ARE WE REALLY SUPRISED ??

So, we had one of the smallest squads in league 1 now followed by an even smaller squad in the championship.

Kellyman and Wintle lost from last season replaced by Bielik and Moylan, on top of that fringe players like King and Etete have also gone with many others down the order gone out on loan, get ready for more 15 year olds on the bench or two goalkeepers.

We now go until January with no DM, no real pace on any wing, a back up RB who can't defend and, wait for it, ONE STRIKER.


BBM stated in his post match interview that players were coming in so what has happend???


A dictator as owner who has no football knowledge or intrest in the club, a chairman who is quite happy taking is intrest every year on his £30 million loan to the club, remember, this is the fraudster who persuaded Tan NOT to sell the club last summer, then we have del boy Choo, the idiot behind all transfer deals you really coudn't make it up.


This morning we will have the lowest amount of transfer incomes in the championship, it's going to be a long season.

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Very disappointed with our lack of business in the window.
None of us really know the reasons why, we can accuse the board/owner, manager or just circumstances but the fact is we're stuck with it now.
Fingers crossed we don't get more injuries keeping players out for long periods.

Not surprised.

If you analyse the way Tan operates, there’s a pattern.

He now believes, because we played so well last season under BBM
that we are ok for this season (as those young were about when we were in the championship).

BBM better than Riza/Bulet, so why do we need to spend more money????
In addition, his business brain, sees the young as potential sales or club value if BBM can get a tune out of them…
Tan yo yo’s from crisis to crisis.
Like his plane, there’s no one in control and he’s just riding along…

Not surprised one bit. Knew what's was coming once the season ended for this season. Same tune from managers and outcome from above in the dying days of windows. only this time I do wonder what he's going to try convince us and back track on what's he said he wanted many times. Although it's none of his fault

I was a bit suspicious as soon as bbm mentioned having Davies as a striker option

That told me we weren't getting a striker in this window

But even then I expected at least one signing in another area

Not surprised.

If you analyse the way Tan operates, there’s a pattern.

He now believes, because we played so well last season under BBM
that we are ok for this season (as those young were about when we were in the championship).

BBM better than Riza/Bulet, so why do we need to spend more money????
In addition, his business brain, sees the young as potential sales or club value if BBM can get a tune out of them…
Tan yo yo’s from crisis to crisis.
Like his plane, there’s no one in control and he’s just riding along…

Good post, i agree.

Don't think it will be a long season.

Of course there will be ups and downs, but we'll be comfortable in mid table. We have enough.

I’m fairly optimistic about the season from the start also. If we are in mid table come January perhaps we can attract the kind of player BBM wants, assuming it was his high standards that meant we’ve missed out (several reports suggest players turned us down)

Don't think it will be a long season.

Of course there will be ups and downs, but we'll be comfortable in mid table. We have enough.

Hope you're right Ned, i really do.

I’m fairly optimistic about the season from the start also. If we are in mid table come January perhaps we can attract the kind of player BBM wants, assuming it was his high standards that meant we’ve missed out (several reports suggest players turned us down)

If BBM has identified a player, tells him how he fits into his system, the offer is made, and he turns us down, what does that tell you?

When it happens multiple times in a window, what on earth is the problem? It's not Choo or Tan.

I’m fairly optimistic about the season from the start also. If we are in mid table come January perhaps we can attract the kind of player BBM wants, assuming it was his high standards that meant we’ve missed out (several reports suggest players turned us down)

If BBM has identified a player, tells him how he fits into his system, the offer is made, and he turns us down, what does that tell you?

When it happens multiple times in a window, what on earth is the problem? It's not Choo or Tan.

I think it's certain positions. If your a winger or a striker your in for a tough time in our system. Tanner has been amazing since he came back from injury but because a lot of what the wingers are asked to do is operate in no space, recycle the ball (instead of hitting crosses) and make dummy runs, some of our fans think he's awful. Salech has to battle all day and we don't play to his strengths at all when Kiefer was here it was quick balls in towards him so he could get a run on the ball we don't do that now. I'm not arguing to change either it's produced goals and good football but it's definitely not a system that suits everyone and in my view wingers and strikers are the toughest sell

I am surprised.

Surprised that Tan didn't believe that BBM is an alchemist and turns average into good, so i was expecting another winger.

I am also in the Davies is a striker and there is no law that says strikers need to be 6'2" target men, its the same as Ashford and Rubin not being good enough from a lot of posters.

I am also surprised that BBM is not the Pied Piper of young footballers that many believe, in 2 full windows we have enticed Scanlon twice and Kellymen.

However, I think when he believes in you, he believes in you whatever your age, so i do expect to see cameos from the kids.

Its one wild experiment, but we believe in the boss or we don't

I’m fairly optimistic about the season from the start also. If we are in mid table come January perhaps we can attract the kind of player BBM wants, assuming it was his high standards that meant we’ve missed out (several reports suggest players turned us down)

If BBM has identified a player, tells him how he fits into his system, the offer is made, and he turns us down, what does that tell you?

When it happens multiple times in a window, what on earth is the problem? It's not Choo or Tan.

I think it's certain positions. If your a winger or a striker your in for a tough time in our system. Tanner has been amazing since he came back from injury but because a lot of what the wingers are asked to do is operate in no space, recycle the ball (instead of hitting crosses) and make dummy runs, some of our fans think he's awful. Salech has to battle all day and we don't play to his strengths at all when Kiefer was here it was quick balls in towards him so he could get a run on the ball we don't do that now. I'm not arguing to change either it's produced goals and good football but it's definitely not a system that suits everyone and in my view wingers and strikers are the toughest sell

Couldn't agree more, i think it NFL levels of patterns and coaching and few can or want to do it

I’m fairly optimistic about the season from the start also. If we are in mid table come January perhaps we can attract the kind of player BBM wants, assuming it was his high standards that meant we’ve missed out (several reports suggest players turned us down)

If BBM has identified a player, tells him how he fits into his system, the offer is made, and he turns us down, what does that tell you?

When it happens multiple times in a window, what on earth is the problem? It's not Choo or Tan.

I think it's certain positions. If your a winger or a striker your in for a tough time in our system. Tanner has been amazing since he came back from injury but because a lot of what the wingers are asked to do is operate in no space, recycle the ball (instead of hitting crosses) and make dummy runs, some of our fans think he's awful. Salech has to battle all day and we don't play to his strengths at all when Kiefer was here it was quick balls in towards him so he could get a run on the ball we don't do that now. I'm not arguing to change either it's produced goals and good football but it's definitely not a system that suits everyone and in my view wingers and strikers are the toughest sell

Couldn't agree more, i think it NFL levels of patterns and coaching and few can or want to do it

Is it just all too much? Over coached is worse than under coached sometimes.

I’m fairly optimistic about the season from the start also. If we are in mid table come January perhaps we can attract the kind of player BBM wants, assuming it was his high standards that meant we’ve missed out (several reports suggest players turned us down)

If BBM has identified a player, tells him how he fits into his system, the offer is made, and he turns us down, what does that tell you?

When it happens multiple times in a window, what on earth is the problem? It's not Choo or Tan.

I think it's certain positions. If your a winger or a striker your in for a tough time in our system. Tanner has been amazing since he came back from injury but because a lot of what the wingers are asked to do is operate in no space, recycle the ball (instead of hitting crosses) and make dummy runs, some of our fans think he's awful. Salech has to battle all day and we don't play to his strengths at all when Kiefer was here it was quick balls in towards him so he could get a run on the ball we don't do that now. I'm not arguing to change either it's produced goals and good football but it's definitely not a system that suits everyone and in my view wingers and strikers are the toughest sell

Couldn't agree more, i think it NFL levels of patterns and coaching and few can or want to do it

Is it just all too much? Over coached is worse than under coached sometimes.

Proof is in the pudding, but from a personal level if I was a rapid winger looking at a move I wouldn't need to watch much tape of us before saying no thanks

I’m fairly optimistic about the season from the start also. If we are in mid table come January perhaps we can attract the kind of player BBM wants, assuming it was his high standards that meant we’ve missed out (several reports suggest players turned us down)

If BBM has identified a player, tells him how he fits into his system, the offer is made, and he turns us down, what does that tell you?

When it happens multiple times in a window, what on earth is the problem? It's not Choo or Tan.

I think it's certain positions. If your a winger or a striker your in for a tough time in our system. Tanner has been amazing since he came back from injury but because a lot of what the wingers are asked to do is operate in no space, recycle the ball (instead of hitting crosses) and make dummy runs, some of our fans think he's awful. Salech has to battle all day and we don't play to his strengths at all when Kiefer was here it was quick balls in towards him so he could get a run on the ball we don't do that now. I'm not arguing to change either it's produced goals and good football but it's definitely not a system that suits everyone and in my view wingers and strikers are the toughest sell

Couldn't agree more, i think it NFL levels of patterns and coaching and few can or want to do it

Is it just all too much? Over coached is worse than under coached sometimes.

I think you play the BBM way or you are out. Its the same with Bellers, being selfish i hope he doesn't select Rubin who doesn't fit the profile, but he is going to have to.

The god of BBMs system (Pep) needed world class centre forwards who were happy to live of scraps and burnt through wingers like Spinal Tap drummers. He gives the impression he is pretty intense. Nothing wrong with it, it is the defacto way of playing nowadays, but it may not be for everyone

I’m fairly optimistic about the season from the start also. If we are in mid table come January perhaps we can attract the kind of player BBM wants, assuming it was his high standards that meant we’ve missed out (several reports suggest players turned us down)

If BBM has identified a player, tells him how he fits into his system, the offer is made, and he turns us down, what does that tell you?

When it happens multiple times in a window, what on earth is the problem? It's not Choo or Tan.

I think it's certain positions. If your a winger or a striker your in for a tough time in our system. Tanner has been amazing since he came back from injury but because a lot of what the wingers are asked to do is operate in no space, recycle the ball (instead of hitting crosses) and make dummy runs, some of our fans think he's awful. Salech has to battle all day and we don't play to his strengths at all when Kiefer was here it was quick balls in towards him so he could get a run on the ball we don't do that now. I'm not arguing to change either it's produced goals and good football but it's definitely not a system that suits everyone and in my view wingers and strikers are the toughest sell

Couldn't agree more, i think it NFL levels of patterns and coaching and few can or want to do it

Is it just all too much? Over coached is worse than under coached sometimes.

I think you play the BBM way or you are out. Its the same with Bellers, being selfish i hope he doesn't select Rubin who doesn't fit the profile, but he is going to have to.

The god of BBMs system (Pep) needed world class centre forwards who were happy to live of scraps and burnt through wingers like Spinal Tap drummers. He gives the impression he is pretty intense. Nothing wrong with it, it is the defacto way of playing nowadays, but it may not be for everyone

I'd rather have a manager with an identity than one without.

It should be his way and his way only, that's a good thing.

Sadly the usual suspects are now going after him.

I’m fairly optimistic about the season from the start also. If we are in mid table come January perhaps we can attract the kind of player BBM wants, assuming it was his high standards that meant we’ve missed out (several reports suggest players turned us down)

If BBM has identified a player, tells him how he fits into his system, the offer is made, and he turns us down, what does that tell you?

When it happens multiple times in a window, what on earth is the problem? It's not Choo or Tan.

I think it's certain positions. If your a winger or a striker your in for a tough time in our system. Tanner has been amazing since he came back from injury but because a lot of what the wingers are asked to do is operate in no space, recycle the ball (instead of hitting crosses) and make dummy runs, some of our fans think he's awful. Salech has to battle all day and we don't play to his strengths at all when Kiefer was here it was quick balls in towards him so he could get a run on the ball we don't do that now. I'm not arguing to change either it's produced goals and good football but it's definitely not a system that suits everyone and in my view wingers and strikers are the toughest sell

Couldn't agree more, i think it NFL levels of patterns and coaching and few can or want to do it

Is it just all too much? Over coached is worse than under coached sometimes.

I think you play the BBM way or you are out. Its the same with Bellers, being selfish i hope he doesn't select Rubin who doesn't fit the profile, but he is going to have to.

The god of BBMs system (Pep) needed world class centre forwards who were happy to live of scraps and burnt through wingers like Spinal Tap drummers. He gives the impression he is pretty intense. Nothing wrong with it, it is the defacto way of playing nowadays, but it may not be for everyone

I'd rather have a manager with an identity than one without.

It should be his way and his way only, that's a good thing.

Sadly the usual suspects are now going after him.

Just posted on the DoF thread, it ain't that bad. He is the boss and things may have not worked out but not all plans do.

I’m fairly optimistic about the season from the start also. If we are in mid table come January perhaps we can attract the kind of player BBM wants, assuming it was his high standards that meant we’ve missed out (several reports suggest players turned us down)

If BBM has identified a player, tells him how he fits into his system, the offer is made, and he turns us down, what does that tell you?

When it happens multiple times in a window, what on earth is the problem? It's not Choo or Tan.

I think it's certain positions. If your a winger or a striker your in for a tough time in our system. Tanner has been amazing since he came back from injury but because a lot of what the wingers are asked to do is operate in no space, recycle the ball (instead of hitting crosses) and make dummy runs, some of our fans think he's awful. Salech has to battle all day and we don't play to his strengths at all when Kiefer was here it was quick balls in towards him so he could get a run on the ball we don't do that now. I'm not arguing to change either it's produced goals and good football but it's definitely not a system that suits everyone and in my view wingers and strikers are the toughest sell

Couldn't agree more, i think it NFL levels of patterns and coaching and few can or want to do it

Is it just all too much? Over coached is worse than under coached sometimes.

I think you play the BBM way or you are out. Its the same with Bellers, being selfish i hope he doesn't select Rubin who doesn't fit the profile, but he is going to have to.

The god of BBMs system (Pep) needed world class centre forwards who were happy to live of scraps and burnt through wingers like Spinal Tap drummers. He gives the impression he is pretty intense. Nothing wrong with it, it is the defacto way of playing nowadays, but it may not be for everyone

Much rather this than the hoofball crap we had to endure.

Watching us defend 70% of the time because we can’t keep the ball, only trying to win headers and route one to a striker and potentially lose the ball and then repeat.

I’m fairly optimistic about the season from the start also. If we are in mid table come January perhaps we can attract the kind of player BBM wants, assuming it was his high standards that meant we’ve missed out (several reports suggest players turned us down)

If BBM has identified a player, tells him how he fits into his system, the offer is made, and he turns us down, what does that tell you?

When it happens multiple times in a window, what on earth is the problem? It's not Choo or Tan.

I think it's certain positions. If your a winger or a striker your in for a tough time in our system. Tanner has been amazing since he came back from injury but because a lot of what the wingers are asked to do is operate in no space, recycle the ball (instead of hitting crosses) and make dummy runs, some of our fans think he's awful. Salech has to battle all day and we don't play to his strengths at all when Kiefer was here it was quick balls in towards him so he could get a run on the ball we don't do that now. I'm not arguing to change either it's produced goals and good football but it's definitely not a system that suits everyone and in my view wingers and strikers are the toughest sell

Couldn't agree more, i think it NFL levels of patterns and coaching and few can or want to do it

Is it just all too much? Over coached is worse than under coached sometimes.

Proof is in the pudding, but from a personal level if I was a rapid winger looking at a move I wouldn't need to watch much tape of us before saying no thanks

Yep - spot on.

I think the players all have their own analysts these day (via the agents) and are smart enough to ask how they are going to be used.

If they watch us and know they're going to be instructed to be cautious, keep the ball, stop, come back inside, recycle 9 times out of 10, you are going to think 'not for me'

May be for the last time - But I don't think so .... What happened at that Owner and Manager meeting over 3 months ago .

I’m fairly optimistic about the season from the start also. If we are in mid table come January perhaps we can attract the kind of player BBM wants, assuming it was his high standards that meant we’ve missed out (several reports suggest players turned us down)

If BBM has identified a player, tells him how he fits into his system, the offer is made, and he turns us down, what does that tell you?

When it happens multiple times in a window, what on earth is the problem? It's not Choo or Tan.

I think it's certain positions. If your a winger or a striker your in for a tough time in our system. Tanner has been amazing since he came back from injury but because a lot of what the wingers are asked to do is operate in no space, recycle the ball (instead of hitting crosses) and make dummy runs, some of our fans think he's awful. Salech has to battle all day and we don't play to his strengths at all when Kiefer was here it was quick balls in towards him so he could get a run on the ball we don't do that now. I'm not arguing to change either it's produced goals and good football but it's definitely not a system that suits everyone and in my view wingers and strikers are the toughest sell

Couldn't agree more, i think it NFL levels of patterns and coaching and few can or want to do it

Is it just all too much? Over coached is worse than under coached sometimes.

I think you play the BBM way or you are out. Its the same with Bellers, being selfish i hope he doesn't select Rubin who doesn't fit the profile, but he is going to have to.

The god of BBMs system (Pep) needed world class centre forwards who were happy to live of scraps and burnt through wingers like Spinal Tap drummers. He gives the impression he is pretty intense. Nothing wrong with it, it is the defacto way of playing nowadays, but it may not be for everyone

Pep had

- a budget of billions
- massive, massive wages to offer
- the biggest and best back room staff available - Arteta as No 2
- the personality, mental strength, warmth, knowledge, ability, talent and skill to attract players and make it all gel

BBM has

- Lee Riley
- backroom randoms (did the Spanish goalie coach actually turn up?)

Every time Ollie Tanner is on the ball, I will now be worried he's about to self combust or choke on someone else's vomit.

No I’m not surprised after a loss that this board has gone crazy.

No I’m not surprised after a loss that this board has gone crazy.

Your spot on as usual.

You could have written the script and the posters!