The Adam Clayton saga - now officially signed for Middlesbrough

[kevtherev]

You are changing the topic though. Your original comment stated that you get what you pay for. The Albion paid the 10th and 8th highest wage bill, which, based on your comments that we are in a high house price area, should probably be two or three places lower to take into account buying power. However, on the pitch we finished 4th (under Poyet) and 6th (under Garcia). So therefore do you agree that we overachieved in those two seasons?

I don't understand why you can't answer a simple question.

Our finishing position the last two season has been a success, yes I agree. But the football has been boring, do you agree with that And we were by far the worst team in the play offs last season, we didn't deserve to make it, but we did and the squad is worse now....Do you agree with that

 

[The_Viper]

We've been incredibly embarrassing this window, and I really wonder what the club airheads will be thinking when we're in the bottom 6 on deadline day.

 

[maltaseagull]

Of course there's a link, we pay top dollar, we have had millions in transfer fees, released six 1st team wage packets at end of last season and we have bought 4 players in. We are at least 6 light....We are being mugged off, we are going to end up signing 4 on dead line day, which means no one else really wants them. And we are just picking up the dregs.

 

[B.W.]

You are changing the topic though. Your original comment stated that you get what you pay for. The Albion paid the 10th and 8th highest wage bill, which, based on your comments that we are in a high house price area, should probably be two or three places lower to take into account buying power. However, on the pitch we finished 4th (under Poyet) and 6th (under Garcia). So therefore do you agree that we overachieved in those two seasons?

I don't understand why you can't answer a simple question.

My answer would be that we overachieved.

However, so what?

 

[Mr Smggles]

We've been incredibly embarrassing this window, and I really wonder what the club airheads will be thinking when we're in the bottom 6 on deadline day.

Embarrassing?? We flogged a player for £8MILLION? Definitely not embarrassing.

 

[El Presidente]

My answer would be that we overachieved.

However, so what?

Perhaps we could do the same this season then?

 

[B.W.]

Embarrassing?? We flogged a player for £8MILLION? Definitely not embarrassing.

Player sales = great.

Player purchases = very, very poor.

 

[El Presidente]

Player sales = great.

Player purchases = very, very poor.

Do those player purchases include Ulloa, Upson, Ince, Ward, Lingard?

 

[B.W.]

Perhaps we could do the same this season then?

Not with our depleted squad we can't.

 

[The_Viper]

Embarrassing?? We flogged a player for £8MILLION? Definitely not embarrassing.

We flogged our top scorer and our top target is a League 1 striker who would rather stay at his club

So on the face of things, we have been embarrassed.

 

[B.W.]

Do those player purchases include Ulloa, Upson, Ince, Ward, Lingard?

I'm talking about this window tho'...

 

[Mr Smggles]

Player sales = great.

Player purchases = very, very poor.

I wouldn't say very, very poor. Not brilliant, but Toko may turn out to be a gem and those two chelsea lads could be breaking through into the first team within 12 months ala Ince.

 

[El Presidente]

I'm talking about this window tho'...

Stockdale looks good, Hughes is experienced, and Toko is an unknown quality.

 

[The_Viper]

TSB, my stalker is back

Each thumbs down is a wound in my heart

 

[Guinness Boy]

How do you know that? Oscar didn't and wouldn't have discussed this with anyone.

Nonsense. He would have discussed it with the person who told the person who told me after he left. I'll guarantee you I'm right.

 

[B.W.]

Stockdale looks good, Hughes is experienced, and Toko is an unknown quality.

I like the look of all 4 of our signings this summer TBF. However, we needed 4 more quality signings MINIMUM, and well before now.

 

[El Presidente]

I like the look of all 4 of our signings this summer TBF. However, we needed 4 more quality signings MINIMUM, and well before now.

I agree with you that we need four players, but I'd rather get some decent ones than risk another Obika

 

[B.W.]

I agree with you that we need four players, but I'd rather get some decent ones than risk another Obika

Well, can't disagree with your Obika comment. That's why I said 4 QUALITY signings, which obviously rules that standard of player out!

 

[El Presidente]

Well, can't disagree with your Obika comment. That's why I said 4 QUALITY signings, which obviously rules that standard of player out!

Yup, biggest problem is that players are holding most of the aces at present, and can leverage higher wages through playing clubs off against each other, as we have found out with the likes of Conway, Grabban and (so it would appear) Clayton.

Can't blame TB for sticking to his guns to a degree, it's his money at the end of the day far more than ours.

 

[B.W.]

Yup, biggest problem is that players are holding most of the aces at present, and can leverage higher wages through playing clubs off against each other, as we have found out with the likes of Conway, Grabban and (so it would appear) Clayton.

Can't blame TB for sticking to his guns to a degree, it's his money at the end of the day far more than ours.

Yes, but as I've said before, I genuinely believe our club needs to review its whole player recruitment strategy - that means budgets (transfer fees, wage structure, etc.), timelines, staff involved (DB and his team), etc. etc. How many deals must we fail to get over the line before Tony says enough is enough? Personally, I think this window (so far), and the one before, have been shocking as far as player acquisition is concerned.