How important is it for us to complete our transfer business (players coming in) before the start of pre-season? Does it make much, if any, difference if we sign them after pre-season or much after the season starts?
Sooner is obviosly better if you are buying, especially from abroad. I dont think fans in general acknowledge how hard it must be for a young foriegn player to move to a different country. Set up a new home, get to know his surrounds, new players and culture, get them in ASAP.
I think its VITAL though that if you are selling any players (dont want to mention any names) that they are sold by well before the season starts.
We need to go into the pre season knowing the system we'll be playing and stick to it. If we buy a player like VDV late again it leaves the players and coaches no time to formulate new plans and drill the players.
It will be important because playing in europe means there is very little time for coaching during the actual season. When you take into account rest days, traveling days, just going over pre-match instruction days, you are left with very little time to work on the actual teams' shape.
It all depends, if you are adding a few new players (which may involve a change of system) then yes it is hugely important. If you are only adding one or two additions who are familiar with the league and will only slot in as like for like replacements then it is not as important.
As a rule of thumb you would ideally want your entire squad together for preseason so you have the maximum amount of time to gel the squad together and work on anything which needs to be worked on.
Like everyone else, I think its very important. VdV's signing, while great, did cause problems when people came back to fitness and we were rotating/trying to find a lineup that worked.
Also, we will have Europe again this season which drastically cuts down time on the training pitch and match preparation, so pre-season becomes key if we bring in new personnel and want to change our style/tactics as a result.
I also think it's important, mainly to give the squad a morale boost if they see 2-3 quality players come in then that will hopefully make them up their games and also show that we mean business for the season ahead. Obviously then we can work hard on a system and the players can get to know each other better.
In all honesty though I guess it's very rare that clubs finish there business before they start pre-season. There's just too much going on left, right and centre.
1. Get the best players before you're rivals do
2. Settle the new players in quickly
3. Make a statement of your ambitions to other players
4. Make a statement to your own players
5. Increase season ticket subscriptions
6. Increase bargaining power with sponsers
7. Give you more time to plan other transfers
Or you can do Levy's tactics and wave your cheque book around on deadline day desperately trying to sign anyone. Even if they don't fit into the team or the managers plans.
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