This point may have already been made (probably numerous times) but still, here it is: 2012/13 saw seventeen arrivals. 2013/14 also saw seventeen. Last season it was eighteen (I've counted Vydra again but Guedioura just once). Similarly, if a player was initially a loan but signed permanently, I counted him once. Why are people worried because we're signing players a lot of players? With the possible exceptions of Tozser and Guedioura, no one of particular importance has left the club to make way for these new players--are you really that sad to see Dyer and McGugan make way for Jurado and Berghuis? I'm sure our club--a professional, PREMIER LEAGUE football club--are fully aware of the homegrown rules and will make sure we follow them. Every Pozzo season has seen strengthening, because we've needed it. Never have we needed to strengthen more, however, than now. The standout players from last season are all still here, plus some high profile, high quality players that the club feel can help deliver sustained Premier League football to Vicarage Road. I trust them.
I trust the Pozzo family and the quality of players that they've brought in but im yet to be convinced about the new coach and the system it looks like we'll be playing with. I think we'll be more solid at the back next season but as I've stated on another thread I worry about our goalscoring potential with just one striker. Tozser and Guedioura were very important last season - without those two we would have made the play offs at best. I have feeling we're going to try and play short passing continental football that lacks an end product. Mixing it up with two up front and a more direct style - especially at home might be more productive
I like how Stoke have signed one less player than us so far this window and according to every football fan are now "pushing for Europe" whereas we've signed one more and are now "certainties" to go down.
Pretty sure Luke Dowling was brought in as he had such in-depth knowledge of British players - this is where I think he will step up to the plate, hopefully he'll be aware of some bargain players - not the £8m Mings type player!
As I posted on another thread, I think having a new Head Coach along with all the new players could be important. Clean slate and all that. I think Joka could have found it harder incorporating all thd new talent while quite naturally having a loyalty to those who served him do well last campaign.
That's your perception Reids. In all fairness although I disagree with the exaggeration of the comments, Stokes starting base was better than ours.
Agree totally....but hope to be proved wrong.....I'm not keen on hearing Troy is already frustrated at lack of service. I don't want us to become a boring 1-0 or 0-1 kind of side
It has to be a concern, such wholesale changes and almost two or three players competing for every position will be a challenge in several ways. But personally I am much more comfortable doing it this way than, for example, how Burnley tried to manage it!
He brought in Guedioura, Watson and Connolly last season.... I'm sure we've looked at plenty of British based targets this summer but have been quoted ridiculous prices which is why we've used our foreign links.
Yes, because Robbie Brady has gone for nearly double what we've paid for Berghuis. I don't think there's any doubt we'll be bringing in homegrown players, the club are probably biding their time as these players won't become available until near the end of the transfer window. I don't see why Dowling is getting flak, none of us know what has gone on this summer. He was brought in for his knowledge of the domestic market but if there's a player who is just as good for half the price it's a no-brainer. Plus he's sporting director anyway so who knows what influence he's had in persuading some of the signings we've made to come here?
Guediora is Mexican and Connolly came from Wales. Watson is fair enough, but that's a pretty low return.
