A few weeks ago Billy said that he was bought in to keep us up and a few people ridiculed this but let's put things into perspective. We have played ( I think) thirteen games under Billy and have picked up twenty three points, this has got us thirteen points above the drop zone. judging the form we were in before our six game winning run and ten game unbeaten run how many points worse off could we have easily have been under McLeish. Let's take a look at a few games that probably would have ended up very different under McLeish: Bolton lose (-1 pt), Charlton draw (-2 pts) Sheff Weds draw (-2 pts), Ipswich draw (-2 pts), Hull lose (-3 pts), Brighton lose (- 1 pt), Burnley lose (-1 pt). None of these results would have been unlikely on our previous form and had we continued our form from McLeish's era and these were the results we would have twelve points worse off and been one point away from the bottom three with a six pointer next week and the distinct possibility of Leicester putting us down last game.
posted on 22/4/13
£10m is a lot of money but it's needed to get out of this division. Cardiff certainly spent more than that. I would imagine Hull spent a fair bit too. Who knows what Watford have spent but they're a special case. Bolton will have a higher wage bill than us and also Leicester have splashed out.
I think Billy will need to be backed to the sum of around £10m for him to keep his gob shut.
posted on 22/4/13
He had a smokin' game on Saturday, Webbo, to be fair to the lad. Man of the match and everything.
But it shows the difference in expectation. I don't think we will get incoming without significant outgoing. Sammon was largely funded by Steve Davies leaving. If you are buying a few players at 2 million or more, nobody really notices the 1 million pound player that much, but if he is your biggest signing then all of the focus is upon him, as has been the case with Sammon. Cox reportedly cost double Sammon's fee - which player has been the best value for money? It's hard to say, really. If you are buying plenty of players it's easier to hide the less stellar ones.
posted on 22/4/13
Cox has worked hard and created a lot of chances and his assists are good. Changing his frontline partner hasn't helped IMO
posted on 22/4/13
"I think Billy will need to be backed to the sum of around £10m for him to keep his gob shut."
I will gladly pay it, if that's the deal. Where do I sign?
posted on 22/4/13
To be fair, a few 'internal' changes have sorted us out this season (to an extent). We have played better with Pep moving to his 'prefered' DM position. Cohen has done well at LB and has indicated he would be prepared to stay there.
That McLaughlin character 'could' be a ready replacement/understudy for Reid and help give him a bit of respite/occassional time off.
So we could probably do a job for much less than £10M.
Cox/Dex and on the books. There is a chance Henderson could stay next season (assuming he is not 'sent down!' ). Sharp is likely to go, so a replacement needed there.
The big gap is the right side of midfield - and this has been the problem for the season.
That Burke fellow from Brum could have been just enough to 'tip the balance' of the team into a very good one this season. And we could have had him for less than £1M.
posted on 22/4/13
Reading Forest Monkey's article further up, I have forgotten about Ayala as part of our spend last season, he was another £500K, wasn't he?! Blimey, that defence we initially put together of Halford, Ayala, Collins & Harding was pants.
Halford is the only sensible acquistion out of that lot, because of his ultility (and ridiculously long throw!).
posted on 22/4/13
Scotch that last comment of mine!!. Ayala is on loan this season, not a purchase. Thank goodness!
posted on 22/4/13
Collins isn't that bad. He's not that good either, though.
posted on 22/4/13
No - I agree shh. He's a reasonable 'squad player'.
posted on 23/4/13
vidal - just looking at your post above. I think that performance by Sammon was probably the one and only decent one of the season. It was bound to come at some point. After all, even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day!!
It's a case of smoked sammon now!