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Geography

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We would have to pay over the odds just like Man City had to in order to attract players to a club not famous in international circles

But pay it and they will come.
 
I'd say it was definitely the main flaw in our ability to attract the right calibre of players. Teams like Fulham, West Ham, QPR etc aren't any bigger than us, but because they're situated in the Capital, they'll usually attract players ahead of us. Let's be honest, Liverpool & Manchester are shit holes just like many places but they've got plenty of money to throw at players to attract them, with the added bonus of playing in the CL.
 
mutley said:
Have a training ground in somewhere like Surrey, the players can live in the south,just fly them up for home games.Simple.
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Anzhi did something similar. Tempted the superstars with cash and a training base in Moscow and flew to Anzhi for games. If my memory serves.

Edit. Must read full thread before posting. Nobhead that I am.
 
People will not like this but we are probably regarded 3rd rate by agents players unless they have plodders that want to be overpaid or near their last payday to see out their careers without any hassle. Ambition would be another, we missed a trick when Keane left, he gave us a profile that we should of build on, instead we got Bruce.
 
Oh aye its location

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For as long as I can remember we've always had trouble attracting quality players in their prime barring a few exceptions. In the days of Cowie/Murray etc. it was more a case of money as both the mags and boro showed but over the past 10-15 yrs with players now enjoying rock star status, London and its lifestyle is what they are attracted to. The north west can also attract players because of the success its enjoyed with Lpl and Man U and the fact they are still massive worldwide names. I think in football circles we're probably regarded as a decent place to come for players to play out their careers without a lot of expectation placed upon them and our yo-yo status kind of reflects this. Put it like this, if us and Fulham were offering a 25yr old player exactly the same financial deal (and we were both still in the prem), I reckon Fulham would get the signature more times than not nowadays. 20 years ago it would have been a different story and its a crying shame but that's where football seems to be at right now.
 
With both the big NE clubs spending less on wages the only way quality players will come to the NE is if they come as relative unknowns and make a name for themselves here. A good scouting network is the way to go.
 
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