everything they do?
I don't but I do find that 9 times out of 10 I am putting the opposing view to most on here who can see nothing right in anything they do - and it's not because I support the regime
For all this handwringing I'm pretty unconcerned about losing Cousins. I personally think his inadequacies played a bigger role in our relegation than most are willing to admit and I'd go as far as to say that unless they're planning on playing him in defence, we've sold QPR a bit of a dud. But a really hardworking one.
Curious to hear more about this, can you expand on it please?
I have, at times, been pretty critical of Cousins' lack of technical ability, but in seeing a few performances in the second half of last season I felt he was really starting to improve his passing and vision. When paired with Diarra he looked a very handy player (though I think Alou makes everyone look good).
Whatever the fee, a deal is done when a point in negotiations is reached where what one side is willing to pay is accepted by what the other side is willing to sell at. I suspect Charlton would have sold him for a higher fee if there were other teams interested in paying a higher price. QPR may well have wanted to pay less. As JC is not an unknown, untested youth team player and untried in the championship then it's reasonable to assume that lots of other teams will have had an opinion on him and his worth. If another club had wanted him and thought the price QPR were paying was cheap then I suspect they would have made a counter offer.
I think he's another one that will go on to be very successful in the championship and possibly beyond. Stephens, Kermorgant, Morrison all went cheaply and have excelled at their new clubs under decent managers. Gomez too, before injury struck.
Selling him now so cheaply just looks like a damage limitation exercise. If the club had been run properly over the last few seasons he'd have shone even more in a better team and subsequently been sold for a lot more. Or he may even have stayed, if the squad had been constructed and managed in a way that made it competitive and aspirational for promotion to the premier league.
The reality is he has been played out of position regularly, been surrounded by different team mates every week, had a different manager every couple of months, and had the understandable odd dip in form as he learns his trade.
Good luck to the lad. He always gave his best, unlike some of the other recent members of the squad.
Charlton's initial asking price for Cousins was £3m, according to a good source. They couldn't find anyone to pay it and it was regarded as unrealistic.
Airman, just thinking about this a bit more. Would you have any idea about who is referred to in the last part of this? Who might have advised the club that £3m was "unrealistic"?
It happens that Cousins home debut against Forest was the game where I had a boardroom invite (much to your disgust). At the time I mentioned on here that there were agents there who appeared to be a regular fixture. I spoke to one, he was intelligent and articulate, a long way from the popular wide boy image of the agent. He was also about 5 years younger than Jonnie Jackson. Are these the people who "advise" our club on player value?
Wouldn't other clubs know we're desperate to cut costs, bring in some money and aren't any good at negotiating fees and contacts? Why put in a big offer when you know we'll eventually accept a lower one.
Agents must be going hahaha that basket case negotiator KM needs to get rid of cousins (although God only knows why given the length of his deal), we've got a prize one here lads.
Charlton's initial asking price for Cousins was £3m, according to a good source. They couldn't find anyone to pay it and it was regarded as unrealistic.
Airman, just thinking about this a bit more. Would you have any idea about who is referred to in the last part of this? Who might have advised the club that £3m was "unrealistic"?
It happens that Cousins home debut against Forest was the game where I had a boardroom invite (much to your disgust). At the time I mentioned on here that there were agents there who appeared to be a regular fixture. I spoke to one, he was intelligent and articulate, a long way from the popular wide boy image of the agent. He was also about 5 years younger than Jonnie Jackson. Are these the people who "advise" our club on player value?
Now we're getting at the core of the problem, who is it that is advising the club on such matters? There is no one in the SMT who has recent experience in selling players, player valuation, etc. Any experience Murray had is outdated given the money that has flowed into the game year-on-year, and what his influence is is anyone's guess anyway.
It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if it was agents. Unless we have agents who work EXCLUSIVELY for Charlton, which is highly unlikely if not impossible, well then we're always at risk of being advised by someone with their own agenda. There are all kinds of stories of agents representing various interests in deals.
This is the sort of thing that should be someone's job for fuck's sake--a Director of Football who takes inputs from his internal people, agents, scouts, and whose job it is to constantly monitor the transfer market.
Whilst I'm not sad about RD losing out on a few quid, I believe that if RD ever should sell, these kinds of deals could be very important. Any wise investor (is unlikely to be investing in a football club, but let's play make-believe) will look at the incomings and outgoings of the club, and evaluate a potential purchase accordingly. How much we're able to get for players, particularly academy players, could be a crucial factor in this.
Not sorry to see him go if honest. To me another player like Hamer who thinks hes better than he is. He will get found out. Another player who has left rthe sinking ship cos relegation of course wasnrt down to him.
Ben Gladwin / Tjaronn Chery / Karl Henry / Massimo Luongo they're the other main Central-MIdfielders in the Queens Park Rangers team, dont know much about Ben Gladwin so he might struggle to get into the QPR team or it could be a case of we're under-estimating his ability because people think he's over rated just because he's a Home Grown player
Gladwin is a winger. Chery is more of a number 10. Depending on who else they sign, I would think Cousins will play next to Luongo in central midfield.
They've also signed Borysiuk, a defensive midfielder. Guessing JFH sees him playing alongside Cousins but that depends if the others are still in their plans. Six senior CMs seems a lot (unless they're like us and half are always injured).
Gladwin is a winger. Chery is more of a number 10. Depending on who else they sign, I would think Cousins will play next to Luongo in central midfield.
His main opponent for the Box to Box role would probably be Karl Henry from that list... Yet he's now 33
Ben Gladwin / Tjaronn Chery / Karl Henry / Massimo Luongo they're the other main Central-MIdfielders in the Queens Park Rangers team, dont know much about Ben Gladwin so he might struggle to get into the QPR team or it could be a case of we're under-estimating his ability because people think he's over rated just because he's a Home Grown player
They technically still have Sandro, though I'd be surprised if he's still around at the end of the window, and they've signed Ariel Borysiuk who I don't know much about.
Luongo is a classy Australian international. Chery tends to play wide or further forward, as he's attack minded. Good player on his day, from what I've seen inconsistent. Karl Henry is Karl Henry, and just by mentioning his name I assume he's got a booking. Gladwin was really highly rated when he joined from Swindon with Luongo, but hasn't really kicked on.
QPR played a lot of 4-4-1-1 last year. I think it's fair to say Jordon will play a good amount. Would expect him to start as first choice in central midfield with Luongo.
Comments
Well yes I suppose we could average a home crowd of 8,700 at a very big push.
It's just in this instance I think we've got about what Cousins is worth. The fact airman said the initial asking price was 3m led me to believe she/the club couldn't have done much more. I'm not defending her, despite my infatuation with sending her emails, I'm just highlighting that given this info from airman, plus my own opinion on Cousins' ability, plus him wanting to leave, all adds up to the right price for me
I'm not pleased with it, but I think the reaction has been more over estimation or opinion of Cousins' ability and anger at the regime, rather than maybe looking at it objectively.
'Possibly the bargain of the summer has been completed by QPR, who have recruited Jordan Cousins, a 22-year-old midfielder whose fine performances were all the more impressive considering Charlton were crumbling around him, for a reported fee of £1.5m'
Even the Guardian are mugging us off for this transfer
QPR are buying a couple of drinks at the bar and being given change for £20 rather than a tenner. Not a piss take but they'll be happy with that I'd imagine.
The fact we're incapable of negotiation doesn't shock me in the slightest. People must love dealing with KM.
I have, at times, been pretty critical of Cousins' lack of technical ability, but in seeing a few performances in the second half of last season I felt he was really starting to improve his passing and vision. When paired with Diarra he looked a very handy player (though I think Alou makes everyone look good).
Selling him now so cheaply just looks like a damage limitation exercise. If the club had been run properly over the last few seasons he'd have shone even more in a better team and subsequently been sold for a lot more. Or he may even have stayed, if the squad had been constructed and managed in a way that made it competitive and aspirational for promotion to the premier league.
The reality is he has been played out of position regularly, been surrounded by different team mates every week, had a different manager every couple of months, and had the understandable odd dip in form as he learns his trade.
Good luck to the lad. He always gave his best, unlike some of the other recent members of the squad.
It happens that Cousins home debut against Forest was the game where I had a boardroom invite (much to your disgust). At the time I mentioned on here that there were agents there who appeared to be a regular fixture. I spoke to one, he was intelligent and articulate, a long way from the popular wide boy image of the agent. He was also about 5 years younger than Jonnie Jackson. Are these the people who "advise" our club on player value?
It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if it was agents. Unless we have agents who work EXCLUSIVELY for Charlton, which is highly unlikely if not impossible, well then we're always at risk of being advised by someone with their own agenda. There are all kinds of stories of agents representing various interests in deals.
This is the sort of thing that should be someone's job for fuck's sake--a Director of Football who takes inputs from his internal people, agents, scouts, and whose job it is to constantly monitor the transfer market.
Whilst I'm not sad about RD losing out on a few quid, I believe that if RD ever should sell, these kinds of deals could be very important. Any wise investor (is unlikely to be investing in a football club, but let's play make-believe) will look at the incomings and outgoings of the club, and evaluate a potential purchase accordingly. How much we're able to get for players, particularly academy players, could be a crucial factor in this.
Jordan Ibe for 15m. Has Cousins achieved 10% of what he has? 12 league games in the Prem and a couple of Championship loans.
What a farce
Personally if QPR are serious about going up then I'm not convinced he's good enough to be first choice in CM
love the bloke and he's been a great pro for us, but just because he's home grown don't let that inflate his ability
Luongo is a classy Australian international. Chery tends to play wide or further forward, as he's attack minded. Good player on his day, from what I've seen inconsistent. Karl Henry is Karl Henry, and just by mentioning his name I assume he's got a booking. Gladwin was really highly rated when he joined from Swindon with Luongo, but hasn't really kicked on.
QPR played a lot of 4-4-1-1 last year. I think it's fair to say Jordon will play a good amount. Would expect him to start as first choice in central midfield with Luongo.