I spoke to three in the know people today. Bexleyboy Colin Ronnie They have all told me that Arter is going to sign for us. Am I now on the In the know list.
I’ve thought about Arter and truth be told, I don’t know what to make of it.
On the plus side, I think we all automatically get excited when we link with a player who’s name and pedigree we recognise. There is no doubt he’s had top level quality and SHOULD be a class above L1 on the ball and improve us.
But on the flip side, the feedback from recent years is poor, his injury record is mixed, I’ve read he’s prone to a behind scenes fall out and career wise he’s definitely on the dip. And we were all disappointed last year with Watson which was a similar signing, Looking at last season, he played 90 mins just 3 times, and only 800-odd mins in 13 months.
On balance, I think he’ll improve us. But I understand others caution.
I can confirm We are definitely pursuing becoming a Cat 1 Academy.
Our academy is what has kept us going over the years and being in the South London hotbed means there aremore out there.
We are also coming under pressure from other clubs nabbing kids from our areas hence category one is essential
@Swisdom this is great news, there’s surely a phenomenal bill attached to this? Especially on a training ground we lease. Is there a timescale attached, by when we are planning to achieve it?
I regularly see the development at the p*l*ce academy and it is very impressive. Despite the smell. It’s tremendously heartening to see us try to compete as the catchment for them would easily encroach into our traditional talent base and worried me each time I saw it.
I’ve thought about Arter and truth be told, I don’t know what to make of it.
On the plus side, I think we all automatically get excited when we link with a player who’s name and pedigree we recognise. There is no doubt he’s had top level quality and SHOULD be a class above L1 on the ball and improve us.
But on the flip side, the feedback from recent years is poor, his injury record is mixed, I’ve read he’s prone to a behind scenes fall out and career wise he’s definitely on the dip. And we were all disappointed last year with Watson which was a similar signing, Looking at last season, he played 90 mins just 3 times, and only 800-odd mins in 13 months.
On balance, I think he’ll improve us. But I understand others caution.
To counter that though in the 19-20 season (which because of Covid only ended 13 months ago), he played 28 times for a Fulham side who won promotion out of the championship.
I don’t believe this to be true at all but if it is then I’ll finally believe TS is serious about creating a promotion capable squad. We’d still need a left back. & striker though
I don’t believe this to be true at all but if it is then I’ll finally believe TS is serious about creating a promotion capable squad. We’d still need a left back. & striker though
Not sure why you think it's totally out of the realms of possibility. As others have said, 'the72' is fairly reputable with transfers. I do agree with you though, my view on this summers recruitment will change if we pull this off.
Dempsey on top of Arter starts to feel a bit like overkill in the midfield unless we definitely aren’t seeing any more of JFC or things are worse than feared with Gilbey’s recovery? Or maybe Albie gets a loan?
I very much believe Lee has been brought in to be that extra goal getter and will be shocked if another striker arrives at this point.
Left back is the glaring omission. I am getting more and more concerned about that one. Surely they don’t think we can get through a season with Matthews, Gunter and Purrington as our only full back options?
Assuming Arter is a done deal, here is my list for the last couple of days of the window…
Must have: left back
Would be nice: right sided centre back
Would be surprised: goalkeeper, striker, midfielder
Be shocked if we bring in a second Goalkeeper before the window closes based on Adkins words
I know its not you Callum, but does make me smile as saw a few comments on twitter yesterday about us having too much in Midfield now - First Sandgaard was skint and didnt have the money that we thought he did - Now its... "We've got too many Midfielders"
I don’t believe this to be true at all but if it is then I’ll finally believe TS is serious about creating a promotion capable squad. We’d still need a left back. & striker though
Given the source is our good pal Mr Nixon I don't know what to make of it. Would be a bit of a statement to get both of them. Left back and striker as the other loans then which wouldn't bother me too much.
I can confirm We are definitely pursuing becoming a Cat 1 Academy.
Our academy is what has kept us going over the years and being in the South London hotbed means there aremore out there.
We are also coming under pressure from other clubs nabbing kids from our areas hence category one is essential
@Swisdom this is great news, there’s surely a phenomenal bill attached to this? Especially on a training ground we lease. Is there a timescale attached, by when we are planning to achieve it?
I regularly see the development at the p*l*ce academy and it is very impressive. Despite the smell. It’s tremendously heartening to see us try to compete as the catchment for them would easily encroach into our traditional talent base and worried me each time I saw it.
Don’t know timescales and, as you say, there is cost implication and the fact we don’t own the training ground yet to consider but where there’s a will there’s a way. there is a LOT of work going on behind the scenes in the quest for Cat 1 status so hopefully it all gets there
Looking at the 22 man squad rules I have started to think it could be a Wheeler dealer remaining window as we simply can’t now just stack up loads more players.
Looking at the squad we have to assume a left back is coming in. And as per the list below with that, the only way any more can arrive is if people leave:
Macgillivray
Gunter
Famewo
Inniss
NEW LEFT BACK
Arter
Gilbey
Lee
Washington
Stockley
Kirk
SUBS:
Harness (U21)
Matthews
Pearce
Watson
Morgan
Schwartz (EXIT?) (New striker?)
Jayiesimi
Purrington
Elewere (U21)
Clare
Dobson
JFC
Blackett-Taylor
So that’s at best a new striker to replace Schwartz. I can’t work out how Tucker and Dempsey fit in unless two are on their way out (or if JFC isn’t even registered this season for the first team)
I can confirm We are definitely pursuing becoming a Cat 1 Academy.
Our academy is what has kept us going over the years and being in the South London hotbed means there aremore out there.
We are also coming under pressure from other clubs nabbing kids from our areas hence category one is essential
@Swisdom this is great news, there’s surely a phenomenal bill attached to this? Especially on a training ground we lease. Is there a timescale attached, by when we are planning to achieve it?
I regularly see the development at the p*l*ce academy and it is very impressive. Despite the smell. It’s tremendously heartening to see us try to compete as the catchment for them would easily encroach into our traditional talent base and worried me each time I saw it.
The costs aren't small, but there are financial benefits among the many reasons to do this.
Valley Gold will be making a decent contribution to this project, so it's a good time to join if people would like to support the academy directly.
Arter has already been disrespected . I heard somebody outside the ground say “Looks like we are signing Harry Arthur” Another one to go on the list with Ventokeke, Harriots, Wiggin and co.
Looking at the 22 man squad rules I have started to think it could be a Wheeler dealer remaining window as we simply can’t now just stack up loads more players.
Looking at the squad we have to assume a left back is coming in. And as per the list below with that, the only way any more can arrive is if people leave:
Macgillivray
Gunter
Famewo
Inniss
NEW LEFT BACK
Arter
Gilbey
Lee
Washington
Stockley
Kirk
SUBS:
Harness (U21)
Matthews
Pearce
Watson
Morgan
Schwartz (EXIT?) (New striker?)
Jayiesimi
Purrington
Elewere (U21)
Clare
Dobson
JFC
Blackett-Taylor
So that’s at best a new striker to replace Schwartz. I can’t work out how Tucker and Dempsey fit in unless two are on their way out (or if JFC isn’t even registered this season for the first team)
Goalkeepers aren't counted in the 22, and Morgan is classed as under 21 for the purpose of determining the squad limit.
Looking at the 22 man squad rules I have started to think it could be a Wheeler dealer remaining window as we simply can’t now just stack up loads more players.
Looking at the squad we have to assume a left back is coming in. And as per the list below with that, the only way any more can arrive is if people leave:
Macgillivray
Gunter
Famewo
Inniss
NEW LEFT BACK
Arter
Gilbey
Lee
Washington
Stockley
Kirk
SUBS:
Harness (U21)
Matthews
Pearce
Watson
Morgan
Schwartz (EXIT?) (New striker?)
Jayiesimi
Purrington
Elewere (U21)
Clare
Dobson
JFC
Blackett-Taylor
So that’s at best a new striker to replace Schwartz. I can’t work out how Tucker and Dempsey fit in unless two are on their way out (or if JFC isn’t even registered this season for the first team)
Goalkeepers aren't counted in the 22, and Morgan is classed as under 21 for the purpose of determining the squad limit.
Ah that’s handy! So we could theoretically bring in Dempsey, Tucker, a striker and a left back
I wouldn’t be suprised if we got arter and one more attack minded midfielder. Lee could be the striker we have been back up striker we have been wanting to come in. Also he can also be deployed out wide and in the 10 allowing Washington to play that role up top.
Looking at the 22 man squad rules I have started to think it could be a Wheeler dealer remaining window as we simply can’t now just stack up loads more players.
Looking at the squad we have to assume a left back is coming in. And as per the list below with that, the only way any more can arrive is if people leave:
Macgillivray
Gunter
Famewo
Inniss
NEW LEFT BACK
Arter
Gilbey
Lee
Washington
Stockley
Kirk
SUBS:
Harness (U21)
Matthews
Pearce
Watson
Morgan
Schwartz (EXIT?) (New striker?)
Jayiesimi
Purrington
Elewere (U21)
Clare
Dobson
JFC
Blackett-Taylor
So that’s at best a new striker to replace Schwartz. I can’t work out how Tucker and Dempsey fit in unless two are on their way out (or if JFC isn’t even registered this season for the first team)
Goalkeepers aren't counted in the 22, and Morgan is classed as under 21 for the purpose of determining the squad limit.
I make that 17 active players not counting Ronnie, JFC, the keepers and the kids.
So plenty of room for five more signings!
I was told yesterday that a busy few days are expected and the Comms team will be working the bank holiday.
Assuming Arter signs if we get another midfielder a winger probably makes more sense, and ideally a left footer.
An injury to Kirk or DJ means we’d be relying on CBT stepping up. He’s a short term gamble to see if he comes good, and while Clayden looked promising in preseason he doesn’t seem ready to be starting league games yet. It would also mean we don’t need to play Washington out wide.
I can confirm We are definitely pursuing becoming a Cat 1 Academy.
Our academy is what has kept us going over the years and being in the South London hotbed means there aremore out there.
We are also coming under pressure from other clubs nabbing kids from our areas hence category one is essential
Great to hear but won’t TS need to own the training ground? We’ll need to upgrade the facilities (as well as hiring more coaches), will he want to do that while it’s owned by RD?
I can confirm We are definitely pursuing becoming a Cat 1 Academy.
Our academy is what has kept us going over the years and being in the South London hotbed means there aremore out there.
We are also coming under pressure from other clubs nabbing kids from our areas hence category one is essential
Great to hear but won’t TS need to own the training ground? We’ll need to upgrade the facilities (as well as hiring more coaches), will he want to do that while it’s owned by RD?
Ideally yes. Would make it all a Bit easier but not impossible
Comments
On the plus side, I think we all automatically get excited when we link with a player who’s name and pedigree we recognise. There is no doubt he’s had top level quality and SHOULD be a class above L1 on the ball and improve us.
But on the flip side, the feedback from recent years is poor, his injury record is mixed, I’ve read he’s prone to a behind scenes fall out and career wise he’s definitely on the dip. And we were all disappointed last year with Watson which was a similar signing, Looking at last season, he played 90 mins just 3 times, and only 800-odd mins in 13 months.
On balance, I think he’ll improve us. But I understand others caution.
I regularly see the development at the p*l*ce academy and it is very impressive. Despite the smell. It’s tremendously heartening to see us try to compete as the catchment for them would easily encroach into our traditional talent base and worried me each time I saw it.
I very much believe Lee has been brought in to be that extra goal getter and will be shocked if another striker arrives at this point.
Left back is the glaring omission. I am getting more and more concerned about that one. Surely they don’t think we can get through a season with Matthews, Gunter and Purrington as our only full back options?
Assuming Arter is a done deal, here is my list for the last couple of days of the window…
Must have: left back
Would be nice: right sided centre back
Would be surprised: goalkeeper, striker, midfielder
I know its not you Callum, but does make me smile as saw a few comments on twitter yesterday about us having too much in Midfield now - First Sandgaard was skint and didnt have the money that we thought he did - Now its... "We've got too many Midfielders"
Given the source is our good pal Mr Nixon I don't know what to make of it. Would be a bit of a statement to get both of them. Left back and striker as the other loans then which wouldn't bother me too much.
there is a LOT of work going on behind the scenes in the quest for Cat 1 status so hopefully it all gets there
Absolutely need to replace Chuks.
Looking at the squad we have to assume a left back is coming in. And as per the list below with that, the only way any more can arrive is if people leave:
Macgillivray
Gunter
Famewo
Inniss
NEW LEFT BACK
Arter
Gilbey
Lee
Washington
Stockley
Kirk
SUBS:
Harness (U21)
Matthews
Pearce
Watson
Morgan
Schwartz (EXIT?) (New striker?)
Jayiesimi
Purrington
Elewere (U21)
Clare
Dobson
JFC
Blackett-Taylor
So that’s at best a new striker to replace Schwartz. I can’t work out how Tucker and Dempsey fit in unless two are on their way out (or if JFC isn’t even registered this season for the first team)
Valley Gold will be making a decent contribution to this project, so it's a good time to join if people would like to support the academy directly.
So plenty of room for five more signings!
I was told yesterday that a busy few days are expected and the Comms team will be working the bank holiday.
WIOTOS
An injury to Kirk or DJ means we’d be relying on CBT stepping up. He’s a short term gamble to see if he comes good, and while Clayden looked promising in preseason he doesn’t seem ready to be starting league games yet. It would also mean we don’t need to play Washington out wide.
We have too many CM’s they are miles off the team so surely need to be playing some real football not U23’s
Although Ben Dempsey surely has to be heading to League Two on loan if there are any plans for him to have a future here.