Jesus Christ they're actually backing Appleton. That's probably the worst news of the transfer window
I mean that was pretty obvious given there is the rumour on the other thread, saying that Scott wanted to sign Louie Watson on a permanent deal only he's going back to Luton because Appleton doesnt like him
If the problem is an Inability to acquire targets, try thinking of it from the player of today's perspective, for their age will have shaped their impression of our reputation.
If they think us to be:
a) an average L1 (basket case) club; b) one where most players fail and their careers take a turn for the worse with us,; c) one not in contention for promotion this season; d) one that bins managers in six monthly cycles, giving no leadership consistency; e) one that drastically changes it's playing squad each season resulting in instability; f) one which plays in a largely empty big stadium, which they will have experienced;
Then to sell the Club to them becomes harder and it's no surprise they take their time weighing up all other options.
Money trumps all, but these aren't irrelevant when it comes to making their decision.
Fiorini seems to be a CM, with Docherty linked too it feels like there could be a couple of signings in that position. Expect that means Watson returning to Luton, but I wonder if we’ll see one of Dobson or Fraser move on too.
Well our midfield isn't great is it! We also lose the battle in the middle of the park!
Another player Appleton has worked with before. Really don’t see the point in a loan unless we have the option to make it permanent
This x100 - We're not going anywhere this season, I don't see what a loan signing does to help us in the long term.
Less pressure to play our own kids, they themselves can go out on loan to a level where they can get regular game time, and at a level where their confidence isn't going to be dented. We need quality in the team to start finding wins - We equally need a bit of quantity so the likes of Patrick Casey or even Karoy Anderson don't have to sit on the bench.
Equally if Fiorini does a good job, what's to stop him coming back next year... e.g. Cullen? - Nothing wrong with loan deals, provided you get them right, like any other signing - Just surprised that Man City will be happy to send us another youngster given how well Tedic did with us.
With Fiorini to add to the rumoured Coventry, Docherty,Bakinson and Bate it feels like they're preparing for more than just Louie Watson going back to Luton.
What bothers me is AS and the owners have known for weeks now (maybe a month or 2) that Miles is out for the season, Chucks is unreliable due to his injury record, Tedic is not good enough and Kanu, Casey etc are not yet up to playing L1 week in week out. Yet here we are, especially if May is still injured, going into tomorrow's game without a proven and experienced striker. You would think, at least I would, that AS would be breaking his neck to get a striker in, in time for tomorrow, he should've have seen the situation and been working on a deal(s), since November! If this situation continues for a few more games, we could well be in a full relegation scrap. If that's the case, crowds will dwindle even more, and other players in other positions may decide not to join us! So my immediate concern is a striker, as mentioned above, should be an urgent priority! It'll be interesting to hear what MA has to say in his press conference today.
I get that as well, but would assume the players we are in for will also have other options, and likely better options as well.
So it's all noise about who we like and want No point in liking and wanting players we cannot get. The league position we are in sits at their door. They reviewed the squad a year ago They did their due diligence buying the club Three of their team were in situ 12 months ago They knew our previous manager They hired this manager Set targets Set realistic targets Speak to clubs in advance of the window of those targets Buy players we can afford and who want to come to us If you keep trying to buy players you can't afford; aren't for sale, or who don't want to join you
That's really bad business
This lies 100% at their door Any failure is their failure . It really IS that simple However else you dress it up
I am not interested in apologists for them saying "they tried", "other clubs are in for them"
We have no fit senior striker We've won 2 of our last 12, losing the last 3 We've not kept a clean sheet in 12 We're 6 points above the relegation zone 2 of our best players don't appear to want to sign a new contract
We've known about our long term injuries and contract situation for MONTHS now
Only position I'm disappointed we've had no links with is a Winger
CB - CM - Striker are the only names we've heard so far, we potentially need a replacement for CBT or at the very least a Right sided Winger to replace Kirk who can take the pressure off Corey, not just in terms of relying on him too much (as players will always have dips in form), but if we've got a threat down the other flank as well, the opposition cant put so much focus on the Left flank.
As for the length of time its taking to sign players, well that's partly out of our control, we cant force clubs or players to accept our bids, and don't want us playing over the going rate and find we're stuck with another player who is simply here for another pay cheque - The season is all but over, might as well take a bit more time trying to get the right players in, rather than any old names in... Naturally the longer these deals drag, the more pressure that goes on to the Recruitment team to get it right in the first place.
I guess things will become clearer as the window goes on, but the only thing I can gauge for certain is that we will be playing 3 in midfield.
After that I have no idea if we will look to play 3-5-2 or 4-3-3/4-2-3-1
We know MA likes 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 and I can’t see us spending that money on JCH to sit on the bench, but that would mean playing May out on the wing and not playing directly off JCH - which seems a missed opportunity.
However unless we start playing Chem out on the wing, we are really short in that position. Especially if we lose CBT.
With Fiorini to add to the rumoured Coventry, Docherty,Bakinson and Bate it feels like they're preparing for more than just Louie Watson going back to Luton.
Rightly so, our midfield is woeful and dominated every single game.
Fiorini seems to be a CM, with Docherty linked too it feels like there could be a couple of signings in that position. Expect that means Watson returning to Luton, but I wonder if we’ll see one of Dobson or Fraser move on too.
Well our midfield isn't great is it! We also lose the battle in the middle of the park!
Not helped by Appleton playing Fraser in a position that he’s not comfortable with and when he has better options on the bench
Fiorini seems to be a CM, with Docherty linked too it feels like there could be a couple of signings in that position. Expect that means Watson returning to Luton, but I wonder if we’ll see one of Dobson or Fraser move on too.
Well our midfield isn't great is it! We also lose the battle in the middle of the park!
I agree, I didn’t say it was a bad thing. It’s a good thing if we get the right players and improve.
With Fiorini to add to the rumoured Coventry, Docherty,Bakinson and Bate it feels like they're preparing for more than just Louie Watson going back to Luton.
Really couldn't give 2 fucks what 91 other clubs are doing. Maybe they don't have all their senior strikers out. Maybe they can keep a clean sheet. Maybe they have won a match or two over the past 6 weeks. Maybe they are happy with sliding down the table.
With Fiorini to add to the rumoured Coventry, Docherty,Bakinson and Bate it feels like they're preparing for more than just Louie Watson going back to Luton.
Rightly so, our midfield is woeful and dominated every single game.
Oh absolutely it's an area that badly needs working on. I just wonder who's going to actually be here at the end of the window from the existing CMs we've got in the squad.
Understand people’s unhappiness with loans but have to remember everyone’s playing a game. If we improve a player from a big club then they might be more willing to give us a better youngster next season. Plus if they can help us finish higher up the league we become more attractive in the summer
Understand people’s unhappiness with loans but have to remember everyone’s playing a game. If we improve a player from a big club then they might be more willing to give us a better youngster next season. Plus if they can help us finish higher up the league we become more attractive in the summer
Fiorini was on loan last year. Isn't this year. Unless Pep thought he was going to take Kalvin Phillip's place on the bench, why did no other club want him..... answers on a postcard please He's PLAYED NO SENIOR FOOTBALL THIS SEASON - how on earth is he going to be match fit and ready to play for the mighty CAFC in the dogshit, kick bite and scratch bottom half of Division 3?
He scored his first goal for Blackpool on 28 April 2023 in a 2-3 home defeat against Millwall. Late in the game he conceded a penalty which gave Millwall the win and relegated Blackpool.
So, last season he played in the Championship. This season he is going to take a step backwards by dropping down a division to play for a struggling League 1 team.
And this is after we are sending back one of Man City's duds.
Dobson Fraser McGrandles - injured Taylor - injured Camara - injured L Watson - going back to Luton? Anderson - not ready?
Would suggest we definitely need more central midfielders quite urgently unless the injured trio are close to a return.
You know, I'd really sympathise with our senior management, IF ONLY
McGrandles wasn't consistently injured for us Taylor wasn't coming off the back of a serious injury Camara wasn't coming off the back of a serious injury Louis Watson wasn't a fan favourite (in that we all scratch our head as to why he doesn't get game time considering the above), whose stats show he benefits the team, is wanted to be signed by our Director of Football, but the manager doesn't "fancy him" Anderson is in his first season of senior football
He scored his first goal for Blackpool on 28 April 2023 in a 2-3 home defeat against Millwall. Late in the game he conceded a penalty which gave Millwall the win and relegated Blackpool.
So, last season he played in the Championship. This season he is going to take a step backwards by dropping down a division to play for a struggling League 1 team.
And this is after we are sending back one of Man City's duds.
Didn’t one of the Matt Smiths come from City as well.
They’ve done a great job of stitching us up.
Yup that should be the biggest complaint about Fiorini (How is he Scottish with a name like that) - All our Man City loans have ended up being absolute shite; Danny Mills was signed on loan from them when he decided he didnt want to play over Christmas
Comments
If they think us to be:
a) an average L1 (basket case) club;
b) one where most players fail and their careers take a turn for the worse with us,;
c) one not in contention for promotion this season;
d) one that bins managers in six monthly cycles, giving no leadership consistency;
e) one that drastically changes it's playing squad each season resulting in instability;
f) one which plays in a largely empty big stadium, which they will have experienced;
Then to sell the Club to them becomes harder and it's no surprise they take their time weighing up all other options.
Money trumps all, but these aren't irrelevant when it comes to making their decision.
Equally if Fiorini does a good job, what's to stop him coming back next year... e.g. Cullen? - Nothing wrong with loan deals, provided you get them right, like any other signing - Just surprised that Man City will be happy to send us another youngster given how well Tedic did with us.
After that I have no idea if we will look to play 3-5-2 or 4-3-3/4-2-3-1
However unless we start playing Chem out on the wing, we are really short in that position. Especially if we lose CBT.
Oh absolutely it's an area that badly needs working on. I just wonder who's going to actually be here at the end of the window from the existing CMs we've got in the squad.
Dobson
Fraser
McGrandles - injured
Taylor - injured
Camara - injured
L Watson - going back to Luton?
Anderson - not ready?
Would suggest we definitely need more central midfielders quite urgently unless the injured trio are close to a return.
He's PLAYED NO SENIOR FOOTBALL THIS SEASON - how on earth is he going to be match fit and ready to play for the mighty CAFC in the dogshit, kick bite and scratch bottom half of Division 3?
Sigh......
And this is after we are sending back one of Man City's duds.
Gee, thanks.
McGrandles wasn't consistently injured for us
Taylor wasn't coming off the back of a serious injury
Camara wasn't coming off the back of a serious injury
Louis Watson wasn't a fan favourite (in that we all scratch our head as to why he doesn't get game time considering the above), whose stats show he benefits the team, is wanted to be signed by our Director of Football, but the manager doesn't "fancy him"
Anderson is in his first season of senior football
When you read the above, it really is depressing.