25 Jun 2026 10:35:25
If it's true, we are in for Lacroix and Palestra, then that is superb business by Alonso, a back 3 of James, Lacroix and Colwill with Palestra at RWB with Hato, Josh and Quenda as cover/competion. I wonder who comes in at LWB? I'm liking this window so far.
25 Jun 2026 14:40:33
If they somehow manage to add Hall, it'd cement a very solid window for Alonso. I still think there's a role for Barco as a WB, but not FB.
What's really nice is no one is mentioning the SD's; they're almost anonymous, working in the background. This window - ass they should be.
25 Jun 2026 15:15:20
Hall would be perfect, J, and I totally agree, we are not hearing about the SD's, and they are working in the background, making the deals happen and appeasing Alonso. I like the tweaks in direction the club have made.
25 Jun 2026 15:42:20
The SDs are anonymous as nobody really knows what they do. No actual signings yet, though, Palestra looks pretty much done. Not that keen on Hall returning. Subject to departures, do we need Barco?
25 Jun 2026 15:53:10
J and Greenaway, to be honest, I don't recall the SDs ever making a statement.
I agree about them just getting on with their business. Like most clubs' fans, if we are not winning, they will get pelters, and if we are winning, they will be "just doing their job," or now it will be "down to Alonso."
I personally don't care who gets the credit for any success.
25 Jun 2026 17:14:37
Jimbo, I might be wrong but I think ED01 once posted what responsibilities each sporting director had? ED01, could you post again please?
{Ed001's Note - Paul Winstanley – Co-sporting director, overseeing football operations and transfers
Laurence Stewart – Co-sporting director, also focused on football operations and managerial appointments
Sam Jewell – Sporting Director, Global Recruiting
Joe Shields – Sporting Director, Scouting & Talent
Dave Fallows – Sporting Director, Football Development, focusing on scouting, data, loans, and player pathways.}
25 Jun 2026 18:01:53
Thanks E001. However, still, far too many of them. A lot of the roles are really just scouting, hence my references to "jumped up scouts". It looks like the kind of set up we have with local authorities. At least I'm not paying for it through council tax. I don't think it will be down to Alonso.
Hopefully he will have significant input in signings, but we are likely to make only 3 or 4. We are still left with players who are not good enough and/or won't suit Alonso's style of play. That said, any change of direction is to be welcomed.
25 Jun 2026 18:15:12
I assume that discussions have been had, and the players "we have", and any players we sign, will be able to play any style that Alonso wants.
I would also think that scouts are important members of a club's structure, particularly when clubs scout around the world, not just for today's talent but also for talent for the future in a very competitive market.
25 Jun 2026 21:25:26
There are players we have who are just not good enough and would not be able to adapt because they can't do the basics, including work rate. I also believe that Alonso will not rely on players who can't stay fit, and we have several of those.
25 Jun 2026 22:07:59
Maybe it's me, but I am of the opinion that work rate is a reflection of the manager. I think if Alonso is a manager that believes training should be "full on", then the players' work rate will automatically go up.
Our work rate was shocking last season, and that was a reflection of our managers.
The club that stands out for me last season was how the Liverpool work rate, to my old eyes, fell off a cliff. My guess is Klopp was a "full on" in training manager, and Slot was more a keep the ball in training and playing type manager.