Is Martin O'Neill really unaware of how much he's got to spend in two weeks?
Monday, 18 December 06, 11:25 AM · Comments (6)
According to something I've just read over on Sporting Life, Martin O'Neill is unaware of how much money he's got to spend in January, just fourteen days away.
Okay, this isn't going to hamper who he actually buys but it could have wasted a lot of time if the list Martin O'Neill gives Mr Lerner contains five names with an estimated value of £50mn. and Mr Lerner says you've got £15mn. to spend on three players.
I wrote something yesterday about expectations and that's what it all comes down to but I don't believe that Martin O'Neill doesn't know how much money he's got to spend I just reckon he's playing his cards very close to his chest.
If he didn't know then he's watching players blind and sending the scouts out without a real idea of what it is they are looking for.
It's also vital if there is to be some new players in January to get them in as soon as possible so they have time to get to the the rest of the team and have more time to make an impact. I'm expecting a signing or two very early on in January.
To be clear about a few things my expectations have already been met this season; next I'd like European football and the season after that I expect us to have significantly moved on.
Martin O'Neill is the right man to do this and I expect him to be coy about transfer funds. I don't expect Mr Lerner not to have informed Martin O'Neill of a ballpark figure he can go out and spend.
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6 Comments · Add yours
I hope it is more than £15 million because if it isnt we will be bottom half again. im sure it will be more
You know what guys, i just dont have a good feeling about our spending power, i dont know why, i just hope im totally wrong! although the real time to judge what Lerner is willing to spend will be in the summer
There is a process and unfortunately we wont see it fully in January as the better players don't want to leave half way though a season and clubs dont want them to leave unless they've got replacements.
We will see if our expectations are met in January, the summer and the summer after that in my opinion although this summer coming up will be a good indication.
I have a feeling that the sums involved won't be massive for any one player. I can't see MON buying another Petrov for 7 mill or more. that would raise the bar too significantly and put us in competition with the 'C' club among others. I also think that sort of spending will come but in summer 2007. This transfer window is about buying experienced pros for 2-3 mill each and then strikers in the summer!! Yippee!!!
Seem's strange to me that MON doesn't know how much he has to spend. I think he may have some indication but wisdom would prevail, as it would alert other clubs, hence the value would rise! I don't think MON would lie, I just think he would not know the actual amount, only an indication of what may be available, which isn't a lie! The man is wise.
I think if Martin O'Neill play down expectation and then make other club sell our players at sensible price he could have an extra player on his transfer budget. I think he and Randy will surprise everyone. But I think we probably will buy 4 7 millions pounds players and maybe 3 bargains signing as well. We wouldn't spend 16 millions on one top notch player. But no one knows what Randy is willing to do.