I expected this summer that we'd be signing a lot of the best out of contract players at smaller clubs in L1 or in L2 - "We offered Tom a great contract, but it's really hard to keep players when a big club like Charlton show interest. We wish him all the best."
Which is how we signed the likes of Lyle Taylor, Chuks Aneke and Tom Lockyer
Other than in goal where we did a like for like swap, it hasn't happened - all our other signings have been players under contract
Are there still free agents out there "playing the field" or have we missed out on a lot of them?
Grief. This thread is fucking torture. I try and stay away but something is drawing me back in, every time.
I fully expect to have a face like a slapped arse when the transfer window slams shut, that's Charlron after all, BUT all this cloak and dagger, staying within a "budget" and under the radar bollocks... fucking torture! Right i'm off, back tomorow.
Grief. This thread is fucking torture. I try and stay away but something is drawing me back in, every time.
I fully expect to have a face like a slapped arse when the transfer window slams shut, that's Charlron after all, BUT all this cloak and dagger, staying within a "budget" and under the radar bollocks... fucking torture! Right i'm off, back tomorow.
Grief. This thread is fucking torture. I try and stay away but something is drawing me back in, every time.
I fully expect to have a face like a slapped arse when the transfer window slams shut, that's Charlron after all, BUT all this cloak and dagger, staying within a "budget" and under the radar bollocks... fucking torture! Right i'm off, back tomorow.
This thread is unbelievable. The sense of entitlement is off the scale. Grown men spending another person's money and throwing keyboard tantrums left right and centre as the other person isn't throwing his money round in a manner which they deem acceptable.
This time last year we were on the brink. A very real possibility of going out of business. Sandergaard might not be everyone's cup of tea, but he is well in credit for effectively saving the club from going out of business.
He set his stall out very early on and made it clear he would be running things as a business. A business does not burn through a fuck ton of money that it potentially has no hope of recouping.
We all know the squad is thin, but the business we have done so far is good. There is no way we won't being additional players in before the window closes.
I wish people would stop with the I want it and I want it now bollocks. There are people on this thread who are like a fucking stuck record. Spouting the same shit over and over whilst launching toys round whatever room they are sitting in.
The sooner people accept that the club were just about at rock bottom and that unless you get a billionaire coming in with very deep pockets, coming back from that takes time, the better.
You're right, of course you're right.
Only thing I'd observe that puts a slightly different perspective on things is that Sandgaard didn't come in quietly promising a slow build. We all know that getting established in the Premiership within 5 years is unlikely to begin with a poorer League One squad than missed out on promotion the previous season.
Time will tell, but I'm not sure the frustration is that we're not spending millions but with what seems strikingly obvious: we're missing out on our target players because of financial constraints.
I really wish he'd just talked about a long term plan, getting the foundations in place and getting us challenging in the Championship, than promising top end Premiership within 5 years - because no-one would have any unrealistic expectations on transfer spend.
Tl:Dr - it was Sandgaard who said, I want it and I want it now.
Who have we missed out on?
In fairness the poster said it was obvious, which personally I don't quite agree on, but it's also fairly clear we're not splashing the cash. I think it's a good bet we'd have missed out on a few, Cawley hinted as much, but whether this was because our offer was poor or a Championship club simply won the battle I don't know. Sandgaard is probably going to be very disappointed if he thinks he can get to the Prem without spending a large amount of money though, I think he'll regret some of his ambition when we're miles away.
I doubt Thomas had watched much League One football when he bought the club. It’s tougher than he expected.
And I imagine the ramifications of Covid etc have turned out a lot tougher than expected. This is a season not quite like any other before and we're not the only ones struggling to get signings done in large numbers.
As I said earlier, all depends on why other clubs are struggling. For some it might be because they are strapped for cash. For others it might be because they are under a "soft" emabargo due to taking the EFL loan money. I would like to think that we are not in either camp. Understand there are budgets.....just didnt realise the budget was going to be the same or less than last year.
I hate trying to compare us to other clubs & being honest I couldnt give a f**k what other clubs are doing. I just want to get out this league & to do that it's best to be in the top 2 come May next year rather than 3rd to 6th.
But our business is not being done in a vacuum. That's the whole point. Other clubs that are under soft embargoes or strapped for cash mean we can't just go around signing players because their current clubs won't be selling - either because of the embargoes or the difficulty they'd have in replacing those players themselves. Clubs who are operating at higher than expected loss due to Covid etc will be holding out for stupid prices as long as they can.
You might not "give a f**" what other clubs are doing but that doesn't mean it isn't affecting us.
Obviously Joel Randall was a target...he was mentioned in January. Sad state of affairs when we lose out to Peterboro with their shitty stadium and donkey field of a pitch.....granted they are in the championship but we should be selling the club as having a very good chance of being there next season
Yeah I'm sure the management team aren't doing that at all 🤣
It's not helpful when players can see that we've not pushed the boat out though is it. If I was a player or an agent I'd be questioning our ambition. I'm pretty sure that Stockley might have 2nd thoughts if he was about to sign now.
Obviously Joel Randall was a target...he was mentioned in January. Sad state of affairs when we lose out to Peterboro with their shitty stadium and donkey field of a pitch.....granted they are in the championship but we should be selling the club as having a very good chance of being there next season
Yeah I'm sure the management team aren't doing that at all 🤣
It's not helpful when players can see that we've not pushed the boat out though is it. If I was a player or an agent I'd be questioning our ambition. I'm pretty sure that Stockley might have 2nd thoughts if he was about to sign now.
Golfie when I said we wouldnt lose another 4 games last season you took a bet for the upbeats. Fancy another 1 ? You undoubtedly seem to think we are going to struggle. I think we will make top 6. £25.00 for the upbeats again ?
Grief. This thread is fucking torture. I try and stay away but something is drawing me back in, every time.
I fully expect to have a face like a slapped arse when the transfer window slams shut, that's Charlron after all, BUT all this cloak and dagger, staying within a "budget" and under the radar bollocks... fucking torture! Right i'm off, back tomorow.
Wouldn’t be worried about us not signing Ogilvie, Pompey could be paying him silly money as they’re behind everyone else in terms of recruitment.
We don’t need to panic. Signing a LB on loan means we can spend more money on other areas.
Signed 9 players tbf. Think he’s a better lb than Purrington so hopefully you’re right and we’ll get a decent loan.
Yes but one is a kid from Bromley, who will play u23’s and another is a striker who has just done his ACL.
They’re also expecting to lose Curtis
Still personally think they’re ahead of us recruitment wise albeit I believe we’ll finish higher than them as I have faith in Gallen .
I think we need 5/6 players at least 4 of which need to be first XI quality. I’m reserving judgement until the window closes as I think we’re well short of where we need to be for the playoffs let alone the auto spots at the moment.
Obviously Joel Randall was a target...he was mentioned in January. Sad state of affairs when we lose out to Peterboro with their shitty stadium and donkey field of a pitch.....granted they are in the championship but we should be selling the club as having a very good chance of being there next season
Yeah I'm sure the management team aren't doing that at all 🤣
It's not helpful when players can see that we've not pushed the boat out though is it. If I was a player or an agent I'd be questioning our ambition. I'm pretty sure that Stockley might have 2nd thoughts if he was about to sign now.
Golfie when I said we wouldnt lose another 4 games last season you took a bet for the upbeats. Fancy another 1 ? You undoubtedly seem to think we are going to struggle. I think we will make top 6. £25.00 for the upbeats again ?
It will be an unmitigated disaster if we don’t make top six. That is the bare minimum for me.
We’re going to get to deadline day with nobody but Callum Harriott and Nathan Eccleston in the building
Nathan Ecclestone. There's a name from the past. Remember he came in on loan and scored an absolutely brilliant goal. Thought he would have a great career based on that goal.
Whatever happened to him?
He's still locked in his room at the Marriott Hotel, in Bexleyheath.
Obviously Joel Randall was a target...he was mentioned in January. Sad state of affairs when we lose out to Peterboro with their shitty stadium and donkey field of a pitch.....granted they are in the championship but we should be selling the club as having a very good chance of being there next season
Yeah I'm sure the management team aren't doing that at all 🤣
It's not helpful when players can see that we've not pushed the boat out though is it. If I was a player or an agent I'd be questioning our ambition. I'm pretty sure that Stockley might have 2nd thoughts if he was about to sign now.
I’d question the players ambition if he chose League 1 over the Championship.
Just got back from holiday with no signal to 1900 new posts.
Might take you forever to read that little lot. But, trying to be helpful, here's the Bitesize:
There's 300 posts all blaming Sandgaard for making false promises and not paying over the top transfer fees and wages for average players. Steve Gallen is sitting on his hands, our squad is not good enough as it stands, nothing will change and we're doomed to struggle.
And 300 posts saying most other clubs in the division are no further adding to their squads than we are, slow market, the Covid effect, etc. And there's still 4 weeks to go until the window slams shut and it'll be all right on the night.
BTW don't miss the oversized pics of Doucher's BBQ.
Nearly forgot ..... there's not actually any rumours.
We really need everyone in because our first two fixtures will be big games when it comes to the end of the season.
Dropping points to Sheffield Wednesday and Oxford will put us in catch-up mode already.
I don’t necessarily agree that it puts us in catch up mode but there’s definitely something to be said for spending a little bit more to get them in sooner rather than later.
I’m not keen on this “waiting until 4 weeks into the season so we get them for a bargain basement price” strategy that seems to have emerged.
Obviously Joel Randall was a target...he was mentioned in January. Sad state of affairs when we lose out to Peterboro with their shitty stadium and donkey field of a pitch.....granted they are in the championship but we should be selling the club as having a very good chance of being there next season
Yeah I'm sure the management team aren't doing that at all 🤣
It's not helpful when players can see that we've not pushed the boat out though is it. If I was a player or an agent I'd be questioning our ambition. I'm pretty sure that Stockley might have 2nd thoughts if he was about to sign now.
Golfie when I said we wouldnt lose another 4 games last season you took a bet for the upbeats. Fancy another 1 ? You undoubtedly seem to think we are going to struggle. I think we will make top 6. £25.00 for the upbeats again ?
It will be an unmitigated disaster if we don’t make top six. That is the bare minimum for me.
Under Bowyer AND Roland (with Driesen lurking in the background) we finished 6th and 3rd; with a proper owner top 6 must be the minimum, and to me top 3 is what I'd expect (i.e. getting automatic or just missing out as best of the rest)
The one player we should hear about this week is Gomes. If he does sign I don't see us bringing in another CM.
My guess is it comes down to budget and value for money. He's probably seen as a left footed CM who could do a job with the hope that JFC will be back later on in the season. We more urgently need a LB and LW, and by the end of the window a RCB. Ideally I'd like one or two on top of that to add more goals and creativity to the squad.
The one player we should hear about this week is Gomes. If he does sign I don't see us bringing in another CM.
My guess is it comes down to budget and value for money. He's probably seen as a left footed CM who could do a job with the hope that JFC will be back later on in the season. We more urgently need a LB and LW, and by the end of the window a RCB. Ideally I'd like one or two on top of that to add more goals and creativity to the squad.
I do half wonder if Nige will plump for ‘good’ Deji to be the RCB , and save a bit of the budget to give him a shiny new contract, we’ll that’s what I’d do anyway.
Comments
Which is how we signed the likes of Lyle Taylor, Chuks Aneke and Tom Lockyer
Other than in goal where we did a like for like swap, it hasn't happened - all our other signings have been players under contract
Are there still free agents out there "playing the field" or have we missed out on a lot of them?
I fully expect to have a face like a slapped arse when the transfer window slams shut, that's Charlron after all, BUT all this cloak and dagger, staying within a "budget" and under the radar bollocks... fucking torture! Right i'm off, back tomorow.
They’re also expecting to lose Curtis
You might not "give a f**" what other clubs are doing but that doesn't mean it isn't affecting us.
MFW when I have a premonition of yet another lacklustre transfer window.
Made up rumours
Ipswich have won the league
Bickering
TS to appear on Top of the Pops
Doucher had a BBQ
Rich Cawley has gone on holiday
There's 300 posts all blaming Sandgaard for making false promises and not paying over the top transfer fees and wages for average players.
Steve Gallen is sitting on his hands, our squad is not good enough as it stands, nothing will change and we're doomed to struggle.
And 300 posts saying most other clubs in the division are no further adding to their squads than we are, slow market, the Covid effect, etc. And there's still 4 weeks to go until the window slams shut and it'll be all right on the night.
BTW don't miss the oversized pics of Doucher's BBQ.
Nearly forgot ..... there's not actually any rumours.
Under Bowyer AND Roland (with Driesen lurking in the background) we finished 6th and 3rd; with a proper owner top 6 must be the minimum, and to me top 3 is what I'd expect (i.e. getting automatic or just missing out as best of the rest)
RD increased it to £500k/year as part of the ESI deal I believe.
My guess is it comes down to budget and value for money. He's probably seen as a left footed CM who could do a job with the hope that JFC will be back later on in the season. We more urgently need a LB and LW, and by the end of the window a RCB. Ideally I'd like one or two on top of that to add more goals and creativity to the squad.