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I don't think at the moment we are any stronger, none of the signings are starting apart from Luongo but hopefully they will settle and improve our side but it's certainly not like the January window but in KMc we trust.
When you look at the signings that Southampton Leicester and even Stoke have made I feel a bit disappointed.

Copy and pasted from the other thread

‘What’s got us here won’t take us there’.

Unfortunately we haven’t signed enough for this Ashton quote to be usable at present, as Hallum says I suspect they have found it a very difficult market.

What I would say is we have replaced some OK middle aged players with higher potential youngsters and we have a manager who can clearly develop players - so there is hope. Give it some months and these youngsters could really improve and kick us on.

The defence is of course a worry - but we could try again in Jan and hope for the best injury wise until then.

I also suspect we need to be patient with the building of the the recruitment side of things. I feel so far they have set up something where there was nothing but it needs to start developing and expanding to cover Europe and beyond.

We must be patient - things will take time but the club WILL be driven forward over time.

I have total faith in KM, if anyone can turn these loan youngsters into world beaters it’s him.

I have to say that I'm underwhelmed and disappointed - it's been nothing like we were promised.

I think we also have to remember there are always Two teams involved in every transfer, we don't just decide who and what we want and it happens, none of us know why or how more movement hasn't happened yet, if in fact there is anything to know. One thing I am pleased about and that's Baggott is staying.

Now the dust has settled and I’ve reflected a little I’d say the positives are we have kept our own primary players. Not sure if other clubs came in for any, anyway. But we’ve kept our squad together. So that a positive.

We have also signed Scarlett, Hutchinson, and Williams. Three very good young PL players. McKenna and our coaches will develop them further for sure, so as the season progresses snd they bed in we could see the benefits.

Negatives ( or is it a positive?).
Defensive cover. We didn’t bring in an experienced, championship level CB. We definitely need one in my view. But it looks like we’re keeping Baggott. Personally I’d be looking to drip feed this boy in and develop him further here. He’s probably the best CB at the club - he just lacks experience and that stage of development. If he’s got to learn on the job, do it here! So it could be a massive opportunity for him this season.

The player we have on trial, well he might be the answer but you have to ask why’s he out of contract. Why have clubs not really come in for him (if he’s that good)? He seems to have had a lot of clubs and not very long at each club. ….. I smell a rat tbh. Either injuries, attitude or wages. Probably all of them. The jury’s out and we’ll see what McKenna and Co think of him.

What this Championship window does demonstrate is what Ashton and his team ( and the owners) are now up against …. Premier league ( Sky ) money. Which totally distorts everything. Very average players going for ridiculous prices snd it’s all driven by Sky money and these top 5-6 PL clubs.

Leeds and Leicester transfer dealings in the championship as an example, have just push prices up for everyone else. Take them out of the equation and prices would probably drop.

It’s about time this parachute money was vastly reduced and ended after 1 season. It’d make clubs more responsible when buying players which in turn would dampen down this ridiculous inflation of players prices and wages paid . It’d killing the game.

hallamblue wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 02, 2023 8:28 am

Now the dust has settled and I’ve reflected a little I’d say the positives are we have kept our own primary players. Not sure if other clubs came in for any, anyway. But we’ve kept our squad together. So that a positive.

We have also signed Scarlett, Hutchinson, and Williams. Three very good young PL players. McKenna and our coaches will develop them further for sure, so as the season progresses snd they bed in we could see the benefits.

Negatives ( or is it a positive?).
Defensive cover. We didn’t bring in an experienced, championship level CB. We definitely need one in my view. But it looks like we’re keeping Baggott. Personally I’d be looking to drop feed this boy in snd develop him further here. He’s probably the best CB at the club - he just lacks experience and that stage of development. If he’s got to learn on the job, do it here! So it could be a massive opportunity for him this season.

The player we have on trial, well he might be the answer but you have to ask why’s he out of contract. Why have clubs not really come in for him ( if he’s that good)? He seems to have had a lot of clubs and not very long at each club. ….. I smell a rat tbh. Either injuries, attitude or wages. Probably all of them. The jury’s out and we’ll see what McKenna and Co think of him.

What this Championship window does demonstrate is what Ashton and his team ( and the owners) are now up against …. Premier league ( Sky ) money. Which totally distorts everything. Very average players going for ridiculous prices snd it’s all driven by Sky money and these top 5-6 PL clubs.

Leeds and Leicester transfer dealings in the championship as an example, have just push prices up for everyone else. Take them out of the equation and prices would probably drop.

It’s about time this parachute money was vastly reduced and ended after 1 season. It’d make clubs more responsible when buying players which in turn would dampen down this ridiculous inflation of players prices and wages paid . It’d killing the game.

To be fair, Liz, that hasn't stopped Sunderland having a banging transfer window

Have they? Do we actually know any of those players and if they’ll do well? Time will tell. They have lost their most proven striker.

I personally don’t know so cant judge their window.

Also teams will take time to get new players settled in, we have a settled squad who know each others game etc so that is one advantage to alot of teams at present and hence our good start.

Maybe Sunderland needed a banging transfer window seeing as they couldn't beat our League One squad at home. Time will tell where they finish and if they've bought well.

hallamblue wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 02, 2023 8:28 am

It’s about time this parachute money was vastly reduced and ended after 1 season. It’d make clubs more responsible when buying players which in turn would dampen down this ridiculous inflation of players prices and wages paid . It’d killing the game.

I've never been a fan of the parachute money policy. It basically rewards a club for over-spending and subsequently failing. Not a very good business plan.

All negativity aside, Williams & Scarlett are excellent additions. Yes, it may take some time for them to settle, but you can’t ignore their pedigree especially with KM tutoring. Let’s see how they perform and let’s hope Baggott steps up.

Also, Hutchinson should and will contribute.

Don't forget we also got Hirst on a permanent for a bargain, and Jack Taylor who will only get better under KM.

Slicker could be our next #1 keeper and he comes from the Man City system.

So, four of our additions a come from Chelsea, Tottenham, Man Utd and Man City...not bad I'd say?

I think the top and bottom of it is we all told ourselves we'd be in for Rak-Sakyi, Trusty, etc etc, we needed this and we needed that as the scribes linked us with virtually everyone, in truth what came out of the club ? Nothing apart from Ashton saying we are looking at another 2 or 3 additions coming in, we got Scarlett and Tuanzebe, that's Two as far as I can tell. We can all speculate all we like about if they were first choices or fall backs but I tell you this, if Mark Ashton couldn't get deals done there would have been excellent reasons and it most certainly wouldn’t have been for the want of trying.

I think a lot of our 'Championship' transfer budget was used in January to get us over the line. Bit of a shame, but right thing to do I think as we bought in Championship quality players and they really seemed to transform fortunes.

I feel we're a CB and a CF short, but if we avoid injuries and poor form, we'll be alright.

I don't think Ladapo fits our style of play, though he will bag more goals than Jackson, I actually think Jackson fits better and McKenna may agree as he's picked him ahead once or twice.

Sunderland certainly doing well today, 3-0 up on Southampton before half time but my god how bad are the saint's defensively

I think it will prove to be better than we think.

We have strengthened an already capable squad whilst, whether by luck or choice, keeping our two most promising youngsters in the frame.

I agree and eat my words, Hutchinson and Williams looked very good when they came on considering they've never played together

Bluemike wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 02, 2023 5:32 pm

I agree and eat my words, Hutchinson and Williams looked very good when they came on considering they've never played together

I think these two guys are two classy players and if Town do well this season I can see especially Brandon Williams staying and signing a permanent contract given he’ll be a free agent. If he does I can even see him having future captaincy potential as he reminds me very much of a young Mick Mills.

rossi wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 02, 2023 8:36 am

hallamblue wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 02, 2023 8:28 am

Now the dust has settled and I’ve reflected a little I’d say the positives are we have kept our own primary players. Not sure if other clubs came in for any, anyway. But we’ve kept our squad together. So that a positive.

We have also signed Scarlett, Hutchinson, and Williams. Three very good young PL players. McKenna and our coaches will develop them further for sure, so as the season progresses snd they bed in we could see the benefits.

Negatives ( or is it a positive?).
Defensive cover. We didn’t bring in an experienced, championship level CB. We definitely need one in my view. But it looks like we’re keeping Baggott. Personally I’d be looking to drop feed this boy in snd develop him further here. He’s probably the best CB at the club - he just lacks experience and that stage of development. If he’s got to learn on the job, do it here! So it could be a massive opportunity for him this season.

The player we have on trial, well he might be the answer but you have to ask why’s he out of contract. Why have clubs not really come in for him ( if he’s that good)? He seems to have had a lot of clubs and not very long at each club. ….. I smell a rat tbh. Either injuries, attitude or wages. Probably all of them. The jury’s out and we’ll see what McKenna and Co think of him.

What this Championship window does demonstrate is what Ashton and his team ( and the owners) are now up against …. Premier league ( Sky ) money. Which totally distorts everything. Very average players going for ridiculous prices snd it’s all driven by Sky money and these top 5-6 PL clubs.

Leeds and Leicester transfer dealings in the championship as an example, have just push prices up for everyone else. Take them out of the equation and prices would probably drop.

It’s about time this parachute money was vastly reduced and ended after 1 season. It’d make clubs more responsible when buying players which in turn would dampen down this ridiculous inflation of players prices and wages paid . It’d killing the game.

To be fair, Liz, that hasn't stopped Sunderland having a banging transfer window

You’d have to ask st what risk though? Clubs seem to be do wreckless . I definitely wouldn’t want us to go down that road however much I think we need a CB or two .