Did we spend our transfer money wisely? We're they Adkins choices?

[Mr X]

From what you've seen so far would you say we spent wisely? Unfortunately I would have to say no at this point. Ramerez is an impressive player but at what sacrifice? The general concensus around other clubs is that we have brought the wrong players in some are even laughing at the seven million spent on j rod ( agree he needs more time). Yoshida seems solid enough (when in the right position!) but uninspiring.

Did we target the wrong players? Do you believe they were Adkins choices?

[Dig Dig]

Trousers......do the honours

[laughba]

Would've rather had nick powell than jay rod. 7 mil is a joke

[Viking Warrior]

Yet another boring negative thread . Yawn . We have more expert professional football managers on this forum than there are in the premiership . Look at man city and Chelsea they never have a settled side . The guys we purchased at close of the window will need to settle alo these constant international breaks are not helping the process apart from recovery from injuries . Keep the faith

[aintforever]

We obviously should have spent more on the defence. To spend £30mill in the summer and end up on Saturday with a back 5 of Fox, Fonte, Hoover, Yoshida and Gazza is not too clever.

I think how much say Adkins had in the transfers will determine how likely he is to keep his job.

[Ohio Saint]

My toothpaste tastes like the tears of mermaids.

[Dig Dig]

Do we have to have an inquest into the same topics everytime we don't win?

Have a look at the threads on the main board. Mainly the same depressing **** being churned out over and over.

[Turkish]

Do we have to have an inquest into the same topics everytime we don't win?

Have a look at the threads on the main board. Mainly the same depressing **** being churned out over and over.

It isnt any wonder When half of the mugs on here were expecting us to cruise through this 'average' division where the bottom 10 are no better than the top half of the championship and finish comfortably midtable this year as the inugural season in our unstoppable 3 year march to the champions league.

[kpturner]

"We're they Adkins choices?" This question does not make any sense

[Miltonroader07]

The players targeted and purchased must be the decision of the manager, thus far Ramirez looks good (is he injury prone) Yoshida is a great prospect and I would like to see more of Mayuka and Boruc,,,, Davis (top player) my only query is Rodriguez but he also needs games. I still think we were too quick to let Sharp go

[Saint Without a Halo]

I am sure we were targeting a host of players many of whom were defenders however we are not the only buyers on the market! We converted a number of our targets 2 forwards (Mayuka and Jay Rod) two mids (Davis and Ramierez) two Defenders (Yoshida and Clyne) plus 2 keepers (Gazziniga and Boruc) 8 new players and seems like a good balanced result to me by strengthening all across the pitch especially when you add in the 4 youngsters too (2 defenders in Stephens and Shaw) and 2 Mids (Chambers and JWP) We also have LEE and Cork to come back too!

I am also pretty sure Adkins and our scouting team were involved in identifying both our targets and our priorities anongst them. keep the faith!

Now we need the time to gel and settle into the premier league

[Graffito]

"How are the decisions made then? Does Alan come to you with a list of players?
We discuss a few times a day over the telephone and see each other every two days, we sit down, have a cup of tea and discuss what still needs to be
done on the team. He listens to my view, I listen to his view, and then we find some common ground and then we see and I’ll start investigating and find possibilities in signing a player. The ultimate decision on who comes in and goes out relies on me and my decision."

This is Nicola Cortese answering a question put by Adam Leitch of The Echo in an interview of Aug 2009. Granted this was before Les Reed and the so called transfer committee but it's reasonable to pose the question just how involved he remains in the football side of things.

[Mr X]

"How are the decisions made then? Does Alan come to you with a list of players?
We discuss a few times a day over the telephone and see each other every two days, we sit down, have a cup of tea and discuss what still needs to be
done on the team. He listens to my view, I listen to his view, and then we find some common ground and then we see and I’ll start investigating and find possibilities in signing a player. The ultimate decision on who comes in and goes out relies on me and my decision."

This is Nicola Cortese answering a question put by Adam Leitch of The Echo in an interview of Aug 2009. Granted this was before Les Reed and the so called transfer committee but it's reasonable to pose the question just how involved he remains in the football side of things.

That basically seems to be saying Adkins can make suggestions but Cortese decides wether they are worth pursuing. Does Cortese have any background in football prior to saints?

[Saint_Randell]

Mayuka was clearly a Corteses signing, Ramirez probably but whose gonna complain about that, Clyne and Rodriguez I can see being Adkins targets, the rest were probably a bit of everyone, the likes of Yoshida, Davis, Gazaniga.

[Thedelldays]

Mayuka was clearly a Corteses signing, Ramirez probably but whose gonna complain about that, Clyne and Rodriguez I can see being Adkins targets, the rest were probably a bit of everyone, the likes of Yoshida, Davis, Gazaniga.

As much as a Cortese signing as adkins himself said he went to watch him a few times himself..

But yeah, nothing to do with Adkins at all

[Dig Dig]

As much as a Cortese signing as adkins himself said he went to watch him a few times himself..

But yeah, nothing to do with Adkins at all

And Ramirez played in Italy so clearly an NC signing.

[Thedelldays]

And Ramirez played in Italy so clearly an NC signing.

I think we do recruiting like most teams... Through scouts. Meetings, agents and lawyers

[pingwing]

I like turtles.

And would rather have Gaston than Scott Dann and Rodger Johnson for the same money.

[CB Saint]

Are you miltonroader in disguise?

[Frank's cousin]

No. We targeted younger players that have potentual to develop further - investemnet in long term rather than a quick fix. If you believe that we shoudl play and do whatever it takes to stay up, then we should just have bought 3 or 4 'units' and parked the bus - then other fans could say we were doing it 'right' in the very narrow and blinkered attitude some fans have - the legacy of the sky millions and media focus on the prem - if you believe that to be the best you can takes several years of invetsment in younger players (and as with all things osme will go right, some wrong), and thats its more important that we take a long term view to play an attcking passing game, then no, we have done OK, but have possibly missed out on another defender at some point - as all clubs do unless very lucky.

[alpine_saint]

Even I am getting bored with this subject now.

Its clear to everyone who is willing to be honest with themselves that our transfer activity over the summer was a mis-guided cluster-f*ck.

[Amazing Hangover]

My toothpaste tastes like the tears of mermaids.

Mine tastes like elf spunk. Want to swap?

[Amazing Hangover]

No. We targeted younger players that have potentual to develop further - investemnet in long term rather than a quick fix. If you believe that we shoudl play and do whatever it takes to stay up, then we should just have bought 3 or 4 'units' and parked the bus - then other fans could say we were doing it 'right' in the very narrow and blinkered attitude some fans have - the legacy of the sky millions and media focus on the prem - if you believe that to be the best you can takes several years of invetsment in younger players (and as with all things osme will go right, some wrong), and thats its more important that we take a long term view to play an attcking passing game, then no, we have done OK, but have possibly missed out on another defender at some point - as all clubs do unless very lucky.

Problem is, if we don't stay up the better younger players will be off ASAP, and we start again.

[badgerx16]

"We're they Adkins choices?"

One for the Grammar Police ?

[Frank's cousin]

"We're they Adkins choices?"

One for the Grammar Police ?

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

I posted a thread like this at the start of the season and got absolutely slated for it. 7 games in and I think it's blatantly obvious that we spent very badly and have failed to strengthen in the areas that really needed it.

[SaintRichmond]

We obviously should have spent more on the defence. To spend £30mill in the summer and end up on Saturday with a back 5 of Fox, Fonte, Hoover, Yoshida and Gazza is not too clever.

I think how much say Adkins had in the transfers will determine how likely he is to keep his job.

I'm of the opinion that he did not have a lot of say. If you recall, there was a point just prior to the close of the window that he was very positive that there were to be 2 signings. By the time the window had closed he was only hopinh for further signings

Cue Mr Reid .... Say No More

[dubai_phil]

Even I am getting bored with this subject now.

Its clear to everyone who is willing to be honest with themselves that our transfer activity over the summer was a mis-guided cluster-f*ck.

Totally do not agree with this

everyone who is willing to be honest with themselves

Alps.

It was clear to anyone with enough of a brain to be able to sit and watch Saints on TV at the ground or listen to them on the radio.

What IS open for debate is

1) How many of our primary targets failed to sign?
2) Why did they fail to sign?
3) Does anyone really believe that NA went to NC and said sign these players please?

IMHO Our "Back Office Team went to ""somebody" with THEIR selections.

I'd love to know what NA's actual wish list was, but I have a sneaking suspicion it wasn't what he got

[Weston Saint]

Funny how supporters think they know more than the club chairman and Manager despite them collectively getting us back to back promotions and returning us to the Premier League ahead of all our expectations.

We do not know what players we targeted or what their response was. We know we went for a left back who tried to play us so we walked away, and quite rightly so in my opinion.

We have picked up some very good players and the team/manager are on a steep learning curve.

Give it a bit more time please. Negativity breeds negativity. There are a lot more positives about Southampton Football Club at present. Feed on that. You will all enjoy the ride a lot more!

[tajjuk]

I posted a thread like this at the start of the season and got absolutely slated for it. 7 games in and I think it's blatantly obvious that we spent very badly and have failed to strengthen in the areas that really needed it.

Its clear to everyone who is willing to be honest with themselves that our transfer activity over the summer was a mis-guided cluster-f*ck.

I am sure we were targeting a host of players many of whom were defenders however we are not the only buyers on the market! We converted a number of our targets 2 forwards (Mayuka and Jay Rod) two mids (Davis and Ramierez) two Defenders (Yoshida and Clyne) plus 2 keepers (Gazziniga and Boruc) 8 new players and seems like a good balanced result to me by strengthening all across the pitch especially when you add in the 4 youngsters too (2 defenders in Stephens and Shaw) and 2 Mids (Chambers and JWP) We also have LEE and Cork to come back too!

I am also pretty sure Adkins and our scouting team were involved in identifying both our targets and our priorities anongst them. keep the faith!

Now we need the time to gel and settle into the premier league

Some sense at last.

It's funny but as far as I can tell the consensus it that from the team that got us promoted we have precisely 3 players who are of 'premiership quality' - Morgan, Lallana, Lambert. Even Lallana is taking a lot of stick.

From that it would indicate that we needed a whole new team.

What we got was 2 Gks, 2 Defenders, 2 Midfielders, 2 Strikers. which including a 'star' signing that some football pundits said would not happen (looking at you Lawrenson) <- Yep clearly a "a mis-guided cluster-f*ck." right there.

Fact is we needed to strengthen all areas, we strengthened all areas. We could have spent I don't know £15 million on Scott Dann and Martin Ollson (yeh get the defence of a relegated team that will help) instead we got quality young players who have the potential to improve and grow with the team, rather than washed up premiership rejects.

So to answer the thread's questions Yes and Probably not, but only the likes of Ferguson these days get's exact choices on player purchases.

[Topcat]

tajjuk "from the team that got us promoted we have precisely 3 players who are of 'premiership quality' - Morgan, Lallana, Lambert. "

Two were here before Alan Pardew and one, Lambert, he bought. None came from the time after Les Reed got involved.
I would add to that list Jose Fonte, who Pardew bought in Jan 2010, before Les Reed joined in April 2010.

The question that follows is whether it is Nigel Adkins choices that are failing or the "scouting system" under Les Reed? We seem to have a team that relies on a core that Pardew put together in his first season with Saints, some 2 levels below where we are. We know that Nigel can lead and motivate a team, but what is the record of Les Reed in selecting premier quality players? Steven Gerrard said that he had "no respect" for Les Reed after the way he treated him during England's Euro 2000 campaign. http://tinyurl.com/9f53ymu

15 months before Saints hired Les Reed he was appointed as assistant manager on a voluntary basis at Bishop's Stortford FC in the Conference South!

[Graffito]

Funny how supporters think they know more than the club chairman and Manager despite them collectively getting us back to back promotions and returning us to the Premier League ahead of all our expectations.

We do not know what players we targeted or what their response was. We know we went for a left back who tried to play us so we walked away, and quite rightly so in my opinion.

We have picked up some very good players and the team/manager are on a steep learning curve.

Give it a bit more time please. Negativity breeds negativity. There are a lot more positives about Southampton Football Club at present. Feed on that. You will all enjoy the ride a lot more!

I read your posts with interest but this comes across as a bit patronising. It's prefectly reasonable to question how much say the Manager (he whose position is being questioned) has in the signing of players. The Cortese quote I posted above suggests Cortese himself may identify players and may still have the final word on signings. He may or may not have had a "remakable career" (his words) as a Banker but I've read nothing suggesting he knows anything more about football than we do. If it is the case that Cortese is identifying and signing players then Adkins has responsibility without control, unless of course, Cortese's going to sack himself. I remain ever positive by the way.

[West End Saint]

In my opinion I think that signings is not Nigels strong point & now we are in the prem they are being shown up to be poor decisions it did not start well with the signing of Forte Billy Sharp was never going to be a prem player Jay Rod the jury is out may come good De-ridder not prem standard Jos & Yoshida not looking prem standard Fox good delivery but inept defensively in this league Ramirez looks quality but may be a luxury.

It was clear to most of us we did not have the quality defense for the prem I would have been happier with 2 6 million centre backs rather than Ramirez I still also feel we need a quality midfield playmaker a goal keeper & an injection of pace out wide.

We have a big squad & spent a lot of money & I don't think we have the right quality for the squad so I have to say we have not done well & may well of wasted a lot of money I hope I am wrong & the players can find there form in the prem but right now it dosent look like it

[saint si]

Even I am getting bored with this subject now.

Oh good, the forum is united on common ground at last!

[tajjuk]

tajjuk "from the team that got us promoted we have precisely 3 players who are of 'premiership quality' - Morgan, Lallana, Lambert. "

Two were here before Alan Pardew and one, Lambert, he bought. None came from the time after Les Reed got involved.
I would add to that list Jose Fonte, who Pardew bought in Jan 2010, before Les Reed joined in April 2010.

The question that follows is whether it is Nigel Adkins choices that are failing or the "scouting system" under Les Reed? We seem to have a team that relies on a core that Pardew put together in his first season with Saints, some 2 levels below where we are. We know that Nigel can lead and motivate a team, but what is the record of Les Reed in selecting premier quality players? Steven Gerrard said that he had "no respect" for Les Reed after the way he treated him during England's Euro 2000 campaign. http://tinyurl.com/9f53ymu

15 months before Saints hired Les Reed he was appointed as assistant manager on a voluntary basis at Bishop's Stortford FC in the Conference South!

I agree to some aspects as our core is the same from our first league 1 season, however who have we signed that has overly failed? It's too early to write off any of this season's signings.

Since April 2010 we have signed Permanently De Ridder, Frazer Richardson, Hooiveld, Chaplow, Butterfield, Jack Cork, Danny Fox, Ryan Dickson, Tadanari Lee, Billy Sharp. and some youth players. None of those players have been massive failures, pretty much all but Dickson and Lee (injury) played key roles for the club last season. Trouble is they were good in the championship and not all are good enough for the premiership but then how many Championship clubs sign players that do well in the premiership unless they are young prospects?. Only time will tell if our new signings are good enough, they are exciting young talents though which fits the clubs ethos.

That stuff about Gerard maybe just shows he's not a good man manager, he has no real management record and his one brief dip at Charlton went badly. However he has held some of the highest coaching and development roles available, you can't really argue his CV doesn't his current role. The Bishop's Stortford thing was a favour to a mate.

In my opinion I think that signings is not Nigels strong point & now we are in the prem they are being shown up to be poor decisions it did not start well with the signing of Forte Billy Sharp was never going to be a prem player Jay Rod the jury is out may come good De-ridder not prem standard Jos & Yoshida not looking prem standard Fox good delivery but inept defensively in this league Ramirez looks quality but may be a luxury.

It was clear to most of us we did not have the quality defense for the prem I would have been happier with 2 6 million centre backs rather than Ramirez I still also feel we need a quality midfield playmaker a goal keeper & an injection of pace out wide.

We have a big squad & spent a lot of money & I don't think we have the right quality for the squad so I have to say we have not done well & may well of wasted a lot of money I hope I am wrong & the players can find there form in the prem but right now it dosent look like it

?????? You have written Yoshida off already after 4 games?

You say this "It was clear to most of us we did not have the quality defense for the prem I would have been happier with 2 6 million centre backs rather than Ramirez"

and then say this "I still also feel we need a quality midfield playmaker a goal keeper & an injection of pace out wide." eh?

We have signed all those things, Ramirez, Boruc and Mayuka.

Also who are your £6 million centre backs? pretty sure Blackburn wanted more than £6 million for Scott Dann and he's looking poor in the championship for them. Middlesbrough fans were saying £12 million for Rhys Williams, £12 million for Ramirez looks like a bargain compared to £12 million for Rhys Williams.

[Village Saint]

From what you've seen so far would you say we spent wisely? Unfortunately I would have to say no at this point. Ramerez is an impressive player but at what sacrifice? The general concensus around other clubs is that we have brought the wrong players in some are even laughing at the seven million spent on j rod ( agree he needs more time). Yoshida seems solid enough (when in the right position!) but uninspiring.

Did we target the wrong players? Do you believe they were Adkins choices?

Frankly we spent the money very wisely. All of the players we have brought in have both looked good and good value - except Jay Rod and he will be fine in time. The fact that we also were chasing players for other positions we needed to fill shows a commitment which we can only be thankful for. Sadly despite us offering well over their value in a couple of cases their employing clubs didn't want to let them go. How you manage to turn that into a criticism of our appraoch to the market is beyond me.

[ottery st mary]

Funny how supporters think they know more than the club chairman and Manager despite them collectively getting us back to back promotions and returning us to the Premier League ahead of all our expectations.

We do not know what players we targeted or what their response was. We know we went for a left back who tried to play us so we walked away, and quite rightly so in my opinion.

We have picked up some very good players and the team/manager are on a steep learning curve.

Give it a bit more time please. Negativity breeds negativity. There are a lot more positives about Southampton Football Club at present. Feed on that. You will all enjoy the ride a lot more!

Totally agree

Next three games and at least 6 points and we are on the up

COYS

[West End Saint]

I agree to some aspects as our core is the same from our first league 1 season, however who have we signed that has overly failed? It's too early to write off any of this season's signings.

Since April 2010 we have signed Permanently De Ridder, Frazer Richardson, Hooiveld, Chaplow, Butterfield, Jack Cork, Danny Fox, Ryan Dickson, Tadanari Lee, Billy Sharp. and some youth players. None of those players have been massive failures, pretty much all but Dickson and Lee (injury) played key roles for the club last season. Trouble is they were good in the championship and not all are good enough for the premiership but then how many Championship clubs sign players that do well in the premiership unless they are young prospects?. Only time will tell if our new signings are good enough, they are exciting young talents though which fits the clubs ethos.

That stuff about Gerard maybe just shows he's not a good man manager, he has no real management record and his one brief dip at Charlton went badly. However he has held some of the highest coaching and development roles available, you can't really argue his CV doesn't his current role. The Bishop's Stortford thing was a favour to a mate.



?????? You have written Yoshida off already after 4 games?

You say this "It was clear to most of us we did not have the quality defense for the prem I would have been happier with 2 6 million centre backs rather than Ramirez"

and then say this "I still also feel we need a quality midfield playmaker a goal keeper & an injection of pace out wide." eh?

We have signed all those things, Ramirez, Boruc and Mayuka.

Also who are your £6 million centre backs? pretty sure Blackburn wanted more than £6 million for Scott Dann and he's looking poor in the championship for them. Middlesbrough fans were saying £12 million for Rhys Williams, £12 million for Ramirez looks like a bargain compared to £12 million for Rhys Williams.

I have not written Yoshida off he looks like a tidy player very decent with the ball at his feet but having seen all the games he has played he is not dominant in the air he did not look good at right back & he looks a little lightweight maybe with a dominant partner he will turn out ok.I am sure if we were to spend 5/6 mil we would be able to find some top quality centre backs & we desperatley need them.

Can't comment on Boruc as he has not played however we should have had a number 1 class keeper at the helm from day 1 this season

Rameriz looked quality against Villa but patchy away at Everton & he is not playing centre midfield it is the Davis signing I question who I like & is a good player but has not bossed a game as yet & with Morgan out at Everton we were rubbish in the centre of the park

Mayuka has not played wide & we have not seen enough of him & yes I do still think we need a pacey wide player we have been playing Jay Rod wide left???

[70's Mike]

Good job some are to young to remember when we sign Dave MaClaren, Frank Saul or Jim Melia

[supersonic]

No we did not make the correct choices. Adkins had a fixation with JRod and £7m could have been used to sure up the defence.

We scored more goals than any other team last season, which tends to suggest there isn't too much wrong with our strikers, yet we spent £22m improving the attacking parts of our team, and £2.8m + compo on 4 defensive players.

What's the famous phrase, something about paying peanuts and getting monkeys...

[Bucks Saint]

No we did not make the correct choices. Adkins had a fixation with JRod and £7m could have been used to sure up the defence.

We scored more goals than any other team last season, which tends to suggest there isn't too much wrong with our strikers, yet we spent £22m improving the attacking parts of our team, and £2.8m + compo on 4 defensive players.

What's the famous phrase, something about paying peanuts and getting monkeys...

Oh so just becauze we top scored in the Championship we did not need to improve the attack? Silly Saints, no other promoted teams ever sign strikers

[Saint Billy]

I think the problem is that the club is really guarded about the info it releases to the public. I can understand this to a certain extent but it does mean we are all pretty much in the dark about most things and allows speculation and guessing about all things saints.

I would like to think that Adkins picks his targets and NC rubber stamps them, but who knows.

[supersonic]

Oh so just becauze we top scored in the Championship we did not need to improve the attack? Silly Saints, no other promoted teams ever sign strikers

Not saying we didn't need to improve it, but why spend 75% of transfer fees on strongest area?

[sandwichsaint]

No we did not make the correct choices. Adkins had a fixation with JRod and £7m could have been used to sure up the defence.

We scored more goals than any other team last season, which tends to suggest there isn't too much wrong with our strikers, yet we spent £22m improving the attacking parts of our team, and £2.8m + compo on 4 defensive players.

What's the famous phrase, something about paying peanuts and getting monkeys...

Fur coat and no knickers? (not that I'm agreeing with you).

[Rebel]

We bought Rodriguez as a long term replacement for Lambert - and also as someone with a bit of pace and height to lead the line. Besides Lambert is a much better player when he has someone like Barnard or Sharp in front of him - and I think Rodriguez is probably an upgrade on both of those two. He just needs some game time a d a first premier league goal.

But his signing only makes sense if Barnard and Sharp are moved on permanently in January or next summer.

Was Ramirez a good signing @ £12 million? Possibly not. I'd rather have spent the £12 million on 3 £4 million defenders. At the time I thought it was a vanity signing and although he looks to be a great player I still think he might be just that - and I'm not sure at all that he will make the difference enough to keep us up. Whereas 3 quality defenders might well have done.

[Dig Dig]

We bought Rodriguez as a long term replacement for Lambert - and also as someone with a bit of pace and height to lead the line. Besides Lambert is a much better player when he has someone like Barnard or Sharp in front of him - and I think Rodriguez is probably an upgrade on both of those two. He just needs some game time a d a first premier league goal.

But his signing only makes sense if Barnard and Sharp are moved on permanently in January or next summer.

Was Ramirez a good signing @ £12 million? Possibly not. I'd rather have spent the £12 million on 3 £4 million defenders. At the time I thought it was a vanity signing and although he looks to be a great player I still think he might be just that - and I'm not sure at all that he will make the difference enough to keep us up. Whereas 3 quality defenders might well have done.

4M wouldn't even buy one Scott Dann.

And he's terrible

[pingwing]

Even I am getting bored with this subject now.

Its clear to everyone who is willing to be honest with themselves that our transfer activity over the summer was a mis-guided cluster-f*ck.

Good you are bored.

Shame you don't see we have purchased some excellent players for the positions open in the squad. In no incidence this summer have we bought a squad player or just a fill in player. Every single player also commands a big resale value than we paid for them for every single what if at the end of the season. So if at christmas we are sold and need cash, all our new players will command massive fee's, relegated next summer, all of our new players will command huge fees that we don't even have to accept because of the contract they are bound too (Punch shows how much we value these contracts).

The biggest comparison to the transfer activity we could have done is looking at Readings. They bought 9 players, 7 squad players, all champ standard cb's, rb's and midfielders. Plus they wasted millions of quid on a striker who is universally known to be rubbish, if Fulham told him to go away and stop being silly, Reading should have known not to bother.

I stand by our transfer activity could have been a little better (Olson not coming in at LB was the only let down) but in reality we came out with some very tidy and exciting players, to label it as a "mis-guided cluster-f*ck" is just madness! We have bought with the intention of becoming a successful prem team, we could have bought to be an average prem team and been relegated like West Ham 2 years ago instead...

[CB Fry]

4M wouldn't even buy one Scott Dann.

And he's terrible

Eh? Dean Richards was free. Svennson was £2m.
I don't remember Buttner being a massive fee.

We could have got some good defenders in for £12m.

[Mr X]

Jay rod looks horrendous in front of goal unless its championship or lower opposition . I'm sure the lad will get better but even six games or so in its clear he's not a premiership level at the moment. The signing of ramerez was nothing more than a glamour signing "hey boys look we can afford an expensive signing too!" Not saying he's not a skilled player but Adkins has no idea how to utilise him and he won't keep us up on his own

[Bucks Saint]

Not saying we didn't need to improve it, but why spend 75% of transfer fees on strongest area?

If thats what you had said, I would not have taken much issue with you, but:

"We scored more goals than any other team last season, which tends to suggest there isn't too much wrong with our strike force"