Against my better judgement I've just read an article from the Guardian sports writer Jonathan Wilson.
It's supposed to be about James and his proposed move to us. Within the first few lines he then does quite a job on us, with comments like only a couple of teams in the Premier league, us and West Ham would entertain buying him. He accuses us, with maybe a bit of truth, of buying reputation rather than form, listing Iwobi, Siggy, Delph, and then the cheeky prick includes Digne in the list.
Anyway bottom line is that we will be better off if we don't sign him.
I checked Wikipedia on this guy and he's from Sunderland so maybe he isn't another RS apologist.
I suggest reading it.
I think you have to be open minded, its a polorised article, but if you are open minded, you have to be open to criticism. With articles like that we only have ourselves to blame, we have been to transient on stability, chopped and changed managers and have had at times a non coherent patch work team of different managers and bad recruitment. This guy is betting on that trend continuing. If we are being honest that is a valid opinion form the outside looking in.
There is an opposing view of course from a more intimate knowledge if what is going on at the club. That much heavy lifting has been done on the squad over hang, we are reaching the last third of getting players we dont want out. While we have invested in slow burners for development like DCL, Richarilison, Branthwaite, Kean, Holgate, Gbdmin, Gordon etc. etc. We that as the future, what maybe has been identified is the need, for experience to bolster that plan and development. If that is the strategy we should back it.
We shouldn't be closed minded though, many on here have have warned aboutt he age of Allan and Jamo in particular. We have experienced already lads coming from CL clubs and not doing the business here, as hopeful as we are there are always risks.
Ive been struck over the last few days and the real lack of patience at getting these deals done. If im honest i remember the same intent and threads during the Schneiderlin, Delph, Niasse moves.
The way i see it the truth comes down to personal opinion and ultimately what happens on the field regardless of media. So i have no problem with Allan and Doucoure. Jamo obviously has quality but i think there are a few risks in the deal if we are all being honest, personally ill be surprised if he players north on 30 games this season, but that may be ok to.
Im on record as saying we need commitment, stability, quality and leadership in the squad and team for nearly 5 years now, i also am big believer in backing a manager in their plan if you employ them and give them min three years with it, so im more then happy with what we are doing.
I do see there are some risks, though, essentially every transfer is a risk really as we have found, we have signed some very good players here in the past that just haven't worked out.