08 Apr 2022 15:18:52
Some interesting articles at the moment. One being the accounts released on Thursday. £48m will be paid out in bonuses, should we avoid the drop back to the Championship. Last season £35m was paid out in bonuses after the drop was comfortably avoided with a 9th place finish.
This comes after a pre-tax profit of £26m for the 2020/ 21 season despite the impact of c.v. This being only the second time in 10 years the club has made an annual profit. Our final season in the Championship we posted a loss of £62m despite winning the title.
The annual turnover has leapt from £54m to £171m.
In the first summer window £68m was spent on signings - which also meant wages rising from £78m to £108m, leaving administrative costs totalling £152m.

I can't fault the way, Radz runs things financially. Certainly much better than we have previously had. No players have been sold for actual cash since the Championship, but money has still been spent on incoming transfers. In terms of what it has been spent on for the first team squad I do feel has been poor, barring the signing of Raphinha that was excellent. First team recruitment has not been good enough in my opinion. Which brings me to the next article.

Marsch, briefly spoke about the potential summer transfer strategy. Obviously it will significantly depend on what league we are in. He said that, Victor has a recruitment team of scouts, and data analysts that are responsible for any players coming in. He said he couldn't speak on behalf of, Marcello, but with the club having a Director of Football it was common practice transfers are dealt with by them. His job is coaching the first team. Now this does worry me. While I respect part of, Victor's job is the U18, U23 recruitment - which have enjoyed success, but the first team recruitment has fallen short. I want, Jesse to be giving a final approval on any signings for the first team, he'll be coaching.

Lastly, Marsch spoke about, Summerville. He spoke to him about off-field discipline. He's spoken to him about his behaviour and mentality and professional behaviour off the pitch. I'm not sure if there has been issues in the past, but Marsch is impressed that, Summerville is starting to take it all on board.
I expect we might see him get some minutes from the bench, but not a chance he starts ahead of Raphinha, James, Harrison. Before his hattrick, Summerville had scored 4 goals, and assisted once this season. That's hardly anything to get excited about. Interestingly, Dramah had the highest average rating for the U23's before his loan, but very poor ratings for his first team appearances. I do expect him to be a very good player for us in the coming seasons, but this year looked way out of his depth in the EPL when given the chance. Greenwood, Gelhardt, and Dean have been good performers for the U23's this year in a side that have struggled a lot in the league.

I haven't bothered reading the other big article of Phillips to Man U.

1.) 08 Apr 2022
08 Apr 2022 15:45:18
MOT Jimmy has had disciplinary issues in past at Feyenoord (as previously posted) . Whole reason we landed him was due to this.

2.) 08 Apr 2022
08 Apr 2022 16:15:00
MOT
Firstly Jimmy has now scored 7 goals in the EPL U23s but how many games, minutes has he actually played. Pretty sure he has missed quite a lot due to being needed sitting on the first team bench for first 11.

Secondly U23s are a good team when at full strength beating Pool 4 nil and 3 nil and Sc#m 3 nil .

Thirdly I share your concern re article implying Jesse Marsch seemingly not involved in recruitment ; Marsch must / has to be involved in which players are brought in.

I am hoping we also get a better DoF this summer or at the very least VO brings his very best A game.

3.) 08 Apr 2022
08 Apr 2022 17:30:53
I did read something similar, George when we first signed him. I was unaware there had been any issues while, he had been with us though. Marsch does seem pleased with his progress - which is good news.

I would make the same argument, Baz as you that the U23's poor league position, and performances this year is largely down to some of the key players missing minutes because of being called up to the first team squad due to injuries. By that same argument though it must be said the first teams position is largely due to those same injuries. Injuries that have been from the very start of the season where we played Man U with Phillips and Llorente both missing through injury.
Summerville has played 748 minutes this season scoring 7 goals. Gelhardt 7 goals in 661 minutes. Tyler 'The Assassin' Roberts 1 goal in 45 minutes.
Summerville is absolutely talented, and I hope we hang onto him. My opinion though is he is currently too lightweight, and doesn't look like he could manage more than 45 minutes in the EPL. Reminds me a little of Jack Clarke, but with scarier pace, and trickery. James though for me with his none-stop running, great energy and work rate is currently the better option while Bamford is out because we miss his high pressing, and at the very least, James gives us similar.

I agree, and at the very least hope someone is brought in to work along side, Victor. It will probably be our most important summer window, and I don't think, Orta should be solely responsible for it. I, like you have suggested, would prefer a new DoF responsible for first team recruitment along side Marsch giving his approval. Possibly put, Victor in charge of youth recruitment and development.

4.) 08 Apr 2022
08 Apr 2022 21:21:03
The recruitment process will be the same as with Bielsa. Marsch will say what attributes he needs from players in each position then scouts and Orta will identify options which will then be presented to Marsch for his decision on preferred options.