A Few Things To Consider

[JayNCFC 14]

Looking at our position in the table it is clear to see that we have taken well to the Premier League, you cannot deny that after this many games and points on the board! (Unless you are BW or a binner, providing BW isn''t a binner!) I am sure that the pessimist inside all of us is waiting for the blip to come and I am sure that at some point we will hit one, however I think we will amass enough points to be safe.The things I would like to consider is the need for anyone to come in over the transfer window. I think the total sits at £1.2M which shows the difficulties being felt by all Premier League clubs with inflated prices and going in for the right targets.Would not getting anyone in rock the team morale and be seen as a failure by the club? Lambert has made it clear we are looking, so in theory that could be seen as failure and a potential catalyst for any blip. I seriously doubt it will be, but I guess I am playing devlis advocate.On the other hand, if we weren''t to buy, would we roll that money over into the close of season transfer budget?  Hopefully meaning we could adjust the wage structure to compete a little more but more realistic.Also, with teams going down and hopefully not us, there may be some Premier League quality to bring in. Would Lambert look to add that quality from a relegated team?

[BW 0]

In fact i think we will stay up always have since we had lambert, that doesn''t mean i can''t analyse some of our weaknesses after games though?

[Howson is now! 0]

Do you think any of the players that we signed had a deal if we stayed up? Could have been something that some of the players'' agents would have asked for to make playing in the prem that little bit sweeter for their clients.

Would any players coming in in January also try and negotiate a clause of this type believing that they are being signed to help "keep a team up?"

There are pros and cons to signing players in January. I honestly don''t think I would be too saddened to see that nobody came in in January but then again, that would probably be the thing that everybody blamed if we weren''t able to bring anyone in and we went back down.

[Bill 1,788]

Unfortunately much of this debate has been skewed by the low witted into somekind of all or nothing desperate scramble to avoid relegation. An absolute, whereby if we are not relegated it is a massive achievement, whereby bells will be rung, open top buses will be paraded and small children will be given a commemerative mug and a day off school.We are currently in 9th place which will give us around £9m in prize money if we finish the season in that spot. £9m ! To put it into context we were awarded £25,000 for winning the League 1 title. £9m is a massive sum - 6 and a half million more than the ''ever so umble simpletons would have us earn if we were to set our sights on 17th spot. We are far closer to a European qualifying place than we are to a relegation place - in fact there is only ONE point difference to how close we are to a relegation place than we are to 4th place. That will be what is concentrating the minds of those running the club and the teamThere was money in 2010 to push on to the title, money was found in 2010 to ensure a play off place ad ultimately an automatic promotion place. The club has clearly stated that there is money available in this transfer window. How this is used we will have to wait to see - though I''m sure the training, tactics and overall way of playing will keep us in and around mid table. The frenetic pace of the game is taking a huge toll on the players, many who have stepped up from lower league clubx and are sometimes struggling, not with the quality of their play but having to deliver it over 90 mins and in quick succession, as over the Xmas period. However to provide cover and backup the problem, I sense, is finding those players who will fit into that style of play etc, from almost the word go.9th spot is ours. We should be fighting to retain that place, if not edge higher so please don''t presume that the board is sitting idly by oblivious to what can be achieved - and what is needed to achieve it as well. And perhaps a few of the ''forelock tuggers'' can start looking upwards for a change- and as fans show a bit of ambition and back the club, not endlessly conjure up stuff about the boards supposed failings.

[blahblahblah 2]

Good post Jay, some interesting points raised."Would not getting anyone in rock the team morale and be seen as a failure by the club? "Not with this team, and the management team.  The spirit of the team has been commented on by TV and press alike.  However, not getting holes filled could cause a problem if we lose players to injury, losing strength in depth.  It could make or break a cup run, or cause us to lose a couple of games in the league if we were to lose 2 or 3 key players.  But the same could be said of any club in our position."On the other hand, if we weren''t to buy, would we roll that money over into the close of season transfer budget?  Hopefully meaning we could adjust the wage structure to compete a little more but more realistic."Sounds reasonable.  I don''t know.

[pete_norw 0]

[quote user="City1st"]Unfortunately much of this debate has been skewed by the low witted into somekind of all or nothing desperate scramble to avoid relegation. An absolute, whereby if we are not relegated it is a massive achievement, whereby bells will be rung, open top buses will be paraded and small children will be given a commemerative mug and a day off school.

We are currently in 9th place which will give us around £9m in prize money if we finish the season in that spot. £9m ! To put it into context we were awarded £25,000 for winning the League 1 title. £9m is a massive sum - 6 and a half million more than the ''ever so umble simpletons would have us earn if we were to set our sights on 17th spot. We are far closer to a European qualifying place than we are to a relegation place - in fact there is only ONE point difference to how close we are to a relegation place than we are to 4th place. That will be what is concentrating the minds of those running the club and the team

There was money in 2010 to push on to the title, money was found in 2010 to ensure a play off place ad ultimately an automatic promotion place. The club has clearly stated that there is money available in this transfer window. How this is used we will have to wait to see - though I''m sure the training, tactics and overall way of playing will keep us in and around mid table. The frenetic pace of the game is taking a huge toll on the players, many who have stepped up from lower league clubx and are sometimes struggling, not with the quality of their play but having to deliver it over 90 mins and in quick succession, as over the Xmas period. However to provide cover and backup the problem, I sense, is finding those players who will fit into that style of play etc, from almost the word go.

9th spot is ours. We should be fighting to retain that place, if not edge higher so please don''t presume that the board is sitting idly by oblivious to what can be achieved - and what is needed to achieve it as well. And perhaps a few of the ''forelock tuggers'' can start looking upwards for a change- and as fans show a bit of ambition and back the club, not endlessly conjure up stuff about the boards supposed failings.


[/quote]

Spot on, I''ll drink to that,

[JayNCFC 14]

Just to reiterate I am not doubting our chances of survival and am sure we can push on to achieve a higher position than 17th and the prize money associated with doing so.What I am asking is the mentality of not pulling off transfers and how that leaves us going forward?  In my opinion Lambert will, as stated, go with what we have got if needed if the targets aren''t realistic in this window. Putting the clubs long term future and ambition first. Very shrewd and pointing away from the cries of certain fans that he is hacked off and on his way.  Unsettle them now, give them half a season to look longingly at NCFC and then we swoop in the summer.

[Oz Canary 0]

Another 9m would be welcomed which would obviously assist in getting some additional players in over the summer.

I agree, we are closer to a European spot than relegation and all this "waiting for the other shoe to drop" mentality is doing my head in. Let''s all just keep being positive, just like the team - positive play, positive belief = positive results, which we are getting.

As far as new players coming in, I am not too concerned as to whether we bring in any additional players as I think we have enough quality and belief that we can secure safety with the squad we have already. If we were to bring in additional help, I would like it to be additional midfielder.

But at the end of the day PL knows what he is doing and I for one have complete faith in him and McNally.   

[Salopian 1]

We have done well, - no-one can deny this, not even the MOD pundits.

Two things concern me, however.

 

a) Many other teams , and especially QPR and Swansea, have strengthened their squads with signings. They will surely be harder to beat. We are playing well, and arguably are harder to beat than we were at the beginning of the season, but a few concurrent injuries would weaken the teams we put out because our effective squad is quite small. I fear that Vaughan, if he returns at all, will not figure for quite a few weeks yet, and it will be even longer before he is fully match fit.

 

b) We have a difficult run-in at the end of the season, and we shall probably pick up few points then. The next few weeks will be crucial, and if injuries or suspensions occur then.....

[Joanna Grey 0]

[quote user="Salopian"]

 

a) Many other teams , and especially QPR and Swansea, have strengthened their squads with signings. They will surely be harder to beat. [/quote]

 

Especially QPR and Swansea? Only 2 of the 11 clubs below us, what makes them so special?