Transfer Rumour Alan Browne (3 Viewers)

[Alkhen]

If we cant compete with 15k a week yet Dougs wanting play offs minimum we should give up now

I appreciate you have 'insider' knowledge but why is your default take on everything so negative?

There are loads of reasons why we may not want match what other teams are willing to pay.

Browne seems like a good fit but before he was mentioned a few weeks back I bet not a single person on here would have been calling for him to come in on wages matching our 2 highest earners.

We'll have a budget and its clear we have a few holes to fill, we cant go offering more than we can afford when there will be other options. I'm sure we made a fair bid. Its up to him. Preston will be desperate to not loose their talisman and its mad to think we could compete with Celtic or a team who just got a load of cash in the Premier league and are going to recoup even more by selling players.

 

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[Yorkshire SB]

Absolutely no way should we be paying big wages for a 29 yo, who's only going to decline. You'd assume he'd want 3 years as well.

 

[Danceswithhorses]

That's what I want. A well run club, making smart decisions not based on emotion.
Sure, we haven't been promoted but in two years but we've got to the playoff final and flirted with them. We have a starting 11 that is as good as anyones in the league next year.
Whatever is going on the background is working, fans becoming entitled and impatient shouldn't change that.

I completely understand what you're saying, and i agree that those principles are VERY important (i come from a finance background), but it's also worth having a little bit of flexibility in your plans eg 1/2 January loans last season, might have got us into the playoffs (and paid for themselves).
Occasionally if the right 'older' player comes along (and i'm not saying Browne is...i just don't have enough info about him), then it might be worth it especially if there's no transfer fee.

 

[Deity]

Back to Alan Browne. I saw somewhere on here that he was reputedly on £15k per week at Preston but is supposed t have been offered more to stay. Is it not feasible for us to compete with that? It would cost us more than that to keep COH

He’s been offered a record deal by Preston.

 

[shmmeee]

He’s been offered a record deal by Preston.

Who knew he could sing?

 

[covcity4life]

Just make a decision one way or other browne. So we don't have to keep refreshing the thread every day

 

[SkyBlueMatt]

I completely understand what you're saying, and i agree that those principles are VERY important (i come from a finance background), but it's also worth having a little bit of flexibility in your plans eg 1/2 January loans last season, might have got us into the playoffs (and paid for themselves).
Occasionally if the right 'older' player comes along (and i'm not saying Browne is...i just don't have enough info about him), then it might be worth it especially if there's no transfer fee.

We definitely need to have a little flexibility but again based in logic. At the start of January we were 12th, 5 points off and 6 teams in the way. I would say that it was a long shot of getting into the top 6 (I know we were there at the end of the month). EMC was going to come in before Peterborough changed their mind.

If we're sitting in the playoffs next season, in the run up to January and we need a player. I would hope then, we would be flexible.

I agree about the 'older' player. I know nothing about Browne but because he is the first transfer rumour, some people think we have to sign him. It looks like there will be plenty of offers so he'll get a decent contract somewhere. Apparently his passing leaves a lot to be desired so Robins may not even want him that bad.

Who knew he could sing?

He passes the test to be allowed into the South Stand then.

 

[Deity]

IF King has decided our highest paid players must be young talented players, and we pay good money to atttact to then re sell later at a profit, I’m ok with that.

It’s one of the reasons the foreign market appeals to so many clubs…. Wages are typically lower and a good championship wage is still a step up from what they are on.

We have all watched a tonne of championship football and yet not one single person has suggested Browne until we were linked with him. Now panic has set in for some fans already ….

We can’t get bent out of shape because his agent is hawking him around …..

 

[Cally Fedora]

This depends on how much faith we have in our scouting systems. There are players as good as Browne to be had that are as yet unproven. You might get those for £15k a week. You pay the premium for Browne’s proven ability. The balance is obviously if your £15k a weeker ends up as the next Sandy Robertson or the next Dean Emerson. £10k a week over 3 years eliminates the risk. Depends if King is risk averse.

 

[napolimp]

This depends on how much faith we have in our scouting systems. There are players as good as Browne to be had that are as yet unproven. You might get those for £15k a week. You pay the premium for Browne’s proven ability. The balance is obviously if your £15k a weeker ends up as the next Sandy Robertson or the next Dean Emerson. £10k a week over 3 years eliminates the risk. Depends if King is risk averse.

AKA Hamer.

But then it's a balance, i.e. you could well end up with a player that's better than someone like Browne (in this instance), but maybe for the first year or 2 they wouldn't have the same impact, or be at the same level. But if you have a steady stream of these players year on year, you can integrate them as you go whilst moving on players who are fetching £10 mil +.

 

[ptr]

With Browne, you know he’s going to come in and perform from August. With a signing from elsewhere, abroad or league one league two, it will take time to settle. That’s what you’re paying for. 15k, for where we want to be, should not be breaking the bank. If it is, then we can be worried.

We need players ready to go from the off, no waiting around for players to develop. It’s great to have those types as well, but it’s imperative we start properly and mix up the signings this time around with experience of the division.

 

[long way home]

Im sure Money v age and length of contracts will be a very active conversation between Doug, Austin and Robins. My impression is they will be a very different opinions on what is needed v what is value between manager and owner.

I would of thought the club would put a loose scale on age to length of contract. What that scale is could be anything but it stands to reason younger players will get the 4 year deals. With Browne it could come down to length of contract at this stage of his career.

Id like him, but if he goes elsewhere its not the player we want anyway and that goes for any other potential signing.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

The thing that might be blinding Doug, as a reasonably successful business man, is that he wants our players to be 'assets' and for the club to grow their value, to fund a) our losses and b) our future player purchases.
Older players certainly have less asset value and less margin to grow value, so maybe that's why he's less keen to go after them.
Additionally, loan players are not assets (as we don't own them), and he clearly seemed to use a strategy of not using them last season, despite evidence from the previous season, that they really helped our push into the playoffs.

As fans, we just want 'good' players here, and if Browne is as good as Preston fans think, and we are led to believe, he might be worth it, to help the younger players, and give some steel to our midfield.

I agree with predominantly signing young up and coming players on lengthy contracts, but there has to be some pragmatism as well.

The squad needs to be large enough to cope with the fixture demands, hence why a few loans can be useful.

Similarly, experience is also necessary and a couple of older, experienced heads are needed for a balanced side. Our experienced players have left or most likely leaving and so need replacing. How much these players should be offered and for how long will of course depend on each player. Personally for me, I'd set a limit of £15k on a 3(+1) deal for Browne. If he wants more than that then I'd start looking at other options.

 

[Trueskyblue20]

This idea that 29 is a really old player and will have lost their legs is ridiculous. Genuinely feel Football Manager has ruined the perception of reality.

You’d think from some of the comments that the likes of De Bruyne (32) should be in a retirement home by now.


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[Hincha]

If we lose out I won’t be too disheartened as we offer competitive fees & wages now - if he goes elsewhere whoever gets him will probably overpay.

Would like him - even though we’ll never make money on him. Never made money from fadz but he’s still one of the best signings of the era.

 

[skyblue025]

There has to be some interest on both sides if he has been shown around the club. He obviously has plenty of offers so the ball is in his court.

 

[torchomatic]

This depends on how much faith we have in our scouting systems. There are players as good as Browne to be had that are as yet unproven. You might get those for £15k a week. You pay the premium for Browne’s proven ability. The balance is obviously if your £15k a weeker ends up as the next Sandy Robertson or the next Dean Emerson. £10k a week over 3 years eliminates the risk. Depends if King is risk averse.

Little unfair on Dean Emerson. He was fantastic. Could have been a City Great until Gary fucking Megson cropped him. Emerson still lives around here too.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Little unfair on Dean Emerson. He was fantastic. Could have been a City Great until Gary fucking Megson cropped him. Emerson still lives around here too.

Agree - Emerson was a poor example to choose - very good player for us until he got crocked.

 

[Yorkshire SB]

This idea that 29 is a really old player and will have lost their legs is ridiculous. Genuinely feel Football Manager has ruined the perception of reality.

You’d think from some of the comments that the likes of De Bruyne (32) should be in a retirement home by now.


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It's about risk though isn't it, and resale value (i.e. there is none).

I don't think anyone is saying he can't/won't perform - but your likelihood of significant injury increases significantly past the age of 26 and increases as you age.

This could be a good deal for us, until it isn't. And if it's £20k a week, then I'd suggest that's a risky deal for us. £3m outlay on a single player who will have no resale value.

 

[TinPotTaylor]

IF King has decided our highest paid players must be young talented players, and we pay good money to atttact to then re sell later at a profit, I’m ok with that.

It’s one of the reasons the foreign market appeals to so many clubs…. Wages are typically lower and a good championship wage is still a step up from what they are on.

We have all watched a tonne of championship football and yet not one single person has suggested Browne until we were linked with him. Now panic has set in for some fans already ….

We can’t get bent out of shape because his agent is hawking him around …..

To be fair me and a few others did suggest Browne before we were linked with him.

He will be unreal for us.

 

[Skyblueweeman]

The thing King has to do next season is properly see the benefit of the loan market

You're right, agreed.

However, decent loans from EPL teams normally only occur after the transfer window shuts at the end of August. We need to hit the ground running as the last couple of seasons, we've had stinker starts and been playing catch up.

Good loans should be used to supplement an already strong squad.

 

[Hincha]

You're right, agreed.

However, decent loans from EPL teams normally only occur after the transfer window shuts at the end of August. We need to hit the ground running as the last couple of seasons, we've had stinker starts and been playing catch up.

Good loans should be used to supplement an already strong squad.

Not the case as much any more Loan window shuts at the same time as the transfer window shuts.

We’ve had Doyle, Panzo, Maatsen, Ostigard, Giles all in the squad for the first game of the season in recent years.

Only delays are usually because the team want to take them on their pre-season tour before loaning them.

 

[junglej13]

Not the case as much any more Loan window shuts at the same time as the transfer window shuts.

We’ve had Doyle, Panzo, Maatsen, Ostigard, Giles all in the squad for the first game of the season in recent years.

Only delays are usually because the team want to take them on their pre-season tour before loaning them.

Normally worse in a tournament summer though as a lot of the internationals won't start pre season until late July.

 

[It’sabatch87]

Agree - Emerson was a poor example to choose - very good player for us until he got crocked.

We had the last laugh though by knocking the dirty Cnut and his team out of the cup a week later!!

 

[fatso]

Absolutely no way should we be paying big wages for a 29 yo, who's only going to decline. You'd assume he'd want 3 years as well.

That makes no sense.

If you pay him £15k a week over 3 years that's less than £2.5million for a player with a proven pedigree at championship level and a natural leader on the pitch.

Alternatively you could pay 4 or 5 million in transfer fees, plus 1 or 2 million in wages, for a younger up and coming player that is still learning, will make some bad mistakes, and may not even make the grade in the championship, and could walk away on a free after 3 years anyway.

Picking someone like Browne up on a free is a bargain so we should pay him a competitive wage.

His experience could be massive in a squad that has lost Fadz and Kelly and could be set to lose Godden and Bidwell.

 

[Cally Fedora]

Agree - Emerson was a poor example to choose - very good player for us until he got crocked.

Completely agree. Emerson was the one I threw in as the bargain buy that turned out to be a fantastic signing. The opposite to Robertson. I seem to remember he was on the verge of England caps before the injury.

 

[Calista]

Absolutely no way should we be paying big wages for a 29 yo, who's only going to decline. You'd assume he'd want 3 years as well.

In the 1960's, 70s and 80s, the age of 30 was considered the tail end of a footballer's career. Now with sports science, better training methods and more responsible lifestyles (in most cases!) I'd argue that for many players 30 is their prime time, with every chance of delivering good performancea for another 4 or 5 years.

If you can afford the player you want, 29 years old really shouldn't be an issue.

 

[fatso]

In the 1960's, 70s and 80s, the age of 30 was considered the tail end of a footballer's career. Now with sports science, better training methods and more responsible lifestyles (in most cases!) I'd argue that for many players 30 is their prime time, with every chance of delivering good performancea for another 4 or 5 years.

If you can afford the player you want, 29 years old really shouldn't be an issue.

Exactly, Fadz is 8 years older than Browne and still performing at Championship level.
I'd be more than happy for us to sign Browne on a 3 year deal.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Exactly, Fadz is 8 years older than Browne and still performing at Championship level.
I'd be more than happy for us to sign Browne on a 3 year deal.

He's hardly performing is he.

 

[fernandopartridge]

He's hardly performing is he.

And he's not a box to box midfielder in any case

 

[Yorkshire SB]

That makes no sense.

If you pay him £15k a week over 3 years that's less than £2.5million for a player with a proven pedigree at championship level and a natural leader on the pitch.

Alternatively you could pay 4 or 5 million in transfer fees, plus 1 or 2 million in wages, for a younger up and coming player that is still learning, will make some bad mistakes, and may not even make the grade in the championship, and could walk away on a free after 3 years anyway.

Picking someone like Browne up on a free is a bargain so we should pay him a competitive wage.

His experience could be massive in a squad that has lost Fadz and Kelly and could be set to lose Godden and Bidwell.

But by your logic, i.e. a made up scenario, he could sign and not improve the team (championship proven - but is he better than what we have?), and then we have a player who has no resale value and is on considerable wages with a long contract.

His experience would be great, but if we overpay then it comes with massive risk.

 

[fatso]

But by your logic, i.e. a made up scenario, he could sign and not improve the team (championship proven - but is he better than what we have?), and then we have a player who has no resale value and is on considerable wages with a long contract.

His experience would be great, but if we overpay then it comes with massive risk.

The bigger risk would be allowing him to go to a competitor.

Is he better than what we have? I'd say yes (with the possible exception of Sheaf)
As things stand, if Sheaf gets injured we are screwed, add to that the fact that both Sheaf and Browne can play In the same team, and all of a sudden we look very good in midfield.

 

[fatso]

He's hardly performing is he.

Looked good against us at their gaff.

He even supplied the pass that resulted in Kitching having to drag their striker down and getting a red card in the process.

I've no.doubt we'd of picked up more than 1 point out of a possible 18 if we'd of still had Fadz at the back end of the season.

 

[fatso]

And he's not a box to box midfielder in any case

Who said he was?

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Looked good against us at their gaff.

He even supplied the pass that resulted in Kitching having to drag their striker down and getting a red card in the process.

I've no.doubt we'd of picked up more than 1 point out of a possible 18 if we'd of still had Fadz at the back end of the season.

He kept 2 cleansheets in 12 starts for them...