STFC Transfer Rumours

[Nemo]

he's a viable target, but eggs and baskets and all that...

must have other targets lined up. would be good to get one in this week

Absolutely - both last summer and in January, we were linked to a lot of the same sort of profile of striker - lots of experience, good goalscoring records but on the fringes/out of favour/out of contract at their current clubs. We got Doyle on both occasions, but we heard links to Maynard, Grigg, Pitman and plenty of others. Pretty clear we like a cheeky bid for someone who seems unsettled, but no need to overanalyse every link.

[pauld]

Possibly up for debate. Anyone can have/claim a set up but the quality of it is likely what matters more. This then brings in the issue that both of us are erring on "How much use one would be?". I guess the answer here could depend on how seriously it is invested in as well as lots of other factors (natural talent in the area). If investment is there and it in turn draws better coaches to work with these "proteges" then in the long term there has to be more chance of unearthing or developing a set of future pros good enough to keep knocking on the first team door.

To back up a case for a decent u23 set up here, I would say that Town have evidence over the years of being able to develop young pros from other clubs. Several have gone away better players and we see them playing at a higher level regularly. Some could argue that may have happen regardless of who took them on but it shouldn't be discounted here. In theory, if we are good at bringing on other teams u23 players then good investment in that stage would seem logical?

For me it's more about bridging that gap between academy graduate and first team and in today's game it seems like it is a step that is needed but as mentioned, it's not without its critics, doubts and issues.

I think you're making lots of logical leaps there, but leaving aside the merits of an U23s side, my point was that it's not infrastructure that's preventing us from having one. I'd suggest it's primarily down to finance. Assuming a 20-man squad, made up of half 18-20 year olds and half 20+, even paying minimum wage, that's about £15k pa each, so a total of around £300k pa for an U23s side just in player wages. You can probably deduct around 100k from that, as there's probably 4 or 5 who are currently fringe players in the 1st team who'd be in an U23 side if we had one, plus the 3 1st year pros. But then add on the cost of additional coaches, support staff, hire of training facilities, transport etc and you've probably lost around half that saving. So even on a complete shoestring paying minimum wage you're looking at an extra 1/4m quid a year to run an U23s side.

NB This is all "back of fag packet" maths and happy to have any errors in assumptions etc pointed out.

[ronnie21]

Ipswich journo.

Loan discussed. Ipswich dont want to loan JN out and we cant afford permanent.

Next

I heard that JN hasn't even started pre-season training yet owig to still recovering from an injury he got last season.  Wide berth I think

[McGurk's Missus]

I think you're making lots of logical leaps there, but leaving aside the merits of an U23s side, my point was that it's not infrastructure that's preventing us from having one. I'd suggest it's primarily down to finance...

...But then add on the cost of additional coaches, support staff, hire of training facilities, transport etc and you've probably lost around half that saving. So even on a complete shoestring paying minimum wage you're looking at an extra 1/4m quid a year to run an U23s side.

NB This is all "back of fag packet" maths and happy to have any errors in assumptions etc pointed out.

Some logical leaps indeed. I pretty much agree the only slight issue is that yes, whilst it will be down to finances (currently), that does include investment in infrastructure. They will have to have somewhere to play (re: Training Ground Complex) and obviously can't use the CG or rely on the use of places like Beversbrook forever as well as a multitude of other stuff too.

I know this then brings up the added wage, which you're correct on. Sustaining that at present would be a financial snag indeed. My only thinking is, if you're "bridging the development gap" then surely if it's being done right it will "pay off" based on the talent produced/developing better? Doesn't even need to be hugely successful but producing a player to sell 1 in every 3 years for £1m would keep that ticking over.

No doubt there are initial costs and stuff we've be both missed. I assume neither of us are involved at that kind of level of project. Only makes me think had someone like Black been as passionate about football as he was his horses then the very "finance" and "infrastructure" parts that I mention, could have been put into place.

There are of course other income streams that can be explored that doesn't include player investment sales or development for later sales but that goes even further into infrastructure and things like create a 24/7 environment at the CG but that is digressing from the point of "Would a u23/reserve set up be more beneficial or a hindrance?"

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

Kovar will happen. Norwood needs work.

The latest according to Nixon...

[Frigby Daser]

Kovar seems to have a good rep and Wellens will know all about him, as I suspect he’s played with his son. He does look about 12 though! Great to see we’re in for players of Norwood’s stature.

[theakston2k]

Kovar seems to have a good rep and Wellens will know all about him, as I suspect he’s played with his son. He does look about 12 though!

He does look very young which is the main concern I have, only a year younger than Benda but doesn't seen to have the same height, frame or presence. Gotta trust that Wellens knows his stuff though.

[Audrey]

Looks like Maynard to Vale is off - Theo Robinson has signed for them. Mansfield don’t reckon he’s going back there either!

[Panda Paws]

Port Vale seem to be "going for it". They had a good run late last season too.

[theakston2k]

Vale's owners are pretty new aren't they? No idea how much they are worth but perhaps doing similar to Blackpool's owner in trying to make an early statement.

[reeves4england]

Vale's owners are pretty new aren't they? No idea how much they are worth but perhaps doing similar to Blackpool's owner in trying to make an early statement.

Not sure soending big is their approach, so maybe they've just done some good business. This is what they said when they took over in 2019:

we are not going to gamble Port Vale's future and our future on going out and spending ridiculous amounts of money on a system that might not work anyway.

[Tails]

George Cooper. "Enquiry"

Source: Peterborough Chairman

[Panda Paws]

Yes please.

[Riddick]

A midfielder? We have enough of those don't we?

[Flashheart]

What type of midfielder?