On the one hand it is pleasing to learn that we have signed Fabio Daprela because we desperately needed some sort of cover for Ilunga but, on the other hand, this was hardly our number one priority was it? Do you remember Duxbury saying that we would make three signings this summer to enhance the squad? Well, technically he has now fulfilled that pledge. The trouble is, we have signed two 18 year olds and a guy who is unproven in English football and, as things stand, have just one forward (assuming Ashton will be playing no part one way or another) and no first choice right back. When are those berths going to be filled?
Meanwhile, nothing seems to be happening on the Davenport front. Now, I don't rate the guy as long term readers of this blog will know, but surely we have more chance of selling him if we put him in the team for friendly games rather than leaving him to play with the kids? Ok, he upset Zola when he complained about being dropped but, let's be fair, he had been playing well (as I was obliged to admit!) and had legitimate grounds for feeling aggrieved about being immediately dropped. He has since been sent out on loan to cold and bleak Blunderland and so has done his time surely? Even the Soviets relented after a stint in Siberia! Given we are stretched financially, the Davenport money is presumably needed to enable Zola to bid on other players.
And talking about the finances, there is another concern about the signings of Drapela and Nouble. They may be great prospects for the future, like Savio, but I am not alone in being worried about the here and now. Yes it is lovely to think that we are shaping an impressive team for three years down the road but what good is that if we slip out of the Premiership next season due to an inability to score goals? How much have these exciting "prospects" cost us exactly? In one case, compensation has yet to be agreed and in the other, the "fee" is "undisclosed". I want money spent on players who will do a job today, not some time in the future - hasn't the signing of Savio taught us anything? Had that money been invested on a proven striker last January, I am confident we would have qualified for Europe and would be looking forward to the coming season with much greater confidence. Dear God, in my madder moments, I find myself pining for Di Michele and Tristan! Surely, it doesn't get worse than that?
I did read somewhere that the Daprela fee was a nominal one so hopefully he won't have cost too much. The Nouble one could up towards a couple of million.
ReplyDeleteSeems the big name signings at the moment tend to be coming in on loan so I would assume that if anyone else were to come in, thats probably the way we'll go again.