- Jul 29, 2004
- 19,712
- 332,194
I honestly didn't realise there were so many on here that just don't actually understand the game, and the reality of how things really work in team sports. It's actually quite alarming that some posters can spend hours every day talking about all things football on here, and yet just expect things to happen like they do on Fifa or football manager. I'm not talking about genuine criticism that is valid, I'm talking about writing a young kid off after 30 minutes of football in a new country, and not understanding how an entire rebuild isn't going to happen over night.
At the very start of the transfer window I made a detailed post regarding how the club was moving forward, how there were plans in place that the manager, DOF and chairman were firmly behind. It was about being patient because the club had a two window strategy in order to be ready to compete properly next season. January was about getting all our ducks in a row so that come the Summer things could progress to where we have needed them to be for years. Deadwood players off the wage bill and in the shop window elsewhere. Come the Summer it won't be about having to move players out first, or freeing up wages and we can just get on with preparing for the coming season.
Those of you that keep shouting about top 4, and missed opportunities really need to understand that was never the main aim. Of course we'd like it, and will be doing all we can to get there this season, but not at the expense of being optimum for 22-23. "Why didn't we get a RWB in January" well because the one we really want isn't available until the Summer. Traore was seen as a possibility, but only at the price we were willing to go to, and the fact he could cover other roles as well. We could have bought another RWB to get by, but we'd rather the one we really want, rather than a makeshift purchase that affects long term progression. This is the same for other positions and why those we brought in were done as they were. Bentacur was the only full purchase this window as we were sure of what we were getting. Kulusevki is only a loan and only becomes permanent if he does well(this needs to be remembered).
Criticism at times is valid for sure and last night for instance I can completely understand why there was a fair amount. It's worth pointing out though that the players that really struggled last night(and boy were they poor) are the positions we are actively looking to upgrade in the Summer and have been planning to from the off. RWB, CB and CM were awful last night and this along with another FORWARD are the positions that were identified as where we really need to upgrade.
Now I know it's probably unrealistic to believe people on here will be able to but we really need to understand this is the beginning of the process and we need to temper expectations and let Conte get us to where we all want to be. I know some of you don't buy into ITK and think it's largely spin from the club, well I'd urge you not to take my word for it, and actually listen to what Conte is and has been saying for weeks........
"We are some way behind the best teams in this league, and it will take a lot of work to get us to that level". "THIS CAN NOT HAPPEN IN ONE TRANSFER WINDOW AND ESPECIALLY IN JANUARY WHERE THINGS ARE FAR MORE DIFFICULT".
I know some of you will be saying(and rightfully so) heard this all before, and you are right you have. This is different though for so many reasons. We now have a top level coach who the club are backing, we really need to get behind it and at least give it the Summer window he's said from the start he needs. We will have up's and downs on the way, but we are on track for where Conte expects us to be come next August.
At the very start of the transfer window I made a detailed post regarding how the club was moving forward, how there were plans in place that the manager, DOF and chairman were firmly behind. It was about being patient because the club had a two window strategy in order to be ready to compete properly next season. January was about getting all our ducks in a row so that come the Summer things could progress to where we have needed them to be for years. Deadwood players off the wage bill and in the shop window elsewhere. Come the Summer it won't be about having to move players out first, or freeing up wages and we can just get on with preparing for the coming season.
Those of you that keep shouting about top 4, and missed opportunities really need to understand that was never the main aim. Of course we'd like it, and will be doing all we can to get there this season, but not at the expense of being optimum for 22-23. "Why didn't we get a RWB in January" well because the one we really want isn't available until the Summer. Traore was seen as a possibility, but only at the price we were willing to go to, and the fact he could cover other roles as well. We could have bought another RWB to get by, but we'd rather the one we really want, rather than a makeshift purchase that affects long term progression. This is the same for other positions and why those we brought in were done as they were. Bentacur was the only full purchase this window as we were sure of what we were getting. Kulusevki is only a loan and only becomes permanent if he does well(this needs to be remembered).
Criticism at times is valid for sure and last night for instance I can completely understand why there was a fair amount. It's worth pointing out though that the players that really struggled last night(and boy were they poor) are the positions we are actively looking to upgrade in the Summer and have been planning to from the off. RWB, CB and CM were awful last night and this along with another FORWARD are the positions that were identified as where we really need to upgrade.
Now I know it's probably unrealistic to believe people on here will be able to but we really need to understand this is the beginning of the process and we need to temper expectations and let Conte get us to where we all want to be. I know some of you don't buy into ITK and think it's largely spin from the club, well I'd urge you not to take my word for it, and actually listen to what Conte is and has been saying for weeks........
"We are some way behind the best teams in this league, and it will take a lot of work to get us to that level". "THIS CAN NOT HAPPEN IN ONE TRANSFER WINDOW AND ESPECIALLY IN JANUARY WHERE THINGS ARE FAR MORE DIFFICULT".
I know some of you will be saying(and rightfully so) heard this all before, and you are right you have. This is different though for so many reasons. We now have a top level coach who the club are backing, we really need to get behind it and at least give it the Summer window he's said from the start he needs. We will have up's and downs on the way, but we are on track for where Conte expects us to be come next August.