Well done conor, mladen and the board

My view is that Hourihane's character as definitely helped shape this window but that doesn't mean that Sormaz changed. I saw nothing to suggest that the previous coach even tried to influence events like I believe that Hourihane did. The previous windows were as much on him as anybody. I don't accept the narrative that some would have us believe that the previous coach wasn't allowed an input. Those pushing that narrative could get a job writing Reforms playbook.

 

I really struggle to understand some of the negative comments on here. Folk talk about 'a failure to get a striker in' or 'last minute deals' like this is all a very simple process.
They make it sound like Mladen just needs to rock up at another club and tell them "I want him. Cars outside, get your gear, you play for Barnsley now".

I'm pretty sure we had numerous targets, each with their own scenario and all dependant on other clubs decisions and all totally out of our club's control.
The only way you can override that chaos is to rock up with a suitcase full of money, and pay over the odds. There's 90+ clubs all with plans & targets all waiting for someone else to make the first move.

There are just so many variables go into the equation

• Will the other club sell or are they wanting to buy first
• Have we got the money
• Do we have to sell first
• Is anyone else going to offer more money for that player
• Does the player want to come
• Can we meet the player's demands

Imagine a car boot sale where 90 people turn up, nobody has any coin, but everyone has some small trinkets to sell. Everybody has had a good look around and decided what they want.
Until somebody with cash turns up nothing is moving, and even when the dominoes start to fall you've got to hope you sell your stuff first, so you can buy what you want before someone else gets in.

 

You will never stop some people moaning on here,it’s a way of life for some

 

Car boot sale junk - Watters, Cosgrove, Rodriguez Farugia etc

 

Very harsh adding Farrugia to that list. Hes nowhere near as bad as Clem or Cosgrove

 

FWIW I thought it was an OK window; not fantastic. But OK. To compliment a fairly good summer and start to the season. The balance of the squad and the system is better than it has been for seasons.

But.

We are 2 injuries or long suspensions away from it being a poor window.

 

I genuinely think most clubs in this division are mate. Id suggest we have better forward players now, than we have in the last 2 years, even if we are 1 short. Id rather give Farrell a go rather than keep an unwanted Watters, or god forbid, Cosgrove or Rodrigues

 

The last 3 windows we've been scrambling around at the last minute to get a decent striker in and failed every time. Do you think maybe they should change the way they try to recruit one in January so we've got it sorted before the last second next time.

 

How do you know we didn't sign DKD to play up front as a striker?

 

What this window means is that Neerav and co have agreed to put in at least another £6m in the coming months.

As a fan of nearly 50 years that’s fantastic. They have supported the club and show a massive amount of ambition.

Time for the fans to get behind the team and repay that investment.

 

And on here, me included

 

Why would it be only the DoF fault if it goes wrong?
If it’s a poor transfer window that’s on all the recruitment team, Analysts, DoF, Coach & Board.
The same goes if it’s a good one.

 

Maybe the deal was agreed in principal earlier and that’s why he hasn’t been in Bolton squad but Bolton wouldn’t release until they had a replacement and once they did they tried to change the deal?
Equally it could have been a last minute chase, many reasons why.

 

You’ve missed a couple off that list:

- does Conor want him
- after Conor has rung round a few people to get an idea of the player’s character does Conor still want him

 

That’s the thing, the way Conor has mentioned this at every opportunity suggests it’s something he has introduced that other Coaches weren’t doing, perhaps that says more about him V previous Coaches.

 

Houriane has obviously had an influence on signings and the type of player brought in. I fall into the category of we needed a RCB more than a striker but also posted on here that Rooney is a punt due to injuries and lack of game time but we'll see. McAtee would have been a good addition but I'm not sure he's the out and out striker people wanted. His record makes him look more like a 10 than a 9 but in this squad the chances created could make even Watters look good. Could have shed Russell and Nkwali but have some quality on the bench and returning from injuries. The one thing i do know is I feel an excitement when I take my seat again, I hear a roar of encouragement from the stands when we concede not the booing of last season and although we're still learning as a team we're not frightened of anyone in this division. Already said earlier in this post cut my Humble pie now...

 

It’s been the policy for the coaches to take a back seat on player recruitment for many years now, but Conor insisted on having the leading role before he would sign a contract

 

It's the character of the man that (a) he has insisted and (b) the board have allowed him to lead it.

Plus he's a sexy bstard

 

Not true though is it?
Every coach has confirmed the process included him and he was ‘offered’ players.
I would suggest the difference is other coaches were told here is player a, these are his abilities are you OK with him and the Coach has gone “oh he’s a forward that’s what I asked for, cheers”.
Whereas Conor has done his own due diligence as well.