Pardew's eye for a player

[saints_is_the_south]

What an eye for a player Pards has. Harding, Jaidi & Connolly all easily CCC players & all signed on free transfers. Genius.

[Smirking_Saint]

Add to that trottman, hammond and the best from lallana.

 

Pards has impressed me.

[smithy]

I think that being able to attract these sort of players is even more impressive.

[Junior Mullet]

Absolutely right - what about Antonio as well! Antonio was incredible today.

 

AP's eye for a player added to his decision to change tactics and make two bold substitutions around 55 minutes today was truly inspired. Just fantastic. After the third goal he turned around to make eye contact with Marcus before the crowd more generally - I let him know I was bloody impressed and he smiled and waved.

 

Let's keep this going.

 

I'm looking forward to many happy and exciting years with AP and ML.

[hypochondriac]

It also makes a nonsense of our transfer policy over the last few years. We never really looked for decent free transfers.

[Junior Mullet]

It also makes a nonsense of our transfer policy over the last few years. We never really looked for decent free transfers.

 

I came away today thinking just how bad the old regieme were and how well AP and this team would have done in the Championship.

 

Difference is Hypo, this year we are playing decent wages. Consequently gates are up and I can only imagine sales of food, drink, merchandise etc are also up.

 

We were ona really $hitty downward spiral with Lowe. Thank heavens for our admin!

 

I loved the match today. Enjoyed it more than any other game in the past 3/4 years.

[darren]

i think the best signing is ap well done nc and ml

[Matthew Le God]

It also makes a nonsense of our transfer policy over the last few years. We never really looked for decent free transfers.

 

Free transfers aren't free. Alot of costs are involved in wages and signing on fees to attract good players for the level you are playing at. We have money now, we didn't before this season.

Edited 25 October, 2009 by Matthew Le God

[hypochondriac]

Free transfers aren't free. Alot of costs are involved in wages and signing on fees to attract good players for the level you are playing at. With have money now, we didn't before this season.

 

Well obviously but last year we could have got some decent frees in instead of paying fees for what little players we did.

[Saint Garrett]

I think the main thing is is that He's seen where we've needed to improve, and done it, and getting the best out of the talent we already had. I'm very impressed with pards! Long may it continue!

[RinNY]

I agree with the guy that said it's his ability to sign them. Realizing that the likes of Jaidi, Lambert, Connolly, & Hammond are good players is easy: any well informed fan could tell you that. It's talking them into signing for Saints that's the hard part, and it really impresses me that Pardew has been able to do that. They're all players who are really too good for League 1, and therefore a cut above our present station. When was the last time Saints had a manager who could sign players who you thought "geez, how did Saints ever sign that guy"? Ummmm ... that'd be McMenemy, no? His greatest talent. If Pardew continues to be able to bring players here of that calibre, relatively speaking, as we move up the divisions, as I'm starting to feel confident we will, then good times could finally be ahead again for Saints!

[KCUK]

The other thing we shouldn't forget is Pardew's stature in the game. As an ex-Premiership manager and a coach who's won a couple of promotions, he has it in spades. Which is one more reason why he can attract decent players.

 

Getting non-entities from Holland, purely on the basis of them being cheap, was never going to succeed, because people don't want to play for someone they've never heard of. Common sense, really.

[NickG]

when people worry about losing Trottman or other loan players, remember Pardew got these in at short notice, attracting them when bottom with -10.

 

If we are losing loan players in January, Pardew will have a few months notice, and will be hopefully top half by then and on a record breaking 10 straight victory run!

 

Players will be more likely to come, Pardew will have proved himself to Markus and is likely to be supported.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I agree with the guy that said it's his ability to sign them. Realizing that the likes of Jaidi, Lambert, Connolly, & Hammond are good players is easy: any well informed fan could tell you that. It's talking them into signing for Saints that's the hard part, and it really impresses me that Pardew has been able to do that. They're all players who are really too good for League 1, and therefore a cut above our present station. When was the last time Saints had a manager who could sign players who you thought "geez, how did Saints ever sign that guy"? Ummmm ... that'd be McMenemy, no? His greatest talent. If Pardew continues to be able to bring players here of that calibre, relatively speaking, as we move up the divisions, as I'm starting to feel confident we will, then good times could finally be ahead again for Saints!

 

All that is true but I suspect Mr Liebherr coughing up for a hefty pay rise may have something to do with it as well .

[rooney]

Pards has built this team himself with his astute signings. He could see where we were lacking and has rectified it. He was able to see our shortcomings just as many of us who post on this site could and his interviews and tactics prove this.Long may it continue

[Legod Third Coming]

My Charlton supporting pals do point out that Pards signed two players for them (I forget which) who were injured within a short space of arriving but are now behind their current form. In fact, given what he did with Charlton, these lads are quite forgiving...!

 

Although we should also remember that three players he didn't sign - Morgan, James and Lallana are also playing out of their skin. So it's not just his ability to spot and bring in a player.

 

For me, it's the first time since WGS that I feel we have a REAL manager in the dugout. I have all the time in the world for Pearson but I still never felt he was more than a good coach and disciplinarian.

 

Pards makes so much sense to listen to.

[SaintRobbie]

Nice to see the impatient foolish types hiding away now on this forum.

 

Pardew silences his critics with results and a near complete rebuild of a team of losers, whilst bringing on those with some potential.

 

Genius? May be. But, certainly nice to have a decent manager for a change, and a chairman who allows him to get on with it. Ahhhhh... it's like having a football club back.

[imported_slough_saint]

I think we need to give a big pat on the pack to his backroom staff also. I'm sure it was Dean Wilkins who recommended we get Dean Hammond as he played for him at Brighton. I reckon he was also instrumental in get Melis in on loan from Chelsea (via his brother). If Sneiderlin or Lallana lose form or are injured i think he will be a real find - especially as he would be playing alongside a confident team. And i think Antonio was a recommendation from Wally Downes who was a coach at Reading and knew his potential. But the biggest thanks goes down to ML who has funded all these purchases. At the end of the day money talks!

[Andy_Porter]

What an eye for a player Pards has. Harding, Jaidi & Connolly all easily CCC players & all signed on free transfers. Genius.

 

It's all about money, any league one manager knows about those players but there are very few who can afford to pay and attract them in this league.

[Thedelldays]

dont get me wrong....I like pards

 

but signing players of CCC quality in league 1 is hardly 'genius'

[Andy_Porter]

dont get me wrong....I like pards

 

but signing players of CCC quality in league 1 is hardly 'genius'

 

Indeed.

 

I'd say Trottman and Antonio show he has an eye for a player. Harding, Jaidi, Connolly etc would all fill up the HCDAJFU thread as they're proven players available for nothing.

[saint_stevo]

Nice to see the impatient foolish types hiding away now on this forum.

 

Pardew silences his critics with results and a near complete rebuild of a team of losers, whilst bringing on those with some potential.

 

Genius? May be. But, certainly nice to have a decent manager for a change, and a chairman who allows him to get on with it. Ahhhhh... it's like having a football club back.

 

Not sure anyone is hiding. First 8 or 9 games, the results were not good enough. Happy to see we have turned a corner now though and hope AP proves his doubters (me included) wrong. Until we are out of the relegation zone i wont be relaxed about it all, but reading about some recent performances it seems to be a matter of time

[Thedelldays]

Nice to see the impatient foolish types hiding away now on this forum.

 

Pardew silences his critics with results and a near complete rebuild of a team of losers, whilst bringing on those with some potential.

 

Genius? May be. But, certainly nice to have a decent manager for a change, and a chairman who allows him to get on with it. Ahhhhh... it's like having a football club back.

 

we had a football club last season

 

It seems you are a bit of a glory hunter as NOW we are winning every week, THAT for you means we have a 'football club'

 

we have money to burn this season and are the 'chelsea' of league 1...hence we we buy the best players and why we are now winning

[up and away]

dont get me wrong....I like pards

 

but signing players of CCC quality in league 1 is hardly 'genius'

 

I have consistently said from the beginning that Pardews signings have been faultless, even when things were not going well.

 

But as you and others have pointed out to me, it really is not that very difficult in League 1 when you consider the minuscule budgets and squads of other teams. I think that is a very important point which I over looked, not taking the shine from Pardew but it will get put into perspective when we get out of League 1.

 

The very fact we were able to buy Hammond from Colchester after the start of the season gives you a clue how this league works, even though they looked a team probably for promotion. Imagine in a higher league where teams will not be content to sell their stars and then things become a bit more tricky.

[austsaint]

when people worry about losing Trottman or other loan players, remember Pardew got these in at short notice, attracting them when bottom with -10.

 

If we are losing loan players in January, Pardew will have a few months notice, and will be hopefully top half by then and on a record breaking 10 straight victory run!

 

Players will be more likely to come, Pardew will have proved himself to Markus and is likely to be supported.

 

It's a good point you make Nick, but,I hope Trotman can stay!

[Victor]

we had a football club last season

 

It seems you are a bit of a glory hunter as NOW we are winning every week, THAT for you means we have a 'football club'

 

we have money to burn this season and are the 'chelsea' of league 1...hence we we buy the best players and why we are now winning

 

I wonder if we have spent any more money than when we were tumbling out of the Premiership and on a ever faster downward spiral.

 

There is a whole difference between the team I watched yesterday and most of those of the last few seasons. The players in each position were right for that position, they looked pretty fit, knew their jobs, had skill and could read the game, closed the opposition down quickly and looked as though they wanted to play for Saints.

 

How much of that can you say is down to us being 'the Chelsea' of League 1 and how much to Pards and his approach to building a team and going for the right type of player, a player he has researched fully or already knew, instead of some third rate Swede recommended to him as available?

[Thedelldays]

I wonder if we have spent any more money than when we were tumbling out of the Premiership and on a ever faster downward spiral.

 

There is a whole difference between the team I watched yesterday and most of those of the last few seasons. The players in each position were right for that position, they looked pretty fit, knew their jobs, had skill and could read the game, closed the opposition down quickly and looked as though they wanted to play for Saints.

 

How much of that can you say is down to us being 'the Chelsea' of League 1 and how much to Pards and his approach to building a team and going for the right type of player, a player he has researched fully or already knew, instead of some third rate Swede recommended to him as available?

 

 

all very true..but also a lot easier when money (in league 1) is not really an object...

 

take lambert, he cost as much as the NEXT 3 big signings in league 1 put together...and we double or even trippled his wages with no worries...

 

building a team HELPS when money is not an issue....sure pards has to put them together and he is doing that well....but would he have done so with say, the budget of swindon..?

[glkdcdes]

dont get me wrong....I like pards

 

but signing players of CCC quality in league 1 is hardly 'genius'

 

sorry dont agree. I would say Pardew has not got one signing wrong. Come on give him the credit.

[Huntingdon]

Pards has been brilliant in keeping Lallana as much as finding new talent

 

Pards "Adam, why go and and sit in another team's reserves when you can win something here"

 

Poortvliet "Adam...........aaaaaagggghhh when I see the satdium I almost burst into tears"

 

It just shows what can be achieved when you hire a proper manager

[NickG]

and they are particularly balanced to what we need and work well together

[Thedelldays]

IMO...pards is balancing out the team like burley could not do.....shows burleys 'eye' for a player for what is was..

[NickG]

Hammond doesn't get many mentions but he is the sort of player we have been missing since CMFG

[S-Clarke]

Hammond doesn't get many mentions but he is the sort of player we have been missing since CMFG

 

He'll get lots of mentions from me.

 

my favorite player at the moment, he's everything you want from a midfielder.

[Victor]

all very true..but also a lot easier when money (in league 1) is not really an object...

 

take lambert, he cost as much as the NEXT 3 big signings in league 1 put together...and we double or even trippled his wages with no worries...

 

building a team HELPS when money is not an issue....sure pards has to put them together and he is doing that well....but would he have done so with say, the budget of swindon..?

 

I agree we have a huge advantage over most of the other L1 sides, but I think we are really comparing this team with what we have been seeing before at SAINTS.

 

There is a huge difference, maybe not due to 'genius', but certainly not just due to money and mostly down to Pardew and the new attitude and approach of the club. It is a breath of fresh air.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

No manager gets it right all the time , Alex Ferguson , Jose Mourinho.... etc have all signed duffers in their time but so far every player the club have signed recently seem to be a success to some degree - a remarkable achievement .

 

Any fool can spend money , spending it wisely is the mark of a good scouting network and a management team that really know their business . Whether they can find good players at a higher (bigger money) level is a question for the future maybe .

[Wes Tender]

all very true..but also a lot easier when money (in league 1) is not really an object...

 

take lambert, he cost as much as the NEXT 3 big signings in league 1 put together...and we double or even trippled his wages with no worries...

 

building a team HELPS when money is not an issue....sure pards has to put them together and he is doing that well....but would he have done so with say, the budget of swindon..?

 

I think that you miss an important point. Certainly Lambert is costing more to buy and more in wages than many other players from this division. But the other side of the equation is what he brings to the finances on the other side of the balance sheet in terms of goals to propel us up the league and in turn the extra bums on seats that follow a successful team.

 

It is the same old connundrum that those of a financial background often fail to recognise, that sometimes money invested in this way can be self-financing. The same sort of parallel exists regarding a company's expenditure on advertising, which again can be self-financing and which equally the accountants cannot get their minds around as it is hard to quantify the exact return.

 

In terms of total outlay, although our expenditure on players and their wages appears to be a lot at this level, the total isn't great in the scheme of things when you look at the big picture, which is the cost of getting us back to the Premiership and the financial return that will bring to us by comparison.

 

The former incumbents coming from such a financial background, never had the imagination to consider this scenario. That is why we eventually fell through the divisions and ended up in administration, they having lost all their money tied up in their shares along the way. And it bloody well serves them right.

[jam]

I think that you miss an important point. Certainly Lambert is costing more to buy and more in wages than many other players from this division. But the other side of the equation is what he brings to the finances on the other side of the balance sheet in terms of goals to propel us up the league and in turn the extra bums on seats that follow a successful team.

 

It is the same old connundrum that those of a financial background often fail to recognise, that sometimes money invested in this way can be self-financing. The same sort of parallel exists regarding a company's expenditure on advertising, which again can be self-financing and which equally the accountants cannot get their minds around as it is hard to quantify the exact return.

 

In terms of total outlay, although our expenditure on players and their wages appears to be a lot at this level, the total isn't great in the scheme of things when you look at the big picture, which is the cost of getting us back to the Premiership and the financial return that will bring to us by comparison.

 

The former incumbents coming from such a financial background, never had the imagination to consider this scenario. That is why we eventually fell through the divisions and ended up in administration, they having lost all their money tied up in their shares along the way. And it bloody well serves them right.

 

I think most business types are familier with the concept of speculate to accumulate.

 

I'm not sure if it can be said that it was a case of them never having the imagination to consider that scenario* or simply that they never had the financial muscle to act on it.

 

Plus there was only so far that we could go without significant further investment (top-flight, full stadium, etc).

 

*You could well be right though and frankly following last season I wouldn't be surprised if Lowe had designs on us being a topflight team of academy developed professionals.

 

The circumstances are so different now; we're debt free and able to outspend and 'out-prestige' most of our division rivals and have a, owner who could provide additional funds if he so choses. Plus there is now so much more scope for return on investment - we have two whole divisions above us.

 

Right now it feels like fantasy football time. We are a big fish in this league and a pretty healthy one at that. I guess it gets interesting if and when we get promoted back to the prem.

[Legod Third Coming]

IMO...pards is balancing out the team like burley could not do.....shows burleys 'eye' for a player for what is was..

 

The massive difference DD is that Pardew saw what was wrong and fixed it.

 

Burley lost a striker and two top quality defenders and insisted on replacing everyone who left with a fecking midfielder.

 

It did my head in. Totally did my head in and that Palace game at the start of the season proved what a shyte manager he was.

 

Because it was there for all to see, all pre-season. (When Alps was totally spot on, irritatingly!)

 

Burley would take something that wasn't broke and break it.

 

Pardew came in, looked around, saw what was wrong and fixed it.

 

No prolific striker - signed one (now two).

No CBs with any height and bulk - signed two.

No pace - signed some.

No midfield leader - signed Hammond.

 

Not only that but Morgan, James and Lallana are now playing like seasoned pros.

 

I was a bit underwhelmed when Pardew signed. But from day one if you listened you could tell he would be successful.

 

Yes, he has had some money but that is no guarantee of success.

 

Look at the seven million Burley spunked away, taking us down with him. Pratt.

[Thedelldays]

agree LGTC

 

pardew talk sense..I was a bit worried at the start of the season and im sure he was too...but it has now clicked and we have a VERY good team..

 

I hated all the talk of "just surviving" a few months back.....crap mentality..luckily, old pards does not agree with just surviving

[Junior Mullet]

The massive difference DD is that Pardew saw what was wrong and fixed it.

 

Burley lost a striker and two top quality defenders and insisted on replacing everyone who left with a fecking midfielder.

 

It did my head in. Totally did my head in and that Palace game at the start of the season proved what a shyte manager he was.

 

Because it was there for all to see, all pre-season. (When Alps was totally spot on, irritatingly!)

 

Burley would take something that wasn't broke and break it.

 

Pardew came in, looked around, saw what was wrong and fixed it.

 

No prolific striker - signed one (now two).

No CBs with any height and bulk - signed two.

No pace - signed some.

No midfield leader - signed Hammond.

 

Not only that but Morgan, James and Lallana are now playing like seasoned pros.

 

I was a bit underwhelmed when Pardew signed. But from day one if you listened you could tell he would be successful.

 

Yes, he has had some money but that is no guarantee of success.

 

Look at the seven million Burley spunked away, taking us down with him. Pratt.

 

Yup, Burley for me is the Manager that has underperformed most for us in the last 5 years or so. He had all the means to do so much better than he did. He was a complete twitt too.

 

I can see AP really doing a good job for us, provided we can stave off interest from Premier League clubs.

[saint_stevo]

Yup, Burley for me is the Manager that has underperformed most for us in the last 5 years or so. He had all the means to do so much better than he did. He was a complete twitt too.

 

I can see AP really doing a good job for us, provided we can stave off interest from Premier League clubs.

 

Really doubt there will be any tbf, not this season or next anyway

[alpine_saint]

Nice to see the impatient foolish types hiding away now on this forum.

 

Pardew silences his critics with results and a near complete rebuild of a team of losers, whilst bringing on those with some potential.

 

Genius? May be. But, certainly nice to have a decent manager for a change, and a chairman who allows him to get on with it. Ahhhhh... it's like having a football club back.

 

Hardly.

 

Pardew has won me over, and proven that my doubts were unfounded.

 

Happy now ?

 

I'd rather it was this way round for the benefit of the club, than the way it was when Burley came in - everyone pleased with the appointment only to turn out to be a collosal let-down.

[alpine_saint]

I think that you miss an important point. Certainly Lambert is costing more to buy and more in wages than many other players from this division. But the other side of the equation is what he brings to the finances on the other side of the balance sheet in terms of goals to propel us up the league and in turn the extra bums on seats that follow a successful team.

 

It is the same old connundrum that those of a financial background often fail to recognise, that sometimes money invested in this way can be self-financing. The same sort of parallel exists regarding a company's expenditure on advertising, which again can be self-financing and which equally the accountants cannot get their minds around as it is hard to quantify the exact return.

 

In terms of total outlay, although our expenditure on players and their wages appears to be a lot at this level, the total isn't great in the scheme of things when you look at the big picture, which is the cost of getting us back to the Premiership and the financial return that will bring to us by comparison.

 

The former incumbents coming from such a financial background, never had the imagination to consider this scenario. That is why we eventually fell through the divisions and ended up in administration, they having lost all their money tied up in their shares along the way. And it bloody well serves them right.

 

The likes of you and I were saying it for ages. It aint rocket science.

[alpine_saint]

I hated all the talk of "just surviving" a few months back.....crap mentality..luckily, old pards does not agree with just surviving

 

I got fed up with that bullsh*t being spouted on here ages ago, as you well know. All that crap about "oh, let Player X go if it means we can survive a few months longer and avoid administration"

 

If we had gone into admin a few months earlier, we would have had no -10 and might have avoided relegation.

[Legod Third Coming]

I got fed up with that bullsh*t being spouted on here ages ago, as you well know. All that crap about "oh, let Player X go if it means we can survive a few months longer and avoid administration"

 

If we had gone into admin a few months earlier, we would have had no -10 and might have avoided relegation.

 

It's all ifs and buts though isn't it? We might have been a Championship club under the wondership of Ali Baba from down the road...

 

Luckily we have a new owner who seems to have his head screwed on, a new Chief Exec who seems to be virilently ambitious but wise enough to back his Manager's judgement and a Manager who has the strength to ignore the plonkers from the cheap seats and get on with his job.

 

Long may it continue!!

[up and away]

Originally Posted by Wes Tender

I think that you miss an important point. Certainly Lambert is costing more to buy and more in wages than many other players from this division. But the other side of the equation is what he brings to the finances on the other side of the balance sheet in terms of goals to propel us up the league and in turn the extra bums on seats that follow a successful team.

 

It is the same old connundrum that those of a financial background often fail to recognise, that sometimes money invested in this way can be self-financing. The same sort of parallel exists regarding a company's expenditure on advertising, which again can be self-financing and which equally the accountants cannot get their minds around as it is hard to quantify the exact return.

 

In terms of total outlay, although our expenditure on players and their wages appears to be a lot at this level, the total isn't great in the scheme of things when you look at the big picture, which is the cost of getting us back to the Premiership and the financial return that will bring to us by comparison.

 

The former incumbents coming from such a financial background, never had the imagination to consider this scenario. That is why we eventually fell through the divisions and ended up in administration, they having lost all their money tied up in their shares along the way. And it bloody well serves them right.

The likes of you and I were saying it for ages. It aint rocket science.

 

The likes of you had the master plan of winning the lottery. Yes our number came up, but as a plan it ranked along with no plan at all. It took you all of 3 months to figure out that an administrator is just acting as a safeguard for the creditors.

 

Along with those other tossers talking about expanding into a recession with hardly a pot to **** in. Now knocking on doors and wondering why no one wants to listen to their latest theory.

 

Cortese has shown the prudent and effective way of taking the club forward with financial backing. But don't let this fool you he would have been much different with the previous circumstances, without those finances.

[hypochondriac]

dont get me wrong....I like pards

 

but signing players of CCC quality in league 1 is hardly 'genius'

 

I agree with the likes of Lambert. It might not be genius but signing the right players for the right areas is something hardly any of our managers have managed to do for years and years.

[RinNY]

For what it's worth, though Liebherr's contribution in retiring all the debt so that what comes in can now be dedicated to the club's neds rather than to servicing debt (which was our biggest problem before), the fans who show up to the games are due a huge pat on the back. I doubt Liebherr is actually spending much of his money on the team: we attract three times the usual league attendance, and so can afford to spend two to three times what other teams spend on players. So well done to the 19,000 or so fans who regularly show up to watch L1 football!

 

Even so, as much as it helps for Pardew to have the money to offer, most players don't just want money they want to feel there's a likelihood of success too, and clearly Pardew has been able to convince very good players that Saints are going to be successful and soon. So again, good for him in his ability to bring in players who are really class at this level!

[Wes Tender]

The likes of you had the master plan of winning the lottery. Yes our number came up, but as a plan it ranked along with no plan at all. It took you all of 3 months to figure out that an administrator is just acting as a safeguard for the creditors.

 

Along with those other tossers talking about expanding into a recession with hardly a pot to **** in. Now knocking on doors and wondering why no one wants to listen to their latest theory.

 

Cortese has shown the prudent and effective way of taking the club forward with financial backing. But don't let this fool you he would have been much different with the previous circumstances, without those finances.

 

What are you wittering on about? Both Alpine and me have made posts in the past saying that things didn't have to be run in the way they were during the past decade and suggesting alternative strategies. And you have absolutely no evidence either for implying that Cortese would have acted no differently than the other lot under the same financial restrictions. That is pure conjecture based on your contention that we were in a financial straitjacket which apparently narrowed down our options to just one strategy. Well, that was not the case at all. We did not have only one option of importing cheap lower league management from abroad and playing the kids for a start.

 

A couple of very basic business principles are always there for the wise to follow both in business and in football. If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys for one. Perceived wisdom in the footballing World is that you never get anywhere by playing kids. Another guideline is to avoid the mindset of "never mind the quality, feel the width", or to understand that sometimes less is more. Both Alpine and me have previously pointed out that expenditure on decent players who could win matches would bring in more bums onto seats that could pay for it. As he says, it really isn't rocket science. Instead, we embarked on a policy of keeping prices high when serving up dross, because we invested in many mediocre players instead of fewer good ones.

 

I'm sure that Nicola Cortese understands these things very well as an astute and professional businessman. Unfortunately it was apparent that the previous regime ignored them at their and our peril, but thank God we are rid of them all.

[farawaysaint]

I think the Charlton fans might disagree with you about the eye for a player but his signings so far with us have impressed