Ambition - where's the evidence?

[Professor]

This close season is beginning to look too much like last year. The ultra loyal supporters on here (and loyalty is a great asset, but it can harm your eyesight) have been saying don't worry about the lack of signings, or missing out on players in June, they'll be announced on 1st July. Oh Yes? Don't worry about not bidding for Mackail-Smith, Saints have targetted someone better. Oh Yes? Don't worry if no one comes in as the existing squad is good enough. Oh Yes?

 

Adkins has consistently said he wants to strengthen the team with 2 or 3 quality players yet the only signings have been existing players signing longer contracts. This sounds very much like the things Pardew was saying last year, only he didn't make any significant improvements in the close season either. The constant in this is the Chairman so could it be that Cortese is saying one thing to his managers and the fans but is doing another?

 

If dedicated fans start to question the club's ambition you can be certain beyond doubt that any potential transfer target will do the same. To get the best out of a new player from Day 1 they need to be involved in pre-season but time for that is now very short so where is the evidence that we have any ambition for the coming year other than to play a season in the Championship?

[Thedelldays]

fuk me...we have just left division 3....what were you actually expecting on the 7th July...???

 

 

IMO...we have so many spoilt brats as fans that are stamping their feet demanding something....what, I dont know

[The9]

I'd say we have at least a comfortable mid-table side without making any signings - though the 1st of July was never a breakpoint for signings (and nor is the 5th), and if we have new signings by the start of the season then great.

 

You're absolutely right to question the evidence of ambition if we don't have any, as I can't see us challenging the top 2 without any, and I think we're going to be at best Play-Off contenders without any newcomers. But there's a long way to go yet - and I'd rather we signed good players who have options to go elsewhere than just players who are at the current standard.

 

Adkins has already said he's expecting most business at the end of July / August - and the Prem loans which would also bolster the side won't be until September.

 

I wouldn't worry about the close season looking like last year either, we did get promoted !

[Glasgow_Saint]

Speculate to accumulate!

[stanthemanfairoak]

This close season is beginning to look too much like last year. The ultra loyal supporters on here (and loyalty is a great asset, but it can harm your eyesight) have been saying don't worry about the lack of signings, or missing out on players in June, they'll be announced on 1st July. Oh Yes? Don't worry about not bidding for Mackail-Smith, Saints have targetted someone better. Oh Yes? Don't worry if no one comes in as the existing squad is good enough. Oh Yes?

 

Adkins has consistently said he wants to strengthen the team with 2 or 3 quality players yet the only signings have been existing players signing longer contracts. This sounds very much like the things Pardew was saying last year, only he didn't make any significant improvements in the close season either. The constant in this is the Chairman so could it be that Cortese is saying one thing to his managers and the fans but is doing another?

 

If dedicated fans start to question the club's ambition you can be certain beyond doubt that any potential transfer target will do the same. To get the best out of a new player from Day 1 they need to be involved in pre-season but time for that is now very short so where is the evidence that we have any ambition for the coming year other than to play a season in the Championship?

 

don¸t worry saints will have 3 new signings in the new strip on the 20th of the month , trust me i am never wrong.

[jasoneuelllfanclub]

i actually think saints are do the right thing. they are rewarding the players that have contributed to oursuccess last year by offering long term contracts. this is good man management. most people like to be recognised for doing a good job as opposed to doing a good job then seeing a load of new people coming in to do your job. team spirit and strong team ethics is priceless and will lead us in good stead next year. from a business point of view saints will not pay over inflated prices especially if the player in question qaulity doesnt justify paying over the odds. of course they will be sounding out potential targets now to determine player interest but will bide their time to get the right deal for the club. also not only will they look at player's qaulity but also how they will contrinute to team morale and spirit. last thing any team needs is a bad apple which could jepordise all the hard work of lat season. this is part reason why puncheon hasnt travelled with squad as he is potentially has a negative impact on team morale.

 

i am confident saints are doing it the right way. there will be 2-3 signings who will make a difference but not at the expense of team spirit which is invaluable to any team sport.

[once_bitterne]

The Liebherr's spent £13m to purchase SFC. A further £13m to make up the losses after the first year in charge. It must be assumed the loss for last year was just as much if not more.

 

Excuse me if I'm not jumping up and down like a spolit brat demanding them spend another £15m on transfers and wages during the Summer.

[ohwhenthesaints]

We bid over £3m for Billy Sharp and have had a bid for Jack Cork accepted. Does that not count as evidence for ambition? We are clearly working on getting quality players in but these things take time and patience - something a lot of posters on here seem to be lacking.

[saintrich]

we are looking for players who are better than we have already got - we have a good team and improving the quality is not something that's possible to do in the first week of the transfer window.

 

 

Are the other 21 clubs in the champ who didn't bid for Mackail-Smith lacking ambition aswell?

 

truth is there will be at least 5 teams in the top 6 at the end of the season that won't have Mackail-Smith in their side and they will have got to the top 6 without spending double what CMS is worth.

[Saint Troy]

no ambition - wheres the evidence?

[southamptonfc]

This close season is beginning to look too much like last year.

 

err we got promoted last season, so it's looking good then!

[Doctoroncall]

Football Manger has got a lot to answer for.

[Brussels Saint]

This close season is beginning to look too much like last year. The ultra loyal supporters on here (and loyalty is a great asset, but it can harm your eyesight) have been saying don't worry about the lack of signings, or missing out on players in June, they'll be announced on 1st July. Oh Yes? Don't worry about not bidding for Mackail-Smith, Saints have targetted someone better. Oh Yes? Don't worry if no one comes in as the existing squad is good enough. Oh Yes?

 

Adkins has consistently said he wants to strengthen the team with 2 or 3 quality players yet the only signings have been existing players signing longer contracts. This sounds very much like the things Pardew was saying last year, only he didn't make any significant improvements in the close season either. The constant in this is the Chairman so could it be that Cortese is saying one thing to his managers and the fans but is doing another?

 

If dedicated fans start to question the club's ambition you can be certain beyond doubt that any potential transfer target will do the same. To get the best out of a new player from Day 1 they need to be involved in pre-season but time for that is now very short so where is the evidence that we have any ambition for the coming year other than to play a season in the Championship?

 

If we spend say 2-4 million, but only towards the end of Aug, would you say that would be classed as us having ambition?

[monosaint]

The fact that AOC, Lallana and Fonte are all still with us reflectes as much on our ambition as buying players at over-inflated prices. CMS may have been good on League 1 but is still a risk at 3 million. 2 additions is all we need.

[Leslie Charteris]

Well, Professor, you obviously haven't studied the scientific method or considered the philosophy of the likes of Bertrand Russell. If you had you would have considered the evidence more closely before making yourself look an a*se.

 

At the moment, there is no concrete evidence either way and it's a month before the new season starts. So, as there is no proof, you should remain agnostic until events show otherwise. NA and NC do not appear to be people lacking ambition BTW.

[saints-cris]

We have literally only just entered July, which is if you look at the last 2 seasons the start of the month where we normally get busy. To name a few.. Jaidi, Harding, Murty, Richardson, Dickson and Butterfield were all bought in July. Lambert wasnt even signed until next month so whilst its frustrating watching others signing players, there still isnt need to go into panic mode yet.

 

The evidence is the fact we have a bid for Cork on the table and we are just waiting now, and the 3mil+ bid for Sharp.

[paris]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsD...85691,00.html?

[Professor]

no ambition - wheres the evidence?

The evidence as of today, of a lack of ambition, is no improvement on the squad, no added quality and the club turned down by one or more players for whom bids were reportedly made. These are the sort of things that a prospective player will consider unless the money on offer is so much better than can be got elsewhere. If we do have ambition, we have to demonstrate it in the way that Brighton and Poyet have clearly done to Mackail-Smith, so, where's the evidence?

[RedAndWhite91]

Lambert's and Lallana's (and anyone elses for that matter) contract extensions wouldn't have come cheap... It shows ambition in keeping hold of these sort of players on long-term deals.

[Thedelldays]

The evidence as of today, of a lack of ambition, is no improvement on the squad, no added quality and the club turned down by one or more players for whom bids were reportedly made. These are the sort of things that a prospective player will consider unless the money on offer is so much better than can be got elsewhere. If we do have ambition, we have to demonstrate it in the way that Brighton and Poyet have clearly done to Mackail-Smith, so, where's the evidence?

 

where was brightons ambition losing their star striker to their rivals..??

[Professor]

We have literally only just entered July, which is if you look at the last 2 seasons the start of the month where we normally get busy. To name a few.. Jaidi, Harding, Murty, Richardson, Dickson and Butterfield were all bought in July. Lambert wasnt even signed until next month so whilst its frustrating watching others signing players, there still isnt need to go into panic mode yet.

The evidence is the fact we have a bid for Cork on the table and we are just waiting now, and the 3mil+ bid for Sharp.

The late signings in 2009 were because we had no owner and no manager until the end of July and what followed was a poor start to the season so that even without the -10 we were not in the promotion frame.

Cork is hardly a marquee signing and he seems very reluctant to agree to come. Sharp preferred not to come. Will prospective players see failed bids as evidence of ambition or a sign that other players are not convinced that Southampton is a good place to be?

 

PS Mr Delldays - if your comment is intended for me rather than the wider community - I don't see your posts as you're on my ignore list. If what you say is for the benefit of the wider community, then of course you are entirely free to add to polite debate.

Edited 5 July, 2011 by Professor
update

[Prince Jazzbo]

Surely this thread could only be relevant if on the 1st Sept we have not taken any steps to improve the squad in order to compete in the Championship.

[Thedelldays]

The late signings in 2009 were because we had no owner and no manager until the end of July and what followed was a poor start to the season so that even without the -10 we were not in the promotion frame.

Corek is hardly a marquee signing and he seems very reluctant to agree to come. Sharp preferred not to come. Will prospective players see failed bids as evidence of ambition or a sign that other players are not convinced that Southampton is a good place to be?

now you are on a wind up...how would craig mackail-smith be a marquee signing and cork not...?

again, where was brightons ambition when losing their star striker to a crap team and rivals in palace...

they have just stood still..

[saints-cris]

The late signings in 2009 were because we had no owner and no manager until the end of July and what followed was a poor start to the season so that even without the -10 we were not in the promotion frame.

Corek is hardly a marquee signing and he seems very reluctant to agree to come. Sharp preferred not to come. Will prospective players see failed bids as evidence of ambition or a sign that other players are not convinced that Southampton is a good place to be?

 

What would be a marquee signing? we are in the Championship remember..

 

Sharp obviously had his reasons, could have nothing to do with us. Cork is just waiting for all his options, no harm in that. He already knows what its like here.

[Professor]

What would be a marquee signing? we are in the Championship remember..

Sharp obviously had his reasons, could have nothing to do with us. Cork is just waiting for all his options, no harm in that. He already knows what its like here.

 

Just to help explain what would count as a marquee signing - Mackail-Smith a marquee signing for Brighton. Nolan, a marquee signing for West Ham. Factors are international status, performance, transfer fee. I'm not suggesting Saints need a marquee signing to show ambition, just a couple of players of recognised quality and immediate first IX selections would do it. I am saying that Jack Cork, who seems to have been our most likely incomer, whilst he has quality and like Lallana has made the England u-21 squad, is not at the marquee level and so far he's still not here anyway.

[The9]

Surely this thread could only be relevant if on the 1st Sept we have not taken any steps to improve the squad in order to compete in the Championship.

 

And even then it's only relevant if the current squad doesn't cakewalk the division !

[Thedelldays]

Just to help explain what would count as a marquee signing - Mackail-Smith a marquee signing for Brighton. Nolan, a marquee signing for West Ham. Factors are international status, performance, transfer fee. I'm not suggesting Saints need a marquee signing to show ambition, just a couple of players of recognised quality and immediate first IX selections would do it. I am saying that Jack Cork, who seems to have been our most likely incomer, whilst he has quality and like Lallana has made the England u-21 squad, is not at the marquee level and so far he's still not here anyway.

 

lol...christ almighty

you do realise CMS scored less than David McGoldrick at this level last time he was here...?

[The9]

Just to help explain what would count as a marquee signing - Mackail-Smith a marquee signing for Brighton. Nolan, a marquee signing for West Ham. Factors are international status, performance, transfer fee. I'm not suggesting Saints need a marquee signing to show ambition, just a couple of players of recognised quality and immediate first IX selections would do it. I am saying that Jack Cork, who seems to have been our most likely incomer, whilst he has quality and like Lallana has made the England u-21 squad, is not at the marquee level and so far he's still not here anyway.

 

I'd rather we had a side of successful unknowns than famous failures.

[Fowllyd]

Cork is hardly a marquee signing and he seems very reluctant to agree to come. Sharp preferred not to come. Will prospective players see failed bids as evidence of ambition or a sign that other players are not convinced that Southampton is a good place to be?

 

PS Mr Delldays - if your comment is intended for me rather than the wider community - I don't see your posts as you're on my ignore list. If what you say is for the benefit of the wider community, then of course you are entirely free to add to polite debate.

 

We know nothing of Jack Cork's willingness or otherwise to join Saints. He may come, he may not - but unless you have some inside track which the rest of us lack you know nothing more than that. And, as signings go, he'd be a pretty decent catch in my view. Did Sharp turn us down? Or was it perhaps the other way around? Or did both parties conclude that they weren't best suited to each other? Again, we don't know; all we do know is that an offer (of a few million, let us not forget) was made, but that things were not ultimately taken further.

 

Does it not occur to you that the ambition you believe Brighton to have shown in signing Mackail-Smith is down to their need for a striker, having lost two of their best ones? Or that it's the 5th of July today? Or that there's more to building a team and squad than simply flinging money at other clubs to get hold of their players?

[hypochondriac]

It's ridiculous to suggest cork is not a marquee signing. He would be excellent and a statement of intent and ambition. Doesn't look likely though IMO which isn't great. If we go for the npc equivalent of stephens forte and that pants right midfielder then it won't have improved the squad and is not a great start.

 

The main question mark still hanging over Adkins is his ability in the transfer market both to attract the high calibre talents required and to choose the right ones to improve the team.

[Horley CTFC Saint]

This close season is beginning to look too much like last year. The ultra loyal supporters on here (and loyalty is a great asset, but it can harm your eyesight) have been saying don't worry about the lack of signings, or missing out on players in June, they'll be announced on 1st July. Oh Yes? Don't worry about not bidding for Mackail-Smith, Saints have targetted someone better. Oh Yes? Don't worry if no one comes in as the existing squad is good enough. Oh Yes?

 

Adkins has consistently said he wants to strengthen the team with 2 or 3 quality players yet the only signings have been existing players signing longer contracts. This sounds very much like the things Pardew was saying last year, only he didn't make any significant improvements in the close season either. The constant in this is the Chairman so could it be that Cortese is saying one thing to his managers and the fans but is doing another?

 

If dedicated fans start to question the club's ambition you can be certain beyond doubt that any potential transfer target will do the same. To get the best out of a new player from Day 1 they need to be involved in pre-season but time for that is now very short so where is the evidence that we have any ambition for the coming year other than to play a season in the Championship?

 

Thats a bit of a Lowe blow isn't it?

[fish fingers]

Marquee signings are for MLS and A-league teams. People who use this term are idiots.

[PokingFun]

Just to help explain what would count as a marquee signing - Mackail-Smith a marquee signing for Brighton. Nolan, a marquee signing for West Ham. Factors are international status, performance, transfer fee. I'm not suggesting Saints need a marquee signing to show ambition, just a couple of players of recognised quality and immediate first IX selections would do it. I am saying that Jack Cork, who seems to have been our most likely incomer, whilst he has quality and like Lallana has made the England u-21 squad, is not at the marquee level and so far he's still not here anyway.

 

CMS is not a marquee signing either. He scored a load in L1 last year but his only attempt at Championship level was not exactly a roaring success .... 11 goals and relegation.

[Miltonaggro]

It's ridiculous to suggest cork is not a marquee signing. He would be excellent and a statement of intent and ambition. Doesn't look likely though IMO which isn't great. If we go for the npc equivalent of stephens forte and that pants right midfielder then it won't have improved the squad and is not a great start.

 

The main question mark still hanging over Adkins is his ability in the transfer market both to attract the high calibre talents required and to choose the right ones to improve the team.

 

Spot on...

[John B]

Seems like is everbody is happy apart from the Professor and the plan to get to the PL in three years time.

 

I am not so sure as there seems a lot of clubs trying to do the same thing unfortunately

 

If we are to succeed we will have to spend loads of dosh .

 

We never spent much under Lowe and got relegated we spent under Wilde and got into administration I wonder what will happen under Cortese

[Avenue Saint]

This close season is beginning to look too much like last year. The ultra loyal supporters on here (and loyalty is a great asset, but it can harm your eyesight) have been saying don't worry about the lack of signings, or missing out on players in June, they'll be announced on 1st July. Oh Yes? Don't worry about not bidding for Mackail-Smith, Saints have targetted someone better. Oh Yes? Don't worry if no one comes in as the existing squad is good enough. Oh Yes?

 

Adkins has consistently said he wants to strengthen the team with 2 or 3 quality players yet the only signings have been existing players signing longer contracts. This sounds very much like the things Pardew was saying last year, only he didn't make any significant improvements in the close season either. The constant in this is the Chairman so could it be that Cortese is saying one thing to his managers and the fans but is doing another?

 

If dedicated fans start to question the club's ambition you can be certain beyond doubt that any potential transfer target will do the same. To get the best out of a new player from Day 1 they need to be involved in pre-season but time for that is now very short so where is the evidence that we have any ambition for the coming year other than to play a season in the Championship?

 

Lol

[Window Cleaner]

. 11 goals and relegation.

 

 

And yet Sharp with his 11goals + 4 penalties is supposed to be the bee's bolleaux and easily worth 3.25 million, then there's Maynard,reported at 4 million how many goals did he score last season...divided into goals and penalties if you please. Like Lambert 13 goals (including 1 deflected free kick) and 8 penalties compared to CMS's 20 odd and no penalties.

[Professor]

Its true that Adkins has virtually no recent track record in the transfer market and that unlike Poyet, Alladyce, MaClaren, Sven or Pardew, he's not an established name, either as a manager at high level, or as a player. That may be one of the factors that players consider when deciding if a particular club is where they want to be, or it may be that his management style is not good in meetings with players. On the other hand, he might be great with people and likeable but the decisions on transfers and pay might not be his to make. Adkins might be putting up targets that are not acceptable to the Chairtman. So is the question mark over Adkins, or is it over Cortese?

[aintforever]

While I think we do need a few (2 or 3) signings the fact that we still have Lallana and Chamberlain on the books does show ambition.

 

If we go into the season without any signings I will be a little concerned but there is some sense in giving the current squad a try. Promotion this year is unlikely even with investment so rather than waste 10mill it might be better using this year to gauge who's up for it then strengthen as and when it's needed in preparation for next season.

[Fowllyd]

Just to help explain what would count as a marquee signing - Mackail-Smith a marquee signing for Brighton. Nolan, a marquee signing for West Ham. Factors are international status, performance, transfer fee. I'm not suggesting Saints need a marquee signing to show ambition, just a couple of players of recognised quality and immediate first IX selections would do it. I am saying that Jack Cork, who seems to have been our most likely incomer, whilst he has quality and like Lallana has made the England u-21 squad, is not at the marquee level and so far he's still not here anyway.

 

Others have already commented on Mackail-Smith's 'marquee' status, so I won't add to what's been said.

 

As for Nolan, he's certainly an excellent player. However, it seems crystal clear to me that what West Ham are displaying right now is not so much ambition as desperation. They have massive levels of debt, which will be unsustainable in this division once the parachute payments are gone (in fact, they'll struggle when those payments are reduced). They have two options: cut costs drastically and hope to survive, or take the 'shít or bust' route. One look at their choice of manager, along with a signing such as Nolan tells you which course they've chosen.

 

It may work out for them; they're looking to build a squad capable of promotion and have employed a manager with the right kind of experience. If they succeed, they'll have some chance of beginning to reduce their debt once they're back in the Premier League, but even then life won't be easy for them. If they fail, they may have no future at all.

 

Is that the kind of ambition you think we should be showing?

[david in sweden]

We bid over £3m for Billy Sharp and have had a bid for Jack Cork accepted. Does that not count as evidence for ambition? We are clearly working on getting quality players in but these things take time and patience - something a lot of posters on here seem to be lacking.

 

Yes, Donny accepted our bid, but the player wants to see if a Prem.club will come in for him..(maybe his agent is doing the thinking for him ..?) but if nothing happens and Saints go back and offer him an extra 2K week on his terms, he'll likly jump at it ..that's if we haven't signed anyone else in the meantime.

[Fowllyd]

So is the question mark over Adkins, or is it over Cortese?

 

What question mark? You've invented a problem and are now asking others to discuss exactly where it lies. Perhaps there actually isn't any such problem and you're being more than somewhat premature in your thinking.

[NickG]

This close season is beginning to look too much like last year. The ultra loyal supporters on here (and loyalty is a great asset, but it can harm your eyesight) have been saying don't worry about the lack of signings, or missing out on players in June, they'll be announced on 1st July. Oh Yes? Don't worry about not bidding for Mackail-Smith, Saints have targetted someone better. Oh Yes? Don't worry if no one comes in as the existing squad is good enough. Oh Yes?

 

Adkins has consistently said he wants to strengthen the team with 2 or 3 quality players yet the only signings have been existing players signing longer contracts. This sounds very much like the things Pardew was saying last year, only he didn't make any significant improvements in the close season either. The constant in this is the Chairman so could it be that Cortese is saying one thing to his managers and the fans but is doing another?

 

If dedicated fans start to question the club's ambition you can be certain beyond doubt that any potential transfer target will do the same. To get the best out of a new player from Day 1 they need to be involved in pre-season but time for that is now very short so where is the evidence that we have any ambition for the coming year other than to play a season in the Championship?

 

sounds like last year? umm...what followed? Promotion. Think that answers your concerns.

[alpine_saint]

This close season is beginning to look too much like last year. The ultra loyal supporters on here (and loyalty is a great asset, but it can harm your eyesight) have been saying don't worry about the lack of signings, or missing out on players in June, they'll be announced on 1st July. Oh Yes? Don't worry about not bidding for Mackail-Smith, Saints have targetted someone better. Oh Yes? Don't worry if no one comes in as the existing squad is good enough. Oh Yes?

 

Adkins has consistently said he wants to strengthen the team with 2 or 3 quality players yet the only signings have been existing players signing longer contracts. This sounds very much like the things Pardew was saying last year, only he didn't make any significant improvements in the close season either. The constant in this is the Chairman so could it be that Cortese is saying one thing to his managers and the fans but is doing another?

 

If dedicated fans start to question the club's ambition you can be certain beyond doubt that any potential transfer target will do the same. To get the best out of a new player from Day 1 they need to be involved in pre-season but time for that is now very short so where is the evidence that we have any ambition for the coming year other than to play a season in the Championship?

 

Completely agree with you, Prof.

 

Doesnt matter who we miss out on, some on here will spin that into good news.

 

Big f**k-off LOLage at how contract extensions are being announced with fanfares by the club.

Edited 5 July, 2011 by alpine_saint

[hypochondriac]

It's quite amusing when some say what a great player someone is and as soon as they sign for someone else it's what a waste of money they are and how there is better available. Make up your minds!

[Verbal]

It's quite amusing when some say what a great player someone is and as soon as they sign for someone else it's what a waste of money they are and how there is better available. Make up your minds!

 

Who exactly has said both?

[Prince Jazzbo]

Tevez is available.

[Katalinic]

Completely agree with you, Prof.

 

Doesnt matter who we miss out on, some on here will spin that into good news.

 

Big f**k-off LOLage at how contract extensions are being announced with fanfares by the club.

 

 

We are not even half way through the transfer window FFS. Par for the course for you though as you have normally made your mind up by half time at how c**p Saints are and how the players are rubbish etc etc. More often than not we then come back to win and you disappear. I trust that the transfer window will follow a similar pattern. It really is about time you learnt the meaning of patience.

[dubai_phil]

Completely agree with you, Prof.

 

Doesnt matter who we miss out on, some on here will spin that into good news.

 

Completely disagree with Prof.....

 

In the way he has assumed it is about lacking ambition.....

 

I just have a nagging concern that he has identified a lack of activity but has given it the wrong tag-line.

 

I get the feeling that we may actually be waiting for money to become available rather than lacking ambition. My personal view is that it seems that we need to sell to buy. No clear evidence for that of course, a smattering of occassional mumbles and grumbles is matched with a plethora of positive PR statements.

 

If you remove the ambition line and then speculate that maybe the "Family" have not released "a budget" YET for this coming season then the effect could be the same.

 

Think we will discover that this is about a mixture. I may have a part of it, reluctance to sign may be a part of it. Also, again MANY on here have forgotten that we have a structure where NA is NOT the man pursuing players - he will have identified areas he wants to strengthen and then given that "position list" to The back-office team led by Les Read to go find him suitable candidates.

 

I will stick with the I'm a bit twitchy as to whether we have the funds in place (TODAY) for the next season side of the fence. I think the ambition line is the wrong take on it.

[Saint Troy]

The evidence as of today, of a lack of ambition, is no improvement on the squad, no added quality and the club turned down by one or more players for whom bids were reportedly made. These are the sort of things that a prospective player will consider unless the money on offer is so much better than can be got elsewhere. If we do have ambition, we have to demonstrate it in the way that Brighton and Poyet have clearly done to Mackail-Smith, so, where's the evidence?

 

i do not understand how being turned down by a few players is EVIDENCE of a lack of ambition. We had ambitions to sign them (fact) and talks failed (fact) but a lack of ambition simply cannot be guarenteed as the reason talks failed. Signing a striker like CMS would be nice but is simply not a statement of ambition without facts and not hearsay and assumption. You may be right but we wlil find out over the next few months.

 

We can sign noone and still be ambitious. If Adkins thinks this squad will get us up then whether he is miguided or not it is not necessarily a reflection on ambition.