David Moyes and David Sullivan finished the summer transfer window with a bang proving the old saying ‘All good things come to those who wait’
It is the analogy of the hare and tortoise but we got our business done with three youngsters and five senior quality signings to add to the squad.
The moaners will inevitably moan about the lack of an addition of a striker but that was always going to be a tall task for the manager.
As he explained, finding a quality forward with similar attributes to Michail Antonio within our budget without breaking the current wage structure is difficult.
There was interest in Tammy Abraham but his price tag and wages were such that we could not get the deal done.
It was also the case of persuading a quality striker to sit on the bench as cover and wait for his chance if Antonio hamstrings gave out.
Moyes has been clear he will use Yarmolenko and Bowen as cover as well as relying on goals from midfield with Benrhama, Vlasic, Lanizni and Fornals all capable of contributing.
Manchester City didn’t buy a striker and their top goal scorer last season wasn’t a striker.
Some might also say we let Jesse Lingard get away but it was his decision and one he may live to regret
We know we have an exciting replacement who is five years younger and possibly capable of much more. We may yet find Jesse comes back with his tail between his legs in January admitting he made the wrong choice.
We have strong competition for the keeper, a Premier League proven centre back to steady the back four, cover for Rice and Soucek and an attacking midfielder to protect competition for Benrahama and Bowen.
A great window by the Daves and excited to now see what can be achieved this season in the Premier League, cups and Europa League.
Come on you Irons!
I’m very pleased with the selections we’ve made. I’m not sure that ‘losing out’ on Lingard – a player who started brightly but faded and who clearly feels he’s better suited to Man Utd – is a great loss for us. I’d much rather we signed players would desperate WANT to be at our club – that desire adds 10% to any player’s performance and the energy it creates is worth more to me than perceived skill and stats on a page.
Buzzing to get a decent keeper who I hope is given a chance, because that position needs to evolve. Fab knows that. Randolph is a good guy, but not a long term #1 for us.
Zouma is a step up in class on Balbuena. It remains to be seen in his performances how excited he is about taking what he might consider as a step down…
Kral will love being with the Czech Mates and offers quality back-up to Soucek and Rice, with Coventry going out on a career-defining loan. Fingers crossed he returns to add extra strength in that position with Mark retiring soon.
Vlasic I’m excited about. Alongside Bowen, Bennie and Pablo, with Lanzini, Masuaku and Yarmo too, we have real ability up top. I agree that Lingard may rue his decision.
Much negativity was written over the past few weeks, criticising the club’s owners and manager for not ‘getting on with it’. Nobody knows what goes on behind the scenes, but I’m 100% in support of buying players with desire and quality and without inflated egos, price tags and greedy agents. That’s how we’ll remain truly UNITED.
COYI!
I’d say that is a very fair summary Sean, we have a very competitive and versatile squad now, yes we’re still light in the CF position, however we coped well last season and it’s only 16 weeks until the next window opens!
More importantly, we have retained all of our stellar players, undoubtedly we are stronger defensively, what’s the old adage ? “ you build from the back “. GK, CB x2 DM AM that is a complete defensive spine added.
We must give the management and owners credit for delivering these additions, I don’t know about how others are feeling just now, but I’m very impressed and for the first time since the first couple of seasons this century I’m confident that we are finally moving forward as a club, long may it continue as we’ve waited so long for true positive momentum.
During this window more than any other that I can remember, I have had to re-learn what the word patience means, why it is so important and that it goes hand in hand with trust.
Gone is the scattergun approach to player recruitment simply to pacify supporters or to fill a space in the squad. To be honest, I’ve had enough of players arriving at this club who simply weren’t good enough or had both poor work ethics and attitude.
Moyes has changed all of that overnight and I have a strong feeling that he will go on to create a legacy at this club as he is our best manager since Johnny Lyall.
What a window, it turned out better than anyone could’ve anticipated. The “Daves” have literally knocked this one out of the park. Much has been made of our need for a striker, but if it was that great a need for Moyes, we would’ve got a conventional striker in during this window.
I agree 100% with Buddy on the Lingard front. Jesse has proved that he is NOT the player that we need for quite a few reasons. I’m not sure that he would have replicated his form with us second time around as the first time around he played fuelled with proving to everyone that he was good enough to have been playing regularly for Man U. He was also pushing to be included in the England squad for Euro 2020. Unfortunately, some people aren’t blessed with critical thinking skills and I truly believe Jesse has let his heart rule his head, he will come to rue his decision, whilst we celebrate our capture of a young player, full of hunger, ability and versatility in Nikola Vlasic. What is there not to like? Jesse will be 29 later this year and when you have been playing at the level that he has been for as long as he has been the drive of a player isn’t inexhaustible. This must be one of the best windows that I can remember…. although the joint signings of PDC and MVF (RIP) were great additions under ‘Arry.
Nice to read that everyone is happy for a change.