Since the summer window shut last Friday night, there has been varying talk in the media about Eddie Howe being let down, the manager being stubborn, and a lack of alternative targets amongst others.
Speculation in the face of disappointment is understandable but that’s all it is, speculation, and I’m not sure how it helps us achieve our goals moving forward – much like the lack of signings… Swings and roundabouts, eh.
One tired refrain I often hear, that I must address, is that Eddie only wants to sign English players. To that I say: Tonali, Bruno, Isak, Botman, Osula, Kuol, Minteh, Karius and Wood. Let’s put that one out to pasture now, please.
“I went to watch AC Milan play and I fell in love with Sandro. I was delighted, surprised and excited we we were able to sign him. He’s an outstanding talent.” These were Howe’s words after he pushed for Tonali’s £55m arrival last summer. Hardly the comments of a man who won’t be keen if they aren’t British and also worth noting that he was also full of praise for Milan’s Malick Thiaw when quizzed on those links earlier in the window.
When asked if it was ‘Marc Guehi or no one’ in last week’s deadline day press conference, Howe also shut down another myth by rubbishing suggestions he was the only one we wanted as an English international who is Premier League proven:
“We’ve tried for numerous players, but there’s not a bottomless pit of names – I will say that at the same time. But there wouldn’t be for any other club in our position. There is probably four or five names that you go through, then at the end of that you go ‘is this player of sufficient’ quality.
“It’s never been about one player. It can never be about one player, because as soon as you’re in that position, then your negotiation strength is over. We’ve tried for several targets, but it still has to be the right player.”
Lastly, we all know who will take the blame (and what will happen) if we have a terrible run and we can’t find a way back to our 2022/23 form and style of play, including the man himself. I still back Eddie, and I want him to win some silverware – for the fans, for the club and for himself.
These are not meant to be excuses for why the much-needed centre-back and right-winger didn’t come in this summer, they simply offer some context as to why we find ourselves in this situation for the second window in a row, and why I, as a fan, find myself firmly lodged between frustration and ‘happy clapper’.
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