Recruitment strategy shift

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“Backfill”, that’s the word used during January for practically every transfer.  “Yes, happy to sell at that price, but only if we get backfill”.  We sold out first choice striker without backfill.  That is a ballsy decision for Brendan Rodgers and Michael Nicholson to sign off on.

If we win the league and Scottish Cup, any perceived risk will not merit a footnote when the season is reviewed.  An injury, or two, to specific players and the footnote will grow into a paragraph.

“January is a difficult time to do business” is another mantra.  Except at Celtic recently.  Kuhn, Maeda, Hatate, O’Riley and Johnston all arrived since the Postecoglou era in January.  Four of these players are still first choice at Celtic, while O’Riley left for £25m.  You can sign quality players in January if you have the recruitment infrastructure in place and do not have a preference for players you have watched in person.

Brendan is a hugely successful and experienced boss.  He has managed against or worked with many of the top players in Europe and has an enviable relationship with agents across the UK.  He recently brought in David Pleat to add what he needs.  Maybe it will all work out fine, but make no mistake, recruitment strategy has shifted.

Jeffrey Schlupp (32) arrived from Crystal Palace, replacing Alex Valle (20) in the squad.  Jota (25) came home and has already shown us why.  Alexandro Bernabei (24) permanently moved to Internacional in Brazil for a small profit.  We will be talking about Kyogo 20 years from now, let’s hope the anecdotes do not include the consequences of allowing him to leave midseason.

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  1. Sionnaigh aka the fox.

     

    I don’t think it is appropriate that you bring your own religious beliefs on to this site.

     

    There are plenty of other more relevant sites on which you can post these.

     

    Hail hail.

  2. Gene

     

    We have a first team squad and nothin else .What talented young lad wants to play in the lowland league HH

  3. bheaver on 5th February 2025 10:53 am

     

     

    Jeffrey S

     

    VVD

     

    Kolo Toure

     

    Sutton

     

    Hartson

     

    Bellamy?

  4. bheaver on 5th February 2025 10:53 am

     

    Add Super Joe Hart and possibly Sinclair – after that I am stumped.

  5. bheaver on 5th February 2025 10:59 am

     

    “First 5 yes. Bellamy. Who with?”

     

     

    Not Newcastle anyway!

     

     

    I thought perhaps him and Sinclair as part of a Man City squad?!

  6. bheaver on 5th February 2025 11:01 am

     

    Roy Keane. – another brain fart moment on my part to miss that one

     

    Freddie Lundberg. Ian Wright. Dion Dublin – like the Matrix sequels, I’ve blocked them out :)

     

     

    So 11 are:

     

    Jeffrey S, VVD, Kolo Toure, Sutton, Hartson, Henrik, Hart, Roy Keane, Freddie Lundberg. Ian Wright. Dion Dublin

     

     

    Struggling for more than that, if its limited to EPL since rebranding.

  7. clunks on 5th February 2025 3:49 am

     

     

    references to that pls??????

     

     

    Misogyny- your own post 11.20

     

     

    Sionnaigh

     

     

    “The offspring of mixed marriages.”

     

    =============================

     

     

    ParkheadcumSalford 9.27 correct

     

     

    HH

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