Transfer rumours, speculation and associated discussion - summer 2018 (Part I)

[Junior Shabadoo]

Originally Posted by fugazi3973

Again though, if Sam was to come to the press tomorrow and say that were are definitely not signing a forward and are instead going to put a member of our youth team (who he rates highly but has no experience obviously) in the team, there would be no uproar? I'm not saying as a back-up but as a regular player. I didn't hear anyone clamouring for youth to be given a chance in January. It was always "sign someone, so any signings then, etc."

We've got one forward so we ought to be able to do both of those things.

[Jaded]

Originally Posted by fugazi3973

Again though, if Sam was to come to the press tomorrow and say that were are definitely not signing a forward and are instead going to put a member of our youth team (who he rates highly but has no experience obviously) in the team, there would be no uproar? I'm not saying as a back-up but as a regular player. I didn't hear anyone clamouring for youth to be given a chance in January. It was always "sign someone, so any signings then, etc."

I’m really lost as to why people CARE so much about this ‘uproar’? Do you think it’s going to knock a few hundred off attendances or do something else that’ll cost us money? If not, surely it doesn’t really matter whether a few people disagree with it?

[GiggityGiggityGiggityGoo]

Originally Posted by fugazi3973

Wimbledon was seven years ago. Here's a bit of info from the last three championship winning teams (info from transfermarkt.co.uk) I haven't gone back further, but have other things to do, at least this will give you some research which you say I don't do...

Macclesfield. 2017/2018 No youth players in the squad.

Lincoln 2016/2017. 5 youth players.
(Richard Walton (didn't play – still at the club)
Andy Wright (didn't play - since released),
Kegan Everington (didn't play now at Alfreton),
Jenk Acar (didn't play - now at Spalding),
Alex Simmons (played a total of 25 minutes over 2 matches - now at Gainsborough)

Cheltenham 2015/2016. 6 youth players.
Niall Rowe (didn’t play now at Barwell FC),
James Bowen (played a total of 9 minutes now FC Hereford)
Joe Hanks (played a total of 11 minutes now Gloucester City,)
Zack Kotwica (didn’t play now Salisbury City)
Jamal Lawrence (didn’t play, now Gloucester City)
Bobbie Dale (didn’t play, now Gloucester City)

Worth the investment at this level? I'm not saying there is NO value, but it's a pure lotto. With the change in the rules about clubs having to pay development fees etc, it is a much different playing field than it was in days gone by (i.e the Flynn era).

It's a crying shame, there really is nothing like cheering on "one of our own", but until we're further up the ladder it's a resource we may want to dispense with (and as we get up the ladder we do become a more attractive choice to the players we want to attract)

Wimbledon prove it can be done and have this blend some would like to see, youth players either developed by Wimbledon from a young age or those released by other clubs like us and Niel Taylor. Throw in effective scouting of lower leagues, they did find Christian Jolly and a smattering of players who tour clubs out our level.

They got promoted and haven't looked back, pretty impressive for a fan owned club and shows to the doubters it can be done away from the traditional means of private owners. They too have to deal with big clubs taking players and like us have an impressive list of former youth players to be proud of. They do have a clear pathway and now proven one at developing young players and giving some a second chance. All without a penny of league funding, impressive eh?

With the right plan and application we could make the club a hell of a lot stronger and resilient. If Chester get things sorted on the business side they'll bounce back up a league, if they get a bit of luck which they're tryibg to creatie they may even get a shot at EFL football. They seem to be going about things in a similar way to Wimbledon.

While we just moan that it can't be done.

[Zipper]

Chester are going knowhere with them 2 bullies in charge.

[fugazi3973]

Originally Posted by Jaded

I’m really lost as to why people CARE so much about this ‘uproar’? Do you think it’s going to knock a few hundred off attendances or do something else that’ll cost us money? If not, surely it doesn’t really matter whether a few people disagree with it?

It depends on whether it is a "few hundred" off attendances or a "few people disagreeing with it".

I love this club. I actually think things are moving in the right direction. I don't think we NEED a youth system at this moment. I think it CAN add something, but only if you can invest money in it. But at this level, if you do so, the money has to come from the first team, which we can ill afford.

This is nothing to do with how we are funded, but more in how the goal-posts have changed in the youth system in the fairly recent past. We look back to the Flynn era, but since then how the big clubs operate has changed. Where previously we could sell a Bryan Hughes or a Lee Jones, nowadays the big boys, on the whole, will go overseas, or exploit the youth market here and nick lads who previously they would have had to pay more for.

So nowadays, yes, we do have to care about the uproar. We have around 2,000 hardcore season ticket holders (one of which I am proud to be). (To clarify, I appreciate holding a season ticket does not make you a "better" supporter - it's not that clear! I just use it to clarify guaranteed income). I'd say our attendances range from 4-6k depending on the opponent and our league performances. But other things can impact those figures. One of which is, if you listen to the frothers on here, the quality of signings. If they are to be believed, signing a forward with 20+ goal last season will add hundreds to the gate. Saying we're going with an unproven goalscorer from our youth system will not add those people.

I'm not saying I like it. I don't. I bloody hate it. I wish it wasn't the case. Maybe I'm wrong. I hope I am. But gambling money on a system which may or may not produce something, compared to an educated gamble by investing on "ready-to-go" players is just that. A gamble. You should only gamble if you can afford to lose.

[Jaded]

Originally Posted by fugazi3973

It depends on whether it is a "few hundred" off attendances or a "few people disagreeing with it. But other things can impact those figures. One of which is, if you listen to the frothers on here, the quality of signings. If they are to be believed, signing a forward with 20+ goal last season will add hundreds to the gate. Saying we're going with an unproven goalscorer from our youth system will not add those people.

I appreciate a few people are saying this but it seems so hard to take them seriously. If we sign a 20+ a season striker and he doesn’t score in the first few games, do you think the ‘hundreds’ of extra people will still come?

Also do you really think many of our signings over recent years have been ‘ready to go’?!

[Foxy]

Originally Posted by Hawarden Red10

Club has to accept a bid before they can talk to one. Pearson I can imagine is not for sale. Next.

Every player has a price and unfortunately for a club which is a cash flow business like ours, the price probably would be relatively small for Pearson and even less for Manny Smith. They were both outstanding last season and it would not be a surprise to see either or both leave.

[Corner Flag]

Originally Posted by Hawarden Red10

Club has to accept a bid before they can talk to one. Pearson I can imagine is not for sale. Next.

With this club's record I would assume we would let Pearson go on a free and wish him well

[Hawarden Red10]

Originally Posted by Foxy

Every player has a price and unfortunately for a club which is a cash flow business like ours, the price probably would be relatively small for Pearson and even less for Manny Smith. They were both outstanding last season and it would not be a surprise to see either or both leave.

Again you've backtracked on your "fact" that Pearson was off weeks ago...