What Is The Clubs Transfer Strategy

[Paplane]

I for one believe we actually did change our track and we actually recruited well on paper this summer. The profile has turned out to be wrong but historical stats at this level and above for many of our signings suggested tried and tested. I think the amount was wrong and balance ended up wrong but I cannot throw lack of ambition

Freeman: on paper one of the best ACM in the championship over the last 4-5 years.
McKenna: Scottish international left footed centre back consistently linked with moves to top championship and lower premiership clubs. Injury record is a slight concern.
Arter: played in a promotion team and been bobbing about at top end championship and low end premiership for last 5-6 years. Still think there is a player there but hold hands up to say I am greatly disappointed
Colback: was lauded as a great signing and another no brainer
Ioannou: one dodgy red card and sent packing. I liked him and he suited the championship. Riberio and him fighting it out - perfect different options depending on opposition
Knockeart: signed by Fulham for 10m+ this summer. Played at top end championship and lower end prem for last 5 years -
Taylor: gave the best opposing centre forward display I’ve seen first hand last year against us for Charlton - free - experienced and in his prime - no brainer
Mbe Soh- PSG squad player at a young age- brilliant potential and unlucky not to have played many games. Like what I’ve seen.
Bachirou: goodness knows - but came lauded as a very good deep playmaker...
Keeper: god knows
Christie: top end champ low end prem last 3-5 years. Eire international- good experience - not matty Cash!
You can make a case for all of them.
Only Christie / McKenna / knockeart / soh have been anything like near what I expected...

On the other hand the academy recruitment seems really interesting for the last 18 months - some exciting comments coming through about a number of the players - the french ACM championship is one I know Reidy is personally very excited about. And we have a good number out on loan getting valuable experience and gaining good reputations - fornah, Johnson, Gabriel, Richardson, mcguane...

Careful that's almost praise! Of the above I honestly think most were required too. 

Freeman - Replace Carv
Colback - Replace Watson
Christie - Replace Cash
Taylor - Replace Walker
Mckenna - Replace Figs
Knockaert - Replace Adomah/Diakhaby
Arter/Cafu/Fred - Replace Silva/add depth, probably could've got rid of one.
Ioannou - Replace Bong
Mbe Soh - This one is a bit odd really but maybe a long term heir to Worrall when we inevitably have to cash in. Either way fits type of signing most want.
Diallo - third keeper, who cares
Guerroro - Replace Da Costa

So Blackett and one of the CMs we didn't need, otherwise they were all filling holes. The consensus was last season our squad lacked depth and we added a little more depth and filled in the holes. I don't get the furore personally. Just disappointing such an overhaul was required really.

Yep, that's the way I see it too. I honestly think we've been a victim of circumstance this/end of last season with the hangover to overcome, Sabri being a dead man walking, no pre-season, players being injured.....

That's why I get really annoyed when there's stories about critising the club for mistakes made 2 years ago and hardly acknowledging that the strategy has since changed for the better.