[Albion] Dan Ashworth’s thoughts on our transfer window

[Weststander]

I wouldn't want to quantify it, but I have no doubt that if some ultra-rich overseas investor with no Albion history came forward, expressing the desire to buy the club, spend £2bn on players and get the Albion into the Champions League within three years then there would be some amongst the Albion fanbase who would fancy some of that action.

"Thanks for all you've done Tony, but it's time to kick on to the next level..."

Is that my view? No.
Would be the view of most of those who have been on the Goldstone->Priestfield->Withdean->Amex journey? No.

But there would be some.

Definitely.

I bet ManC and Newcastle supporters were among the many who condemned Abramovich’s financial doping (Wenger’s term).

Then ditched those ethics in 2008 and 2020 respectively.

I realise having TB is entirely different, but some would exchange sentiment/history for purported CL football and a real chance of silverware.

 

[Springal]

Adam Virgo made a good point, the club seem to go for quantity over quality year after year. He used Ings as an example is there any difference between the Albion and Southampton and why did we not even attempt to get him in or at least give the player something to think about.

Because we signed Andone & Ali J, rather than took a punt on a loan on Ings who had a terrible injury record. Hindsight eh...

If we had of signed Ings you can hear the droning (ughhh another window and we don't sign a striker, just loan a sick note)

 

[Bozza]

Adam Virgo made a good point, the club seem to go for quantity over quality year after year. He used Ings as an example is there any difference between the Albion and Southampton and why did we not even attempt to get him in or at least give the player something to think about.

1. How would Adam Virgo, you, me or anyone know if we'd pursued Danny Ings or not? The club keep their cards very close to their chest.

2. If we had signed him, there would be considerable eyebrow-raising at signing a sick-note from some quarters!

 

[chaileyjem]

Is history repeating itself?

First time round we spent 4 seasons in the top flight.

Second time around ... this is our 4th season. We have been a constant bottom 6 side. Sooner or later you either progress a la Palace, Southampton, Leicester .... or you fall through the trap door.

Can’t help thinking we are playing high risk stakes currently ..

<< Deleted - >>

 

[Justice]

1. How would Adam Virgo, you, me or anyone know if we'd pursued Danny Ings or not? The club keep their cards very close to their chest.

2. If we had signed him, there would be considerable eyebrow-raising at signing a sick-note from some quarters!

That can’t be true Naylor along with Seagullwedgee appear to know everything

 

[peterward]

Is history repeating itself?

First time round we spent 4 seasons in the top flight.

Second time around ... this is our 4th season. We have been a constant bottom 6 side. Sooner or later you either progress a la Palace, Southampton, Leicester .... or you fall through the trap door.

Can’t help thinking we are playing high risk stakes currently ..

And we’ve got the dark blue retro relegation shirt!

 

[NooBHA]

That can’t be true Naylor along with Seagullwedgee appear to know everything

And SeagullWedgee it a multi millionaire

 

[Pierre the Painter]

James told me we did enquire for more than one striker but the numbers didn't add up.

 

[peterward]

I wouldn't want to quantify it, but I have no doubt that if some ultra-rich overseas investor with no Albion history came forward, expressing the desire to buy the club, spend £2bn on players and get the Albion into the Champions League within three years then there would be some amongst the Albion fanbase who would fancy some of that action.

"Thanks for all you've done Tony, but it's time to kick on to the next level..."

Is that my view? No.
Would be the view of most of those who have been on the Goldstone->Priestfield->Withdean->Amex journey? No.

But there would be some.

Never Bloom for mega money man, as he loves this club and is a key part of the club on it’s journey from the brink to where we are now.

Whilst Bloom may make mistakes (here’s looking at your Sami) I trust Bloom will always act with the clubs best long term interests at heart.

But if this illusive mega money man were to come, promising CL within 3 years, as an investor only and Bloom could still retain both overall control and leadership - that’s something for Bloom alone to consider if it’s best as he is the only one who has a 360 view of the finances. He’s a fan too and I guess he’d love to see Barcelona and Bayern at the Amex.

Many clubs including them up the A23 have equity partners/investors. I’d never call for anything and ultimately I want Tony to stay as chairman and majority owner indefinitely, but maybe he would see that as an opportunity, if it ever presented?

 

[lost in london]

Oh FFS....your ‘some’ (if it exists at all) is a ‘tiny minority’ in our case...........and I’d wager that even those - very few - who appear to be in your ‘be like Man City’ camp actually wouldn’t be if push came to shove. I don’t think you understand this club at all.

I think you're being a bit harsh. If this transfer window has shown us anything it's that there is a vocal minority of fans who just want to see money being spent and can't think much deeper or wider than that. I would have thought there is a big slice of those fans who would welcome Tony selling 50% to the Iranians or whoever if it meant we could splash money around like Everton.

For what it's worth (and this isn't directed at you), I think the club only has a strategy of long term planning, sensible financial management and doing their homework. They're not in it for marquee signings, headline grabbing or d**k swinging like some owners. And I for one love that, even if it means we don't sign a Championship striker for £25m or an ageing big name on £200k a week.

 

[Justice]

I think you're being a bit harsh. If this transfer window has shown us anything it's that there is a vocal minority of fans who just want to see money being spent and can't think much deeper or wider than that. I would have thought there is a big slice of those fans who would welcome Tony selling 50% to the Iranians or whoever if it meant we could splash money around like Everton.

For what it's worth (and this isn't directed at you), I think the club only has a strategy of long term planning, sensible financial management and doing their homework. They're not in it for marquee signings, headline grabbing or d**k swinging like some owners. And I for one love that, even if it means we don't sign a Championship striker for £25m or an ageing big name on £200k a week.

I’ve spent 40 years supporting the club, done all the shit aways in the lower leagues etc etc. The times I have enjoyed most are when we have had a team that competes and wins more than it loses. My first memory of this probably comes in the Nelson/Bremner era as I was old enough to appreciate it.

You make good points but ultimately we pay our money to be entertained on a Saturday. Pre lockdown I can’t even remember the last home win. Supporters young and old want to enjoy their football. If anything this window is an indication of another season of hardship on the pitch again we lose a few and just like last season we will go more conservative in the hunt for points.

It’s easy to quickly bait supporters who are disappointed with the window I was hoping for a decent front man a quick LWB and maybe a surprise or two. Looking at the reality we have the same squad as last season with an ever increasing fragile defence.

Hope I’m wrong

 

[um bongo molongo]

It’s perfectly possible to be both a huge fan of Tony Bloom (and never want a Middle Eastern conglomerate own us), but also to be disappointed that we were unable to address our biggest problem. In particular, if the money is tight, I would question the wisdom of continuing to invest in long term punts (~£15m on Zeqiri and the two poles) that won’t help us this year vs investing more in a single young striker whose value will also accumulate, but can help us this year. ~£25M seems to be going rate for a Watkins/Brewster/Nunez, even Wilson type. If we’d bought one of those, and done nothing else, I’d have been happy with our window. That’s a recruitment strategy discussion, not an investment discussion (eggs in one basket vs lots).

 

[dazzer6666]

I think you're being a bit harsh. If this transfer window has shown us anything it's that there is a vocal minority of fans who just want to see money being spent and can't think much deeper or wider than that. I would have thought there is a big slice of those fans who would welcome Tony selling 50% to the Iranians or whoever if it meant we could splash money around like Everton.

For what it's worth (and this isn't directed at you), I think the club only has a strategy of long term planning, sensible financial management and doing their homework. They're not in it for marquee signings, headline grabbing or d**k swinging like some owners. And I for one love that, even if it means we don't sign a Championship striker for £25m or an ageing big name on £200k a week.

So a slice of a vocal minority ? That's pretty much what I said...........

 

[dazzer6666]

It’s perfectly possible to be both a huge fan of Tony Bloom (and never want a Middle Eastern conglomerate own us), but also to be disappointed that we were unable to address our biggest problem. In particular, if the money is tight, I would question the wisdom of continuing to invest in long term punts (~£15m on Zeqiri and the two poles) that won’t help us this year vs investing more in a single young striker whose value will also accumulate, but can help us this year. ~£25M seems to be going rate for a Watkins/Brewster/Nunez, even Wilson type. If we’d bought one of those, and done nothing else, I’d have been happy with our window. That’s a recruitment strategy discussion, not an investment discussion (eggs in one basket vs lots).

It's not necessarily either/or though is it - I strongly suspect Zequiri and the two Poles were going to be bought anyway, because they are more future investments rather than solving what we all know to be an immediate problem (or potential problem if Maupay gets crocked). Doesn't appear to be money that stopped us getting Nunez - he wanted to go to Benfica.

 

[chaileyjem]

~£25M seems to be going rate for a Watkins

Maupay was reportedly c £16m - Watkins was £28m and wages are reported to be well out of Albion's orbit - hence how Villa got the player.
Villa are owned by two billionaires.

 

[um bongo molongo]

It's not necessarily either/or though is it - I strongly suspect Zequiri and the two Poles were going to be bought anyway, because they are more future investments rather than solving what we all know to be an immediate problem (or potential problem if Maupay gets crocked). Doesn't appear to be money that stopped us getting Nunez - he wanted to go to Benfica.

I agree, hence the caveat ‘if money is tight’. It may not be, and there may be £25M available for the right guy. In which case you have to ask how our recruitment team could not find a suitable striker for that price in the whole football world...

 

[British Bulldog]

I like what DA had to say? if the right player becomes available at the right time for the right price Tony Bloom will sign him? Us as much as any club knows what can happen when you overspend.

 

[um bongo molongo]

Maupay was reportedly c £16m - Watkins was £28m and wages are reported to be well out of Albion's orbit - hence how Villa got the player.
Villa are owned by two billionaires.

I was splitting the difference with £23M for Brewster for ease. Maupay was a very good deal for sure. But if we want a quick, striker with some presence who finds the onion bag regularly and can link up play, I suspect it’s going to cost us around £25M

 

[vagabond]

I think you're being a bit harsh. If this transfer window has shown us anything it's that there is a vocal minority of fans who just want to see money being spent and can't think much deeper or wider than that. I would have thought there is a big slice of those fans who would welcome Tony selling 50% to the Iranians or whoever if it meant we could splash money around like Everton.

For what it's worth (and this isn't directed at you), I think the club only has a strategy of long term planning, sensible financial management and doing their homework. They're not in it for marquee signings, headline grabbing or d**k swinging like some owners. And I for one love that, even if it means we don't sign a Championship striker for £25m or an ageing big name on £200k a week.

Whatever side you fall on, surely we can all agree that the club have a unified, definite strategy with transfers, and they will not buckle due to media or fan pressure, or whatever the latest trends are on Sky.

I find that admirable. Certainly in comparison to other clubs who throw a lot of money around and hope something works.

 

[dazzer6666]

I agree, hence the caveat ‘if money is tight’. It may not be, and there may be £25M available for the right guy. In which case you have to ask how our recruitment team could not find a suitable striker for that price in the whole football world...

It’s not that simple though - price (even if that fit our criteria) isn’t the only factor....

-wages within our structure
-wages at least match what others are offering
-any other contractual differences that might impact a decision (image rights ? Release/relegation clauses we might insist on that others don’t, sell on clauses, buy back etc etc ?)
-does the player fit our value criteria (age, resell value etc) ?
-does the player want to come to us vs the competition ?
-does he pass the no dickheads test ?

Suspect we strictly stick to our guns on all of the above most of the time, hence finding the right player is pretty tricky.