If another club..........................

had just been relegated to their lowest level in nearly a quarter of a century, had let twelve players go from the first team squad without bringing in a single replacement (also, there'd not been a single credible rumour all summer regarding a possible new signing), had a depeted coaching staff featuring some who had been promoted to coaching the senior team from working with youngsters, and had appointed a new manager with a reputation for developing young players, would you feel that club's supporters had a right to be concerned for the future?

To be clear, I think we will eventually bring in some new players, but it seems to have become increasingly clear that we can only do so after others have been sold. I'm not overly concerned about us being the only League One side not so sign any one yet, but I can understand why some are concerned. Similarly, I do believe that BBM and his non league standard, in terms of numbers involved, coaching staff have a huge workload and anyone who is expecting us to be challenging the top six with the present squad and coaching, recruitment and administrative set ups are probably deluding themselves.

I think we’ll sign Some players soon .wishful thinking but with Bale interested in buying us. Could it be that Tan holding off spending anything if sale is closer than we think?

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

had just been relegated to their lowest level in nearly a quarter of a century, had let twelve players go from the first team squad without bringing in a single replacement (also, there'd not been a single credible rumour all summer regarding a possible new signing), had a depeted coaching staff featuring some who had been promoted to coaching the senior team from working with youngsters, and had appointed a new manager with a reputation for developing young players, would you feel that club's supporters had a right to be concerned for the future?

To be clear, I think we will eventually bring in some new players, but it seems to have become increasingly clear that we can only do so after others have been sold. I'm not overly concerned about us being the only League One side not so sign any one yet, but I can understand why some are concerned. Similarly, I do believe that BBM and his non league standard, in terms of numbers involved, coaching staff have a huge workload and anyone who is expecting us to be challenging the top six with the present squad and coaching, recruitment and administrative set ups are probably deluding themselves.

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With what we have we will be lucky to stay out of the bottom half of League one Paul. The whole shebang is concerning, i see no evidence of the promised changes/reviews of structures. No comment or release of info concerning this perceived takeover. It is either nobody knows what is going on, or they are too ignorant to inform the fanbase.
We all need to get behind BBM, but the club do absolutely nothing to enthuse us.
Spedger

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Originally Posted by darran1927

I think we’ll sign Some players soon .wishful thinking but with Bale interested in buying us. Could it be that Tan holding off spending anything if sale is closer than we think?

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Yes, I agree, you couldn't really blame Tan for keeping spending to a minimum if a sale was expected in the short term, although I think things would be different if we were talking medium to long term. What I was trying to do is say that we've spent all this summer behaving like a club with pretty serious financial problems. Things like relying more on youngsters and bringing in a manager known for developing such players is often code for "we're skint".

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Originally Posted by Sloop_Jon_Bee

With what we have we will be lucky to stay out of the bottom half of League one Paul. The whole shebang is concerning, i see no evidence of the promised changes/reviews of structures. No comment or release of info concerning this perceived takeover. It is either nobody knows what is going on, or they are too ignorant to inform the fanbase.
We all need to get behind BBM, but the club do absolutely nothing to enthuse us.
Spedger

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Agree entirely with your last sentence Spedger.

I wonder if BBM is aware of the injury record of some of our players and still thinks a squad of 22 will be enough
I see no more than mid table at present

Its difficult to gauge the manager's strategy and approach when we haven't signed anyone.
Has he been told that he to assess the under 21s first and those he thinks ready will be in the main squad, then he can start filling the gaps with transfers? Has he been given a (very) limited budget and is scouring those out of contract? When the Yeovil friendly was announced as an U21 fixture, I wondered if it's some sort of audition for them, or if alot of those playing will be playing in our first league fixture a few weeks after.

A promotion challenge with the squad we have is completely unrealistic.

Off the field we are of course a complete shambles.

We desperately need new ownership. The positive now is we have interest.

Hopefully Tan sells us before we are a L2 club.

Under him we are just going to slip further down.

It is of course going to upset the majority on here but we have appointed an unproven manager, who was nowehere near our first choice and certainly not who the vast majority of fans wanted to takeover the managerial hotseat. He who cannot be criticised was favourite in their eyes..

I think BBM could be an inspired choice in the long term but if supporters think the team are going to have an easy ride in League One they are deluded. The players we have left from 24/5 are in the main a mediocre bunch - and unless BBM can ignite some hard to see blue touch paper we will need half a dozen new players in before August.

CO'D leaving should be an eye opener for everyone. We are not a club that people want to play for particularly, and we have to accept that we are in the third tier and will be a target for many due to our recent history. But for those of a certain age - we have seen it all before and 25/6 is not going to be easy.

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

had just been relegated to their lowest level in nearly a quarter of a century, had let twelve players go from the first team squad without bringing in a single replacement (also, there'd not been a single credible rumour all summer regarding a possible new signing), had a depeted coaching staff featuring some who had been promoted to coaching the senior team from working with youngsters, and had appointed a new manager with a reputation for developing young players, would you feel that club's supporters had a right to be concerned for the future?

To be clear, I think we will eventually bring in some new players, but it seems to have become increasingly clear that we can only do so after others have been sold. I'm not overly concerned about us being the only League One side not so sign any one yet, but I can understand why some are concerned. Similarly, I do believe that BBM and his non league standard, in terms of numbers involved, coaching staff have a huge workload and anyone who is expecting us to be challenging the top six with the present squad and coaching, recruitment and administrative set ups are probably deluding themselves.

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I think there's a bit more going on here. The club was losing £12m a year in the Championship and by the looks of it we'll be breaking even - or close - in League 1, so Tan doesn't have to lose even more money. I doubt he's that interested in the football fortunes of the club any more so providing we're treading water or better in league 1, he'll be quite content to hang around until the right offer comes in, if it ever does. Personally I think the club and many supporters have been delusional for several years regarding the strength and ability of our recent squads, which were in my opinion, league 1 even before the 10 or so departures this summer. Maybe, it's just possible that a league 1 club with a relatively sane wage bill that isn't losing money, is as attractive to potential buyers as a Championship club that's full of deadwood and losing £12m a year..

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

had just been relegated to their lowest level in nearly a quarter of a century, had let twelve players go from the first team squad without bringing in a single replacement (also, there'd not been a single credible rumour all summer regarding a possible new signing), had a depeted coaching staff featuring some who had been promoted to coaching the senior team from working with youngsters, and had appointed a new manager with a reputation for developing young players, would you feel that club's supporters had a right to be concerned for the future?

To be clear, I think we will eventually bring in some new players, but it seems to have become increasingly clear that we can only do so after others have been sold. I'm not overly concerned about us being the only League One side not so sign any one yet, but I can understand why some are concerned. Similarly, I do believe that BBM and his non league standard, in terms of numbers involved, coaching staff have a huge workload and anyone who is expecting us to be challenging the top six with the present squad and coaching, recruitment and administrative set ups are probably deluding themselves.

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So far I am filled with nothing but negativity for next season, and unless we sign some decent experienced pros, I have a feeling we could slip down further to League 2. I am hoping against forlorn hope, that Bale & Co. take over our club and our emperor is forever gone.

Meanwhile, in a worst case scenario, Newport get promoted, Wrexham get to the premier league and the jacks reach the Championship play-offs. Making us by far the worst team in Welsh football.

Either BBM has a plan A for players to come in, or it’s plan B, we’re f uck Ed !!!!

What did the club say to him for him to come here ?

(I know it’s ££££££’s), by surely the man has some respect for himself

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Originally Posted by BLUETIT

Either BBM has a plan A for players to come in, or it’s plan B, we’re f uck Ed !!!!

What did the club say to him for him to come here ?

(I know it’s ££££££’s), by surely the man has some respect for himself

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Who else would give him or even offer him the manager's role with his CV? It is a huge gamble.

Tan has been investing in the academy for a few years now. maybe he sees this season as an opportunity to really bed in a team of mostly home grown youngsters,hence the appointment of BBM.

as for where we will finish, I don't know how people can say "it looks like mid table at best" I have no idea how strong we will be next season and I don't know how anyone else can with any confidence either.
there's clearly a big difference between league one and the championship, you only have to look at the players who have played in both leagues.
we could very easily be mid table l, we could also be pretty strong if we start to click.

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Originally Posted by A Quiet Monkfish

…and by the looks of it we'll be breaking even - or close - in League 1… Maybe, it's just possible that a league 1 club with a relatively sane wage bill that isn't losing money, is as attractive to potential buyers as a Championship club that's full of deadwood and losing £12m a year..

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I think you’re right. And from the soundbites coming from the club over the past six months or so, we’ll continue to force the pathway to the first team from the U21s regardless of which league we’re in.

I was looking last week at the youngest ever team we’ve put out in the league, which appears to be this one, versus Arsenal in 1961. Average age of 23.0. I don’t think we'll be far off that soon the way things are going.

https://www.transfermarkt.com/spielb...ericht/3693602

We’re on track to becoming an U23s team that’s trying to get back into the championship and if that’s profitable for Tan and Dalman and the coaching staff are happy picking up their pay-checks, then we may be stuck here for some time. Especially if we sell at least one of our top players every season.

How many players do relegated clubs normally lose? Can’t imagine many teams go into the start of the season with a relatively unchanged squad.

One part of me is worried but the other part of me keeps thinking about what Sean Morrison said in that one interview about Russell Slade. How he wasn’t anyone’s favourite but he came in and steadied the sinking ship. I hope this is what that was.

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Originally Posted by Sloop_Jon_Bee

With what we have we will be lucky to stay out of the bottom half of League one Paul. The whole shebang is concerning, i see no evidence of the promised changes/reviews of structures. No comment or release of info concerning this perceived takeover. It is either nobody knows what is going on, or they are too ignorant to inform the fanbase.
We all need to get behind BBM, but the club do absolutely nothing to enthuse us.
Spedger

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Agree entirely with your last comment, the club does nothing to engage with the fan base , it’s like they really don’t care if we turn up or not

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Originally Posted by The Bloop

Its difficult to gauge the manager's strategy and approach when we haven't signed anyone.
Has he been told that he to assess the under 21s first and those he thinks ready will be in the main squad, then he can start filling the gaps with transfers? Has he been given a (very) limited budget and is scouring those out of contract? When the Yeovil friendly was announced as an U21 fixture, I wondered if it's some sort of audition for them, or if alot of those playing will be playing in our first league fixture a few weeks after.

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Who do you think will be giving BBM his strategy to follow - Tan Choo or Dalman . God help us !

I think we've been spoilt in years gone by as the club leaked information like a sieve. The one's suffering most seem to be the ITK guys who's sense of importance is being seriously compromised.:hehe:

I'm concerned. It's July. The season starts in 26 days. We had a team that weren't up for the fight in the Championship, how do they expect to get on in League One? Promotion is a tough battle no matter what division you're in. If there's deal to be done with new owners, they better get on with it.

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Originally Posted by NYCBlue

I'm concerned. It's July. The season starts in 26 days. We had a team that weren't up for the fight in the Championship, how do they expect to get on in League One? Promotion is a tough battle no matter what division you're in. If there's deal to be done with new owners, they better get on with it.

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Spot on. We’ve moved into a league where a bit of fight is needed even more. With this current squad we will be in deep trouble.

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Originally Posted by Underhill1980

Spot on. We’ve moved into a league where a bit of fight is needed even more. With this current squad we will be in deep trouble.

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Much better to have 3 or 4 good signings in due course than a rash of journeymen now, and after our new long-term manager has had a chance to evaluate the squad he has.

Too much need to see something happen immediately on here.

:ayatollah:

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Originally Posted by rich munn

Much better to have 3 or 4 good signings in due course than a rash of journeymen now, and after our new long-term manager has had a chance to evaluate the squad he has.

Too much need to see something happen immediately on here.

:ayatollah:

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I agree but I don’t have confidence any kind of planning conversation about future signings is taking place. It’ll be the usual mad scramble for whoever we can bribe the most. I’m happy to be proved wrong though

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Originally Posted by Mr Soul '68

So far I am filled with nothing but negativity for next season, and unless we sign some decent experienced pros, I have a feeling we could slip down further to League 2. I am hoping against forlorn hope, that Bale & Co. take over our club and our emperor is forever gone.

Meanwhile, in a worst case scenario, Newport get promoted, Wrexham get to the premier league and the jacks reach the Championship play-offs. Making us by far the worst team in Welsh football.

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Merthyr won't be far behind either!:hehe:

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Originally Posted by sneggyblubird

I think we've been spoilt in years gone by as the club leaked information like a sieve. The one's suffering most seem to be the ITK guys who's sense of importance is being seriously compromised.:hehe:

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Totally agree with this. There is so little information, so journos & social media are making the news. Bales one short PR statement has been wrung to death, interpreted & extrapolated, so many different ways.

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Originally Posted by The Prophet of Doom

It is of course going to upset the majority on here but we have appointed an unproven manager, who was nowehere near our first choice and certainly not who the vast majority of fans wanted to takeover the managerial hotseat. He who cannot be criticised was favourite in their eyes..

I think BBM could be an inspired choice in the long term but if supporters think the team are going to have an easy ride in League One they are deluded. The players we have left from 24/5 are in the main a mediocre bunch - and unless BBM can ignite some hard to see blue touch paper we will need half a dozen new players in before August.

CO'D leaving should be an eye opener for everyone. We are not a club that people want to play for particularly, and we have to accept that we are in the third tier and will be a target for many due to our recent history. But for those of a certain age - we have seen it all before and 25/6 is not going to be easy.

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:thumbup:

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Originally Posted by rich munn

Much better to have 3 or 4 good signings in due course than a rash of journeymen now, and after our new long-term manager has had a chance to evaluate the squad he has.

Too much need to see something happen immediately on here.

:ayatollah:

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Isn’t it more logical that your three or four good signings would be snapped up early by others leaving just the journeymen for us?

I find it strange that there seems a total dearth of names being suggested as possible transfer targets, perhaps it’s the entirely new environment we find ourselves in.

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Originally Posted by Underhill1980

Spot on. We’ve moved into a league where a bit of fight is needed even more. With this current squad we will be in deep trouble.

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Don’t want to be a bed wetter but league one is a tough, physical league and I look at our squad and wonder whether we might be down the bottom again

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

Isn’t it more logical that your three or four good signings would be snapped up early by others leaving just the journeymen for us?

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maybe BBM has his targets and are waiting for teams to let them go ( which wouldnt indicate loans or fringe players that the parent club are getting better players in )

To me, the lack of leadership and the losing mentality was the biggest thing wrong with last season’s squad and so I’ve always thought that you need to bring players in to address it, but, thinking about it, you could perhaps address it by shipping certain players out to allow the character of younger and less established players to come through. The problem is, so far, we’ve lost players who comprised the undoubtedly good dressing room influences and, apart from a few who were out of contract, the nucleus of experienced players who contributed most to the poor mentality of the squad are still there - we’re going to have trouble getting rid of them as well given how they played last season.

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Originally Posted by EastbourneBlue

Don’t want to be a bed wetter but league one is a tough, physical league and I look at our squad and wonder whether we might be down the bottom again

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You’re not wrong mate. Dry those sheets, it’s a sad reality at the moment.

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

Yes, I agree, you couldn't really blame Tan for keeping spending to a minimum if a sale was expected in the short term, although I think things would be different if we were talking medium to long term. What I was trying to do is say that we've spent all this summer behaving like a club with pretty serious financial problems. Things like relying more on youngsters and bringing in a manager known for developing such players is often code for "we're skint".

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We are skint, maybe he doesn't want to keep spending Xmillion a year on a club, where the fans are protesting to try and remove him as owner, it's a pretty toxic situation to be fair, whats the saying don't bite the hand that feeds you.