I think Orta deserves a lot more respect that what he actually gets, with the budget he had he brought in some decent players both for the first team and for the academy.
Granted they haven't all worked but that's the nature of the game, be interesting to see what players are out on loan move on permanently and how much we recoup back.
But for me his best signing was getting MB into the club, it's not just one man it's a whole backroom staff that have worked together for years and all have mutual respect for each other.
You're not really bringing in just a decent set of coaches you're bringing in a whole new footballing culture based on intelligence, handwork and maximum preparation.
And I for one am loving it, lets get out of this $hi{{y league and start a new chapter in the clubs history.
Is he the signing that made a difference to our season? What we have lacked for while, getting more used to EFL every game....
He is a cool customer. Love BPF but sometimes he was one that made you sweat back there. Don't feel the same with kiko.
The first 10 or so posts on this thread are just delightful from WTF, who wrote him off before he even arrived. Said he'd not even play for us this year etc etc.
Next time he is writing someone before we've signed them can we please pin this thread for future reference because I've honestly never seen someone go so far to moan about a potential signing before hes even arrived then it backfire so brilliantly when he is actually top class.
I've said in other threads that he has done well, made good saves etc, but.......i stand by what I said regarding demoting BPF (and no matter how you dress it up it is a demotion), when he had done very little wrong (much less than outfield players who have continued to pull on a 1st team shirt). Don't be surprised if the lad put in a transfer request at seasons end (provided we don't put him up for sale should we get promoted as I just can't see the club taking him into the PL as second (or third) choice keeper).
We celebrate and promote youngsters like Shackleton and Clarke, rightly so I should add, but effectively discard a young, capable keeper who hasn't in any real sense failed to meet expectations, sad IMHO.
Last comment from me on the guys "profile" before he arrived (which it's true was all I had to go on). He was 3rd choice, he hadn't played regularly for Real, and despite his performance since being signed, I don't see him being significantly better than BPF (and he has certainly cost more when buying out his remaining term at Real is taken into account).
If he helps to keep clean sheets and in so doing gets us promoted then all will be well. Obviously we won't know if BPF could have done the same.
I think BPF did well during his tenure as our number 1 and was certainly better than the clowns we endured previously. He is a good shot stopper but I was never that confident about his ability to claim crosses and he was sometimes a bit of a flapper. Casilla is, in my view, a better all round keeper and someone who has the presence and experience to command his area which, in turn, gives confidence to his defenders. It would be a real shame if BFP sulked his way to a new club but I don't see any reason why he would. Every good Club needs at least 2 quality keepers and, if he stays with us, then I'm fairly sure that his time will come. Let's not forget he is only about 12.
No surprise there then?
As per every time you are proved wrong you "Stand by what you said"
Before he had even arrived you where stating that he wasn't good enough, he was a ludicrous purchase by Orta yada yada...
yada, Since arriving he has looked like a real Premier league keeper, - NOT ONE word from you to say anything positive about him, Joel calls you out and your response is that you where basing your comments on what you had read and his stats...
The point being, BEFORE the guy had signed, before he had played a game you where disparraging to put it mildly about our wasting money on a third choice has been.... Then when he actually looks the biz ... no holding hands up - or acknowledgin that he is rather good - silence until it has been pointed out that YET AGAIN you have made a rash, ridiculous assessment of an untried player, an your response - to defend your position!
You wonder why you are consistently ridiculed?