1 of 1- Tek
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The lazy January Window
We were crying out for a left winger, Striker and a No.10. We instead actually weakened the team. Yes, we signed a Striker (Bingham) eventually. But even that was by default and because it was forced upon us (Sow getting injured).
Who is mostly to blame for this Neilson or Asghar?
And the very fact i am asking this question is why i am and have always been dead against a Sporting Director. It results in a conflict of interests.
A Manager should live or die by his signings.
- Goodie Conway 2
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Re: The lazy January Window
I agree that recruitment was not good but there are outside factors that need to be considered. United aren't the sort of club that can identify a target then just make it so. If the other club/player/agent don't want to play ball then there's only so much that can be done.
I'm not party to the lengths that RN & TA went to in January but I'd be surprised if the end results were exactly what they set out to achieve.
- LarsErikKjell
- Tekel Towers LEGEND
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Re: The lazy January Window
Impossible to know if the fault lies with Neilson or Asghar but the risk doesnt seem to have paid off when it comes to performances. Yes, we'll likely still win the league with plenty games to spare, but the good feeling that has been built up since the start of the season seems to just be being chipped away at by these consistently unconvincing performances.
I understand the reason why we let Stanton go. Out of contract in the summer and I'm sure most agreed he'd struggle to make the step up. BUT we didnt replace him with anyone at all. Glass/Mochrie not the answer at this stage. A left winger, yes, we dont have a single player who would call that their 'best position' and that has to be addressed in the summer which I'm sure it will.
- Tek
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Re: The lazy January Window
Goodie Conway 2 wrote:
I agree that recruitment was not good but there are outside factors that need to be considered. United aren't the sort of club that can identify a target then just make it so. If the other club/player/agent don't want to play ball then there's only so much that can be done.
I'm not party to the lengths that RN & TA went to in January but I'd be surprised if the end results were exactly what they set out to achieve.
We needed a left winger and creative midfielder (No 10) in the Summer of 2019 too btw.
As far as saying we can't just identify targets and sign them. Eh..isn't that basically one of Asghar's main roles at the club?
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Thread Starter- PatReilly
- Tekel Towers LEGEND
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Re: The lazy January Window
Said a few days ago that I wondered if the club considered they were going to blood the younger players rather than invest in new guys in the difficult January window. Maybe the results haven't allowed them to go down that path presently?
But I'd be more content with recent results if I thought a couple of younger players had been directly involved, gaining experience for their and the club's futures.
Players maybe have been targeted with a view to next season though, that remains to be seen. I've not been impressed with several of our long term signings at present though.
- Goodie Conway 2
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Re: The lazy January Window
I agree that recruitment was not good but there are outside factors that need to be considered. United aren't the sort of club that can identify a target then just make it so. If the other club/player/agent don't want to play ball then there's only so much that can be done.
I'm not party to the lengths that RN & TA went to in January but I'd be surprised if the end results were exactly what they set out to achieve.
We needed a left winger and creative midfielder (No 10) in the Summer of 2019 too btw.
As far as saying we can't just identify targets and sign them. Eh..isn't that basically one of Asghar's main roles at the club?
Yes it is, but my point is DUFC are not Real Madrid.
- derrytescotrolley
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Re: The lazy January Window
Transfer windows are very tense affairs these days. We got lucky with Shankland, and his family have been keeping him well grounded, that's great.
We have had very long list of disasters though, and i mean absolute honkers - and not to mention injuries. It's absolutely no wonder that they might appear to be taking their time these days. The mentality for the past 5 seasons was like Car Salesmen kicking tyres and saying it was a great runner.
Plus, of course, we all know there wasn't really a budget anyway after Neilson got his fill! 
- LarsErikKjell
- Tekel Towers LEGEND
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Re: The lazy January Window
I agree that recruitment was not good but there are outside factors that need to be considered. United aren't the sort of club that can identify a target then just make it so. If the other club/player/agent don't want to play ball then there's only so much that can be done.
I'm not party to the lengths that RN & TA went to in January but I'd be surprised if the end results were exactly what they set out to achieve.
We needed a left winger and creative midfielder (No 10) in the Summer of 2019 too btw.
As far as saying we can't just identify targets and sign them. Eh..isn't that basically one of Asghar's main roles at the club?
Yes it is, but my point is DUFC are not Real Madrid.
I do agree that SOME United fans have vastly greater expectations that our current station BUT football fans in general expect their clubs to get the best players possible for the club.
Looking at our summer signings:
Shankland: obvious success, our best signing for years
L Smith: still has to improve in some areas but has had an excellent season. Our best permanent RB in a very long time.
Sporle: Has had a handful of good performances but others where he didnt even look like a footballer
A King: 3 year deal, currently playing in League 2. Tells you all you need to know.
Deniz: Hasnt been needed at all this season but most would agree is a perfectly able backup to Benji.
So you'd have to say its a probably 50/50 for our summer signings.
As for our January 2019 signings:
Laidlaw: Signed simply as backup
Seaman: Short term loan, left early before play-offs as Watson was preferred at RB
Connolly: Splits opinion but has to be considered a good signing at this level, next season may be a different story.
Reynolds: As above
Butcher: Doesnt split opinion - one of our most important players
Gomis: short term, no impact apart from fan engagement
Nesbitt: didnt get much game time - left before play offs
Pawlett: was actually very good between Feb-May last season but ever since that injury at ICT away he hasnt looked the same. Flashes of brilliance but all too rare.
Sow: Injured
C Smith: not utilised in any way, left on loan
Harkes: I've seen him have some fantastic games but some horrific ones also. Would consider him a good signing for this league and has been consistent this season.
So from these signings listed (16 in total) you would say that Shankland, L Smith, Connolly, Reynolds, Butcher, Harkes and maybe Deniz can be seen as 'successful'.
So thats 7/16 at a push. You cant have that kind of hit-rate in the summer.
- BMT
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Re: The lazy January Window
I've been a bit disappointed with Bingham. Didn't know much about him and when he was signed it was said he will bring " pace and power " but haven't seen much of that although his two assists against Inverness were more about the final pass so hopefully when he is fully up to speed we will see a bit more from him.
Powers is a strange one. He has a good range of passing, looks to get on the ball but can be a bit negative and slows the play down. Don't think he's fully come to terms with the Championship demands yet.
- Lancashire-Arab
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Re: The lazy January Window
I've been a bit disappointed with Bingham. Didn't know much about him and when he was signed it was said he will bring " pace and power " but haven't seen much of that although his two assists against Inverness were more about the final pass so hopefully when he is fully up to speed we will see a bit more from him.
Powers is a strange one. He has a good range of passing, looks to get on the ball but can be a bit negative and slows the play down. Don't think he's fully come to terms with the Championship demands yet.
It took Harkes some time to adjust to the pace of the league and I suspect Powers is the same, seem that MLS is a much more open and slower pace.
I wonder how much of Bingham not being as promised is him being played out on the right which does not seem a natural position for him, looks like he is better suited to being half of a front 2.
- Finn Seemann
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Re: The lazy January Window
Robbie seems to be incapable of changing his tactics to play to the strength of the resources available to him. That's why we continue to play the same way despite other, better, managers having figured out how to play us. We'll stumble to a league win, but I'm growing of the opinion that leaving the much needed close season recruitment to Neilson and Ashgar will be a mistake.
- BMT
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Re: The lazy January Window
I get your point with Bingham, I just think even though he's being played out wide which is not maybe his best position he could offer more given he's on a short term contract playing for his future. Going on his performances so far it would be a no from me but I'd like to be proved wrong.
But having said you could say the same about 90% of the team.
Last edited by BMT (05/3/2020 12:16 pm)