Are you happier with how Sir Les has done business???

[nasser95]

We are still going to lose 3 major players,, but I am pleased with the business we have done so far,, will be even happier with a decent RB and another striker

Looking like that at least one of those will come true in the coming days and the other one I feel will only be fulfilled when we lose one of the three players I believe you are talking about.

[stanistheman]

So far so good. Proof in the pudding will be what he does selling wise with Austin,Fer,Phillips,Caulker.

This but also 6 signings have come in but a lot more went out including Dunne Barton Zamora Vargas Isla Krancjar Ferdinand who all featured in a minimum if one third of the fixtures last season.

some of those have been replaced i.e Barton, Vargas, Krancjar and Zamora with Luongo Cherry, Mackie, Gladwin and Polter, but the defenders have not.
There is still time of course, but getting them in to play in some friendlies would be useful.
But so far I guess it has gone reasonably well although I will wait and see what happens with Fer Austin, Phillips and now it seems McCarthy. Who replaces them will be key.

[stanistheman]

Lots of investments in players I must admit of not having a lot of knowledge about... However that said I never knew loads about Austin or Phillips and they panned out well. My fears sit around defense and I feel we need a proven goal scorer. That all being said you get the feeling of a plan being played out and so lets see how that sits when the season kicks off.

I think most of us knew about Austin and Phillips although some what less about the latter.

[upperloft]

Been moans for a number of years now about how we conduct our business. When Les came in many said he was puppet to appease the fans, had no qualifications for the role and blamed him for going down

Personally I'm over the moon how we have gone about our business and got players in quietly and without a fuss plus were holding line on players going out

I'm chuffed so far are you??

Think he has done a good kid getting rid of some of the old shite, can't say much about the players coming in, haven't seen them play, not too much there to get excited about, the Dutch fella looks ok from the video, but we will see. Let's see what les does With the 3 that are destined to go, hopefully get good money and re invest in some decent players.

[Ginger Ninja]

Here's my take.
1) We all wanted to move away from signing players on big contracts based on reputation, in favour of unearthing gems from lower leagues, young and hungry players that want to prove themselves. Obviously proof will be in the pudding when we actually see them play, but Gladwin, Luongo, JET and Blackwood fit that mould. Did well for their previous clubs (Blackwood did well for us on trial), younger players who would be bang up for the fight and not after one last payday. Jamie Mackie we know all about, limited in his ability yes, but will guarantee you 100% effort every time he pulls on that shirt, something which we have sorely lacked since the season we won the Championship.
2) Scouting. We are actually watching players extensively and signing them based on scout reports. Chery, 10 goals in 35 in his first season for Groningen, 15 goals in 34 in his second season, all from midfield, in the Eredivisie. Polter, 14 goals in 29 for Union Berlin. 27 and 24 years old respectively, both entering their prime, both wanting to prove themselves in England. Both of them unknown quantities but look very promising. Neither of them playing in sh!t unknown foreign leagues as was previously stated.
3) Selling. We have made it very clear we will sell the likes of Austin and Phillips if the price is right, £15m and £10m respectively, and we have so far stuck to that and not given in to lower offers, something i think the previous regimes would have done. We won't be taken for mugs and that, for me, is fantastic to see. We don't need to sell at all, but if we do get the right offer, we can and I believe we will put that money to good use.

All of these signings are exactly the types of signings everyone wanted. If it was a choice between these or players that won a Champions League medal once upon a time, I'd choose these ones every time. Sure, we may not go straight back up, but I'm confident we won't go down. They've made it very clear the number one priority is to consolidate, not go straight up.
So am I happy so far? Yes, very. We aren't done yet either.

[nasser95]

Think he has done a good kid getting rid of some of the old shite, can't say much about the players coming in, haven't seen them play, not too much there to get excited about, the Dutch fella looks ok from the video, but we will see. Let's see what les does With the 3 that are destined to go, hopefully get good money and re invest in some decent players.

I'm not gonna lie, but you must have some ridiculous standards to think Chery looks 'ok' from these videos. Bloke was one of the best players in a tough league and got 15 goals and his left foot looks a rocket and a half. As for the three destined to go supposedly, we've been waiting about 3 weeks now and almost nothing has happened on those fronts. Don't know how much can happen for all three of them under logical scenarios.

[upperloft]

I'm not gonna lie, but you must have some ridiculous standards to think Chery looks 'ok' from these videos. Bloke was one of the best players in a tough league and got 15 goals and his left foot looks a rocket and a half. As for the three destined to go supposedly, we've been waiting about 3 weeks now and almost nothing has happened on those fronts. Don't know how much can happen for all three of them under logical scenarios.

Ok then, what would you like me to say?? Didn't say he was rubbish. I'm not getting excited by any signings until I see them play in the hoops. Been let down too many times. You can get all excited by the new players and cream in your pants from a YouTube video. I'm holding judgement if that's ok with you. As for the Three, time will tell. Remember Remy left on the last day of August?

[Ginger Ninja]

Ok then, what would you like me to say?? Didn't say he was rubbish. I'm not getting excited by any signings until I see them play in the hoops. Been let down too many times. You can get all excited by the new players and cream in your pants from a YouTube video. I'm holding judgement if that's ok with you. As for the Three, time will tell. Remember Remy left on the last day of August?

If that happens with Austin, it won't be as much of a problem. We can use the loan window if that situation happens again, we couldn't last time. That being said, I hope they do bring another striker or 2 in.

[upperloft]

If that happens with Austin, it won't be as much of a problem. We can use the loan window if that situation happens again, we couldn't last time. That being said, I hope they do bring another striker or 2 in.

The loan window helps but not ideal, but like you said, still need 1 or 2 strikers in. Would be nice to settle in before the start of the season.

[brightonr]

Seem to have got rid of pretty much who we knew would not be of much further use to us. Replaced them with young, promising versions with points to prove and reputations to build.

Looking very likely to be losing McCarthy, which is no great loss as he isn't as good as our first choice and far too good to not be playing. Any half decent back up should suffice in this league.

And as others have said, those players that we would prefer to stay haven't gone anywhere yet. We appear to have made it quite clear, rightly so, that if they are to leave, it will be for amounts that we decide upon rather than whatever anyone else happens to fancy paying. As things currently stand, our squad would walk this division, but realistically, we are likely to lose at least one of our three most prized assets. So provided that we re-invest sensibly, (bear in mind that Austin and Phillips were about £8m in total so it should be perfectly possible to find suitable replacements for a similar amount), we should be able to both replace any that do go and have some funds left over to either keep in reserve or assist in keeping within sensible budgetary limits.

So overall, very happy indeed.

May I just take this opportunity to remind those that haven't as yet decided to join in or simply haven't seen it yet, about this thread:

http://www.wearetherangersboys.com/forum/showthread.php?188398-**The-Stan-Bowles-Alzheimers-Charity-Bet-Thread**

Apart from bazza the other day, it appears to have been neglected somewhat over the last 3 weeks and it would be a shame if we couldn't get MYU to match me, should it all go pear shaped.

[blue and white]

I am at the stage were I am wondering if we would be better off letting players go at lower price than we expect. Just so we can finish building the squad before the start of the season. But there is still three weeks to go which leaves us plenty of time

[californiahoop]

I am at the stage were I am wondering if we would be better off letting players go at lower price than we expect. Just so we can finish building the squad before the start of the season. But there is still three weeks to go which leaves us plenty of time

No way! Even if it take the last min of the window, as stated above, if we have to loan we can. The only player we are not in total control of is Austin.

I think all will stay, except the keeper.

[blue and white]

No way! Even if it take the last min of the window, as stated above, if we have to loan we can. The only player we are not in total control of is Austin.

I think all will stay, except the keeper.

I think Austin, Fer and the keeper will go not sure about Phillips. Last season we ####ed up big style by not selling Remy early. I just don't want to be in that position. But like i said I think it is more down to boredom of preseason.

[MYU]

I'm very happy so far and it seems like the old Rangers I fell in love with, however we need to wait till the window closes fully.

[lymehoop]

excellent post from the Ninja, very upbeat at what's unfolding at the r's.