[Albion] Are Albion genuinely in danger of being in a relegation battle next season in your opinion

[Stato]

Agree with all of that. Its a good nuanced account of where we are . I was just responding to the inexplicable view on here - now shared by several posters - that we , somehow , don't have a specialist recruitment team, and everything is "terrible", throw in a bit of Palace envy and hence - we're in a relegation fight. Which of course isn't very nuanced at all.

Indeed.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

Agree with all of that. Its a good nuanced account of where we are . I was just responding to the inexplicable view on here - now shared by several posters - that we , somehow , don't have a specialist recruitment team, and everything is "terrible", throw in a bit of Palace envy and hence - we're in a relegation fight. Which of course isn't very nuanced at all.

As a general point that doesn't apply to Stato's post, it's entirely possible to be extremely nuanced and still just wrong.

 

[holybanjo]

I agree I think this summer's window might indeed 'pass us by' but I'm still confident that we have sufficient depth to compete next season even without any new additions. Maybe more in the pot to spend the following summer if that's the case. One wonders whether things are not so rosy as we might like to believe, even with the 'recorded' profits from last year?

I think a new head of recruitment and perhaps a reevaluation of our target markets is the main priority. There's a feeling that what was working so well seems to have run its course now. So yes, perhaps not so rosy anymore. If you look at what has happened with Chelsea and also now Palace, we seem to be getting beaten by our rivals both on and off the pitch.

 

[holybanjo]

Several posters still convinced that this is the case. So an ex Head of Player Development and Academy Director stepping into the role - reporting into Weir - who ultimately heads up recruitment - and leading a team of (what ? Hundreds of scouts , specialists etc ? ) doesn't count in your view ?

Brighton's slick succession planning kicks in again after Sam Jewell's Chelsea switch

Brighton find themselves back in familiar territory after Jewell's departure - but this is a club with ready-made replacements in-house

www.nytimes.com

It's not that it doesn't count. But you're underestimating the collective impact of these losses to Chelsea. It is clear that things have stalled on the recruitment front, particuarly when you take into account some ageing members of the squad. Usually, we do business very early in the transfer window so I will be more reassured if we make some moves in June. So far, Mike Cave hasn't had a window with which to work so it remains to be seen what kind of impact he can have on our progression. This feeling stems from the state in which RDZ left the club. There are more question marks hanging over our squad than there have been in quite some time.

 

[holybanjo]

Its all opinions. But I expect all three promoted clubs to struggle badly. Leceister have financial issues, so they either have to sell which will weaken their team or potentially face sanctions, either way they have problems. People seem to think Ipswich are going to be fine, but they were league one a season ago. Not only is that a big step up in a footballing sense, but financially their revenue over the last 3 years for FFP is based on 2 seasons in league one and 1 season in the championship. Financially the promoted teams are disadvantaged, but Ipswich even more so. I can't seem them doing anything other than being relegated, UNLESS other teams get hit with FFP sanctions like Forest and Everton. And lets not forget that Burnley who came up last year with 101 points, finished 2nd bottom this year with 24 points. There is nothing about these promoted teams that suggests they are even a tiny bit stronger than those who came up last year.

All the worry about us going down, is based on stuff that hasn't happened yet. "If a prefect storm happens", "if we make the wrong appointment", "if we don't sign the right players". None of that has happened yet. What we do know, is traditionally the 3 teams who come up struggle. At least 2 out of the 3 this year have significant problems of their own. There are also other prem teams that could be facing sanctions. I think being unsettled after losing De Zerbi is fine, I get that, but panicking and the whole "we're already in a relegation battle" is just crazy talk. For those people, calm down, take a deep breath and have a cup of tea.

Until we're mathematically safe, technically, like 14 other clubs, we're in a relegation battle. How exactly is that crazy talk? I would say it's quite pragmatic. What has prompted this discussion is also that our 2024 form puts us dead LAST amongst the non-relegated teams from last season. That this isn't a concern for some is crazy talk to me, particularly when we don't know who our next manager will be, or how certain key players will recover from injury.

I think back to the Hughton days when it was all doom and gloom and how long it took for people to recognise the work that Potter was doing. Back then noone would have thought we would make it into Europe. As soon as Potter arrived I felt he could be the one to lead us into Europe, that never wavered, until he left of course which was a massive shock. That RDZ got us there in the end was magical but he couldn't have done it with the squad Potter inherited from Hughton. That is abundantly clear.

What RDZ has done has kill the momentum with some of his comments. So it will take a good manager to turn it around. Potter could do it but I don't think he will want to come back. That Andy Naylor has suggested we're considering it is more concerning that there's noone available who can take the team forward. We're already looking backwards!

 

[chaileyjem]

It's not that it doesn't count. But you're underestimating the collective impact of these losses to Chelsea. It is clear that things have stalled on the recruitment front, particuarly when you take into account some ageing members of the squad. Usually, we do business very early in the transfer window so I will be more reassured if we make some moves in June. So far, Mike Cave hasn't had a window with which to work so it remains to be seen what kind of impact he can have on our progression. This feeling stems from the state in which RDZ left the club. There are more question marks hanging over our squad than there have been in quite some time.

I agree with all of that and can understand why - especially with no manager, and at the beginning of a window and a disappointing end to the season there will be anxiety. Of course. And i haven't said anything about the loss of Winstanley or Jewell - which of course had impact.
I've just questioned the idea - perhaps just said merely to provoke a response - that we literally don't have a specialist recruitment team or a leader of that team . We clearly do.

 

[Stato]

Usually, we do business very early in the transfer window so I will be more reassured if we make some moves in June.

The window doesn't actually open until 1st July. However we've already agreed the signing of Osman. If you rule out fees being paid to turn previous loans into signings and promotions from team's U21s, he is one of only three deals already done across all teams in the league: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pre...aison_id=2024&s_w=s&leihe=0&intern=0&intern=1

Thiago is joining Brentford from Brugge, Osman is joining us from Nordsjaelland and Bergvall is joining Spurs from Djugarden. Nobody else has done any new business.

 

[holybanjo]

I agree with all of that and can understand why - especially with no manager, and at the beginning of a window and a disappointing end to the season there will be anxiety. Of course. And i haven't said anything about the loss of Winstanley or Jewell - which of course had impact.
I've just questioned the idea - perhaps just said merely to provoke a response - that we literally don't have a specialist recruitment team or a leader of that team . We clearly do.

Then the question is how do we know he's as good as the ones who've left us?

 

[holybanjo]

The window doesn't actually open until 1st July. However we've already agreed the signing of Osman. If you rule out fees being paid to turn previous loans into signings and promotions from team's U21s, he is one of only three deals already done across all teams in the league: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pre...aison_id=2024&s_w=s&leihe=0&intern=0&intern=1

Thiago is joining Brentford from Brugge, Osman is joining us from Nordsjaelland and Bergvall is joining Spurs from Djugarden. Nobody else has done any new business.

14 June I believe.

 

[chaileyjem]

Then the question is how do we know he's as good as the ones who've left us?

Its not a single person, its a team and presumably Albion's recruitment will be judged in the same way as its always been. Results, vfm and performances on the pitch.

 

[Flounce]

The OP started a carefully worded poll that he can’t lose to try to prove a point he made on another thread. As per.

You have totally lost me, what point am I trying to prove and what is wrong with the question and options?

It was a genuine question as quite a few on here have been saying we are going to be in a relegation battle, which I have never once suggested we will be personally.

 

[Stato]

14 June I believe.

Yes, you're right. Transfermarkt has the date of transfer for those deals as 1 July because that's the date from which international deals can be confirmed.

 

[Han Solo]

It's not that it doesn't count. But you're underestimating the collective impact of these losses to Chelsea. It is clear that things have stalled on the recruitment front, particuarly when you take into account some ageing members of the squad. Usually, we do business very early in the transfer window so I will be more reassured if we make some moves in June. So far, Mike Cave hasn't had a window with which to work so it remains to be seen what kind of impact he can have on our progression. This feeling stems from the state in which RDZ left the club. There are more question marks hanging over our squad than there have been in quite some time.

How is it clear that things have stalled on the recruitment front after Winstanley etc left?
Because we signed as many (even a little more) players than we normally do.

That things are different this summer in terms of early recruitment is no surprise:
1. We don't have a manager and might want that first
2. The transfer market is more or less stone dead and will be very sleepy until the Euros and Copa America (shop windows for players, clubs and agents) are done
3. We have a massive squad and can't just add more and more to it before we start getting rid of people

Losing recruitment staff and not having every recruitment position filled is fine. We're "organisation heavy" compared to similar and in some cases even bigger clubs - with a lot actually going back to smaller organisations as there's a fuckton of semi-redundant people barely doing something, as in many work places. Real Madrid has like three people doing everything.

We might need this big organisation to function optimally but this club isn't built around "either we have a guy - right now, right here - or we're f***ed". It will function well even if not every position is filled all the time.

Should also be mentioned that when well-run clubs enter summer business, most recruitment staff such as scouts, people doing lists of potential targets, analysts looking at the targets... most of these roles (but not the info they've gathered) are irrelevant in the business we eventually do.

Don't need a bunch of nerds running around once the transfer market has started, only need an owner, the DOF, the CEO and the manager.

We're going to spend at least £100m this summer without letting much go. We go into the transfer window where due to the changing financial landscape we're in a very, very strong position and we'll use it wisely.

 

[Flounce]

So - Did you start this thread to highlight yet again, the ‘failings’ of De Zerbi? I guess if so, the net was out and I bit.

It is completely irrelevant to our performance next season to what RDZ did last season - he’s gone. The question is about the Squad we have now. Even without March, it is good enough (compared to at least 10 other clubs in the PL, ) to avoid relegation IF we have a good transfer window ie get our targets and don’t lose any key players and appoint a manager who is as a good, if not better than De Zerbi.

That will be down to TB/PB and yes, what is happening financially with the rest of the clubs in the league.

That’s just my opinion.

Edit - asking if we are going to get relegated next season does seem somewhat negative to me but again that’s just my opinion.

FFS you are doing it again. Along with GB you are once again making comments and allegations that bear no relation to why I started the thread. What makes you think from the poll options or OP that it has anything to do with RDZ or GP? It was about NEXT season and neither have or will have any influence on it unless one or the other is re appointed. If either come up in the course of the thread why assume I started it to bring up anything about either, but it’s no surprise if they do get mentioned. One was our last manager and the other is mooted to return and it is an Albion forum.

 

[holybanjo]

How is it clear that things have stalled on the recruitment front after Winstanley etc left?

I think what I meant was, we made a couple of dodgy signings and there quite a few current squad members who's time at the club is creeping up on us. So, given that we have a new head of recruitment, are we in a good position to move forward as things stand?

 

[Guinness Boy]

You have totally lost me, what point am I trying to prove and what is wrong with the question and options?

It was a genuine question as quite a few on here have been saying we are going to be in a relegation battle, which I have never once suggested we will be personally.

Because you’ve split the fence options in two and called the only sensible answer a cop out.

As Icy Gull you were always adding a new thread with a poll for a current discussion.

 

[chaileyjem]

I think what I meant was, we made a couple of dodgy signings and there quite a few current squad members who's time at the club is creeping up on us. So, given that we have a new head of recruitment, are we in a good position to move forward as things stand?

Its hardly new territory for the Albion is it ? . We have few financial pressures compared to several clubs who will be forced to sell players this summer or limited in their purchases, we also have to reinvent the squad - every summer , what makes this season different ? , but of course dealing with Undav, Gross, Dahoud - and thats just the Germans or Bundesliga players ! is no different to dealing with replacing Bissouma, Trossard, McAllister, Sanchez, Murray , finding a striker, bringing through players from the u21s , looking for a Mitoma or an Enciso etc etc . We do it every season. Doesn't mean its not easy, doesn't mean there are big risks if we fail and doesn't mean its harder - for now - without a coach but then its the Albion . They're not bad at this are they ?

 

[Flounce]

Because you’ve split the fence options in two and called the only sensible answer a cop out.

As Icy Gull you were always adding a new thread with a poll for a current discussion.

And the point you suggest I am trying to prove? Are you really suggesting there is only one sensible option, the cop out one?

No wonder you don’t like the poll, you must be disappointed it has over 500 responses.

 

[sydney]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[Perkino]

Bizarre suggestion, We are likely to finish mid table anywhere between 7th and 14th. The relegation battle lacks quality and we have bags of ability all across the squad. Equally we are unlikely to win a cup competition but can challenge anyone on our day