To be fair to Thelwell, at least he went for players who wanted to come though, like Kudus an Gnonto who were going on strike to force the move. Kudus would have come on loan if Man Utd hadn't took Antony. We were always just hoping the club would let them go for less than what we could offer, or players would leave - like Calvert-Lewin when we wanted Minteh.
If we could afford £30m in January, or Calvert-Lewin went to Newcastle - Minteh would be an Everton player an the right hand side would be sorted.
The only one we really tried for, who jibbed us an didn't want to come was Elanga, because of Dyche.
It's why I've been like a stuck record saying if it was my club, I'd have kept Thelwell/Purdy an give them a go with money. I worry TFG have tried to do too much, too soon.