Tilly's transfer record this season

[Beefy]

Theres been a lot of stuff written on here about how Tilly's transfer record this season is woeful and that he's actually weakened the side. I think both statements are pretty wide of the mark.

If you look at the players we've signed since we won league One and who they replaced I'd say that almost every one was a significant upgrade.

Griemink -> Collis
Jupp -> Francis
Pettefer -> Clarke
Bentley -> McCormack
Guttridge -> Reira
Smith -> Campbell-Ryce
Goater -> Ricketts -> Harrold
Gray -> Paynter

Its early days here for Reira but I doubt he could be any less effective than Guttridge. Ricketts, obviously, didn't work as the Goater-replacement, but how much of that is Tilly's fault? He took the gamble and it didn't pay off but at least we bailed out when we did. Every one else there is a more talented player than the one that he replaced, including Paynter and Clarke.

Not to mention, of course, that we also signed Hammell and Hooper who have supplemented the squad and have proven to be far more effective than the players that they pushed down the pecking order (Wilson and Lawson).

Now, obviously, theres major question marks about whether some of those signed this season (Harrold, Paynter, Clarke) are good enough for this level, and thats fair comment. But if you pay peanuts you get monkeys, and sadly we pay peanuts. We weren't able to compete on a level playing field with other clubs at this level in terms of finances so we've ended up with signings that we could afford. Thats not really Tilly's fault either. He's spent what money he has had and he has strenghtened the squad. FWIW, I think that Paynter and Clarke could well go on to be top players at this football club, even if it won't be this season.

 

[mattytheshrimper]

wouldn't really class all the transfers as pretty good. the majority is but we needed a lot more experience than we got.

that is what i think we are lacking this season

 

[wiggy]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ Dec. 05 2006,14:42)]Theres been a lot of stuff written on here about how Tilly's transfer record this season is woeful and that he's actually weakened the side. I think both statements are pretty wide of the mark.

If you look at the players we've signed since we won league One and who they replaced I'd say that almost every one was a significant upgrade.

Griemink -> Collis
Jupp -> Francis
Pettefer -> Clarke
Bentley -> McCormack
Guttridge -> Reira
Smith -> Campbell-Ryce
Goater -> Ricketts -> Harrold
Gray -> Paynter

Its early days here for Reira but I doubt he could be any less effective than Guttridge. Ricketts, obviously, didn't work as the Goater-replacement, but how much of that is Tilly's fault? He took the gamble and it didn't pay off but at least we bailed out when we did. Every one else there is a more talented player than the one that he replaced, including Paynter and Clarke.

Not to mention, of course, that we also signed Hammell and Hooper who have supplemented the squad and have proven to be far more effective than the players that they pushed down the pecking order (Wilson and Lawson).

Now, obviously, theres major question marks about whether some of those signed this season (Harrold, Paynter, Clarke) are good enough for this level, and thats fair comment. But if you pay peanuts you get monkeys, and sadly we pay peanuts. We weren't able to compete on a level playing field with other clubs at this level in terms of finances so we've ended up with signings that we could afford. Thats not really Tilly's fault either. He's spent what money he has had and he has strenghtened the squad. FWIW, I think that Paynter and Clarke could well go on to be top players at this football club, even if it won't be this season.

I've heard it all now!

Collis, untried handling looks suspect
Francis, Mr inconsistent, one minute looks great, the next all at sea.
Clarke, probably the worst headerer and positional player ever
McCormack, looked ok as sub hasn't shone since, give me Bentley any day
Riera, another crocked in training, don't Tilson tell em to put it all in on the pitch, not Boots and Laces
Smith, more creative ability in one toe than the circus act, major Tilson error and he just won't explain why he never gave him a chance.
Ricketts, Harrold, Paynter, go a long way to find a manager that has signed 3 bigger waste of spaces.

To sum up, as we first thought Steve Tilson has made a complete and utter mess of his signings and departures this year and Beefy needs glasses!

 

[Groyne Strain]

Quote[/b] (wiggy @ Dec. 05 2006,15:37)]Collis, untried handling looks suspect

How do you know that his handling looks suspect if he's untried?

 

[Jai]

Quote[/b] (wiggy @ Dec. 05 2006,15:37)]Francis, Mr inconsistent, one minute looks great, the next all at sea.

I don't understand, one minute he looks great and the next he is an intelligent, thought-provoking and humourous fanzine still at the ridiculously low price of £1??

 

[Shrimp in a Kilt]

wiggy, name the last game for Southend, reserves or otherwise, where Jay Smith performed at anything like his previous level of ability? There was even an Oxford fan on 5live the other day who claimed that signing Jay on loan contributed to Oxford's demise.

Beefy beats you every time I'm afraid.

 

[shrimperman]

You make a good point and I tend to agree that the replacements for those leaving are, on paper at least, of better (or potentially better) quality. The problem is that those players from last season gelled so well and this seasons crop just don't seem to have the right ingrediants to do that. Last seasons team was made out of lower league players with no big egos. This seasons squad provides a combination of players who were highly rated or from the mould of a bigger club, which brings with it bigger egos. Added to that the reputation of a certain players increasing and you have a recipe that just isn't tasting right. You can say that it takes time for a team to gel, but from where I'm sitting, this team hasn't even shown any signs of doing so.

Heres a question for everyone - would you have preferred last seasons squad to this seasons squad? Furthermore, do you think that this seasons squad is stronger than last?

 

[wiggy]

Quote[/b] (Groyne Strain @ Dec. 05 2006,15:40)]

Quote[/b] (wiggy @ Dec. 05 2006,15:37)]Collis, untried handling looks suspect

How do you know that his handling looks suspect if he's untried?

Seen it in training and reserves! As for the rest of them, a poorer lot you could not find, back to the old pay peanuts......

 

[Mad Cyril]

Quote[/b] (wiggy @ Dec. 05 2006,15:37)]Smith, more creative ability in one toe than the circus act, major Tilson error and he just won't explain why he never gave him a chance

Probably because we are not playing Canvey Island every week.

 

[wiggy]

Quote[/b] (Shrimp in a Kilt @ Dec. 05 2006,15:43)]wiggy, name the last game for Southend, reserves or otherwise, where Jay Smith performed at anything like his previous level of ability? There was even an Oxford fan on 5live the other day who claimed that signing Jay on loan contributed to Oxford's demise.

Beefy beats you every time I'm afraid.

Every reserve game his touch and vision was better than any of the wasters in our team at the moment!

 

[Shrimp in a Kilt]

Quote[/b] (shrimperman @ Dec. 05 2006,15:43)]You can say that it takes time for a team to gel, but from where I'm sitting, this team hasn't even shown any signs of doing so.

Heres a question for everyone - would you have preferred last seasons squad to this seasons squad? Furthermore, do you think that this seasons squad is stronger than last?

Can't agree with that. Team gelled for Man U, then carried that on for Preston, most of Plymouth, and 50 minutes of Colcheater.

In this league I prefer the squad we have to what we had, and this season's squad is IMHO stronger than last seasons. The difference is that last season we brought in the Goat who helped with the team spirit and we got going well early, with consistent team selections. This season we brought in Ricketts (and Tilly simply can't be blamed for trying that) and since the Sunderland game we have been all over the place with a mixture of players injured and off form.

 

[wiggy]

Quote[/b] (Shrimp in a Kilt @ Dec. 05 2006,15:49)]

Quote[/b] (shrimperman @ Dec. 05 2006,15:43)]You can say that it takes time for a team to gel, but from where I'm sitting, this team hasn't even shown any signs of doing so.

Heres a question for everyone - would you have preferred last seasons squad to this seasons squad? Furthermore, do you think that this seasons squad is stronger than last?

Can't agree with that. Team gelled for Man U, then carried that on for Preston, most of Plymouth, and 50 minutes of Colcheater.

In this league I prefer the squad we have to what we had, and this season's squad is IMHO stronger than last seasons. The difference is that last season we brought in the Goat who helped with the team spirit and we got going well early, with consistent team selections. This season we brought in Ricketts (and Tilly simply can't be blamed for trying that) and since the Sunderland game we have been all over the place with a mixture of players injured and off form.

Why can't he be blamed for that? He came with a stinking reputation as did Gutts, both bad apples and they take you down in the end. Team players that never moan like Smith, Bentley, Che and Gray got the big heave ho and now we are suffering, inexperience and poor management i'm afraid!

 

[Einstein]

Quote[/b] (wiggy @ Dec. 05 2006,15:55)]Team players that never moan like Smith, Bentley, Che and Gray got the big heave ho and now we are suffering, inexperience and poor management i'm afraid!

Che Wilson left?!

 

[MC BLUES]

I am not in the Tilly must go camp, but I do think he has fallen short on the transfer front.

I am not at all convinced that any of his signings could be described as either "significant upgrades" or "far more effective".

I think last years squad was just as good, and would have proved at least equally able to have also acquired 12 points at this stage.

 

[Groyne Strain]

Quote[/b] (wiggy @ Dec. 05 2006,15:44)]

Quote[/b] (Groyne Strain @ Dec. 05 2006,15:40)]

Quote[/b] (wiggy @ Dec. 05 2006,15:37)]Collis, untried handling looks suspect

How do you know that his handling looks suspect if he's untried?

Seen it in training and reserves! As for the rest of them, a poorer lot you could not find, back to the old pay peanuts......

Then, as you know, training is used for that very purpose - to iron out errors, perceived or otherwise.

As for the reserves, he has performed solidly and competantly, if not spectacularly. There is not a single incident that springs to mind this season where Collis has looked as indifferent as you suggest.

I suggest in this instance you graciously concede that you are presenting opinion as fact and, as such, should be taken with a pinch of salt.

 

[shrimperman]

Quote[/b] (Shrimp in a Kilt @ Dec. 05 2006,15:49)]

Quote[/b] (shrimperman @ Dec. 05 2006,15:43)]You can say that it takes time for a team to gel, but from where I'm sitting, this team hasn't even shown any signs of doing so.

Heres a question for everyone - would you have preferred last seasons squad to this seasons squad? Furthermore, do you think that this seasons squad is stronger than last?

In this league I prefer the squad we have to what we had, and this season's squad is IMHO stronger than last seasons. The difference is that last season we brought in the Goat who helped with the team spirit and we got going well early, with consistent team selections. This season we brought in Ricketts (and Tilly simply can't be blamed for trying that) and since the Sunderland game we have been all over the place with a mixture of players injured and off form.

Actually I'd agree with that. I still don't think the team is showing 'many' signs of gelling (I think I over-reacted by saying 'any'!) Its easy to say that winning breeds confidence and visa versa which consequently has an effect on the team gelling. However theres been too many times this season where we don't seem to be communicating. Just simple passing movements that we seem unable to do. As much as I think the players we have brought in are better, this is starting to make me think otherwise

 

[Jam_Man]

Quote[/b] (shrimperman @ Dec. 05 2006,15:43)]Heres a question for everyone - would you have preferred last seasons squad to this seasons squad? Furthermore, do you think that this seasons squad is stronger than last?

No I certainly wouldnt prefer last seasons squad.

This seasons squad is definitely stronger than last seasons, even if some players havent lived up to what we hoped.

I dont understand why people fail to see the reason this team wont win the Championship when last years won League One isnt because we have a weaker squad, we  are playing better teams.

Last years squad got trounced by Southampton remember, even whilst "gelled" and with their "team spirit"

 

[I 8 COLU]

Quote[/b] (Jam_Man @ Dec. 05 2006,16:37)]

Quote[/b] (shrimperman @ Dec. 05 2006,15:43)]Heres a question for everyone - would you have preferred last seasons squad to this seasons squad? Furthermore, do you think that this seasons squad is stronger than last?

No I certainly wouldnt prefer last seasons squad.

This seasons squad is definitely stronger than last seasons, even if some players havent lived up to what we hoped.

I dont understand why people fail to see the reason this team wont win the Championship when last years won League One isnt because we have a weaker squad, we  are playing better teams.

Last years squad got trounced by Southampton remember, even whilst "gelled" and with their "team spirit"

well said, some very good points

 

[shrimperman]

Quote[/b] (Jam_Man @ Dec. 05 2006,16:37)]

Quote[/b] (shrimperman @ Dec. 05 2006,15:43)]Heres a question for everyone - would you have preferred last seasons squad to this seasons squad? Furthermore, do you think that this seasons squad is stronger than last?

No I certainly wouldnt prefer last seasons squad.

This seasons squad is definitely stronger than last seasons, even if some players havent lived up to what we hoped.

I dont understand why people fail to see the reason this team wont win the Championship when last years won League One isnt because we have a weaker squad, we  are playing better teams.

Last years squad got trounced by Southampton remember, even whilst "gelled" and with their "team spirit"

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't suggesting that I would prefer last seasons, it was simply just a question. As you may have seen from my reply to SiaK, I'm with you in thinking this seasons squad is better... but remember we're yet to play Southampton yet so best wait until after before judging on that on performance

 

[Beefy]

Quote[/b] (wiggy @ Dec. 05 2006,15:37)]To sum up, as we first thought Steve Tilson has made a complete and utter mess of his signings and departures this year and Beefy needs glasses!

I tend to wear my contacts on matchday, actually.