I am fortunate enough to have the ability to watch or at least go between every EPL game being broadcast on the weekends.  Certainly the CFC games take priority over every other game, but I put my hands up and say that I do flick between the channels when a break occurs in our games and I also watch other games, as many of you do of our rivals or just football in general.  Due to our diversity here in the Great White North we do get the opportunity to watch games from Spain, Italy and South America and of course the MLS as the ‘beautiful game’ gets highly promoted and begins to take a strong foothold against the other North American sports.

 

As I observe the other teams and their players I often wonder why we pay so much money for players against those players who play with more intensity and heart in teams in lower part of the table, or in foreign teams when their players appear to have the same abilities or in some cases a greater ability than many of our players.  Of course you could argue that when CFC buy players we have to pay over the odds against many other teams, but when I see some of the players other teams sign that turn out to be dynamic or game changers I then begin to wonder how good are those scouts that CFC employ?   Now many of these players maybe ‘one season wonders’ as the opposing teams begin to work them out over the course of the season and the following season they may fade into the background, whereas others continue their performance, Ba, Cisse, Long, Michu are players that immediately come to mind, not really that much paid for each player by their respective clubs but are or continue to be game changers.  Of course you can go through the entire EPL and pick many other players out that seem to be of similar quality but are relatively cheap and perform week in week out.  Why are we missing these hidden gems?  Or is it we have to have an international star or young star for every signing, many of which, despite the millions we pay being left on the bench and eventually sold off for a fraction of what we paid for them at the outset and in many cases set their careers back several years. 

 

Who selects the players that we want to target?  Manager? Owner? Technical Director? Or Chief Scout?  I’ll assume that the Manager identifies his wants and needs to the Board who then go out and get the player.  According to our official site that person is the Technical Director – Michael Emenalo who is in charge of scouting domestically and internationally.  Having reviewed his resume how does a man with his weak resume obtain such a position within this organization?  Even our Chief Scout: Scott McLachlan does not seem have an impressive resume given the stature of this club.  So do many of our problems in terms of transfers lie in the backroom and not with the front line staff such as our previous managers?  While we were all excited with our new signings in the summer I think many of us identified that we looked unbalanced certainly in the defensive midfield area, Mikel was OK but really I always thought we needed that dynamic midfielder who would take charge. That person I assumed would be Essien if he could regain his form, sadly he was sent on loan with no one to take his place.  We were lightweight and surely the manager and TD could see that yet nothing was done to shore the defensive midfield up and what has become glaringly obvious is that despite the creativity we have now in the midfield we don’t have the strength or muscle against physical teams, no so much though against the technical teams as the game takes on a different dynamic.  I won’t go on about our lack of striking options you can go to the Torres thread for all you need to know.  

 

So post your thoughts.  Should we be looking at our scouting team for accountability and some answers?  What influence should / does Emenalo have over transfer targets and recommendations to the Board going forward?  (He has only had the TD position since July). What’s your thoughts on the decision making of players to be acquired by the manager?

I think the transfer policy is buy the players that cost the most money a la noveau riche white russian trash and hope for the best

 

luckily there does appear to be a correlation that  high price tag mostly equals a talented player with a few exceptions (AS, FT)

 

I think a set up at Everton is the one to model, done on a fraction of CFCs budget and some very good players at very reasonable transfer fees, the stooges that 

feed of CFC and other big spending clubs would not go for that so we are stuck paying silly money like 13 Mill for Lukaku then loaning him out 

as hes not up to the prem standard (albeit looks like after a year loan he may be good enough but surely he's only a 5 mill player tops) 

 

Emelano is clearly a fraud, came in on Avrams coattails and blagged his way into the position, he can F off with FSW as far as I am concerned.

Right well i feel like destroying this post so here goes...

For a start if we were linked with some of the 'gems' you have mentioned they would instantly double in value! Therefore they are no longer value for money and would likely be able to live up their price tags!

Secondly the players you have named are not of a world class quality that you need at a top level club! Utd have rvp Rooney, city have tevez aguero, Madrid have benezema higuain, barca have messi villa and you get the picture! These are all 30 goal a season players which the players you mentioned aren't!

Now to emenalo! Do not doubt what the man does he bought kdb marin and piazon all for dirt cheap before we won the cl and were able to splash the cash. He is also in charge of the scoutin networks and if you know your stuff we have the best u18s side going! It was also him who pushed to bring Moses to the club and what a decent signing he has been.

Finally the big money transfers we have made recently have all been based on potential! You look at players like Oscar hazard lukaku and mata and then spread their value over the rest of their careers...Oscar for example if he stays with us for 10 yrs then that is 2.5 mil a year or even if we sell him we will easily recover out money plus more!

Right well i feel like destroying this post so here goes...

For a start if we were linked with some of the 'gems' you have mentioned they would instantly double in value! Therefore they are no longer value for money and would likely be able to live up their price tags!

Secondly the players you have named are not of a world class quality that you need at a top level club! Utd have rvp Rooney, city have tevez aguero, Madrid have benezema higuain, barca have messi villa and you get the picture! These are all 30 goal a season players which the players you mentioned aren't!

Now to emenalo! Do not doubt what the man does he bought kdb marin and piazon all for dirt cheap before we won the cl and were able to splash the cash. He is also in charge of the scoutin networks and if you know your stuff we have the best u18s side going! It was also him who pushed to bring Moses to the club and what a decent signing he has been.

Finally the big money transfers we have made recently have all been based on potential! You look at players like Oscar hazard lukaku and mata and then spread their value over the rest of their careers...Oscar for example if he stays with us for 10 yrs then that is 2.5 mil a year or even if we sell him we will easily recover out money plus more!

 

 

I asked for your comments and you gave them..thanks.  The players I named are just ones that came readily to mind without giving it too much thought although I wasn't trying to pick out strikers per se. and as I pointed out when it comes to CFC we always pay over the top.   I am not dismissing the fact that we have a strong young squad in the waiting as you so readily pointed out and I have made many posts over the years about our youth 'farm' which of course has to be self sustaining. So in your view what is a 'World Class Quality Player'?  a player that gets selected by his country? or selected by his country that is in FIFA's top 20 or so, or one that plays in the upper escelon of major FIFA countries despite his nationality and where his country ranks in the FIFA rankings? or perhaps this a question and discussion for another thread?  I am interested to know if Michael makes the final choices of who is to be bought during the transfer window?  and who does he report directly to, the Board? or does he consult with the Manager in terms of names or by-pass the manager.  

Sorry I just think with everything that's going on we don't need to try and find faults that aren't there. We are not the only team who pay over the odds for players it is the burden of being a big club. Had we not won the cl we would not have spent the money we did and I think that will be a change for the future.

Emenalos role is a very mixed bag and very hard to give a title that fits. He runs the scouting network, he builds bridges with other clubs and in terms of transfers (from only what I can gather) RA has the final say but it is emenalo that asks for signings. Say for example the manager wants falcao, he goes to emenalo I want falcao, emenalo would have him scouted (if neccerssary), based on the scout reports he would go to RA, then they would negotiate the deal or failing that emenalo draws up some alternatives.

Something I also found out when I was reading up on him is he had very strong ties with barcelonas academy. They seem to hold him in very high regard there which speaks volumes about the hidden work he does behind the scenes. Of course we will have known about cisse and ba before they were even linked to the prem but scouting has taken a very different turn now. Scouts are no longer just people who turn up to games, we have technical scouts who determine how players will fit into a team based on stats and other factors like mentality. There was a guy who works for arnesen who did a piece on it I will look for a link

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11994/8293811/Scouting-revolution

More on emenalo from WAGNH http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2012/7/15/3160701/season-in-review-michael-emenalo

Edited December 2, 201213 yr by Fearnley

our buying/scouting is not what concerns me. this has improved greatly this past year

what concerns me is our absolute non-ability in decision making on the sales of players. seriously, how many players have we bought then sold for pittance? after the sale of a player under roman have you ever thought 'great move, that'? genuine question there. Zhirkov springs to mind, at least in monetary terms, any others? i mean, drogba, kalou, boswinga, malouda, torres (shouldve sold him earlier)... and thats only recently, we've still got lampard, cole and sturridge whos contracts we are just letting die out and with apparent confusion over the matter

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11994/8293811/Scouting-revolution

More on emenalo from WAGNH http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2012/7/15/3160701/season-in-review-michael-emenalo

 

Two interesting articles..thanks.   So I wonder then, if the players he ultimately selects are selected on talent and a whole bunch of stats perhaps it's time to introduce psychology into the equation in terms of mental toughness.  Why do players tend to perform in certain games but not in others? why does their performance and heads drop through a bad slump?  Not sure if our medical staff are qualified or do they hire consultants to get the players through these dips in form?

Two interesting articles..thanks. So I wonder then, if the players he ultimately selects are selected on talent and a whole bunch of stats perhaps it's time to introduce psychology into the equation in terms of mental toughness. Why do players tend to perform in certain games but not in others? why does their performance and heads drop through a bad slump? Not sure if our medical staff are qualified or do they hire consultants to get the players through these dips in form?

Well the problem we have now is we have one of the youngest squads in the league. Young players are generally less psychologically developed due to inexperience and then this grows as a player matures. There in lies our problem is that we have gone from a team full of experienced pros who know how to grind out a result to a team that doesn't. It's no coincidence that in losing lamps and terry that out results have dropped as they have that experience and can calm the players down around them. I think we just need time and a good manager, patience will pay of in the future and we need a manager who is willing to use the academy graduates. Then we will see a massive decline in transfer fees but we've been saying that for years

Edited December 3, 201213 yr by Fearnley

Well the problem we have now is we have one of the youngest squads in the league. Young players are generally less psychologically developed due to inexperience and then this grows as a player matures. There in lies our problem is that we have gone from a team full of experienced pros who know how to grind out a result to a team that doesn't. It's no coincidence that in losing lamps and terry that out results have dropped as they have that experience and can calm the players down around them. I think we just need time and a good manager, patience will pay of in the future and we need a manager who is willing to use the academy graduates. Then we will see a massive decline in transfer fees but we've been saying that for years

 

I agree...but we do have Mikel, Cole, Cech and even Torres (from an experience standpoint) in our line up, you could include Cahill in that group also as he has previous EPL experience especially in a losing capacity.  Clearly we all know what influence JT and Lamps have but despite their inclusion in recent games *JT any way, the result has been much the same.  The remainder of the team is generally made up of full internationals despite their age, so their influence is minimal when you think that collectively we would be a strong side mentally and not be seeing the collapse that we saw on Saturday,despite the off field antics. 

Well the problem we have now is we have one of the youngest squads in the league. Young players are generally less psychologically developed due to inexperience and then this grows as a player matures. There in lies our problem is that we have gone from a team full of experienced pros who know how to grind out a result to a team that doesn't. It's no coincidence that in losing lamps and terry that out results have dropped as they have that experience and can calm the players down around them. I think we just need time and a good manager, patience will pay of in the future and we need a manager who is willing to use the academy graduates. Then we will see a massive decline in transfer fees but we've been saying that for years

  Just went over to the Sun web page and found this headline:

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4677708/Rafa-Benitez-blasts-Chelsea.html

I agree...but we do have Mikel, Cole, Cech and even Torres (from an experience standpoint) in our line up, you could include Cahill in that group also as he has previous EPL experience especially in a losing capacity. Clearly we all know what influence JT and Lamps have but despite their inclusion in recent games *JT any way, the result has been much the same. The remainder of the team is generally made up of full internationals despite their age, so their influence is minimal when you think that collectively we would be a strong side mentally and not be seeing the collapse that we saw on Saturday,despite the off field antics.

This is true but I could find issues with a few of them, for example, cole looks like he has already left in his head, Torres is battling his demons, mikel has only really become influential since RDM took over etc. add to that a manager who couldn't inspire his own erections. Then there is psychological disadvantage of not scoring goals. When goals are flowing teams look so much more assured, as we did at the start of the season. Our problem now is that those goals have dried up and we have no answer. The only soloution is to bring in a goal scorer and get a manger that can ignite the dressing room

Just went over to the Sun web page and found this headline:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4677708/Rafa-Benitez-blasts-Chelsea.html

He did that a lot at Liverpool with Torres and gerrard...he is an idiot and does not pay attention to the physios that know best

He did that a lot at Liverpool with Torres and gerrard...he is an idiot and does not pay attention to the physios that know best

 

 

According to the Mail RA is considering Grant back, can it get any worse?  although we might be getting off topic although no doubt they are all intertwined.

The night is always darkest before the day, I don't see how it can make things worse it just won't make them any better

Potentially all players we have bought are very good....Its what happens once they get here that transforms a few into AVERAGE players...Now that is what i ponder.....Also too many players over the years bought for big bucks n sold for the price of a fish n chip supper

Technical director Michael Emenalo, seen as the strongest voice in the move to appoint Benitez last month, has been in the middle of the conversations instigated by Abramovich’s anger.

 

The strength and depth of the squad – which Benitez told Abramovich was a genuine concern during a board meeting last week – is viewed as ­Emenalo’s responsibility, putting the Nigerian in the line of fire.

 

 

 

From the Mirror....so how much influence does Michael have?

Technical director Michael Emenalo, seen as the strongest voice in the move to appoint Benitez last month, has been in the middle of the conversations instigated by Abramovich’s anger.

The strength and depth of the squad – which Benitez told Abramovich was a genuine concern during a board meeting last week – is viewed as ­Emenalo’s responsibility, putting the Nigerian in the line of fire.

From the Mirror....so how much influence does Michael have?

Just bennitez trying to shift blame again...there is nothing wrong with the depth of our squad we have over 20 players on loan lol emenalo is RAs eyes and ears at the bridge I highly doubt he will get rid of him on fsw say so

Well it did come from the Mirror hardly a reputable rag.  With all the talent we have across the U21's etc unfortunately we can't loan them all out so they can play first team football in the lower divisions and some talent I guess has to suffer.  As a player would that be detrimental to your career development, staying at the club playing U18 or U21 football, considering that it seems that EPL are bringing in players to the first team at a younger age (or is it just me getting older) and playing them generally in the Capital Cup, which is great for experience but once your knocked out, then what?  While the scouts identify young talent, is there a breaking point where the talent pool within the club is maxed out or saturated in terms of numbers then suddenly another young player is identified and for the fear of losing him the club sign him while one of the others gets released from the pool or contract not renewed, I am talking about the higher age groups 16+.  So we end up with a never ending circle of change and all the youngsters hope and pray they will make it, when in reality only two or three will ever get to the first team while the others either get sold or fall by the wayside; it seems a waste but I guess lucrative business for agents and perhaps the clubs...hence the self sustaining academy.  

Now to emenalo! Do not doubt what the man does he bought kdb marin and piazon all for dirt cheap before we won the cl

Not sure about that especially Marin . I was chatting to a German jurno from Bremen who stated that Bremen were glad to get rid of the german messi as he was not good enough. They were surprised that anyone would take a risk on him no other German club would touch him with a 10ft barge pole .... did surprise me to be honest

Not sure about that especially Marin . I was chatting to a German jurno from Bremen who stated that Bremen were glad to get rid of the german messi as he was not good enough. They were surprised that anyone would take a risk on him no other German club would touch him with a 10ft barge pole .... did surprise me to be honest

 I thought I read reports that Liverpool were also keen to sign him but we stole him from under their noses, the same with Oscar as he was linked with Spuds I thought for a while.  I guess at the end of the day the Agent decides which club the player ends up with and I very much doubt they worry too much about their careers, although I guess if a player is brought in at a reasonable price and sold on at a higher price then the Agent does well.  However, by going into a top 4-6 club the agents fee may be higher in the begining but I don't think I've seen many players from a top 4 team sold on for more than what they paid for them in the first place, certainly not those that are immediately earmarked for the first team squad and only making it as a 'benchwarmer'.

Edited December 4, 201213 yr by CFCCAN

Just bennitez trying to shift blame again...there is nothing wrong with the depth of our squad we have over 20 players on loan lol emenalo is RAs eyes and ears at the bridge I highly doubt he will get rid of him on fsw say so

But if they're on loan they aren't adding anything to our squad. While the FSW is obviously getting his excuses in early, he does have a point regarding squad depth. It is thin and unbalanced and I hope that's what he told them. More importantly, I hope they take notice and finally appreciate that a team challenging for four competitions can't get away with a squad of 18 viable outfield players.

 

Then there are decisions like letting Essien and Meireles go when we were already short on experienced central midfielders. Or not only not signing another striker, but sending Lukaku on loan as well, leaving us with 2 strikers, one of whom was woefully out of sorts and the other mostly used as a winger anyway. Did Emanalo give the go ahead for all that? If not, then who? I don't suppose it was the guy whose job depended on getting results from that squad.

 

And surely the time to be congratulating Emanalo for signing the likes of Piazon, De Bruyne and Marin is when they've proved a success for us? So far they've made 2 starts between them.

But if they're on loan they aren't adding anything to our squad. While the FSW is obviously getting his excuses in early, he does have a point regarding squad depth. It is thin and unbalanced and I hope that's what he told them. More importantly, I hope they take notice and finally appreciate that a team challenging for four competitions can't get away with a squad of 18 viable outfield players.

 

Then there are decisions like letting Essien and Meireles go when we were already short on experienced central midfielders. Or not only not signing another striker, but sending Lukaku on loan as well, leaving us with 2 strikers, one of whom was woefully out of sorts and the other mostly used as a winger anyway. Did Emanalo give the go ahead for all that? If not, then who? I don't suppose it was the guy whose job depended on getting results from that squad.

 

And surely the time to be congratulating Emanalo for signing the likes of Piazon, De Bruyne and Marin is when they've proved a success for us? So far they've made 2 starts between them.

 

I have to agree with many of the things you pointed out.  As much as I liked the buys over the last season or so I was always afraid that we never really got that 'fearful' defensive midfielder that would command the middle of the park, someone who an opposing player would think twice about going into a tackle, dare I say it another Ballack type of player.  You could see as the players were brought in that they were creative and had flair but they were lightweight for the EPL given the conditions that we play in here during the winter months when the ground gets heavier, it now becomes about strength and drive and no so much about flair and creativity IMO anyway and that with the CL and other domestic cup competitions starting the fixtures come thick and fast therefore you need a squad of at least 20+ players, but you would think that the scouts and coaches would know that given what we achieved over the last 10 seasons, someone clearly dropped the ball this season and that can only come down to the Techincal Director and his team.  Why anyone would think we could play all season with 1.5 strikers is beyond me when you look around at your direct competition who have at least 4 each....but there I digress.  We will have to endure a long season I fear and reflect on missed opportunities both on and off the park. 

I think Marin is a good player. I would like to see him given some actual game time instead of 10 minutes here and there.

I really haven't seen too much of Marin that impresses me yet. 

Edited December 4, 201213 yr by Zola