[Blue Baggie]

To be honest, I do not really want to see any signings, until after the players have returned for preseason and Mason has had a chance to look at what he has to work with and what we really need.  Styles is a prime example of not doing this, a midfielder being forced to play as a full back (which he did ok at) because we did not have a fullback.  Let Mason get in and have a good look at what he needs rather than spending our limited budget on what the hierarchy thinks he might need.

If he's taken the job on and has not done his homework then more fool him. I will never believe a new manager has to have a look at what he's got. Let him sit in front of last season's games and watch them on TV. He can see exactly what he's got.

There is a major problem with that though and that is, any manager watching a recorded game can only see what those players can do when they are playing in the style and under the instruction of a different manager. So they can't tell how a player might play under different conditions, that is why they need to see them in training, playing in a style in which that manager wants them to play.

I know what your saying, but it's all about doing the work and not finding out they're not able to pass or run with the ball. These guys are professionals and get paid accordingly. Mason has a few weeks before the season starts to set his team up. I'm not into the idea he needs to find out that certain players can't play in the way he wants. I certainly wouldn't pay a manager a million quid a year who was lacking in any area. I expect results from day one, we certainly don't need a 6 month learning exercise.