Next two weeks will show us what ambition this club has.

[NorthWestCorner]

I think TS is now seeing that the ambition has resulted in a club where the financial outgoings are much bigger than the incomings

Maybe so, however, if the future strategy is not to invest and see us slide down the leagues, then that will not increase the incomings.

[howdydoo]

Last January we made a real effort to stay in the league. Yes, we can question the quality of some of the signings with hindsight but the Board showed the ambition. So far this January, it has been worringly silent. Things may change but I am getting the feeling that old Tony has lost his interest......i do hope I am wrong.

Last January we had 30 points from 27 games. We have 18 points from the same number of games this season. Since Warne left our points ratio would result in relegation last season and this. another £1, £2, £5m isn't going to bring in the quality to keep us up. Last season they knew the Barlaser money was coming in.

We'll not know for another 18 months when the annual accounts are published to know how far Tony Stewart backed Taylor in the summer. If the rumours are true and we broke our record transfer twice, I think people might be in for a surprise.

Even if we're going to cash in on Viktor, I'd be looking to do long term business in the summer.


It's frustrating but it's the reality. I think Tony gave it a go. Now his job, is to prepare for league one and ensure we don't get into financial difficulty.


As for some of the comments on here, it's clear one or two would find running a bath a challenge. Zero understanding and completely clueless. The players currently assembled are simply not good enough for this level. People can harp on about facilities, the youth set up, player contracts, recruitment and whatever else they like. It's all beyond our budget to guarantee any sort of success at championship level. Not aimed at you because I replied to your comment BTW.

[gru]

[QUOTE=Derbymiller;40429869]

yes i agree it is hard, but life is hard, the bottom line is it is 17th day in a window so over 50% of the way through and our squad is weaker than on the 1st january and all we hear is excuses. As I have said i think the market is a factor but it is not the main reason, yes i am speculating but being all the club give us is platitudes what else can we do? I think the club is tightening the belts and saving money hopefully to better invest when we get rid of a lot of the dead wood from the failures of the summer window (accepting some of the failures are due to extensive injuries). I actually understand that as a strategy i would prefer us to be a bit more bullish and try and save the season, especially as fans have paid for season tickets but it is what it is. I suppose what winds me up is the failure driven mindset, and the negative views as to why we can't improve the way the club is run or achieve more, it isn't a mindset I have ever understood.

We'll work within the FPL the budget for the season it's almost all been blown. There's no way round it unless we sell Victor then we've got to hope LR can have more influence to improve on recruitment from the summer. But it's almost certain it's for next season in league one also January it's not when you get your squad together for next season. Got to move a number of players on 1st.

[NorthWestCorner]

Waiting until the summer is a recipe for disaster. Last minute recruitment, lack of preparation for the next season etc.

What we need is a long term strategy supporting the manager to develop a long term squad. TS has made the same error time and time again seeing every close season as a need for a wholesale change.

[MillersJ81]

We signed Morrison, Blackett , Quina , Hugill , Coventry, Wright, Hjelde , Fosu last January. Not much quality there imo but all did there bit in the end.

[howdydoo]

Waiting until the summer is a recipe for disaster. Last minute recruitment, lack of preparation for the next season etc.

What we need is a long term strategy supporting the manager to develop a long term squad. TS has made the same error time and time again seeing every close season as a need for a wholesale change.

Last minute recruitment is last minute recruitment. If the club wait until 31st August to bring in players for League 1, I'd agree with you.

The question I'd have for you, is what has been wrong with our recruitment after being relegated from the championship in recent seasons? We've always bounced back and been a top side in that league. Personally I think we've lost a lot of stability and next season could be tough.

Isn't the January window a notoriously difficult period to do transfer business? The few managers I've spoken to over the years say it is.

[howdydoo]

We signed Morrison, Blackett , Quina , Hugill , Coventry, Wright, Hjelde , Fosu last January. Not much quality there imo but all did there bit in the end.

And we got 20 points from 19 games.

As of now we'd need 32 points from 19 games to reach the same total.


Someone might stop up with around 47 points this season. Still 29 from 19 needed.

Miracles do happen but I wouldn't be chucking good money at it.

[mellowmiller]

If we sign a j,x,q and z….and we should have enough points to survive..🤣

😀

[MillersJ81]

And we got 20 points from 19 games.

As of now we'd need 32 points from 19 games to reach the same total.


Someone might stop up with around 47 points this season. Still 29 from 19 needed.

Miracles do happen but I wouldn't be chucking good money at it.

I agree with that . 👍

[NorthWestCorner]

Last minute recruitment is last minute recruitment. If the club wait until 31st August to bring in players for League 1, I'd agree with you.

The question I'd have for you, is what has been wrong with our recruitment after being relegated from the championship in recent seasons? We've always bounced back and been a top side in that league. Personally I think we've lost a lot of stability and next season could be tough.

Isn't the January window a notoriously difficult period to do transfer business? The few managers I've spoken to over the years say it is.

To answer your question - its been ok. Good enough to do well in division one but not good enough to build a foundation for Championship survival. I keep hearing its difficult to do that but its not impossible. We need a longer term strategy for that. Signing younger potential and developing it - we have had some success - Rathbone, Vicktor, Humphries but we have also failed particularly up front and in the full back departments. We could and should have done better.