I’ve come to terms with KLP leaving this window. Greaves leaving would be hugely disappointing though.
I can't believe he compared Acun's transfer strategy to the Allam's the day after we signed an international player for £4m in the Championship.
So far, we’ve sold Honeyman for peanuts and signed one player on a free and one international with 65 caps for £4m. Which is somewhat academic, as you can only judge the business this window once it’s completed, not with two months to go.
We have to be realistic, when new owners come in things are bound to change. We effectively put together a team of largely UK based players by default, because of Allam's strategy, which inevitably resulted in a very good close-knit group, but young and bar 2 or 3 players average but hard-working professionals. If we are to progress, in a way similar to Brentford, who largely developed their own and bought well and developed players to sell on to fund their rise to the top, then we have to be patient and see what happens. I believe Acun will try to keep the likes of KLP and Greaves at the club, but if offers come in, and the player is keen to go, and maybe similar to Brentford they can find players overseas, who are talented but much cheaper than UK players, then maybe that will happen. The 4 players brought in so far, Baxter/Allahyar/Figueiredo/Tufan, all look very good signings, and not too expensive. So, so far they are buying well, so I think we have to trust the process and see where that takes us.
The team we had spent a fair amount of the season in the relegation zone and then finished 19th. It's not going to ever be anything other than a mid table side without additions. While we don't want to get ahead of ourselves in terms of looking up, we don't want to get all misty eyed when we think about how to improve the squad because otherwise we'd just keep the same squad for years and years. The team that got us promoted was given a chance to show what it could do at Championship level. From an outsider's perspective, below average was the result. So, in order to move up, we need better quality players to replace the ones that aren't up to it and to replace any outgoings to bigger clubs. The money being spent was going to be spent regardless, which so far has totalled £6m plus wages. We haven't seen any money for KLP because he hasn't left yet, but if he does go (which he probably is doing), that money will be spent on a replacement, among other things (jet fuel probably).
Neatly summed up. They’ve had chance to suss out what we have and have decided to change things. Given how long we flirted with relegation that was inevitable if they are looking to improve us. There’s players like Greaves I’d prefer to hold onto, and I think we will, but I’m relaxed about just seeing what we play like when the season is underway. We, and the club, will know then whether they’ve got it right, but at the moment it looks like they’re happy to bring in players who should improve us without desperately waiting for outgoings and until the last minute to spend anything, so I’m ok with giving them the benefit of the doubt. TWT
Good shout. The Big Turk for me is a breath of fresh air. He wants success badly so he’ll do things his way both on and off the pitch. Patience is the key. .
Last two seasons: 50 appearances and 2 goals. Add in his Wales performances, 58 appearances and 2 goals. But hey, what do stats matter. This isn't FIFA.
Possible replacement for Honeyman? Looks like he can play anywhere in an attacking role but at his best as a CAM?
Take it with the stingiest pinch of salt but I read a rumour he had a bad breakup with his missus (who’s from Hull) and he wanted a fresh start elsewhere.
He had a bad breakup with his missus from Hull and wants a fresh start in....Hull?? Now that's committed stalking.