Has Alan Knill got his transfer strategy wrong?

Fonda · Post by **Fonda** » 28 Jun 2013, 08:33

CP Gull wrote:Shane/Fonda

Although the point I am making is largely over the geography, I also share the same concerns with you and allude to it in my post in that are the players he is targeting realistic in terms of the level we are playing at and the wages these players will want ... and trying to fit that into what is I would suggest a lower end League 2 budget.

I felt last season he aimed too high in trying to persuade young "stars" (well probably in their own minds anyway!) to come out of the Academies at Man Utd and Liverpool and join little old Torquay at the other end of the country (doubt some of these guys would even have a clue where it is!) in a League 2 relegation dogfight. I suspect somehow that they didn't see that as particularly appealing or furthering their careers and ultimately AK was unsuccessful in his attempts to persuade them otherwise.

Take your point Chris, but think AK is pretty clued up. I'm sure he's only targetted players he'd think there's a chance we could get - and there's nothing wrong with aiming high! Besides, if you don't ask, you don't get. By which I mean if you don't approach the players you want, you won't know what they're asking for. Imagine if Mozika went elsewhere, and AK found out he was earning a wage he'd have happily offered him (having assumed he'd want more), he'd be kicking himself. I'm sure those that we're miles apart from in terms of wage, we're discarded early doors.

Post by **Gulliball** » 28 Jun 2013, 08:43

I don't see how finances can be a problem just yet. We have lost 11 players, including some first choice players who would have been among the higher earners, and we are probably looking to bring in 6-9 players. There should be plenty of room to start bringing in the players he wants.

Fonda · Post by **Fonda** » 28 Jun 2013, 08:46

That kind of assumes the budget is the same this year as last. The purse strings are now held directly by the purse holder.

Post by **Gulliball** » 28 Jun 2013, 09:36

It does for the total budget. However we haven't signed anyone. If we have the budget of 11 departing players, minus any reduction in budget, that is still a reasonable amount of money. I don't see why we are holding out for £50 on the first choice targets. For fringe players or someone signing in August, maybe, but for his first choice targets, if they are happy to come here, then I can't see why we would hold out for £50 less rather than just sign them and have them in for pre-season, which has just started without them having signed.

brooker · Post by **brooker** » 28 Jun 2013, 09:37

I am a bit concerned, however AK seems to be the type of guy who stays silent until a deal is clinched, and although we are all left in the dark, I like the way he works.
I think the time to panic could be when we start to see these names commit elsewhere.

PhilGull · Post by **PhilGull** » 28 Jun 2013, 10:11

brooker wrote:I am a bit concerned, however AK seems to be the type of guy who stays silent until a deal is clinched, and although we are all left in the dark, I like the way he works.
I think the time to panic could be when we start to see these names commit elsewhere.

A good point. If the likes of Benners, Tonge and Mozika sign up with other clubs then maybe is the time to start getting worried.

wodger of awabia · Post by **wodger of awabia** » 28 Jun 2013, 10:19

Gulliball wrote:I don't see how finances can be a problem just yet. We have lost 11 players, including some first choice players who would have been among the higher earners, and we are probably looking to bring in 6-9 players. There should be plenty of room to start bringing in the players he wants.

It's possible that he has very little funds available, as pitch improvements & other infrastructure costs could have been very costly. Ling & Taylor will also have to be paid off....wages, pension contributions, company cars, etc.etc.etc. I am hoping that we will see some young loan players (improvers) from Man.U, Everton etc on season long loans. I believe that the parent clubs pay their wages as long as they are selected to play, so we should be able to afford them. I am assuming of course that A.K. does in fact carry favour with these clubs, as has been reported.

Kernowgull · Post by **Kernowgull** » 28 Jun 2013, 10:54

I havent reread the article, but he said players were haggling over 50 quid. Some people seem to be wound up by this but a) I imagine its an example rather,than a fact that every player wangs fifty bucks more and b) he hasnt said we wont pay it. Hes just waiting to see who he has interest from, at what price, and then working out who he can sign.

If we'd signed 6 run of the mill plahers we'd all be shouting "lack of ambition". Now we're showing ambition with targets, people are still moaning.

tomogull · Post by **tomogull** » 28 Jun 2013, 11:21

No need to panic just yet ! However, if we haven't made any signings by the end of next week, then I will begin to feel rather uneasy.

Plymgull · Post by **Plymgull** » 28 Jun 2013, 11:44

Kernowgull wrote:I havent reread the article, but he said players were haggling over 50 quid. Some people seem to be wound up by this but a) I imagine its an example rather,than a fact that every player wangs fifty bucks more and b) he hasnt said we wont pay it. Hes just waiting to see who he has interest from, at what price, and then working out who he can sign.

If we'd signed 6 run of the mill plahers we'd all be shouting "lack of ambition". Now we're showing ambition with targets, people are still moaning.

Are finances so bad that we've started paying our players in the form of antlered animals? :-o

Okay i'm leaving.

exiledgull · Post by **exiledgull** » 28 Jun 2013, 12:23

We all need to calm down if we signed 2 or 3 players in next couple of days we will be pretty much were everyone else is.

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 28 Jun 2013, 12:31

Relax peoples. Knill is probably finding it more difficult than he first imagined but he knows his onions so I am not worried. What I do know is that whoever he DOES bring in will be told to play football in the right manner and after a 2 year holiday, real football will return to Plainmoor for us all to enjoy whatever the results.

Fonda · Post by **Fonda** » 28 Jun 2013, 12:35

exiledgull wrote:We all need to calm down if we signed 2 or 3 players in next couple of days we will be pretty much were everyone else is.

Not sure that's the case. We'd have made the same number of signings as everyone else, but our squad would still be significantly smaller than anyone else's.

Richinns · Post by **Richinns** » 28 Jun 2013, 12:37

Welcome back Andy!

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 28 Jun 2013, 12:39

Richinns wrote:Welcome back Andy!

Very kind of you to say so sir. Not back though, just passing through.......................

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