13 hours ago, El regreso said:

I am genuinely confused as to why people don’t like this signing. Solid premier league experience and played under a coach I rate highly in Silva. 
 

For the ones composed who is a top class CB we should sign and what would be the cost?

Fans are not happy with the players weve signed for huge money, look at the Jackson, Gallagher, Mudryk, enzo, badisheile and disasi threads. If these guys are not the required level, not proper chelsea, why is a defender signed to replace club legend Silva going to cut the mustard. I'd have kept silva over signing tosin. 

I simply said we're now shopping in the budget section of the supermarket. Fairly accurate given the financials of overspending weve seen. We're looking to floggin genuinely good and developing first-team players to stock up on "talent". 

Im not pissed at the player, im pissed at the board who continually make really stupid decisions in signing players. This is yet another example of getting basic decisions wrong. The club is singing players and managers like its going out of fashion. Sometimes continuity is needed to get stability from which you can build. 

Anyhow, he wears the blue and as I say, hope he becomes a monster for us. We can only hope at this stage. 

 

30 minutes ago, bluetrooper said:

I'd have kept silva over signing tosin. 

 

 

Glad you aren’t running the show then. 

Fulham boys view a year ago. No world beater. 

On the other hand Akanji used to make regular mistakes prior to joining city. 

1 hour ago, bluetrooper said:

Fans are not happy with the players weve signed for huge money, look at the Jackson, Gallagher, Mudryk, enzo, badisheile and disasi threads. If these guys are not the required level, not proper chelsea, why is a defender signed to replace club legend Silva going to cut the mustard. I'd have kept silva over signing tosin. 

I simply said we're now shopping in the budget section of the supermarket. Fairly accurate given the financials of overspending weve seen. We're looking to floggin genuinely good and developing first-team players to stock up on "talent". 

Im not pissed at the player, im pissed at the board who continually make really stupid decisions in signing players. This is yet another example of getting basic decisions wrong. The club is singing players and managers like its going out of fashion. Sometimes continuity is needed to get stability from which you can build. 

Anyhow, he wears the blue and as I say, hope he becomes a monster for us. We can only hope at this stage. 

 

You would have kept Silva ! 

A couple of things in there

1) It is far from sure as to if TS wanted to sign for another year . He had always wanted to return to Brazil and the timing was clearly right.But irrespective I genuinely believe his time had come he of course still had technique and talent but there is absolutely no doubt age was catching up with him

2) The problem for me is quite simply under RA everything was comfortable, make a mistake signing a player ( of which there were lots of examples) and without regard to PSR / FFP all that would happen is RA would underwrite and we would move on.Were you pissed off  with RA when the club signed the likes of Kepa, Torres, Lukaku to name just a few.?

Most of the signings made by the current boards are extremely young and are developing. Moving to a new country when you are just into your twenties or late teens isn’t easy . I found it difficult moving 120 miles for work moving with my family and speaking the language I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for some of the youngsters .

Dismantling what was a not fit for purpose structure and business plan whilst trying to even get performances was always going to be challenging but one thing was for sure things couldn’t go on forever as they did under RA.

The new owners have made mistakes but I personally think they are learning very quickly. They obviously got it wrong terms of early appointments and purchases but they obviously want the club to grow, they obviously will eventually want to turn a profit but what I find the saddest part is that so many aren’t prepared or unwilling to accept that the club had to change matters regulatory were always going to catch up  and apparently they are.
 

The key here is that they try and correct matters quickly dynamically for instance selling Koulibaly after so little time. 

These new owners have to deal in there other business life with strict financial control day in day out. They will know what rules can or not be pushed to the limit and above all they will know that compliance is a must so for them to uncover things that have been reported will only have complicated matters . 

But it’s the structure and make up of the squad and off field team that many seem not to even grasp needed major surgery. On day one none of that structure was in place so a band aid had to be applied but for me one of the major priorities was to start the major surgery that was needed on the first team . There clearly was too many barrack room lawyers , too many seasoned and comfortable players many   just couldn’t grasp that things were changing or players like Rudiger and Christensen left the club because their contracts had been allowed to run down.

Continuity is one thing but none of the top  managers in history would just sit back after a good season and not initiate change. Our 21/22 squad was always going to break up in 22/23 and that’s just what happened 

In 23/24 we finished half a dozen places higher  with a far younger squad than we did in 22/23. Many of the un comfortable accounting matters hopefully are or have been addressed and those young players will all have had a years more experience 

The £20 million pa amortisation charge for Lukaku , another £10 million for Kepa, £8 million for Zieych  ( which alone is circa 20 % of the total shown in the  22/23 account’s) hopefully won’t be a feature in 24/25 also players that were sold in the 23/24 year will I would imagine be close to if not fully on a par with the incomings when it comes to amortisation 

Trying to unravel these things was always going to take time unfortunately as we all know there  is little time afforded in football and whilst I can understand why the club appointed Poch he again was very much a band aid and based on his track record it was inevitable that the relationship wasn’t going to be along term and if what I have read re training methods I can’t but help feel he is culpable when it comes to some of the injuries.

Footballs all about opinions but we really shouldn’t harp back to yesteryear because those days are now gone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 8, 20242 yr by terraloon

15 hours ago, El regreso said:

I am genuinely confused as to why people don’t like this signing. Solid premier league experience and played under a coach I rate highly in Silva. 
 

For the ones composed who is a top class CB we should sign and what would be the cost?

He could be class. He could be average. 

But reading about him I'm reminded of Van Dijk. Someone who is tall, strong, ball playing and makes mistakes. 

Pat nevin told us to sign VVD when he was at Celtic. We said he makes too many mistakes. Nevin said it's because he's bored. Test him at a higher level and he will be quality. 

Nevin was right then, maybe someone is right about Tosin. Can only hope. 

2 hours ago, ozboy said:

Fulham boys view a year ago. No world beater. 

On the other hand Akanji used to make regular mistakes prior to joining city. 

Less than a year ago: 

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13092821/tosin-adarabioyo-fulham-defender-is-outperforming-england-s-centre-backs-so-is-he-an-option-for-euro-2024

3 hours ago, ozboy said:

Glad you aren’t running the show then. 

So am I... 😉 but we are absolutely now bargain basement shopping and selling off the jewells to pay for the excess of the past two years. 5 managers in and not one player has been signed as per a managers wish. The board only support profit, gutting the club and eventually turning a profit by selling us on. See United ownership as to how we will operate if the players signed dont deliver. 

Hope tosin improves us, im doubtful, would have preferred Silva over him, but the fact we'll sell a better younger player over him should be a massive red flag about the direction of the club. 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, bisright1 said:

He could be class. He could be average. 

But reading about him I'm reminded of Van Dijk. Someone who is tall, strong, ball playing and makes mistakes. 

Pat nevin told us to sign VVD when he was at Celtic. We said he makes too many mistakes. Nevin said it's because he's bored. Test him at a higher level and he will be quality. 

Nevin was right then, maybe someone is right about Tosin. Can only hope. 

Can we stop this ludicrous comparison that Tosin is somehow going to become VVD for us? We used to dine on KFC now we're sharing from a bargain chicken shack bucket with the also rans like united, spurs and newcastle... i cant celebrate that.  

f**k these owners. 

3 hours ago, terraloon said:

You would have kept Silva ! 

A couple of things in there

1) It is far from sure as to if TS wanted to sign for another year . He had always wanted to return to Brazil and the timing was clearly right.But irrespective I genuinely believe his time had come he of course still had technique and talent but there is absolutely no doubt age was catching up with him

2) The problem for me is quite simply under RA everything was comfortable, make a mistake signing a player ( of which there were lots of examples) and without regard to PSR / FFP all that would happen is RA would underwrite and we would move on.Were you pissed off  with RA when the club signed the likes of Kepa, Torres, Lukaku to name just a few.?

Most of the signings made by the current boards are extremely young and are developing. Moving to a new country when you are just into your twenties or late teens isn’t easy . I found it difficult moving 120 miles for work moving with my family and speaking the language I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for some of the youngsters .... 

Sorry, Im not a fan who wants to talk about financial fair play, youre starting to sound like spuds and gooners who were exactly like this when they were building their new stadiums, a club that was technically debt free is now saddled with debt that if not serviced will put us out of business. It's like Ken Bates and the eurobond loan all over again, Roman stepped up to bail us out. Who will bail us out when these dumb bastards asset strip us. 

27 minutes ago, bluetrooper said:

Can we stop this ludicrous comparison that Tosin is somehow going to become VVD for us? We used to dine on KFC now we're sharing from a bargain chicken shack bucket with the also rans like united, spurs and newcastle... i cant celebrate that.  

f**k these owners. 

Sorry, Im not a fan who wants to talk about financial fair play, youre starting to sound like spuds and gooners who were exactly like this when they were building their new stadiums, a club that was technically debt free is now saddled with debt that if not serviced will put us out of business. It's like Ken Bates and the eurobond loan all over again, Roman stepped up to bail us out. Who will bail us out when these dumb bastards asset strip us. 

The trouble is that if you just ignore the reality that is FFP they you gain false perspective . 

You need to give your head a wobble because it’s nothing like the Euro bond situation that Bates found himself in and nothing like Spurs and Arsenal building new stadiums the fact is that most clubs, most business use others money to develop as I tried to point out RAs approach was not sustainable and probably his ownership had run its course. 
 

But we can’t keep harping back to the good ole days because they are now long gone
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just don’t think the owners are bad at all. Or at least no worse than any other owners and better than many. And I think most of the players we have bought will do well. But this is not the thread for that. The question is whether Tosin can improve in a higher standard team. Improve mostly seems to mean avoiding dumb errors. I must say making dumb errors will let you fit in well with the current Chelsea defence eg Disasi, badiashile, cucu, James, gusto. They all have errors in them and showed that last season. 

1 hour ago, bluetrooper said:

Can we stop this ludicrous comparison that Tosin is somehow going to become VVD for us? We used to dine on KFC now we're sharing from a bargain chicken shack bucket with the also rans like united, spurs and newcastle... i cant celebrate that.  

f**k these owners. 

Just trying to have a bit of optimism. 

Anyone who watched VVD at Celtic knew he would do really well in England.

He wasn’t making mistakes at Parkhead and his possible boredom resulted in him taking free kicks and hitting top bin more than his teammates ever did.

Is Tosin as good as him? Probably not but I rate him nonetheless.

its more of a mystery why VVD didn’t take free kicks at Southampton and Liverpool as he was that good.

52 minutes ago, 19seventyone said:

its more of a mystery why VVD didn’t take free kicks at Southampton and Liverpool as he was that good.

This guy may be why. Good old @axman2526 favourite.

19 hours ago, terraloon said:

The trouble is that if you just ignore the reality that is FFP they you gain false perspective . 

You need to give your head a wobble because it’s nothing like the Euro bond situation that Bates found himself in and nothing like Spurs and Arsenal building new stadiums the fact is that most clubs, most business use others money to develop as I tried to point out RAs approach was not sustainable and probably his ownership had run its course. 
 

But we can’t keep harping back to the good ole days because they are now long gone

 

Im not actually harping back to the old days mate. Im simply trying to deal with the new reality. That is an overspend, probably half a billion pounds worth of singings that didnt need to be made since the club had more than enough on its books player-wise to find a solution and has put the club in massive debt. Last time we were saddled with debt we couldn't pay the Eurobond loan... then Roman stepped in. Im concerned that continued poor performances on the field lead to less funds, more sales. 

If management is learning from its mistakes, the only thing I can say is theyve held off sacking Poch until the end of the season. but 5 managers in 2 years is something even Roman struggled to do. I used to find it frustrating how we would sack managers even if things were going well. 

The current structure isnt sustainable if it means selling your best youngsters to pay for other areas of the club, creative accountancy is what got City into trouble over FFP and we're on the cusp of being fined, like city. Its been a messy transition... its not done yet as we have a new manager and ideas for players to learn. I hope it all clicks. I really do... because failure will be spectacular. 

 

11 minutes ago, bluetrooper said:

Im not actually harping back to the old days mate. Im simply trying to deal with the new reality. That is an overspend, probably half a billion pounds worth of singings that didnt need to be made since the club had more than enough on its books player-wise to find a solution and has put the club in massive debt. Last time we were saddled with debt we couldn't pay the Eurobond loan... then Roman stepped in. Im concerned that continued poor performances on the field lead to less funds, more sales. 

If management is learning from its mistakes, the only thing I can say is theyve held off sacking Poch until the end of the season. but 5 managers in 2 years is something even Roman struggled to do. I used to find it frustrating how we would sack managers even if things were going well. 

The current structure isnt sustainable if it means selling your best youngsters to pay for other areas of the club, creative accountancy is what got City into trouble over FFP and we're on the cusp of being fined, like city. Its been a messy transition... its not done yet as we have a new manager and ideas for players to learn. I hope it all clicks. I really do... because failure will be spectacular. 

 

Most of the players signed we haven’t even seen or seen playing at their best  yet they are in the main in developing or in some instances not even at the club yet.

For instance the likes of Kendry Perez 

https://links.e1.nytimes.com/a/click?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=189bb388088b4558845f4effe0353e39&_e=ttUsrN127gNVGNJ3N5SmqUwoBZxawGtamB0xXeIB8Ldh_6CypJKLgeUcdKNirBKnwIGIvvCViNpoJaty5eOodgqQowSIOPwxfJEi-QyY4Jjzi2WUJhWKG3C1iAbXNv3tPum_AqaOnGJExM7JRijahx-B1jFkJhE_6ypyGhwrHDT6Ub7MG7FAtMBXMpFgsUdv8UdeeIUclBl9EtJxmZ1Bk-l3_tvgt-9XlV1Ett0GIW_kiFqkL-X_3bgGpHDzwcBNH4LPD_aLFW1HwzUidz9h6Dyn3IPgPAQfZqHyd4CnREnhUqU7ywkIxuqLDjblPfGbTcsfgZA8XzeeQZIyO1gm2IU_9oaD_HxaQ_Ty_u7T9n85qGmPVc3XZa0kwRnyHQVH

As for us being on the cusp of being fined you might be right but until we are charged that statement is premature and sorry you are basing that assumption (if you are talking about PSR) on the negative reports in the press and they have absolutely no idea of the situation nor of course doing any of us.

I pointed out weeks ago that the takeover potentially opened the door to cleanse a lot of the sites that RA left in terms of you’re expecting what they do for instance in 21/22 accounts they immortalised some £76 million of player values. That fact has gone unmentioned by many “ experts” but it’s a major plus going forward add to that certainly in UEFa terms it’s feasible that the new have argued that much of the three year numbers should be ignored.

It’s a trait in man kind that many of our thoughts are negative and sorry that’s how you come over. Certainly a cup half empty person.

I however believe in the positive power of thought on an individual basis I can tell you it really is something that can make a difference.

Will this all work out ? We won’t know till that obese female exercises her vocal cords but one thing I believe most definitely is that the club structure is evolving and the fact is love them or hate them the new owners are clearly working to a vision 

 

35 minutes ago, terraloon said:

Most of the players signed we haven’t even seen or seen playing at their best  yet they are in the main in developing or in some instances not even at the club yet.

For instance the likes of Kendry Perez 

https://links.e1.nytimes.com/a/click?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=189bb388088b4558845f4effe0353e39&_e=ttUsrN127gNVGNJ3N5SmqUwoBZxawGtamB0xXeIB8Ldh_6CypJKLgeUcdKNirBKnwIGIvvCViNpoJaty5eOodgqQowSIOPwxfJEi-QyY4Jjzi2WUJhWKG3C1iAbXNv3tPum_AqaOnGJExM7JRijahx-B1jFkJhE_6ypyGhwrHDT6Ub7MG7FAtMBXMpFgsUdv8UdeeIUclBl9EtJxmZ1Bk-l3_tvgt-9XlV1Ett0GIW_kiFqkL-X_3bgGpHDzwcBNH4LPD_aLFW1HwzUidz9h6Dyn3IPgPAQfZqHyd4CnREnhUqU7ywkIxuqLDjblPfGbTcsfgZA8XzeeQZIyO1gm2IU_9oaD_HxaQ_Ty_u7T9n85qGmPVc3XZa0kwRnyHQVH

As for us being on the cusp of being fined you might be right but until we are charged that statement is premature and sorry you are basing that assumption (if you are talking about PSR) on the negative reports in the press and they have absolutely no idea of the situation nor of course doing any of us.

I pointed out weeks ago that the takeover potentially opened the door to cleanse a lot of the sites that RA left in terms of you’re expecting what they do for instance in 21/22 accounts they immortalised some £76 million of player values. That fact has gone unmentioned by many “ experts” but it’s a major plus going forward add to that certainly in UEFa terms it’s feasible that the new have argued that much of the three year numbers should be ignored.

It’s a trait in man kind that many of our thoughts are negative and sorry that’s how you come over. Certainly a cup half empty person.

I however believe in the positive power of thought on an individual basis I can tell you it really is something that can make a difference.

Will this all work out ? We won’t know till that obese female exercises her vocal cords but one thing I believe most definitely is that the club structure is evolving and the fact is love them or hate them the new owners are clearly working to a vision 

 

Most players signed we havent seen at their best because theyre injured. Which is a massive problem in recruitment. This led to our league position last season which according to the owners wasnt good enough and they sacked another manager. 

youtube is littered with wonderkids who never make it, if pinning your hopes on the next wonder kid is where your at, cool. For every Kennedy, see Kakuta, Di Santo and players falling by the wayside. 

I choose not to bend spoons with positivity but rather see the reality. Have you seen these pages on match day? Not just me who has the fear... like many others, im simply making do and realising that no club has a divine right to success. I'll get behind the players and club but i dont have to get behind the owners who have put us in huge debt and are asset stripping it. If that isnt a red flag or warning - im not sure what is. 

My statement might be premature, but dining in chicken shack, selling better players to pay for others isnt progress - I'll take the press reports over "my mate says" which can be found on this forum. 

As I said in a previous post, im not going to celebrate the clubs finances, thats what spurs and gooners do... Im not going to celebrate top 4, thats what spurs and gooners do... I'll celebrate when we're competing regularly for silverware in cups and at the top of the table against city. That's my benchmark for success, sustaining title challenges and silverware. thats not a past thing thats a forward-looking thing.  

however, High turnover of players, managers, and selling your best players to fund highly suspect purchases based on talent or promise isnt a great business model, its higher risk than under Roman. 

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, bluetrooper said:

Im not actually harping back to the old days mate. Im simply trying to deal with the new reality. That is an overspend, probably half a billion pounds worth of singings that didnt need to be made since the club had more than enough on its books player-wise to find a solution and has put the club in massive debt. Last time we were saddled with debt we couldn't pay the Eurobond loan... then Roman stepped in. Im concerned that continued poor performances on the field lead to less funds, more sales. 

If management is learning from its mistakes, the only thing I can say is theyve held off sacking Poch until the end of the season. but 5 managers in 2 years is something even Roman struggled to do. I used to find it frustrating how we would sack managers even if things were going well. 

The current structure isnt sustainable if it means selling your best youngsters to pay for other areas of the club, creative accountancy is what got City into trouble over FFP and we're on the cusp of being fined, like city. Its been a messy transition... its not done yet as we have a new manager and ideas for players to learn. I hope it all clicks. I really do... because failure will be spectacular. 

 

Disagree strongly with this. The club were stagnant and had been for a while. We were rotten to the core. No identity. No style of our own. No clear philosophy. We were constantly trying to shoehorn players to play a system that worked for a short term - but then got found out. The limited success of recent years (winning the UCL being the standout) just hid the fact that we were rotting from the inside out.

We needed a hard reset.  We got one.

Now....I can agree that the players we purchased have not performed to a high enough level.  I can also agree that some of the players we have purchased have not been good enough. I can also agree that there has been an element of both bad luck, and bad management, when it comes to injuries. I can also agree that the managers blueco have installed have not worked out well.

But....2 wrongs (or multiple wrongs in this case) do not take away from the fact that we were not on the right path before the new owners came in.

We needed a reset. We got one. Perhaps we just didnt get the "right" one.

I think we have a great squad and every chance of being top 4 this season and winning the following season. Jackson apparently rolled his ankle but he’s due for a rest any way, need him fresh for next season. Last seasons rookies will be next seasons battle hardened pros. Losing a cup final will put a bit of mettle in. Better coaching may slow the free flowing goals down although I hope not but will very likely cut down the goals conceded. 

3 hours ago, bluetrooper said:

Im not actually harping back to the old days mate. Im simply trying to deal with the new reality. That is an overspend, probably half a billion pounds worth of singings that didnt need to be made since the club had more than enough on its books player-wise to find a solution and has put the club in massive debt. Last time we were saddled with debt we couldn't pay the Eurobond loan... then Roman stepped in. Im concerned that continued poor performances on the field lead to less funds, more sales. 

If management is learning from its mistakes, the only thing I can say is theyve held off sacking Poch until the end of the season. but 5 managers in 2 years is something even Roman struggled to do. I used to find it frustrating how we would sack managers even if things were going well. 

The current structure isnt sustainable if it means selling your best youngsters to pay for other areas of the club, creative accountancy is what got City into trouble over FFP and we're on the cusp of being fined, like city. Its been a messy transition... its not done yet as we have a new manager and ideas for players to learn. I hope it all clicks. I really do... because failure will be spectacular. 

 

No owner should be " learning from their mistakes"

These so called clever millionaires shouldn't be making mistakes . 

And they are not learning anything either 

28 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

Disagree strongly with this. The club were stagnant and had been for a while. We were rotten to the core. No identity. No style of our own. No clear philosophy. We were constantly trying to shoehorn players to play a system that worked for a short term - but then got found out. The limited success of recent years (winning the UCL being the standout) just hid the fact that we were rotting from the inside out.

We needed a hard reset.  We got one.

Now....I can agree that the players we purchased have not performed to a high enough level.  I can also agree that some of the players we have purchased have not been good enough. I can also agree that there has been an element of both bad luck, and bad management, when it comes to injuries. I can also agree that the managers blueco have installed have not worked out well.

But....2 wrongs (or multiple wrongs in this case) do not take away from the fact that we were not on the right path before the new owners came in.

We needed a reset. We got one. Perhaps we just didnt get the "right" one.

What was " rotten" about our club before its forced sale ?

 

30 minutes ago, The Rising Sun said:

No owner should be " learning from their mistakes"

These so called clever millionaires shouldn't be making mistakes . 

And they are not learning anything either 

Of course owners should learn from their mistakes. Anyone that’s ever run a business managed or whatever has to be able to say even if it’s only to themselves that they got it wrong and won’t repeat that mistake. Even the most successful of individuals get it wrong from time to time 

But it’s your last line that is perhaps the most illogical because I suspect that is a comment is something that is a million miles away from reality

 

40 minutes ago, The Rising Sun said:

No owner should be " learning from their mistakes"

These so called clever millionaires shouldn't be making mistakes . 

And they are not learning anything either 

What on earth are you going on about 😂

2 hours ago, bluetrooper said:

Most players signed we havent seen at their best because theyre injured. Which is a massive problem in recruitment. This led to our league position last season which according to the owners wasnt good enough and they sacked another manager. 

youtube is littered with wonderkids who never make it, if pinning your hopes on the next wonder kid is where your at, cool. For every Kennedy, see Kakuta, Di Santo and players falling by the wayside. 

I choose not to bend spoons with positivity but rather see the reality. Have you seen these pages on match day? Not just me who has the fear... like many others, im simply making do and realising that no club has a divine right to success. I'll get behind the players and club but i dont have to get behind the owners who have put us in huge debt and are asset stripping it. If that isnt a red flag or warning - im not sure what is. 

My statement might be premature, but dining in chicken shack, selling better players to pay for others isnt progress - I'll take the press reports over "my mate says" which can be found on this forum. 

As I said in a previous post, im not going to celebrate the clubs finances, thats what spurs and gooners do... Im not going to celebrate top 4, thats what spurs and gooners do... I'll celebrate when we're competing regularly for silverware in cups and at the top of the table against city. That's my benchmark for success, sustaining title challenges and silverware. thats not a past thing thats a forward-looking thing.  

however, High turnover of players, managers, and selling your best players to fund highly suspect purchases based on talent or promise isnt a great business model, its higher risk than under Roman. 

 

 

 

 

1) Did we sack Poch ? Not according to the club or indeed him. If a relationship isn’t working isn’t it better to just shake hands and call it a day ? Irrespective where is your evidence that the owners made that judgement call re the end of season position?

2) Yes there have been a lot of injuries but a significant number of the players we have purchased weren’t expected to be first team ready yet. Back to those injuries some around the club it has been reported ( and yes I know it’s just reports ) that many of the injuries were down to the method, type and intensity of training particularly those that returned from a previous injury 

3) Something like 95% of youngsters that are registered to an academy never get to play a first team game . Yes YouTube is indeed littered with players with amazing tricks but recruitment at any level isn’t just based on you tube there is a deep dive into character etc. 

4) You keep on about  dinning in a Chicken Shack but come on that simply isnt the case. Or does the sum spent out not suggest we are paying to dine at the top table ?

5) Competing for silverware you say. We simply fluffed it in one cup final this year ( Poch tactics ?) Should have easily got to another final probably down to poor finishing but we matched the best team in the world and should have done far better.

6) I assume you are talking about Gallagher and Chalobah. If Connor won’t sign a new contract I am 100% with the owners that he has to be sold. It would be a massive mistake to keep him as would giving him a contract that simply isn’t appropriate. The owners did the same with Mount and again I believe they were 100% right in doing so. As for Chalobah for me had some decent performances over the last 5-6 games but not quite sure if the likes of Fofana and Colwill are fit that Chalobah would be a starter over them and as for Tosin I haven’t seen enough to pass an informed opinion 

7) Not sure if you are real when it comes to comparing RA. He was great for the club but most clubs had moved on from their operating motels of 2003 moved on as we most now

 

On 08/06/2024 at 15:52, bluetrooper said:

5 managers in and not one player has been signed as per a managers wish.

Klopp wanted Gotze (i think) and Brandt but was overruled and given Mane and Salah. If we gave into Poch's desires we'd have no Palmer and a midfield that resembles 00s Stoke.

Blows my mind that people still think managers should get massive recruitment control in 2024.

1 hour ago, The Rising Sun said:

What was " rotten" about our club before its forced sale ?

 

Not sure the Tosin thread is the right place for it... 

 

...but for me, we had been poor for a long time. Constantly putting bandages over open wounds to try and eek out another cup - but without any long term planning.

- Buying the latest flavour of the month players like werner, like havertz - only to then get rid quickly (showing a lack of long term planning).

- Selling players, then buying them back for big bucks - like Lukaku  (again lack of long term planning).

-The constant need to change managers and implement short-term fixes (i,e Conte league win - after a drastic shift in formation, Tuchel Champions league win - after a drastic change to risk-averse football,  Lampard mk 1 - drastic change to gung ho attack without defensive structure, Sarri - a drastic change in style)....again, all these constant drastic changes point to a lack of long term planning.

- In the last 10 years we have had league finishes of 10th, 5th, 12th, 6th and a couple of fortunate 4th places that we scrapped into. Always chasing an immediate fix - rather than trying to put in some stable foundations.

- Arguably - our best player over the past 4 years has been a 40 yr old free signing. Hardly speaks of a club that is geared up for a long term approach.

I have said before, and will say again. In my opinion, we won cups and scraped into the top 4 over the past few years despite our approach (or lack of) - rather than because of it.