Your review of BFC Transfer business Summer 2021

[elwaclaret]

You wouldn't think so, reading some of the stuff on here.

It is not helped by the number who come on with personal agendas, rather than to take part in discussion. I enjoy the clever ‘Doh’ moments when having my leg pulled, but as in life some are better at it than others and like good comedians are setting up a punchline, not trying to offend.

It is very hard to gauge sometimes when a poster is being mischievous, nasty or just thick. Usually for me I prefer to be read as at times mischievous or genuine and hope not nasty or thick and welcome the same in return. Emojis might be out of fashion, but they don’t half help.

[Vegas Claret]

Transfer window ? Did I miss it ? Why didn't anyone start at thread ?

[Rileybobs]

Can we keep this on topic please? Does anyone have any decent links/rumours to save me wading through pages of bickering?

[JohnDearyMe]

It's a decent window. One player who ought to improve the first eleven immediately, and depth and succession planning in a couple of areas, plus a couple of stop gaps in Lennon and Hennesey.

That's fine. But we're still a bit short on technical quality in midfield/up front, particularly given the decline of Rodriguez and indifferent form of Cork. And the age of our midfielders and strikers, plus the players who are out of contract next summer and the potential for us to lose McNeil and/or Pope for fees, means we'll need better windows over the next 18 months if we're to complete a rebuilding job. So in many ways, the success or otherwise of this window depends on whether Vydra, Mee or even Tarkowski can be persuaded to re-sign. Otherwise, the fact we haven't done more to wheel-and-deal with at least a couple of those players to avoid them walking for free might yet come back to haunt us.

So overall a 7/10.

Good evaluation. Can't help but feel we are lacking someone with a bit of craft and guile (which presumably Dyche was after with Christie) which will hinder us.

[Iloveyoubrady]

Good evaluation. Can't help but feel we are lacking someone with a bit of craft and guile (which presumably Dyche was after with Christie) which will hinder us.

If Gudmundsson stays fit he’s a similar player to Christie anyway.

[Vegas Claret]

Like Pace said, not going to be a one window fix. We've ended it stronger and didn't lose anyone. I'd give it a 7/10 as I thought getting something better towards to the top of the team was more vital than a right back - that said, I'm delighted to get Roberts and it's an absolute steal at 2.5 million and looks after the right back issue that was pending next summer.

I think the new owners have absolutely delivered

[JohnDearyMe]

If Gudmundsson stays fit he’s a similar player to Christie anyway.

I do like JBG but can he deliver an incisive pass in the same way that Brady could do in his purple patch with us? Let's hope so.

[RVclaret]

7.5/10 from me. Would have been a 9 with a creative attacking player signed. Feel that’s something we lack, a bit of guile, a plan B after whacking it up to Bashley for 70 minutes doesn’t work.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Happy with it.
8/10

Solid back up GK, giving BPF time to learn his craft as first choice elsewhere.
Nicked one of the best young CB's in the championship and he's got time to get up to speed before Tarks is off.
Stolen a RB who's apparently alright in preparation for when Bardsley leaves.
We've now got 4 fit and firing wingers which should help make us less predictable, inc giving us the potential option to change formation, but also means we no longer need to shunt Brownhill out there.

We were linked with a higher calibre of player than we normally are which is a good thing moving forwards.

We didn't lose anyone we didn't want to get rid of, we've tried the foreign market again and I'm hoping he has a similar impact to Defour.

More importantly Dyche should now feel supported by the owners and fingers crossed gets the urge to sign a new deal.

A couple more windows like this one and we will all be happy.

The club just now needs to work on getting certain players signed up with new deals whilst getting the next lot of targets identified incase some decide to move on.

[Lancasterclaret]

I do like JBG but can he deliver an incisive pass in the same way that Brady could do in his purple patch with us? Let's hope so.

Everyone likes JBG, but like Brady, have the injuries just got the better of him?

If we can get him back to what he was a couple of years ago, then great but its a big ? at the moment

[Jakubs Tash]

6.5/10 from me.

It might sound a little harsh but I believe we have covered the bases we pretty much NEEDED to cover to stay competitive given the lack of movement in recent previous windows.

The signings we have made have been good ones and Alan Pace has done a great job. I also acknowledge that the Chairman has stated that it will be a work in progress and not sorted in just window. It would be quite easy to become giddy and start giving the window an 8/10 pr 9/10 but I suppose when you are not used to making many signings it is quite easy to be carried away with getting 5 in!

To make this a 9/10 or even a 10/10 I would liked to have seen:
A younger, more dynamic option than Lennon.
Another pacy forward in the Vydra/Gray mould (with maybe Barnes or Rodriguez leaving).
A number 10/attacking midfielder. Someone who could pick a pass and create openings.
The loan market utilised for players who could make a difference rather than players to pad the squad out.

However, an excellent effort by the new owners in their first proper window and so much better than the efforts in the previous few windows.

[Jakubs Tash]

Everyone likes JBG, but like Brady, have the injuries just got the better of him?

If we can get him back to what he was a couple of years ago, then great but its a big ? at the moment

I agree, he's not the same player now. For me JBG is a very neat footballer but I never feel like he's going to create anything. He lacks so much confidence in trying to go outside his man on his weaker right side as he doesn't have the pace to trouble the full back. Therefore it's all very predictable and the full back knows he's going to pull the ball back onto his left side and float a deep cross into the box. In my opinion, we still need to be looking into the wide areas for January and next summer to improve on JBG.

[Steve1956]

If Gudmundsson stays fit he’s a similar player to Christie anyway.

[Iloveyoubrady]

I agree, he's not the same player now. For me JBG is a very neat footballer but I never feel like he's going to create anything. He lacks so much confidence in trying to go outside his man on his weaker right side as he doesn't have the pace to trouble the full back. Therefore it's all very predictable and the full back knows he's going to pull the ball back onto his left side and float a deep cross into the box. In my opinion, we still need to be looking into the wide areas for January and next summer to improve on JBG.

JBG has never been rapid. Neither is Christie. JBG is more of a no 10 type player as well to be honest. He played there for charlton. That is why Cornet is so exciting - he has serious pace. JBG is a good player though - and if he stays fit most games he will end up providing a lot of goals and assists. He was brilliant against Brighton but has been less influential recently.

[Iloveyoubrady]

What - it’s true. Yes he’s injured a lot but they have a very similar playing style and position...

[Steve1956]

What - it’s true. Yes he’s injured a lot but they have a very similar playing style and position...

Ok

[NewClaret]

If Gudmundsson stays fit he’s a similar player to Christie anyway.

I think you could make a good case that a fit JBG would be a better 10 than Christie.

[HitchinClaret]

A consistently fit JBG would probably not be at the club anymore, would have be sold to the likes of Everton/Leicester etc a year or two ago

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

A proper ten needs to be able to use both feet equally as well so any one footed player wouldn't work for me there.

[Hedontplayforyou]

Good window

• Kept all of our main on field assets
  • Brought in two experienced players as backup, both of whom will not rock the boat, one who has already single handedly progressed us to the next round of the cup
  • Roberts, will push for a starting role as soon as he’s fully fit, great age and experience and much more creative than our current right backs
  • Collins, next in line to the throne at centre half, great potential at only 20 years old.
  • Cornet, 24 years old, very quick, tricky winger we’ve been dying for to make us less predictable, also has a goal in him and will allow McNeil to be freed up, making the team more flexible.
  Great start to a rebuild

[DCWat]

A consistently fit JBG would probably not be at the club anymore, would have be sold to the likes of Everton/Leicester etc a year or two ago

He’s had some good spells, but I don’t think he’s delivered anything like the performances required to be considered by teams further up the PL pecking order.

Mee was mentioned as being out of contract next summer, further up the thread. Didn’t he say that contract talks are underway, and would continue after the window closes? It read as though we want him to stay, he wants to stay and a deal will be done.

[Boss Hogg]

7/10. CM really needed strengthening. I thought RB could have waited til Summer but think Roberts is a great signing. I don’t understand how people think if you don’t spend a huge fee up front then it’s somehow not a big signing. If Ronaldo was at the end of his contract he would be signed on a free but maybe costs 300k a week or whatever silly wage he is on. Vastly improved windows compared to the last few under Garlick which were a shambles.

[Steve1956]

9/10
I'll upgrade that to 10/10 when we add a central midfielder in January.

[leelad]

7 out of 10 for me. After a number of transfer windows which have left much to be desired, there seems to be an appetite by the new owners to fill gaps in areas where we desperately needed strengthening. Out of the new signings, looking forward to seeing Roberts play at some point. Cones across as very down to earth, humble and someone who will give their all to the cause. And we got him for a modest fee it seems. Cornet is a difficult one to predict, will he work in a Dyche team where he will have to track back and defend along with showing his attacking prowess? Not sure, hoping for good things. Pleasing to see that we have kept our squad intact as well. We needed some strength in depth, we have made a start. That's all you could have asked from this window. Cone on you Clarets!

[clarethomer]

7/10 for me.

The best transfer window in ages (but it was a low starting point for this to be said)

Excited about Cornet
Pleased with Roberts - like his work hard ethos.
Pleased we have managed to get BFP out getting competitive development and experience and secured experience in Hennessey whilst this happens
Pleased we have Lennon back to help provide a bit of depth to the squad.

Really think that overall we haven't done enough to provide competition to the squad in the areas where it needs more competition. As SD is happy with his 4 strikers - I just hope we can now get more supply to them for us to get more goals as this is an area of concern so will watch with interest to see how McNeil/JBG/Lennon play going forward if there is to be some competition with Cornet coming in.

Time will only tell us if the window has been good enough.

[tiger76]

7/10. CM really needed strengthening. I thought RB could have waited til Summer but think Roberts is a great signing. I don’t understand how people think if you don’t spend a huge fee up front then it’s somehow not a big signing. If Ronaldo was at the end of his contract he would be signed on a free but maybe costs 300k a week or whatever silly wage he is on. Vastly improved windows compared to the last few under Garlick which were a shambles.

I'd say of all of our summer signings, Roberts is the best, still in his prime, but PL experience, and we got him for peanuts.

That's precisely the type of market we should be fishing in while we have the lure of PL footy to offer.

I don't disagree with you about CM, but we seemingly did try, and the cards didn't fall in our favour for a couple of deals.

At least we now seem to have a long term strategy once again, which we lacked for several windows.

And in Collins, Cornet & Roberts we could well be looking at the future of the club for a good few seasons.

Remember last summer we signed Dale Stephens, so it's amazing the difference a year makes.

[minnieclaret]

My biggest surprise was Burnley signing an injured player. I’m pleased they did but what sort of medical did he pass.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

He had groin surgery after the Euros.
Hardly a long term thing, City signed Gundogan when he had a major knee injury.

[dougcollins]

3-5-3, dream on. Not in this regime.

[BOYSIE31]

6 - 10

2 are back ups
1 is back and was poor last time
1 is currently injured but a good signing
1 is exciting but probably will not play for a bit

[Lancasterclaret]

3-5-3, dream on. Not in this regime.

Or any regime tbf as its 11 outfield players!

[claretspice]

A proper ten needs to be able to use both feet equally as well so any one footed player wouldn't work for me there.

Be disappointing news for the notoriously one-footed Maradona then. Not great news for Messi, Gheorge Hagi and Rivaldo either. I'd argue all of those 4 were pretty decent number 10s.

Dwight is one footed, and it's one of his limitations, but he does use his right for simple passes (increasingly so actually) and so I'm not sure it's quite as big a deal as it is suggested. Sure, he only shoots or plays a key pass with his left, but I don't think it limits his general link up play or ball retention in tight areas much, and in that regard he's the stand out player in our squad.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Be disappointing news for the notoriously one-footed Maradona then. Not great news for Messi, Gheorge Hagi and Rivaldo either. I'd argue all of those 4 were pretty decent number 10s.

Dwight is one footed, and it's one of his limitations, but he does use his right for simple passes (increasingly so actually) and so I'm not sure it's quite as big a deal as it is suggested. Sure, he only shoots or plays a key pass with his left, but I don't think it limits his general link up play or ball retention in tight areas much, and in that regard he's the stand out player in our squad.

Granted they were very good players, i haven't seen anything to suggest Dwight can make it work in the middle, he constantly has to go backwards to get it on his left, doesn't work for me, the players you give above never had that problem. As a winger hes the best we've had in a long time.

[Papabendi]

Be disappointing news for the notoriously one-footed Maradona then. Not great news for Messi, Gheorge Hagi and Rivaldo either. I'd argue all of those 4 were pretty decent number 10s.

Dwight is one footed, and it's one of his limitations, but he does use his right for simple passes (increasingly so actually) and so I'm not sure it's quite as big a deal as it is suggested. Sure, he only shoots or plays a key pass with his left, but I don't think it limits his general link up play or ball retention in tight areas much, and in that regard he's the stand out player in our squad.

Some big names there.....

[KateR]

I'll say 7.5 out of 10 for me for the players, I haven't really seen half of them play to be honest, Roberts a couple of games for Wales, WH I've seen a few times plus obviously AR all be it a few seasons ago but nothing of Max or Collins. So the actual effect on the team/formation is yet to be seen and it will be awhile yet except perhaps for Max, depending on early training and fitness for SD.

I will however give 8.5 out of 10 to the board in regard to achievement and carrying on to fulfill SD's wishes and trying to bring in the elusive #10 we all believe we need (well nearly all). Make the future look brighter and slows down the anti ALK/Pace mob a little, which is welcome from my perspective, plus we know what to expect come Jan, more of the same please. I will move this to 9 out of 10 when/if SD signs a new long term contract but not if it's a one year rolling contract.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I am somewhere between a 6.5 and a 7 out of 10.

Cornet is the only 100% starter we brought in. However Roberts could push for a place towards the middle/backend of the season.

We have addressed a couple of spots with the signings of Hennessey and Collins who should be good for the cup games.

I think January needs at least another 2 or 3. With another 3-4 coming in next summer.

But all in all a pretty good window where the glaring weaknesses were strengthened.

[Stayingup]

A fair assessment Darth, not losing Tarkowski is the most important bit of business.

Massive to keep him. The rock upon which Sean should build his team!!!

[Stayingup]

I do like JBG but can he deliver an incisive pass in the same way that Brady could do in his purple patch with us? Let's hope so.

Not very often no. Hes not a clever player but can be effective sometimes but not often enough.

[boatshed bill]

Incomings pretty good.
Shame we couldn't have punted out one or two who will never do a thing worth remembering,
But you can't have it all

[Elizabeth]

One of the most eventful summers in recent memory, wrapping things up neatly at the end. The Welsh international on the last day was a steal.
We plugged holes , added depth and made smart signings , We now have the options to move certain players into different positions. The squad situation looks a lot better.
We now have a young promising centre half who has the opportunity to develop from the bench similar to our current England capped centre half who is likely to leave us at the end of the season.
Our couple of important solid signings seem mild in comparison to the excitement of signing an African international winger who promises to get us of our seats for the next couple of years.
Overall an excellent window and while not getting that thrusting central midfielder I thing we need hurt a little , I think the perceived failure to bring in one of Christie or Barkley will be a blessing in disguise because I don’t think either would fit in with our ethos.
I disagree strongly with those who are writing off Vydra , Rodrigues and Barnes as if they are deadwood.