or will Hecky go for broke on players that HE has always wanted and not had foisted on him? It would be so easy to go out looking for bums-on-seats signings and I for one would like to see that for a change ... more encouragement to attend games ... and perhaps to live the dream again with new owners will be the way forward. I just worry that right now we are set in such a routine that we can't escape.
Would imagine we’ll sign some experience but the plan will be foremost as the owners have said they’ll be significant investment in the academy. Doesn’t need a lot on January imo players were doing ok start of season just lost a bit of confidence so one or two older heads and a couple of fresh faces will do imo. Sunderland have a wealth of supposed championship ready/experienced players and still struggling.
Yes we will be sticking to the plan from what I understand from listening to interviews etc. We should have more power to be able to hold onto players we get and we may well be able to spend slightly more on players so maybe able to target higher valued young players from lower leagues etc. but I do not expect any big money signings coming in despite the new owners as they clearly stated in the press conference that we are going to be disciplined with what we spend and they are not here to throw money at us.
In regards trying to identify the best talent we can from available players without exceeding the clubs wage structure then yes. Can’t see us signing loads of players but reckon 1 or 2 more experienced players will be recruited amongst some younger talent.
Does anyone think that quality experienced Championship players will be busting a gut to sign for a club involved in a relegation scrap ? , I personally think the january market is a different ball game than the close season & it might be prudent to return loan players who are not being effective & looking for loan replacements from the premier , players who could make a difference , example Matty James
If the plan includes a spell back in league one then, yep, it's working perfectly and we should stick to it. However, if we want to stay up (presume we do) then the recent failings of the spreadsheet in terms of it being unable to spot pace, strength, goal-scoring ability and (above all) on-field leadership need to be recognised and players brought in that will complement the ones we have, rather than provide more of the same.
Sadly yes, hopefully though it will be implemented with a greater degree of competence than previously when the only thought was generating cash whatever the detrimental effect on the squad was.
I would guess we'll sign some short term experience on loan to make sure we don't get relegated.. Then back to ..*the plan+.. in the summer *the plan+.. being the plan with bells on..
My understanding us that we can't return any full season loan players unless the loaning club agrees. The loaning club can also recall them in January. I think....
For me, the "plan" should continue, but only as part of the overall strategy. By all means, bring through these younger players with untapped potential to move on at a profit, but a chunk of that profit should be used to bring in "ready made" players to form the teams backbone...
The plan is what the new owners are interested in. You’re batshit mental if you think we are going to be throwing money around. I feel a lot of you are in need of a reality check.
I think you are right , but if for example , we asked Chelsea to take back Ugbo as he is unlikely to get game time in the coming months, then Chelsea might be able to send him out to a club that will give him more opportunities & therefore accept his return
If we are sticking to the plan that's failed us all year, dare I say it we better hope Leeds and Sheffield United both win on Saturday to help us out.
I don't understand the "Hecky to get the players he's always wanted" bit.Do you honestly think Paul wouldn't have signed these players if he didn't want them?The bottom line is a manager lives or dies by the signings he makes.Assemble a good team and take the plaudits put together a poor team and face the flak. It can't be his team if we're doing well but someone elses team if we're struggling.
I'm not bothered about living a dream. That's what shitty Reading, Bournemouth and Wigwam have done. I just want the club to operate at the level where we've spent most of our history. Other clubs, including the 3 I've just mentioned can only dream of that. But I agree that we have to up our game to achieve that and "growing the club" as a business has to start in January by speculating. January really has to be a statement of intent if they want to dangle a carrot for the extra fans, followed by a really good summer of recruitment and marketing.
These people have reportedly invested £20M to buy our club. Does it really matter what we think? Our only function is to consider whether we want to continue to pay to watch it. I guess that given the potentially exciting times ahead, the answer for most of us will be yes. But we will have even less influence on the direction of the club, and I for one think that that is as it should be. We are customers.
Article in today's Mirror following yesterday's game has the headline "TYKES STILL IN BARGAIN BASEMENT". It goes on to say. "Barnsley will not spend their way out of trouble next month- even though they are now owned by a billionaire. This was Barnsley's first home game since the takeover by a Consortium led by Chien Lee and featuring baseball's Billy Beane. But an improved second half showing could not prevent the Tykes from recording their ninth match without a win. Barnsley Assistant boss Jamie Clapham said: " It's an exciting period, but nothing will change. We're not going to spend loads of money on people who are just going to come for the money. They have to fit the right mould and we have to make the right business discussions for the football Club. We'll be shrewd about our business and hopefully we'll improve on what we've got." So I think we have it right there. We will be looking for players who fit our profile who they believe are able to improve the squad and hopefully contribute to a joint effort in getting the necessary points to keep us in the division. Incidentally the individual ratings of our player involved in the Preston game were: Davies 7, Yiadom 7, Pinnock MOM 8, Lindsay 7, Fryers 7, Gardner 6, Williams 6, Mallan 6, Isgrove 6 ( Barnes 75 mins, 6), Bradshaw 6, Hammill 6. Prestons were: Maxwell 7, Woods 6 ( Browne 78 mins 6), Huntingdon 6, Davies 7, O'Connor 7, Pearson 7, Johnson 6, Gallagher ( Harrop 60 mins, 6), Barkhuizen 6, Horgan 6 ( Mavididi 69 mins 6) and Hugill 6.