New signing thread (Josh Simpson signs 06/07)

Cant say i know anything about him to be honest so i am keen to see how he does here.

Jake Jervis seems to be a target man (6'3") whose scoring record isn't great, but isn't terrible. Seems to have had a lot of clubs (mostly on loan) but does have a very good record of scoring on his debut- he seems to score a lot early in his new club career but then has a drought. Perhaps, like Reuben, he just needs somewhere where he is comfortable.

Greg Wylde is apparently a pacey left sided player but struggles with final ball. Bolton (then premiership) beat a number of Premiership sides to his signature. His career looks to be heading downwards (playing for relegated SPL side St Mirren last season). St Mirren fans were mostly glad that he left- generally felt that he has talent but is quite lazy (some comparisons to Alan Gow also-

St Mirren forum

I'll update this thread title after each new signing (and consequently remove the older signings) so that it can be seen on the board as otherwise readers may miss the new signings.

tigertony wrote:

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Bobby Reid had better accuracy than that guy on that vid 5 seconds into it

This signing looks more promising than the previous two, if Dezza can get the best out of him he might be decent........ Staying positive.

sufferedsince 68 wrote:

This signing looks more promising than the previous two, if Dezza can get the best out of him he might be decent........ Staying positive.

dezza indeed im sticking with del bhey

For all the uninformed speculation and obsession with past players on Certain Other Forums, it's refreshing to see a couple of signings that none of us had a clue were incoming. Both look to have a decent pedigree and are in positions we need. I'm increasingly impressed with the way Del Bhey is going about his business. Unfussy, no needless press comments, just signing on players and letting us know once the deal is done. How it should be.

Generally don't take much notice of what the fans of outgoing players say but it must be said that the reaction of those St Mirren people seems to be fairly widespread and unanimous, which gives one a slightly uneasy feeling. Hopefully they're very wrong about the guy and good wishes to him anyway but we do seem to be signing a few wanderers at the moment, players who don't spend too much time at one club-maybe they'll find Plymouth an accommodating place to settle for a while. Hope so anyway.

Judge Paul Sturrock by his signings in 2000/01 and we'd have had no chance of promotion. Unknowns from Scotland, strikers like Trigger with awful goals to game ratios.

Somehow it all threaded together and you could see that from the stands.

Sheridan's team was totally reliant on the forward pairing for goals, and the penalties inflated the number 9's season tally. People keep raving about Reid's consecutive 20 goal seasons - but in reality he's hit 13 from open play and the rest are pens, which are a bit easier to score if you take them all season.

I'm quite confident the likes of Jervis and Brunt wouldn't be too far off 13/14 goals from open play, if they we part of a forward partnership that played in roughly 50 appearances a season (injuries permitting) as Reubs and Lewi did for Shez. Matching Reuben's stats from 12 yards would be another challenge, but under Sturrock the CB did not disappoint and it doesn't matter who pings them in as long as we keep converting them.

With regards to our new striker Jervis not being as impressive as Reuben - if he gets support and goals out of the likes of Wylde, the wingers and the centre mids, then he will be worth it. 102 points under Sturrock from a team with shared responsibilities for goals and creativity, 71 points under Sheridan who wanted to play everything through Reuben.

So I personally think it is no bad thing whatsoever that Adams is looking to mix it up.

ejh wrote:

Judge Paul Sturrock by his signings in 2000/01 and we'd have had no chance of promotion. Unknowns from Scotland, strikers like Trigger with awful goals to game ratios.

Somehow it all threaded together and you could see that from the stands.

Sheridan's team was totally reliant on the forward pairing for goals, and the penalties inflated the number 9's season tally. People keep raving about Reid's consecutive 20 goal seasons - but in reality he's hit 13 from open play and the rest are pens, which are a bit easier to score if you take them all season.

I'm quite confident the likes of Jervis and Brunt wouldn't be too far off 13/14 goals from open play, if they we part of a forward partnership that played in roughly 50 appearances a season (injuries permitting) as Reubs and Lewi did for Shez. Matching Reuben's stats from 12 yards would be another challenge, but under Sturrock the CB did not disappoint and it doesn't matter who pings them in as long as we keep converting them.

With regards to our new striker Jervis not being as impressive as Reuben - if he gets support and goals out of the likes of Wylde, the wingers and the centre mids, then he will be worth it. 102 points under Sturrock from a team with shared responsibilities for goals and creativity, 71 points under Sheridan who wanted to play everything through Reuben.

So I personally think it is no bad thing whatsoever that Adams is looking to mix it up.

Why not draw a comparison with the signings of Hodges and Fletcher as well to provide a counter balance? Players who nobody thought would gain the club promotion-and didn't. Rather a nonsensical statement about Reuben as well-penalties actually have to be earned, by and large by decent attacking play or competent gamesmanship, and converted-you may as well say that Tommy Tynan was not really that good because he used to take the record inflating penalties. Of course the goal scoring from other areas was a problem last season, highlighted from the sale of Hourihane onwards by myself and others on here to the point of distraction, and unless Adams can bring players in to solve the issue, then Argyle will achieve nothing this season unless a Pulis or Sturrock [27 goals conceded in 2001/2,the really crucial stat] type watertight defence is moulded, it's as simple as that. This is not to judge Adams in any way by the signings made so far-the man has not taken on an easy job and good luck to him, it's just that there are many more questions than answers at this stage in spite of the rather euphoric post Sheridan optimism fest taking place in some areas.

The Sturrock v1.0 comparison is a good one. Most of his signings were unheard of but one thread running through them was they had something to prove. Friio and Romain had been relegated into the obscurity of the semi-pro level of the french third tier, Trigger and Hodges had lost their way and Coughlan had fallen out with his manager over a drunken night where he got run over.

So far and we've also had a returning former player together with two players who've seemingly failed to settle anywhere to date. Maybe the philosophy is the same with Del Bhey, show 'em some love, give them a specific game plan and let them thrive, let that promise out.

Like Greenskin I don't hold great store in former club fans views, they have 20/20 hindsight and it suits their narrative to be negative. Subconsciously it's easier to feel you've done well to 'get rid' than to reflect how and why you're club failed to tease out that promise themselves.

But I don't totally ignore it either though, they've had the benefit of seeing these players in the flesh, we haven't.

As with all things, the middle way is the right way. Take the promise and potential in one hand and the warnings and pitfalls in the other. Then see how we go.

It's nice to see some clear DA signings, with Sawyer and the noises about Chuck I was beginning to worry who was signing our players. We still need some midfield craft and bite but I'm happier with the last two signings than I was with the first.

With a settled manager and a settled squad you have a fair idea how you'll fare in the season ahead. With both yet to settle the coin is always going to be in the air.

More please

ejh wrote:

Judge Paul Sturrock by his signings in 2000/01 and we'd have had no chance of promotion. Unknowns from Scotland, strikers like Trigger with awful goals to game ratios.

Somehow it all threaded together and you could see that from the stands.

Sheridan's team was totally reliant on the forward pairing for goals, and the penalties inflated the number 9's season tally. People keep raving about Reid's consecutive 20 goal seasons - but in reality he's hit 13 from open play and the rest are pens, which are a bit easier to score if you take them all season.

I'm quite confident the likes of Jervis and Brunt wouldn't be too far off 13/14 goals from open play, if they we part of a forward partnership that played in roughly 50 appearances a season (injuries permitting) as Reubs and Lewi did for Shez. Matching Reuben's stats from 12 yards would be another challenge, but under Sturrock the CB did not disappoint and it doesn't matter who pings them in as long as we keep converting them.

With regards to our new striker Jervis not being as impressive as Reuben - if he gets support and goals out of the likes of Wylde, the wingers and the centre mids, then he will be worth it. 102 points under Sturrock from a team with shared responsibilities for goals and creativity, 71 points under Sheridan who wanted to play everything through Reuben.

So I personally think it is no bad thing whatsoever that Adams is looking to mix it up.

The Paul Sturrock team was extremely lucky with injuries that season, in fact much of the way it came together was good luck. Initially he wanted to build the team around Sean Evers remember. Steve Adams was initially a central defender who was tried for one game as a holding midfielder and just so happened to be good at it, Larrieu was initially signed as cover for Jon Sheffield! Also we had a decent scouting network at that time, were on a safe financial footing and a thriving youth policy.

For every Friio there was a Sacha Opinel, for every Norris there was an Osvaldo Lopes. So to suggest that Adams will be a success if he has a small squad with no goslscorers is ridiculous

Hugh Watt wrote:

ejh wrote:

Judge Paul Sturrock by his signings in 2000/01 and we'd have had no chance of promotion. Unknowns from Scotland, strikers like Trigger with awful goals to game ratios.

Somehow it all threaded together and you could see that from the stands.

Sheridan's team was totally reliant on the forward pairing for goals, and the penalties inflated the number 9's season tally. People keep raving about Reid's consecutive 20 goal seasons - but in reality he's hit 13 from open play and the rest are pens, which are a bit easier to score if you take them all season.

I'm quite confident the likes of Jervis and Brunt wouldn't be too far off 13/14 goals from open play, if they we part of a forward partnership that played in roughly 50 appearances a season (injuries permitting) as Reubs and Lewi did for Shez. Matching Reuben's stats from 12 yards would be another challenge, but under Sturrock the CB did not disappoint and it doesn't matter who pings them in as long as we keep converting them.

With regards to our new striker Jervis not being as impressive as Reuben - if he gets support and goals out of the likes of Wylde, the wingers and the centre mids, then he will be worth it. 102 points under Sturrock from a team with shared responsibilities for goals and creativity, 71 points under Sheridan who wanted to play everything through Reuben.

So I personally think it is no bad thing whatsoever that Adams is looking to mix it up.

The Paul Sturrock team was extremely lucky with injuries that season, in fact much of the way it came together was good luck. Initially he wanted to build the team around Sean Evers remember. Steve Adams was initially a central defender who was tried for one game as a holding midfielder and just so happened to be good at it, Larrieu was initially signed as cover for Jon Sheffield! Also we had a decent scouting network at that time, were on a safe financial footing and a thriving youth policy.

For every Friio there was a Sacha Opinel, for every Norris there was an Osvaldo Lopes. So to suggest that Adams will be a success  if he has a small squad with no goslscorers is ridiculous

i agree.

I shall give all the new players a chance. I'm not one for deciding a player is good, bad or indifferent until I've seen them play a fair few times.

Apart from possibly Sawyer, what I haven't seen yet is a signing where the previous clubs fans are upset to lose the player. A player who is at least reasonably well known in the lower English divisions, has had an injury free, solid season with his previous club. A player who was offered a new contract by his previous club but has decided to sign for us instead. Especially in the midfield and striking departments.

Unless one or two leave we now have a few "target men" type strikers, I'm including Reid in there. One or two more skillful, quick strikers would be nice. I'm not convinced Harvey is the answer there. I'm not sure he has the burst of speed pace but I'll be happy to be proved wrong. Finding a "natural goalscorer" is needed, but everybody is looking for one of those.

IMO it's the central midfield department, with a midfield general, and a playmaker that's key to next season. That's where I want to see some proven players at this level ( or higher) found from somewhere or somebody.

Saying all that, if Adams finds another Friio from outside the bottom English divisions I'll be as pleased as the next fan.

I Think its beginning to become very clear that Del Bhey' budget isnt great when the first 3 signings are only on 1 year deals. Not a reflection on the players abilities of course but its not telling me there is a long term plan in place.

Or they are one year deals because he's taking a chance on those players. Although I would have thought Sawyer was proven at this level.

Richard Blight wrote:

Or they are one year deals because he's taking a chance on those players. Although I would have thought Sawyer was proven at this level.

given one or two the whole squad at present is out of contract at the end of next season.

Greg Wylde is definitely Sturrock Mk II.

Gamble on players with bad attitude Simon Collins or bad injury records David McNamee.

His career progression is faster downhill than Franz Klammer and rumours hearing from Bolton suggest he needs to grow up.

Angry wrote:

I Think its beginning to become very clear that Del Bhey' budget isnt great when the first 3 signings are only on 1 year deals. Not a reflection on the players abilities of course but its not telling me there is a long term plan in place.

This could be Starnes' influence as one of the criticisms of him by Yeovil fans was that no player was ever offered a long deal- I would guess that he would see this tactic as being less risky for the club if things went wrong; although you do run the risk of good players leaving for nothing/ cheap deals.

Chemical Ali wrote:

Angry wrote:

I Think its beginning to become very clear that Del Bhey' budget isnt great when the first 3 signings are only on 1 year deals. Not a reflection on the players abilities of course but its not telling me there is a long term plan in place.

This could be Starnes' influence as one of the criticisms of him by Yeovil fans was that no player was ever offered a long deal- I would guess that he would see this tactic as being less risky for the club if things went wrong; although you do run the risk of good players leaving for nothing/ cheap deals.

Exactly We will lose more money this way than if we tied a player down Like Reid, Nelson McHugh and Hartely for 2-3 years.

If any of these players turn out to be wee nuggets I am sure they will be offered contract extensions.
Frio and Larrieu were only on 6 month contracts initially.

steveinspain wrote:

If any of these players turn out to be wee nuggets I am sure they will be offered contract extensions.
Frio and Larrieu were only on 6 month contracts initially.

if they turn out to be good players other clubs will be offering better deals. Can you see the reluctant one matching a club with ambition?

Let's not slit our wrists before a fooking ball has been kicked!

seadog wrote:

Let's not slit our wrists before a fooking ball has been kicked!

Well said young man