Are YOU worried we're going to faff around in the close season transfer market again?

[Icy Gull]

Yes, it's too early to actually worry, but most of our alleged targets seem to have gone elsewhere or are stalling on signing for us.

History tells me we are going to be late players at the table again. What is your take? Are we going to suddenly sign a glut of players or not change the habits of a decade and wait until the 11th hour?

 

[JJ McClure]

I thought we already were faffing around.
The euphoria of Blooms new money and hope of Slade building his own team has evaporated to the realisation that it will be just another Albion summer. The fact is that there are a number of bigger more atractive clubs in this division that will attract players a lot easier than we will.

 

[bhaexpress]

I am beginning to wonder a bit myself, most of the other League One teams have started already and we are not doing anything much but it'll be in Mid July when I will start to worry.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

There are some huge teams in this division next season. After last seasons shambles and playing at Withdean for another 2 seasons there are far more attractive options for any half decent player than BHAFC. Bloom will sit on his ill gotten funds and we are definately not going up next season as its not even on the agenda. Expect a 14th place finish and Slade to be sacked sometime before Xmas.

 

[Ecosse Exile]

Hoping were just waiting for all targets to sign so we can announce them all together at a big press conference and photo shoot, then everyone will say bloody hell Brighton are looking good for next season!

Right thats me awake, off for me 3 weetabix now.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

The wait and see option is best.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Brighton are small fry compared with at least 8 teams in this division. We are not even on the radar.

 

[beorhthelm]

it really is too early, lets at least wait until July before we start to consider the question. this is holiday time in Football land, except for a few high profile transfers.

 

[Steve Foster]

Don't panic everyone.

I know for a fact that Russell Slade has been given a healthy budget to buy decent players this season & the club are looking at a number of individuals. Word of course has got around as to our 'new found wealth' and it would be foolhardy for the club to state how much is available for new signings as we would be inevitably paying over the odds for the players we want.

I understand that up to 7 new faces have been earmarked for the first team.

This is not fanciful --- but the voice who stated that the Albion had failed to find the funding for Falmer & that Tony Bloom would be taking over.

Like a number of the posters, I am saddened as to the players that have left the club. Many of these were home grown, young prospects, however hand on heart - could you have seen any of these players in a team pushing for promotion or playing in the Championship?

Have faith in Russell Slade - and don't panic! (yet!!!)

 

[Steve Foster]

Brighton are small fry compared with at least 8 teams in this division. We are not even on the radar.

I would have agreed with this comment if we were turning the clock back a year. However, that has all changed this year. Believe me BHA are now the 'big club' in league 1 when you are looking at finance (not necessarily support or the size of Withdean!)

 

[Mendoza]

Not worried yet, but they only thing that concerns me is that we leave things to the last minute tying up players going out of contract.

Loads of clubs renew contracts before the end of current deals, so why cant we?

Whing is prime example, why not tie him up for another year or two during the season? He could see he was playing well, and the fans were worshipping him, so why not at least offer him a deal, instead of waiting til his ran out?

He could still say he will wait til the end of the season of course, but there is no harm in it, and we would have a great right back on a books for next season?

Same could be said for Owusu, I guess

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

I will put my cards on the table. I am NOT convinced with Bloom and not sure I trust him. The fact is he has had vast wealth for many years but couldn't be bothered to give Mark McGhee a few hundred k the season we should have stayed in the championship ( presumably in the hope we got relegated and he could justify sacking him ) and has contributed diddly squat over the last 5 years to providing funds for players so I don't see why next season will be any different.

 

[bhaexpress]

I will put my cards on the table. I am NOT convinced with Bloom and not sure I trust him. The fact is he has had vast wealth for many years but couldn't be bothered to give Mark McGhee a few hundred k the season we should have stayed in the championship ( presumably in the hope we got relegated and he could justify sacking him ) and has contributed diddly squat over the last 5 years to providing funds for players so I don't see why next season will be any different.

You been drinking with Withdean Wanderer ?

 

[Mendoza]

I will put my cards on the table. I am NOT convinced with Bloom and not sure I trust him. The fact is he has had vast wealth for many years but couldn't be bothered to give Mark McGhee a few hundred k the season we should have stayed in the championship ( presumably in the hope we got relegated and he could justify sacking him ) and has contributed diddly squat over the last 5 years to providing funds for players so I don't see why next season will be any different.

Had he sold up his company by then, meaning he has far less money? Whats to say he didnt chuck anything in anyway?

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

No I just think his track record is pretty shite.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

I think he sold his company in 2002 before Bush outlawed internet gambling.

 

[Steve Foster]

I will put my cards on the table. I am NOT convinced with Bloom and not sure I trust him. The fact is he has had vast wealth for many years but couldn't be bothered to give Mark McGhee a few hundred k the season we should have stayed in the championship ( presumably in the hope we got relegated and he could justify sacking him ) and has contributed diddly squat over the last 5 years to providing funds for players so I don't see why next season will be any different.

Sorry have to disagree with you on this one. Mr Bloom has put vast sums into this club in recent years. Indeed if it were not for the Bloom family, I very much doubt that we would still be a league club. Tony Bloom I understand never wanted to be Chairman, but just to be on the Board & to assist the club where he could. He is not one to seek the limelight. With the Albion failing to secure financial backing for Falmer & the other Director's not able or willing to finance the club to the level where we aspire it only left TB.
Don't knock the guy. He is Blue & White through & through.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I will put my cards on the table. I am NOT convinced with Bloom and not sure I trust him. The fact is he has had vast wealth for many years but couldn't be bothered to give Mark McGhee a few hundred k the season we should have stayed in the championship ( presumably in the hope we got relegated and he could justify sacking him ) and has contributed diddly squat over the last 5 years to providing funds for players so I don't see why next season will be any different.

Hasn't he already provided many millions simply to keep us in business? I understood that he had loaned £18m (just from memory might have been £12m) even before the Falmer money.

Gotta say US, your attitude kinda stinks at this point.

 

[severnside gull]

of course the real answer is that we are planning some excellent signings some of which will happen and some will not. As a result we will be left to look at those who are still available to plug gaps in the squad....which is what happens to pretty much every team every summer. If the gaps were in critical areas of the team (for example if Murray went) then I would expect us to go out and buy a replacement.

My only surprise is that, following the return of Barry Lloyd, there are no potential overseas signings.

As to whether Bloom should have stumped up cash for Magoo to spend x number of years ago...maybe he hadn't decided that is what he wanted to do with his money back then. I'll give you an analogy Uncle S. I met my now wife 10 years before we married. For a number of years although I knew I loved her and had great sex with her, it never occurred to me that we would marry. I was in it for the thrill of the ride and whilst I enjoyed the relationship I didn't feel inclined to commit all my worldly goods to her. Over time something in that relationship changed and I made the choice that I wanted something deeper and more fulfilling and as a result, after 10 years, I made a committment. Perfectly normal, no? And surely not something that my family should now berate me over?

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Bloom won't give a toss what I think. I just think the jury is out. Time will tell. I question his decisions . Ousting out McGhee, ousting out Wilkins. It has become clear DK had less and less power in the last couple of years and the string were being pulled by Bloom. Therefore he oversaw last seasons debacle and greatly contributed to it.