The "Nothing to see here"Transfer thread

[bobo the clown]

Didn't Medicine Head have it that 1+1 is 1?

They did, and a fine song it was too. Though I preferred 'Pictures in the Sky' partly due to it's fine use of the Jew's Harp.

[bwfcdan94]

Mears is a waste of a squad number, Mills is alright but we have quite a few better

[bwfcdan94]

Mears is a waste of a squad number, Mills is alright but we have quite a few better centre backs so he could go as well.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Mills seems the right balance of saleable asset, high wage and possible fee return. Wheater's extension shows DF's faith in him, but I'm still terrified that we'll end up with a pair of lumbering centre-halves. I have hoped that Cian Bolger (a Freedman signing) might seize the initiative – maybe there's time yet.

If the rarely admired but arguably luckless Mears was to go, the Baptiste back-up would hopefully be another young Freedman signing, Hayden White. Financial reality - some FFP, some Eddie's "FFS!" - dictates that we aren't gonna have two grown-ups for each position; DF's record indicates he's perfectly willing to try the kids if they're good enough: considering he's signed Baptiste and White I wouldn't want us to waste money on a third right-back of the summer, especially when there's bigger problems.

Still think we'll end up with a loanee centre-half. And I still don't think it's a massive problem, not as massive as having two centre-backs with a goal-mistake each per game.

[BWFC_Insane]

Mills seems the right balance of saleable asset, high wage and possible fee return. Wheater's extension shows DF's faith in him, but I'm still terrified that we'll end up with a pair of lumbering centre-halves. I have hoped that Cian Bolger (a Freedman signing) might seize the initiative – maybe there's time yet.

If the rarely admired but arguably luckless Mears was to go, the Baptiste back-up would hopefully be another young Freedman signing, Hayden White. Financial reality - some FFP, some Eddie's "FFS!" - dictates that we aren't gonna have two grown-ups for each position; DF's record indicates he's perfectly willing to try the kids if they're good enough: considering he's signed Baptiste and White I wouldn't want us to waste money on a third right-back of the summer, especially when there's bigger problems.

Still think we'll end up with a loanee centre-half. And I still don't think it's a massive problem, not as massive as having two centre-backs with a goal-mistake each per game.

Depends also how much substance (if any) there is in the rumour that Freedman is pissed off with a lack of backing in the market and hasn't been given the spends he was promised earlier in the summer. Those noises seem to be emanating from he who shall not be named on twitter. I wrote it off as a bit of scaremongering to generate stories, but the BN write up on the friendly match whilst not exactly addressing that, the reading between the lines of that story might indicate there is something in it.

A pissed off manager and a squad light in key areas does not indicate a great season ahead. Hopefully it's just talk at this stage.....

[Lord Kangana]

We've been trimming the fat for years now. Mr Davies isn't a billionaire, the loan-to-cash value that we have him at is about 1:1 if figures reported are accurate. Whilst the club is quick to point out the relationship we have with the major creditor, nonetheless it is fairly clear the direction of travel we are taking financially. Coyle had less than Megson, Freedman has less than Owen.

Under the circumstances, I'd be amazed if any such promises were made, despite what bullshit billy wants to stir up for a few sales.

[BWFC_Insane]

We've been trimming the fat for years now. Mr Davies isn't a billionaire, the loan-to-cash value that we have him at is about 1:1 if figures reported are accurate. Whilst the club is quick to point out the relationship we have with the major creditor, nonetheless it is fairly clear the direction of travel we are taking financially. Coyle had less than Megson, Freedman has less than Owen.

Under the circumstances, I'd be amazed if any such promises were made, despite what bullshit billy wants to stir up for a few sales.

It's relative though isn't it. I mean I don't think for one minute Dougie was ever promised £9M for Jordan Rhodes. Or even half that.

But I can see him potentially being pissed off if Spearing is allowed to go to Blackburn for the reported £1.5M paid in installments.

Dougie strikes me as the sort of ambitious bloke (like Allardyce) who could get pissed off at a perceived lack of investment in quality from the club fairly quickly as well.

[Lord Kangana]

Again, I don't believe that any promises of large transfer funds were ever made. The Rhodes situation os faintly plausible simply for his resale value, but the MO of most of our transfer dealing this summer has been young and cheap. We have to be realistic as fans and understand that the last few years have been bankrolled from funds beyond which we ourselves generate. Unless there is fundamental change in our circumstances we will continue to cut our cloth accordingly.

[BWFC_Insane]

Again, I don't believe that any promises of large transfer funds were ever made. The Rhodes situation os faintly plausible simply for his resale value, but the MO of most of our transfer dealing this summer has been young and cheap. We have to be realistic as fans and understand that the last few years have been bankrolled from funds beyond which we ourselves generate. Unless there is fundamental change in our circumstances we will continue to cut our cloth accordingly.

Whether promises were made or not, it doesn't stop the manager being frustrated. I mean Allardyce was in a perma state of frustration here over what he could and couldn't spend.

The tone has definitely changed, I recall a few weeks back Dougie was talking about several more incomings on top of Beckford before the start of the season. Now the message appears to be, barring sales thats yer lot. Not saying that is unreasonable but there definitely seems to be a putting on of the brakes suddenly for whatever reason. I mean we had Moritz in for talks (as Freedman himself confirmed) but seemingly that can't be done despite several reports suggesting it was a cheap one year deal. Why bother getting him in for talks if that was the case? For me there is definitely something going on behind the scenes that is more than just the annual "tightening of belts".

[Lord Kangana]

Perhaps Moritz just wanted to go home? Perhaps he wanted more than we were prepared to pay? Perhaps Douglas had second thoughts? Perhaps he went into McDonalds and couldn't understand the accent?

My only recollection of further big transfer promises is that they emanated from His Royal Twitterness. Therefore, it seems of little surprise to me that, strangely enough, our transfer business has stagnated.

[Armchair Wanderer]

We have a big squad and some of it isn't up to much. You can't just keep on adding to it, you have to get bodies off the wagebill before you can put more on.

Where would Moritz play? Back-up for Eagles? In front of Chungy or Hall? If he'd be behind someone in the pecking order why get him in, if he'd be in front of someone why have we just bought that player? Also, Moritz doesn't sound like he's a central defender or a midfield ball-winner so it's an extra burden on the wagebill in a position that maybe isn't a priority.

[BWFC_Insane]

Perhaps Moritz just wanted to go home? Perhaps he wanted more than we were prepared to pay? Perhaps Douglas had second thoughts? Perhaps he went into McDonalds and couldn't understand the accent?

My only recollection of further big transfer promises is that they emanated from His Royal Twitterness. Therefore, it seems of little surprise to me that, strangely enough, our transfer business has stagnated.

Couple of weeks ago on the Ask Dougie thing he was asked how many more players he expected to bring in the answer being..

A coach needs different positions to alter games within the 90 minutes. We are getting close to that. Three to four more.

Since then we've signed Beckford and the noises from the club seem to be that is it, which is somewhat short of the number being talked about then. Ok there is still time to go in the window but that quote sounded like 3 or 4 more on TOP of what we've got. Which right now based on the interviews coming out seems highly unlikely.

[boltonboris]

Again, I don't believe that any promises of large transfer funds were ever made. The Rhodes situation os faintly plausible simply for his resale value, but the MO of most of our transfer dealing this summer has been young and cheap. We have to be realistic as fans and understand that the last few years have been bankrolled from funds beyond which we ourselves generate. Unless there is fundamental change in our circumstances we will continue to cut our cloth accordingly.

Whether promises were made or not, it doesn't stop the manager being frustrated. I mean Allardyce was in a perma state of frustration here over what he could and couldn't spend.

The tone has definitely changed, I recall a few weeks back Dougie was talking about several more incomings on top of Beckford before the start of the season. Now the message appears to be, barring sales thats yer lot. Not saying that is unreasonable but there definitely seems to be a putting on of the brakes suddenly for whatever reason. I mean we had Moritz in for talks (as Freedman himself confirmed) but seemingly that can't be done despite several reports suggesting it was a cheap one year deal. Why bother getting him in for talks if that was the case? For me there is definitely something going on behind the scenes that is more than just the annual "tightening of belts".

Moritz fecked off BECAUSE we offered a "cheap one year deal"

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Allardyce was in a perma state of frustration here over what he could and couldn't spend.

Indeed - and when Eddie bought him an Anelka in August 2006, Sam was said to have wanted the same investment in the next transfer window but didn't get it. Cue toy-depramming, bad run, Allardyce exit, poor replacement and nosedive.

The FFP thing is intriguing and a little bit worrying. Freedman made reference to it in BN quotes published on July 10th:

With FFP coming in we need to look at value for money. If the right player is available and there's potential then we will buy him.

and July 11th:

I’ve got a responsibility to the club but, most importantly, the fans that this job is done right. I won’t be jeopardising anything by breaking the bank – that is not the way I work. We want players who want to come to this football club. I want them because they are hungry and eager to improve. Wages and all that doesn’t enter into it for me... (on Marcos Alonso) I’m not being held to ransom and we’ll pay players accordingly. That is the way it should be.

The tone of that latter quote was very Coyle – I remember OC saying he treated the club's money as if it were his own, and let's not forget Sturridge was only brought in because Vela's agent got greedy – but like an unrefrigerated milkshake, it seems to have a different flavour 10 days later.

While I'm at it, a reminder that on July 9th, he told the BN:

I think we are a few players short – a couple of signings and maybe a loan if a sexy one came up, but that’s where we are at. We are always on the lookout for one or two players to strengthen us – and probably more on the attacking side of things. We need goals at the club and I think it’s crucial we get that right. But what I will do, and what I have always done every minute of working for this football club, is make sure that I am responsible with my signings and make sure the ones I sign are ones I want and not just ones to shove in the squad somewhere.

[BWFC_Insane]

Allardyce was in a perma state of frustration here over what he could and couldn't spend.

Indeed - and when Eddie bought him an Anelka in August 2006, Sam was said to have wanted the same investment in the next transfer window but didn't get it. Cue toy-depramming, bad run, Allardyce exit, poor replacement and nosedive.

The FFP thing is intriguing and a little bit worrying. Freedman made reference to it in BN quotes published on July 10th:

With FFP coming in we need to look at value for money. If the right player is available and there's potential then we will buy him.

and July 11th:

I’ve got a responsibility to the club but, most importantly, the fans that this job is done right. I won’t be jeopardising anything by breaking the bank – that is not the way I work. We want players who want to come to this football club. I want them because they are hungry and eager to improve. Wages and all that doesn’t enter into it for me... (on Marcos Alonso) I’m not being held to ransom and we’ll pay players accordingly. That is the way it should be.

The tone of that latter quote was very Coyle – I remember OC saying he treated the club's money as if it were his own, and let's not forget Sturridge was only brought in because Vela's agent got greedy – but like an unrefrigerated milkshake, it seems to have a different flavour 10 days later.

While I'm at it, a reminder that on July 9th, he told the BN:

I think we are a few players short – a couple of signings and maybe a loan if a sexy one came up, but that’s where we are at. We are always on the lookout for one or two players to strengthen us – and probably more on the attacking side of things. We need goals at the club and I think it’s crucial we get that right. But what I will do, and what I have always done every minute of working for this football club, is make sure that I am responsible with my signings and make sure the ones I sign are ones I want and not just ones to shove in the squad somewhere.

Aye well if you believe a certain twitterer (and Marc Iles to an extent) that "sexy loan" is now off the table.

In fact in the BN today, in an article on a youngster training with us....

Ferrier worked with Watford and Nottingham Forest in the last three years since leaving the Emirates but has now begun training with Jamie Fullarton’s youngsters in an effort to impress.

Reports from the club in his past two appearances have been favourable but it remains to be seen whether the London-born front man can be offered a deal with the playing budget so finely poised at present

[boltonboris]

He played the other night against Chorley

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

A loan is off the table? What would Quick Quid say?

But in all seriousness, how can a loan be off the table? If aPremier League club has a player surplus to requirements and doesn't want us to pay all the wages, why would that be outlawed?

Methinks we might be once again in Internet Binary territory, and actuality my be somewhere in between.

[Harry Genshaw]

I'm naive and desperate enough to believe Dougie is the 2nd coming but one thing that intrigues me this window is his constant reference to needing more goals/goalscorers.

Often last year, we seemed to be attempting a poor mans catenaccio, inviting pressure and then counter attacking. Given how poor we were defensively, I'm surprised Dougie didn't blow his whole budget on centre halves.

[thebish]

The tone has definitely changed, I recall a few weeks back Dougie was talking about several more incomings on top of Beckford before the start of the season. Now the message appears to be, barring sales thats yer lot.... For me there is definitely something going on behind the scenes that is more than just the annual "tightening of belts".

maybe dougie's early bravado was based on a belief that he would have successfully sold some by now...

I don't see the need to panic about a pissed-off manager - nor do I think we are disastrously light - though I'd like to see some competition for knight/wheater/mills... a loanee would do - and that might be a later addition as transfer deadline draws closer than an outright purchase would be.

I suspect your "definitely" might be a bit strong/premature.

[thebish]

Mears is a waste of a squad number...

{sigh}