Dean Austin hits and misses?

[PM16]

Lots of pats on the back for Dean Austin this weekend, and rightly so - the recruitment following the sales of Vik and Hamer has been impressive. Trying to think of Austin signings that haven't worked out so well (Bassette, Raphael?, Woolfy maybe?), Is there a list of players that Austin has directly recruited?

 

[SleepyGinger]

The Hamer and Gyokeres money was spent exceptionally well. Our recruitment since Robins return has been incredible really.

 

[Hobo]

Lots of pats on the back for Dean Austin this weekend, and rightly so - the recruitment following the sales of Vik and Hamer has been impressive. Trying to think of Austin signings that haven't worked out so well (Bassette, Raphael?, Woolfy maybe?), Is there a list of players that Austin has directly recruited?

There always are and will be hits and misses in recruitment. Especially as the team strengthens and goes up a level. Especially buying players to develop, development is hard if not impossible to predict. Some players don't develop, some do quickly and some slowly over a longer period. There is luck involved not just talent, you need the opportunity at the right time. One player's misfortune is anothers advantage - Dovin v Rushworth is a good example.

 

[clint van damme]

Heard a rumour yesterday we're back in for Hamer.
Surely not?!

 

[clint van damme]

Lots of pats on the back for Dean Austin this weekend, and rightly so - the recruitment following the sales of Vik and Hamer has been impressive. Trying to think of Austin signings that haven't worked out so well (Bassette, Raphael?, Woolfy maybe?), Is there a list of players that Austin has directly recruited?

Doubt we'll lose money on Raphael of Wolfie, not sure about Bassette

 

[Evo1883]

Austin will have played a part in every player thats arrived since he came here

 

[Marty]

Heard a rumour yesterday we're back in for Hamer.
Surely not?!

Seems fairly sensible bit of business to me, if you can get his weight under control then he'll be one of the best midfielders at the club for a relatively small transfer fee.

 

[SleepyGinger]

On the Not the top 20 podcast on us they pointed out how we give our players time to settle and don’t give up on them after a bad spell. Pretty much all of the current squad have had spells where some of the fanbase would’ve been happy to see the back of them, worked out alright in the end.

 

[rob9872]

Hope his wife is okay.

 

[Skyblue Bangkok]

Seems fairly sensible bit of business to me, if you can get his weight under control then he'll be one of the best midfielders at the club for a relatively small transfer fee.

Watching him on the highlights of Shef Utd v Preston he looked like he'd been indulging in a few pies and Kebab's.

 

[skybluecam]

Every Austin signing rated (Hit = Better than expected, Ok = As expected, Miss = Worse than expected)

Jan 23:
Sean Maguire - Miss
Norton-Cuffy - Hit
Wilson-Esbrand - Ok
McNally - Hit

Summer 23:
Wright - Hit
Simms - Ok
MVE - Hit
Kitching - Ok
Thomas - Hit
Sakamoto - Hit
Collins - Miss
Dasilva - Hit
Lati - Ok
Ayari - Miss
Binks - Ok

Jan 24:
EMC - Hit
Torp - Hit

Summer 24:
Rudoni - Hit
BTA - Hit
Bassette - Miss
Dovin - Ok
Raphael - Ok

Jan 25:
Grimes - Hit
Paterson - Ok

Summer 25:
Woolfenden - Miss
KKH - Ok
Brau - Miss
Rushworth - Hit

Jan 26:
Markelo - TBD
Esse - Miss
Onyeka - Hit
Yang - Miss

 

[Hincha]

Miss:
Binks - arguably Robins was responsible for signing him after his loan
Collins - was meant to be no. 2 & had a confidence crisis
Ayari - clearly talented just too early
Bassette - the real miss for me. It was clear we didn't need a 4th ST & the way he left SM Caen should've triggered alarm bells
Brau/Rafael - not up to the level but were cheap punts
Yang - made sense at the time but pointless after Markelo signing

Jury is out on KKH, Woolf, & Markelo

Hit:
everyone else

Pretty unbelievable hit rate

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Woolf, whilst not living up to his £4m price tag, has done his job this season and got us over the line. I cant imagine we would get any less than a couple million for him, which in reality isnt a bad deal overall.

 

[PM16]

Every Austin signing rated (Hit = Better than expected, Ok = As expected, Miss = Worse than expected)

Jan 23:
Sean Maguire - Miss
Norton-Cuffy - Hit
Wilson-Esbrand - Ok
McNally - Hit

Summer 23:
Wright - Hit
Simms - Ok
MVE - Hit
Kitching - Ok
Thomas - Hit
Sakamoto - Hit
Collins - Miss
Dasilva - Hit
Lati - Ok
Ayari - Miss
Binks - Ok

Jan 24:
EMC - Hit
Torp - Hit

Summer 24:
Rudoni - Hit
BTA - Hit
Bassette - Miss
Dovin - Ok
Raphael - Ok

Jan 25:
Grimes - Hit
Paterson - Ok

Summer 25:
Woolfenden - Miss
KKH - Ok
Brau - Miss
Rushworth - Hit

Jan 26:
Markelo - TBD
Esse - Miss
Onyeka - Hit
Yang - Miss

I was hoping someone would have a list like this.
Very few real misses, and Hobo's point about luck is valid
Austin has done a spectacular job

 

[Skyblue Bangkok]

I was hoping someone would have a list like this.
Very few real misses, and Hobo's point about luck is valid
Austin has done a spectacular job

I remember the stick he received on here by some about 16 months ago

 

[SafeAsMilk]

Heard a rumour yesterday we're back in for Hamer.
Surely not?!

Chef in the canteen?

 

[shmmeee]

Every Austin signing rated (Hit = Better than expected, Ok = As expected, Miss = Worse than expected)

Jan 23:
Sean Maguire - Miss
Norton-Cuffy - Hit
Wilson-Esbrand - Ok
McNally - Hit

Summer 23:
Wright - Hit
Simms - Ok
MVE - Hit
Kitching - Ok
Thomas - Hit
Sakamoto - Hit
Collins - Miss
Dasilva - Hit
Lati - Ok
Ayari - Miss
Binks - Ok

Jan 24:
EMC - Hit
Torp - Hit

Summer 24:
Rudoni - Hit
BTA - Hit
Bassette - Miss
Dovin - Ok
Raphael - Ok

Jan 25:
Grimes - Hit
Paterson - Ok

Summer 25:
Woolfenden - Miss
KKH - Ok
Brau - Miss
Rushworth - Hit

Jan 26:
Markelo - TBD
Esse - Miss
Onyeka - Hit
Yang - Miss

Would argue the toss on a few of those (Rapha and Paterson for example) but mostly agree with that.

 

[DazzleTommyDazzle]

Heard a rumour yesterday we're back in for Hamer.
Surely not?!

I know there's a danger of nostalgia with ex-players, but with Chris Jones' training regime and Gus's undoubted ability, I think he could be a real asset in the PL.

 

[SafeAsMilk]

Woolf, whilst not living up to his £4m price tag, has done his job this season and got us over the line. I cant imagine we would get any less than a couple million for him, which in reality isnt a bad deal overall.

Agree with this .. one thing we will have to get used to is the £ you pay for squad players with experience who can do a job when needed!

 

[clint van damme]

I know there's a danger of nostalgia with ex-players, but with Chris Jones' training regime and Gus's undoubted ability, I think he could be a real asset in the PL.

I've no idea if there's any milage in it. I certainly wouldn't vouch for the source.

 

[PVA]

It was only last season people were questioning his recruitment and use of funds.

You have to say he's done a fantastic job really.

Bit weird how he came from such a small club though and with only little similar experience.

 

[djr8369]

Proof is in the pudding really. As has been alluded to even the bit part players who might be considered misses helped drive training and consistency of those who played more.

It’s interesting how coverage of pundits mentions our squad depth and quality but fans talk it down relative to what they have achieved.

 

[skybluecam]

Would argue the toss on a few of those (Rapha and Paterson for example) but mostly agree with that.

Raphael should probably be a miss thinking about it. Think the two points Paterson won us justified his wages for a few months.

Was trying to rate against expectations/price tag so obviously the frees and small fees have to do less to justify.

 

[clint van damme]

Raphael should probably be a miss thinking about it. Think the two points Paterson won us justified his wages for a few months.

Was trying to rate against expectations/price tag so obviously the frees and small fees have to do less to justify.

Raphael was a cheaps as chips punt.
I doubt there was any real expectation of him.

 

[shmmeee]

Raphael should probably be a miss thinking about it. Think the two points Paterson won us justified his wages for a few months.

Was trying to rate against expectations/price tag so obviously the frees and small fees have to do less to justify.

In which case I’d argue the other way about Lats

 

[TomRad85]

Deadly Dean Austin finally getting his flowers.

 

[SleepyGinger]

Even the misses are all pretty low risk signings. Since league 2 the only ‘big signing’ for the league and position we were in at the time that didn’t pay off was Tyler Walker. And even he scored 10 in 68 which isn’t terrible.

 

[Saddlebrains]

Miss:
Binks - arguably Robins was responsible for signing him after his loan
Collins - was meant to be no. 2 & had a confidence crisis
Ayari - clearly talented just too early
Bassette - the real miss for me. It was clear we didn't need a 4th ST & the way he left SM Caen should've triggered alarm bells
Brau/Rafael - not up to the level but were cheap punts
Yang - made sense at the time but pointless after Markelo signing

Jury is out on KKH, Woolf, & Markelo

Hit:
everyone else

Pretty unbelievable hit rate

Thats where Doug started losing trust in Robins for me, signing Binks

Think ive said this before but we had the chance of Doyle again, Robins wanted Binks. Hence why Doyle was so pumped up and leathered Tats with that tackle that Norwich game. Silly decision from MR really

 

[shmmeee]

Even the misses are all pretty low risk signings. Since league 2 the only ‘big signing’ for the league and position we were in at the time that didn’t pay off was Tyler Walker. And even he scored 10 in 68 which isn’t terrible.

Not sure about that. £4.5m on Markelo, £4m on Wolfenden, £3m on Bassette all pretty big fees for zero impact tbh. At least Walker played for us and was top scorer for a season. And he cost less than £1m didn’t he? Or about that

 

[Evo1883]

Every Austin signing rated (Hit = Better than expected, Ok = As expected, Miss = Worse than expected)

Jan 23:
Sean Maguire - Miss
Norton-Cuffy - Hit
Wilson-Esbrand - Ok
McNally - Hit

Summer 23:
Wright - Hit
Simms - Ok
MVE - Hit
Kitching - Ok
Thomas - Hit
Sakamoto - Hit
Collins - Miss
Dasilva - Hit
Lati - Ok
Ayari - Miss
Binks - Ok

Jan 24:
EMC - Hit
Torp - Hit

Summer 24:
Rudoni - Hit
BTA - Hit
Bassette - Miss
Dovin - Ok
Raphael - Ok

Jan 25:
Grimes - Hit
Paterson - Ok

Summer 25:
Woolfenden - Miss
KKH - Ok
Brau - Miss
Rushworth - Hit

Jan 26:
Markelo - TBD
Esse - Miss
Onyeka - Hit
Yang - Miss

Youd say lati was a hit for the nominal fee of 500k

 

[shmmeee]

Youd say lati was a hit for the nominal fee of 500k

Would argue Binks was a miss that was ameliorated by us getting a good fee for him too.

 

[SleepyGinger]

Not sure about that. £4.5m on Markelo, £4m on Wolfenden, £3m on Bassette all pretty big fees for zero impact tbh. At least Walker played for us and was top scorer for a season. And he cost less than £1m didn’t he? Or about that

ill give you Bassette, jury is still out on the other 2. Yeah but he was god awful and £1m was a lot for us at the time.

 

[Jamesimus]

Think Woolfenden we’d make our money back.

@skybluecams list…

l’d have Lati as a hit due to his impact this season and the fee.

I’d actually have Dovin as a hit too, as he was really good for a while before his injury and that can’t be mitigated against really.

 

[skybluecam]

In which case I’d argue the other way about Lats

Can’t bring myself to rate him a hit

 

[trakia plovdiv]

As Jamesimus has just said, Dovin was a hit till he got injured, which is hardly DA’s fault.