[Slick_Footwork]

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.

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.

[aries22]

As I remember it, I doubt whether Lukaku would have signed for us. He knew a bigger club would come in for him, one that could springboard his career better than we could have.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

As I remember it, I doubt whether Lukaku would have signed for us. He knew a bigger club would come in for him, one that could springboard his career better than we could have.

If I've made this argument once, I've made it a thousand times, but you won't get people to listen.  Some folks live in a fantasy world where numbers are all that count, and players' own feelings, ambitions and perceptions of different clubs apparently just don't exist.

You'd think it would have sunk in by now that clubs like Southampton are minted and pay top-level wages, but still every single decent player (or manager) they get eventually jumps ship for Spurs or Everton. It's not just about the money.

[Slick_Footwork]

As I remember it, I doubt whether Lukaku would have signed for us. He knew a bigger club would come in for him, one that could springboard his career better than we could have.

I know you see these sorts of posts all the time 'friend of friend of friend' type and they seem hard to believe...

But, a good friend of mine worked closely with Lukaku when he was here and after his loan spell, he would've signed for us. He loved it here, loved playing, loved the way he was treated by the fans. He lives and breaths playing football. Let's remember, we were the side that gave him Premier League football.

We wouldn't put up the cash to sign up, but despite that, he wanted to come on loan again.

However we were dilly dallying and left it until the last minute. We'd signed Anichebe and were trying to sign someone else permanently and only went back in for the loan when that fell through. Everton on the other hand showed real interest in him and Roberto Martinez called him up assuring him first team football. That's why he turned us down and went there.

Everton then signed him at the end of his loan spell and in that time, his value had already risen by a solid £10m. I think they paid around £30m for him, we could've got him for £20m.

All ifs, buts and maybes. But he showed massive potential with us and the board failed to push the boat out. So far, I've seen nothing from the new board to suggest they will be any different.

---

If I've made this argument once, I've made it a thousand times, but you won't get people to listen.  Some folks live in a fantasy world where numbers are all that count, and players' own feelings, ambitions and perceptions of different clubs apparently just don't exist.

You'd think it would have sunk in by now that clubs like Southampton are minted and pay top-level wages, but still every single decent player (or manager) they get eventually jumps ship for Spurs or Everton. It's not just about the money.

Of course, if West Brom, Leicester, Southampton etc sign any 'potential' player for £15m - £20 - and they do well, they will be sold.

Van Dijk at Southampton prime example. Cost a pretty penny at £15m, but could easily go for 2-3x that amount.

However, the good thing is, that gives you the cash to sign several good players. Much like Everton are doing now as well as Leicester (who I guarantee are using the Mahrez money in advance).

Our problem is we've invested in nobody and now have nobody worth selling. We have to keep replacing our old heads using the TV money, where as other sides are using the TV money plus sales. I'd really like to see our board push the boat out for some proven young talent occasionally. Lukaku was the prime example of a chance wasted.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

And where do clubs end up after wisely reinvesting? Southampton, mid-table. Leicester, mid-table. Swansea, just escaped relegation.

By all means, do it if you can. But let's not pretend that it's a route to anything significantly better than our current position in the league. The much-vaunted "next level" is, quite simply, unattainable.

[Sir Megson]

As I remember it, I doubt whether Lukaku would have signed for us. He knew a bigger club would come in for him, one that could springboard his career better than we could have.

I know you see these sorts of posts all the time 'friend of friend of friend' type and they seem hard to believe...

But, a good friend of mine worked closely with Lukaku when he was here and after his loan spell, he would've signed for us. He loved it here, loved playing, loved the way he was treated by the fans. He lives and breaths playing football. Let's remember, we were the side that gave him Premier League football.

We wouldn't put up the cash to sign up, but despite that, he wanted to come on loan again.

However we were dilly dallying and left it until the last minute. We'd signed Anichebe and were trying to sign someone else permanently and only went back in for the loan when that fell through. Everton on the other hand showed real interest in him and Roberto Martinez called him up assuring him first team football. That's why he turned us down and went there.

Everton then signed him at the end of his loan spell and in that time, his value had already risen by a solid £10m. I think they paid around £30m for him, we could've got him for £20m.

All ifs, buts and maybes. But he showed massive potential with us and the board failed to push the boat out. So far, I've seen nothing from the new board to suggest they will be any different.

---

If I've made this argument once, I've made it a thousand times, but you won't get people to listen.  Some folks live in a fantasy world where numbers are all that count, and players' own feelings, ambitions and perceptions of different clubs apparently just don't exist.

You'd think it would have sunk in by now that clubs like Southampton are minted and pay top-level wages, but still every single decent player (or manager) they get eventually jumps ship for Spurs or Everton. It's not just about the money.

Of course, if West Brom, Leicester, Southampton etc sign any 'potential' player for £15m - £20 - and they do well, they will be sold.

Van Dijk at Southampton prime example. Cost a pretty penny at £15m, but could easily go for 2-3x that amount.

However, the good thing is, that gives you the cash to sign several good players. Much like Everton are doing now as well as Leicester (who I guarantee are using the Mahrez money in advance).

Our problem is we've invested in nobody and now have nobody worth selling. We have to keep replacing our old heads using the TV money, where as other sides are using the TV money plus sales. I'd really like to see our board push the boat out for some proven young talent occasionally. Lukaku was the prime example of a chance wasted.

Interesting insight Slick and I don't doubt it for a second - but I love where I work, wouldn't change it for the world. But if somewhere else came calling that were offering me more money I'd have to reconsider, despite my current work having given me my chance and my enjoyment of working there. Of course we'd all of loved another season of Romelu up the Albion, but it didn't happen and here we now are. Still in the Premier League competing with clubs that are paying £75m for one player. Punching above our weight despite our penny pinching which is impressive.

As far as nobody worth selling...

Evans? signed for about £6m (links from Leicester of £20m+ offer as they are desperate for defenders since Morgan and Huth are both not any younger)
Rondon? signed for £12m (links of a lucrative £30m offer from China)
Matty Phillips for £5.5m - would get more than that back if sold.

We've repeatedly broken our club record transfer fees season after season and also during a takeover of the club so I'm not going to criticize the board. From the early 2000's onwards through Thompson, Peace and now Lai we were and are the model of how to run a newly promoted club in the Premier League. Our journey to where we are now was fantastic and too often forgotten. Many involved in the game, especially Sean Dyche to my knowledge have stated they viewed us as an example.

Right now we don't have a Mahrez, a Stones, a Lallana et al that we lucked out on signing at a young age and then went on to sell at huge profit, but that's not to say it won't happen. We could have some very exciting prospects being lined up right now and the paper talk at the moment is just smoke and mirrors. We simply don't know... yet.

And if we were to obtain and then later sell a player of that calibre and couldn't hold onto them we'd be bemoaning letting one get away. Berahino could have been that player if it wasn't for the souring of his relationship with the club and fans.

The club just cannot win at the moment despite having what I'd say was a successful season last term and was only let down by the poor run at the end of it.

In other news. Hal Robson Kanu has signed a three year deal and most fans (judging by Twitter) are not impressed. Personally I thought he did alright despite barely getting any starts, and when he did start he never had a shocker imo. Came up with some important goals and useful to have around the place.

But clearly because his name isn't ChristianoNeymarMessiLukaku and hasn't cost £100m+ he's obviously shite!

And where do clubs end up after wisely reinvesting? Southampton, mid-table. Leicester, mid-table. Swansea, just escaped relegation.

By all means, do it if you can. But let's not pretend that it's a route to anything significantly better than our current position in the league. The much-vaunted "next level" is, quite simply, unattainable.

Nail on the head.

[drewks]

Brilliant post, Mr Megson, sir

[Beefy 1965]

Two targets gone ...
Taylor to Burnley
Iborra to Leicester

[Slick_Footwork]

And where do clubs end up after wisely reinvesting? Southampton, mid-table. Leicester, mid-table. Swansea, just escaped relegation.

By all means, do it if you can. But let's not pretend that it's a route to anything significantly better than our current position in the league. The much-vaunted "next level" is, quite simply, unattainable.

Outside of the top 6 it's pretty much a closed shop, barring a miracle.

But my worry is that eventually, failing to invest in line with the competition will in fact result in relegation. This will happen over the period of a few years, because our squad will be deteriorating.

If you stand still, you're moving backwards in this league. If i thought we would make mid table again, with this squad, I'd be happy.

We've been in need of a drastic overhaul for a few years and keep putting it off and every year. As a result the list of requirements gets longer. So far we've lost Fletcher and Olsson, the latter probably should've been replaced 2 years ago; both need to be replaced. We have a 37 year old centre half, who I love, but needs to be replaced eventually. We don't have a recognised left back at the club. And on top of that, we have numerous players past their prime who were nothing more than 'middle of the road' in it.

I worry that the TV money, however vast, isn't enough to compete with our rivals when they are selling top stars for big money and reinvesting. The likes of Everton will be able to buy 5-6 proven players with the Lukaku cash. I can see Leicester doing the same with the Mahrez cash. Swansea probably, if Sigurdsson goes.

At present, I'm worried about the season ahead because we look weaker than last season, where we finished poorly. Very few of these players are getting any better and every time we're linked with someone good anyone seems to be able to gazump us.

---

Interesting insight Slick and I don't doubt it for a second - but I love where I work, wouldn't change it for the world. But if somewhere else came calling that were offering me more money I'd have to reconsider, despite my current work having given me my chance and my enjoyment of working there. Of course we'd all of loved another season of Romelu up the Albion, but it didn't happen and here we now are. Still in the Premier League competing with clubs that are paying £75m for one player. Punching above our weight despite our penny pinching which is impressive.

As far as nobody worth selling...

Evans? signed for about £6m (links from Leicester of £20m+ offer as they are desperate for defenders since Morgan and Huth are both not any younger)
Rondon? signed for £12m (links of a lucrative £30m offer from China)
Matty Phillips for £5.5m - would get more than that back if sold.

We've repeatedly broken our club record transfer fees season after season and also during a takeover of the club so I'm not going to criticize the board. From the early 2000's onwards through Thompson, Peace and now Lai we were and are the model of how to run a newly promoted club in the Premier League. Our journey to where we are now was fantastic and too often forgotten. Many involved in the game, especially Sean Dyche to my knowledge have stated they viewed us as an example.

Right now we don't have a Mahrez, a Stones, a Lallana et al that we lucked out on signing at a young age and then went on to sell at huge profit, but that's not to say it won't happen. We could have some very exciting prospects being lined up right now and the paper talk at the moment is just smoke and mirrors. We simply don't know... yet.

And if we were to obtain and then later sell a player of that calibre and couldn't hold onto them we'd be bemoaning letting one get away. Berahino could have been that player if it wasn't for the souring of his relationship with the club and fans.

The club just cannot win at the moment despite having what I'd say was a successful season last term and was only let down by the poor run at the end of it.

In other news. Hal Robson Kanu has signed a three year deal and most fans (judging by Twitter) are not impressed. Personally I thought he did alright despite barely getting any starts, and when he did start he never had a shocker imo. Came up with some important goals and useful to have around the place.

But clearly because his name isn't ChristianoNeymarMessiLukaku and hasn't cost £100m+ he's obviously shite!

Good post, and you're right, in the literal sense I was wrong when I said we had 'nobody worth selling'. There are a couple. However, they are vital players and probably wouldn't give us the big money needed to overhaul an ageing squad.

I guess what I'm getting at is, we fail to push the boat out for someone, when other clubs will. With Lukaku, £20m was a lot at the time but he was 21 and proven. He was only going to get better. Yes he would've left for more money, but we would've made a significant profit that we could build with. We'd possibly have less aging players to replace now.

And that's my worry... with the track record of our board, I don't see how we're going to fund all of the players we need this summer...

Your 1 point I disagree with, I do think our board are historically tight arses and have been lucky they've made good decisions off the field (with staff) to get us punching well above our weight. A lot of people here berate Pulis, but I think he's done a fine job with very limited resource in comparison to our competition. In terms of results, anyway.

But this summer, I do have a genuine worry that I haven't had since the 13-14 season - that our squad is dreadful. That year our summer dealings were a shocker too and we started dreadfully. I remember losing our first 2 home games to Southampton and Swansea and failing to score until match day 4. Luckily we signed Amalfitano, Sessengnon and Anichebe on deadline day in September and turned the corner (Incidentally, this was the year we could've got Lukaku).

I hope we don't leave it so late this time around...

HRK signing is okay, he seems happy to be a squad player and you need a few like that. Unfortunately fans are annoyed because of the lack of activity so far and he gets it in the neck. Rodriguez was a decent spend at £12m, but I think the fact he's started 12 games in 3 years worries people. It does me anyway. If we pushed the boat out for a Carvalho , I think we'd know the club were serious and be chuffed about HRK. But when we keep seeing us lose out to West Ham, Leicester and the like, it becomes frustrating.

[drewks]

Great points made by all, and a really interesting debate about, basically, our lack of activity and our aging squad - 2 things that CAN'T be disputed so far.
Love the way that everyone on here is prepared to listen to other views, makes this board so much better than most!