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In, Out, in, out........
Written by Catullus on Monday, 1st Sep 2014 15:06

Well it's the last day of the window and while we are all hoping for those last couple of signings to complete our strongest ever squad, elsewhere we may be able to be entertained as the panic button gets hit!

Manchester United have already splashed out for Falcao, Southampton are in talks with Alderweireld, Micah Richards could be off to Italy and Holtby looks like joining Hamburg.

As for us, a name much mentioned on here, Stambouli, is probably going to Tottenham.

One of our biggest fears is that somebody comes calling for Wilf, or anybody else for that matter. We have genuine strength at Striker for the first time in ages and if we can sign a decent right winger and left back, we look really quite strong.

Of course it's not just about the players, Leeds are looking for a new manager, as are Watford. Hockaday always looked a dubious choice but why would a manager quit a club a few weeks into the season (and while in 5th place) unless something is wrong? He says he's taken them as far as he can, is that manager speak for "they won't let me spend"? Watford look quite attractive to me but Leeds, is there a more poisoned chalice currently, anywhere?

As the day rolls on there will probably be some unusual choices, some panic buys and some bargains. For me, one of the more entertaining aspects is listening to pundits and ex players justifying some of the money spent and/or how good that new player will be. You can guarantee one or more big signing will flop badly, and one or more bargain buy will be a spectacular success.

That seems to be QPR's bag, spending big on names that just don't work, the latest is Armand Traore. Today he was explaining why he chose QPR ahead of......someone else....but I couldn't stop myself believing it was about the money.

Coming back to us, our Garry has done sterling work so far, we are being linked with Andre Ayew. But if we could only get one of the winger or full back, who would we choose?

For me, it'd be the left back. I think we can manage with our current forwards. Emnes is adaptable, Dyer, Routs and Montero will cause problems either side and I've heard it said Gomis can play wide too!

But I believe we have to be stronger in defence. We need the cover. and for those days when our forwards aren't firing, a clean sheet will always be welcome.

Now then, financial fair play. Does anyone else wonder if it's worth anything? I mean, there are clubs heavily in debt who are still spending (yes QPR again, but it's not just them) even though they have big debts and apparently more outgoings than incomings.

What is the point of FFP if these clubs spend, spend, spend without any fear or any comeback?

Where is the reward for well run clubs when you can flout the rules with impunity? As it stands we voted against FFP because it imposed a limit on how much extra we could spend even though we were well inside our margins.

This transfer window will see many, many millions spent. Shouldn't clubs heavily in debt have a transfer embargo on them until their debts are paid down?

I know some clubs will say they have manageable debts, the two Manchester clubs to start with. But if you owe over 100 million, should you be allowed to spend tens of millions on new players.

FFP was meant to level the playing field but according to some experts, all it has done is to guarantee the top 6/7 clubs cannot be caught. And when you see oil sheiks and American billionaires spending vast sums, it can be hard not to be jealous.

I guess that's where we are lucky, we are fairly happy with our board and how we are run.

So whatever happens this window, if we sign the two players we want, or not, lets just be happy that we are not financial basket cases.

We can watch the other clubs panic buy, watch them buy big names that may not work and we can laugh, safe in the knowledge that come what may, our club is safe. That we have a decent squad that looks like it's getting it right on the pitch. And finally, we have a board that makes sensible decisions while still managing to sign good players that keep us competitive.




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