O’s Summer Transfer Window

I wouldn't grumble with our signings other than to say I'm disappointed we still haven't secured a permanent No.1 keeper since Vigs left.

I would agree MungO - I understand the finances but it’s not the way to build a cohesive squad going forward imho. On the other hand RW & the DoF seem totally relaxed about it as per the interview below.

Solid. We're up against some ridiculously high spenders (Brum, Wrexham) but I'd rather we stayed where we are than living way beyond our means with all that that entails.

Nigel may have over-reached himself a bit with talk of 'exciting signings', but the club's in good hands, with a very decent manager.

Up the O's.

Have we strengthened from last season? Others have very significantly - Tyler Roberts is now at Northampton on loan from brum, amazing signing for them. Barnsley and Stockport pushing on.
We can’t afford to compete in the market at our level but we should be able to at league two. Connor Mahoney (left footed right winger RW wanted) ended up on a free at barrow and George Byers for some reason is at Port Vale. These are the types of players with experience and quality who we should surely be competing for.

Two keepers on loan is a failure in that department

We have our squad, we need to just get on with it and see how they do, should be fine. Looking forward to Saturday.

I agree with you both however, look around and you will see all clubs taking up a full compliment of loans. It’s the way clubs seem to operate these days. I don’t see it changing anytime soon due to the stretched financial position of football clubs.

Birmingham - spending £15m on deadline day makes the point for Richie and Lingy. We just can't compete with that - and if we had that money it would be going towards the new stadium.

Bristol Rovers - similar sized club to us- have pushed the boat out and signed, on a quick count, 15 or 16 players. Probably over £1m in transfer fees and they are also spending money on the Memorial Ground. How big a gamble is that? Will they regret it? Or will it push them forward?

Reading - much bigger club than us but in transition, failed to get the club sold in time for the transfer window and ended up signing one, on loan. In time they will get themselves together and outspend us.

If you listen to the Q&A I posted a short while ago, a fan asked that very question and Nigel answered it in full. It will remain a mainstay of our business going forwards from his answer.

I would prefer everyone to be our players, with an odd loan thrown in. Alas I think for us and what I say above it is not going to happen unfortunately.

Isn’t the issue the PL clubs grabbing all the best young talent, often to stop their rivals from getting someone, so that clubs lower down the pyramid have much weaker academies as a result.
PL clubs need men’s football for their youngsters to develop them, we potentially get a better quality player than we can produce ourselves, so loans make sense.
As long as there is such a huge gap in finances between the top and other leagues, this will continue.