I've fallen into that trap a few times myself. See a tidy little bird, from behind, in a Barnsley shirt, and think to yourself 'she'd get it', only for 'her' to turn round and it be George Moncur. That Jeronimo Neuman fella had me a few times with that too.
I'm guessing you missed the extensive interview a couple of weeks after we appointed Stendel? Or the interview on Radio Sheffield? GG has said he won't talk for the sake of it and if there's nothing to update us on we won't get an update.
Our owners have gone MIA. Would have been nice to hear from at least one of them after being relegated so they could give the fanbase something.
As per the first paragraph I was referring to being interested in what the owners have to say. I can’t recall hearing from any of them since they took over in January bar their press conference where Conway just repeated he wouldn’t go crazy. I am not being critical, I simply would like to know what they think about it. Yes I heard the interview from GG. Great to see someone from the club talk directly to the fans after our club has been relegated. And was good to know they had a clear list of targets to go after whichever league we were in. Be nice to have an update a month or so later to know how things are going. How are they doing in finding ways to increase revenue, what can we expect to see in the ways of match day experience improvement. I’ve not heard anything of substance at all. Sorry if you have and feel differently. As a usually very optimistic and positive supporter I am looking forward greatly to this season, as I do every season. It doesn’t mean I’m not interested to hear what the owners had to say. Used to love hearing Patrick speak, either via club communications or at supporters trust meetings or similar events. It is still ok to have curiosity about things isn’t it? Or if we don’t hear from GG for another 6 months is that ok? Because it just means he hasn’t got anything he seems worthy of us knowing.
Did think that would be odd. Reckon Moncur will be a very important player this year. More likely to be Mowatt if it was a midfield player. If we genuinely don’t have a couple of hundred grand for one of our targets despite selling players, it seems odd. But on the flip side it’s reassuring that we are able to reject offers for players we would have accepted in the past. I’ll not say it would be interesting to hear from the club on these things because I’ll be shot down again as our CEO did an interview a month or so ago.
I think there's a lot to update us on. For instance, Ganaye was meticulous in informing us that players had been identified for recruitment whichever division we were to play in this season. He was very clear that although we were desperate to avoid relegation, plans were in place for that eventuality and the clear inference was that signings would be made. There have been no signings, we are the only club in the division not to make signings, the new season kicks off in just two weeks and the transfer window closes in less than three. If nothing is happening then fair enough, I agree, he doesn't need to speak. But if nothing is happening and that is in direct contradiction to everything said in his last interview then that requires an explanation. Well, it does if we're the community club for whom the fans play such an important role, as we purport to be.
I heard him say we'd identified potential targets but I never heard him say we'd make signings imminently? Maybe I understood it wrong. He could update us on those targets, but regardless of it being Cryne, Mansford, or Linton, our recent transfer business has tended to be done away from speculation and only when something is announced. I'm sure the communications will ramp up once they return from Hungary and we start counting down to Oxford. Unless we see another 2/3 leave I'm not sure we'll see more than 2/3 come in. That would probably make us bottom of the 'New Signings' table, which is fine with me.
At least this season we shouldn't waste the first 2 months while the players remember each others names and the positions they play and listen to excuses about players gelling. Although we might hear excuses about the players needing time to get used to Stendel's pressing game. A settled squad is Stendel's best chance of getting off to a flying start, which will raise the mood and give the players' confidence.
Imminently, no. But I would have thought it extremely beneficial to have brought in the targets we identified months ago before the training camp in Hungary. I can't think of any benefit in doing research and identifying targets prior to the transfer window, but then waiting until the end of that window to sign them. While we've signed players late in the transfer window in the past, I don't remember us ever having not signed a player with less than three weeks until the deadline, with the exception of the pre-season spent in administration, and even then those players were training with us. I don't expect Ganaye to talk about specific targets or speculation in the press, but he sold us a plan of action, one that could have been put in place at any time since the transfer window opened in May, and the sooner it happened the better it would help us prepare for the start of the new season season, but we're now in late July and absolutely nothing has happened other than players leaving. I think that is worthy of comment. If we don't believe we need any new signings, why take the time to inform us targets had been identified throughout the second half of last season? There was certainly no caveat that any new recruits were dependant on players leaving the club.
Perhaps this lack of activity should put to bed once and for all the idea that the manager has no input into transfers! I am sure if it was in the hands of Board/CEO only, we would have made moves on those targets that had been identified.
Hopefully. If the lack of activity is to allow DS to review the squad and input into transfers that for me is a big step forward & would make complete sense.
From the very little info I get nowadays I do know that stendel really rates Moncur. It wasn't Mowatt either, I'm not sure who it was but I it wasn't a midfielder.
Cheers. If we can really unlock the potential and best of Moncur I think he could excel in L1. Couple of hard working box to box types behind him and two fast wingers either side he could flourish. Wonder who we looked to swap then. Clearly Pompey weren’t keen so imagine it was an U23/fringe player. Can’t see any other of the first team being gambled on Chaplin.
Pompey won’t sell anyway it seems unless they get the lad from Cheltenham. It appears he’s going to the championship however.
My guess is Jacob Brown. However, I did hear a whisper of Moncur and Portsmouth a couple of weeks ago when the lads started Pre season training.