Congerton

[Chocolate Teapot]

What are people's views now?

 

Seems to be doing alright to me.

[ealingfox]

Two of the three signings haven't started a match yet.

[Webbo]

We're going to have to find somebody else to mindlessly hate now. 

[Arriba Los Zorros]

Have to say, the recent signings have been good. Some of the players we have been linked with have been worrying - mcNeil, Vestergaard and co - bit who is to say what of that is legit and maybe he is just adept at using smoke screens to push through the real signings.

[Facecloth]

1 minute ago, Arriba Los Zorros said:

Have to say, the recent signings have been good. Some of the players we have been linked with have been worrying - mcNeil, Vestergaard and co - bit who is to say what of that is legit and maybe he is just adept at using smoke screens to push through the real signings.

McNeil would have be OK, not great, but I agree the Vestergaard link was a worry.

[Finnegan]

I've had a rant a lot of times recently, in various contexts, about the idea of placing all blame/credit for transfers on solitary individuals as if the whole thing is one bloke playing Football Manager. As an extension of that, it's pretty hard to know how much of our successes and failures in the transfer market to pin on guys like Walsh, Macia, Rudkin, Congerton, Rodgers and every other Foxes talk target. 

 

This has to cover both positive and negative feeling. So I'd say that's a big caveat to any answer to this question. 

 

That said, Castagne looks like an absolute master stroke of a signing. He's been electric so far, looks ludicrously comfortable on the ball. West Ham game threw up defensive questions about the entire back five and he was found wanting but I'm pretty confident he'll be a solid signing. 

 

On the other side of the coin, spending all summer single mindedly, obsessively targeting a big money move for a 19 year old centre back we've made one of the most expensive signings in our history looks like enormously risky business and I don't quite understand the positivity around that move. For me, we won't fully understand the value of that move until we've seen the kid play a fair few games. It could be genius, it could be criminal. 

 

Under also looks like a potential "Congerton Classic", it's a lot like the signings that got him a bad name at Sunderland - what Rodgers called "broken players", guys that formerly had a big reputation for potential but whose careers had never lived up to hype and for whom a lot of money was paid that would never be recouped. 

 

In Under's case that may be harsh, the Turkish supporters are very keen to point out he just didn't simply fit the system with Roma's current manager. I think there's a lot of truth in that from the outside looking in. Overall I'm more optimistic than not and am looking forward to seeing him get a run in the side. 

 

So I'd say 6/10 maybe for the window currently but that could be a 9/10 or a 4/10 by the end of the year depending on how the risks are rewarded or not. 

[Babylon]

7 minutes ago, Abrasive fox said:

What are people's views now?

 

Seems to be doing alright to me.

I think as Ealing is alluding to, it's impossible to tell right now. 

 

James - OK to Average

Perez - Poor to Average

Praet - Average to Good

Castagne - Looks very good but only 4 games in

Bennet (Loan) - Naff

Under - God knows

Fofana - God knows

[davieG]

Coincidentally this just popped up on NewsNow  - https://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/bye-bye-benyu/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+co%2FIRuC+(Celtic+Quick+News)

 

But then all managers sign a lemon every now and then.

 

BY CQN MAGAZINE ON 5TH OCTOBER 2020

 

CELTIC’S forgotten man Kundai Benyu, once so highly rated by Brendan Rodgers, is heading for the Hoops exit.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who was signed by the ex-boss from Ipswich Town in 2017,  is poised to join National League side Wealdstone.

Benyu was acclaimed as a top prospect when he arrived at Parkhead after rejecting a contract extension by Portman Road manager Mick McCarthy. He had caught the eye of Rodgers’ scouts during a loan spell at Aldershot.

Now three years and four Celtic appearances later, the Zimbabwean international is on his way, despite still having a year still to run on his contract.

The London-born playmaker has also had loan stints at Oldham and Swedish outfit Helsingborgs as he failed to make an impact in Glasgow.

Now Benyu will relaunch his faltering career in North London.

West London Sport reported Wealdstone had agreed a deal with the player and were now awaiting international clearance.The switch will be rubber-stamped before this evening’s 11pm signing deadline.

[urban fox]

I would say that our recruitment team did a pretty decent job all things considered. Obviously we do not have vast pools of cash swilling around and need to keep within our budget and model of sustainable growth (not the right time to go cap in hand to KP for handouts). We have strengthened in those areas where most recognised that we needed to upgrade or add depth and obviously had a plan for this. I think it was common knowledge that Chilwell would most likely be the one to go to fund our business. He was being courted by Chelsea for a while, wanted the move and, compared to say a quality playmaker such as Maddison or YT, most likely the easiest to replace within our means, and there was no way we were going to let a CB go when that was already an area where we were light on numbers.

I suspect that our main targets were identified early doors and then it was a case of getting the business done.

Once again, it appears that we have bought quality (time will tell on all of them but Castagne looks to be a brilliant bit of business), with youth on their side and a view to replacing likely future departures.

For now Rudkin and his team, including Congerton deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.

[Spudulike]

The jury is still out for me. The Fofana fee is excessive not only for a 19 year old with potential but also that centre back is not a position that generates massive sell on fees (apart from the great Harry Mykonos rip off). 

 

Under is a good deal as we get to try before we buy (or not) for a smallish fee. 

 

Agree that Timmy looks the real deal (so far) and will be a masterstroke if he can hold down the left back slot when Ricky comes back. 

 

A net spend of £10m (according to reports) isnt too uncomfortable. 

[Muzzy_Larsson]

34 minutes ago, Abrasive fox said:

What are people's views now?

 

Seems to be doing alright to me.

Still a tit

[m4DD0gg]

3rd window in a row and no forward to cover or provide competition for our soon to be 34 year old only striker - Ollie Watkins was available.

 

Under is too early to tell but looks like Knockeart mk2

 

Timothy looks a bargain though and i hope new Wes does well.

 

 

 

 

[Ric Flair]

2 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

The jury is still out for me. The Fofana fee is excessive not only for a 19 year old with potential but also that centre back is not a position that generates massive sell on fees (apart from the great Harry Mykonos rip off). 

 

Under is a good deal as we get to try before we buy (or not) for a smallish fee. 

 

Agree that Timmy looks the real deal (so far) and will be a masterstroke if he can hold down the left back slot when Ricky comes back. 

 

A net spend of £10m (according to reports) isnt too uncomfortable. 

Congerton has nothing to do with the fees we pay for players, that is down to Rudkin and the board. Only impact would be recruitment department and management putting pressure on in regards to how much they want that said player.

[Muzzy_Larsson]

23 minutes ago, davieG said:

Coincidentally this just popped up on NewsNow  - https://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/bye-bye-benyu/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+co%2FIRuC+(Celtic+Quick+News)

 

But then all managers sign a lemon every now and then.

 

BY CQN MAGAZINE ON 5TH OCTOBER 2020

 

CELTIC’S forgotten man Kundai Benyu, once so highly rated by Brendan Rodgers, is heading for the Hoops exit.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who was signed by the ex-boss from Ipswich Town in 2017,  is poised to join National League side Wealdstone.

Benyu was acclaimed as a top prospect when he arrived at Parkhead after rejecting a contract extension by Portman Road manager Mick McCarthy. He had caught the eye of Rodgers’ scouts during a loan spell at Aldershot.

Now three years and four Celtic appearances later, the Zimbabwean international is on his way, despite still having a year still to run on his contract.

The London-born playmaker has also had loan stints at Oldham and Swedish outfit Helsingborgs as he failed to make an impact in Glasgow.

Now Benyu will relaunch his faltering career in North London.

West London Sport reported Wealdstone had agreed a deal with the player and were now awaiting international clearance.The switch will be rubber-stamped before this evening’s 11pm signing deadline.

Not much to see here in all fairness. He was a young lad brought in for free with the intention to develop, he wasn't even a first team signing but a development squad one. If for these type of punt signings 1 in 10 works then your doing well. You'll sure have more Benyu's than Frimpong's but if you find the latter every few years then you've won a watch.

[Ric Flair]

1 minute ago, m4DD0gg said:

3rd window in a row and no forward to cover or provide competition for our soon to be 34 year old only striker - Ollie Watkins was available.

 

Under is too early to tell but looks like Knockeart mk2

 

Timothy looks a bargain though and i hope new Wes does well.

 

 

 

 

Ünder is a Knockaert Mark II, please can you expand on that. I have now read he has similarities to Ghezzal and Knockaert but neither had pace which is what Ünder has in abundance. 

[moore_94]

Just now, Ric Flair said:

Ünder is a Knockaert Mark II, please can you expand on that. I have now read he has similarities to Ghezzal and Knockaert but neither had pace which is what Ünder has in abundance. 

Didn’t bag a hat trick in the 30 odd minutes he played on Sunday

 

Bin him

[MGLCFC]

3 hours ago, Babylon said:

I think as Ealing is alluding to, it's impossible to tell right now. 

 

James - OK to Average

Perez - Poor to Average

Praet - Average to Good

Castagne - Looks very good but only 4 games in

Bennet (Loan) - Naff

Under - God knows

Fofana - God knows

Personally think Praet is well above average, probably good to very good. Makes us tick and was badly missed on Sunday.

Edited 6 October 2020 by MGLCFC

[ScrumpyJack]

Horse and Jockey is an okay pub, but they do charge quite a lot for an Aperol Spritz. Nice enough part of the county though, maybe a bit too tory / Midsomer Murders for me.

 

It is spelt Congerstone by the way, don’t want you to look a tit.

[Babylon]

2 minutes ago, MGLCFC said:

Personally think Praet is above average. Makes us tick and was badly missed on Sunday.

This season he's been above average, last season was a bit up and down. 

[Ric Flair]

It's obviously still too early to assess Congerton but on paper the signings we have made since he has been here fit a similar mould to the types of player we have been so successful with in the past bar Perez who goes against our usual model but I think he was a signing that made sense at the time.

 

So I'm willing to hold my hands up and say that the hysteria of the appointment of Congerton has to date been a bit silly as he has come in and not meddled too much like his reputation suggests he might, so perhaps he isn't as bad as people have accused him of. We have a system in place and if he works within that then he deserves credit as well if it goes well.

[Spudulike]

4 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Congerton has nothing to do with the fees we pay for players, that is down to Rudkin and the board. Only impact would be recruitment department and management putting pressure on in regards to how much they want that said player.

Whilst that is true, Congerton would've given expert advice into whether he considered him value for money and been required to offer alternatives for similar outlay. 

[StriderHiryu]

 

1 minute ago, Ric Flair said:

It's obviously still too early to assess Congerton but on paper the signings we have made since he has been here fit a similar mould to the types of player we have been so successful with in the past bar Perez who goes against our usual model but I think he was a signing that made sense at the time.

 

So I'm willing to hold my hands up and say that the hysteria of the appointment of Congerton has to date been a bit silly as he has come in and not meddled too much like his reputation suggests he might, so perhaps he isn't as bad as people have accused him of. We have a system in place and if he works within that then he deserves credit as well if it goes well.

Good assessment!

 

Bennet was also awful, but think that was a case of having to shop in poundland for a defender in that window, and we got what we paid for.

[majaco]

We should have enough evidence to begin to make a judgement within months

[Aus Fox]

37 minutes ago, Babylon said:

I think as Ealing is alluding to, it's impossible to tell right now. 

 

James - OK to Average

Perez - Poor to Average

Praet - Average to Good

Castagne - Looks very good but only 4 games in

Bennet (Loan) - Naff

Under - God knows

Fofana - God knows

Could you explain what you mean by average, it's a term that gets thrown around quite often, do you mean an average Premier league player in their position?  

[Chocolate Teapot]

5 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

It's obviously still too early to assess Congerton but on paper the signings we have made since he has been here fit a similar mould to the types of player we have been so successful with in the past bar Perez who goes against our usual model but I think he was a signing that made sense at the time.

 

So I'm willing to hold my hands up and say that the hysteria of the appointment of Congerton has to date been a bit silly as he has come in and not meddled too much like his reputation suggests he might, so perhaps he isn't as bad as people have accused him of. We have a system in place and if he works within that then he deserves credit as well if it goes well.

 

Agree with every word of this. I too was worried but the doom merchants who were forecasting the decline of our football club seem to be wrong.

 

When it comes to recruitment it goes way deeper than one bloke. The systems we have are top notch - we spend as much as anyone on scouting and thats encouraging for me.

 

Fofana is risk, I agree however, they've watched him in person over 10 times, everyone I've spoken to say he's going to be excellent. Also important to note the fee is up to 30m, not 30m+.