Aiming Too High?

The transfer windows have finally closed for the season. There were no last minute deals, no further strengthening. It is by no means a disaster, but it does leave us a bit light in some areas. At this critical stage, it does seem that we perhaps could have lowered our aspirations to more attainable targets as the deadline approached.

In his article on Sunday, Paul was happy that Jim had aimed for some big targets, without being able to deliver, but that he thought it might be time to lower those targets with the aim of ensuring we got someone in.

Having reached the transfer deadline, it does seem apparent that, even until the last, Jim was going for players that were not really truly attainable.

Only yesterday, stories were circulating that David Healy might have been close to signing. The player was keen, we were keen, the missing link was Fulham. Alas, Fulham were not keen. They were also not keen when we supposedly asked in January. Nor were they keen when we approached them again in March, if indications are correct. So, the general theme was pretty consistent. Taking into account Fulhams increasingly perilous position at the foot of the table, it is no surprise that the situation has not changed. They do not have a pressing need to remove the player from their wage bill, nor do they have a particularly strong suite of forwards to choose from either.

At some point in time, it would seem necessary to change the focus, move on and conclude business elsewhere. Spending some of the period prior to the deadline trying to attract players of the calibre of David Nugent or Darren Bent shows ambition to be applauded, but that ambition can only stretch so far if it doesnt achieve the results. The injury and suspension to Jon Walters and Pablo Counago, respectively, made the need for results all the more pressing. Striving only for players to improve on what you already have is admirable, but if what you have are unavailable, then like for like replacements are just as useful.

It is, of course, more than plausible that the club were also working on many other targets, other than the high profile ones which were made public, and that quite simply they just werent able to conclude the deals. Something which they are clearly not alone in failing to achieve amongst Championship clubs.

It remains to be seen if the lack of bodies will impact on the club in the coming month or so.