(That long since we've had any, couldn't find the thread)

Alan Nixon: "Top Liverpool starlet Cameron Branagan will Ben allowed out on loan in Jan.

Bolton lead the race for the 20 year old midfielder"

Edited December 11, 20169 yr by Ratwhite

10 minutes ago, thebells said:

To counter this view, I'd suggest handing out 4 year deals to players (one of whom had Championship offers), bidding £500K for N'Mai and Kenny, actively looking to bring in more players whilst also sucking up the large costs involved in paying off last seasons management team, would suggest the supply of money is still there and the evidence is that the stream will continue.

Everything i have been told is that the investors will continue to back the club. SS only came because he was promised a sizeable budget to compete at top end of League One and evidence suggests this to be the case. The money is largely being drawn from high net worth investment funds, and the commitment from them to BWFC is relatively small fry. Small risk high reward for them. I expect we've got another 2-3 years of this level of investment before the investors start doing some introspective work!

Our budget will be top 4 or 5 in the division this season. No guarantees of course, and I personally feel the 4 year contracts do represent some risk. I also feel the suggestion of a smaller squad (based on our historical injury record) represents some risk but i'd expect us to be top 6 this season and a team that improves as the season goes on.

With my 'speculating' hat on now, I think its possible a centre half goes this summer (right sided - Forrester or Toal), a centre mid goes (but God knows who), and I'll throw out some wild speculation that SS may try to convert Thomason into a left back (where he did play and did ok for one game last season)

I agree that at least one centre half will go, preferably Toal or even Johnston but I think Forrester would make a good right full back if we’re not going wing backs. It seems Taylor can play left back and also the Swedish lad so with Conway also in that position we look pretty well covered. As for wingers surely that’s what Schon and Desmond are so if they can stay fit strikers are much more essential as we only really have Dalby and McAtee, not a lethal looking proposition.

7 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

I agree that at least one centre half will go, preferably Toal or even Johnston but I think Forrester would make a good right full back if we’re not going wing backs. It seems Taylor can play left back and also the Swedish lad so with Conway also in that position we look pretty well covered. As for wingers surely that’s what Schon and Desmond are so if they can stay fit strikers are much more essential as we only really have Dalby and McAtee, not a lethal looking proposition.

I think there is some monetary value in selling Johnston, but i think SS would prefer 2 left footed centre halves and 2 right footed. With Forino, Toal and Forrester that was my thinking. Time will tell (though I'm not sure about Forrester as a right back)

Not sure I mentioned wingers, but he will want 4. Schon, Tutu, CMG (if he stays) plus N'Mai or someone else will be it I expect.

Conway still needs to prove himself at this level but pre season will give a good idea.

We are every cunts big day out and every cunt fills their ground when we turn up.

3 hours ago, Ryan said:

Should be, though I suspect Bradford may run us very close. Doesn’t mean much but it’s another pulling factor for new signings no? Come and join the biggest club in the league with the biggest crowds in the best stadium (biased but I think it’s true). 

I think things like this tend to be really overrated

3 hours ago, thebells said:

I think there is some monetary value in selling Johnston, but i think SS would prefer 2 left footed centre halves and 2 right footed. With Forino, Toal and Forrester that was my thinking. Time will tell (though I'm not sure about Forrester as a right back)

Not sure I mentioned wingers, but he will want 4. Schon, Tutu, CMG (if he stays) plus N'Mai or someone else will be it I expect.

Conway still needs to prove himself at this level but pre season will give a good idea.

I'm not convinced that Schon has the pace to be a winger in a side that could (potentially) be relying on them being a critical part of the set up.

3 minutes ago, tshape said:

I'm not convinced that Schon has the pace to be a winger in a side that could (potentially) be relying on them being a critical part of the set up.

Agreed and his final ball is piss poor and his shooting is worse! 

34 minutes ago, tshape said:

I'm not convinced that Schon has the pace to be a winger in a side that could (potentially) be relying on them being a critical part of the set up.

the best winger we have ever had very little pace

and morais was hardly usain bolt

though granted, the two i mentioned could kick a ball where they wanted to

7 minutes ago, Casino said:

the best winger we have ever had very little pace

and morais was hardly usain bolt

Yep.You don't have to get round the opposition to put in a good cross 

See Beckham 

 

16 minutes ago, Casino said:

the best winger we have ever had very little pace

and morais was hardly usain bolt

I'm hoping that's Peter Thompson Casino.

10 minutes ago, Casino said:

the best winger we have ever had very little pace

and morais was hardly usain bolt

Peter Thompson 

you definitely need to be able to cross a ball pace or no pace or cut in and shoot I can’t see him relying on tutu and schon would be a gamble 

1 hour ago, tshape said:

I'm not convinced that Schon has the pace to be a winger in a side that could (potentially) be relying on them being a critical part of the set up.

You might be right, and i sense SS isn't fully sold on him (to be fair he had some injuries late in the season (genuine in his case). I'll give him a slight pass having been played out of position by Evatt and living in a hotel longer than you'd want to. And if it comes to tracking back, give me him over Tutu every day of the week. Depends on the opposition I suppose.

39 minutes ago, Casino said:

the best winger we have ever had very little pace

and morais was hardly usain bolt

Paul Comstive?

32 minutes ago, Farnywhite said:

Peter Thompson 

you definitely need to be able to cross a ball pace or no pace or cut in and shoot I can’t see him relying on tutu and schon would be a gamble 

I'd be amazed if Schumacher chooses Schon and Tutu as our wingers for next season.

1 hour ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I think things like this tend to be really overrated

Maybe in some cases but surely just looking round the gaff and seeing the scale of the operation must be a pull to some.

Or make em shit their pants

5 hours ago, thebells said:

To counter this view, I'd suggest handing out 4 year deals to players (one of whom had Championship offers), bidding £500K for N'Mai and Kenny, actively looking to bring in more players whilst also sucking up the large costs involved in paying off last seasons management team, would suggest the supply of money is still there and the evidence is that the stream will continue.

Everything i have been told is that the investors will continue to back the club. SS only came because he was promised a sizeable budget to compete at top end of League One and evidence suggests this to be the case. The money is largely being drawn from high net worth investment funds, and the commitment from them to BWFC is relatively small fry. Small risk high reward for them. I expect we've got another 2-3 years of this level of investment before the investors start doing some introspective work!

Our budget will be top 4 or 5 in the division this season. No guarantees of course, and I personally feel the 4 year contracts do represent some risk. I also feel the suggestion of a smaller squad (based on our historical injury record) represents some risk but i'd expect us to be top 6 this season and a team that improves as the season goes on.

With my 'speculating' hat on now, I think its possible a centre half goes this summer (right sided - Forrester or Toal), a centre mid goes (but God knows who), and I'll throw out some wild speculation that SS may try to convert Thomason into a left back (where he did play and did ok for one game last season)

Question is what is meant by “backing the club”? Not pulling out despite not achieving last year’s target?? Fronting 500k for two players who will command an absolute minimum of £750k in them full knowledge that their money is safe?

One thing is for sure _ it doesn’t mean backing like Brum were backed last year otherwise NMai and Kenny would already be training with the lads.

On the evidence so far it’s looking like “sell to buy” rather than a blank cheque.

Maybe we will make some impressive signings and the investment will flow before the window closes but I haven’t seen anything yet that suggests we are going for it. Hopefully that will change.

50 minutes ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

I'm hoping that's Peter Thompson Casino.

AKA Spider

1 hour ago, Casino said:

the best winger we have ever had very little pace

and morais was hardly usain bolt

Fair point.

Any news on improved bids for these 2 players from last week or so? 

1 hour ago, Wanderlust said:

Question is what is meant by “backing the club”? Not pulling out despite not achieving last year’s target?? Fronting 500k for two players who will command an absolute minimum of £750k in them full knowledge that their money is safe?

One thing is for sure _ it doesn’t mean backing like Brum were backed last year otherwise NMai and Kenny would already be training with the lads.

On the evidence so far it’s looking like “sell to buy” rather than a blank cheque.

Maybe we will make some impressive signings and the investment will flow before the window closes but I haven’t seen anything yet that suggests we are going for it. Hopefully that will change.

Nobody at this level is getting backed like Birmingham (and Wrexham) were for many, many years. Complete outliers  

You seem underwhelmed, but it’s July 1st. Relax, put your feet up and take comfort in the knowledge it’s just a bunch of 25 year old lads chasing some wind round a patch of grass. 

4 minutes ago, thebells said:

Nobody at this level is getting backed like Birmingham (and Wrexham) were for many, many years. Complete outliers  

You seem underwhelmed, but it’s July 1st. Relax, put your feet up and take comfort in the knowledge it’s just a bunch of 25 year old lads chasing some wind round a patch of grass. 

People are so impatient early days yet.

Don’t buy into being a big club in third tier attracts players, I don't think they could give two shits. Evatt used to go on about that, how we may offer less but you get to play at a nice stadium with top facilities in front of 20k. It’s blatantly what you’re offering in terms of contracts & agent fees. Wycombe signing players from Feyenoord & Basel I bet they’ve never even heard of Wycombe but they’re paying decent wedge with rich owners, every mercenary jumping to MK with a stadium full of ghosts in the lowest league of the EFL. I remember an absolute nobody Jordan Turnbull turning us down for bloody Salford when we were recruiting for L2 because they offered him an extra few quid, that turned out well for him.

14 minutes ago, Deanu said:

Don’t buy into being a big club in third tier attracts players, I don't think they could give two shits. Evatt used to go on about that, how we may offer less but you get to play at a nice stadium with top facilities in front of 20k. It’s blatantly what you’re offering in terms of contracts & agent fees. Wycombe signing players from Feyenoord & Basel I bet they’ve never even heard of Wycombe but they’re paying decent wedge with rich owners, every mercenary jumping to MK with a stadium full of ghosts in the lowest league of the EFL. I remember an absolute nobody Jordan Turnbull turning us down for bloody Salford when we were recruiting for L2 because they offered him an extra few quid, that turned out well for him.

Both are true.

Listening to interviews with new players, so many comment about the ground.

Of course it's not the be all and end all, but they also see the potential, and what it could lead to with success this season.

On 01/07/2025 at 12:50, gonzo said:

We are every cunts big day out and every cunt fills their ground when we turn up.

This

For three seasons we haven't turned up (bar Birmingham)

Lets up SS gets em showing some "spunk"! ( Spunk a truly underused word these days as is Busters)

Edited July 2, 2025Jul 2 by Ratwhite

3 hours ago, tshape said:

I'm not convinced that Schon has the pace to be a winger in a side that could (potentially) be relying on them being a critical part of the set up.

I don't think he has the ability to be a decent winger.