| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window 22:21 - Sep 1 with 6135 views | unstableblue |
That perhaps brings some clarity and perspective on this window.
If you take Omari, Delap and Axel out of the picture - who I think we all agree were at the level we need to move to. We aspire to be at.
All the favourites, these players we’ve loved rightly for several season, well they’ve all moved down a level in terms of squad and club in their moves, or at best sideways: Broadhead, Wolfie, Chaplin, Luongo, Burgess, Morsy.
Now don’t get me wrong on current form and table position, Coventry looks perhaps a step up. But as a club Town are stronger and superior.
Time to thank our last round of heroes, usher in the new… and back McKenna [Post edited 1 Sep 22:28]
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| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:20 - Sep 2 with 709 views | blueoutlook |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:14 - Sep 2 by DJR |
Nothing is guaranteed but if the level of player has improved there is no reason to think they can't succeed at Championship level. |
But lots of people on this site said
we shouldn’t accept anything less than top 2 with our squad on this site all over the summer. Has that now changed ? These people were after all the so called experts on this forum. |  | | |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:21 - Sep 2 with 714 views | hype313 |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:15 - Sep 2 by blueoutlook |
But KM doesn’t play them in the correct position where they played at previous clubs to have that success. He is trying to put square pegs in round holes all the time. Sammy and Clarke are never used to their strengths. Davis isn’t even being used effectively this season. The whole thing looks a bit of a shambles and chucked together. I’m not convinced it will change either. |
To be fair, Szmodics had that one purple patch for Blackburn in that season, but if you look at his return in the previous 10 years, he only got into double figures twice in that time and that was 15 in League One and the other League Two.
So this notion that Szmodics is a prolific scorer isn't actually the case. |  |
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| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:22 - Sep 2 with 693 views | blueoutlook |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:21 - Sep 2 by hype313 |
To be fair, Szmodics had that one purple patch for Blackburn in that season, but if you look at his return in the previous 10 years, he only got into double figures twice in that time and that was 15 in League One and the other League Two.
So this notion that Szmodics is a prolific scorer isn't actually the case. |
That’s is very true, nor is Clarke, so I’m not sure what people are expecting. | | | |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:24 - Sep 2 with 691 views | Reuser_is_God |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:10 - Sep 2 by DJR |
I may be alone in this view but I would be happy to give McKenna all the time he needs, and wouldn't contemplate getting rid of him even if it doesn't work out this season.
Then again, I am not Mark Ashton. |
You’re certainly not alone in that view. |  |
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| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:27 - Sep 2 with 670 views | unstableblue |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:03 - Sep 2 by itfcjoe |
Glad you enjoyed it, and whilst I'm gutted to see some of these go we now have a squad of 'better' players.
But the big challenge for McKenna is to turn them into the team he so successfully did with the last lot - if he can do that again we'll blitz the league, if not then he'll be under major pressure and it's a high wire act. |
Yes Joe, it is indeed a high wire act for McKenna in forming a team, getting the patterns going and building that essential culture and critically to just get some confidence going. Adam Tanner made an interesting statement after the West Ham game, and that was that the summer break and pre-season does not ‘wipe the slate clean’ and the confidence hangover from a poor season continues and it needs big characters in the dressing room to drive the change (sighting Morsy and OShea).
As per my post below, we’re in a Catch22 cycle currently. And to be honest that Hirst clear penalty was a moment where we could have broken free, but we didn’t and McKenna wobbles on the high wire.
Fans have got to stick with this. The win may not come against The Blades, they may have their own moment. But when the win and confidence build does come, as you say we will be very very strong - but the low blocks and dark arts we’re going to experience mean that we’ll need to be!!
But unfortunately I’m not sure the fan base has the patience, especially with the loss of so many favourites.
Have to collectively beat the ITFC Catch 22 malaise by unstableblue 1 Sep 18:43Fans, McKenna, Players and Club need to break out of this potential Catch-22
‘Catch-22
Noun
an impossible situation where you are prevented from doing one thing until you have done another thing that you cannot do until you have done the first thing‘
We need to start winning to build confidence amongst our players to then play to their full potential and to then achieve more wins. But we won’t win without the confidence being there in the first place!
Add in that fans’ support is a factor in player success, and fans are disengaging due to a lack of wins and the replacement of players that played well due to confidence but are actually inferior to the new players coming in, who need confidence.
McKenna driving culture, players stepping up, fans backing vocally and of course a bit of LUCK can break this cycle. And we have to break it. Because McKenna and a squad refresh is our only future.
That Hirst penalty Saturday… will a season turn on it?
COYFB - Clarke’s equaliser is something that may tip our fortunes in the right direction.
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| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:33 - Sep 2 with 648 views | unstableblue |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:13 - Sep 2 by tractorboy1978 |
I think that’s spot on. Although I’m not sure he will be able to do it as quickly or successfully as he would like. He could do with two weeks on the training pitch with them all now but we are going to have several away on international duty including McAteer, Egeli and Nunez that are three that probably need the most integration. |
Assume Nunez will stay behind with his ankle.
But as you say McAteer, Egeli, OShea, Hirst, Szmodics will all be away.
Anyone else? | |
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| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:36 - Sep 2 with 636 views | reusersfreekicks |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:33 - Sep 2 by unstableblue |
Assume Nunez will stay behind with his ankle.
But as you say McAteer, Egeli, OShea, Hirst, Szmodics will all be away.
Anyone else? |
Taylor |  | | |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:43 - Sep 2 with 612 views | itfcsuth |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:10 - Sep 2 by DJR |
I may be alone in this view but I would be happy to give McKenna all the time he needs, and wouldn't contemplate getting rid of him even if it doesn't work out this season.
Then again, I am not Mark Ashton. |
I'll also be with you on this.
Whilst I don't necessarily think we've done everything right over the past 12 months, and I think the club would do some things differently.
The one thing I have full faith in is KMc, he has my absolute faith, in even if things don't work out this season, whilst would be a nightmare, in no planet would I even consider or contemplate changing the manager.
He's the man for the helm of the club, he is absolutely the right man to continue to build and develop this football club [Post edited 2 Sep 12:04]
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| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:50 - Sep 2 with 591 views | ArnoldMoorhen |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 22:46 - Sep 1 by itfcsuth |
Them players got us to 2nd in the division, automatic promotion to the Premier League, 96 points, 92 goals scored, just 6 defeats.
Let’s see if the new group can top that, if we have spent £125m to ‘upgrade’ on that group - should be an absolute stroll in the park for us shouldn’t it… |
Other teams in the division have had considerable investment and strengthened since then, too.
For example, two of the newly promoted teams from L1.
Birmingham have spent at least the equivalent amount that we did before and following promotion from L1.
Wrexham have gone well beyond that.
So 96 points isn't necessarily the measure. Second place is.
And then doing better than four wins in the Premier League, if promoted. |  | | |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 11:05 - Sep 2 with 548 views | peterleeblue |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:24 - Sep 2 by Reuser_is_God |
You’re certainly not alone in that view. |
I'm in that camp.
Until we can scout and recruit internationally to a high standard we will not be successful in the premier league. |  | | |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 11:15 - Sep 2 with 507 views | ReusersTown |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:08 - Sep 2 by itfcjoe |
According to Transfermarkt, this is where Darnell Furlong has played in his career
RB - 310 games
RM - 37 games
CB - 17 games
LB - 2 games
DM - 1 game
And if you look at the 2 games he has played at LB it is
17th July 2020 - came on as sub for 31 minutes vs Huddersfield
22nd February 2022 - came on as sub for 8 minutes vs Boro
So it's really a myth that people have seemingly created that he is in any way LB cover |
Fair, I stand corrected, but it does of course allow for either BJ/AY to then cover for LB as and when required. I would have definitely preferred a specialist for Leif cover though, it is what it is. | | | |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 11:17 - Sep 2 with 503 views | ReusersTown |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:10 - Sep 2 by DJR |
I may be alone in this view but I would be happy to give McKenna all the time he needs, and wouldn't contemplate getting rid of him even if it doesn't work out this season.
Then again, I am not Mark Ashton. |
Ashton seems fine with it from my point of view. There does however seem to be a growing number of bellend fans poking their heads above the parapet. | | | |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 11:22 - Sep 2 with 482 views | Kieran_Knows |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 11:05 - Sep 2 by peterleeblue |
I'm in that camp.
Until we can scout and recruit internationally to a high standard we will not be successful in the premier league. |
I’m in no way knocking the signing of Egeli as I personally think he’ll be our signing of the summer. To fend off the interest we did shows how far we have come, HOWEVER, I started following this account when I knew we was interested and the below makes for why we really need to up our game scouting abroad.
A similar, if not better player based off ‘stats’ and a snippet at almost €15m less than we paid for Egeli.
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| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 12:30 - Sep 2 with 385 views | OldFart71 |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 22:36 - Sep 1 by Nthsuffolkblue |
Except the reason they have left is so we have signed players that mean Taylor won't be starting and Baggott is still only an emergency rather than regular back-up. Aside from the two we sold for big money and Tuanzebe, we haven't sold/loaned/lost any of our top players. Much as fans like (understandably) Chaplin and Woolfenden they have been squad players for at least a year now. My signing those we have brought in, the belief is we are improving the first choice eleven by moving out some squad players.
Of course, whether we have actually improved the first eleven depends a lot on how Akpom, Azon, Matusiwa, Nunez, Cajuste, Furlong, Egeli, Young, etc perform. |
I think if you take those players that have come in although some we haven't seen yet they appear on paper to ro be a step up from those we have let go.
The likes of Delap and Hutchinson were nailed on to leave. Loungo was not mobile enough and Morsy who we will always remember found it above him to reach the necessary level for the Prem. But I think he would have been good for another season in the Championship, more as back up than a regular starter and I fully understand why we didn't give him a two year contract. I also understand that from his point of view he has to secure the best for him and his family.
KM just has the problem of these new players bonding and forming a team.
Even he never suspected the turnover of players and it may be that to an extent it was taken from his hands.
But it is so easy to forget the Marcus Evan years and then those glorious promotion years, peoples memories seem to be that of a goldfish when it comes to that. | | | |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 13:15 - Sep 2 with 291 views | itfcjoe |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 11:15 - Sep 2 by ReusersTown |
Fair, I stand corrected, but it does of course allow for either BJ/AY to then cover for LB as and when required. I would have definitely preferred a specialist for Leif cover though, it is what it is. |
I think we'd have struggled to have got a better back up for that role than what Young/Johnson will provide to be fair - apparently we asked after Amass who went to Sheff Weds but couldn't guarantee any minutes |  |
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| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 13:21 - Sep 2 with 253 views | _clive_baker_ |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:08 - Sep 2 by itfcjoe |
According to Transfermarkt, this is where Darnell Furlong has played in his career
RB - 310 games
RM - 37 games
CB - 17 games
LB - 2 games
DM - 1 game
And if you look at the 2 games he has played at LB it is
17th July 2020 - came on as sub for 31 minutes vs Huddersfield
22nd February 2022 - came on as sub for 8 minutes vs Boro
So it's really a myth that people have seemingly created that he is in any way LB cover |
He isn't LB cover, but in signing him it probably means Ashley Young is. He's played there at a very high level, even for England. Different profile to Davis but I would think its his presence that means we're OK with that.
Furlong has signed to play RB, more in the Tuanzebe mould and I would think he'll establish himself in that position pretty quickly. He can also cover for O'Shea, albeit that's only a change we'll ever see when forced rather than through choice. |  | | |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 13:43 - Sep 2 with 192 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 11:22 - Sep 2 by Kieran_Knows |
I’m in no way knocking the signing of Egeli as I personally think he’ll be our signing of the summer. To fend off the interest we did shows how far we have come, HOWEVER, I started following this account when I knew we was interested and the below makes for why we really need to up our game scouting abroad.
A similar, if not better player based off ‘stats’ and a snippet at almost €15m less than we paid for Egeli.
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a) different position to what we were looking for, no?
b) significantly lower goal return last season, and par on assist.
So I don't think as similar as you suggest, and maybe we weren't looking for a player in that position at the time.
Not knocking your post, and it's good to seek out these comparisons, but if the player doesn't fit what we're looking for at a given time, we can't say the club weren't aware of them, but rather had no need. | | | |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 13:45 - Sep 2 with 186 views | nrb1985 |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:19 - Sep 2 by itfcjoe |
I'll certainly be in that camp, but judging by mood in terraces already this season not sure it will be the case for many |
If that's the case then what a thoroughly laughable/depressing state of affairs.
Probably also points to the fact that we don't have particularly knowledgeable fan base either. | | | |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 13:56 - Sep 2 with 156 views | Vic |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:13 - Sep 2 by tractorboy1978 |
I think that’s spot on. Although I’m not sure he will be able to do it as quickly or successfully as he would like. He could do with two weeks on the training pitch with them all now but we are going to have several away on international duty including McAteer, Egeli and Nunez that are three that probably need the most integration. |
Do you reckon they get homework from us to do whilst away? Something like looking at play patterns, video's of how team mates play, etc, etc? |  |
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| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 14:02 - Sep 2 with 141 views | Vic |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 10:24 - Sep 2 by Reuser_is_God |
You’re certainly not alone in that view. |
I'm far less confident of a top 2 place than before the window. If we got playoffs and were coming on strong I'd keep him, but if we limp to the finish line then I'd be asking serious questions.
There are many variables, but currently I can't see him being replaced mid season unless we just struggle all to get traction after Xmas. | |
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| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 14:04 - Sep 2 with 130 views | positivity |
| Joe Fairs on Blue Monday makes a very good point on the transfer window on 13:43 - Sep 2 by SuffolkPunchFC |
a) different position to what we were looking for, no?
b) significantly lower goal return last season, and par on assist.
So I don't think as similar as you suggest, and maybe we weren't looking for a player in that position at the time.
Not knocking your post, and it's good to seek out these comparisons, but if the player doesn't fit what we're looking for at a given time, we can't say the club weren't aware of them, but rather had no need. |
we could do with another right back! | |
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