Salford friendly

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Nobody who claims the above wishes to take me up on my offer of answering that question?

Almost like the answer is zero. Nobody has completely concluded all business, yet our recruitment team / chairman / manager are fair game for stick because we haven't. We aren't an anomaly, we are like everyone else. Some deals are quick, some take time, many fall apart.

In an ideal world we would be all set, it isn't an ideal world we live in and never will be. Cut them some slack, I'm sure they are working far harder than most of us imagine.

That’s basically true but most teams are just aiming for status quo, no promotion expected, some maybe fighting relegation.

We on the other hand are hitting a footballing form of Groundhog Day, a position we’ve been in before ( even with the same manager) where we’ve gone up and are now expecting to go down again. Unless of course something changes and we do something different. So far there is no real indication that we are doing anything different, that’s what’s worrying the majority of fans.

But as you quite rightly suggest, things can change, there’s still time and maybe we shouldn’t worry too much about recruitment

[MillersTime]

That’s basically true but most teams are just aiming for status quo, no promotion expected, some maybe fighting relegation.

We on the other hand are hitting a footballing form of Groundhog Day, a position we’ve been in before ( even with the same manager) where we’ve gone up and are now expecting to go down again. Unless of course something changes and we do something different. So far there is no real indication that we are doing anything different, that’s what’s worrying the majority of fans.

But as you quite rightly suggest, things can change, there’s still time and maybe we shouldn’t worry too much about recruitment

But the rest of the market isn't going to change because of our needs. We are a tiny pawn in the grand scheme of things and there is nothing we can do about it, unfortunately. We will never have the financial clout to force deals quicker, players will still feel out their options and take their time, agents will always try and get the best deals, clubs will do likewise, our people behind the scenes who control the purse strings the same. It is just the system and unless you take in a load of players who aren't up to the standard and nobody wants (who will bite your hand off immediately for a move), you have the game. The game that largely ends in frustration for one reason or another.

You can see why managers hate the transfer window. The stress of it all. Dealing with all these people, thinking you have someone, losing them, bids coming in etc. Nightmare.

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

But the rest of the market isn't going to change because of our needs. We are a tiny pawn in the grand scheme of things and there is nothing we can do about it, unfortunately. We will never have the financial clout to force deals quicker, players will still feel out their options and take their time, agents will always try and get the best deals, clubs will do likewise, our people behind the scenes who control the purse strings the same. It is just the system and unless you take in a load of players who aren't up to the standard and nobody wants (who will bite your hand off immediately for a move), you have the game. The game that largely ends in frustration for one reason or another.

You can see why managers hate the transfer window. The stress of it all. Dealing with all these people, thinking you have someone, losing them, bids coming in etc. Nightmare.

Yes, correct, that’s why delegation is so important

[Derbymiller]

That’s basically true but most teams are just aiming for status quo, no promotion expected, some maybe fighting relegation.

We on the other hand are hitting a footballing form of Groundhog Day, a position we’ve been in before ( even with the same manager) where we’ve gone up and are now expecting to go down again. Unless of course something changes and we do something different. So far there is no real indication that we are doing anything different, that’s what’s worrying the majority of fans.

But as you quite rightly suggest, things can change, there’s still time and maybe we shouldn’t worry too much about recruitment

The original challenge is valid, but this follow on comment sums it up. We were told we have learned our lessons and we won't repeat the same mistakes (hopefully no new ones either!!). I am sure we are working hard within our limitations that isn't the concern it is more the worry that by the beginning of September if we don't have a first 11 on the pitch that can play together as a unit we could be well a drift, we have to accept that our chances of survival let alone lower midtable require us to have a tight unit that have a system that grinds out results, and it isn't looking like we have that anywhere near ready at the moment. We wasted too much time and effort on smith and icky we should have called time on it when barker said we would in his paper interview instead we let it drag on two extra weeks, warne is too loyal sometimes

[MillersTime]

The original challenge is valid, but this follow on comment sums it up. We were told we have learned our lessons and we won't repeat the same mistakes (hopefully no new ones either!!). I am sure we are working hard within our limitations that isn't the concern it is more the worry that by the beginning of September if we don't have a first 11 on the pitch that can play together as a unit we could be well a drift, we have to accept that our chances of survival let alone lower midtable require us to have a tight unit that have a system that grinds out results, and it isn't looking like we have that anywhere near ready at the moment. We wasted too much time and effort on smith and icky we should have called time on it when barker said we would in his paper interview instead we let it drag on two extra weeks, warne is too loyal sometimes

We recruited before and immediately after those two left the club. You have no evidence that that situation cost us signings, pure speculation. The recruitment I mentioned is evidence however that we were working on deals throughout that period. Deals have slowed in the last couple of weeks, how can that be attributed to those two?

If we hadn't of picked up the amount of injuries that we have currently then the situation wouldn't be looking as bad as it does. That exacerbates it all and that isn't a recruitment issue.

[Derbymiller]

We recruited before and immediately after those two left the club. You have no evidence that that situation cost us signings, pure speculation. The recruitment I mentioned is evidence however that we were working on deals throughout that period. Deals have slowed in the last couple of weeks, how can that be attributed to those two?

If we hadn't of picked up the amount of injuries that we have currently then the situation wouldn't be looking as bad as it does. That exacerbates it all and that isn't a recruitment issue.

everything on here is a persons opinion or with speculation, you say that as if we are only allowed to have an opinion if we have evidence to support it. Also why the aggressive tone, are you the only one that has a valid opinion, lighten up it is a discussion board for people to discuss things related to Rotherham United, not your echo chamber. To be clear it is only my opinion that dragging the situation out had an impact on us doing other business. This is based on the comments by barker in his interview. In that interview he implied that we had not yet pursued the replacements for those two as we were waiting for the matter to be resolved. Now it might be (yes speculation!!) that Eaves and Humphreys are the replacements that were identified and the deals that were later completed (good deals) however my point is that any delays at that time is time lost and we are now having to work even harder to do the recruitment to complete the first team. I have no issues with the players we have brought in, I just think we are not in a good position with the season starting two weeks tomorrow.

[MillersTime]

everything on here is a persons opinion or with speculation, you say that as if we are only allowed to have an opinion if we have evidence to support it. Also why the aggressive tone, are you the only one that has a valid opinion, lighten up it is a discussion board for people to discuss things related to Rotherham United, not your echo chamber. To be clear it is only my opinion that dragging the situation out had an impact on us doing other business. This is based on the comments by barker in his interview. In that interview he implied that we had not yet pursued the replacements for those two as we were waiting for the matter to be resolved. Now it might be (yes speculation!!) that Eaves and Humphreys are the replacements that were identified and the deals that were later completed (good deals) however my point is that any delays at that time is time lost and we are now having to work even harder to do the recruitment to complete the first team. I have no issues with the players we have brought in, I just think we are not in a good position with the season starting two weeks tomorrow.

Where was the aggressive tone? By saying you don't have evidence? I can't help that you read it in a certain tone when it wasn't said in such a way. I'm not saying you need evidence either but surely we can agree that it weakens / doesn't strengthen your point if you can't back it up in any way apart from 'I believe it'? That goes for me, you and everyone, on any topic.

That is the point I'm making, and I think it is an important one. Your speculation is just that, speculation. And in this instance I think it is unfair and shouldn't go unchecked. You can have that opinion and bathe in it, I don't care about that. Old ground but you can have an opinion and have it questioned whilst still being allowed to have it. Why so precious about that? Always the 'it is my opinion and I'm entitled to it' retort. Nobody said you aren't allowed it and again, being asked to explain it doesn't prevent you having it or being allowed to express it. If it holds up then an invitation to explain should be welcomed.

I would find it interesting to read where RB implied what you said. Do you have a link to that interview? You may be right that we missed out on deals due to delays, but there is no evidence for that so we have to treat it as the speculation that it is. That means, to me anyway, that we shouldn't bash them as strongly as they have been occasionally, based on speculation. It may be true but it also may not be and that makes me nervous to attribute too much blame where it may not be fair. Obviously the management aren't going to come out and say we missed out on players due to that situation (they would look like plonkers, potentially) so the chances are we will never know.

I agree about not being in a great position at the moment with the season 2 weeks away.