Transfer Rumour Marko Stamenic (4 Viewers)

[fatso]

To be fair, the last 2 seasons ticket revenue and PO and Cup runs will have added a few million into the mix.

Well done for breaking it down like that though...I thought we'd still have some Hamer money left over but looking at your breakdown, looks like that's not the case.

That said, I'm pretty confident this signing is happening and there'll be more through the door this summer.

The club will of used the cup/season ticket revenue to fund operating costs, such as staff wages, maintenance of Ryton, rent of Higgs centre etc etc, there won't be any mythical pot of money just sitting around waiting to be used for transfers.the reality is we will operate at a substantial loss once player sales are excluded.

Any money spent will be an investment, by Doug who will probably be banking on a future profit and may already know that Sheaf is off.

Its laughable that so many fans think the club is always pissed up with money.

 

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[shmmeee]

We received £32m for Gyokeres and Hamer:

MVE £3.5m
Saka £1.2m
Simms £3.5m
Wright £7.7m
Kitching £4m
Thomas £2m
Torp £2m
EMC £5m
Collins £0.6m
£30.5m

Plus undisclosed signing on fees + agents fees. I'd say that the money has long gone.

You’d have thought after 19 goals a piece some of the £4,5m and £1.3M addons for simms and wright respectively would be due too.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

I don't agree with this. I'd say our defence is the weakest area. We constantly concede and have to chase games by out scoring our opponents. I don't think much of the two centre backs and Bidwell probably the best of an average bunch.
I'd be looking for a quality keeper and centre half and take it from there.

Yeah also think our defence needs improving, I’m still holding out on judging Kitching as he’s been banned for so many games it’s hard to tell if he’s good or not, some games looks decent and some games not. I think our midfield needs sorting out and our defence needs bolstering.

Whatever people’s reasoning, it’s clear we need better players. The same team + Stamenic is not going to get us in the automatics, we need more quality and depth.

 

[Torquay Sky Blue]

Yeah also think our defence needs improving, I’m still holding out on judging Kitching as he’s been banned for so many games it’s hard to tell if he’s good or not, some games looks decent and some games not. I think our midfield needs sorting out and our defence needs bolstering.

Whatever people’s reasoning, it’s clear we need better players. The same team + Stamenic is not going to get us in the automatics, we need more quality and depth.

Agree, we had a fabulous cup run but this present squad never makes the playoffs. Surprisingly pleased with Simms and Wrights progress but we're drastically short in other areas

 

[SHUNT31]

Imagine if Turner does turn out to be right though and we only bring in a few frees


Cant see many people waking up feeling fine then hey

Oh well, you being optimistic lasted a few hours mate. Small steps and that, I guess

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

Agree, we had a fabulous cup run but this present squad never makes the playoffs. Surprisingly pleased with Simms and Wrights progress but we're drastically short in other areas

Definitely, the idea that “we’ll just have a crack at again and we’ll be sound” seems a bit ridiculous to me, like of course it’s possible that can happen, but nearly every other team will be strengthening their squad as well.
We need to forget our nostalgia for certain players and upgrade as much as we can. It’s always a proper battle to make it out of the championship, we need to be aiming for automatics not just play-offs.

 

[Balli001]

Thought more mid July. He has just had month off also.

selfishly would be better for us if not picked for final squad, so he can have good pre season with us.

Most international players would get a fortnight off after a tournament.

 

[steve cooper]

Yeah also think our defence needs improving, I’m still holding out on judging Kitching as he’s been banned for so many games it’s hard to tell if he’s good or not, some games looks decent and some games not. I think our midfield needs sorting out and our defence needs bolstering.

Whatever people’s reasoning, it’s clear we need better players. The same team + Stamenic is not going to get us in the automatics, we need more quality and depth.

Plus EMC, plus Sakamoto, that's already almost a third of a team compared to the players avalable in the last 10 games, and the window hasn't even opened yet. Seems to be building nicely IMO.

 

[shmmeee]

Definitely, the idea that “we’ll just have a crack at again and we’ll be sound” seems a bit ridiculous to me, like of course it’s possible that can happen, but nearly every other team will be strengthening their squad as well.
We need to forget our nostalgia for certain players and upgrade as much as we can. It’s always a proper battle to make it out of the championship, we need to be aiming for automatics not just play-offs.

We’ll definitely be better this season even if we sign no one TBF. Just having Wright Simms on form and Saka and EMC available will ensure that. Eccles and Torp should be better too.

 

[Skyblueweeman]

The club will of used the cup/season ticket revenue to fund operating costs, such as staff wages, maintenance of Ryton, rent of Higgs centre etc etc, there won't be any mythical pot of money just sitting around waiting to be used for transfers.the reality is we will operate at a substantial loss once player sales are excluded.

Any money spent will be an investment, by Doug who will probably be banking on a future profit and may already know that Sheaf is off.

Its laughable that so many fans think the club is always pissed up with money.

I don't think the club is always 'pissed up with money'. The clubs operational costs will have been factored to have been covered by TV money, sponsorship money, ST money etc.

The PO and Cup run money won't have been budgeted for - therefore the operational costs will likely have been covered by the streams mentioned above.

The additional/'unexpected' revenue is on top of projections so yes, it's likely going to form a part of transfer policy going forward.

 

[Matt smith]

We’ll definitely be better this season even if we sign no one TBF. Just having Wright Simms on form and Saka and EMC available will ensure that. Eccles and Torp should be better too.

If we keep sheaf and sign Marko those 4 options in midfield are superb

 

[fatso]

I don't think the club is always 'pissed up with money'. The clubs operational costs will have been factored to have been covered by TV money, sponsorship money, ST money etc.

The PO and Cup run money won't have been budgeted for - therefore the operational costs will likely have been covered by the streams mentioned above.

The additional/'unexpected' revenue is on top of projections so yes, it's likely going to form a part of transfer policy going forward.

I think you'll find that the PO/ cup money just reduced the amount of operating losses.

 

[fatso]

We’ll definitely be better this season even if we sign no one TBF. Just having Wright Simms on form and Saka and EMC available will ensure that. Eccles and Torp should be better too.

Don't forget we'll have Jamie Allen available again


Our first team looks strong when everyone is fit, but we still need replacements for Binks, Kelly, Godden and O'hare, and even then our squad depth looks thin.

We could also do with some of our own youngsters breaking into the first team squad, we haven't really seen that in the last couple of seasons, in fact not since since Eccles stepped up. Prior to that we had Shippley, Thomas and Bayliss etc.

 

[Offhegoes]

I am sure we are more sound financially then the majority of clubs in the Division. The likes of Bristol, Cardiff, Sunderland, Preston. They are most likely paying more wages but haven't sold 2 players pocketing £30 million+ in the last 12 months, and have lower crowds (with the exception of Sunderland) - Even clubs like Norwich and Watford who have been out of the top flight for over 2 years, and paying huge salaries are in trouble with the parachute payments almost gone. Leeds need to sell to having gambled a lot to go up first time.

 

[Northeast sky blue]

Crikey we've gone from signing Sanches, Ntelo, Browne and this kiwi, to at least Jamie Allen is back

 

[Skyblueweeman]

I think you'll find that the PO/ cup money just reduced the amount of operating losses.

Well yes, there is that.

I'm still pretty confident that this guy will sign and we'll bring in others. Despite not swimming in cash.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

We’ll definitely be better this season even if we sign no one TBF. Just having Wright Simms on form and Saka and EMC available will ensure that. Eccles and Torp should be better too.

True, and I don’t disagree that we won’t be better this year, but I still think we need something extra in order to get automatics. A better keeper, a quicker LB and maybe CB cover in case of suspensions/injuries, plus we may not have Sheaf. I think there’s a lot more we need to do in order to be seriously competing for the top 1-4 spots.

 

[shmmeee]

True, and I don’t disagree that we won’t be better this year, but I still think we need something extra in order to get automatics. A better keeper, a quicker LB and maybe CB cover in case of suspensions/injuries, plus we may not have Sheaf. I think there’s a lot more we need to do in order to be seriously competing for the top 1-4 spots.

If we don’t have Sheaf then we’ll have money to invest.

The only position that really worries me is CB as we have virtually no cover.

I don’t think this would happen but let’s say the pot is empty Vik doesn’t move and no one wants Sheaf at a reasonable price. I’d expect us to bring in a full complement of loans in that situation say GK LB CB CM ST. Maybe a free or two in some of those positions instead.

Not ideal, but not the end of the world.

As I say though I don’t expect that.

 

[procdoc]

I still can’t believe why Eccles is still so underrated. He’s a top midfielder in this league

 

[Matt smith]

If we don’t have Sheaf then we’ll have money to invest.

The only position that really worries me is CB as we have virtually no cover.

I don’t think this would happen but let’s say the pot is empty Vik doesn’t move and no one wants Sheaf at a reasonable price. I’d expect us to bring in a full complement of loans in that situation say GK LB CB CM ST. Maybe a free or two in some of those positions instead.

Not ideal, but not the end of the world.

As I say though I don’t expect that.

No chance we’ll not spend anything, we’ll get a couple of loans not 4/5

I hope it’s a decent summer transfer wise, couple of marquee permanent signings

 

[skybluecam]

We’ll definitely be better this season even if we sign no one TBF. Just having Wright Simms on form and Saka and EMC available will ensure that. Eccles and Torp should be better too.

Yeah, people are forgetting that in the period between switching to 433 and Saka's injury we were comfortably top 3/4 form wise.

Play that from the start of the season, and with more cover out wide (which we already have) and we should be significantly improved.

And for all the moaning about our defence, it really isn't that bad.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Don't forget we'll have Jamie Allen available again

We will, and that'll be like a new signing.

 

[standupforcity]

I still can’t believe why Eccles is still so underrated. He’s a top midfielder in this league

He plays the ball square or back far too often..

 

[fernandopartridge]

Yeah, people are forgetting that in the period between switching to 433 and Saka's injury we were comfortably top 3/4 form wise.

Play that from the start of the season, and with more cover out wide (which we already have) and we should be significantly improved.

And for all the moaning about our defence, it really isn't that bad.

Defence was fine until the team wide end of season drop off in form. Kitching had a bit of an iffy run in the same way that Thomas did quite early in the season, it happens and they can learn from it.

 

[robbiethemole]

Lets just have a decent start to the season and not be playing 'catch-up'

 

[fernandopartridge]

He plays the ball square or back far too often..

229 compared to 240 for Sheaf, the first and second most in the team

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

I still can’t believe why Eccles is still so underrated. He’s a top midfielder in this league

I’m probably one of his biggest haters so I can’t resist a nibble I just find him very plain and unthreatening, he rarely makes a pass that is full of “vision” (or rarely has the ability to do it, corners, cough cough…) and he does of a lot of sideways passing.

I get that he’s quite consistent and isn’t injury prone but passes for the sake of passes doesn’t lead to goals, he’s just a place-holder in my eyes. Along with Allen he’d be one of the first players I’d be looking to replace, fortunately for most fans I’m not Doug so Eccles probably won’t be dropped any time soon.

 

[fernandopartridge]

19th highest number of progressive passes in the entire league from Eccles

https://fbref.com/en/comps/10/passing/Championship-Stats

Some people on here have made their mind up about him, no matter what. He's a good player, good awareness, great tackling.

 

[shmmeee]

I’m probably one of his biggest haters so I can’t resist a nibble I just find him very plain and unthreatening, he rarely makes a pass that is full of “vision” (or rarely has the ability to do it, corners, cough cough…) and he does of a lot of sideways passing.

I get that he’s quite consistent and isn’t injury prone but passes for the sake of passes doesn’t lead to goals, he’s just a place-holder in my eyes. Along with Allen he’d be one of the first players I’d be looking to replace, fortunately for most fans I’m not Doug so Eccles probably won’t be dropped any time soon.

Hard disagree. I think his vision is one of his best assets. He often plays really intelligent balls, especially when out wide. I’m just not convinced by his range or his movement.

 

[Deleted member 9744]

I still can’t believe why Eccles is still so underrated. He’s a top midfielder in this league

He is unfashionable because of the position he plays and because we didn’t sign him for a fee from a foreign club. He's an excellent player and in my view last season was our best player, just ahead of Sheaf. His stats largely bear this out, and despite being ostensibly a defensive midfielder he had the second most assists. For some reason his forward play is invisible to some posters.

The three or so posters who criticise him non stop will be along soon. Oh I see one has already got there!

 

[LastChance]

True, and I don’t disagree that we won’t be better this year, but I still think we need something extra in order to get automatics. A better keeper, a quicker LB and maybe CB cover in case of suspensions/injuries, plus we may not have Sheaf. I think there’s a lot more we need to do in order to be seriously competing for the top 1-4 spots.

Agree with your comments about "A better keeper, a quicker LB and maybe CB cover in case of suspensions/injuries". It's great that we've improved the attacking/midfield areas of the team but unless we tighten things up at the back and stop giving so many soft goals away we're gonna miss the boat again.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

He is unfashionable because of the position he plays and because we didn’t sign him for a fee from a foreign club. He's an excellent player and in my view last season was our best player, just ahead of Sheaf. His stats largely bear this out, and despite being ostensibly a defensive midfielder he had the second most assists. For some reason his forward play is invisible to some posters.

The three or so posters who criticise him non stop will be along soon. Oh I see one has already got there!

Yep beat you to it, already here
Maybe I’m missing something completely, fair enough if so, I genuinely never mind being proven wrong, but I really really don’t see where this Eccles “threat” comes from. His crossing is sketchy, the odd one comes off but it’s hit and miss, however the worst thing for me is he rarely tries an ambitious through ball when that split-second opportunity presents itself. As @shmmeee was saying his movement just isn’t good enough, his reactions aren’t quick enough for what we need in my opinion. His stats might say one thing, but visually and from what he actually contributes in terms of goals and assists, he doesn’t do enough.

 

[fatso]

Yep beat you to it, already here
Maybe I’m missing something completely, fair enough if so, I genuinely never mind being proven wrong, but I really really don’t see where this Eccles “threat” comes from. His crossing is sketchy, the odd one comes off but it’s hit and miss, however the worst thing for me is he rarely tries an ambitious through ball when that split-second opportunity presents itself. As @shmmeee was saying his movement just isn’t good enough, his reactions aren’t quick enough for what we need in my opinion. His stats might say one thing, but visually and from what he actually contributes in terms of goals and assists, he doesn’t do enough.

He's one of those players who no one notices until he's out injured.

He's not a playmaker or goalscorer, he's more of a midfield enforcer, and protects the back 4 from midfield runners. He does the dirty work so those like Palmer can do the pretty stuff without worrying about getting their kit dirty.

What I would say is that he's improving every year, and if he continues in that vain we won't be having this discussion next year.

He's only recently turned 24. So a valuable member of the squad. If he improves again this season he'll be off for decent money.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Yep beat you to it, already here
Maybe I’m missing something completely, fair enough if so, I genuinely never mind being proven wrong, but I really really don’t see where this Eccles “threat” comes from. His crossing is sketchy, the odd one comes off but it’s hit and miss, however the worst thing for me is he rarely tries an ambitious through ball when that split-second opportunity presents itself. As @shmmeee was saying his movement just isn’t good enough, his reactions aren’t quick enough for what we need in my opinion. His stats might say one thing, but visually and from what he actually contributes in terms of goals and assists, he doesn’t do enough.

I'd say his cross / diagonal ball for Haji Wright vs Leeds is the assist of the season

 

[Skybluekyle]

I'd say his cross / diagonal ball for Haji Wright vs Leeds is the assist of the season

One of the goals of the season too, I thought. Great pace by MvE to get us up the field, perfect pass from Eccles and an exceptionally cheeky finish by Wright. Lovely goal