Incoming?

[MRG]

Imagine if we announced a signing in the next 48-72 hours!

[Steve1956]

Imagine if we didn't:)

[mdd2]

imagine!
Yes I am imagining we are signing Rodders or maybe Dawson. But on the other hand I have four fingers and a thumb

[Woodleyclaret]

I thought this was a North Korean thread

[Lancasterclaret]

That would be "INCOMING!"

[jlup1980]

It does seem a little bit quiet at the moment but the World Cup won't be helping. For all we know Dyche has a few lined up who are currently in Russia. Patience will be needed as ever but we'll get who we need. In Sean We Trust!

They could release the new kit in the meantime though

[Longside4evr]

I thought it was about that fella Todger Inmare shot his bolt !

[Lancasterclaret]

I keep seeing players and going "He'll be good for us" and then finding out he already plays for a ridiculously good foriegn team.

That Swedish winger Claussen looked for Sweden, and he plays for Krasnodar. He'd be ok.

[Goobs]

For all we know Dyche has a few lined up who are currently in Russia.

Ireland failed to qualify

[Steddyman]

The only part of BFC that hasn't progressed in the last 10 years is our recruitment.

[mdd2]

As we only announce signings on Thursdays then it will be 72hrs around 10am

[JohnMac]

The only part of BFC that hasn't progressed in the last 10 years is our recruitment.

And there's me thought we were doing okay because we have recruited better players, shows what I bloody know!

[Steddyman]

And there's me thought we were doing okay because we have recruited better players, shows what I bloody know!

Great. So what material changes have we made to the recruitment team and the scouting network and what results has that bore?

From the outside it looks like we still only have very local knowledge of the the top two leagues and now we have more money we pay more.

[Pearcey]

Great. So what material changes have we made to the recruitment team and the scouting network and what results has that bore?

From the outside it looks like we still only have very local knowledge of the the top two leagues and now we have more money we pay more.

You always get uptight during Transfer windows. Just chill out. Our recruitment has led to being 7th in the top flight and the Europa League. They’re doing just fine for me.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Great. So what material changes have we made to the recruitment team and the scouting network and what results has that bore?

From the outside it looks like we still only have very local knowledge of the the top two leagues and now we have more money we pay more.

Why do we need to make material changes?

[Steddyman]

You always get uptight during Transfer windows. Just chill out. Our recruitment has led to being 7th in the top flight and the Europa League. They’re doing just fine for me.

Ah... the old we finished 7th so everything we did was the best it could be. Wondered how long it would be until that one surfaced.

[Steddyman]

Why do we need to make material changes?

My assertion was the recruitment team at BFC hadn't developed in 10 years. So are you agreeing with me then by pointing out we haven't made material changes?

[Steddyman]

My assertion was the recruitment team at BFC hadn't developed in 10 years. So are you agreeing with me then by pointing out we haven't made material changes?

We need to progress recruitment in the same way we have progressed youth development and training

[claretonthecoast1882]

Ah... the old we finished 7th so everything we did was the best it could be. Wondered how long it would be until that one surfaced.

It isn't as stupid as claiming that player recruitment hasn't improved in the last 10 years

[Steddyman]

It isn't as stupid as claiming that player recruitment hasn't improved in the last 10 years

Ok cool. Someone in the know. What changes have been made then?

[Lancasterclaret]

Are you suggesting that after six years of SD, there have been no changes to our recruitment policy and staff?

I genuinely don't know btw, but it does seem quite a big claim to make.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

My assertion was the recruitment team at BFC hadn't developed in 10 years. So are you agreeing with me then by pointing out we haven't made material changes?

What changes would you like to see?

[Herts Clarets]

Imagine if we didn't:)

That doesn't require the most vivid of imagination to be honest.

[KRBFC]

I don't think we're bad in the transfer market under SD, just very slow and fans lose patience and hit the panic button pretty quickly. We have absolutely improved since Darnborough and Hoos have left though.

[Culmclaret]

I simply do not understand the proposition that our recruitment has been poor. Given that nobody has come through the youth ranks since Jayrod then the only reason we progressed to seventh is that we have recruited well. Since Dyche arrived we have risen 28 places and are the highest placed club outside the big six. In that time we have bought four players who have become full England internationals. We have also recruited Defour, Brady and JBG all of whom have been excellent in the PL. Can somebody please point me in the direction of a similar sized club which has recruited better than us?

[randomclaret2]

Weve just finished in our highest position for 50 years whilst making huge profits and our recruitment isnt very good ???

[Pearcey]

Ah... the old we finished 7th so everything we did was the best it could be. Wondered how long it would be until that one surfaced.

You can’t argue with facts. Our recruitment has led to success. Also, you always appear during transfer windows with the same negativity and the same argument. You’re obsessed.

[JTClaret]

My assertion was the recruitment team at BFC hadn't developed in 10 years. So are you agreeing with me then by pointing out we haven't made material changes?

Can I ask what you would be looking to see from any changes?
I completely understand why we often go for players who are either from the north west, or have played there - add to that the Irish contingent.
It can be denied, and certainly reasons given as to why it shouldn't be the case, but Burnley isn't a desirable place for someone to think about moving to and this has to be taken on board in recruitment. We've had 2 Belgians in recent history, 1 played a game and it was said didn't settle, 1 is here for the Premier League.

Are you looking for us to sign more foreign players?
Fair enough if that's the case, but I think the above has to be considered and is part of the reason our recruitment has been so good in recent years.

[dsr]

In that time we have bought four players who have become full England internationals.

Six, by my reckoning. Heaton, Pope, Keane, Tarkowski, and Cork, plus Trippier who was capped after he left. So our recruitment is even better than you thought - though still not as good as Steddyman thinks it should be!

[cutsy123]

I bet we play before we sign our 1st

[Longside4evr]

[quote][/quote] i make that six Heaton Pope Keane Tarkowski, and Cork, plus Trippier
You could also add Ings and Jay to that list to
Not a bad list really when you consider it

[TVC15]

The only part of BFC that hasn't progressed in the last 10 years is our recruitment.

Trippier
Keane
Ings
Heaton
Tarks
Pope

All recruited in last 10 years
All played for England
One of em currently being talked about as the best right back in the World Cup
Value of players - at least £150m
Amount paid by Burnley - less than £10m

That’s before we mention getting Ben Mee, Dean Marney, Scott Arfield and Dave Jones for total cost of less than a million.

Aye we are having a mare in the recruitment department !!

[karatekid]

Trippier
Keane
Ings
Heaton
Tarks
Pope

All recruited in last 10 years
All played for England
One of em currently being talked about as the best right back in the World Cup
Value of players - at least £150m
Amount paid by Burnley - less than £10m

That’s before we mention getting Ben Mee, Dean Marney, Scott Arfield and Dave Jones for total cost of less than a million.

Aye we are having a mare in the recruitment department !!

Yes alright, but what have the Romans ever done for us

[DCWat]

To say our recruitment is poor, is unfair.

It’s probably fair to say that we do seem to struggle to get deals done early, for whatever reason, and Dyche himself has said he’d prefer it if we were able to do so.

[MRG]

I bet we play before we sign our 1st

I bet we don’t!

[piston broke]

Scotty capped for Canada and it should have been Scotland.
Defour back in the Belgium squad.
Somebody is doing something right in our recruitment team.

[brigante]

That would be "INCOMING!"

Un-coming!

[KRBFC]

Scotty capped for Canada and it should have been Scotland.
Defour back in the Belgium squad.
Somebody is doing something right in our recruitment team.

is Arfield playing for Canada (because he wasn't good enough for Scotland) something we should be proud of? You are probably good enough to get into the Canada squad, if you've ever owned a part Canadian pet, expect a phone call very soon.

[Steddyman]

To say our recruitment is poor, is unfair.

It’s probably fair to say that we do seem to struggle to get deals done early, for whatever reason, and Dyche himself has said he’d prefer it if we were able to do so.

This is part of the problem without a doubt, especially this year when we really should be getting people early to get then ready for the increased demands of being in the Europa league.

The other issue is the lack of any success in scouting overseas, means as our resources increase, the cost of good UK / Irish players who are better than we already have is only going to skyrocket which means we will struggle to improve our lot without significant investment. Meanwhile there are plenty of bargains to be found abroad but we seem to be completely unaware of that market (Defour being the exception).

[dsr]

Goal: Heaton & Pope
Defence: Trippier, Mee, Tarkowski, Keane, Ward
Midfield: Marney, Gudmondsson, Arfield, Jones
Forwards: Ings, Vokes, Barnes.

That little squad has cost about £10m, give or take, and apart from being light in midfield (hence the expensive additions - say Brady, Cork, Defour) would make a good solid Premier League side. There are 92 league teams. So if our recruitment has been poor, then can you please name the team that has recruited better; and list the players?

[TVC15]

This is part of the problem without a doubt, especially this year when we really should be getting people early to get then ready for the increased demands of being in the Europa league.

The other issue is the lack of any success in scouting overseas, means as our resources increase, the cost of good UK / Irish players who are better than we already have is only going to skyrocket which means we will struggle to improve our lot without significant investment. Meanwhile there are plenty of bargains to be found abroad but we seem to be completely unaware of that market (Defour being the exception).

Have you not bothered to read any of the other posts that have proved beyond any doubt how wrong you are ?
What does it matter whether we find a bargain abroad or a bargain over here ?

We have listed many players who are absolute bargains and in it would be hard to think of many other teams in England who have had a better recruitment record than us in recent years in terms of increase in value compared to what we originally paid - but feel free to name those who have. And whilst you are at it name these bargain players abroad - that should be easy for you since you have pointed out there are "plenty".

[Zom Zom]

Six, by my reckoning. Heaton, Pope, Keane, Tarkowski, and Cork, plus Trippier who was capped after he left. So our recruitment is even better than you thought - though still not as good as Steddyman thinks it should be!

And Danny Ings too...

[dsr]

And Danny Ings too...

Too many to count, in fact.

[JohnMac]

Please do not forget Charlie Austin, our best goal scorer in a generation.

[DCWat]

This is part of the problem without a doubt, especially this year when we really should be getting people early to get then ready for the increased demands of being in the Europa league.

The other issue is the lack of any success in scouting overseas, means as our resources increase, the cost of good UK / Irish players who are better than we already have is only going to skyrocket which means we will struggle to improve our lot without significant investment. Meanwhile there are plenty of bargains to be found abroad but we seem to be completely unaware of that market (Defour being the exception).

No doubting it’s a market that we need to tap into, but I think I’m right in saying that Dyche has said its harder to ensure that the players are the right type of character.

Finding good players abroad is probably the easy bit. Getting the inside knowledge of their character is probably much more difficult.

[piston broke]

is Arfield playing for Canada (because he wasn't good enough for Scotland) something we should be proud of? You are probably good enough to get into the Canada squad, if you've ever owned a part Canadian pet, expect a phone call very soon.

I said it should have been Scotland because he was clearly good enough but not in the eyes of the encumbent, hapless manager.

[KRBFC]

I said it should have been Scotland because he was clearly good enough but not in the eyes of the encumbent, hapless manager.

Arfield over Snodgrass? Really? Not in a million years imo

[Long Time Lurker]

If I'm being honest I would say that our scouting/recruitment doesn't seem to be progressing at the same rate as other aspects of our overall development, but I'm not unhappy with it.

A case could be made that the performance of our players, achieving above and beyond what could be expected of them, has overshadowed the performance of the recruitment team. If we struggle in a transfer window, and then our squad plays out of their skin to record a fantastic result, it can give the recruitment team a respite from the scrutiny and negative comments that would follow a bad end of season result.

BUT

The players achieving those results are only here because they were identified and brought in by our recruitment team.

To deny them full credit and praise for the part they have played in the development of our team is wholly unfair. While other clubs have squandered huge sums of money on unsuitable players our recruitment team have done very well by us.

Granted, not every player we have brought in has been a success. However, we have seen a very steady improvement in terms of our success/failure ratio when it comes to players. Every player that we brought in during the last window was a quality buy. Unfortunately, some of them didn't get the chance to make the contributions they would have liked, but that doesn't make them bad signings.

If we look back a couple of years, we brought in quite a few players that didn't work out because they simply weren't good enough. We didn't have the money or draw factor we have now, which obviously reduced the opportunities we could act on, and that has to be taken into account. That can't be used as an excuse for all of our less than optimum transfers, but it is unrealistic to expect that every signing we make will be a stand out success. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't, that's just how it is.

I would say the batting average of our recruitment team is very good in comparison to a lot of other teams. Even when things haven't worked out we haven't lost a lot of money on our less than successful acquisitions. Taking everything into account, the increasingly competitive transfer market and our need for players of a much higher standard, I think the recruitment team are showing very steady overall progress. And we certainly can't igonore the fact that some of their signings have been bordering on miraculous.

Our transfer dealings have also demonstrated a greater understanding of the market and how we need to operate within it to be successful. In the past we have been guilty of going in with bids that were way off the mark and far too low, which has created problems. In our recent dealings we have been much better at hitting the price mark. The £25m bid for Jay and Dawson in this window was a respectable one in my opinion, a fair price that should have given us a good chance of getting them in early. Unfortunately, WBA see things differently.

Knowing when we should cut and run might be something we could work on, but we are getting it right when it comes to turning away when an asking price is too high and not bringing in unsuitable players just to fill a gap. Closing down deals and picking the right time to make approaches are other things that could be improved, but even with the best plan and the best negotiator things can still go tits up.

I think specific aspects of our recruitment business that I would personally like to see more development in are scouting and securing young talent and bringing talent in from abroad. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as identifying players who can perform at the level we require, at a price we can afford. Lots of other factors have to be taken into account.

We could sign a player who meets our performance and price criteria, but after he arrives we discover he is a complete cock and a negative presence in the dressing room. Focussing on players from the UK market is a lot safer, because it is far easier to obtain accurate character references to inform our decisions.

Yes, we can scout the internet for titbits about players from abroad to build a picture about them, but it will never be a complete picture and it has the potential for error. We can't ignore the simple fact that agents and players are becoming more media savvy. Recruitment strategies have become more sophisticated, to the point where such things are being questioned and considered, but the players have also developed their ability to provide the answers and information releases that will engender a positive appearance. Well, the smart ones do at any rate.

I agree that we need to widen our sphere of collected knowledge. We can implement an information gathering strategy that is reliant on technology to increase the depth of our knowledge base, but it is the inter personal (on the ground) data that we need the most.

It might be that we need to employ foreign scouts, or we need to send our domestic scouts out into Europe for extended periods. Not simply to watch the players that we might be interested in, but to deepen and develop the relationships between ourselves and other clubs or the personnel attached to them.

If you want something done you go out and you do it. If you need personal information to improve that aspect of your recruitment you go out and get personal. The knowledge you need won't magically appear while you are twiddling your thumbs waiting for it to drop in your lap, sometimes you have to make things happen by taking the first step. It's called networking and while I am certain we are doing that to some degree our results would seem to indicate that we can do more in that regard.

Conclusion: Happy with the players we are bringing in, happy with the way we are going about our business, we could do better in terms of bringing in quality young players for the future and developing our presence in markets outside of the UK.

That was a long one, even for me

[Steddyman]

Goal: Heaton & Pope
Defence: Trippier, Mee, Tarkowski, Keane, Ward
Midfield: Marney, Gudmondsson, Arfield, Jones
Forwards: Ings, Vokes, Barnes.

That little squad has cost about £10m, give or take, and apart from being light in midfield (hence the expensive additions - say Brady, Cork, Defour) would make a good solid Premier League side. There are 92 league teams. So if our recruitment has been poor, then can you please name the team that has recruited better; and list the players?

How many of those have we signed in the last 18 months then since our finances allowed us to improve the squad?

[Andym26]

I bet we don’t!

Couldnt agree more with this!