06-07-2017, 14:37
(06-07-2017, 12:27)Salopbaggie Wrote: Well there we have a classic example of our transfer policy. We were offered Lukaku from Chelsea, just a few of years ago for £18 million, which we baulked at. We force Chelsea to put him on the open market, allowing Everton to come through and pick him up. Now he is off to United for £75 million, how many of you thought Lakaku would never make the grade? not many I bet and if we could see it so easily, why couldn't the experts. No doubting he would still be on his way to United, but at least we would have had him for a couple of years and be over £50 million richer.
This is the problem we've experienced for years. Penny pinching from the board and short sightedness.
I'm quite worried this year, we've spent £12m on someone who has a bad injury record and still need a good 5-6 players because of our paper thin squad.
We have very few saleable assets left and a growing number of 30 somethings who will evidently retire or be released - we're already down Fletcher and Olsson - who both need to be replaced. Losing these didn't bring a single penny into the club.
McAuley is an injury aware from retirement due to his age. Then we have the likes of Mozza, Brunt, Yacob etc who have been great servants, but could well be past their sell by dates. They're not really worth anything now.
Our board have notoriously not backed any manager and now, we need serious investment to replace all of these ageing troops. Very few of our players are at the age where they will improve now.
(06-07-2017, 13:27)Worldclassalbion Wrote: The problem is though Salop and I just want to add I agree with you BUT do you think Lukaku would still be valued at £75m if we had purchased him. I think not because of the way we attack under Pulis, he wouldn't have scored half as many goals as he did at Everton.
Yes he may have been worth more than £18m but not much and don't forget when we had him, we had Billy Jones and Mulumbu bursting into the box to create for him, sadly now we don't.
Definitely a valid point, Everton are a better side than us and do create more chances.
BUT I believe we do attack at home under Pulis and Lukaku would've got his fair share of goals. In fact, even away I think our counter attacking style would've suited him and he's miles better than Rondon in one on one situations.
While he might not of been worth £75m, he could've easily been £35-£50m?
Money that could've been reinvested into several good players, much like Everton are doing now.
Really worried that our penny pinching over many years might come back to bite us.