Time to start doing Business Steve..!!

I'm sorry, but I personally think it's practically impossible to play in Europe with such a small squad and still compete in the Premier League without any problems. Most clubs that play in Europe could even play their youngsters in their national leagues without being relegated, because there is such a big difference in quality between them and other clubs in the league (I don't think we fall into that category). And even the teams that don't face such strong competition at home often limp into the winter break with their last ounce of strength and many injured players, where they can recover for two months. But well, I'll wait and see – maybe I'm being too pessimistic.
Totally agree with what you’re saying, Chelsea put out a completely different team in the conference until the business end, but we won’t have that luxury, but it’s going to be great having a go at it even if it does affect our league form. It’ll freshen up what can sometimes be a drab league season after 12 years slugging it out in the bottom half. It’ll be something none of us young or old have experienced before
 
Its already been reported that the expiry date was false, it apparently expires when the new season starts and they obviously dont think he's worth what the release clause is. But anyone who thinks a player is picking us over arsenal is living in cloud cuckoo land, especially the same people defending the club and telling us how hard it is to attract certain players, so we cant attract certain players yet out current ones will turn down one of the biggest clubs in the world to stay here, yeah that makes sense.
You read the same clickbait crap as the rest of us , so it’s been reported that Eze is open to the move. I’ve not seen anyone on here claiming that he would “ pick us over Arsenal “. Nor have I read any reports that the player is agitating for the move.

As for the release clause , Arsenal have to decide whether they want to activate it - or not. Signs are that they aren’t willing to pay the price - we’ll see
 
I'm sorry, but I personally think it's practically impossible to play in Europe with such a small squad and still compete in the Premier League without any problems. Most clubs that play in Europe could even play their youngsters in their national leagues without being relegated, because there is such a big difference in quality between them and other clubs in the league (I don't think we fall into that category). And even the teams that don't face such strong competition at home often limp into the winter break with their last ounce of strength and many injured players, where they can recover for two months. But well, I'll wait and see – maybe I'm being too pessimistic.
I find it difficult to disagree with this.
Last season we still on occasions fielded a bench with 2 goalkeepers, 2 veterans and 3 untried youngsters - and that was without the complication of Europe.

I've been like a broken gramaphone record on this to met with replies that it will be fine - we have Doucoure, Franca and Riad to come back in.
With their injury records that doesn't inspire me with confidence.
Just an injury to a single player, Nketiah, makes us look very light in forward options.

I'm sure we will add eventually, but possibly at the expense of some poor results, until we act at the end of the window i.e we're only properly prepared a month or two into the season
 
It didn't expire last Sunday, that was a false report it expires when the season starts, so if they have a plan in place what has that got to do with our current transfer strategy ? You know as much about transfers as you do the rules of uefa.
You’ve seen his contract then? You love stating opinion or what you have read as fact. It could be either dates and you don’t have proof for either beyond click bait heresay
 
I'm not sure Riad was fully ready before he was injured was he? He seemed ok but he's not Lacroix or Richards. I would think we're pretty desperate for a central defender. Currently looking at our three having to play every game, otherwise it's Clyne or Lerma. I'm not sure Clyne will be what he was - and use Lerma then we have hardly any options for midfield.
We now have only Mateta up front too, plus no actual cover for Sarr beyond Esse and Rak-Sakyi. I don't think either are poor, more that they're not as good as Sarr.
We have very poor cover across the whole squad. Only Goalkeeper is covered but, frankly, I don't fancy what we have beyond Henderson.
Threadbare squad springs to mind.
Fair enough, Glasner likes a small (experienced?) squad but we are pushing our luck. That might work in less physical leagues far more than the Premier League.
Let's say we can't expect to compete in four competitions without a superhuman effort from the players - even if we buy two more players or so.
Is it unreasonable to expect a minimum 22 players in a squad - so one extra in every position? It's not exactly a huge squad at 22 is it? Surely that has to the aim for every season? It feels like a basic enough requirement. I mean even have only two spare central defenders and rotate - even that would be a squad of 22 with the three goalies.
 
No, I'm simply someone who's been following this club for 35 years and am beyond ecstatic with the position we're currently in. I honestly can't for the life of me understand negativity at a time like this.

Parish has overseen the best years of the club's history - he's helped bring gems like Guehi, Olise, Eze, Wharton, Munoz, Mateta to the club. He's brought Glasner to the club - arguably the best manager in our history - and all of this has seen us finish consistently mid table in the world's best league - AND win the first major trophy in our club's history.

Then, instead of taking a well earned holiday...his entire summer break has been spent working night and day on trying to keep us in Europe. No doubt he'll be leading the charge on our response to CAS. And with all this up in the air...because we haven't gone and signed 94 players, some on here vilify him and have the nerve to say we're a club going backwards. Are you serious? We couldn't have more momentum as a club if we tried. The reality is, we only need a couple more players - and I believe we'll get them.

It's not 'blind faith' in Parish - as you state. It's informed and educated faith, based on years of successful and prudent management of the football club.

Long story short....calm down. It's going to be fine.
So you are Parish - how’s New Zealand - Mate we could seriously do with you back here doing some transfer Business..!! 😂

On a serious note, yes Parish has been good for us - there’s no disputing that..!!

But and it’s a big but - he’s dealings in transfer windows, especially summer have all followed the same pattern - inertia followed by a flurry of late deals, meaning we always go into the season on the back foot, get off to a poor start leaving us needing to play catch up..!!

As for his long earned summer holiday - you having a laugh he’s probably on a yacht somewhere now - get real..!!

The whole Europe thing is a side show as others have articulated the difference in prize money is negligible in terms of transfer budget.

This inertia means momentum has been lost - even if we bring in players now OG has no chance to work with them and integrate them into the squad = another poor/slow start to the season.

It’s not educated faith it’s belief in Parish’s rhetoric - evidence is there plain as the nose on your face..!!
 
I relied on multiple sites stating the release clause expired last Friday. Only one, the Evening Standard says it’s 15/8.

You can’t see the bigger picture when it comes to transfer strategy- and once again you dodge my question about a transfer ‘ plan ‘ - because you don’t know any more than I do whether one exists or not. But you’re insinuating ‘ not ‘.

I’m about as clued up on UEFA rules as most on here and my posts fall into the same category as all the others - speculation. And I’ve never claimed anything different

It was discussed by glasner in an interview, he had a meeting and it was agreed we would get our buisness done early so he would get a full preseason, its not happened.
 
Parish is a top man and bleeds red & blue blood.

Those questioning his business plan just need remind themselves of the mess we were in before he took over.

Does it not make sense to wait a few more days to see the outcome of the UEFA ruling - then add further players accordingly depending where we are playing? There may also be a couple of potential players waiting to see which cup we will be playing in?
What plan are you referring to exactly..??

I just don’t get this whole wait for the UEFA/CAS ruling thing - makes zero difference to the transfer budget / available funds it’s a smokescreen and complete nonsense and an excuse to do nothing..!!
 
What plan are you referring to exactly..??

I just don’t get this whole wait for the UEFA/CAS ruling thing - makes zero difference to the transfer budget / available funds it’s a smokescreen and complete nonsense and an excuse to do nothing..!!
Are you really as thick as two short planks, the time for criticism is after the window shuts, oh sorry, i didnt realise you were from Plaistow, my apologies
 
Try and get your head round this one, if nobody leaves, the starting 11 is nailed on, nobody is going to replace any of the first 11, everyone knows that, even future transfer options, so nobody 30m+ is going to join us to wait for the odd game, we need more back up players, the first 11 can hit the ground running, also the clubs that have more than the 25 allowed in their squad will want to offload some who haven't got in, like Chalobah who only got into Chelsea's 25 in the second new year selection, we have 4 loans options and possible bargains to bolster the squad before the window closes, and we will know which European competition we are, kapeesh?
Why are you talking about a first XI for..??

You’re allowed 5 subs - the game is now a 16 player game, beyond that you never heard of injuries - they do happen you know..!! Look at Nketiah - now out for 6 weeks..!!

We’re now in Europe potentially another 15 games, we need a squad with quality in depth to cope with that, injuries and the ability to seamlessly rotate - so that when you make a change it makes no difference to the strength of the team on the pitch..!!

Disagree - if everyone stays there are probably 7 that would be difficult to replace but the likes of Richards, Mitchell, Kamada and Sarr, could be replaced with better players..!! Do that and they drop to the bench then you have quality in depth..!!

The squad is nowhere near that ATM - so get your head around that..!!

COYP
 
Why are you talking about a first XI for..??

You’re allowed 5 subs - the game is now a 16 player game, beyond that you never heard of injuries - they do happen you know..!! Look at Nketiah - now out for 6 weeks..!!

We’re now in Europe potentially another 15 games, we need a squad with quality in depth to cope with that, injuries and the ability to seamlessly rotate - so that when you make a change it makes no difference to the strength of the team on the pitch..!!

Disagree - if everyone stays there are probably 7 that would be difficult to replace but the likes of Richards, Mitchell, Kamada and Sarr, could be replaced with better players..!! Do that and they drop to the bench then you have quality in depth..!!

The squad is nowhere near that ATM - so get your head around that..!!

COYP
I know, but the window is still open, ffs
 
Are you really as thick as two short planks, the time for criticism is after the window shuts, oh sorry, i didnt realise you were from Plaistow, my apologies
Mate I’ll ignore the unnecessary patronisation - you do realise that those who resort to that, it’s normally more a reflection of themselves rather than the person it’s aimed at - I’ll leave that with you to contemplate that..!!

Yes I’m from Plaistow and bloody proud of it..!!

On the end of the window - that will be too late..!!

I’ll leave you to give your mouth a rest and your brain a chance..!!
 
For slow starts, apparently Glasner nearly always has that and then builds momentum.
This season is transfer window deja vu so far. So not any different to every other season. I'm not sure why we always expect different. We never even say lesson learned or anything like that. It's our modus operandi.
So realistically we should consider how many we will sign in the last few days of the window. Or the day before one of our matches. That kind of thing.
I'm wondering if a signing might be announced on Friday? Just a total guess with a bit of merchandise value perhaps.
 
Mate I’ll ignore the unnecessary patronisation - you do realise that those who resort to that, it’s normally more a reflection of themselves rather than the person it’s aimed at - I’ll leave that with you to contemplate that..!!

Yes I’m from Plaistow and bloody proud of it..!!

On the end of the window - that will be too late..!!

I’ll leave you to give your mouth a rest and your brain a chance..!!
Wow, has the missus/Mr said yes or summat? Chill out, we're in Europe & we won the cup.
 
Why are you talking about a first XI for..??

You’re allowed 5 subs - the game is now a 16 player game, beyond that you never heard of injuries - they do happen you know..!! Look at Nketiah - now out for 6 weeks..!!

We’re now in Europe potentially another 15 games, we need a squad with quality in depth to cope with that, injuries and the ability to seamlessly rotate - so that when you make a change it makes no difference to the strength of the team on the pitch..!!

Disagree - if everyone stays there are probably 7 that would be difficult to replace but the likes of Richards, Mitchell, Kamada and Sarr, could be replaced with better players..!! Do that and they drop to the bench then you have quality in depth..!!

The squad is nowhere near that ATM - so get your head around that..!!

COYP
Right, so I understand your frustration with the lack of transfer activity to date. And the apparent breaking of a promise made to Glasner.

But you’re totally closed to the idea that there could be mitigating circumstances, choosing instead to blame it all on Steve Parish. Up to you of course.

You then want to replace players who were a fundamental part of last seasons success. I don’t think any of them merit being dismissed in that way. And if you are replacing them with “ better players “ , that’s going to cost a significant amount of money - can we afford to do that even if we wanted to ?

You’ve said it yourself, a bad start to the season and you’ll be on here with the “ I told you so’s “ I bet you can’t wait
 

Holmesdale Online Shop

Back
Top