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Ghisolfi talk.

A mate of mine was at the senior supporters talk on Sunday before the match which was given by Ghisolfi. Someone asked how the club would cope if they got into Europe. Ghisolfi said they were well aware that they would be moving to Thurs/Sunday football and they would need a first team squad of 21. He said they currently had a first team ready group of 16 which I assume meant that the likes of Mayenda, Ta Bi, Jones were often in the squad but not considered first team ready (I get that the numbers may be questionable but that's what he said apparently). He said they had two plans, one for Europe and one for not achieving Europe. I know this is pretty obvious but it takes away some of the concerns. The club are very much on it. It may explain the talk of Mayenda. For all his potential it may be that they are looking to get decent value for him and replace him with someone who is closer to the finished article.
 

A mate of mine was at the senior supporters talk on Sunday before the match which was given by Ghisolfi. Someone asked how the club would cope if they got into Europe. Ghisolfi said they were well aware that they would be moving to Thurs/Sunday football and they would need a first team squad of 21. He said they currently had a first team ready group of 16 which I assume meant that the likes of Mayenda, Ta Bi, Jones were often in the squad but not considered first team ready (I get that the numbers may be questionable but that's what he said apparently). He said they had two plans, one for Europe and one for not achieving Europe. I know this is pretty obvious but it takes away some of the concerns. The club are very much on it. It may explain the talk of Mayenda. For all his potential it may be that they are looking to get decent value for him and replace him with someone who is closer to the finished article.

He spoke to us international fans in April and the same question was asked

He said the club isn't afraid of qualifying for Europe and the challenges of Thursday and Sunday. We would adapt and that they'd like to bring in 4 or 5 players max
 
One thing I’m really comfortable with is that any lack of success this coming season will not be through our ownership and football leadership structure failing to plan and prepare for next season.

Maybe things won’t go our way, key targets turn us down etc or we have some shocking injury issues. But the club will have actually tried to execute a proper plan.
 
Id be looking for a loan for Mayenda, rather than selling him
In principe yeah I agree, think it’s clear now though selling players effectively is as important as buying with new rules as they are
We bought him for 1 million quid I believe to sell him for anywhere near 20 million with sell on looks a good deal to me
We’ve sold Clarke, Bellingham and Stewart and not missed out on the pitch it’s also helped us in the transfer market
 
One thing I’m really comfortable with is that any lack of success this coming season will not be through our ownership and football leadership structure failing to plan and prepare for next season.

Maybe things won’t go our way, key targets turn us down etc or we have some shocking injury issues. But the club will have actually tried to execute a proper plan.
What’s also comforting is that the club has a list of targets for each position e.g. Roefs was 3rd on the goalie list? There were Petrovic and the Polish lad who went elsewhere.
 
He spoke to us international fans in April and the same question was asked

He said the club isn't afraid of qualifying for Europe and the challenges of Thursday and Sunday. We would adapt and that they'd like to bring in 4 or 5 players max
4 or 5 signings is a sensible approach I would have thought. As long as they are first team ready. Plenty of the periphery players will be leaving this close season so I would imagine this would mean the numbers overall would be trimmed but the squad overall would be stronger.
 
4 or 5 signings is a sensible approach I would have thought. As long as they are first team ready. Plenty of the periphery players will be leaving this close season so I would imagine this would mean the numbers overall would be trimmed but the squad overall would be stronger.
Agree with this. We need quality over quantity this summer. Essentially, if we can replace outgoing players with potential starters, and keep the core together, I think we're absolutely laughing.

Seelt -> CB (competition)
Cirkin -> LB (competition)
Traore -> RW (box office starter)
Neil -> CM (Xhaka cover)
Mayenda -> CF (box office starter)

EDIT: quality doesn't necessarily mean big £££. Kondogbia would feel like a smart Reinildo-type signing. Maybe not box office but we should take a look at Harry Wilson.
 
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