How confident are you?

[Rattea]

With Ward and Barker being released that McClaren and Rush can buck the trend and bring in player at least equal to these on their day as permanent replacements?

I know Barker will probably never be back at his peak but as they have gone on paper the squad is weekend. And I'm not talking loans. Take into consideration also there may cutbacks as we pushed the boat out after Christmas.

Not one of the signings so far has come close to these so what are the chances?

[wristslasher_909]

I'm 50/50.

This is Macca's chance to put his stamp on it, so it will go one way or the other.

He's an experienced boss but there is also a lot of luck required for everything to fall in to place. IMO we had an unlucky season.

Your mates Glick and Clough had a five year shot at it, but I reckon Macca has got six months left to show us what he's got!

Although I've been critical of the last 2 or 3 months of the SM reign, to an extent there is not much more McClaren could've done. Injuries to 5 key players in the last 3 months gave the team a very steep mountain to climb.

Overall I've enjoyed the last 2 seasons and I think we're in for some good entertainment next season too.

So in answer to your question: Fairly confident.

[eamonnram]

These are also my fears that Mclaren will rip this squad apart and replace them with the shocking permanent signings that he has already added to this squad. Thorne apart ( who still has to prove himself ) as for the rest. Im sorry but They just do not fill me with hope and excitement..

[FindernRam]

Ward was past his best, Barker finished, Whitbread never really showed his best, so losing them not really a big deal.

We are still over-endowed with poorish defenders, Shotton, Christie, Warnock, Forsyth. Keogh and Buxton about OK.

Midfield good on paper but fails to click too often

Upfront Martin Russell plus loanees.

So for me we are seriously understrength for a promotion push unless we get several good one in. Like 5 or 6.

Not likely is it.

[wristslasher_909]

As crazy as it may sound to some, I still think Forsyth and Christie have the attributes to be very, very good full backs.

The midfield very rarely failed to click with a HUGHES/THORNE/HENDRICK or a HUGHES/THORNE/BRYSON. The win ratio with those 2 combinations is extremely high (over 80% wins).

Quality and solidity in the defensive spine, cover for Martin, a few more goals from the wide forwards plus an injection of direct pace and we're up as champions.

[Rapid]

hopeful but far from certain would be my answer to the OP.

mac has made some good signings and some bad. whether they're loan or permanent so far is irrelevant to his transfer record imo. the only baring it has is that we may not have some of them next season.

take bent and ince for example. some of the comments about these two were laughable before they came but they did well for us. so mac deserves credit for that. equally albentosa/shotton have been poor although you could argue the former needs more time and the latter a victim of his own versatility.

clough didn't always get it right but he had good methods in player searches. almost all of them had similar things in common, mostly young, hungry and with something to prove.

my concerns over mac is some of those woeful hasbeens he signed for forest like boeteng and greening.

on a similar point, how much do we know about how transfer targets are identified at dcfc? how much input do rush/mac/evans have? I'm not convinced rush

[southernram22]

your here made poor signings as well ratts take the chip of your shoulder and realise hes not manager here anymore.

[Stimaclegend]

B

With Ward and Barker being released that McClaren and Rush can buck the trend and bring in player at least equal to these on their day as permanent replacements?

I know Barker will probably never be back at his peak but as they have gone on paper the squad is weekend. And I'm not talking loans. Take into consideration also there may cutbacks as we pushed the boat out after Christmas.

Not one of the signings so far has come close to these so what are the chances?

Surely it's Chris Evans who should be judged on the quality of any signings? From what I understand McLaren highlights the areas of the team he wants to strengthen and Evans supplies him with a list of suitable players. You have to remember McLaren is a 'Head Coach' and not a 'Manager', therefore he is employed to coach the team and not scout and recruit them.

[Rattea]

Okayyyyyy so why is Rush on record as saying one of the main reasons McClaren was brought in was for his contacts in the football world and to be able to identify and bring in a higher calibre of player???

He's repeated this at a number of meet the fans and was reported to have said as such at the one before Christmas in London!

Kinda contradicts what you have said from the horses mouth

And I think you'll probably find Chris Evans looks after the contract side once targets and been identified and agreed with the "head coach"!!!!


If you are one of the school that want to believe what is reported in the press this week it says "There have been meetings today to discuss pre-season arrangements and transfer targets, and McClaren is due to meet the players individually tomorrow to discuss plans moving forward".

You may want to provide some evidence on you assumption that McClaren has nothing to do with it

[Stimaclegend]

Have a read of this article, it is a very interesting insight into Chris Evans role.

The following quote backs up my point:

"as head of football operations, I work very closely with Sam Rush and Steve McClaren, providing up to 10 player options for permanent transfer – and the same for loan – in every position" - view external link