Damien Comolli

[Farkmaster]

I know in his role as director of football there are a whole host of things that he's responsible for. But one of his chief responsibilities, and what many seemed to be arguing was his core strength was his transfer decisions and scouting. There was some controversy over this of course, with the bejowled one being the pettiest of all about his accomplishments, and many spurs fans hated some of the signings he made, but regardless, he was supposed to bring some sense to the at times embarassingly wasteful transfers we've been doing of late.

Then we all know what happened last summer.

Now, some of the purchases made were with a view to the long term, so I'll hold off on those, but I think it's fair to say, just looking at it in the most basic terms, that there's very little chance that the current or future value of the players we've bought will ever exceed what we paid for them in sum. Some of the figures are staggering.

If a manager failed to the extent that Comolli did this summer, given that the transfers are his remit, we'd be calling for his head. If he on the other hand can be excused, and it's Kenny who, unchecked, made these decisions and valuations, there's no point to Comolli whatsoever.

So why isn't Comolli under some severe scrutiny. We can't afford any more mistakes, we couldn't really afford the last ones we made.

 

[Rosco]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/863850/kenny-dalglish-to-get-final-say-over-liverpool-transfer-plans?cc=5739

 

[Farkmaster]

That article doesn't really say anything specific. We don't know what precisely he has authority over or not, we don't know whether he generates lists of potential targets colaboratively, we don't know who puts the valuation on the player etc. etc.

That's the politic answer every director of football gives when they get hired. Then when the manager gets fired, we hear another story.

 

[King Binny]

Guess its fair to say that there should be a share of blame.

Did the board instruct the team (i.e. Ayre, Kenny and Comolli) to focus on players with potential, resale value etc.?

Was Comolli able to exercise his power to his preferred extent, given Kenny's stature at the club?

How were the fees decided? Did Comolli have the final say, i.e. was his brief just to get the player? Or was it discussed amongst the trio and agreed upon? Did Kenny state his preference on getting a certain player, to the extent of disregarding the transfer fee?

Who prepare the list of targets first? Comolli - based on his scouting reports, or Kenny - with his wishlist?

 

[Rosco]

[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=47435.msg1422471#msg1422471 date=1320569098]
That article doesn't really say anything specific. We don't know what precisely he has authority over or not, we don't know whether he generates lists of potential targets colaboratively, we don't know who puts the valuation on the player etc. etc.

That's the politic answer every director of football gives when they get hired. Then when the manager gets fired, we hear another story.
[/quote]

 

[King Binny]

- RE Andy Carroll signing and transfer fee

Comolli argues that: “The whole principle is about creating value, and managing to find a player in the market who is underestimated financially compared to his stats.”

- Upon taking over:

"I don't have 'Sheikh' in front of my name," said John Henry, referring to Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour.

"When we spend a dollar, it has to be wisely. We can't afford contracts that do not make long-term sense."

He added: "We have to be smart, bold, aggressive."

- This summer:

“Speculation on players shouldn’t include those of a certain age. We are not going to be successful by merely filling short-term needs at LFC.”

He went on to hint that the club wouldn’t be in for any veterans this summer.

“We already have quite a bit of experience in the club. Should be a good balance.” he explained.

“Everything in sports is overpriced now – especially the cost of winning. But you make your choices based on a plan.” Henry concluded.

“Everyone seemed to think that Liverpool was over-valuing British players this summer. But when the Premier League has the whole world to choose players from and there is a substantial homegrown rule, British players are going to be highly valued.

“Look at the prices paid this year for Connor Wickham and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. At Liverpool we have purchased each player for a different reason. It doesn’t mean we are going to solve all of our issues in one season, but we are headed in the right direction.”

Question is, can we afford the high risks? With time and fellow rivals' strengthening working against us, perhaps a "short term goal" would be better suited than the "long term " one, as they call it.

 

[Farkmaster]

?

 

[kingjulian]

We spent 100 million pounds. It's an awful lot of money.

But we also showed an amazing lack of spine and self belief, when we didn't go and get the really quality players....saying "well no body wants to play for us!" With that attitude we could have loads and loads of money, and we still won't win anything.

Some of the fans on this forum were singing from the same hymn sheet, and it was the most irritating thing i have ever read on an internet forum.

I just hope we don't get the same old tiring bollox in the next window, even if we are buying just one player. Let's aim to get the best player to fill in that position. Selection CANNOT be based on who wants to come and play for us.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I thought this was the scapegoat thread for a sec.

 

[gkmacca]

Comolli isn't being scrutinised, and neither is Steve Clarke (unless we win well). But it's hardly unusual.

 

[jexykrodic]

[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=47435.msg1422565#msg1422565 date=1320583130]
Comolli isn't being scrutinised, and neither is Steve Clarke (unless we win well). But it's hardly unusual.
[/quote]

Why wouldn't their bosses be scrutinising them?

 

[gkmacca]

[quote author=jexykrodic link=topic=47435.msg1422570#msg1422570 date=1320583648]
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=47435.msg1422565#msg1422565 date=1320583130]
Comolli isn't being scrutinised, and neither is Steve Clarke (unless we win well). But it's hardly unusual.
[/quote]

Why wouldn't their bosses be scrutinising them?
[/quote]

So this thread is about the bosses, is it?

 

[Woland]

[size=36pt]MING[/size]

 

[jexykrodic]

[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=47435.msg1422587#msg1422587 date=1320587096]
[quote author=jexykrodic link=topic=47435.msg1422570#msg1422570 date=1320583648]
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=47435.msg1422565#msg1422565 date=1320583130]
Comolli isn't being scrutinised, and neither is Steve Clarke (unless we win well). But it's hardly unusual.
[/quote]

Why wouldn't their bosses be scrutinising them?
[/quote]

So this thread is about the bosses, is it?
[/quote]

Answering a question with a question won't help or hide the fact that you've no idea whether these individuals are being scrutinised or not.

On a more serious note, there is no point in apportioning blame this early on to backroom staff (whatever the reason for it might be?), the players and Manager are where scrutiny is justified at this point.

 

[King Binny]

Net spend: £34.85m

Comolli said: "I would really struggle to say we need something because I think we have such a complete squad at the moment."

And Comolli added: "We want to see how we're going to do [with these players].

"We are very pleased with what we've done during this window and the previous one as well.

"For me, it's like a big window from January until 31 August and, in total, we brought in nine players.

"We changed the team and changed the squad, so it's the time to reflect.

"Let's see how those players develop, how they gel together, how young players like Sebastian Coates adapt.

"Then we can make a decision [on areas to strengthen] later."

Really hope we make a Suarez type signing in Jan...

 

[Fabio]

We really should be spending more than thirty odd quid

 

[King Binny]

[quote author=Fabio link=topic=47435.msg1422627#msg1422627 date=1320592958]
We really should be spending more than thirty odd quid
[/quote]
LOL. Amended. :-[

 

[Red Mullet]

[quote author=Fabio link=topic=47435.msg1422627#msg1422627 date=1320592958]
We really should be spending more than thirty odd quid
[/quote]


Explains why we're performing as we are though

 

[Red Mullet]

Binny - any chance you can dig out the net spend of the other teams?


Pretty please!

 

[King Binny]

[quote author=Red Mullet link=topic=47435.msg1422668#msg1422668 date=1320596325]
Binny - any chance you can dig out the net spend of the other teams?


Pretty please!
[/quote]

Not 100% accuracy but should be there or there about.

Right click, view image to enlarge.

 

[gkmacca]

[quote author=jexykrodic link=topic=47435.msg1422607#msg1422607 date=1320589688]
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=47435.msg1422587#msg1422587 date=1320587096]
[quote author=jexykrodic link=topic=47435.msg1422570#msg1422570 date=1320583648]
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=47435.msg1422565#msg1422565 date=1320583130]
Comolli isn't being scrutinised, and neither is Steve Clarke (unless we win well). But it's hardly unusual.
[/quote]

Why wouldn't their bosses be scrutinising them?
[/quote]

So this thread is about the bosses, is it?
[/quote]

Answering a question with a question won't help or hide the fact that you've no idea whether these individuals are being scrutinised or not.

On a more serious note, there is no point in apportioning blame this early on to backroom staff (whatever the reason for it might be?), the players and Manager are where scrutiny is justified at this point.
[/quote]

Who on earth is hiding? You may as well end every thread critical of any player, coach or manager by saying 'No doubt their bosses are scrutinising them'. I took this thread to be about a much more general perception of Comolli and Co.

 

[Red Mullet]

[quote author=Binny link=topic=47435.msg1422677#msg1422677 date=1320597120]
[quote author=Red Mullet link=topic=47435.msg1422668#msg1422668 date=1320596325]
Binny - any chance you can dig out the net spend of the other teams?


Pretty please!
[/quote]

Not 100% accuracy but should be there or there about.

Right click, view image to enlarge.

[/quote]


Er, what image?

 

[King Binny]

[quote author=Red Mullet link=topic=47435.msg1422820#msg1422820 date=1320619141]
[quote author=Binny link=topic=47435.msg1422677#msg1422677 date=1320597120]
[quote author=Red Mullet link=topic=47435.msg1422668#msg1422668 date=1320596325]
Binny - any chance you can dig out the net spend of the other teams?


Pretty please!
[/quote]

Not 100% accuracy but should be there or there about.

Right click, view image to enlarge.

[/quote]


Er, what image?
[/quote]

Its not showing up. Here's the link:

http://www.sportingintelligence.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/PL-decade-spending.jpg

 

[Farkmaster]

Please lets not talk about net spend. I've been through enough deja vu with Liverpool recently.

 

[King Binny]

Comolli was present in the Napoli - Man City match yesterday. Surely to scout players rather than scout for this wkend's match?

 

[Mystic]

[quote author=Binny link=topic=47435.msg1431086#msg1431086 date=1322064048]
Comolli was present in the Napoli - Man City match yesterday. Surely to scout players rather than scout for this wkend's match?
[/quote]

Quite, he doesn't choose the match day squad, hopefully he chooses whether or not we sign Cavani, i doubt he'd join us anyway. Although Suarez and Coates might win him over =D

 

[Judge Jules]

After some of the players he fetched in at Tottenham, I just hope he hasn't gone there to re-sign Dossena.

 

[Woland]

It's hard not to think his position is all Emperor's New Clothes, innit.

 

[Judge Jules]

True dat.

 

[keniget]

Cavani looks very good every time I see him these days. Late bloomer a la Drogba?

His second goal against City was expertly finished.