Transfer News and Gossip Transfer Rumours Thread 2024/25 - Time to Cook 👨‍🍳

[overseas shrimper]

Indeed it’s not even 5 at the back on paper as it’s 352 not 532…

Don't confuse them.

 

[overseas shrimper]

Good to see us using the loan market.

The only surprise is why we don't get more from London or more local clubs.

Bromley is in Greater London.

 

[Thor1]

Bromley is in Greater London.

Yep, that's what D05 said, just surprised we don't get more from that area.

 

[Scamps]

Could have signed Calum butcher a week ago, he would have had a whole week of training and brought some experience to the back line that is needed. But Kev mucked him about.

 

[Streaky]

Could have signed Calum butcher a week ago, he would have had a whole week of training and brought some experience to the back line that is needed. But Kev mucked him about.

Or he didn’t want a 35 year old who hasn’t kicked a ball since April and wanted a heap of £’s.

Thought Taylor Foran looked ok, no worse than the other back 2

 

[mark387]

Or he didn’t want a 35 year old who hasn’t kicked a ball since April and wanted a heap of £’s.

Thought Taylor Foran looked ok, no worse than the other back 2

Yep Foran didn't have a good game but no one did

 

[Medway Blue]

Could have signed Calum butcher a week ago, he would have had a whole week of training and brought some experience to the back line that is needed. But Kev mucked him about.

You're only hearing one side of the story there though, aren't you?

Did he approach us? Or did we approach him?

Either way, whilst I've no doubt Kev is/was tempted by Butcher, there is clearly a reason why he hasn't signed him. One person's "messing about" is another person's turmoil over an important decision.

At the end of the day, Butcher is 33, injury prone, and has played fewer than 300 games in 14 years.

I'm sure he'd add some quality, but I think it's a fair assumption to make that he's not a first choice target, and possibly not a second or third either. Would he be a stop gap? Perhaps even desperation at worst?

If the football department would see him as a punt or a stop gap, then there are even more things to consider. What does he want in salary and contract length? Are his asks a bit high for someone Kev may see as a stop gap/punt? Would the combination of salary and contract length that he wants take a chunk out of this season's and next season's budget, and then hamstring Kev when it comes to making moves for players who are higher up on his shortlist later in the season?

 

[overseas shrimper]

Could have signed Calum butcher a week ago, he would have had a whole week of training and brought some experience to the back line that is needed. But Kev mucked him about.

Did he? Come on, give us the details and how you know.

 

[bazzashrimper]

You're only hearing one side of the story there though, aren't you?

I've no doubt Kev is/was tempted by Butcher, and might have decided against, but one person's "messing about" is another person's turmoil over an important decision.

At the end of the day, Butcher is 33, injury prone, and has played fewer than 300 games in 14 years.

I'm sure he'd add some quality, but I think it's a fair assumption to make that he's not a first choice, and possibly not a second or third either. Would he be a stop gap? That's at best! Perhaps desperation at worst?

If so, then there are other things to balance out. What does he want in salary and contract length? Are his asks a bit much for someone Kev may see as a stop gap/punt? Would the combination of salary and contract length that he wants take a chunk out of the remaining budget and then hamstring Kev when it comes to making moves for players who are higher up his list later in the season?

It’s difficult when the budget is finite. Absolutely right not to take a chance on next seasons budget where he isn’t sure. There must be a time when we just have to make a play for this season though as it’s in danger of petering out. Unless of course unspent budget this season will be offered for additional for next.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Could have signed Calum butcher a week ago, he would have had a whole week of training and brought some experience to the back line that is needed. But Kev mucked him about.

I’d much rather sign someone for next season than this season.

 

[kentblues]

You're only hearing one side of the story there though, aren't you?

Did he approach us? Or did we approach him?

Either way, whilst I've no doubt Kev is/was tempted by Butcher, there is clearly a reason why he hasn't signed him. One person's "messing about" is another person's turmoil over an important decision.

At the end of the day, Butcher is 33, injury prone, and has played fewer than 300 games in 14 years.

I'm sure he'd add some quality, but I think it's a fair assumption to make that he's not a first choice target, and possibly not a second or third either. Would he be a stop gap? Perhaps even desperation at worst?

If the football department would see him as a punt or a stop gap, then there are even more things to consider. What does he want in salary and contract length? Are his asks a bit high for someone Kev may see as a stop gap/punt? Would the combination of salary and contract length that he wants take a chunk out of this season's and next season's budget, and then hamstring Kev when it comes to making moves for players who are higher up on his shortlist later in the season?

All this may be true- but that back three on Sat was pretty shocking- not just my opinion - what Kev said, what Paul Clark was saying - fine to say there are all sorts of reasons why someone playing regularly in the the SPL and turned down a new contract to stay there does not meet what we are looking for in the NL… but someone a way away from getting in the Bromley first team in comparison may perhaps not be the answer either…

We need the cow over the bucket. Seems to me perfect is becoming the enemy of the good.

However, as you say we have to trust the people to trust to make the right decisions

 

[kentblues]

It’s difficult when the budget is finite. Absolutely right not to take a chance on next seasons budget where he isn’t sure. There must be a time when we just have to make a play for this season though as it’s in danger of petering out. Unless of course unspent budget this season will be offered for additional for next.

That would only be the case if it was more than a one year contract?

 

[kentblues]

I’d much rather sign someone for next season than this season.

This is valid- maybe this season is no longer a priority, again let’s then at least progress on that basis. My feeling is Kev wants to get over the line this year and hasn’t given up- but is just very cautious about who we sign and believes we can do better- it’s a fine balance

 

[bazzashrimper]

That would only be the case if it was more than a one year contract?

Yes. If folk are wanting a 2 season contract, then he needs to be sure. A 1 season contract then it’s possibly worth a chance.

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

Don't get me started on this.

If anyone else says we play with "5 at the back", or advocates 4-4-2, pass me the rope!

That's before you even get into dynamic formations, how fluid we are, and how our formation changes based on whether we're attacking, defending or in transition...

@ShrimperStats explains some of this brilliantly in his write-ups, and a lot of people on this forum would learn a lot from reading them.

This is a fair comment and I agree but it does also determine the type of player that is included.

Play a 5 at the back or 3 however you want to describe it means 3 central defenders at this level (man city play 3 but have one CD and 2 full backs).

We then cover this defence because of our desire to be defensive with 2 defensive mid players. That's 5 defensive players.

Wing backs are not attacking players because they are expected to be full backs and wingers. Oxymoron in my opinion. Therefore they really only provide width but that means we don't have true attacking width so it's a compromise. We play with Gus predominantly a defender and bridge predominantly a winger because bridge has proven our only creative outlet. When we play Ralph there the balance is better but then we remove our only creative outlet providing only width.

So regardless of formation it does determine the type of player included and how many defensive players v attacking players included and where those players start on the pitch.

On Saturday we played 4 in midfield with one up front. That means according to your statement we played either a 541 or 361 by player type.

Shrimperstats is brilliant and I'm an avid reader but it also shows where our deficiencies are. Chances made, goals scored data.

A starting formation with round pegs in round holes and more attacking players on the pitch could improve matters hence the ask.

Mentality and tactics is probably the missing glue that needs to change.

 

[danbowen]

Surely this honeymoon period is over now and something needs to change. We look like relegation candidates at the moment. I do not for one minute buy this idea that there is nothing available at the moment as we have seen quality players being bought in by other teams in this division in recent weeks. Our embargo ended roughly 2 months ago (?) so plenty of time to do something yet we have no leaders in this team which is a big reason we are struggling and we are short on numbers and have a very inexperienced back 3 currently. We also keep playing players out of position such as Bridge in the 10 role. No disrespect to him but if you are going to do that you might as well play with 10 men.

Social media is a joke at the moment with too many fans going nuts after we eventually win a game saying 'where are all the moaners now blah blah blah' only for us to go and put in yet another dog sh*t performance again the next game. Of course the players have had it tough in recent seasons yet during this period and especially last season they were unbelievable but this season they are a shadow of themselves and none of them are exempt from criticism and that includes both the players and the management team. We have played 12 games averaging just over 1 point per game. Of them 12 games I dont think it would be harsh to say we have played less than 240 minutes of 'good' football. The rest has been dire and there is absolutely no defending that. I am absolutely not in the Maher out mindset but something drastic does need to change whether that is formation, bringing in a different type of player etc. Attendances will drop if this carries on and then that is a vicious circle. This league now requires bigger squads and big investment in the squad which we arent going to get at this point clearly.

 

[londonblue]

I’d much rather sign someone for next season than this season.

Indeed. Ron's shadow will remain for a few seasons yet. It takes a few seasons to build a squad, and KM hasn't really had a chance to bring in his preferred options yet. Realistically, that won't start until the summer.

Looking long term is far more important. The sooner we start that, and not filling gaps with short term signings, the sooner we'll get out of this division.

The problem is most fans won't be that patient. The good news is he's been awarded a testimonial, which implies he won't be going anywhere any time soon.

 

[danbowen]

Indeed. Ron's shadow will remain for a few seasons yet. It takes a few seasons to build a squad, and KM hasn't really had a chance to bring in his preferred options yet. Realistically, that won't start until the summer.

Looking long term is far more important. The sooner we start that, and not filling gaps with short term signings, the sooner we'll get out of this division.

The problem is most fans won't be that patient. The good news is he's been awarded a testimonial, which implies he won't be going anywhere any time soon.

What are you talking about? We had a squad last season of which most is still here. They just arent playing very well this season and recruitment has been poor which isnt helping us push on.

 

[RHB]

What are you talking about? We had a squad last season of which most is still here. They just arent playing very well this season and recruitment has been poor which isnt helping us push on.

Kensdale - gone, Cardwell - gone, Miley -long term injured. Straightaway the spine that made last season's team tick is not there. Throw in Harry Taylor, Oli Coker and Danny Waldren out injured and the 'completeness' of last season is now very much missing. That's a fact. Obviously, this season's recruitment, or lack of it, also plays a part. It's going to take time to get our squad back to full, firing on all cylinders, condition whether we like it or not.

 

[Holy Joe]

What are you talking about? We had a squad last season of which most is still here. They just arent playing very well this season and recruitment has been poor which isnt helping us push on.

Most of last seasons squad is/was unavailable. On sat only 4 of the starting 11 were regulars last season.

Most of the bench is new as well.

Someone earlier posted they wanted change - arguably change has contributed to our performances. I think what we need most of all is time, time for players to gel and time for the injured/suspended to come back.