Throughout the summer there have been various soundbites coming out of the club, most of what I've heard has encouraged me with regards to signing players who want to be here in the long term - looking for players who will commit for 3 or 4 years and who will look to buy a house down here and settle with their family. I have also been happy with the signings we've made for this long term approach as all seem to fit this goal, however I am still disappointed with the fact we let go the some of the top end Academy players last year which means we can't compete effectively in the U21 league. Obviously a lot of this has to be taken with a pinch of salt as Jewell does seem to say one thing and do the other fairly frequently but hopefully he has learned from last years debacle.
After Saturday's defeat at Blackpool, it would not be too great a leap to think that alarm bells will be ringing in Paul Jewell's mind regarding adding some experience to the squad - this in my mind would be a total knee-jerk reaction and the reason why we were left with a team at the back end of last year that included a spine of players that aren't here any more (McCarthy, Sonko, Leadbitter, Bowyer, Murphy). It is unsustainable to replace half your first team every season and we will never be able to compete with the rich clubs in this division - those who are in receipt of parachute payments.
ITFC fans (and Paul Jewell) need to realise we actually have a very decent points tally from a tough first three games - all 3 sides we have played this year (Blackburn, Watford and Blackpool) have 100% records in their other 2 games this year - and we have achieved this while playing some good football with a young,developing squad. It is important not to throw the baby out with the bathwater following a big defeat and allow the players to come back from this defeat.
The clubs in the Championship in receipt of a full parachute payment (currently Birmingham, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton and Wolves) receive £16m this season. Putting it another way that is basically the equivalent to our total revenue as spare money, or a squad of 16 players all earning £20k a week. I'd be surprised if we have any players earning £20k a week so it is unrealistic to try and compete with these by going head to head with signings and loanees….this is why a squad needs to be developed.
Can Daryl Murphy be part of this? I'd argue 'Yes'. I'm sure I read somewhere that Murphy's family are settled in Suffolk and his children are at school here, this strikes me as someone who is willing to be here for the future. If we are to sign him on a season long loan, with his contract up at the end of the year, we must have an agreement in place to sign him permanently in the summer - so he really commits to the long term plan being put in place.
However, it is dangerous to look at deals in pure isolation. In isolation the deals for Luongo, Murphy and N'Daw do seem to fit in with the long term plan and this point can be argued - but at the end of the season if we are playing dead rubbers with a central midfield pairing that won't be here next year then we will be back at Square 1 come this time next year - merely treading water in the division with no real hope of progress.
I will welcome Murphy to the club, he's done well for us previously and clearly fits in the dressing room - but I will be worried if we add any more loanees to the squad as having more than 3 members of your starting XI as loanees who won't be here the following season is not a good way to build a long term future.
