SHA Small Heath Alliance

[almajir.net]

I had some thoughts yesterday about the transfer window and deadline day - you might agree with some, you might agree with none.

Fans get too hung up on transfers and the latest dopamine hit of a new signing. That's what leads to the anger and disappointment which I think is completely unwarranted.

We got the LW we needed. We have 2 good players for every position. The best squad we've had for 15 years.

We have a good manager (despite the wailing) who is developing a hybrid style which is proven to be successful in the Champ.

We are steadily progressing towards our goal. Rome wasn't built in a day. Relax.

How long did it take to build Rome?

Was there a massive dopamine hit when they finished it?

Nice. Contemplative. We all get a bit knee jerky at times. I didn't think myself we'd go for both Millar and Fusiemi, on the face of it, Millar makes the 'safer' bet.
If Fusiemi tears it up at Derby, I'll be eating those words, so will the club. Them's the gambles.
We have thrown a lot of money at players that we've then had to move on not long after.
Maybe they are trying to learn lessons?

I think it’s a 5/10 ish window and that’s me erring on the side of generous.

Fry is better than Panzo and getting Solis back was important, but considering the manager spoke about adding 20+ goals etc we haven’t really enhanced those areas or the creativity compared to what we ended the season with.

I think we can get top 8 (the bottom end) if we don’t get major injuries to some key players who we don’t really have cover for, but for possibly the first time CD can be a bit little miffed.

Agree Re not just spending for spending sake and how complex it can be, but the window has not been what I expected.

I think we still need to see once the other countries transfer windows have closed where we’re at.

If Ducksch and Fujimoto still end up moving away I think we’re light in the 10/second striker role, and thus where Fusieni would have slotted in.

Mentioned it last night but this Ducksch situation is a nightmare now. Big money to be sat doing nothing.

I’d expect to the likes of Scott Wright to depart today/tomorrow to Scotland

Le Mod

I think it’s a 5/10 ish window and that’s me erring on the side of generous.

Fry is better than Panzo and getting Solis back was important, but considering the manager spoke about adding 20+ goals etc we haven’t really enhanced those areas or the creativity compared to what we ended the season with.

I think we can get top 8 (the bottom end) if we don’t get major injuries to some key players who we don’t really have cover for, but for possibly the first time CD can be a bit little miffed.

Agree Re not just spending for spending sake and how complex it can be, but the window has not been what I expected.

It’s the creativity I’m worried about.

I think millar will be good for us. I also think if bird hadn’t been injured at the inopportune moment, we would feel a bit better about our creativity in midfield. My worry is that he might be made of cheese.

I also was praying Osman may turn up on a Wagner fuelled snatch and grab, because I think dimmi looks fragile. I don’t think he will last the full season unscathed.

We are also lacking pace going forward. Stanno looked a bit sharper last night in terms of his running (I think for some reason he has started the season not quite 100%). Once he gets a goal I think he will relax and stop overthinking what he’s doing. He looks “snatchy”.

Vicente is quick, Stanno can be quick, laird and bright are quick (but perhaps aren’t as progressive as they once were due to tactical tweaks), aside from that there’s a lack of pace on the counter.

We look solid. Theres no doubt there’s potential in the squad to be top 8 come January. It’s the ability to really hurt teams in the current tactical guise that concerns me deep down.

Part of me thinks holding off until January to see where you’re at might almost be smarter these days to be honest. How often does a club bring in 10+ players in the summer and it goes nowhere - even if you don’t get a pre season with players signed in Jan, it can be recruitment with a bit more purpose since you have solid evidence of where you can improve.

Obviously that’s not relevant if you don’t have a squad to begin with, but we do really.

Nicked this from Sky Sports - the incomings to the Championship yesterday, re-sorted by team...

Liam Millar - Hull to Birmingham, loan

Brian De Keersmaecker - Oxford to Bristol City, loan

Reo Hatate - Celtic to Burnley, undisclosed
Igor Julio - Brighton to Burnley, £3m
Largie Ramazani - Leeds to Burnley, loan

Oliver Skipp - Leicester to Charlton, loan

Eiran Cashin [name mis-spelled, heh] - Brighton to Derby, loan

Chiedozie Ogbene - Ipswich to Lincoln, loan
Dan Oyegoke - Hellas Verona to Lincoln, loan

Amario Cozier-Duberry - Brighton to Middlesbrough, loan

Johnny Kenny - Celtic to Preston, £3m

Liam Kitching - Coventry to Sheffield United, loan

Zach Abbott - Nottingham Forest to Southampton, loan

Stephy Mavididi - Leicester to Watford, loan
Myron Boadu - Unattached to Watford
Branimir Mlacic - Udinese to Watford, loan

Morato - Nottingham Forest to West Ham, loan
Adama Boiro - Athletic Club to West Ham, loan

Sean Neave - Newcastle to Wolves, loan

Callum O'Hare - Sheffield United to Wrexham, £7m
Joe Worrall - Burnley to Wrexham, undisclosed

Looking at that, did ANYone have a good deadline day? The biggest moves are the parachute teams or Wrexham, and Burnley have the distinct air of pushing the panic button on moves.

Which suggests that it's really difficult to recruit for everyone.

Nice. Contemplative. We all get a bit knee jerky at times. I didn't think myself we'd go for both Millar and Fusiemi, on the face of it, Millar makes the 'safer' bet.
If Fusiemi tears it up at Derby, I'll be eating those words, so will the club. Them's the gambles.
We have thrown a lot of money at players that we've then had to move on not long after.
Maybe they are trying to learn lessons?

They were signing Fuesini on loan, earlier in the day everyone was wisely nodding about how low risk that was?

Said elsewhere, if he's staying he has to be reintegrated, apart from his goals, you don't want someone around the place honking it out with attitude.
FWIW I agree with Le Mod, it's a real shame we couldn't do more 'up top'. Hope that isn't terminal to our chances. I do think we'll score more than some think, we are actually creating chances now, Priske is improving every game it seems, Stanno will find form again now he's back central and others will chip in, but I do wish we could have done more in that area.

Our late season form last season was good and if maintained over a full season would easily get us in the top four.

We have started this season well, despite many saying how tough the start is.

The January signings were an improvement and will improve further.

Neumann is looking formidable. Bright is looking bright. Laird is fit, possibly the left back too (name inexplicably escapes me). All improvements on last season.

Too early to say but the signings we did make are probably decent.

We are in a pretty good state.

Work hard, never quit and good things will happen.

Probably wishful thinking on my part but I think the pulling out of this Fuseini deal and the Millar purchase turning into only a loan to me suggests that they've been informed that a target (Osman?) they were after in this window will be available in January and they're saving some cash back.

Fat Buddha OBE

possibly the left back too (name inexplicably escapes me)

Jamie Clapham

Thank you