Where Is The Money Going?

[judas]

What are your views on where the £6m in transfer fees are likely to go (£3m Boyle + £3m Doig)?

As I understand it, somewhere in the region of £2m is being spent on stadium / match day hospitality improvements.

So simplistically speaking, that would leave £4m.

[Smartie]

I don’t expect Marshall, Youan, Kenneh or Tavares will have been cheap in the wages sense.

We’ve only just taken the money in for Doig which will probably mean a reevaluation of our transfer targets going forward as there will be a wee bit more room for manoeuvre there.

We’ve probably paid a fair whack towards failed management teams over the past few months.

[PaulSmith]

What are your views on where the £6m in transfer fees are likely to go (£3m Boyle + £3m Doig)?

As I understand it, somewhere in the region of £2m is being spent on stadium / match day hospitality improvements.

So simplistically speaking, that would leave £4m.

The cost of the west stand refurbishment is being paid for via a loan from
Ron Gordon, there was a floating charge against the club lodged ag companies house a few months ago.

Unless that loan has been repaid, via the Doig money, then the transfer income is still in addition.

[Ringothedog]

What are your views on where the £6m in transfer fees are likely to go (£3m Boyle + £3m Doig)?

As I understand it, somewhere in the region of £2m is being spent on stadium / match day hospitality improvements.

So simplistically speaking, that would leave £4m.

There is no hope in hell that we have received £6m upfront . The vast majority of transfers are paid in instalments. Hopefully the improvements are being funded by all the sponsorship deals we are getting. This will leave any transfer fees we are getting for reinvestment in the team.

[Allant1981]

Wages will be a much bigger out going this year id have thought, DM until he got injured was scotlands regular number one, no chance he is here on a couple of grand a week

[BoomtownHibees]

Ron has pocketed it

[Ronniekirk]

What are your views on where the £6m in transfer fees are likely to go (£3m Boyle + £3m Doig)?

As I understand it, somewhere in the region of £2m is being spent on stadium / match day hospitality improvements.

So simplistically speaking, that would leave £4m.


Solar Panels in tbe East won’t be cheap

[Since452]

There is no hope in hell that we have received £6m upfront . The vast majority of transfers are paid in instalments. Hopefully the improvements are being funded by all the sponsorship deals we are getting. This will leave any transfer fees we are getting for reinvestment in the team.

3 million for Doig was up front. I'm sure the Boyle deal was similar.

[SHODAN]

Here we go, it's another one...

[Forza Fred]

3 million for Doig was up front. I'm sure the Boyle deal was similar.

I would be very surprised if that was the case.

Also transfer receipts are generally overstated.

[matty_f]

We've signed somewhere in the region of 9 players this window, something like £400k on Melkersen in January, and replaced the management team.

Think Ben Kensell is on record saying that the Doig money will be reinvested into the team.

[GreenPJ]

I would be very surprised if that was the case.

Also transfer receipts are generally overstated.

Daft question but I assume Transfer Fees are subject an equivalent of capital gains?

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

What are your views on where the £6m in transfer fees are likely to go (£3m Boyle + £3m Doig)?

As I understand it, somewhere in the region of £2m is being spent on stadium / match day hospitality improvements.

So simplistically speaking, that would leave £4m.

Ponzi scheme? 😉

[Eyrie]

If we bring in a player on £5k per week and a three year contract, that's about £900k spent if you include employer's NIC and more by the time signing on and agent fees are included.

So the money is being committed to the playing squad even if we're not splashing out on headline grabbing transfer fees.

[Onceinawhile]

Daft question but I assume Transfer Fees are subject an equivalent of capital gains?

I don't think they are, from memory they're included as revenue, but could be wrong.

Given part of the trade of a football club is player development and player sales, I can't imagine we'd be able to treat them as cap gains.

[CropleyWasGod]

Daft question but I assume Transfer Fees are subject an equivalent of capital gains?

Trading income, so Corporation Tax

[Libby Hibby]

Ron’s *****ed it on birds and booze, the rest he’s just squandered.

[Stuart93]

I would be very surprised if that was the case.

Also transfer receipts are generally overstated.

Not sure about the Boyle deal but definitely read somewhere that the £3m we got for Doig was all upfront. May have been Patrick McPartlin in the EEN.

I wonder if we’ve changed our mind on the CB we originally had lined up because we’ve got a bit more money to spend now.

[Smartie]

Trading income, so Corporation Tax

Is corporation tax paid on each transfer fee received?

I thought they would be part of revenue and corporation tax would be paid on any profit left over at the end of the year… therefore it would be in our interests to spend all the money received (but no more).

Was this not Petrie’s mantra re every penny coming in going into the transfer budget?

[judas]

Wages will be a much bigger out going this year id have thought, DM until he got injured was scotlands regular number one, no chance he is here on a couple of grand a week

Agreed. But we also moved on a lot of players. So the nett increase is likely to be fairly small no?

[CropleyWasGod]

Is corporation tax paid on each transfer fee received?

I thought they would be part of revenue and corporation tax would be paid on any profit left over at the end of the year… therefore it would be in our interests to spend all the money received (but no more).

Was this not Petrie’s mantra re every penny coming in going into the transfer budget?

It's paid on the overall profit. That said, we haven't paid CT on trading for many years, due to losses brought forward from earlier years.

The only thing we currently pay CT on is property income (I think from office space that we rent, or did rent, to others)

[James70]

Salaries for non playing staff won't be cheap.

[CapitalGreen]

What are your views on where the £6m in transfer fees are likely to go (£3m Boyle + £3m Doig)?

As I understand it, somewhere in the region of £2m is being spent on stadium / match day hospitality improvements.

So simplistically speaking, that would leave £4m.

The improvements to hospitality and stadium refurbishment isn’t costing anywhere close to £2m.

The Boyle transfer fee is being received in installments, we have received about 25% of the fee so far.

[Ozyhibby]

Joe Newall’s new contract.


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[Bostonhibby]

Here we go, it's another one...Nothing wrong with keeping the still missing helipad on the radar now we have all that cash. Get it built.

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[Fuzzywuzzy]

I take it folk think the money is just being *****ed up against a wall by a cabal of nefarious business men?

[Hibbyradge]

I take it folk think the money is just being *****ed up against a wall by a cabal of nefarious business men?

It would be a really stupid person that thought that.

It's not going near a wall. It's going straight into the Gordon family's various bank accounts.

[J-C]

It would be a really stupid person that thought that.

It's not going near a wall. It's going straight into the Gordon family's various bank accounts.


You forgot the Ponzi scheme.

[NC1875]

Helipad

[H18 SFR]

There is no way we will have £6m sitting In the bank from the fees. I’d imaging £2m at most with the rest coming in instalments.

[NC1875]

Joe Newall’s new contract.


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And a chauffeur for him since he got banned

[Bostonhibby]

HelipadYou know it makes sense. We haven't got a helicopter but if they build it they will come, that'll sort the seagulls out.

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[Fuzzywuzzy]

It would be a really stupid person that thought that.

It's not going near a wall. It's going straight into the Gordon family's various bank accounts.

Super villan lair under east mains when Porto is sold then

[matty_f]

Installments doesn't mean we can't spend it though, we just need to structure the deal in line with when we receive the installments.

[Stuart93]

Big screens need to be paid for somehow!!

Ron’s obviously pocketing the rest. Good on him.

[superfurryhibby]

Still, no bad eh. Sell your two main assets, recoup most of the money you laid out to buy the club and invest in facilities and other players you hope might be sellable in a year or two, whilst allowing the first team to tick along in a mediocre to middling way. Masterplan :cb

[lyonhibs]

Into Sir Tom Farmer's back pocket, with Petrie taking his cut of 15% :agree:

Paul Kane told me so :agree:

[Bostonhibby]

Still, no bad eh. Sell your two main assets, recoup most of the money you laid out to buy the club and invest in facilities and other players you hope might be sellable in a year or two, whilst allowing the first team to tick along in a mediocre to middling way. Masterplan :cbCan certainly be seen that way too at this stage, pivotal few seasons ahead.

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[Prof. Shaggy]

Joe Newall’s new contract.


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Newell

[snedzuk]

Big screens need to be paid for somehow!!

Ron’s obviously pocketing the rest. Good on him.

AKA, Ronzi scheme.

[Bostonhibby]

Don't get me wrong, it's great that it sounds like we have got our own Hibs Ponzi scheme finally sorted out at last and there's nothing wrong with having more telly's than Curry's as look how much money they've made.

However, is anyone else concerned that the reason we are still nowhere near having a helipad is that Ron hasn't actually got a helicopter and therefore can't be an actual tycoon?

I've seen Dallas and Dynasty and they all have them.

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[cameronw-hfc]

The worst thing about our fan base at the moment is there are some pretty outlandish comments on this thread and I can't seem to figure out what's satirical and what's serious.

It's getting increasingly difficult to spot the serious comments and trolls nowadays

[Bostonhibby]

The worst thing about our fan base at the moment is there are some pretty outlandish comments on this thread and I can't seem to figure out what's satirical and what's serious.

It's getting increasingly difficult to spot the serious comments and trolls nowadaysOkay, I never watched Dynasty[emoji6]

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[cameronw-hfc]

Okay, I never watched Dynasty[emoji6]

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😂

[tonyrougier123]

What are your views on where the £6m in transfer fees are likely to go (£3m Boyle + £3m Doig)?

As I understand it, somewhere in the region of £2m is being spent on stadium / match day hospitality improvements.

So simplistically speaking, that would leave £4m.

The stadium projects were they not all ready factored in before we sold Boyle and doig?

[WhileTheChief..]

Okay, I never watched Dynasty[emoji6]

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Did anyone?!

Just felt like a cheap copy of Dallas. I don't remember anything about it apart from Joan Collins' Alexis.

[judas]

The worst thing about our fan base at the moment is there are some pretty outlandish comments on this thread and I can't seem to figure out what's satirical and what's serious.

It's getting increasingly difficult to spot the serious comments and trolls nowadays

I don’t think Hibs.net is very representative of the full Hibs support.

The younger Hibbys I know don’t come near it. My kids see it as foostie lol.

Tbf, the humour and general patter is very age restricted. We’ve got people on here talking about Dynasty FFS 😂.

II think Hibs net is for older Hibbies.

[Bostonhibby]

I don’t think Hibs.net is very representative of the full Hibs support.

The younger Hibbys I know don’t come near it. My kids see it as foostie lol.

Tbf, the humour and general patter is very age restricted. We’ve got people on here talking about Dynasty FFS [emoji23].

II think Hibs net is for older Hibbies.Context young man, context. It was all about the helicopters[emoji16]

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[cameronw-hfc]

I don’t think Hibs.net is very representative of the full Hibs support.

The younger Hibbys I know don’t come near it. My kids see it as foostie lol.

Tbf, the humour and general patter is very age restricted. We’ve got people on here talking about Dynasty FFS 😂.

II think Hibs net is for older Hibbies.


The younger team on Twitter and insta are even worse than in here lol. Some of the things I see Hibs fans say about our own players, often tagging them in the posts are downright vile.

Every club has their roasters, Rangers+Celtic have the bigots, we've got idiots who straight up abuse and bully the players on their socials. A few of my pals, one a Dundee fan and another an Aberdeen fan have said that we've got the worst in the league for that, and they actually know if they turn up at ER and get the crowd restless they'll probably win.

I'm not slating our fans, we've all got our idiots, just a shame our vocal idiots are brutal moaners that almost want the team to lose so they can turn around and say "told you so"

[MikeyS]

If we bring in a player on £5k per week and a three year contract, that's about £900k spent if you include employer's NIC and more by the time signing on and agent fees are included.

So the money is being committed to the playing squad even if we're not splashing out on headline grabbing transfer fees.

This post should be pinned on the front page for the hard of understanding that believe Football Manager is real

[cocopops1875]

The stadium projects were they not all ready factored in before we sold Boyle and doig?

Probably yes but excess cash may have accelerated those projects or have allowed to go for a higher spec on works taking place.

[green day]

The younger team on Twitter and insta are even worse than in here lol. Some of the things I see Hibs fans say about our own players, often tagging them in the posts are downright vile.

Every club has their roasters, Rangers+Celtic have the bigots, we've got idiots who straight up abuse and bully the players on their socials. A few of my pals, one a Dundee fan and another an Aberdeen fan have said that we've got the worst in the league for that, and they actually know if they turn up at ER and get the crowd restless they'll probably win.

I'm not slating our fans, we've all got our idiots, just a shame our vocal idiots are brutal moaners that almost want the team to lose so they can turn around and say "told you so"

Eh?

I am fairly certain that Dundee have not beaten us at Easter Road in the last 10 years.................

[Hibbyradge]

Eh?

I am fairly certain that Dundee have not beaten us at Easter Road in the last 10 years.................

He's right though.

It's just that they've never managed to get the crowd restless.

[SHODAN]

AKA, Ronzi scheme.

Don't say that, you'll give the wrong people ideas.

[Iain G]

Don't say that, you'll give the wrong people ideas.

A Fonzi scheme would be better for him, Happy Days!

[cameronw-hfc]

Eh?

I am fairly certain that Dundee have not beaten us at Easter Road in the last 10 years.................


Badly worded, was my pal that's from Aberdeen that said if they come to ER and get us frustrated early and let the crowd get on the players back, they'll probably win.

My bad, should have worded that bit better.

[WhileTheChief..]

Aberdeen didn’t beat us at ER because of the Hibs fans’ restlessness. FACT.

[tamig]

If we bring in a player on £5k per week and a three year contract, that's about £900k spent if you include employer's NIC and more by the time signing on and agent fees are included.

So the money is being committed to the playing squad even if we're not splashing out on headline grabbing transfer fees.

No idea why folk don’t understand this. Do they think all these new signings play for free?

[j'adorehibs]

I don’t think Hibs.net is very representative of the full Hibs support.

The younger Hibbys I know don’t come near it. My kids see it as foostie lol.

Tbf, the humour and general patter is very age restricted. We’ve got people on here talking about Dynasty FFS 😂.

II think Hibs net is for older Hibbies.

I preferred knots landing .

[Iain G]

Half of the money has gone to the Ron Gordon Home for Retired Llamas, it's a Daily Llama payment that comes out of our bank account...

[JammyDoidger]

The money is going on quantity over quality, hence the development squad..we are hoping we get lucky with a couple of these guys to make us millions, all the wages combined must be a fortune said it for months, if we put all the wages into a smaller squad with more quality we would be better off short term, and the starting x11 would be better, but think hibs see a bigger picture. Not going to see if it works for a few years yet.

[Glory Lurker]

Ron lost it to me at cards yesterday.

[Hibbyradge]

The money is going on quantity over quality, hence the development squad..we are hoping we get lucky with a couple of these guys to make us millions, all the wages combined must be a fortune said it for months, if we put all the wages into a smaller squad with more quality we would be better off short term, and the starting x11 would be better, but think hibs see a bigger picture. Not going to see if it works for a few years yet.

Superb. :top marks

[HFC93]

I heard Ron has just bought himself a luxury yacht.

[Since452]

The money is going on quantity over quality, hence the development squad..we are hoping we get lucky with a couple of these guys to make us millions, all the wages combined must be a fortune said it for months, if we put all the wages into a smaller squad with more quality we would be better off short term, and the starting x11 would be better, but think hibs see a bigger picture. Not going to see if it works for a few years yet.

It's clear that the club are building for the future. I think it's a brilliant model. It's the only way we are going to be successful without spending X amount on a player/players that we can't really afford. That's short term thinking.. I also think the current first team is capable of challenging for the European places. I'd rather this model than a rebuild every year with nobody coming through the development squad. And if we do sell a few for millions then that's a bonus.

[Alfred E Newman]

The cost of the west stand refurbishment is being paid for via a loan from
Ron Gordon, there was a floating charge against the club lodged ag companies house a few months ago.

Unless that loan has been repaid, via the Doig money, then the transfer income is still in addition.

I hope the West Stand refurbishment includes sorting the leaks in the roof that drip down onto the lower tier and have done for a season or two

[Hibees1973]

My feeling is that the money from Boyle & Doig has been spent on sh*te.

I just don't get good vibes that we are good enough to push for top 4 and even get close to 3rd.

A poor start and the knives will be out for Ron and his son.

[cameronw-hfc]

The money is going on quantity over quality, hence the development squad..we are hoping we get lucky with a couple of these guys to make us millions, all the wages combined must be a fortune said it for months, if we put all the wages into a smaller squad with more quality we would be better off short term, and the starting x11 would be better, but think hibs see a bigger picture. Not going to see if it works for a few years yet.


I don't think it's quantity over quality, I think the issue is that we had an u18 squad but nothing closer to the first team, therefore we've actually had to sign multiple players for the B team.

It just looks like quantity over quality because we've had to literally build a second team from scratch, but this method is pretty tried and tested, the vast majority of big clubs especially Europe have B teams and use them to let players adjust to the step up to men's football.

I'm pretty confident in this strategy, and surprised it's taken us this long to get a B team sorted.

Think we will see the B team signing slow down now, maybe one or two per window rather than the influx we've had recently.

[hibsforeurope]

I don't think it's quantity over quality, I think the issue is that we had an u18 squad but nothing closer to the first team, therefore we've actually had to sign multiple players for the B team.

It just looks like quantity over quality because we've had to literally build a second team from scratch, but this method is pretty tried and tested, the vast majority of big clubs especially Europe have B teams and use them to let players adjust to the step up to men's football.

I'm pretty confident in this strategy, and surprised it's taken us this long to get a B team sorted.

Think we will see the B team signing slow down now, maybe one or two per window rather than the influx we've had recently.

Could we not have got similar results buying a few 1st team players and waited a year or two until the league winning under 18’s we’re ready to graduate the development squad and break in to the 1st team? We already have home grown quality youngsters at the club.

[SlickShoes]

My feeling is that the money from Boyle & Doig has been spent on sh*te.

I just don't get good vibes that we are good enough to push for top 4 and even get close to 3rd.

A poor start and the knives will be out for Ron and his son.

We were abysmal last season and not that far away from 4th.

Unless you think the left back we signed cost 3 million we have barely touched the doig money.

[tamig]

The money is going on quantity over quality, hence the development squad..we are hoping we get lucky with a couple of these guys to make us millions, all the wages combined must be a fortune said it for months, if we put all the wages into a smaller squad with more quality we would be better off short term, and the starting x11 would be better, but think hibs see a bigger picture. Not going to see if it works for a few years yet.
Oh my. Too much sun bud.

[tonyrougier123]

The lack of a centre back coming in is concerning.
Kensall said the funds would go to first team when doig left so let’s see how that goes.

It’s a position we are very poor in and also light,been that way for a while.
Conceding terrible amateurish goals last season and we are carrying basically the same defence minus mcginn and doig and looks like mcgregor won’t feature much either.

The Gordon’s have no excuses left now,that’s how I feel.

I await the next tombola signing draw with curiosity.

Even if it’s a free CB with decent pedigree I don’t care just shore up that shambles of a defence.

[cameronw-hfc]

Could we not have got similar results buying a few 1st team players and waited a year or two until the league winning under 18’s we’re ready to graduate the development squad and break in to the 1st team? We already have home grown quality youngsters at the club.

I guess, but you'd need to wait a year or two to even start that project, then another 4/5 to make profit. Starting now, giving the 18s a squad above them right away to move up to means were not waiting as long. Still need to wait right enough but it takes a year or two off the process

[Since452]

The lack of a centre back coming in is concerning.
Kensall said the funds would go to first team when doig left so let’s see how that goes.

It’s a position we are very poor in and also light,been that way for a while.
Conceding terrible amateurish goals last season and we are carrying basically the same defence minus mcginn and doig and looks like mcgregor won’t feature much either.

The Gordon’s have no excuses left now,that’s how I feel.

I await the next tombola signing draw with curiosity.

Even if it’s a free CB with decent pedigree I don’t care just shore up that shambles of a defence.

Is it a shambles though? Basically the same defence that was 4th best in the league last season. The problem wasn't conceding last season it was scoring. We've scored 9 goals in 3 games this season so far. Conceded 2.

[tonyrougier123]

Is it a shambles though?

It is for me yes.

Doesn’t fill me with confidence tbh.

Minus Paul Hanlon just now also so pretty light.

[Smartie]

The lack of a centre back coming in is concerning.
Kensall said the funds would go to first team when doig left so let’s see how that goes.

It’s a position we are very poor in and also light,been that way for a while.
Conceding terrible amateurish goals last season and we are carrying basically the same defence minus mcginn and doig and looks like mcgregor won’t feature much either.

The Gordon’s have no excuses left now,that’s how I feel.

I await the next tombola signing draw with curiosity.

Even if it’s a free CB with decent pedigree I don’t care just shore up that shambles of a defence.

I have a wee bit of sympathy for Hibs on this one and I think we’re a good bit short of last summer’s disaster as things stand.

We’ve only just taken in the money for Doig. £3m will make a big difference to a transfer budget. It’s not just a drop in the ocean.

We also need some sort of resolution to the Porto situation. Do we need a CH to complement what we already have or do we need to replace him? And will there be more £££ still to allow us to do so?

The reasons for this dragging out a bit longer than we might want are outwith Hibs’ control and they should be cut a bit of slack as a result.

I can’t say I’m totally unconcerned however and there are some pretty disastrous situations that might transpire that aren’t exactly unthinkable.

[Gordy M]

It is for me yes.

Doesn’t fill me with confidence tbh.

Minus Paul Hanlon just now also so pretty light.

We have changed 3 of the back 5, and they havent played together yet? So what you mean is CH i take it?

[tonyrougier123]

Is it a shambles though? Basically the same defence that was 4th best in the league last season. The problem wasn't conceding last season it was scoring. We've scored 9 goals in 3 games this season so far. Conceded 2.

Come on mate,Clyde and Bonnyrigg?
Can only beat what’s in front of you right enough.

Defence is light I stick by that,also it’s the type of shambolic goals we concede.

Porteous yesterday wrong side of the boy smith,loves to bark orders who’s shelling him?

In danger of thinking he’s better than his performances suggest.

23 still considered potentially a good player,with a hint of liability.

We need a centre back a good one keep boys like Porteous grounded,and properly organise the back four.

[JammyDoidger]

Is it a shambles though? Basically the same defence that was 4th best in the league last season. The problem wasn't conceding last season it was scoring. We've scored 9 goals in 3 games this season so far. Conceded 2.

I've replied to a comment on this before, and basically the way I see it is it's no real wonder we had the 4th best defence, we rarely ventured forward especially under Maloney, we were probably the safest team in the league. Different altogether this season when our defenders will be left more often 1 v 1 facing counter attacks etc. We need better.

[Brightside]

I have a wee bit of sympathy for Hibs on this one and I think we’re a good bit short of last summer’s disaster as things stand.

We’ve only just taken in the money for Doig. £3m will make a big difference to a transfer budget. It’s not just a drop in the ocean.

We also need some sort of resolution to the Porto situation. Do we need a CH to complement what we already have or do we need to replace him? And will there be more £££ still to allow us to do so?

The reasons for this dragging out a bit longer than we might want are outwith Hibs’ control and they should be cut a bit of slack as a result.

I can’t say I’m totally unconcerned however and there are some pretty disastrous situations that might transpire that aren’t exactly unthinkable.

We 100% need another CB. We cannot expect Hanlon to play as many games again. Porto if he stays won’t play every game either. Rocky despite a couple of decent performances recently is not at this level, and neither are the other young lads. An experienced CB that can be relied upon for up to 20 games is a must have.

[Greencore]

Tory party.

[Stuart93]

I have a wee bit of sympathy for Hibs on this one and I think we’re a good bit short of last summer’s disaster as things stand.

We’ve only just taken in the money for Doig. £3m will make a big difference to a transfer budget. It’s not just a drop in the ocean.

We also need some sort of resolution to the Porto situation. Do we need a CH to complement what we already have or do we need to replace him? And will there be more £££ still to allow us to do so?

The reasons for this dragging out a bit longer than we might want are outwith Hibs’ control and they should be cut a bit of slack as a result.

I can’t say I’m totally unconcerned however and there are some pretty disastrous situations that might transpire that aren’t exactly unthinkable.

You raise a good point at the end there. A few injuries could see us close to the same squad as we had last season which massively underperformed.

Then again, if we get the players that are currently injured back and fit again, we could be a completely different animal.

I’m really hoping Magennis can get himself fit again soon, he’s a big player for us and seemed like that missing piece at the start of last season.

[Scotty Leither]

The money is going on quantity over quality, hence the development squad..we are hoping we get lucky with a couple of these guys to make us millions, all the wages combined must be a fortune said it for months, if we put all the wages into a smaller squad with more quality we would be better off short term, and the starting x11 would be better, but think hibs see a bigger picture. Not going to see if it works for a few years yet.

Or we could spend a chunk of that money on decent, proven players like a CF that’ll score 20 a season and a midfield player that can actually link up with forwards and look like they can play a bit?

There’s a perception growing that the club is being used as some kind of proving ground for untried players in the hope they’ll get lucky with one or two of them and sell them on for £££

That’s a risky strategy as a rider to that is the potential for some bad defeats along the way in high profile games.

It’s not unreasonable to expect to see some kind of reinvestment on the team for the here and now; some of us are growing tired of the constant state of “transition”- it’s the same movie we were in with Petrie, it’s just marketed more slickly.

[hibbyfraelibby]

I hope the West Stand refurbishment includes sorting the leaks in the roof that drip down onto the lower tier and have done for a season or two

Nope...

[04Sauzee]

Or we could spend a chunk of that money on decent, proven players like a CF that’ll score 20 a season and a midfield player that can actually link up with forwards and look like they can play a bit?

There’s a perception growing that the club is being used as some kind of proving ground for untried players in the hope they’ll get lucky with one or two of them and sell them on for £££

That’s a risky strategy as a rider to that is the potential for some bad defeats along the way in high profile games.

It’s not unreasonable to expect to see some kind of reinvestment on the team for the here and now; some of us are growing tired of the constant state of “transition”- it’s the same movie we were in with Petrie, it’s just marketed more slickly.

Not even sure the top scorers in our league last season scored 20 goals last season so absolutely no idea where you find a proven 20 goal a season player that will score in our league on our budget.

[tonyrougier123]

Not even sure the top scorers in our league last season scored 20 goals last season so absolutely no idea where you find a proven 20 goal a season player that will score in our league on our budget.

12 or 13 highest I’m sure,shared with giakamakous and Charles-cook

[RIP]

Since it became clear, after months of negotiations with Hellas Verona, that a fee was incoming for Doig, Ben, Ian and Lee will have been planning the best form of reinvestment.

Knowing that Lee would prefer to keep Ryan, I think that they will be prepared to spend up to a million over the next few years to improve his remuneration package. A sizeable re-signing fee plus a doubling of his weekly wage.

[green day]

Or we could spend a chunk of that money on decent, proven players like a CF that’ll score 20 a season and a midfield player that can actually link up with forwards and look like they can play a bit?

There’s a perception growing that the club is being used as some kind of proving ground for untried players in the hope they’ll get lucky with one or two of them and sell them on for £££

That’s a risky strategy as a rider to that is the potential for some bad defeats along the way in high profile games.

It’s not unreasonable to expect to see some kind of reinvestment on the team for the here and now; some of us are growing tired of the constant state of “transition”- it’s the same movie we were in with Petrie, it’s just marketed more slickly.

I dont disagree that we may take a few defeats - but Hibs have decided that we cant compete in a straight financial fight, so a bit of zigging and zagging will be expected.

On the parts in bold - its not just "a perception" - it is the clubs stated strategy, so its not exactly a state secret ! I also dont see it as "slick marketing", the club have been open that this is how we will finance and grow the playing budget.

It is also nothing (not even in the same universe) as how we approached recruitment or maintenance under the previous regime.

On the off field / stadium work, it might be instructive to ask people who actually work at Easter Road. The stadium currently looks "ok" on tv, but it was looking its age behind closed doors.

Under the Petrie regime literally zero £ was spent (unless something fell off), there was almost zero investment..............which is why so much has to be spent right now.

There is so much to be done that it wont all be completed in this closed season. The club have taken the decision to spend in the West on facilities that will start to bring us money. Also spent big on the screens and LEDs for the same reason.

All seems sensible to me?

[Hibbyradge]

There’s a perception growing that the club is being used as some kind of proving ground for untried players in the hope they’ll get lucky with one or two of them and sell them on for £££



A perception growing where? :dunno:

We've signed Marshall (proven) McGeady (proven and Cabraja (proven).

[delbert]

It is for me yes.

Doesn’t fill me with confidence tbh.

Minus Paul Hanlon just now also so pretty light.

The problem with our defence is that it gets even lighter when he comes back, Paul is a committed and wholehearted left midfielder, that’s where he is best but Hibs decided due to his height, he was going to be a centre half and it’s never totally worked. We have been crying out for a Rob Jones type centre half since the big man left us, an out and out experienced central defender and leader, is that honestly too much to ask for ?

[SlickShoes]

The problem with our defence is that it gets even lighter when he comes back, Paul is a committed and wholehearted left midfielder, that’s where he is best but Hibs decided due to his height, he was going to be a centre half and it’s never totally worked. We have been crying out for a Rob Jones type centre half since the big man left us, an out and out experienced central defender and leader, is that honestly too much to ask for ?

I can't believe what I am reading.

[BoomtownHibees]

The problem with our defence is that it gets even lighter when he comes back, Paul is a committed and wholehearted left midfielder, that’s where he is best but Hibs decided due to his height, he was going to be a centre half and it’s never totally worked. We have been crying out for a Rob Jones type centre half since the big man left us, an out and out experienced central defender and leader, is that honestly too much to ask for ?

Don’t think PH has ever been a left midfielder, even in his boys club days, and to say he’s “never totally worked” as a centre half is nonsense

[McD]

I can't believe what I am reading.


:agree: Some of the stuff peddled on here recently has been mind boggling

[CapitalGreen]

Not even sure the top scorers in our league last season scored 20 goals last season so absolutely no idea where you find a proven 20 goal a season player that will score in our league on our budget.

“Just sign a proven 20 goal a season striker.”

All the managers in the SPFL right now:
https://c.tenor.com/punj70NkFc0AAAAC/the-simpsons-why-didnt-i-think-of-that.gif

[Lago]

:agree: Some of the stuff peddled on here recently has been mind boggling
Yip, makes you cringe with embarrassment at times. 😏

[McGruber]

The money is going on quantity over quality, hence the development squad..we are hoping we get lucky with a couple of these guys to make us millions, all the wages combined must be a fortune said it for months, if we put all the wages into a smaller squad with more quality we would be better off short term, and the starting x11 would be better, but think hibs see a bigger picture. Not going to see if it works for a few years yet.

Largely agree. We have spent a fortune on development team and players. It's a long term strategy. Just hoping they strike the right balance with the development team and first team. Hopefully with the Doig money we go out and get quality players in, CB and CM. We have funds to do so, both in wages and fees

[Scotty Leither]

I dont disagree that we may take a few defeats - but Hibs have decided that we cant compete in a straight financial fight, so a bit of zigging and zagging will be expected.

On the parts in bold - its not just "a perception" - it is the clubs stated strategy, so its not exactly a state secret ! I also dont see it as "slick marketing", the club have been open that this is how we will finance and grow the playing budget.

It is also nothing (not even in the same universe) as how we approached recruitment or maintenance under the previous regime.

On the off field / stadium work, it might be instructive to ask people who actually work at Easter Road. The stadium currently looks "ok" on tv, but it was looking its age behind closed doors.

Under the Petrie regime literally zero £ was spent (unless something fell off), there was almost zero investment..............which is why so much has to be spent right now.

There is so much to be done that it wont all be completed in this closed season. The club have taken the decision to spend in the West on facilities that will start to bring us money. Also spent big on the screens and LEDs for the same reason.

All seems sensible to me?

I don’t doubt any of that, and I’ve subscribed to the Albion Bar as it looks a decent facility.

It just strikes me we’re on the same trajectory as the Petrie regime where infrastructure won out over going big on the team every time.

[Scotty Leither]

“Just sign a proven 20 goal a season striker.”

All the managers in the SPFL right now:
https://c.tenor.com/punj70NkFc0AAAAC/the-simpsons-why-didnt-i-think-of-that.gif

Wow a GIF, good for you.

[Iain G]

I don’t doubt any of that, and I’ve subscribed to the Albion Bar as it looks a decent facility.

It just strikes me we’re on the same trajectory as the Petrie regime where infrastructure won out over going big on the team every time.

I don't agree. The current investment in the stadium is to increase revenue and make it guaranteed and sustainable to allow the increased investment in the team.

The infrastructure work under RP was needed. We rebuilt the whole ground and opened East Mains under his watch, this is just upgrading that.

[matty_f]

I don't agree. The current investment in the stadium is to increase revenue and make it guaranteed and sustainable to allow the increased investment in the team.

The infrastructure work under RP was needed. We rebuilt the whole ground and opened East Mains under his watch, this is just upgrading that.
And Gordon is doing it at the same time as a significant investment into the team as well.

[Hibbyradge]

Wow a GIF, good for you.

You understand his point though?

Where do we find a proven 20 goals a season striker who is going to play for the wages we can afford?

And, how much should we pay for him, if he exists?

[Brightside]

The problem with our defence is that it gets even lighter when he comes back, Paul is a committed and wholehearted left midfielder, that’s where he is best but Hibs decided due to his height, he was going to be a centre half and it’s never totally worked. We have been crying out for a Rob Jones type centre half since the big man left us, an out and out experienced central defender and leader, is that honestly too much to ask for ?

Paul hasnt been best at Left Midfield since he was about 17.

[Paulie Walnuts]

You understand his point though?

Where do we find a proven 20 goals a season striker who is going to play for the wages we can afford?

And, how much should we pay for him, if he exists?

To be fair, in the last few seasons we’ve signed:

Maclaren who was only here half his first season but would have been well on course for 20, maybe even 25.

Kamberi who was only here half his first season but would have been well on course for 20, maybe even 30.

Doidge who was 1 short of 20 in his first season

Nisbet who was 2 short of 20 in his first season

Before that we had Cummings who broke 20 3 seasons in a row.

I don’t think 20 goal a season strikers are necessarily as hard to come by as they’re sometimes made out to be and I certainly don’t think the fact the top scorer got 13 last season should be used to make the point as that was a complete statistical outlier.

[superfurryhibby]

I dont disagree that we may take a few defeats - but Hibs have decided that we cant compete in a straight financial fight, so a bit of zigging and zagging will be expected.

On the parts in bold - its not just "a perception" - it is the clubs stated strategy, so its not exactly a state secret ! I also dont see it as "slick marketing", the club have been open that this is how we will finance and grow the playing budget.

It is also nothing (not even in the same universe) as how we approached recruitment or maintenance under the previous regime.

On the off field / stadium work, it might be instructive to ask people who actually work at Easter Road. The stadium currently looks "ok" on tv, but it was looking its age behind closed doors.

Under the Petrie regime literally zero £ was spent (unless something fell off), there was almost zero investment..............which is why so much has to be spent right now.

There is so much to be done that it wont all be completed in this closed season. The club have taken the decision to spend in the West on facilities that will start to bring us money. Also spent big on the screens and LEDs for the same reason.

All seems sensible to me?

Good post.

I do agree, trying to simply spend our way to be the best of the rest isn't a great strategy, look where it took Hearts. A second place and a couple of tainted cup, in exchange for the ignominy of bumping a whole load of creditors and a spell in the lower league.

Aberdeen have tried a variation on the spend theme and whilst a few second places is laudable, all the tangible reward was a League Cup win.

However, we as fans are (at the moment) placing a lot of hope in a guy who's career has been blighted by recurring injury issues and a midfield that has already been tried and found wanting.

Yes, maybe the 19 old Kenneh will turn out to be awesome, or the Youan and Bojang start banging in the goals. It's possible JDH /Newell will turn things around and offer the quality our midfield needs. Maybe Henderson will show he's ready to fill the role vacated by Scott Allan and offer us a cutting edge that can link midfield and attack.

As is often the case following Hibs, I think we are only a few quality players short of where we need to be. I would feel much more confident going into the league campaign if we had these kind of guys on board. As it is, can't help thinking it's going to be more of the same pish we watched last season, except we lack the safety net that Martin Boyle provided.

Please get this right Hibs, goodwill is running thin for many of us just now.

[CapitalGreen]

To be fair, in the last few seasons we’ve signed:

Maclaren who was only here half his first season but would have been well on course for 20, maybe even 25.

Kamberi who was only here half his first season but would have been well on course for 20, maybe even 30.

Doidge who was 1 short of 20 in his first season

Nisbet who was 2 short of 20 in his first season

I don’t think 20 goal a season strikers are necessarily as hard to come by as they’re sometimes made out to be and I certainly don’t think the fact the top scorer got 13 last season should be used to make the point as that was a complete statistical outlier.

None of those 4 players were proven 20 goal a season strikers at our level before we signed them though.

[matty_f]

To be fair, in the last few seasons we’ve signed:

Maclaren who was only here half his first season but would have been well on course for 20, maybe even 25.

Kamberi who was only here half his first season but would have been well on course for 20, maybe even 30.

Doidge who was 1 short of 20 in his first season

Nisbet who was 2 short of 20 in his first season

Before that we had Cummings who broke 20 3 seasons in a row.

I don’t think 20 goal a season strikers are necessarily as hard to come by as they’re sometimes made out to be and I certainly don’t think the fact the top scorer got 13 last season should be used to make the point as that was a complete statistical outlier.

None of those strikers got 20 goals in the full season they had with us, with the exception of Cummings who did it at a lower level. You can probably find loads of strikers who, if you took a run of games where they've scored will and averaged it out over a season would be 20+ but actually doing it over a season is difficult and those strikers are hard to find - particularly if you add the "proven" condition to it, which is what Scotty did.

Nisbet, McLaren, Kamberi, Doidge etc were not proven at this level when we signed them. Far from it

[Paulie Walnuts]

None of those 4 players were proven 20 goal a season strikers at our level before we signed them though.

They weren’t but there is plenty of players capable of getting 20 out there. They don’t necessarily have to be proven to score 20 a season but if they’re a proven decent centre forward then they’ll have a very decent chance of getting 20 in Scotland playing for, in theory, one of the better teams in the country.

[Bostonhibby]

Good post.

I do agree, trying to simply spend our way to be the best of the rest isn't a great strategy, look where it took Hearts. A second place and a couple of tainted cup, in exchange for the ignominy of bumping a whole load of creditors and a spell in the lower league.

Aberdeen have tried a variation on the spend theme and whilst a few second places is laudable, all the tangible reward was a League Cup win.

However, we as fans are (at the moment) placing a lot of hope in a guy who's career has been blighted by recurring injury issues and a midfield that has already been tried and found wanting.

Yes, maybe the 19 old Kenneh will turn out to be awesome, or the Youan and Bojang start banging in the goals. It's possible JDH /Newell will turn things around and offer the quality our midfield needs. Maybe Henderson will show he's ready to fill the role vacated by Scott Allan and offer us a cutting edge that can link midfield and attack.

As is often the case following Hibs, I think we are only a few quality players short of where we need to be. I would feel much more confident going into the league campaign if we had these kind of guys on board. As it is, can't help thinking it's going to be more of the same pish we watched last season, except we lack the safety net that Martin Boyle provided.

Please get this right Hibs, goodwill is running thin for many of us just now.Good post, about where I am just now.[emoji106]

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[MWHIBBIES]

The problem with our defence is that it gets even lighter when he comes back, Paul is a committed and wholehearted left midfielder, that’s where he is best but Hibs decided due to his height, he was going to be a centre half and it’s never totally worked. We have been crying out for a Rob Jones type centre half since the big man left us, an out and out experienced central defender and leader, is that honestly too much to ask for ?

Paul Hanlon is pretty clearly too slow (although quiick for a centre back) to play wide midfield. ''thats where he is best''? What, a position he hasn't played for 15 years is where he is best? He has been an absolutely brilliant central defender for Hibs. ''its never totally worked'' ?

It certainly totally worked when he was lifting the scottish cup, and captaining us to 3rd place. I mean ffs.

We have not been crying out for a Rob Jones type since he left :faf: You think when we had Ambrose, Hanlon and McGregor as the three, fighting for 2nd place, finishing about 20 points in front of Hearts we were crying out for Rob Jones?

[FitbaFolkKen]

To be fair, in the last few seasons we’ve signed:

Maclaren who was only here half his first season but would have been well on course for 20, maybe even 25.

Kamberi who was only here half his first season but would have been well on course for 20, maybe even 30.

Doidge who was 1 short of 20 in his first season

Nisbet who was 2 short of 20 in his first season

Before that we had Cummings who broke 20 3 seasons in a row.

I don’t think 20 goal a season strikers are necessarily as hard to come by as they’re sometimes made out to be and I certainly don’t think the fact the top scorer got 13 last season should be used to make the point as that was a complete statistical outlier.

We've been shopping in League 1/bottom end of the championship bracket for players. Look at League 1, Ross Stewart 25 goals in League 1 but scored 2 in 19 for Ross County in his last season. Cole Stockton, 23 goals in League 1, managed 0 in 12 games for Hearts. Will Keane at Wigan 26 goals at age 29, had scored 21 league goals in his previous seasons.

I'd suggest finding a 20 goal a season striker is arguably harder than we give the club credit for.

[Hibbyradge]

They weren’t but there is plenty of players capable of getting 20 out there. They don’t necessarily have to be proven to score 20 a season but if they’re a proven decent centre forward then they’ll have a very decent chance of getting 20 in Scotland playing for, in theory, one of the better teams in the country.

That may or may not be the case, but Scotty is criticising Hibs attempts to find players like that.

Just signing a proven 20 goal a season striker is not feasible for Hibs.

[Scotty Leither]

That may or may not be the case, but Scotty is criticising Hibs attempts to find players like that.

Just signing a proven 20 goal a season striker is not feasible for Hibs.

They’re not shopping in that market by choice - that’s my biggest beef, principally due to the fees we’ve taken in, and the grand promises of league challenges that our owner made when he came in.

We’re doggedly pursuing this policy of signing in the main untried laddies - and I would class Kenneh as that too, and expecting them to do mens’ jobs straight away.

As someone said higher up the thread, patience is kind of wearing thin with approach….it would be nice if our much vaunted recruitment team got a recognised striker and midfield player in the door in time for the start of the league campaign, but I’ve no faith in them to deliver that to be honest.

[Hibbyradge]

They’re not shopping in that market by choice - that’s my biggest beef, principally due to the fees we’ve taken in, and the grand promises of league challenges that our owner made when he came in.

We’re doggedly pursuing this policy of signing in the main untried laddies - and I would class Kenneh as that too, and expecting them to do mens’ jobs straight away.

As someone said higher up the thread, patience is kind of wearing thin with approach….it would be nice if our much vaunted recruitment team got a recognised striker and midfield player in the door in time for the start of the league campaign, but I’ve no faith in them to deliver that to be honest.

They won't deliver what you want because we can't afford the fees and even if we could, we certainly can't afford the salaries.

That's pretty obvious, isn't it?

[Ringothedog]

They’re not shopping in that market by choice - that’s my biggest beef, principally due to the fees we’ve taken in, and the grand promises of league challenges that our owner made when he came in.

We’re doggedly pursuing this policy of signing in the main untried laddies - and I would class Kenneh as that too, and expecting them to do mens’ jobs straight away.

As someone said higher up the thread, patience is kind of wearing thin with approach….it would be nice if our much vaunted recruitment team got a recognised striker and midfield player in the door in time for the start of the league campaign, but I’ve no faith in them to deliver that to be honest.

It’s nothing to do with choice. We shop in the market that we can afford, nothing more nothing less. I don’t want us to go back to spending money we do not have. Our club nearly went bust because of the debt we were in and basically had to sell players at cut price because the bank were forcing us to sell

[matty_f]

They won't deliver what you want because we can't afford the fees and even if we could, we certainly can't afford the salaries.

That's pretty obvious, isn't it?

We've signed two strikers this window and one in January as well.

Melkersen took a hefty fee, Youan is 23 and has played for France at 18s, 18s and 20s, and played for Nantes and St Gallen. He’s not a kid by any stretch of the imagination.

We’ve also got Doidge and Nisbet already on the books, strikers who would walk into most Scottish Premiership sides. I’m not sure what folk think the club should be doing over and above that?

[Not In The Know]

Come on mate,Clyde and Bonnyrigg?
Can only beat what’s in front of you right enough.

Defence is light I stick by that,also it’s the type of shambolic goals we concede.

Porteous yesterday wrong side of the boy smith,loves to bark orders who’s shelling him?

In danger of thinking he’s better than his performances suggest.

23 still considered potentially a good player,with a hint of liability.

We need a centre back a good one keep boys like Porteous grounded,and properly organise the back four.


Porteous lost his man because he was in the middle of a rant at someone else.

He needs to sign a new deal with us and get his head down for a year and prove he's as good as he thinks he is. FWIW i think he's top drawer, BUT last season he didn't progress enough to earn that big money transfer. One more year here on great wages and a decent transfer fee for hibs at the end of it is the obvious answer.

[Scotty Leither]

They won't deliver what you want because we can't afford the fees and even if we could, we certainly can't afford the salaries.

That's pretty obvious, isn't it?

No, not “pretty obvious”, - how does the owner deliver his stated league challenge, then?

By buying cheap through a raft of loans and cheap deals, and ultimately buying twice/three times over as we’ve done before, or buying a couple of established players to go straight in the first team?

Or is that beyond the remit of his laddie and his database of contacts that fetches up players like Mueller and Jasper?

(Who oddly enough are both no longer here.)

[Ringothedog]

We've signed two strikers this window and one in January as well.

Melkersen took a hefty fee, Youan is 23 and has played for France at 18s, 18s and 20s, and played for Nantes and St Gallen. He’s not a kid by any stretch of the imagination.

We’ve also got Doidge and Nisbet already on the books, strollers who would walk into most Scottish Premiership sides. I’m not sure what folk think the club should be doing over and above that?
They want us to spend money on a “proven” striker, whatever that means and potentially waste all the transfer funds on one player who may or may not be a success.

[jacomo]

Is it a shambles though? Basically the same defence that was 4th best in the league last season. The problem wasn't conceding last season it was scoring. We've scored 9 goals in 3 games this season so far. Conceded 2.


Macey has left, Paul McGinn has left, Doig has left, Paul Hanlon currently injured.

Other than that, it’s basically the same defence!

[matty_f]

No, not “pretty obvious”, - how does the owner deliver his stated league challenge, then?

By buying cheap through a raft of loans and cheap deals, and ultimately buying twice/three times over as we’ve done before, or buying a couple of established players to go straight in the first team?

Or is that beyond the remit of his laddie and his database of contacts that fetches up players like Mueller and Jasper?

(Who oddly enough are both no longer here.)

Is the raft of loans the two that we have? Both with an option to buy?

Do we ignore the money spent on players to keep making this absurd point about everything being done on the cheap?

[Hibbyradge]

No, not “pretty obvious”, - how does the owner deliver his stated league challenge, then?

By buying cheap through a raft of loans and cheap deals, and ultimately buying twice/three times over as we’ve done before, or buying a couple of established players to go straight in the first team?

Or is that beyond the remit of his laddie and his database of contacts that fetches up players like Mueller and Jasper?

(Who oddly enough are both no longer here.)

How do we get players that we can't afford to sign and can't afford to pay?

[Hibbyradge]

Is the raft of loans the two that we have? Both with an option to buy?

Do we ignore the money spent on players to mayo making this absurd point about everything being done on the cheap?

Maybe if we spent less on edible dressings we could afford proven strikers and attacking midfielders.

[matty_f]

Maybe if we spent less on edible dressings we could afford proven strikers and attacking midfielders.

Spend the money on getting me a new phone. :greengrin

[Centre Hawf]

Of course there's players out there capable of scoring 20 goals for Hibs next season, but if they were so easy to identify and affordable everyone would be trying to sign them. That includes the old firm. Only Kyogo scored 20 goals in all competitions for Celtic and Morelos on 19 was the one closest to it for Rangers.

The trick is to work out who can be developed into a player close to scoring 20 goals for Hibs. We've taken Youan and Bojang in the hope we can mould these guys into goalscoring threats for us and then no doubt sell in 2 or 3 seasons time for big bucks, then the cycle starts again.

[easty]

The lack of a centre back coming in is concerning.
Kensall said the funds would go to first team when doig left so let’s see how that goes.

It’s a position we are very poor in and also light,been that way for a while.
Conceding terrible amateurish goals last season and we are carrying basically the same defence minus mcginn and doig and looks like mcgregor won’t feature much either.

The Gordon’s have no excuses left now,that’s how I feel.

I await the next tombola signing draw with curiosity.

Even if it’s a free CB with decent pedigree I don’t care just shore up that shambles of a defence.

The defence isn’t a shambles. It hasn’t been for a long time now. There’s mistakes in there, bad ones at times, but that’s what you get with SPL level defences.

Last season - least goals conceded in the league outside the Old Firm.
Season before last - least goals conceded in the league outside the Old Firm.

I agree that we should improve the defence, and I think Marshall is already a big improvement, but calling the defence a shambles is just not true, based on the reality of it

[Ringothedog]

Spend the money on getting me a new phone. :greengrin

Is it a proven phone you want or a newer one with less experience?

[Smartie]

The defence isn’t a shambles. It hasn’t been for a long time now. There’s mistakes in there, bad ones at times, but that’s what you get with SPL level defences.

Last season - least goals conceded in the league outside the Old Firm.
Season before last - least goals conceded in the league outside the Old Firm.

I agree that we should improve the defence, and I think Marshall is already a big improvement, but calling the defence a shambles is just not true, based on the reality of it

It's not a shambles but it has the potential to be.

Without Porto it looks horrific. It's miles better when he plays, even allowing for his "moments".

I think we'll address this but I don't think we should hide from the fact that we're lacking in depth and we're an injury or two or Porto departing and not being adequately replaced from it being very wobbly indeed.

[WeeRussell]

No, not “pretty obvious”, - how does the owner deliver his stated league challenge, then?

By buying cheap through a raft of loans and cheap deals, and ultimately buying twice/three times over as we’ve done before, or buying a couple of established players to go straight in the first team?

Or is that beyond the remit of his laddie and his database of contacts that fetches up players like Mueller and Jasper?

(Who oddly enough are both no longer here.)

Deliberately picking two examples that aren’t here now doesn’t make it odd.

Picking on Jasper who at least half of us would have been more than happy to keep perhaps is odd.

[B.H.F.C]

The defence isn’t a shambles. It hasn’t been for a long time now. There’s mistakes in there, bad ones at times, but that’s what you get with SPL level defences.

Last season - least goals conceded in the league outside the Old Firm.
Season before last - least goals conceded in the league outside the Old Firm.

I agree that we should improve the defence, and I think Marshall is already a big improvement, but calling the defence a shambles is just not true, based on the reality of it

I wouldn’t say shambles but, as it stands, I think we’ll be worse off defensively this season. And that’s with Marshall who is an upgrade on Macey.

I think a centre half is really important. A first pick, straight in the team type.

[ian cruise]

To be fair, in the last few seasons we’ve signed:

Maclaren who was only here half his first season but would have been well on course for 20, maybe even 25.

Kamberi who was only here half his first season but would have been well on course for 20, maybe even 30.

Doidge who was 1 short of 20 in his first season

Nisbet who was 2 short of 20 in his first season

Before that we had Cummings who broke 20 3 seasons in a row.

I don’t think 20 goal a season strikers are necessarily as hard to come by as they’re sometimes made out to be and I certainly don’t think the fact the top scorer got 13 last season should be used to make the point as that was a complete statistical outlier.

Two of your list are still on our books, so if we follow that logic we don't need to spend big to get another striker in?

[Paulie Walnuts]

Two of your list are still on our books, so if we follow that logic we don't need to spend big to get another striker in?

They are but one of them is injured until half way through the season and the other hasn’t performed anywhere near that level for two seasons now.

I would also add that I’d be after a new centre mid and a new centre back in that order before a new striker. Probably even a second new centre mid before a striker. I don’t necessarily think it’s an absolute necessity where as centre mid especially I would say is a necessity.

[Smartie]

Two of your list are still on our books, so if we follow that logic we don't need to spend big to get another striker in?

I’m not convinced either of them fit into a 433/ 451.

As a pair they’re fine, but I can’t see any way that Johnson would set up the team to accommodate that?

[ian cruise]

I’m not convinced either of them fit into a 433/ 451.

As a pair they’re fine, but I can’t see any way that Johnson would set up the team to accommodate that?

I actually agree about Doidge not fitting in, think Nesbit will do just fine. Last season he was working hard all over the top third, but no one was there to support him so it was all a bit fruitless. Expecting big things of Youan based on his preseason games so not desperate for another striker until we're sure we definitely need on.

Another CB definitely, like others I feel another centre mid would be ideal.

[bigwheel]

I actually agree about Doidge not fitting in, think Nesbit will do just fine. Last season he was working hard all over the top third, but no one was there to support him so it was all a bit fruitless. Expecting big things of Youan based on his preseason games so not desperate for another striker until we're sure we definitely need on.

Another CB definitely, like others I feel another centre mid would be ideal.

It’s all about performance levels, If Doidge scores goals, he’ll fit in just fine ….