SHA Small Heath Alliance

Soz. Jumped the gun on some info last time out. Lesson learnt.

Two new rumours though. Talked myself in circles a little bit on the first but ultimately think I want him.

[open.substack.com]

I scrolled down and saw Keshi Anderson's name. That was a horrible feeling

Sorry Chrissy Davies. That must have been traumatic for you after the break-up.

Good read again mate, and I think I'm with you on both rumours.

You'd be surprised at the names that have gone for big money in League 1 (Liam Kitching, Mason-Clark, Dwight Gayle, Assombalonga etc.).

I think I'd make the Cleary transfer, the reward of him translating that form into the Championship would be exponentially better than the downside of him not. We spent more on Sunjic!

That's essentially where I landed, yeah. The upside very much worth it if it hits, and £5m isn't *that* much these days. Still a lot, but I'm very excited by Cleary.

Why did Albion let him leave? They can't really afford to buy strikers and had a half decent one on the books. It just makes me think he might not be that good.

We signed Vaesen from relegated Huddersfield and he was a good keeper.

JohnP

Why did Albion let him leave? They can't really afford to buy strikers and had a half decent one on the books. It just makes me think he might not be that good.

Teams make mistakes. Man United released Pogba.

It's a fair point but doesn't mean we should totally write him off either.

Good work.

Enjoyable read, thank you.

Bagel

JohnP

Why did Albion let him leave? They can't really afford to buy strikers and had a half decent one on the books. It just makes me think he might not be that good.

Teams make mistakes. Man United released Pogba.

It's a fair point but doesn't mean we should totally write him off either.

Probably a bad example, as I think they tried to keep him and Ferguson had a mini strop about him choosing Juventus over staying ;)

But players like Olise, Toney and Rice were released/ sold by the top teams. Players don't develop smoothly, and clubs can and do frequently misjudge that.

Bagel

That's essentially where I landed, yeah. The upside very much worth it if it hits, and £5m isn't *that* much these days. Still a lot, but I'm very excited by Cleary.

Verdict from my Barnsley supporting boss

"He's very raw

I think he needs to play week in week out too"

Snoop

Bagel

JohnP

Why did Albion let him leave? They can't really afford to buy strikers and had a half decent one on the books. It just makes me think he might not be that good.

Teams make mistakes. Man United released Pogba.

It's a fair point but doesn't mean we should totally write him off either.

Probably a bad example, as I think they tried to keep him and Ferguson had a mini strop about him choosing Juventus over staying ;)

But players like Olise, Toney and Rice were released/ sold by the top teams. Players don't develop smoothly, and clubs can and do frequently misjudge that.

Yeah, much better examples. I believe Pogba left because he said he was ready for first team football and SAF disagreed, but even so, Olise is the best example.

I would expect him to be raw given how little football he actually has played. That he is scoring and creating and dribbling while so raw is quite exciting, as he should get even better as he refines.

Though it's a lot for an unrefined player.

£5m for raw is a big risk. We spent £1m on raw a while back on Leko.

But as you say £5m is not a great deal of money in this day and age.

I wouldn't be against it to be honest.

We've spent a similar amount on Solis and I'd say he's pretty raw.