Well put Bobby. I think a lot of people have forgotten how hamstrung we are. Regarding the players they've signed, my progress report is:
Joe Murphy-6/10. Doesn't inspire that much confidence, I'm in the "not impressed" camp. He has made some good stops but as many have said, doesn't command his area enough and his handling is dubious. What many have said-and I strongly agree with-is that most 'keepers at our level will look poor by comparison with Westwood. And also, that he is probably the best we could have got for the budget available: free transfer, probably 4-6k p/w max (Scunthorpe wages are tiny), very experienced at our level, Irish 3rd choice, former L1 Team of The Year GK a couple of seasons ago..nope, I can't really have a pop at the management for that signing. I don't see a free transfer GK who would have signed for us this summer who is better. That's not saying that much, but it's the situation we're in.
Chris Dunn-8. Cost very little indeed (20-50k?) and looks much more reliable then Ireland (always injured) and with better raw ingredients than Quirke (too small? Where is he now, anywhere?). Looked raw in preseason but made a big impression against Derby with a great save, some commanding catches from crosses, and canny distribution. Looks a steal, and a classic "unknown" AT signing. I can see why AT is going with experience, but if Murphy makes a few ricks or gets a knock I think he'll come in and do well enough to keep his place.
Lots of people say he's too young, but the lad actually played a lot at L1 level for Northampton when they sold Player of the Year Bunn to Blackburn. He does have almost 100 1st team appearances under his belt! In summary, again, if we had to find a reserve GK with potential who costs and is paid peanuts and would be willing to sign for us..can't fault this signing one iota.
Cody McDonald-5. Very hard to judge due to documented lack of a preseason. Generally looked poor but at least got into great goalscoring positions against Ipswich. There may be a very major problem in terms of McDonalds lack of application towards getting fit in training (Nonleagueherewecome.footballrumours.co.uk..), to which some will say the gaffer should have found that out-but off who, the manager who is trying to flog him to you? Easier said than done. Another one on very low wages-he was signed from non-league by Norwich, so is probably on slightly more than Hussey.
Could come good yet and we can't write him off. But if he does turn out to be a duff, bear in mind how many people on here were waxing lyrical about his youtube goals compilations. It's safe to say that people were excited about his signing based on that, so it's understandable why the manager rated him. Value? Again, can't be judged yet..but in terms of being in a corner, the only player left on the AT shortlist who was in his price-range by the time SISU flogged Turner was Cody. I don't believe the "number one target" comment, that was to try and motivate Cody-he made it obvious that he wanted ALF, but the board lacked the foresight to back him.
So that's a huge total of 3 signings. Dunn is cover, one for the future and reserve for a specialist position-so we won't see too much of him. So we are really judging AT on 2 signings-a GK who somewhat divides the fans, but who most concede was about all we could afford, and a striker who most welcomed with open arms but who can't really be reasonably judged for another 2-3 months. Now compare the incomings at all the other Championship clubs. I think "Miracle Workers" is a fair label for our present management team given the circumstances.
