SIGNED - Pavel Pogrebnyak

[robinsfriday]

I fully expect some fringe players to start leaving next month, which should lead to spaces in our already rather hefty squad to start appearing for new signings.

Exactly this.

[Reading4eva]

I fully expect some fringe players to start leaving next month, which should lead to spaces in our already rather hefty squad to start appearing for new signings.

Church? Understand Derby are interested now

[Libertine]

To be honest I don't get this at all. Many players are signed and had that signing announced "pending a work permit being granted". It is a no-brainer that it will be granted in cases like these 99% of the time. If he did sign wouldn't it help recruit other players if we announced it rather than waiting for him to be a model for the new kit? Wouldn't we like to show real intent by announcing the signing rather claiming we have intent with the players we are being linked to? Meanwhile other players are deciding where they will play next year, judging potential new teams by their potential strength next season based on their signings, while we seem to be playing spy vs. spy trying to keep our yet to be announced big signing secret.

And I hope beyond hope that the rumors that we were going after Keith Andrews didn't have an ounce of fact to them seeing if they were true we couldn't outbid a Championship side for him.

We didn't go for Keith Andrews. Championship quality for sure but we need more than that in order to strengthen. Like for like isn't what we're after. June is always fairly quiet on the transfer front, especially so this year due to the Euros. Give it time. BM will reassess the squad come pre-season (next week) and the wheels so to speak will begin to turn at a quicker pace.

Fair enough on Andrews, I wasn't overwhelmed by the thought of him either.

All I know other clubs are signing players, and announcing those signings. Shouldn't/can't say we haven't signed anyone. We signed McCleary, which I thought at the time, and still think is a good signing. And I understand that this is usually a slow period for signings. But, damn, I really thought the club was going to show intent by getting one big signing announced early to create buzz about the new ownership and our intent to have a long stay in the premier league this time not only with the fans but the players. I am not saying going crazy with stupid signings for even stupider money. For us this isn't a "normal" transfer window and I would hate to see us get off to a slow start and jeopardize our season because we ended up pulling the squad together late.

[robinsfriday]

To be honest I don't get this at all. Many players are signed and had that signing announced "pending a work permit being granted". It is a no-brainer that it will be granted in cases like these 99% of the time. If he did sign wouldn't it help recruit other players if we announced it rather than waiting for him to be a model for the new kit? Wouldn't we like to show real intent by announcing the signing rather claiming we have intent with the players we are being linked to? Meanwhile other players are deciding where they will play next year, judging potential new teams by their potential strength next season based on their signings, while we seem to be playing spy vs. spy trying to keep our yet to be announced big signing secret.

And I hope beyond hope that the rumors that we were going after Keith Andrews didn't have an ounce of fact to them seeing if they were true we couldn't outbid a Championship side for him.

We didn't go for Keith Andrews. Championship quality for sure but we need more than that in order to strengthen. Like for like isn't what we're after. June is always fairly quiet on the transfer front, especially so this year due to the Euros. Give it time. BM will reassess the squad come pre-season (next week) and the wheels so to speak will begin to turn at a quicker pace.

Fair enough on Andrews, I wasn't overwhelmed by the thought of him either.

All I know other clubs are signing players, and announcing those signings. Shouldn't/can't say we haven't signed anyone. We signed McCleary, which I thought at the time, and still think is a good signing. And I understand that this is usually a slow period for signings. But, damn, I really thought the club was going to show intent by getting one big signing announced early to create buzz about the new ownership and our intent to have a long stay in the premier league this time not only with the fans but the players. I am not saying going crazy with stupid signings for even stupider money. For us this isn't a "normal" transfer window and I would hate to see us get off to a slow start and jeopardize our season because we ended up pulling the squad together late.

I understand totally where you're coming from. It's a catch 22. The club could go in and splash the cash. But BM and NH clearly have very specific targets and this if anything is a positive thing as it shows they know where the team needs to strengthen and the players that can help them do this.

Intent can't always be seen, and we're not privy to the conversations that take place behind closed doors. There are certainly glimpses of the intent as our targets, some of which have been identified on here, would indicate. Expect 4-5 players to come in during July and the obvious departures too. We're coming to the end of June now and the activity, not just for us, but for all the teams (with the exception currently of Birmingham - transfer embargo) to become a lot more frantic.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Stop quibbling over miniscule amounts other clubs seem happy to pay and nail you f/cking targets, otherwise quit gesturing and get on with training Church to kick a football in a deliberate direction.

Bored of all this oxf*rd about.

[rollsy]

To be honest, and this is only a theory I think that the fact we are going through the rigmeral of getting a work permit for him bearing in mund that one person can only have one permit and work in one place shows that although it is dragging on a bit, the pog will definitely sign for us and no one else. If you were him would you tie yourself up in all that paperwork and hassle if you wern't certain of the club and deal they were offering?

[Libertine]

Fair enough on Andrews, I wasn't overwhelmed by the thought of him either.

All I know other clubs are signing players, and announcing those signings. Shouldn't/can't say we haven't signed anyone. We signed McCleary, which I thought at the time, and still think is a good signing. And I understand that this is usually a slow period for signings. But, damn, I really thought the club was going to show intent by getting one big signing announced early to create buzz about the new ownership and our intent to have a long stay in the premier league this time not only with the fans but the players. I am not saying going crazy with stupid signings for even stupider money. For us this isn't a "normal" transfer window and I would hate to see us get off to a slow start and jeopardize our season because we ended up pulling the squad together late.

I understand totally where you're coming from. It's a catch 22. The club could go in and splash the cash. But BM and NH clearly have very specific targets and this if anything is a positive thing as it shows they know where the team needs to strengthen and the players that can help them do this.

Intent can't always be seen, and we're not privy to the conversations that take place behind closed doors. There are certainly glimpses of the intent as our targets, some of which have been identified on here, would indicate. Expect 4-5 players to come in during July and the obvious departures too. We're coming to the end of June now and the activity, not just for us, but for all the teams (with the exception currently of Birmingham - transfer embargo) to become a lot more frantic.

Well I think our potential targets aren't sitting back and waiting for us to be able to show panache with the way we announce our signings. And we can go on and on about we have signed this player but haven't announced it yet, and we are close to signing that player, but until we do start announcing these transfers we won't probably be prominently featured on the radar of many of our potential targets, and might end up losing out on them. That is why for the life of me I can't understand, that's if we actually do have an ironclad agreement in writing for his services, that we are delaying announcing the Pog signing until his passport is rubber stamped. The wheels are moving and, as the cliche goes, money talks and bullsh-t walks.

I am sure things will pick up but I am starting to wonder how many of our potential "A" targets we have missed out on, which is something we'll prolly never know, having to settle for plans B, C, D, E and F...

[melonhead]

we just dont announce till its 100% done and dusted.

[Libertine]

we just dont announce till its 100% done and dusted.

I thought it was (as reported on this message board). It is my opinion getting his visa approved, which is almost always a formality anyhoo, has absolutely nothing to do with any agreement for services he has made with the club.

[Bring Back The SB]

Are all Americans this childish?

[Libertine]

Are all Americans this childish?

Let's see...I see some adolescent-esque circlejerk bashing people who provide us info on rumors but I am childish asking why a major signing we have reportedly made hasn't been announced yet?

[Bring Back The SB]

Are all Americans this childish?

Let's see...I see some adolescent-esque circlejerk bashing people who provide us info on rumors but I am childish asking why a major signing we have reportedly made hasn't been announced yet?

Just calm down, it will be announced when it's announced. You've already been told it wont be till next week.

This isn't a panto you know, as much as you Americans like to turn sports into them.

[Libertine]

Are all Americans this childish?

Let's see...I see some adolescent-esque circlejerk bashing people who provide us info on rumors but I am childish asking why a major signing we have reportedly made hasn't been announced yet?

Just calm down, it will be announced when it's announced. You've already been told it wont be till next week.

This isn't a panto you know, as much as you Americans like to turn sports into them.

I have already been informed on many things which have yet to be proven as fact on these many threads here...

I've been told...

At least here in the US when a deal is made between a player and a club it is announced at that time (as the Pog signing turns into a melodrama of epic proportions and I get accused as an American that us fans here and our professional sports clubs are "panto").

I'm outta here in terms of being involved in rumors...as they said in The Holy Grail, it is a silly place where panto is serious business and serious business is panto.

My apologies for having the audacity to question what is going on. Feel free to going back to the very mature and serious minded bashing of bigmike and Friday's Legacy.

[Wizard]

I hope we don't sign him. Our squad is perfectly good enough as it is. McCleary is a decent addition and that is all we need.

[SpaceCruiser]

Are all Americans this childish?

Like you are?

[Cobi]

I hope we don't sign him. Our squad is perfectly good enough as it is. McCleary is a decent addition and that is all we need.

Are you serious???

In order of best striker/suited to the Premier League:

Roberts - But if we lose him to injury we are quite literally shafted
Le Fondre - Natural goalscorer but not a grafter. Will score given the chances
Hunt - Never been consistant at Champ level. No pace. Predicable and easy to mark. Will struggle next season
Church - Had loans in L2 and L1, no consistancy. Champ the same. No no no!
Manset - Weight problem, drink driving ban last season, unsettling and went on loan as far away as possible
Williams - A punt when we had to take them. Looked out of his depth in L2 last season
Sheppard - Dogged by injuries. Needs a season loan in the Championship ideally, or at worst L1

And you think we should stick with what we have? You're bonkers!!

As for McCleary being all we need? WTF?

Jo Mills will be raped if we need to rely on him at left back
We have no right back cover
We need one maybe two centre backs
We need some creativity in the middle of the park
We're two quality strikers short - see my raving loony madness above

You're a mental!!

[Ian Royal]

In answer to your question, he's very obviously not serious.

[Cobi]

:lol: In answer to your question, he's very obviously not serious.

He has a thing for trains. I'm not taking anything for granted!

[Wizard]

No, actually I am serious. Ian Harte will be fine and I was impressed with Mills last season so he is more than adequate cover. Roberts, Hunt, Church and Le Fondre will score goals, with Jobi, Jimmy, McCleary Leigertwood and Karacan chipping in. Cummings is a solid right back, with Nick Arnold apparently a very good understudy. Michael Hector and Angus MacDonald are highly rated by the club, and in addition to Sean Morrison should back up our centre halves no problem. Lawton D'ath and Jake Taylor will provide the creativity desired.

Genuinely don't think we need any more players to stay up.

[royal_cornwall]

No, actually I am serious. Ian Harte will be fine and I was impressed with Mills last season so he is more than adequate cover. Roberts, Hunt, Church and Le Fondre will score goals, with Jobi, Jimmy, McCleary Leigertwood and Karacan chipping in. Cummings is a solid right back, with Nick Arnold apparently a very good understudy. Michael Hector and Angus MacDonald are highly rated by the club, and in addition to Sean Morrison should back up our centre halves no problem. Lawton D'ath and Jake Taylor will provide the creativity desired.

Genuinely don't think we need any more players to stay up.

yep you're completely mad.