I think that is a big misunderstanding of what Thomas’ stated aims are. I highly doubt he bought this football club to tread water in the third tier.
To break even in football, you’re going to have to recruit well to then profit on two/three/four years later and/or have a strong academy system that churns out saleable assets.
Thomas knows that he will need to spend in order to see any chance at a long term return. If he thinks he can break even by continually finishing 15th in the third tier then the football pyramid is going slowly bleed him dry until he has to sell to the next maniac.
It'll help if Pope and Gomez are sold this summer. Both moving on could see us getting a few million in sell on fees which will obviously help to a) improve the transfer budget and b) reduce losses
I think that is a big misunderstanding of what Thomas’ stated aims are. I highly doubt he bought this football club to tread water in the third tier.
To break even in football, you’re going to have to recruit well to then profit on two/three/four years later and/or have a strong academy system that churns out saleable assets.
Thomas knows that he will need to spend in order to see any chance at a long term return. If he thinks he can break even by continually finishing 15th in the third tier then the football pyramid is going slowly bleed him dry until he has to sell to the next maniac.
It'll help if Pope and Gomez are sold this summer. Both moving on could see us getting a few million in sell on fees which will obviously help to a) improve the transfer budget and b) reduce losses
I think that is a big misunderstanding of what Thomas’ stated aims are. I highly doubt he bought this football club to tread water in the third tier.
To break even in football, you’re going to have to recruit well to then profit on two/three/four years later and/or have a strong academy system that churns out saleable assets.
Thomas knows that he will need to spend in order to see any chance at a long term return. If he thinks he can break even by continually finishing 15th in the third tier then the football pyramid is going slowly bleed him dry until he has to sell to the next maniac.
Maybe although when TS bought us he said promotion last season was not essential but would be a bonus and promotion this season was the goal. I am still uncomvinced he has the fire power to keep us running for long in L1. I feel he was a hopelessly over optimistic football investor who, like many before him, thought it would be easier than it is.
Don't get me wrong, I still support him as I have said previously but I do wonder how it all ends, especially given I read elsewhere today that our accounts reveal a £350K third party loan for the academy. Not exactly big bucks in footballing terms and if we need to borrow that amount it does not scream at me that TS has deep, liquid pockets.
Is Freddie Ladapo a realistic target? I know he was angling for a move to the Championship in January but his form has taken a real nose dive since it all fell through.
The last two or three months may have put off clubs from above taking the chance? No doubt Rotherham will be willing to listen to offers for an unhappy player.
South London boy as well so might welcome a move closer to home. Just don’t mention where he started his career.
Is he related to Tolu Lapado in our u18s? I thought someone said they were brothers but might be wrong. Surprisingly a lot of articles out there on him.
First thing we need to concentrate on is buy two specialist wing-backs, we have spent 90% of the year playing a formation that requires two very niche roles, something we don't really have in the squad (CBT has done well in an attacking sense but has had injury issues and is a question mark defensively).
Personally I would bin the formation but Jacko seems set on it. We need round pegs in round holes if we are to persist with it.
I hear that Chelsea have a great wing back......Castillo is it ???
First thing we need to concentrate on is buy two specialist wing-backs, we have spent 90% of the year playing a formation that requires two very niche roles, something we don't really have in the squad (CBT has done well in an attacking sense but has had injury issues and is a question mark defensively).
Personally I would bin the formation but Jacko seems set on it. We need round pegs in round holes if we are to persist with it.
I hear that Chelsea have a great wing back......Castillo is it ???
I though it was pretty well documented that we never even wanted Castillo?
First thing we need to concentrate on is buy two specialist wing-backs, we have spent 90% of the year playing a formation that requires two very niche roles, something we don't really have in the squad (CBT has done well in an attacking sense but has had injury issues and is a question mark defensively).
Personally I would bin the formation but Jacko seems set on it. We need round pegs in round holes if we are to persist with it.
I hear that Chelsea have a great wing back......Castillo is it ???
I though it was pretty well documented that we never even wanted Castillo?
Well the one time he played he looked like a defensive wing back and didn't do much wrong.
First thing we need to concentrate on is buy two specialist wing-backs, we have spent 90% of the year playing a formation that requires two very niche roles, something we don't really have in the squad (CBT has done well in an attacking sense but has had injury issues and is a question mark defensively).
Personally I would bin the formation but Jacko seems set on it. We need round pegs in round holes if we are to persist with it.
I hear that Chelsea have a great wing back......Castillo is it ???
I though it was pretty well documented that we never even wanted Castillo?
Really? How ridiculous. What is the source for this suggestion?
First thing we need to concentrate on is buy two specialist wing-backs, we have spent 90% of the year playing a formation that requires two very niche roles, something we don't really have in the squad (CBT has done well in an attacking sense but has had injury issues and is a question mark defensively).
Personally I would bin the formation but Jacko seems set on it. We need round pegs in round holes if we are to persist with it.
I hear that Chelsea have a great wing back......Castillo is it ???
I though it was pretty well documented that we never even wanted Castillo?
Really? How ridiculous. What is the source for this suggestion?
Airman said Bowyer wanted him gone (was on loan at Birmingham) so we took him on loan in order to push through signing Aneke.
First thing we need to concentrate on is buy two specialist wing-backs, we have spent 90% of the year playing a formation that requires two very niche roles, something we don't really have in the squad (CBT has done well in an attacking sense but has had injury issues and is a question mark defensively).
Personally I would bin the formation but Jacko seems set on it. We need round pegs in round holes if we are to persist with it.
I hear that Chelsea have a great wing back......Castillo is it ???
I though it was pretty well documented that we never even wanted Castillo?
Really? How ridiculous. What is the source for this suggestion?
Airman said Bowyer wanted him gone (was on loan at Birmingham) so we took him on loan in order to push through signing Aneke.
We signed Castillo a full week after Aneke was confirmed. How does that mean we signed him to push through the signing of Aneke when we had already signed Aneke?
First thing we need to concentrate on is buy two specialist wing-backs, we have spent 90% of the year playing a formation that requires two very niche roles, something we don't really have in the squad (CBT has done well in an attacking sense but has had injury issues and is a question mark defensively).
Personally I would bin the formation but Jacko seems set on it. We need round pegs in round holes if we are to persist with it.
I hear that Chelsea have a great wing back......Castillo is it ???
I though it was pretty well documented that we never even wanted Castillo?
Really? How ridiculous. What is the source for this suggestion?
Airman said Bowyer wanted him gone (was on loan at Birmingham) so we took him on loan in order to push through signing Aneke.
Staggering! So at a point when the team was floundering and injuries were racking up, we use up a loan spot on a player we didn't want. Are we suggesting that had we refused to take him there would have been no Aneke deal?
First thing we need to concentrate on is buy two specialist wing-backs, we have spent 90% of the year playing a formation that requires two very niche roles, something we don't really have in the squad (CBT has done well in an attacking sense but has had injury issues and is a question mark defensively).
Personally I would bin the formation but Jacko seems set on it. We need round pegs in round holes if we are to persist with it.
I hear that Chelsea have a great wing back......Castillo is it ???
I though it was pretty well documented that we never even wanted Castillo?
Really? How ridiculous. What is the source for this suggestion?
Airman said Bowyer wanted him gone (was on loan at Birmingham) so we took him on loan in order to push through signing Aneke.
We signed Castillo a full week after Aneke was confirmed. How does that mean we signed him to push through the signing of Aneke when we had already signed Aneke?
I am very worried about our transfer record recently. 3 players on long term contracts: Kirk a failure, 'sicknote' Aneke and unproven Fraser. And loan players who make little impact or do not appear at all, Leko, Arter, Castillo, Nile John even Lee and Famewo after bright starts. There is going to have to be a big improvement in quick time on both long term and short term recruitment if we want to make an impact from August onwards.
I am very worried about our transfer record recently. 3 players on long term contracts: Kirk a failure, 'sicknote' Aneke and unproven Fraser. And loan players who make little impact or do not appear at all, Leko, Arter, Castillo, Nile John even Lee and Famewo after bright starts. There is going to have to be a big improvement in quick time on both long term and short term recruitment if we want to make an impact from August onwards.
But Kirk is playing in the Championship, Aneke's injury record isn't bad when you actually look at it (and take the general frustration of this season out of matters) and Fraser is absolutely proven at this level. I'll agree with you on the loans which have been poor this season compared to the last few years.
I think we know how to find good players but I wonder they're just being 'identified' as good players with no idea of how they'll fit together.
I am very worried about our transfer record recently. 3 players on long term contracts: Kirk a failure, 'sicknote' Aneke and unproven Fraser. And loan players who make little impact or do not appear at all, Leko, Arter, Castillo, Nile John even Lee and Famewo after bright starts. There is going to have to be a big improvement in quick time on both long term and short term recruitment if we want to make an impact from August onwards.
Not quite sure how Fraser can be unproven, has been consistently one of the best midfielders in the league for the past 2-3 years. Unproven at Charlton yes, but isn't that every new signing? (Bar the odd ones who return).
What I find strange with Aneke is how come he was totally fit at Brum then either side of that he's been a walking injury with us. Surely that can't just be luck or coincidence. Thomas even bought some fancy machines for us.
What I find strange with Aneke is how come he was totally fit at Brum then either side of that he's been a walking injury with us. Surely that can't just be luck or coincidence. Thomas even bought some fancy machines for us.
He wasn't, just playing 20 odd minutes at the end of games just like he did for us.
The link below sounds more positive (and he’s since recovered from that injury), called the best left back in League 1 by one of Cambridge’s coaches, and they’ve used him at wing back in a back 3/5.
He’s 26 in May so might not attract too much Championship interest, could be a realistic target.
The link below sounds more positive (and he’s since recovered from that injury), called the best left back in League 1 by one of Cambridge’s coaches, and they’ve used him at wing back in a back 3/5.
He’s 26 in May so might not attract too much Championship interest, could be a realistic target.
Not a rumour, but Greg Leigh has impressed me in our two matches against Morecambe. He was their MOTM in the away game earlier in the season.
He normally plays left back but today I noted he mainly played as the Right Centre Back in a three although he moved to the left in the closing stages. This showed his versatility.It was his assist which led to the first goal.
Not a rumour, but Greg Leigh has impressed me in our two matches against Morecambe. He was their MOTM in the away game earlier in the season.
He normally plays left back but today I noted he mainly played as the Right Centre Back in a three although he moved to the left in the closing stages. This showed his versatility.It was his assist which led to the first goal.
Worth a punt?
I thought he had a good game today. The problem is, if we sign everyone that plays well against us, we would have 200 players!!
Comments
Don't get me wrong, I still support him as I have said previously but I do wonder how it all ends, especially given I read elsewhere today that our accounts reveal a £350K third party loan for the academy. Not exactly big bucks in footballing terms and if we need to borrow that amount it does not scream at me that TS has deep, liquid pockets.
Miles Leaburn I think is still 17.
Just remind me......what did Boreham Wood want for him & how much did we pay for Kirk. Just asking.
What is the source for this suggestion?
So at a point when the team was floundering and injuries were racking up, we use up a loan spot on a player we didn't want.
Are we suggesting that had we refused to take him there would have been no Aneke deal?
"Want our player? Take this piece of shit as well or no deal"
There is going to have to be a big improvement in quick time on both long term and short term recruitment if we want to make an impact from August onwards.
I think we know how to find good players but I wonder they're just being 'identified' as good players with no idea of how they'll fit together.
Jack Iredale braced for extended spell on Cambridge United sidelines
https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/sport/amp/jack-iredale-braced-for-extended-spell-on-cambridge-united-s-9239621/The link below sounds more positive (and he’s since recovered from that injury), called the best left back in League 1 by one of Cambridge’s coaches, and they’ve used him
at wing back in a back 3/5.
He’s 26 in May so might not attract too much Championship interest, could be a realistic target.
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cambridge-united-defender-jack-iredale-22328077
Who’s the equivalent for right wing back? Kane Wilson gets mentioned a lot before being dismissed as Championship bound.
Edit: ignore that, the source is our friend Alan Nixon!
https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/bolton-wanderers-hoping-to-move-ahead-of-preston-in-race-for-25-y-o-defender/
He was their MOTM in the away game earlier in the season.
He normally plays left back but today I noted he mainly played as the Right Centre Back in a three although he moved to the left in the closing stages. This showed his versatility.It was his assist which led to the first goal.
Worth a punt?