20 Jul 2018 14:27:17
One has to ask why Brands was recruited in the first place? It was not to recruit mediocre players, or over the hill players, at over inflated transfer fees and wages. Been there, done that. I also don't believe that he will spend much energy going after players who the top European teams seek to recruit since we have little or no chance of recruiting this type of players even if we offer overly inflated transfer fees and wages.
Brands was recruited to identify unpolished gems who can be purchased at realistic transfer fees and who will accept realistic wages. He was also recruited to work with the manager to identify weaknesses in the squad and recruit players who will improve the squad while transferring out those players who do not, for whatever reason, meet the managers requirements. The players Brands brings in do not necessarily have to be world class players but ones that can have a positive benefit to the team and squad and can play the type of football required by the manager. At the moment we have an unbalanced squad and Brands must correct that problem as soon as possible.
Silva on the other hand IMHO was brought in to get the players playing good, attractive, attacking team football rather than a bunch of individuals, most of whom had little or no idea of how they needed to play or what there role in the team was meant to be. Each player has to be instructed about their role in the team effort and what is expected of them with no ambiguity so that they know what to do in every facet of the game. They have to be well drilled in the type of football the manager wants to play and they have to be competent to be able to carry out the managers instructions. Those who are not capable or who are not willing to play his style will be transferred out.
Silva will work with Brands to bring in the players who can play his style of football and who can add balance and improve the squad. Again these new recruits have to be excellent team players who can improve the team/ squad and not necessarily top class players.
All of this is going to take time and patience especially from us supporters. I expect a few new players this transfer widow, maybe even a high cost one. Having watched the two pre-season games I was impressed and pleased by the way Silva has the squad playing already. Time will tell if Brands and Silva can get us were we all want the club to be, playing attractive football and playing in Europe on a regular basis.
20 Jul 2018 15:10:35
Good post - only question is if we hired Brands to find unpolished gems as you say wasnt Walsh to do the same as he had previous success and what happened to him - maybe we should have kept Walsh and saved some money.
20 Jul 2018 15:35:04
Walsh for me was relatively weak and seemed to follow the instructions of the manager when it came to recruiting. I believe Brands is much stronger, time will tell if he is an improvement over Walsh.
20 Jul 2018 15:46:10
Walsh was a scout, a very good one I think but certainly no the a DoF. Brands is.
20 Jul 2018 18:37:37
How do we know Brands hasn’t identified the unpolished gems? We need guaranteed improvements to the squad short term, and the unpolished gems for the long term.
20 Jul 2018 19:26:44
Bit early to doubt Brands yet lads. Bearly through the door.
20 Jul 2018 19:51:58
Mr Walsh was a Scout, promoted beyond his pay grade precisely because that was his agents rate to hire him, the agent was not concerned with competence. Mr Brands is a proven DoF with pedigree and excellent contacts. Rest assured there is a plan and we will within days see the results.