RedBullScouse

Of course you want the majority of the signings to be in before training camp.  That said its easier to get some guys to come over in the summer so i think its fair to still expect a signing or two to come in the summer.

 

We've signed expected first team contributors Reyes, Edwards, Fabio, with at least 2 of them expected to start.  Calling the winter window so far a failure for the roster not being set is a bit of a stretch.  Ideally though we get another signing announced before camp kicks off.  

I am baffled how anyone does the math on what we've lost and what we needed to get and thinks we are improved in any meaningful way.

Reyes is barely a replacement for Parker, and just as likely a step down. 

Edwards is brought in to address one of our lowest priorities.

Fabio.... um, OK.    Sure, an upgrade over Barlow and White... but that's not saying much at all.

And Kaku's gone, for all intents and purposes.    Counting on Caden Clark filling those shoes?

That's it, for a team that completely shit the bed last year.  If you don't think last year was a shit the bed season, even after Armas got dumped, then you just have far lower expectations than I do.   

We are just a week away from the start of pre-season, and pre-season only goes for 6 weeks.     Not having the roster set before camp is a failure, especially with the added on-boarding delays for quarantine.     If we are saying this is the roster, that's an even bigger failure.  I don't know why I expected better with Thelwell here, but seems its just more of the same.

Maybe - but I'd rather a swing and a miss at $600k, then we seal the deal at $2MM and he's a bust. 

Maybe - but I'd rather a swing and a miss at $600k, then we seal the deal at $2MM and he's a bust. 

A bust is a bust any any price, but I'd rather over pay then get nothing

This is looking much worse for Ham Sandwich the longer it goes on.

1000% as soon as this is resolved (either way) he will choose to pursue other opportunities and/or spend more time with his family.

https://www.espn.com...u-contract-saga

Headed to arbitration. Saudi club has received a provisional ITC for Kaku, will allow him to take part in the next match.

Arbitration is not mediation, and can get very interesting.  Usually, each side makes an all-or-nothing offer, and the arbitrator picks one.  No negotiation, no middle ground.  Since the arbitration is between Kaku and MLS, Al-Taawoun (and whatever xfer fee they might offer) isn't even involved.     Of course, the MLSPA may have negotiated some bastardized version of Arbitration.

Rather try egbo, edwards or duncan unless pendant put on some muscle and is more aggressive offensively.

Edwards is waste there, Duncan is a serious liability there, and there's a reason Egbo isn't there already - apparent attitude problems

oh thought he meant not coming over at all this could still be a minimal fee

"Minimal fee," here, is redundant.  

Well, sounds like he's not coming over here on a free or a minimal transfer. 

what makes you say that

"New York Red Bulls have agreed a fee with Celtic to sign Cameron Harper.

The Major League Soccer outfit and the Hoops have thrashed out an undisclosed fee that will see the 19-year-old return to his homeland with immediate effect."

https://www.dailyrec...arture-23438724

He played a lot up top in Celtic reserve and the one game he played on the big team was as a lone striker

"Harper began his footballing career as a striker, but upon joining the Celtic academy, youth team coaches decided he would be more effective in the wide areas and he subsequently dropped back into midfield.

The youngster is capable of operating on either flank and is noted for his ability to beat a man. The 19-year-old is seen as something of a throwback to the wingers of old..."

"A self-proclaimed left-winger, right-winger, and striker, Harper has no preference for which side of the field he plays. Comfortable with both feet, he likes to be out wide playing crosses into the box, or coming straight onto defenders creating 1-on-1 situations with the ball at his feet."    

We have literally zero confirmation of this. We only know the perspective of a shady agent and the MLSPA, who are required to back up its players in any dispute.

I doubt the MLSPA made any incorrect statements of fact,  but Section 26.1 of the 2019 CBA doesn;t seem to apply as they have rferenced it.

Section 26.1 Except as addressed elsewhere by this CBA, the League agrees that all notices issued to Players as a group (by Team or otherwise) will be written in both English and Spanish. Disciplinary notices shall include contact information for a person at MLS concerning such discipline. Section 26.2 Except as addressed elsewhere by this CBA, any and all notices given or required to be given pursuant to this CBA shall be sent by personal delivery, overnight courier (e.g., UPS or FedEx) or by e-mail as set forth below. Proof of e-mail must be available through a confirmation of receipt (either via e-mail or telephone). Option notices must be sent to the applicable Player, or his authorized representative, as set forth in the Player’s SPA, or as set forth in a signed form provided to MLS, and may also be sent by certified mail (return receipt requested)

This will likely hinge on the standing of Pearson as his agent.    The relationship between the agent and the MLSPA is almost irrelevant to the relationship between a player's agent and MLS.   The MLSPA may not recognize him as Kaku's agent, but that doesn't mean that MLS and the courts won't.

https://www.espn.com...ficate-released

 

More details here. Doesn't sound amazing... (also thank you Dennis, yet again).

 

Fucking Hamlett.    Incomprehensible.

https://www.reddit.c...uing_west_brom/

"former Arsenal Captain."  Would be a solid LB upgrade, but at 31 does anyone seriously think RB would be interested?

The fact they made an offer for the Montenegrin midfielder means they are looking to add at least another DP, Im sure we will get a few more players coming in.

This is the most frustrating part of it all for me.    You know going in that there is a good chance your offer will be rejected.    You have money, you have holes to fill, How do you go into an off season with no Plan B and C?     Why isn't there an immediate offer made to your second choice as soon as the other deal is dead?

They should allow a higher percentage outdoors.

pretty difficult to do that with any kind of spacing between groups.  A two-seat buffer pretty much eats up 80-90% of the space

I drew it out better, factoring in aisles and stuff, and you could maybe get as much as 40% capacity with a two seat buffer around 6 person pods.    A three seat buffer drops it to maybe 30%.

He's 31. I'm always amazed by his age. 

"31"