The disdavatages of late signings

[Salopian 1]

Not much of this is new, and all has been observed over recent years, but there are significant adavantages in making early signings:1) Bargains and out of contract players go early, the latter because they want to make their future more certain rather than spending half the summer with low wages. We have missed so many of this category!2) The longer you wait, the more likely players will succomb to offers from their present clubs to sign an extension.3) The later the arrivals, the less chance to embed them in the team - the whole of pre-season experiment is missed. Signings like Helweg, took some time to adjust to the football played by Norwich. Arguably we never really saw the best of him.4) When you leave it late prices could well be higher - sellers know you are desperate, and they will possibly have to replace the player you buy with little time and you arendisturbing their plans. So you will pay top prices, often for very ordinary players - do I need to mention any names? If you are fishing late, there are unlikely to be any bargains. Everyone else has been there and been put off by the price.5) If you fail to prize targets away, even at high prices, you may have to change tack and sign loan players. Our record, with one or two honourable exceptions, has been that they tend to be bench warmers. Unless you can find a large club with a large squad, who is going to loan anyone of quality?Are there any advantages in waiting?1) You save on the wage bill over the summer.2) You are facing less competition, because everyone else has achieved what they wanted.3) There are fewer players still available and  they are obvious, so less effort and expense is needed.From my standpoint, and in the light of the last few summers, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

[Northern Canary 0]

exactly, tell that to Nigel.

[Syteanric 1]

[quote user="Salopian"]Not much of this is new, and all has been observed over recent years, but there are significant adavantages in making early signings:

1) Bargains and out of contract players go early, the latter because they want to make their future more certain rather than spending half the summer with low wages. We have missed so many of this category!

2) The longer you wait, the more likely players will succomb to offers from their present clubs to sign an extension.

3) The later the arrivals, the less chance to embed them in the team - the whole of pre-season experiment is missed. Signings like Helweg, took some time to adjust to the football played by Norwich. Arguably we never really saw the best of him.

4) When you leave it late prices could well be higher - sellers know you are desperate, and they will possibly have to replace the player you buy with little time and you arendisturbing their plans. So you will pay top prices, often for very ordinary players - do I need to mention any names?
 If you are fishing late, there are unlikely to be any bargains. Everyone else has been there and been put off by the price.

5) If you fail to prize targets away, even at high prices, you may have to change tack and sign loan players. Our record, with one or two honourable exceptions, has been that they tend to be bench warmers. Unless you can find a large club with a large squad, who is going to loan anyone of quality?

Are there any advantages in waiting?
1) You save on the wage bill over the summer.
2) You are facing less competition, because everyone else has achieved what they wanted.
3) There are fewer players still available and  they are obvious, so less effort and expense is needed.

From my standpoint, and in the light of the last few summers, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
[/quote]

some good points...as for the loans.. Pompey have a bout 3 million players... pity they are all rubbish

jas :)

[0ridgemanddMMyyyy0Falseen-USTrue 0]

Well said and I think the majority of fans would agree with you but you forgot about the other female member of the board Prudence.