|
Post by ickle2 on Apr 6, 2021 19:21:58 GMT
Galloway?
|
|
|
Post by Lake on Apr 6, 2021 19:30:14 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Wimbo on Apr 6, 2021 19:32:37 GMT
I excluded Galloway from the listing as NJ had declared that he would not be offered a contract and was free to find another club back in January and hence not included in the squad of 25 named by Nathan in February but yes, we could add him to the list for completeness. Seems he almost found another club but sadly failed the medical.
|
|
|
Post by braminghamrover on Apr 7, 2021 8:29:56 GMT
I don't understand the goodbye to James Shea. Every club needs a level-ready goalkeeper to turn up when the no: 1 is injured or on international breaks. I don't recall him letting us down. Why the goodbye?
|
|
|
Post by Wimbo on Apr 7, 2021 9:16:11 GMT
I don't understand the goodbye to James Shea. Every club needs a level-ready goalkeeper to turn up when the no: 1 is injured or on international breaks. I don't recall him letting us down. Why the goodbye? Shea is a good back up keeper to Sluga for sure. The only reason for letting Shea depart would be if NJ considers that Harry Isted is now ready to move up to No 2. Nice to be spoilt for choice in the goalkeeping department.
|
|
|
Post by bernardshakey on Apr 7, 2021 9:19:39 GMT
Lots of rumours that Sluga or his new wife are unhappy in England so if any truth the goalkeeping situation could change. Not sure if we would make a profit on him though with transfer fees suppressed.
|
|
|
Post by Wimbo on Apr 7, 2021 9:26:14 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Lake on Apr 7, 2021 9:32:39 GMT
Seems like we have a gem on our hands, that is one of the new squad recruits for next season done.
|
|
|
Post by proudhattersince74 on Apr 7, 2021 10:41:29 GMT
After the lack of decent performances and effort levels vs both Derby and Barnsley (where NJ clearly intimated that the players knew full well that those matches were auditions for longer-term selections and, possibly, contract extensions/offers) then I now expect far more reaching changes to the squad than possibly were planned.
Yes, we all know that money is tight and 2020 will limit the salary ceiling far more than any other teams in this division (assuming that both Wycombe and Rotherham drop to L1) then our recruitment can take one of two paths IMO: firstly, a much reduced squad so that better quality players can be looked at or, secondly, sign and hope players from L1 (maybe raiding Accrington given that we know they will always have a high work rate under Coleman and that the last player we nicked has shown to have the attributes and application way above some of the 'better' players dropping down the leagues as they get towards the ends of their careers).
Given that next season should be spread across a normal 9 months (instead of being crammed into a shorter period thanks to Covid), I don't think opposition teams will be inclined to rest/rotate players as much as has happened this season. My guess is that Luton have been regarded by a number of teams over the whole season to be one of the 'lesser' teams in the division so they may risk playing 'back up' players rather than their automatic A-teamers. I'm pretty sure this mentality (and the shorter recovery periods between matches for injuries to heal) has helped with some of our results, however, I'm not so sure we will see such advantages when the games are spread further apart so that fatigue, injury, etc will not be such a big factor.
Bearing that in mind, I would rather see a smaller but better quality squad to compete with proven Championship players - I think we've 'got away with it' this season (which doesn't undermine the efforts of the players and staff from this season) but there have been a few occasions where we have been swept aside when team HAVE managed to display their technical, quality, fitness and organisational advantages. Plus the fact that NJ indicated we lack the fight to believe in ourselves once we concede two: evidenced by our lack of clawing back results from losing positions ... we have, sometimes, looked like we couldn't claw back shots let alone goals. Conceding one goal is usually enough to see a lot of heads drop.
I fully appreciate that my club is massively financially handicapped compared to nearly every club vying for Championship football and that any medium term expectations should include yoyoing between Championship and L1 but retaining Championship status is, IMO, vital due to the proposed move to Power Court. I cannot see the directors throwing buckets of cash at the playing squad but, conversely, searching the lower leagues for rough diamonds at bargain prices is patently on every club's blueprint - once we are competing with another Championship club for a signature, I don't think we'd get the nod: for example, we are being linked with Scott Twine (Swindon) but it looks like he has Barnsley, QPR and Brentford swooning over him since we (allegedly) put in a bid in January. Do we realistically stand an inkling vs that lot?
As our choices to chase new players may well be restricted by finances, I wouldn't be surprised if more of the current squad are offered deals who really should be thanked and move on. Plus, I cannot see the likes of Bradley staying when there appears to be suitors willing to offer larger signing-on fees and wages, especially when it could be their last big-money move in their careers. It is what it is but, if those assertions are anywhere near correct then next season could be a lot more difficult than this.
Let's see what NJ does to the team vs Wycombe and Watford - this may be a real indicator of which players may stand a chance of being offered deals.
COYH.
|
|
|
Post by Wimbo on Apr 7, 2021 12:45:18 GMT
I am much more optimistic that our recruitment this summer will be decent. A few reasons I say this:
Firstly as we won promotion in L1 we had GJ running recruitment from February before he formally took over from big Mick. The recruitment was overall poor with championship journeymen recruited along with “we can’t win without Izzy”.
Secondly; with NJ returning at the tail end of last season, our scouting must have been somewhat condensed but nevertheless, the recruitment was sound with gems such as Bree (the best from that season), Lockyer, Clark, RND & KDH + should be good Morrell. We then had the January window with the arrival of the exciting raw talent Adeyabo. All this was a cut above what we experienced before we started our first season back in the Championship.
Thirdly, drawing on the confidence of the track record in player recruitment of NJ/MH and then adding in the likelihood that many clubs will be feeling the financial pinch plus many decent players being themselves OOC, I feel the shopping could be concentrated but hopefully of high quality.
If past heroes who got us to the Championship decide to see the ££ elsewhere, then best wishes and many thanks; it’s a short career & I wish them well. However, with the likes of Sluga, Bree, Kioso, Lockyer, Osho, Morrell, Clark, Naismith, Cornick & Adebayo already contracted for next season we have some real quality onto which we could easily graft a few more gems. Oh yes, not to forget our very own Clint Eastwood “the good, the bad & the ugly” captain Rea; the trouble is it’s a bit of a scratch card lottery over which Rea will turn up from game to game.
|
|
|
Post by Lake on Apr 7, 2021 13:38:23 GMT
After the lack of decent performances and effort levels vs both Derby and Barnsley (where NJ clearly intimated that the players knew full well that those matches were auditions for longer-term selections and, possibly, contract extensions/offers) then I now expect far more reaching changes to the squad than possibly were planned. Yes, we all know that money is tight and 2020 will limit the salary ceiling far more than any other teams in this division (assuming that both Wycombe and Rotherham drop to L1) then our recruitment can take one of two paths IMO: firstly, a much reduced squad so that better quality players can be looked at or, secondly, sign and hope players from L1 (maybe raiding Accrington given that we know they will always have a high work rate under Coleman and that the last player we nicked has shown to have the attributes and application way above some of the 'better' players dropping down the leagues as they get towards the ends of their careers). Given that next season should be spread across a normal 9 months (instead of being crammed into a shorter period thanks to Covid), I don't think opposition teams will be inclined to rest/rotate players as much as has happened this season. My guess is that Luton have been regarded by a number of teams over the whole season to be one of the 'lesser' teams in the division so they may risk playing 'back up' players rather than their automatic A-teamers. I'm pretty sure this mentality (and the shorter recovery periods between matches for injuries to heal) has helped with some of our results, however, I'm not so sure we will see such advantages when the games are spread further apart so that fatigue, injury, etc will not be such a big factor. Bearing that in mind, I would rather see a smaller but better quality squad to compete with proven Championship players - I think we've 'got away with it' this season (which doesn't undermine the efforts of the players and staff from this season) but there have been a few occasions where we have been swept aside when team HAVE managed to display their technical, quality, fitness and organisational advantages. Plus the fact that NJ indicated we lack the fight to believe in ourselves once we concede two: evidenced by our lack of clawing back results from losing positions ... we have, sometimes, looked like we couldn't claw back shots let alone goals. Conceding one goal is usually enough to see a lot of heads drop. I fully appreciate that my club is massively financially handicapped compared to nearly every club vying for Championship football and that any medium term expectations should include yoyoing between Championship and L1 but retaining Championship status is, IMO, vital due to the proposed move to Power Court. I cannot see the directors throwing buckets of cash at the playing squad but, conversely, searching the lower leagues for rough diamonds at bargain prices is patently on every club's blueprint - once we are competing with another Championship club for a signature, I don't think we'd get the nod: for example, we are being linked with Scott Twine (Swindon) but it looks like he has Barnsley, QPR and Brentford swooning over him since we (allegedly) put in a bid in January. Do we realistically stand an inkling vs that lot? As our choices to chase new players may well be restricted by finances, I wouldn't be surprised if more of the current squad are offered deals who really should be thanked and move on. Plus, I cannot see the likes of Bradley staying when there appears to be suitors willing to offer larger signing-on fees and wages, especially when it could be their last big-money move in their careers. It is what it is but, if those assertions are anywhere near correct then next season could be a lot more difficult than this. Let's see what NJ does to the team vs Wycombe and Watford - this may be a real indicator of which players may stand a chance of being offered deals. COYH. One thing that is certain is that there will be a much larger pool of players available in the close season that ever before. Not all the talent available will find other clubs as the amount of money available for player purchase will be at it`s lowest for many years. Craig King recently posted on Twitter "there will be a lot of hungry footballers next season". Big spending has not brought the success to Wednesday, Forest, Derby, Reading, Huddersfield, Birmingham and Stoke as examples so it comes down to who will be the best talent spotters to sign players on budget next season for certain. Maybe as you say this is a weak season for the Championship but for certain I believe we will be stronger next season and able to compete in a stronger Championship season if indeed that is the case.
|
|
|
Post by biscot boy on Apr 7, 2021 16:13:55 GMT
I doubt if NJ will want to recruit more than 4 "starters" for next season and possibly only 3 depending on who stays if offered a contract and who chooses to leave. Also how many of the youngsters, if any does he feel confident in promoting to the first team squad? Normally any more than 3 or 4 new faces are difficult to integrate into the team without affecting the balance and harmony both on and off the field. I hope that Sluga will stay, he will be difficult to replace and has IMO been the player of the season. So many good saves we have begun to take them for granted.
Therefore I am with Proud, we must concentrate on recruiting quality even if the wage ceiling has to be increased, this can be balanced by reducing the number of squad players. If we do not raise the player standard we will struggle both now and in the future, you cannot keep relying on hunger and effort entirely, although this quality must be maintained. We do not want any "show boaters".
I have my own opinions on whom should be retained, released and those who will wish to move on. However the final outcome will be determined by a variety of factors, a number of which we are not party too, so therefore not much point in speculating. Ideally we want to reach a situation where we will only need to recruit 2 or 3 senior players each season.
|
|
|
Post by proudhattersince74 on Apr 7, 2021 17:20:41 GMT
Taking on board NJ's comments about players not stepping up when required against Derby and Barnsley, I wonder if his patience with Rea is wearing thin given that Rea started both matches but played barely over two halves before being hooked twice ... and hooked for legitimate (form) reasons.
But Rea isn't alone when pondering the "which player will turn up?" conundrum: Pelly, Bree, Bradley and LuaLua all seem to have twins who sometimes put in unexpected and unwanted appearances! But that's to be expected IMO - if they were that much better and/or that much more consistent then they wouldn't be at KR at all.
It's great that we've strived so bloody hard to get to this heady level (and fully merited the rise) but it's also difficult to easily accept that we do not possess the ability to compete with some quite poor and/or bang average Championship teams purely because of the differences in finance between club owners. If that criteria had applied to us when we were in the Conference then we should have escaped from there a long before we actually did! That we didn't merely highlights that smaller teams with less able players COULD compete with bigger clubs and with better, more gifted players.
Unfortunately, the inability to close the chasms in the quality of players goes hand-in-glove with the financial chasms between clubs when shuttling between tiers 3 and 2. Big wallets and an almost willingness for owners to sacrifice the longer-term stabilities of clubs seem common and we've now got to the level where quality DOES make a difference, especially in the front line. Thank goodness 2020 haven't (more likely cannot) adopted the approach where losses are over £20m-£40m per season in order to get the top quality players outside of the PL. I simply do not see sustainability of long estblished and famous clubs when players like Knockeart and Murray are on £35K and £30K per week whilst on loan (on loan at those wages FFS!) at Forest ... and that's just two players at one club!
Yes, I want to see us compete but I don't necessarily expect us to compete. Knowing just how many current players are coming to the end of their automatic extensions (those who got us promoted) and the 2-year deals dished out by GJ, it is going to be one heck of an ask this summer to find 6-8 players who will be able to keep their heads above the Championship waters.
LTID.
|
|
|
Post by braminghamrover on Apr 8, 2021 8:39:24 GMT
There is a factor, I believe, not mentioned above, that contributes to a club's performance over a season. That is, the ability of the club's non-playing football staff to get more out of less. I agree that the quality of the players will always top the list of contributory factors but the manager and his staff have an important role to play. We have seen the difference between the two Jones's and football's history is blessed with examples of greatness in this area, such as Billy Nick, Shankly, Clough and, yes, Ferguson bugger him. People should remember this when they are castigating Jones for this that or the other. Where would we be without him?
|
|
|
Post by 8two on Apr 8, 2021 9:10:11 GMT
There is a factor, I believe, not mentioned above, that contributes to a club's performance over a season. That is, the ability of the club's non-playing football staff to get more out of less. I agree that the quality of the players will always top the list of contributory factors but the manager and his staff have an important role to play. We have seen the difference between the two Jones's and football's history is blessed with examples of greatness in this area, such as Billy Nick, Shankly, Clough and, yes, Ferguson bugger him. People should remember this when they are castigating Jones for this that or the other. Where would we be without him? Good point Bram and in the case of Shankly, add Paisley, Clough, Busby and Ferguson it went on for some time. Although like Guardiola it possibly couldn't have been done without a very healthy cheque book. To a lesser extent the same effect often happens with the 'new manager' syndrome. In the case of Jones we had the relief the players must have felt when the deadbeat departed and the guy who built the success returned. The back end of last season couldn't have happened without NJ because of his motivation skills, the players buying into it and a change of tactics and coaching obviously played a part. So NJ's achievement of avoiding relegation and having a level of success following without large spending holds up, in my view, to matching the achievements of the above albeit with orange coloured glasses firmly affixed.
|
|