Season 8 Summer Transfer Window Team Grades Part 3
Manchester Athletic: A
INs:
Kwon GK Aberdeen 15,000,000
Williams CB Glasgow 11,000,000
Sidethighs RMF Aberdeen 6,000,000
Stephanopoulos DMF Glasgow 4,000,000
Cox AMF/LMF Belfast 250,000
Alfredsson LMF FREE AGENT
OUTs:
Crespo CB Aberdeen 7,000,000
Kovac CMF/RB Cardiff 7,000,000
Hasegawa CF Cardiff LOAN
Simons CF Belfast FREE
Love: All of it. Textbook transfer window. Manchester upgraded their squad all over the field and managed not to overspend on a single player. Even working a little money magic with the Stephanopoulos and Cox fees. All 6 signings could be getting regular minutes every match. Hard to say much more.
Hate: 2 CFs out and 0 CFs in. Pfeiffer continues to show us his low ceiling. I know Bobby Rose had a crazy Season 7 (player of the year) but designing your transfer plans around him repeating that performance? Risky. Simons needed to be moved on but Hasegawa underrated and should be the starting CF over Pfieffer in my opinion. I actually think Rose would have a better season this year if partnered with Hasegawa.The good news is that they can recall him in the winter if they come to their senses.
Best Move: Stephanopoulos DMF Glasgow 4,000,000
Worst Move: Hasegawa CF Cardiff LOAN
What JMart would have done: I gave the window an A, so not much I would have done differently. Only thing I can think of would have been to keep Hasegawa and let him and Rose lift the title at the end of the season. I’m worried they don’t have the firepower to challenge for 1st otherwise.
Question: Who will help out Rose? This will likely be a very frustrating season for the Athletics. I see them struggling to score goals. I think they will almost always be the better team on the pitch but may drop points too often to compete for a title. Expect a top 5 finish without top 5 finishing.
Prediction: 4th
Neeps & Tatties: B
INs:
Rice CF Belle Vale 13,000,000
Colt CF Aberdeen 8,000,000
Jonkers CB St Marylebone 7,000,000
MacCellean CB Dublin 7,000,000
Norwood CMF Birmingham 6,500,000
Gadsby AMF Belle Vale 4,000,000
Dwopps GK GLOBAL 3,500,000
Fach CF Cardiff LOAN
OUTs:
Colt CF Exeter LOAN 1,000,000
Fraser AMF Bristol Bridge LOAN 1,000,000
Rodriguez CMF Nottingham LOAN 1,000,000
Whitsky GK Aberdeen LOAN 500,000
Bango-Bongo AMF Exeter LOAN
Gibbs RB Aberdeen LOAN
Valdez CF Cardiff LOAN
Love: Where the hell do you even begin? You wouldn’t expect a team that just won the league to make 8 signings and send 6 players out on loan. Neeps have the most players under contract in the league and I guess the thought process is having sellable assets “just in case”. Rainy Day Fund kinda business?
Reality is that Neeps kept their main group of players intact, added some good depth and grew their Loan Network. Norwood and Gadsby help Neeps have the best bench in the league. They have to be the favorites for both Cups.
Hate: The attack and the transfers regarding the attack. Rice is one of the worst forwards in FSL and Neeps overpaid for him. 13,000,000 for a guy with 14 S7 appearances and 2 goals to show for it? Pair that with the Fach addition (4 goals in 17 appearances) and it’s a little head scratching. Not to mention they immediately loaned out the striker with the most potential for goals, Indigo Colt.
If we exclude the title clinching match vs Leeds on the last day (3-2 Neeps) consider the following attacking statistics:
Clayton (with Neeps): 810 minutes/3 goals
Bendtner: 540 minutes/3 goals
Jackson: 893 minutes/2 goals
That means the starting 3 forwards for the league champions scored 8 goals in 2,243 combined minutes in Season 7.
Best Move: Gadsby AMF Belle Vale 4,000,000
Worst Move: Rice CF Belle Vale 13,000,000
What JMart would have done: Better CF/SS signings. Mody rotates more than any manager in the league and the lack of quality attacking depth could be the difference between 2nd place and back-to-back titles.
Question: Who scores the goals? The assumption is that by not bringing in a proven goal scorer Neeps is all in on Bendtner/Clayton. With a full preseason together and Mody’s halftime sub obsession it’ll be produce or get benched. I think Neeps will be fine and have another great season, but don’t be surprised if they have a few horrific dips in form. It’s hard to play consistently with an inconsistent lineup. Will it catch up to Mody? Wouldn’t be surprised if they reach 2 Cup Finals but don’t win the league.
Prediction: 3rd
Nottingham: B+
INs:
Burrell CMF Birmingham 3,500,000
Rodriguez CMF Neeps LOAN 1,000,000
Yukambu CB Bristol 500,000
Alpha LWF Bristol LOAN
Yates CMF Bristol LOAN
Bockman LB FREE AGENT
Snaz GK FREE AGENT
Snaz CMF FREE AGENT
Templeton LMF FREE AGENT
OUTs:
Love: Such a fun window. A lot of 1st Division fringe players. Guys with something to prove. I think they have a great foundation for the 4-3-3 system the manager wants to play. Their games will be fun, just not sure the results will be.
Hate: I really wish they added a quality CB. It’s all about not conceding when you are in the basement. The lack of defensive enforcement will come back to haunt them. Yukambu will be lucky to see the pitch once.
Best Move: Burrell CMF Birmingham 3,500,000
Worst Move: Yukambu CB Bristol 500,000
What JMart would have done: As stated above, I would have grabbed a Free Agent CB. Promoted sides have the biggest question marks and the priority should always be the defense.
Question: How bad will it be? It’s really hard to think of a single matchup this season where they would be considered the favorites. They will want to do everything they can to keep their head above water until the Winter Window.I really like their signings, but ultimately the quality gap is too big compared to the other clubs.
Prediction: 13th
St. Marylebone: C
INs:
Swallows CB GLOBAL 21,500,000
Tolo CF Belle Vale 20,000,000
Smith LB 12,500,000
Choi CB Leeds 7,000,000
Gassville CB FREE AGENT
OUTs:
Yeoman CMF Belfast 30,000,000
Jonkers CB Neeps 7,000,000
Dolan LMF Exeter LOAN
Love: Big City, Big Money, Big Transfers. STM aren’t taken seriously these days. The big influx of cash and the lack of results on the field have tarnished the club’s image. So what did they do this window? They brought in some serious talent. Swallows, Tolo and Smith might be the best 3 signings by any club. Instant starters and instant game changers. Tolo is a top 3 CF…expect goals galore. Imagine Tolo this season in a Neeps kit?
Hate: 0 midfield changes. Did everyone forget this club finished in 7th place with a -1 Goal Differential? Yes, STM drastically improved their attack and their defense, but it’s going to take more for a team looking to challenge for a title. My window grade may seem harsh, but with the high expectations for this club, refusing to address the midfield at all is unacceptable. There is also no CF quality behind Tolo.
Best Move: Tolo CF Belle Vale 20,000,000
Worst Move: Not addressing midfield
What JMart would have done: Unfortunately, Belfast triggered Yeoman’s (CMF) release clause. He is exactly the player STM needs. They spent the money well in other areas but I don’t think Balsic, Cockburn, Renato, Meningitis, Reynolds and Perriera are winning a title together. I would have sold Cockburn and maybe even a 2nd midfielder and brought in someone like Mensah, Roux or Kimura.
Question: Who plays and how? I am guessing 4 at the back and a Serra/Tolo partnership up top. Other than that I don’t have a clue. If STM want to keep pace with the other big boys they will have to figure it out quickly.
Prediction: 5th
Swansea Bay: C-
INs:
Fenston GK FREE AGENT
Sampson GK Cardiff LOAN
OUTs:
Fenston GK Cardiff 2,000,000
Love: I love this squad, this manager and how it all comes together. Unfortunately, they didn’t use the window to upgrade anything. So with all the love I have for Swansea Bay, there isn’t much for their window. A quick 2,000,000 profit on Fenston was smart business….just silly he was dealt to their bitter rivals Cardiff.
Hate: WHERE ARE THE SIGNINGS?! I totally understand loving your squad, but not even a depth player? This window is the hardest to judge and Swansea might be the hardest team to predict.
Best Move: Fenston GK Cardiff 2,000,000
Worst Move: Sampson GK Cardiff LOAN
What JMart would have done: I don’t know.
Question: How far up the table can they climb? I honestly think this team can finish in the top 4. Clearly they have confidence in their team considering their lack of business. I think they will surprise a LOT of teams this season but the lack of quality will catch up to them. If they do finish 4th, I’ll be kicking myself for not going all in on the prediction.
Prediction: 7th
