Why is it that teams like Brighton and Newcastle can identify targets and get them over the line without other teams beating them to it and why every time we are linked with someone, is it open season for West Ham, West Brom etc. to chase them as well, with us inevitably losing out?
There are plenty of European players that we have been linked with, but it is always plastered all over the internet.
We have always been pathetic at keeping our dealings under the radar and this is why we have such a weak squad.
We desperately need another striker, an attacking midfield player, an experienced right wing back and a decent goalkeeper- NOW!

Let's keep the ball this season!

Just when I though there was nothing else to complain about.

What the papers and some very dodgy web sites say about who we are in for has very little to do with reality.

Also look at the players that the weed, Newcastle and Huddersfield are going for and you would realise, that we are more like the West Hams and West Brom's in terms of pulling power and budget.

That's why those clubs are always looking for similar players.

Last transfer window we spent more than any other club in the Premiership, it was a great window.

I love our transfer policy and suggest The only way to KNOW what players we are ACTUALLY in for is to wait and see after the window had closed and see who is here.

"You can lead a horse to water but a pencil must be lead"

Stan Laurel

Sometimes it is not a 'Scouting system' which identifies players but agents acting on their players behalf.

Got far more complex than it used to be in the older days when the likes of Noades and Coppell used to travel miles, often in inclement weather to look at players.And in the days when managers/coaches used to come to games to see future opposition and take copious notes regarding set-plays etc.They still go of course but they are not just reliant on their own eyes.
Now there are analysts at clubs pouring over camera footage and all these aids like 'Pro Zone' etc etc.How times have changed.

Edited by Willo (17 Aug 2017 3.13pm)

Who have we missed out on ?

Palace 13th 2017/18.

It's pretty simple - Brighton & Newcastle have not changed managers & both would have identified targets prior to promotion.

In one of Sam's last interviews he said we'd identified a list of targets (should we stay up) & the meeting with SP he resigned at was meant to be to discuss these and prioritise them. It is not realistic to think that FdB would want to want the same.

They are also fishing in a much bigger/cheaper pond than us - the one we used to be in when first promoted. Now we've moved up to the next level of player which means less availability, higher costs & just as many clubs chasing them.

Add to that the latest version of 'agents' & you have a very different buying process than before too.

Will this be five? It's gonna be five! It IS five!

Correct, the media have built the transfer window up and need to keep feeding it, regardless if there any truth in its stories. Nobody I'd going to sue them the players love it as it raises their profile. The only losers are supporters who believe what they read.