Honestly was a great couple of interviews he's given the past few days, the perception of us in the transfer market from selling clubs would have been as an absolute patsy after Walsh, part of brands role us to change that perception, good recruitment helps that hugely, as does him making it clear we have a scouting g system in place now which doesn't consist of one lads name which we can get milked over the fee for.
Still think we will bring a couple in during January, but absolutely certain it will be if the deal is right for us and on our terms.
He's also with the statement of no plans to loan or sell made any club interested in the likes of tosun, schneiderlin, niasse etc, have to come in with a genuine offer to 'persuade' us to strike a deal.
Generally the more you learn about someone else then the more faults you can start to find, with Brands it's almost the polar opposite, everytme he says anything it kind of builds more confidence we have got a very top level dof in here now.
You are right in all of that. He speaks with a lot of confidence and sense that alluded Steve Walsh.
The big take out for me was how important value is. That goes both ways with selling as well. I think we will achieve pretty good fees for some of the lads we are moving on as a result of this. It's not a glamorous part of the job, but the 3-4 lads you mention above (also throw in McCarthy, Lookman) if you can achieve £5 million more than you would have done otherwise you are talking of the fee that will get you an Andre Gomes, or a Digne, or a Lozano.
I liked how he talked about young players too. It sounds like he's in conversation with them. If you were one of those players you would be delighted hearing that. He's right as well, blocking the path of players needs to be done with caution.
I have been quite consistent with this January window, that I don't foresee big name players from European leagues coming in, where we have to pay a "January tax" to get them. I simply don't think Brands will pay an additional tax on players, you saw it with Tierney, he will walk away. He has a fee in mind for a player and it will be quite clinical. I suspect the days of "we have to get player x,y,z irrespective of fees" are gone.
There are some exceptions to this. Value can certainly be found with loan moves from clubs looking to offload lads who aren't getting a look in. I would be surprised if we tried at Barcelona again for a player on loan or an equivalent deal. Essentially quite low risk-high reward option. I also think the South American market may be looked at, as it's their end of season. Finally left field younger players may come in. I wouldn't expect any big bits of business though.
The final take out for me was the Lumin comment. I am not sure if that signing was as well as or instead of Pickford (or possibly instead of Virginia). He seems very highly rated and I've seen some historical links around the same time Pickford was linked with moves away. It's interesting he name checked him a little, given Pickford's dip in form. You'd imagine a work permit would be easier to get come the summer and it may be something we look at again if Pickford's form doesn't improve?
