[Albion] Your end of transfer window predictions

[GT49er]

Window absolutely slammed shut then - no more new until the summer - unless a couple of our youngsters are heading to Turkey or somewhere (where the window hasn't closed yet) on loan.

 

[Justice]

Well, although it's disappointing not to have bolstered the squad this window, it is clear the club were trying to. There is a willingness to spend, just not spend more on a player than the club thinks they should.

We expect top dollar for our best players, surely approaching another club for one of their star players is hardly going to be a bargain. Obviously you are not going to show your hand at the first bid although you must expect to pay very near their valuation. Otherwise just go for affordable targets that you think you can improve and save a lot of time and energy.

 

[Baldseagull]

there in lies our issue, we are f***ing tight.

Definitely operating on a tighter budget than most.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

22:15 Caylan Vickers [Reading - Brighton] Undisclosed

Vickers joins Premier League Brighton's under-21s on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has appeared 14 times for Ruben Selles' side this season since making his debut on the opening day of League One campaign, and scored his first senior goal a few weeks later against Bolton.

"We are excited to work with him and in our environment we are confident he will continue to develop and flourish," said Brighton first-team coach Shannon Ruth.

 

[Lethargic]

Ultimately we have a manager that is probably above our station and what we've given him at the end of this window is a weaker midfield than January 1st and a few young players who, aside from Barco, are unlikely to have much first team involvement.

This is the season to win a major trophy. We have De Zerbi. We have a cadre of talented players. We have the Europa leauge and we're still the FA cup. It feels like a unique set of circumstances in our history. All we really need is, at most, a couple more good players in key areas. I find it quite frustrating that we've not given ourselves the best chance at achieving something special.

Similar to my view, I'm not demanding we break the bank, I'm loving the ride but it does feel like we might miss out when nearly all the stars are aligned. We might be fine with all the players returning but so far this season that has not been the case so I don't see it changing.
I just feel we will get to the end of the season and it will feel like we missed out on a great opportunity to actually win something.

 

[JetsetJimbo]

So with Dahoud gone, and the fact that Moder was offered to Everton on loan, we're actually lighter in CMs than we were on New Year's Day.

I can see the logic behind not signing any wingers or AMs given the players we're expecting back in the next couple of weeks (it would have been nice to get Gil in as cover, it wasn't to be). I really did expect us to get Dewsbury-Hall or an alternative in, though, as we're kinda lacking in the middle of the park.

 

[Jim in the West]

I can't speak for others, but only for myself.

I'm loving following the Albion currently, just as I have for the last couple of years or so. These truly are the very best of days. We've got a thrilling few months ahead of us - knockout European football, possibly against some true heavyweights, another domestic Cup run and we're challenging at the business end of the Premier League. We can match anyone in this league on our day and even when we're below our best, we're often better than many others.

And, yes, the club spunking money for the sake of it isn't wise - no-one would suggest otherwise.

But I do fear that RDZ may feel he hasn't been given the tools he wants to do the job to the best of his abilities. And I do fear that will mean he leaves the club in the summer. But, frankly, I've harboured "he's too good for us" thoughts for a wee while, and thought this summer may be the end of his time with us anyway.

But I'm going to enjoy the ride - both the ups and the downs - for as long as it lasts.

You could well be right, and the signs are there. However, I guess TB’s calculation is - do we break our model to keep De Zerbi, or do we continue with the strategy that has been amazingly successful over the past several years? Were the right players even available? KDH was seemingly a target, but I’d be worried if we massively overpaid for him on the off-chance that it might persuade RDZ to stay. For all we know, Tony may already have promised significant spend in the summer, when the landscape will be very different.
Even if we end up around 12th - which is possible - I’ve already experienced some of my best ever Albion moments this season. And whilst I really, really hope Roberto stays with us for several more years, I’m very happy to trust in TB, PBOBE, and the others guiding us….i’m sure they have a decent shortlist for our next manager, whenever that may be needed.

 

[Mancgull]

Dahoud was Free wasn't he? Hardly a big stakes decision.

selling an exceptionally managed/developed over performing defensive midfielder for more than triple value was utter genius . . . Any manager can live with that. I'm sure TB has explained the basics.

selling Ali MAc at 3x purchase was ok, but at less than half his value was not . . . But that was the deal, and I'm sure TB et all knew that before he arrived . . . . As did RDZ. Losing both together was harsh, but can any club turn down £120m for a defensive midfielder?

we will ride the dip . . . It's not 1983.

TB sees the long term view , agreed.
The issue is that players that we may have tried to get were not available.

No we're not. We are well run.

Should we ever go down to the Championship again (realistically a possibility at some time - we're not Liverpool or Arsenal or Citeh) - we won't be going down with unsustainable wages and players on multi-million salaries which could kill us in the Championship.
There's plenty of teams that have done that and suffered!

Those that remember the early 80s and how it impacted on us for the next 20 odd years will back this up.
Silly long contracts for players on comparatively huge wages.
Give me the current model any day.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

if RDZ was under illusion that the club didn't sell players like Caicedo , Ben White and McAllister as a strategy every year and that Bloom wasn't going to overspend , especially on players who have limited resell value - then i'd be amazed. He knows the score.

I respect that. There’s a balance to be had though. We’re tipped too far in one direction at the moment and we’re suffering on the pitch as a result.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Well, although it's disappointing not to have bolstered the squad this window, it is clear the club were trying to. There is a willingness to spend, just not spend more on a player than the club thinks they should.

We can’t break that principle.

I’m very disappointed and I’m sure RDZ is too. I don’t think he has the personal (even with everyone fit) to play his preferred 4-2-3-1 system.

But we just can’t break our principles because you can never get them back.

The most painful one is Kudus. West Ham’s best player. A greedy agent foiled us there. I just hope that like Olise, his very low buy-out clause will be triggered in the summer and West Ham will only get a £5m-£10m profit and a bunch of angry fans claiming they should have kept him. I firmly believe that we’ll make more money on Dahoud than West Ham will make on Kudus. That’s how it should be.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

Doesn't RDZ , as our coach bear any responsiblity for getting our form back on track ? Or is it because we haven't spent £40m on a couple of players this window - not for want of trying it appears - is that the issue ?

Of course he does. But he plays a certain way, with a specific system (sometimes his lack of pragmatism annoys me to be honest, but that’s another issue) and you have to give such managers the players to suit that system or you will inevitably struggle, which is what we’re seeing. You can’t buy Milner as a replacement for Mac and Caicedo and expect your manager to perform miracles.

 

[chaileyjem]

Of course he does. But he plays a certain way, with a specific system (sometimes his lack of pragmatism annoys me to be honest, but that’s another issue) and you have to give such managers the players to suit that system or you will inevitably struggle, which is what we’re seeing. You can’t buy Milner as a replacement for Mac and Caicedo and expect your manager to perform miracles.

Milner was not a “replacement” for Caicedo though was he ? And beating Sheffield Utd , Fulham, Palace and Luton wouldn’t have been “miracles” either. Just don’t buy idea that Bloom failing to spend is the silver bullet here.

Injuries in one area of the field. Then - yes. He’s been very unlucky. Fair enough.

 

[peterward]

So with Dahoud gone, and the fact that Moder was offered to Everton on loan, we're actually lighter in CMs than we were on New Year's Day.

I can see the logic behind not signing any wingers or AMs given the players we're expecting back in the next couple of weeks (it would have been nice to get Gil in as cover, it wasn't to be). I really did expect us to get Dewsbury-Hall or an alternative in, though, as we're kinda lacking in the middle of the park.

Is NSC Moder thing, Chinese whispers?

Everyone keeps saying we offered or were happy for Moder to go to Everton.

The Argus says it was Everton who enquired about taking Moder on loan and the club immediately dismissed it out of hand?

Offer for Albion midfielder quickly rejected in January window

Albion

www.theargus.co.uk

 

[Justice]

I respect that. There’s a balance to be had though. We’re tipped too far in one direction at the moment and we’re suffering on the pitch as a result.

Yes it’s all ok until the talent runs out.

 

[chaileyjem]

Yet more promising youngsters but I’m cast iron certain if nothing else happens that the lack of first team ready players right now to replace Dahoud. Balebas lack of readiness, players that left in the summer, will mean RDZs time with us is done come season end, and also a huge risk to our Europa progression. 7th in the league is a pipe dream. TBS money and choice at the end of the day but thought he would want to give it a real shot.

So if we’d , I dunno, paid an astonishing loan fee and wages for Kalvin Phillips, all would be well and Bloom would be “giving it a shot “ in your eyes.

 

[chaileyjem]

Yes it’s all ok until the talent runs out.

And the signs of that are ?

For example - Yesterday Albion had 3 players named in the England u16 squad.

 

[Ike and Tina Burner]

A weaker midfield than the 1st. January? Rubbish! It's just the same.

I meant in terms of options in the position.

 

[Justice]

And the signs of that are ?

For example - Yesterday Albion had 3 players named in the England u16 squad.

3 wins in 16?

 

[Driver8]

I wonder what odds I can get on RDZ referring to our ambition to be a top ten team in his press conference later. I think it’s safe to say he doesn’t see the club’s ambition as matching his own and the new contract offered will remain unsigned

 

[Withdean11]

It's a poor window for the club. We clearly wanted to bring in a winger and a midfielder (Gil/KDH) but we failed to do so on both counts.

My fear is not only that RDZ will be disappointed and possibly leave in the summer, but we may have just blown our best chance of winning something. A couple of additions to fill the holes in our squad and motivate our elite manager could've made all the difference in Europa.