We can add Wigan to that list also. These players seem willing to sign for the 'lesser' clubs and perform to the standard required to be taken by larger clubs after a season or two.
If we could cut out 'the middle man' and our scouting be of the standard required to find these sort of players, surely we should be able to attract them like the other clubs do, on the same sort of money, but with the additional advantages of them getting to play for a club like our's and with the potential to be at a club that could pay the bigger salary without them needing to move club. For some reason we just don't ever manage it, instead we end up with players at the lower end of the scale ability-wise and at the higher end of the payscale, or even on to the next level for a player of their ability.
It's tricky Tes.
Talent-wise there are very few unknowns in football these days.
But if we, for example, boast the best youth set-up in Europe, we
can attract talent earlier that may take longer to come under scouts
radar.
If we have, for example, well respected names known in the field at the club,
it also makes us more attractive.
If, for example, we perform mighty feats in high-profile tournaments such as the
Europa League, it has knock-on effects in terms of signings.
BUT, if we pursue a narrow-minded strategy of focusing on the domestic league
and routinely fail in this endeavour...
Some people confuse the extent to which Rafa was building different areas of the
club to be competitive with how the team played in the league. It's the difference
between the manager of a top club and a clueless coach.