You may be right as we didn't have lots of loans to get here but I think we need 9-10 minimum. Remember for every decent signing there is one that doesn't work out (Godden v Ahadme; Gilbert v McIntyre; Berry v Potts; Edwards v A Campbell).
That includes summer and winter transfers though at this moment we need 8 new signings a GK RWB LCB LWB CM CAM ST ST and then re-evaluate in the Winter who hasn’t made the step up and who we need to ship off to create room to bring in
You may be right as we didn't have lots of loans to get here but I think we need 9-10 minimum. Remember for every decent signing there is one that doesn't work out (Godden v Ahadme; Gilbert v McIntyre; Berry v Potts; Edwards v A Campbell).
That includes summer and winter transfers though at this moment we need 8 new signings a GK RWB LCB LWB CM CAM ST ST and then re-evaluate in the Winter who hasn’t made the step up and who we need to ship off to create room to bring in
No it doesn't. Just summer ones.
In winter
- Oxford bought in another 5 and spent another €2m - so 21 signings across the 2 windows and €3.8m spent
- Pompey bought in a other 9 spending €1.5m - so total 25 signings across both windows and €4.9m spent.
- Derby bought in another 7 spending €5.8m. so total 19 signings. Across both windows and €9.4m spent
You may be right as we didn't have lots of loans to get here but I think we need 9-10 minimum. Remember for every decent signing there is one that doesn't work out (Godden v Ahadme; Gilbert v McIntyre; Berry v Potts; Edwards v A Campbell).
That includes summer and winter transfers though at this moment we need 8 new signings a GK RWB LCB LWB CM CAM ST ST and then re-evaluate in the Winter who hasn’t made the step up and who we need to ship off to create room to bring in
No it doesn't. Just summer ones.
In winter
- Oxford bought in another 5 and spent another €2m - so 21 signings across the 2 windows and €3.8m spent
- Pompey bought in a other 9 spending €1.5m - so total 25 signings across both windows and €4.9m spent.
- Derby bought in another 7 spending €5.8m. so total 19 signings. Across both windows and €9.4m spent
Oh wow fair enough either way though Jones likes a smaller squad we had about a squad of 22-23 from January onwards and even a few players of that 22-23 hardly got any minutes. NJ is already guaranteed 10 of his starting XI we know he likes + Anderson/Leaburn/Kanu/Mitchell as well so would only need 8 signings to get him up to around that 22/23 mark
I'll always love Chuks and will keep an eye out for him wherever he goes. On his day he's bloody brilliant. We know that fitness is the issue. But seems like a lovely guy, especially given the tributes he's getting on Instagram from other players.
Not sure we collectively appreciate the leap up in quality, strength and fitness between L1 and Championship now. Quality particularly.
Some very very tough decisions required.
Players like Doherty, Mitchell, Berry, Godden and Gillesphey were not viewed as good enough for the Championship by Championship clubs last season.
Players like Taylor, Ahadme, Kanu and AMB didn’t impress in L1 last season
Players like Anderson, Campbell, Leaburn, Z Mitchell, Asiimwe they’ll be questions on whether they can step up immediatel, but will probably need game time for them to progress.
Players like Dixon, Enslin, Fullah, Mbick, Mwamba we definitely know are not ready and will need loans before adding to our first team.
Ramsey I’m sure we’ll have to fight off interest in.
That really doesn’t leave much.
Very glad we have Chapple on board, it’s going to be a very interesting summer.
I think we'll need the Championship experience of the likes of Godden, Berry and Doherty. The teams that let them go were already pretty established at that level, few of our squad have played there previously.
Of course that might depend upon who NJ brings in, whether taking a punt on players from lower divisions, Scotland or even Europe, or looking at possible free agents and loanees with Campionship and Premier League experience.
Wonder where Chucks may end up? I am gutted though. Seems like one of the good ones so hopefully he ends up somewhere where he can have a similar impact.
Keep thinking he may end up back at MK Don's or a bit left field, AFC Wimbledon, regardless of the rivalry.
We're the bookies favourite to finish bottom this season, the same goes for every Youtube prediction I've watched. Of course, these mean nothing this early, except it does highlight that we do need to be savvy in the transfer market and not be too sentimental with certain players. As things stand, I agree with all the "experts", but will review my opinion once the season starts.
The hardest player to get rid of will be Ahadme. Still got 3 years left on his contract and I doubt any club above league one will be interested. A terrible signing
They don’t want to get rid .. if he can get fully fit over the summer he will still be useful like he showed in pre season last year and the start of the season . And he not played in this system .
You may be right as we didn't have lots of loans to get here but I think we need 9-10 minimum. Remember for every decent signing there is one that doesn't work out (Godden v Ahadme; Gilbert v McIntyre; Berry v Potts; Edwards v A Campbell).
That includes summer and winter transfers though at this moment we need 8 new signings a GK RWB LCB LWB CM CAM ST ST and then re-evaluate in the Winter who hasn’t made the step up and who we need to ship off to create room to bring in
No it doesn't. Just summer ones.
In winter
- Oxford bought in another 5 and spent another €2m - so 21 signings across the 2 windows and €3.8m spent
- Pompey bought in a other 9 spending €1.5m - so total 25 signings across both windows and €4.9m spent.
- Derby bought in another 7 spending €5.8m. so total 19 signings. Across both windows and €9.4m spent
Good analysis that. And quite sobering. I do think though if Oxford can stay up with a very average team then I reckon we’ve got a decent shot at it.
You may be right as we didn't have lots of loans to get here but I think we need 9-10 minimum. Remember for every decent signing there is one that doesn't work out (Godden v Ahadme; Gilbert v McIntyre; Berry v Potts; Edwards v A Campbell).
That includes summer and winter transfers though at this moment we need 8 new signings a GK RWB LCB LWB CM CAM ST ST and then re-evaluate in the Winter who hasn’t made the step up and who we need to ship off to create room to bring in
No it doesn't. Just summer ones.
In winter
- Oxford bought in another 5 and spent another €2m - so 21 signings across the 2 windows and €3.8m spent
- Pompey bought in a other 9 spending €1.5m - so total 25 signings across both windows and €4.9m spent.
- Derby bought in another 7 spending €5.8m. so total 19 signings. Across both windows and €9.4m spent
Looking at the retained list (plus Small) underscores what a great job Nathan Jones, the support staff and the players did in getting us promoted. We were also, with the exception of Leaburn and to an extent, with Jones and Ramsey, pretty fortunate with injuries, although a lot of credit also has to go to Will Abbot and his colleagues and to the club for investing in the medical team.
Most of the young lads (perhaps with the exception of Zach Mitchell) will go out on loan and it’s clear that a number of the more experienced players are not in Nathan’s plans. Subject to fitness, I can see Terry Taylor leaving for a nominal fee and Ahadme going out on loan, quite possibly to Cambridge.
We have a handful of very good players but it’s obvious that we will need to strengthen significantly to survive. We’ll have to recruit a couple of quality midfielders, as I think the Doc and Berry are likely to be bit part players in the Championship and we’ll need some reinforcements up front, especially with doubts about Miles Leaburn’s long term fitness and the need for an additional wide player (two if Small leaves).
On the plus side, we have (unlike the extreme example of Orient) zero reliance on loanees and a very slim and young squad with headroom on the wage bill. Chuks’ departure will also free up significant funds. Unlike in 2019 when we lost Bauer and Aribo who were out of contract, we are only at risk with Thierry Small and there’s hopefully still a chance that he may still sign.
As well as securing several good permanent deals, I think we’ll have to make judicious use of the loan system. I completely understand Nathan’s reluctance to develop other teams’ players but, such is the financial chasm between League 1 and the Championship and the gap in quality, I think it’s a case of ‘needs must’, at least in the short term.
Encouragingly, all 3 of the teams promoted from League 1 last season - Pompey, Derby and Oxford - stayed up, although the Brummies and Wrexham are in a different financial league to us and it’s understandable that we start as the bookies’ favourites to go down.
You can’t force contracted players to go out on loan. It requires agreement and desire from two clubs and the player. I remember Viggo Jacobsen (of Oostergaard fame) was at Charlton for a couple of seasons way out of the picture as a player but still getting a wage. Such a thing is an option for Ahadme
Don’t get the Docherty slander personally - think he plays a role which isn’t necessarily pretty such as scoring lots of goals but he has a big engine and is a very good “8”. IMO I would certainly keep and look to play him
It’s not slander because no one is saying he’s bad but he fits into the category of being too good for L1 not good enough for the championship. Hull released him and they ended up almost getting relegated so if they don’t even consider him a squad player to keep around, having him being a starter in the same division does seem questionable
Don’t get the Docherty slander personally - think he plays a role which isn’t necessarily pretty such as scoring lots of goals but he has a big engine and is a very good “8”. IMO I would certainly keep and look to play him
Decent enough in league one. Not good enough for the championship imo.
It’s easy to knock the squad at the moment, but jump back a year and Coventry as an example was getting stick and how Dobson was a better player. With a stronger midfield and rock solid defence we saw how good Coventry really was. His ceiling is way higher than Dobsons.
If we spend well then the quality should increase again and you’ll see the best of Coventry and Docherty. A couple of tweaks at the back, and a true creative midfielder to carry us forward and link to the forwards will see less pressure on Docherty and Coventry.
Our best 11 currently is in the bottom quarter of this league. Our current bench will see us relegated.
All I heard on budget on our big day out was that the owners are going to give the Championship a real go - not making up numbers and investing more to compete. Won’t be the size of Wrexham’s or Birmingham’s budget, nor those clubs still benefitting from parachute payments, but sounds like we will be competitive.
I am expecting/hoping that most of our signings will be Championship, overseas and Prem players now in their twilight…
JRS certainly didn’t rule out coming to us when I spoke to him and I think £5m + add ons including future %age of sales fee is the sort of deal we’ll be pursuing.
Our cloth was cut for L1, to stay in the Champ you need to be investing £5-10m per annum to stay in it and not stand still.
Excited for what develops over the summer. Transfer window phase 1 opens tomorrow!
All I heard on budget on our big day out was that the owners are going to give the Championship a real go - not making up numbers and investing more to compete. Won’t be the size of Wrexham’s or Birmingham’s budget, nor those clubs still benefitting from parachute payments, but sounds like we will be competitive.
I am expecting/hoping that most of our signings will be Championship, overseas and Prem players now in their twilight…
JRS certainly didn’t rule out coming to us when I spoke to him and I think £5m + add ons including future %age of sales fee is the sort of deal we’ll be pursuing.
Our cloth was cut for L1, to stay in the Champ you need to be investing £5-10m per annum to stay in it and not stand still.
Excited for what develops over the summer. Transfer window phase 1 opens tomorrow!
Really can’t see us shelling out 5m on one player.
All I heard on budget on our big day out was that the owners are going to give the Championship a real go - not making up numbers and investing more to compete. Won’t be the size of Wrexham’s or Birmingham’s budget, nor those clubs still benefitting from parachute payments, but sounds like we will be competitive.
I am expecting/hoping that most of our signings will be Championship, overseas and Prem players now in their twilight…
JRS certainly didn’t rule out coming to us when I spoke to him and I think £5m + add ons including future %age of sales fee is the sort of deal we’ll be pursuing.
Our cloth was cut for L1, to stay in the Champ you need to be investing £5-10m per annum to stay in it and not stand still.
Excited for what develops over the summer. Transfer window phase 1 opens tomorrow!
Really can’t see us shelling out 5m on one player.
All I heard on budget on our big day out was that the owners are going to give the Championship a real go - not making up numbers and investing more to compete. Won’t be the size of Wrexham’s or Birmingham’s budget, nor those clubs still benefitting from parachute payments, but sounds like we will be competitive.
I am expecting/hoping that most of our signings will be Championship, overseas and Prem players now in their twilight…
JRS certainly didn’t rule out coming to us when I spoke to him and I think £5m + add ons including future %age of sales fee is the sort of deal we’ll be pursuing.
Our cloth was cut for L1, to stay in the Champ you need to be investing £5-10m per annum to stay in it and not stand still.
Excited for what develops over the summer. Transfer window phase 1 opens tomorrow!
JRS didn’t rule it out, but are you saying you heard something that suggests we’ll be making an offer?
Don’t get the Docherty slander personally - think he plays a role which isn’t necessarily pretty such as scoring lots of goals but he has a big engine and is a very good “8”. IMO I would certainly keep and look to play him
I think we'll keep him but I'd hope he's the backup for a new, better player in that spot.
We need better options that him and Berry in those two positions.
All I heard on budget on our big day out was that the owners are going to give the Championship a real go - not making up numbers and investing more to compete. Won’t be the size of Wrexham’s or Birmingham’s budget, nor those clubs still benefitting from parachute payments, but sounds like we will be competitive.
I am expecting/hoping that most of our signings will be Championship, overseas and Prem players now in their twilight…
JRS certainly didn’t rule out coming to us when I spoke to him and I think £5m + add ons including future %age of sales fee is the sort of deal we’ll be pursuing.
Our cloth was cut for L1, to stay in the Champ you need to be investing £5-10m per annum to stay in it and not stand still.
Excited for what develops over the summer. Transfer window phase 1 opens tomorrow!
JRS didn’t rule it out, but are you saying you heard something that suggests we’ll be making an offer?
Doesn’t fit the formation or even style of play, and palace will demand a ridiculous fee there’s nothing to suggest this would be good a deal for us other than the fact he had a good season in L1 when the rest of our team were awful and our tactics involved giving him the ball at every opportunity
We're the bookies favourite to finish bottom this season, the same goes for every Youtube prediction I've watched. Of course, these mean nothing this early, except it does highlight that we do need to be savvy in the transfer market and not be too sentimental with certain players. As things stand, I agree with all the "experts", but will review my opinion once the season starts.
Probably the same ones that said Orient will win at Wembley
Too many loan ins won't help - especially if we go down again.
Bring young players in on long term contracts so they can't piss off elsewhere if we hit rock bottom and once again return to league one...
As long as the players feel settled and there's no off field problems, I don't see any reason why we couldn't do what birmingham did if we did get relegated again.
As we have experienced many times before - getting out of league one is very tough and can take a while.
For now, we just have to spend, enjoy the football and be positive. Its 46 games with many twists and turns.
We have the privilege of not being in the st johnstones paint trophy.
Instant access into the Fa cup 3rd round. It will hopefully just be a day out at a big club. We get knocked out by a fine light margin and can then just concentrate on the league after January.
Also, don't sign players who likely have to do international duty etc. That is a pain and a distraction.
It’s not slander because no one is saying he’s bad but he fits into the category of being too good for L1 not good enough for the championship. Hull released him and they ended up almost getting relegated so if they don’t even consider him a squad player to keep around, having him being a starter in the same division does seem questionable
Wasn't he captain when they got promoted at The Valley when we had that famous quote, "That'll be us next year"..🤔
Not sure we collectively appreciate the leap up in quality, strength and fitness between L1 and Championship now. Quality particularly.
Some very very tough decisions required.
Players like Doherty, Mitchell, Berry, Godden and Gillesphey were not viewed as good enough for the Championship by Championship clubs last season.
Players like Taylor, Ahadme, Kanu and AMB didn’t impress in L1 last season
Players like Anderson, Campbell, Leaburn, Z Mitchell, Asiimwe they’ll be questions on whether they can step up immediatel, but will probably need game time for them to progress.
Players like Dixon, Enslin, Fullah, Mbick, Mwamba we definitely know are not ready and will need loans before adding to our first team.
Ramsey I’m sure we’ll have to fight off interest in.
That really doesn’t leave much.
Very glad we have Chapple on board, it’s going to be a very interesting summer.
Sad but true.
I'll be very surprised if we bring in enough quality players to avoid a season of struggle.
It’s easy to knock the squad at the moment, but jump back a year and Coventry as an example was getting stick and how Dobson was a better player. With a stronger midfield and rock solid defence we saw how good Coventry really was. His ceiling is way higher than Dobsons.
If we spend well then the quality should increase again and you’ll see the best of Coventry and Docherty. A couple of tweaks at the back, and a true creative midfielder to carry us forward and link to the forwards will see less pressure on Docherty and Coventry.
Our best 11 currently is in the bottom quarter of this league. Our current bench will see us relegated.
We looked inept without certain players last season. I know we all want to think we are brilliant but this squad with no improvements probably does finish bottom of the championship. There will, of course, be signings
Comments
No it doesn't. Just summer ones.
In winter
- Oxford bought in another 5 and spent another €2m - so 21 signings across the 2 windows and €3.8m spent
- Pompey bought in a other 9 spending €1.5m - so total 25 signings across both windows and €4.9m spent.
- Derby bought in another 7 spending €5.8m. so total 19 signings. Across both windows and €9.4m spent
Thanks for the memories cheat code ❤️
I think we'll need the Championship experience of the likes of Godden, Berry and Doherty. The teams that let them go were already pretty established at that level, few of our squad have played there previously.
Of course that might depend upon who NJ brings in, whether taking a punt on players from lower divisions, Scotland or even Europe, or looking at possible free agents and loanees with Campionship and Premier League experience.
But as you say, interesting window ahead.
Keep thinking he may end up back at MK Don's or a bit left field, AFC Wimbledon, regardless of the rivalry.
[Ah, that last game injury throws a major spanner in the works.]
Most of the young lads (perhaps with the exception of Zach Mitchell) will go out on loan and it’s clear that a number of the more experienced players are not in Nathan’s plans. Subject to fitness, I can see Terry Taylor leaving for a nominal fee and Ahadme going out on loan, quite possibly to Cambridge.
It requires agreement and desire from two clubs and the player.
I remember Viggo Jacobsen (of Oostergaard fame) was at Charlton for a couple of seasons way out of the picture as a player but still getting a wage.
Such a thing is an option for Ahadme
Not good enough for the championship imo.
With a stronger midfield and rock solid defence we saw how good Coventry really was. His ceiling is way higher than Dobsons.
If we spend well then the quality should increase again and you’ll see the best of Coventry and Docherty.
A couple of tweaks at the back, and a true creative midfielder to carry us forward and link to the forwards will see less pressure on Docherty and Coventry.
Our best 11 currently is in the bottom quarter of this league.
Our current bench will see us relegated.
JRS certainly didn’t rule out coming to us when I spoke to him and I think £5m + add ons including future %age of sales fee is the sort of deal we’ll be pursuing.
We need better options that him and Berry in those two positions.
Bring young players in on long term contracts so they can't piss off elsewhere if we hit rock bottom and once again return to league one...
As long as the players feel settled and there's no off field problems, I don't see any reason why we couldn't do what birmingham did if we did get relegated again.
As we have experienced many times before - getting out of league one is very tough and can take a while.
For now, we just have to spend, enjoy the football and be positive. Its 46 games with many twists and turns.
We have the privilege of not being in the st johnstones paint trophy.
Instant access into the Fa cup 3rd round. It will hopefully just be a day out at a big club. We get knocked out by a fine light margin and can then just concentrate on the league after January.
Also, don't sign players who likely have to do international duty etc. That is a pain and a distraction.
I'll be very surprised if we bring in enough quality players to avoid a season of struggle.