Club versus country conflict brewing for Albion (From The Argus)

Sure CMS will make the correct choice but just shows that one side of football doesn't no what the other sides doing.

Tricky one---an honour to play for your country and to turn down that opportunity may jepordise future selection!!

On club note a bit of a damp squib end to the week on signings again---so what Gus told us looks to be true and it looks increasingly likely that it will be difficult to get the right players Gus wants. Would love to see a play maker for Makail-Smith

I don't know about bordering on Scotland but this is bordering on the ridiculous. So, on the whim of the Scottish FA, we stand to lose 3 players at the start of the season. Unbelievable and a totally unfair situation to put players in, not to mention clubs like the Albion who sincerely want the best opportunities for their players but risk losing them for an almost meaningless friendly...

a compromise, if the seagulls are winning tue in the cup make those 3 subs at half time zip along m4 up to haggis land all 3 play first half, then everyones happy, then back on a flight that night tucked up in bed ready for training thurs morn ... solved..

Scotland have made a rod for their own back. I don't thing Gus will be alone in his bafflement.
Okay I'm bored it's been a week since our last signing and i have been thinking… We've signed a decent keeper a right back with pedigree and a left back who will hopefully want to remind everyone that he used to be great. We've got our midfield master for another season, who on limited appearances showed us what true class looks like ( I don't care what the win ratio was, a fit Vicente dazzled the rest of the midfield, not to mention the opposition). We've got players who proved through hard work and commitment that they can make the step up and some good youngsters who promise more.
The club are going for top six/ Promotion. We all know that the midfield (in particular) and a forward are the missing ingredients (whatever your opinions on the formation or fondness for players that are now out of their depth). So, Gus says we have no money or not as much as the top twelve teams in our division or so. Some think this is smoke and mirrors, others (perhaps understandably, considering where we were a few years ago) are content with what we've got. We've had rumours, wums and trolls on here and NSC; with all sorts of names put forward both feasible and out of our reach. But I am thinking that there MUST be some more (I am genuinely happy with business thus far) exciting signings on the way; if the club's self declared push for promotion and play off places is to be realised.
I am not greedy and the likes of Leicester spent loads and achieved nothing last season. But Gus knows the side we had last season only came near to over achieving but eventually finished about where we deserved. Whilst keeper and full back berths needed addressing, this is not pivotal or decisive in our stated aspirations. Something is afoot or why up the ante with talk of top six? We were not as close to promotion as some people thought last season, we did well but… Something is definitely afoot.

Personally I blame FIFA.
Surely they could schedule the first World Cup qualifiers for the end of September or early October.
This would mean countries like England and Scotland could arrange 'warm up matches' in September thus preventing the disruption to clubs at the beginning of the European season. After all the World Cup is 2 years away.
I assume that FIFA do know when the European season begins. Oh well perhaps they don't, nothing would surprise me as far as that organisation and its President is concerned.

The club should just say they are all injured like Man U have done over the years.

graham w wrote:
a compromise, if the seagulls are winning tue in the cup make those 3 subs at half time zip along m4 up to haggis land all 3 play first half, then everyones happy, then back on a flight that night tucked up in bed ready for training thurs morn ... solved..

have they moved or re-routed the M4? I thought it went to Leekland (or daffodil Land) in one direction and to the Big Smoke in the other?

fairweathersupporter wrote:
Scotland have made a rod for their own back. I don't thing Gus will be alone in his bafflement.
Okay I'm bored it's been a week since our last signing and i have been thinking… We've signed a decent keeper a right back with pedigree and a left back who will hopefully want to remind everyone that he used to be great. We've got our midfield master for another season, who on limited appearances showed us what true class looks like ( I don't care what the win ratio was, a fit Vicente dazzled the rest of the midfield, not to mention the opposition). We've got players who proved through hard work and commitment that they can make the step up and some good youngsters who promise more.
The club are going for top six/ Promotion. We all know that the midfield (in particular) and a forward are the missing ingredients (whatever your opinions on the formation or fondness for players that are now out of their depth). So, Gus says we have no money or not as much as the top twelve teams in our division or so. Some think this is smoke and mirrors, others (perhaps understandably, considering where we were a few years ago) are content with what we've got. We've had rumours, wums and trolls on here and NSC; with all sorts of names put forward both feasible and out of our reach. But I am thinking that there MUST be some more (I am genuinely happy with business thus far) exciting signings on the way; if the club's self declared push for promotion and play off places is to be realised.
I am not greedy and the likes of Leicester spent loads and achieved nothing last season. But Gus knows the side we had last season only came near to over achieving but eventually finished about where we deserved. Whilst keeper and full back berths needed addressing, this is not pivotal or decisive in our stated aspirations. Something is afoot or why up the ante with talk of top six? We were not as close to promotion as some people thought last season, we did well but… Something is definitely afoot.

Excellent posting. Well reasoned and to the point.
Since the Budget is meant to be about the same as last year (circa £4.250 mil) we should be seeing some more acquistions.
Last year we spent £500,000 on Hoskins, £1 million on Buckley,
£2.5 million on CMS and £250,000 on Harley.
In this 'window' we have yet to pay a 'fee' although of course our share of Bridges's wages will be £500,000 plus.
So as you say Fairweathersupporter something must be 'afoot'.
Given that Poyet always says it takes time for players to adapt to the Albion playing style I hope that the midfielder and striker he (Poyet) and the fans want are signed sooner rather than later.
My slightly negative concern is that unless we get the right type of players in to fill those two positions that we won't score enough goals and might therefore suffer from second season syndrome.
I am sure Poyet and his team are aware of this and are working hard to resolve the situation.
I will try and wait patiently for some more positive news.

The boss must have something up his sleeve. While I appreciate how frustrating it is for another week to pass without a signing that looked imminent, I refuse to believe that Gus would have let 2 very promising midfielders go out on loan plus Navarro leave without a replacement lined up.

I think with everything that is happening in Scottish Football at the moment the S.F.A need to sort themselves out before they start worrying about International Football.

ballantrrae wrote:
Personally I blame FIFA.
Surely they could schedule the first World Cup qualifiers for the end of September or early October.
This would mean countries like England and Scotland could arrange 'warm up matches' in September thus preventing the disruption to clubs at the beginning of the European season. After all the World Cup is 2 years away.
I assume that FIFA do know when the European season begins. Oh well perhaps they don't, nothing would surprise me as far as that organisation and its President is concerned.

With you ...as a president of fifa ,he wouldn`t even make a good plumber.No offense to plumbers.

On a slightly different topic, John Terry was acquitted today and the evidence disclosed how widespread abusive language is on the pitch in football. Is it not time that this sort of foul abuse came to an end? The overwhelming majority of fans don't want to hear abuse either on the pitch or from the stands. It doesn't happen in Rugby and there's no need or excuse for it in soccer.
Wouldn't it be great if BHA could lead the way and start a campaign to stamp out abusive language at football? It's so unnecessary - calling an opponent or the referee a f*****g c**t is simply unacceptable and needs to stop.
Does anyone agree?
I would be in favour for a player using foul language to receive a warning, then a booking and ultimately a sending off if they persist. Any takers or am I beingtotally unrealistic?

Southwick seagull wrote:
On a slightly different topic, John Terry was acquitted today and the evidence disclosed how widespread abusive language is on the pitch in football. Is it not time that this sort of foul abuse came to an end? The overwhelming majority of fans don't want to hear abuse either on the pitch or from the stands. It doesn't happen in Rugby and there's no need or excuse for it in soccer.
Wouldn't it be great if BHA could lead the way and start a campaign to stamp out abusive language at football? It's so unnecessary - calling an opponent or the referee a f*****g c**t is simply unacceptable and needs to stop.
Does anyone agree?
I would be in favour for a player using foul language to receive a warning, then a booking and ultimately a sending off if they persist. Any takers or am I beingtotally unrealistic?

Why should they even get a warning.Try using some of the language in the Street and see if it is tolerated. It should be all part of the RESPECT campaign and Referees need to clamp down.

SMF20 wrote:
The boss must have something up his sleeve. While I appreciate how frustrating it is for another week to pass without a signing that looked imminent, I refuse to believe that Gus would have let 2 very promising midfielders go out on loan plus Navarro leave without a replacement lined up.

Yes agree SMF, especially JFC,there are plenty that feel he should at least be on the bench with seven subs allowed. Must be a target or two close.

rolivan wrote:

Southwick seagull wrote:
On a slightly different topic, John Terry was acquitted today and the evidence disclosed how widespread abusive language is on the pitch in football. Is it not time that this sort of foul abuse came to an end? The overwhelming majority of fans don't want to hear abuse either on the pitch or from the stands. It doesn't happen in Rugby and there's no need or excuse for it in soccer.
Wouldn't it be great if BHA could lead the way and start a campaign to stamp out abusive language at football? It's so unnecessary - calling an opponent or the referee a f*****g c**t is simply unacceptable and needs to stop.
Does anyone agree?
I would be in favour for a player using foul language to receive a warning, then a booking and ultimately a sending off if they persist. Any takers or am I beingtotally unrealistic?

Why should they even get a warning.Try using some of the language in the Street and see if it is tolerated. It should be all part of the RESPECT campaign and Referees need to clamp down.

What if foreign players swear in their own language?
Will the referees have to become multi-lingual to deal these cases?

(with)

Southwick Seagull - please get real. This is life - it happens in all sorts of everyday situations and in all sorts of businesses. This sort of language (and I don't mean racist because JT is clearly and absolutely guilty) has been around for years in all standards of football (and rugby - do you really think they don't swear????). Football is a game of passion and if you take away passion you have nothing. If you really think that the vast majority of fans don't use "industrial" language then you are living a very sheltered life. Is it right? Probably not but it is fact.

Southwick seagull wrote:
On a slightly different topic, John Terry was acquitted today and the evidence disclosed how widespread abusive language is on the pitch in football. Is it not time that this sort of foul abuse came to an end? The overwhelming majority of fans don't want to hear abuse either on the pitch or from the stands. It doesn't happen in Rugby and there's no need or excuse for it in soccer.
Wouldn't it be great if BHA could lead the way and start a campaign to stamp out abusive language at football? It's so unnecessary - calling an opponent or the referee a f*****g c**t is simply unacceptable and needs to stop.
Does anyone agree?
I would be in favour for a player using foul language to receive a warning, then a booking and ultimately a sending off if they persist. Any takers or am I beingtotally unrealistic?

Trouble is most referees swear as much if not more,so who dishes out the punishment.

It's a tough call isn't it? Of course CMS has to be available for Scotland. Nobody would want to deny him that. This talk of Greer and Bridcutt leaves me a little bemused. Where did that come from?

If they all did get a call-up, well, good for them. If we can't beat Swindon without them we might as well forget about promotion! (I am joking!)

What we want to see, as Gus says, is improvement each season. By that yardstick finishing higher than 10th is success. Look at the teams we will be facing. Forest under new owners, Cardiff under new owners, Leeds looking at new owners coming in. Three relegated clubs that are minted and big hitters coming up from League 1.It's going to be tough and the only bright light I can see is Palace having their best players picked off!

If we reach the play-offs we will have overachieved yet again, IMHO.

Bangkok Seagull wrote:
Southwick Seagull - please get real. This is life - it happens in all sorts of everyday situations and in all sorts of businesses. This sort of language (and I don't mean racist because JT is clearly and absolutely guilty) has been around for years in all standards of football (and rugby - do you really think they don't swear????). Football is a game of passion and if you take away passion you have nothing. If you really think that the vast majority of fans don't use "industrial" language then you are living a very sheltered life. Is it right? Probably not but it is fact.

Can't agree. You can have passion without gratuitous abuse. When you watch rugby and the ref is miked you hear him treated with respect and not abuse so I don't accept that you can't have passion without abuse. It's a beautiful game and the players are role models for thousands of youngsters. Why shouldn't they set standards of behaviour to be admired and followed by those who ultimately pay their wages?

Re: the international....abs
olutely ridiculous timing.

Re: recruitment....Gus has things well in hand. Things are indeed afoot.



I see Palace have added Darren Ambrose to the departures lounge where Sean Scannell, Anthony Gardner and shortly Wilfred Zaha and Nathaniel Clyne are / have been sitting!

Oh dear....relegation here they come!

ballantrrae wrote:

fairweathersupporter wrote:
Scotland have made a rod for their own back. I don't thing Gus will be alone in his bafflement.
Okay I'm bored it's been a week since our last signing and i have been thinking… We've signed a decent keeper a right back with pedigree and a left back who will hopefully want to remind everyone that he used to be great. We've got our midfield master for another season, who on limited appearances showed us what true class looks like ( I don't care what the win ratio was, a fit Vicente dazzled the rest of the midfield, not to mention the opposition). We've got players who proved through hard work and commitment that they can make the step up and some good youngsters who promise more.
The club are going for top six/ Promotion. We all know that the midfield (in particular) and a forward are the missing ingredients (whatever your opinions on the formation or fondness for players that are now out of their depth). So, Gus says we have no money or not as much as the top twelve teams in our division or so. Some think this is smoke and mirrors, others (perhaps understandably, considering where we were a few years ago) are content with what we've got. We've had rumours, wums and trolls on here and NSC; with all sorts of names put forward both feasible and out of our reach. But I am thinking that there MUST be some more (I am genuinely happy with business thus far) exciting signings on the way; if the club's self declared push for promotion and play off places is to be realised.
I am not greedy and the likes of Leicester spent loads and achieved nothing last season. But Gus knows the side we had last season only came near to over achieving but eventually finished about where we deserved. Whilst keeper and full back berths needed addressing, this is not pivotal or decisive in our stated aspirations. Something is afoot or why up the ante with talk of top six? We were not as close to promotion as some people thought last season, we did well but… Something is definitely afoot.

Excellent posting. Well reasoned and to the point.
Since the Budget is meant to be about the same as last year (circa £4.250 mil) we should be seeing some more acquistions.
Last year we spent £500,000 on Hoskins, £1 million on Buckley,
£2.5 million on CMS and £250,000 on Harley.
In this 'window' we have yet to pay a 'fee' although of course our share of Bridges's wages will be £500,000 plus.
So as you say Fairweathersupporter something must be 'afoot'.
Given that Poyet always says it takes time for players to adapt to the Albion playing style I hope that the midfielder and striker he (Poyet) and the fans want are signed sooner rather than later.
My slightly negative concern is that unless we get the right type of players in to fill those two positions that we won't score enough goals and might therefore suffer from second season syndrome.
I am sure Poyet and his team are aware of this and are working hard to resolve the situation.
I will try and wait patiently for some more positive news.

Nonsense to say no money spent. Agents and signing on fees for the new players we have would have be massive. There will be little budget left for further signings.

namgo49 wrote:

ballantrrae wrote:

fairweathersupporter wrote:
Scotland have made a rod for their own back. I don't thing Gus will be alone in his bafflement.
Okay I'm bored it's been a week since our last signing and i have been thinking… We've signed a decent keeper a right back with pedigree and a left back who will hopefully want to remind everyone that he used to be great. We've got our midfield master for another season, who on limited appearances showed us what true class looks like ( I don't care what the win ratio was, a fit Vicente dazzled the rest of the midfield, not to mention the opposition). We've got players who proved through hard work and commitment that they can make the step up and some good youngsters who promise more.
The club are going for top six/ Promotion. We all know that the midfield (in particular) and a forward are the missing ingredients (whatever your opinions on the formation or fondness for players that are now out of their depth). So, Gus says we have no money or not as much as the top twelve teams in our division or so. Some think this is smoke and mirrors, others (perhaps understandably, considering where we were a few years ago) are content with what we've got. We've had rumours, wums and trolls on here and NSC; with all sorts of names put forward both feasible and out of our reach. But I am thinking that there MUST be some more (I am genuinely happy with business thus far) exciting signings on the way; if the club's self declared push for promotion and play off places is to be realised.
I am not greedy and the likes of Leicester spent loads and achieved nothing last season. But Gus knows the side we had last season only came near to over achieving but eventually finished about where we deserved. Whilst keeper and full back berths needed addressing, this is not pivotal or decisive in our stated aspirations. Something is afoot or why up the ante with talk of top six? We were not as close to promotion as some people thought last season, we did well but… Something is definitely afoot.

Excellent posting. Well reasoned and to the point.
Since the Budget is meant to be about the same as last year (circa £4.250 mil) we should be seeing some more acquistions.
Last year we spent £500,000 on Hoskins, £1 million on Buckley,
£2.5 million on CMS and £250,000 on Harley.
In this 'window' we have yet to pay a 'fee' although of course our share of Bridges's wages will be £500,000 plus.
So as you say Fairweathersupporter something must be 'afoot'.
Given that Poyet always says it takes time for players to adapt to the Albion playing style I hope that the midfielder and striker he (Poyet) and the fans want are signed sooner rather than later.
My slightly negative concern is that unless we get the right type of players in to fill those two positions that we won't score enough goals and might therefore suffer from second season syndrome.
I am sure Poyet and his team are aware of this and are working hard to resolve the situation.
I will try and wait patiently for some more positive news.

Nonsense to say no money spent. Agents and signing on fees for the new players we have would have be massive. There will be little budget left for further signings.

Not nonsense. Not saying that we haven't spent money on agents and wages. That's generally accounted for in any budget. You don't state intent (top six etc), without putting up. The club are in sensible hands and i don't expect that the mission statement will not be given sufficient funds. If you think the signings thus far (as good as they are) will get us top six, then that is nonsense. The defence was not the problem last year, although not beyond improvement. So prepare to be pleasantly surprised...

As it's a Capital One Cup game it isn't so bad - unless we're going to try to win this cup of course. If it was a league game then it would be different.

I TOTALLY agree with those saying it is time to stamp out this foul mouthed language in football. It is NOT acceptable , as some think. In rugby they call the ref 'Sir' and in most cases the ref deals with the captain to stamp out any foul play. Why should football refs have to put up with this sort of behaviour?? Once a ref has made a decision, which stands, why should he be subjected to these dirades?? Garry Linneker went thru his entire playing career without a yellow card. Take note Mr Rooney and Co. No wonder one hears youngsters using this sort of language when they hear their 'heroes' on the pitch using it which they think is acceptable?? Lets clean up football. Managers should lead the way and stamp it out and fine players wages if they step over the mark.

Now that we have the benefit of goalmouth technology, it is only a matter of time before we see the introduction of foulmouth technology.
Cameras will capture everything said by players during a match, and it will all be scanned instantly for foul and abusive content.
Because of the cosmopolitan nature of the modern game, the remarks will be run through a database of hundreds of languages, and a red or yellow card will be issued by the referee depending on the severity of the offence.
Any match officials caught swearing will be sent back to the factory for adjustments.

fairweathersupporter wrote:

namgo49 wrote:

ballantrrae wrote:

fairweathersupporter wrote:
Scotland have made a rod for their own back. I don't thing Gus will be alone in his bafflement.
Okay I'm bored it's been a week since our last signing and i have been thinking… We've signed a decent keeper a right back with pedigree and a left back who will hopefully want to remind everyone that he used to be great. We've got our midfield master for another season, who on limited appearances showed us what true class looks like ( I don't care what the win ratio was, a fit Vicente dazzled the rest of the midfield, not to mention the opposition). We've got players who proved through hard work and commitment that they can make the step up and some good youngsters who promise more.
The club are going for top six/ Promotion. We all know that the midfield (in particular) and a forward are the missing ingredients (whatever your opinions on the formation or fondness for players that are now out of their depth). So, Gus says we have no money or not as much as the top twelve teams in our division or so. Some think this is smoke and mirrors, others (perhaps understandably, considering where we were a few years ago) are content with what we've got. We've had rumours, wums and trolls on here and NSC; with all sorts of names put forward both feasible and out of our reach. But I am thinking that there MUST be some more (I am genuinely happy with business thus far) exciting signings on the way; if the club's self declared push for promotion and play off places is to be realised.
I am not greedy and the likes of Leicester spent loads and achieved nothing last season. But Gus knows the side we had last season only came near to over achieving but eventually finished about where we deserved. Whilst keeper and full back berths needed addressing, this is not pivotal or decisive in our stated aspirations. Something is afoot or why up the ante with talk of top six? We were not as close to promotion as some people thought last season, we did well but… Something is definitely afoot.

Excellent posting. Well reasoned and to the point.
Since the Budget is meant to be about the same as last year (circa £4.250 mil) we should be seeing some more acquistions.
Last year we spent £500,000 on Hoskins, £1 million on Buckley,
£2.5 million on CMS and £250,000 on Harley.
In this 'window' we have yet to pay a 'fee' although of course our share of Bridges's wages will be £500,000 plus.
So as you say Fairweathersupporter something must be 'afoot'.
Given that Poyet always says it takes time for players to adapt to the Albion playing style I hope that the midfielder and striker he (Poyet) and the fans want are signed sooner rather than later.
My slightly negative concern is that unless we get the right type of players in to fill those two positions that we won't score enough goals and might therefore suffer from second season syndrome.
I am sure Poyet and his team are aware of this and are working hard to resolve the situation.
I will try and wait patiently for some more positive news.

Nonsense to say no money spent. Agents and signing on fees for the new players we have would have be massive. There will be little budget left for further signings.

Not nonsense. Not saying that we haven't spent money on agents and wages. That's generally accounted for in any budget. You don't state intent (top six etc), without putting up. The club are in sensible hands and i don't expect that the mission statement will not be given sufficient funds. If you think the signings thus far (as good as they are) will get us top six, then that is nonsense. The defence was not the problem last year, although not beyond improvement. So prepare to be pleasantly surprised...

Actually Namgo49 I didn't say no money had been spent as Fairweathersupporter points out - I even said that Bridge's wages would account for £500,000 plus of the budget. All I said was that we hadn't paid any fees (to another club) yet and therefore the budget should still be reasonably intact.
I am assuming the budget is around £4,250,000 which is what we spent on fees last year. Poyet was quoted a few weeks back as saying the budget for the coming season would be similar - i would be disappointed if it wasn't in light of the almost 5,000 extra season tickets that have been sold.
However if the club have spent most of this £4 million plus budget on Agents and Signing on fees for 2 'free transfer' additions and one loanee as you imply then I would be more than disappointed - I would be shocked and would question the judgement of messrs Bailey, Burke, Poyet and Bloom. However I think they know absolutely what they are doing and it is for that reason I think that Fairweathersupporter is right and that 'something is afoot'.
Pleased to see the Albion won 5 - 0 in their friendly today and that Barnes not only scored a hatrick but also made Hoskins goal.