Transfer News, Gossip & Speculation Transfer Rumours Thread 2024/2025.

[Thundersley Blue]

What a lovely way to waste fan’s time and money.

If this is the case from the owners perspectives, it’s pretty pathetic and not a good look.

The Club is being rebuilt quite rightly from the bottom up, that need has been quite clear from the outset. Years of neglect has made that necessary. Had the takeover happened more quickly then we would by now be further forward. You don't build anything from the top downwards, it eventually collapses.

 

[Strykr]

i dont know, but i had imagined that as its 2025 all clubs were using some sort of data analysis? Are we just miles behind everyone else?

This all seems a bit overkill at our level tbh, but i get they are looking to put a long term strategy in place.

Would be interesting to know the results if you threw pre southend freddy eastwood, stan collymore or shaun goater through the data analysis....

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

Posted this on another thread - I'm not sure my comment is pertinent but here goes as it is an example of balancing data with judgement.

As I understand it Mark Cavendish did not meet the normal criteria set down by British Cycling even though the physical characteristics required to become a top cyclist are quite easily measured. Instead they took a punt ............ as we now know British cyclists came to dominate the top cycling events across the world including a massive haul of medals at successive Olympics.

And Mark didn't do too badly either - the most successful sprinter the world has seen and a record haul of stage wins at The Tour de France.

 

[kentblues]

It’s all lovely but we can’t even fill the bench right now and need 4-5 in? Other than from Kev I don’t see any sense of urgency at all. It’s quite surreal. No wonder if he’s frustrated. I really don’t think COSU are that bothered about this season. At least there is nothing in any communication from anyone to say otherwise?

Maybe we can get 2-3 good loanees in who no doubt wouldn’t need to go through the same exhaustive process…after all you hand them back at the end of the season.

 

[Boreham Blue]

i dont know, but i had imagined that as its 2025 all clubs were using some sort of data analysis? Are we just miles behind everyone else?

This all seems a bit overkill at our level tbh, but i get they are looking to put a long term strategy in place.

Would be interesting to know the results if you threw pre southend freddy eastwood, stan collymore or shaun goater through the data analysis....

I think this approach works better for the usual rather than the exception. The data might miss the Eastwood or Cavendish scenario but you get very few of those and if we can get a marginally better 22 players in a squad through the method the impact will be significant.

The other feature is that I’m all for the approach to identifying the right signings for 25/26. Some of these may be able to be brought in now or we have to wait, but the loan market feels that you need to be more agile if someone suddenly becomes available and you don’t want to be beaten to a signing. Ideally you have more of a database than a whiteboard and so you are ready to pounce on anyone who meets your need rather than having to check out every opportunity as they arise.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

It’s all lovely but we can’t even fill the bench right now and need 4-5 in? Other than from Kev I don’t see any sense of urgency at all. It’s quite surreal. No wonder if he’s frustrated. I really don’t think COSU are that bothered about this season. At least there is nothing in any communication from anyone to say otherwise?

Maybe we can get 2-3 good loanees in who no doubt wouldn’t need to go through the same exhaustive process…after all you hand them back at the end of the season.

How do you know there isn't any urgency aside from with Kev, though? What would you expect to be seeing? (Signings (!!), comes the inevitable one-dimensional bellow).

Players in the door can be done tomorrow, no problem. It's just that we don't want any more Moncurs or Bonnes, we want some more GSMs, Cards, Pepples etc. They are specific individuals, and no matter how frantic our recruitment committee appeared in public, they would only be able to secure those targets when the selling club and player agree and are ready to do the deal.

Perhaps there is no urgency by anyone and they are dropping the ball. I'd be surprised, though. More likely there is, but since Kev is the main person from the club who is regularly on the airwaves, so some people draw the conclusion that he's the only one with the right levels of urgency.

Comparisons with the number / perceived speed of signings by Barnet, FGR, York or whoever can pay silly sums of money (despite having no income to support such extravagance) are meaningless apples and pears comparisons. Their fantasy budgets mean so they shop in more fancy stores than us. They also don't have a million other things to spend money on, as their facilities and club fabric haven't been ignored and run down like ours has.

 

[hlane17]

-Maybe we can get 2-3 good loanees in who no doubt wouldn’t need to go through the same exhaustive process…after all you hand them back at the end of the season.

Or hand them back whenever is convenient for their parent club, as we've found out several times this season lol

If we're to look for loanees we need to look high, top end Championship/low end Prem youngsters that have little to no chance of recall between now and May.

One is currently having a blinding game today for Tamworth, Ben Crompton. Of course we don't need a RB/RWB (yet) but an example of what's out there.

 

[BEERMONSTER]

Sorry to bring another off topic view to this thread but I just wanted to say
I don't feel it's a case of writing the Season off at all. It's more to do with the conviction in the approach to how COSU prioritise the regeneration of the Club as a whole, captured in Justin interview with the BBC last year:-

"We want to be an EFL club but that doesn't just mean having a few EFL players, it means having EFL infrastructure, EFL training faciltiers, EFL sports science - we need to be an EFL club in every way, not just on a Saturday at three o'clock."
Rees said the consortium was still trying to fine tune the way they run the club.
"My background is project management. You set budgets, you set strategies, you stick to it - but it doesn't mean you don't deviate when you feel the time is right. We're finding the right balance, structure versus flexibility," he added.

I don't believe in the short time COSU have had full control and being 100% comfortable in their 'true' ownership status anything has deviated from this approach.

 

[Boreham Blue]

Or hand them back whenever is convenient for their parent club, as we've found out several times this season lol

If we're to look for loanees we need to look high, top end Championship/low end Prem youngsters that have little to no chance of recall between now and May.

One is currently having a blinding game today for Tamworth, Ben Crompton. Of course we don't need a RB/RWB (yet) but an example of what's out there.

This is where I had hoped that Stan would add value as part of the future, using connections in that world. With the exception of Rangers, which I mentioned in a recent post, our set up don’t seem to be well connected to the big club ecosystem.

 

[manor15]

This is where I had hoped that Stan would add value as part of the future, using connections in that world. With the exception of Rangers, which I mentioned in a recent post, our set up don’t seem to be well connected to the big club ecosystem.

Beyond talk of a friendly that never happened and the fan engagement guy sitting in on a few interviews, have we actually seen any benefits of links with Rangers?

 

[stewart]

It will surely happen in good time people . I like what Beermonster said ,lets when the time comes go back to the EFL with all infrastructures in place and running like a well oiled machine , so that we never have to return to the VNL. It will need patience and it wont be this season, lets just do our best to maybe get to the trophy final , Sittingbourne are next .

 

[Tommy2holes]

The bottom line. If the owners want EFL football then the playing budget needs to increase.

It's been proven time and time again that the sides that get out of this division have the best players and have had to pay for them.

This season is no exception. York, FGR and Barnet have all spent money.

Without the money the chances of winning the league or play offs is slim

 

[onceknownasrab]

There appears to be a disconnect between making the club sustainable and providing the goods paid for. As fans we want to pay for our club to survive but, survival in name only, is not the true objective or wish of the fans. Tribalism, distraction, and vicarious elements are all factors but, ultimately we want to be entertained and take pleasure from varying successes.

Currently we are paying Beefeater prices for greasy spoon fare. We are told the missing hash browns and eggs, that we pay for, will be provided when analysis is done to identify the right suppliers.

COSU know we have had to pay the going rate, for years, for less than edifying football and facilities best described as a s#+thole. COSU can't drop the ticket price to the level it should be and so have to rely on the good will of supporters to buy into the dream of a better tomorrow.

Yet again our squad is threadbare. Possible targets, and their agents, no longer have the fear of wage payment issues. According to many we have a coaching team that is the envy of the league and beyond. The club's future is being painted like a still life bowl of cherries. This all leaves me baffled as to how poor our recruitment is.

For years RM put money into the team and plans of FF, all the while neglecting the stadium. Now, it seems, the club are looking after the club and neglecting the team. One extreme to the other.

I am not ITK and have no idea what's being done where or what's being paid where but, despite the size of the consortium, it seems we lack the wherewithal or desire, to get the balance right.

As a fan, like so many, I am going to continue to attend but, there is going to be a reaction by many to the situation and the good will of supporters will dwindle. We have spent decades with the promised land being offered and are still waiting. The wait looks to be a long one still.

 

[Leeboy]

Would be interesting to know the results if you threw pre southend freddy eastwood, stan collymore or shaun goater through the data analysis....

definitely wouldn’t have worked for Goater as Tilson talked him out of retirement!

 

[Barry.C]

How do you know there isn't any urgency aside from with Kev, though? What would you expect to be seeing? (Signings (!!), comes the inevitable one-dimensional bellow).

Players in the door can be done tomorrow, no problem. It's just that we don't want any more Moncurs or Bonnes, we want some more GSMs, Cards, Pepples etc. They are specific individuals, and no matter how frantic our recruitment committee appeared in public, they would only be able to secure those targets when the selling club and player agree and are ready to do the deal.

Perhaps there is no urgency by anyone and they are dropping the ball. I'd be surprised, though. More likely there is, but since Kev is the main person from the club who is regularly on the airwaves, so some people draw the conclusion that he's the only one with the right levels of urgency.

Comparisons with the number / perceived speed of signings by Barnet, FGR, York or whoever can pay silly sums of money (despite having no income to support such extravagance) are meaningless apples and pears comparisons. Their fantasy budgets mean so they shop in more fancy stores than us. They also don't have a million other things to spend money on, as their facilities and club fabric haven't been ignored and run down like ours has.

Lots of good points SS but I would just add a couple for consideration

You can watch interviews of the new Mother and Son owners of York I was really struck how they Seem to have similar issues to us, and asked the question how often clubs are in touch with one another to share ideas and learn , although accepting York ? may have access to more cash at this time. Their Owners were Talking about the state of their stadium and how much they are going to have to spend on a wide series of infrastructure issues

As a Senior Manager myself II once got tested ( ? Rare positive attribute)I! ) and assessed as as a "Resource finder " I instinctively loved going off and finding out best practice elsewhere and bringing it back to implement with my 2,500 staff. Some of my posts reflect that a bit, probably to some annoyance

Secondly apart from FGR , Barnet and York have extensively brought a load of players in on Loans and free transfers, 10 at a time. it seems I agree they have managed to buy one or two but its certainly not all been a massive spend, spend, spend
Meanwhile the Southend Slug fest goes on. Over 100 players in to NL clubs since September, It gives the impression we are certainly lets say at best being very careful and now our latest system needs to bed in

Other clubs definitely seem far quicker on the uptake especially in the loan market , as is the case this month so far, and also appear far more agile and even perhaps more imaginative than us Come back Stan

 

[BriggBlue]

The bottom line. If the owners want EFL football then the playing budget needs to increase.

It's been proven time and time again that the sides that get out of this division have the best players and have had to pay for them.

This season is no exception. York, FGR and Barnet have all spent money.

Without the money the chances of winning the league or play offs is slim

Totally agree with the point you are making, there is just on caveat though.

Those clubs spent money at a time when we were unable to, there isn't an infinite supply of the best players.

Those best players are unlikely to be available now unfortunately

 

[Cricko]

Totally agree with the point you are making, there is just on caveat though.

Those clubs spent money at a time when we were unable to, there isn't an infinite supply of the best players.

Those best players are unlikely to be available now unfortunately

It wouldn't have mattered anyway with the kind of wages the top teams offer we are simply out-of their league as far as that is concerned.

There are still teams trying to buy their way out of this league and I fear there always will be so where does that leave us?

 

[kentblues]

How do you know there isn't any urgency aside from with Kev, though? What would you expect to be seeing? (Signings (!!), comes the inevitable one-dimensional bellow).

Players in the door can be done tomorrow, no problem. It's just that we don't want any more Moncurs or Bonnes, we want some more GSMs, Cards, Pepples etc. They are specific individuals, and no matter how frantic our recruitment committee appeared in public, they would only be able to secure those targets when the selling club and player agree and are ready to do the deal.

Perhaps there is no urgency by anyone and they are dropping the ball. I'd be surprised, though. More likely there is, but since Kev is the main person from the club who is regularly on the airwaves, so some people draw the conclusion that he's the only one with the right levels of urgency.

Comparisons with the number / perceived speed of signings by Barnet, FGR, York or whoever can pay silly sums of money (despite having no income to support such extravagance) are meaningless apples and pears comparisons. Their fantasy budgets mean so they shop in more fancy stores than us. They also don't have a million other things to spend money on, as their facilities and club fabric haven't been ignored and run down like ours has.

Well, yes, you can only judge on what’s before you. We clearly have a very small squad, are 4-5 light and right now no sign of broad outward desire to rectify this quickly. It’s just as it is. Not sure what evidence is visible to the contrary. So what to think.

I wouldn’t call it dropping the ball however. That suggests a mistake. On the contrary I think COSU are longer term focussed and are looking to next season. Anything this season would be an expected bonus and they don’t want to move away from the decided strategy and processes.

I’m saying Kev being Kev and very competitive wants to compete this season and that requires signings. So a degree of not being fully aligned in the short term - no more than that.

It seems to me the way of squaring the circle short term is the loan market notwithstanding opportunities may appear with a long term target (e.g. a Kendall) that might get taken..

I’m not saying anything you do is incorrect-you say more likely there is urgency on all sides. Thing is if it’s not visible then you are left to speculate.

Anyway January isn’t done yet.

 

[londonblue]

It wouldn't have mattered anyway with the kind of wages the top teams offer we are simply out-of their league as far as that is concerned.

There are still teams trying to buy their way out of this league and I fear there always will be so where does that leave us?

I don't think Barnet are. They've done what we are hoping to do. That is, build over time. They're now reaping the benefits of that. Their revenue isn't dependent on gate receipts. They've spent time (years even) building their revenue streams so that they can afford to now invest in their squad.

 

[Smiffy]

It wouldn't have mattered anyway with the kind of wages the top teams offer we are simply out-of their league as far as that is concerned.

There are still teams trying to buy their way out of this league and I fear there always will be so where does that leave us?

Our only hope is that our recruitment is better than everyone else’s. I guess this is what they’re going to attempt with the new data driven approach. As you say, we aren’t going to compete with at least 3 or 4 other clubs when it comes to outlay and wages. So we need to think outside the box.

The difficult thing for some to grasp and come to terms with, is how a club with nearly 7,000 through the gate most weeks (over 3x the league average) cannot compete at the top end of the NL when it comes to transfers and therefore on the pitch as well. But that is the reality Thanks to the hangover of the last decade of mismanagement and it ****es me off massively. We should be steamrolling all in this league when it comes to financial and general clout. But, it’s where we are now, regrettably.