Personally I think we have done some great business. Obviously we are unable to spend really big due to ffp limitations but I think we have bought well and significantly improved the team. In fact rebuilt it. This is something felix was unable to do last year
Could of done with another striker, looks like Hopper won't happen now, but have done the best we can.
Definitely. Hopefully we can shift a few more tickets for the Blackburn & QPR games which are both on general sale.
Agree, a good window, balancing the books well and bringing in some quality players who, if they perform to their abilities, should take us up to challenge for promotion. COYW
Well we still need a bit of pace but the loan window opens soon. Compared to last season this is a level above that squad. So we really shouldn't be in any doubt that this has been a great window.
Our biggest issue was goals conceded last season; we've signed 2 GKs, 2 RBs, 2 LBs, 2 CBs.
We also lacked creativity in midfield: we've signed 3 of the most creative players in the league last year and added depth to the squad too.
Yes, I'd like a pacey winger and new striker, but - all things considered - it's been a really decent window for us.
Even more so considering we've a) not really lost any of our key players, b) signed a number of younger players to longer contracts, c) significantly reduced the wage bill, d) cut off much of the deadwood and e) have an overall net transfer spend of practically nothing...
If Hooper (or similar) joins, it'll be the best window in a very long time. And credit will have to be given to all backroom staff involved.
Quote from: Craven Mad on September 01, 2015, 05:51:14 PM
Our biggest issue was goals conceded last season; we've signed 2 GKs, 2 RBs, 2 LBs, 2 CBs.
We also lacked creativity in midfield: we've signed 3 of the most creative players in the league last year and added depth to the squad too.
Yes, I'd like a pacey winger and new striker, but - all things considered - it's been a really decent window for us.
Even more so considering we've a) not really lost any of our key players, b) signed a number of younger players to longer contracts, c) significantly reduced the wage bill, d) cut off much of the deadwood and e) have an overall net transfer spend of practically nothing...
If Hooper (or similar) joins, it'll be the best window in a very long time. And credit will have to be given to all backroom staff involved.
V
Great post - totally agree
Most important thing now is getting Dembele and Hyndman on new deals
Very disappointed we didn't manage to bring in a striker. Especially not knowing how long Smith is out, we're extremely light up front in terms of numbers, and also in terms of goals.
Last year Watford had 3 strikers score 15 or more goals. We only have Ross. The defence is going to have to massively improve and Dembele and Woodrow are going to have to step up
Apart from that, the rest of the window was fantastic. Get O'Hara, Dembele and Hyndman (unlikely) to sign new deals and we're in a great position
Quote from: Ordar on September 01, 2015, 06:03:05 PM
:blow candles:Very disappointed we didn't manage to bring in a striker. Especially not knowing how long Smith is out, we're extremely light up front in terms of numbers, and also in terms of goals.
Last year Watford had 3 strikers score 15 or more goals. We only have Ross. The defence is going to have to massively improve and Dembele and Woodrow are going to have to step up
Apart from that, the rest of the window was fantastic. Get O'Hara, Dembele and Hyndman (unlikely) to sign new deals and we're in a great position
Now that Taggart's gone I'm sure we'll be looking for a loan.
Dembele, Cauley and Ross will be fine for a while. I think Smith was out for something like 4-6 weeks (from a week or so ago).
To be honest - the defence needed to be sorted a lot earlier but I'm happy with having Stearman in.
That said if I'm being honest we're extremely light up front and don't have many options in terms of strategic ability (a good mixture of pace and not) with genuine ability on the wing.
wanted hooper as a minimum down there but for some reason the club have finalised in a way all their transfers for this summer.
Would've liked another striker but happy with the defence being improved. If you don't concede you don't lose so hopefully Ross and Co will do their bit now and things will start picking up. 049:gif
It's been a great window as far as I'm concerned - the club has done a really good job strengthening us where it was needed. Ok, we didn't get a striker, but as Lighthouse said, the loan window opens soon, and to be honest, we've scored 6 goals in the last two matches so perhaps not too much to worry about on that front!
Norwich wouldn't let Hooper go because they couldn't finalise the deal with Palace for Gayle. That suggests Gayle is free to go without replacement.
Therefore, I reckon Pardew would be open to a loan move for Gayle now until January (when the window reopens and he can finalise the deal with Norwich). So this could work out well for us. Just gotta get on the blower to Alan and offer a fair fee.
Quote from: Craven Mad on September 01, 2015, 06:21:21 PM
Norwich wouldn't let Hooper go because they couldn't finalise the deal with Palace for Gayle. That suggests Gayle is free to go without replacement.
Therefore, I reckon Pardew would be open to a loan move for Gayle now until January (when the window reopens and he can finalise the deal with Norwich). So this could work out well for us. Just gotta get on the blower to Alan and offer a fair fee.
Palace want a replacement for Gayle. That's why Norwich couldn't sign him.
Quote from: Lighthouse on September 01, 2015, 05:50:04 PM
Well we still need a bit of pace but the loan window opens soon. Compared to last season this is a level above that squad. So we really shouldn't be in any doubt that this has been a great window.
My feelings exactly.
Quote from: alexbishop on September 01, 2015, 06:22:37 PM
Quote from: Craven Mad on September 01, 2015, 06:21:21 PM
Norwich wouldn't let Hooper go because they couldn't finalise the deal with Palace for Gayle. That suggests Gayle is free to go without replacement.
Therefore, I reckon Pardew would be open to a loan move for Gayle now until January (when the window reopens and he can finalise the deal with Norwich). So this could work out well for us. Just gotta get on the blower to Alan and offer a fair fee.
Palace want a replacement for Gayle. That's why Norwich couldn't sign him.
Where'd you hear that?
They're pretty set up front. My understanding was that the deal was stalled due to money/terms.
7/10 for this window. happy. but we are a striker light. alot of pressure on ross to have a good season, hopefully that will motivate him to lose some weight in the international break.
Quote from: Craven Mad on September 01, 2015, 06:25:36 PM
Quote from: alexbishop on September 01, 2015, 06:22:37 PM
Quote from: Craven Mad on September 01, 2015, 06:21:21 PM
Norwich wouldn't let Hooper go because they couldn't finalise the deal with Palace for Gayle. That suggests Gayle is free to go without replacement.
Therefore, I reckon Pardew would be open to a loan move for Gayle now until January (when the window reopens and he can finalise the deal with Norwich). So this could work out well for us. Just gotta get on the blower to Alan and offer a fair fee.
Palace want a replacement for Gayle. That's why Norwich couldn't sign him.
Where'd you hear that?
They're pretty set up front. My understanding was that the deal was stalled due to money/terms.
Would suggest the following speaks volumes...
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11988629_10100922645100552_4755367462695845549_n.jpg?oh=6e1cb6fabfaf39924a08c321852e7a63&oe=56771279)
With my still limited understanding of Championship (and knowledge of players bought) it seems indeed like a good transfer window.
I am glad that we have bought and not loaned players because, with almost half of the starting team being new, and having skipped pre-season training, we will need quite a lot of time to bond.The team may be able to start performing properly in 1,5 month or so. We will still lose points, the players will rotate a lot, some will disappoint us but for sure we are a stronger and more experienced team than last year.
I see us finishing 7-10th this year, defining the core-players of the team and next year going for the big push with the additions of 1-2 key players (with a class striker included).
Quote from: HV71 on September 01, 2015, 05:53:37 PM
Quote from: Craven Mad on September 01, 2015, 05:51:14 PM
Our biggest issue was goals conceded last season; we've signed 2 GKs, 2 RBs, 2 LBs, 2 CBs.
We also lacked creativity in midfield: we've signed 3 of the most creative players in the league last year and added depth to the squad too.
Yes, I'd like a pacey winger and new striker, but - all things considered - it's been a really decent window for us.
Even more so considering we've a) not really lost any of our key players, b) signed a number of younger players to longer contracts, c) significantly reduced the wage bill, d) cut off much of the deadwood and e) have an overall net transfer spend of practically nothing...
If Hooper (or similar) joins, it'll be the best window in a very long time. And credit will have to be given to all backroom staff involved.
V
Great post - totally agree
Also agree see my post in Dannybois thread.
I'm happy. Always room for improvement but we have done a lot of improving.
Very happy, so pleased to see a proper defence at last. In Fredricks and Husband we have 2 quality wingbacks and feel we have the perfect squad for 3-5-2.
Would love to see Stearman and Burn as the centre backs with Ream sweeping. This would allow 3 from 5 of Pringle, Cairney, O'Hara and LVC to play in more central midfield positions rather than having to play out of position wide.
The short answer is yes, happy enough. We probably need another striker, but that can be done through a loan. Five games in twelve days will tell us a lot about this squad and if our new defenders can gel quickly, there may be some good times ahead.
But why didn't we go for vydra, I would have had Orlando sa, there forward line looks good
Quote from: Craven Mad on September 01, 2015, 05:51:14 PM
Our biggest issue was goals conceded last season; we've signed 2 GKs, 2 RBs, 2 LBs, 2 CBs.
We also lacked creativity in midfield: we've signed 3 of the most creative players in the league last year and added depth to the squad too.
Yes, I'd like a pacey winger and new striker, but - all things considered - it's been a really decent window for us.
Even more so considering we've a) not really lost any of our key players, b) signed a number of younger players to longer contracts, c) significantly reduced the wage bill, d) cut off much of the deadwood and e) have an overall net transfer spend of practically nothing...
If Hooper (or similar) joins, it'll be the best window in a very long time. And credit will have to be given to all backroom staff involved.
A very good summary.
Too many vocal voices on here are unrealistic. Of course the team is not the final product. No team ever is. But in the early part of the window we greatly improved our midfield and towards the end we have likewise improved the defence. And we may still be able to improve the attack with a loan or two.
Considering the sorry state we have been in over the last couple of years this window has seen a remarkable turnaround in quality and attitude within the squad and those involved, Rigg, Symons and Mackintosh, are to be congratulated.
Yes overall the club did very well. Our squad has improved ten fold and had we spent money to get what we have I wouldn't have an issue with not getting a forward but we didn't. Again that's a good thing the club didn't strain itself financially and going forward it is a very good model of practice. However, I don't think spending 5 million more than we have was either being unreasonable or risking FFP. That doesn't mean the window wasn't a success because it was
and has been the best for a long time.
I'm just greedy as one decent forward would have turned us into a serious force. If Ross gets injured I think we will struggle to score goals on a regular basis.
If we bring in Hooper on loan still then I can have no complaints. I just think a 5 million bid for him would have showed more intent than relying on an emergency loan
Quote from: dannyboi-ffc on September 02, 2015, 08:22:51 AM
Yes overall the club did very well. Our squad has improved ten fold and had we spent money to get what we have I wouldn't have an issue with not getting a forward but we didn't. Again that's a good thing the club didn't strain itself financially and going forward it is a very good model of practice. However, I don't think spending 5 million more than we have was either being unreasonable or risking FFP. That doesn't mean the window wasn't a success because it was
and has been the best for a long time.
I'm just greedy as one decent forward would have turned us into a serious force. If Ross gets injured I think we will struggle to score goals on a regular basis.
If we bring in Hooper on loan still then I can have no complaints. I just think a 5 million bid for him would have showed more intent than relying on an emergency loan
I am sure the club were also 'greedy for a forward' but, more than any other position and particularly because of the higher cost of forwards compared to other players, the club must make the right choice. And then you have to persuade his current club to sell and the player to come.
Look at how many expensive failures or less expensive disappointments we have had in that area.
Our goal scoring potential is not that bad and has improved with the new midfield. Cairney, Pringle and O'Hara have goals in them. McCormack and Woodrow have now got onto the scoreboard. I am sure LVC, Dembele and Smith will contribute. If we do manage to get Hooper on loan that sounds a good move.
We ideally want to get a forward to suit our current needs and a return to the PL. I was not particularly excited by names being touted such as Gayle. Now Riggs and Symons can concentrate on getting the forward that we really need, the next Louis Saha, Gordon Davies, Allan Clarke or Graham Leggat.
Most of us realise that we still need to add some pace, but am not sure that is the Symons way.
Regarding loans, already having two UK left backs in situ, are we restricted from more domestick loans?
Quote from: Jims Dentist on September 03, 2015, 08:24:22 PM
Most of us realise that we still need to add some pace, but am not sure that is the Symons way.
Regarding loans, already having two UK left backs in situ, are we restricted from more domestick loans?
The two left backs are English and young and are quality footballers, we are lucky to have one of them, let alone two. The players brought in since the end of last season are the right kind of players we need, with I reckon the right kind of characters and leaders and warriors and fighters, but they can all play a bit as well, they are not just defenders, they are footballing defenders.
I agree that we need a pacey striker and a winger to complete the jig saw, if we are going to make a serious challenge for top six, and then of course the next question is, how will the manager handle this challenge, what will be his system of play, will the players buy into it, and play for him.
Will we end up drawing matches we should win, and losing matches we should at least draw. These are question that will be answered in due course.
