Kevin Thelwell (Director of Football)

[StevO]

I thought Joe Royle looked after loans. But fuck knows what happens anymore. 

[London Blue]

59 minutes ago, StevO said:

I thought Joe Royle looked after loans. But fuck knows what happens anymore. 

Sounds like the review has imposed order and a plan for everyone to follow. Even Moshiri seems to be on board!!

Happy days, a new ear hopefully.

[Zoo 2.0]

1 hour ago, London Blue said:

Sounds like the review has imposed order and a plan for everyone to follow. Even Moshiri seems to be on board!!

Happy days, a new ear hopefully.

I think plastic surgery is the least of our worries at the moment mate.

[dunlopp9987]

1 hour ago, London Blue said:

Sounds like the review has imposed order and a plan for everyone to follow. Even Moshiri seems to be on board!!

Happy days, a new ear hopefully.

Excited for Thelwell to van Gogh out there and sign some promising, young players

[Romey 1878]

This place...

[MikeO]

29 minutes ago, dunlopp9987 said:

Excited for Thelwell to van Gogh out there and sign some promising, young players

Yet to be convincnent myself.

[London Blue]

1 hour ago, Zoo 2.0 said:

I think plastic surgery is the least of our worries at the moment mate.

 

56 minutes ago, dunlopp9987 said:

Excited for Thelwell to van Gogh out there and sign some promising, young players

 

[Wiggytop]

10 hours ago, Romey 1878 said:

This plaice...

All right don’t keep carping on ……

[RuffRob]

19 hours ago, Goodison Glory said:

Good write up on the Athletic about the "Strategic Review" looks we are headed in the right direction with having a unified playing style across all age groups. Intent is one thing of course, let's see how we execute the idea.

"Crucially, the under-23s will be led by a head coach, not a manager, and that person will take direction from Thelwell after consultation with Lampard on the playing side. The aim will be to finally implement something Brands had pushed for — a unified style of play across all teams.

One of the key tasks for the club’s new coach educator Kevin Nicholson is to play a pivotal role in liaising with all age-group coaches to ensure those joined-up systems and style of play are instilled.

Another suggestion has been that Thelwell will look to appoint a loans manager, a position scrapped under his predecessor Brands"

and the key to all this will crucially be.... Moshiri not expecting us to be challenging for European football in the next season or two and just letting them them all getting on with it for a couple or three years and seeing where that leads us.  

 

[Shukes]

On 25/05/2022 at 21:12, dunlopp9987 said:

Excited for Thelwell to van Gogh out there and sign some promising, young players

Were more likely to sign Rich Gough again mate.

[Bailey]

I am not sure if this has been posted before but Tim Howard had a chat with Thelwell. The transcript and video is here:

https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2022/6/11/23163691/kevin-thelwell-director-of-football-everton-interview-tim-howard-lampard-transfer-rumours-plans

I don't think there is anything in there that is too exciting but it did cover more of Thelwell's roles and responsibilities which I know is always keenly debated on this forum. The main couple of paragraphs are as follows:

TH: It feels like you and Frank are singing from the same hymn sheet. What’s your relationship with him been like so far?

KT: Well, number one, it’s very important at the start of any relationship - and I’ve never worked with Frank before - to be very clear about what we’re both doing and how we’re going to work together. It’s clear that Frank’s role is responsibility for preparation of the team, performance of the team and, fundamentally, results. My responsibility is to make sure all of the support services that sit around him are fit for purpose. So, once we understand that, there’s a real opportunity to start talking about how we work together to improve all of those things. We’re very lucky that our offices are opposite each other - less than a metre apart, so that’s great! It’s created an opportunity for us to get to know each other a bit better, build relationships and talk frequently about common journey. We both want exactly the same thing and we understand we’re both going to work hard to do that together. A super strength of Frank in my opinion is that he’s very normal - he’s very low ego. He’s very clear about what he wants but he also has this endearing ability to take on other people’s opinions, discuss things and understand that there are things to be gained from those conversations. I have to say it’s been a breath of fresh air [working with him], but it’s one thing enjoying it - now we have to deliver on it. We all understand the pressure that comes from being in these roles. Everton Football Club should be at the very top and so Frank and I have a responsibility to deliver that.

TH: Absolutely. There is going to be pressure at any football club but definitely at a club like Everton. Can you tell me about your responsibilities beyond the First Team? When you get into the job and you look right down through the Academy - is that something of paramount importance to you as well?

KT: Of course. The Director of Football job description is broad, so it’s very much about supporting the First Team, of course, but it’s also supporting all of the other departments that help us to try to win, so, Performance Analysis, Sport Science, Medical Services, Academy, Women and girls... It’s about working through all of the departments and helping them to be the very best that they can be. I’ve always seen that as a very important and integral part of the role. It’s not just about today - that is a fundamental part of it, of course - but it’s also about safeguarding the future and it’s about tomorrow. The only way in which you do that is to make sure that you collaborate with a lot of people and build this wider vision of what we’re trying to achieve at the football club. In all of the previous roles I’ve worked in and Everton is no different, I’ve always worked on two pipelines. Performance - what we do today to really ensure what everybody sees is as strong as it possibly can be on the pitch; but also preparing for tomorrow and a pathway for young players. I think any top football club is built on that sort of foundation.

[Romey 1878]

https://www.toffeeweb.com/season/21-22/news/42265.html

[RuffRob]

All I really want is for Moshiri to let Thelwell (and Lampard) as a 'team' actually do their jobs over a sustained period of time (at least 2-3 years). The progress might not immediately be significantly higher league position of cup runs. Progress to me will be building a young team and overall footballing philosophy where our youth training and recruitment will be aligned as closely as possible to the first team. This looks like what the plan is. 

Its just no good trying to go toe to toe in the transfer market with the so called big guns, FFP just means that approach it totally unstainable - we tried and we failed miserably and have fallen flat on our faces. This is going to take 2-3 season to come back from - so lets take a breath, just do it properly with the right people. 

We fans have to be just as patient as Moshiri. 

[SpartyBlue]

3 hours ago, RuffRob said:

All I really want is for Moshiri to let Thelwell (and Lampard) as a 'team' actually do their jobs over a sustained period of time (at least 2-3 years). The progress might not immediately be significantly higher league position of cup runs. Progress to me will be building a young team and overall footballing philosophy where our youth training and recruitment will be aligned as closely as possible to the first team. This looks like what the plan is. 

Its just no good trying to go toe to toe in the transfer market with the so called big guns, FFP just means that approach it totally unstainable - we tried and we failed miserably and have fallen flat on our faces. This is going to take 2-3 season to come back from - so lets take a breath, just do it properly with the right people. 

We fans have to be just as patient as Moshiri. 

It’s not so much that it’s unsustainable it’s that you have to be accurate with your signings. We missed a lot and got punished. If we had done better we might have been able to bridge the gap. 

[RuffRob]

3 hours ago, SpartyBlue said:

It’s not so much that it’s unsustainable it’s that you have to be accurate with your signings. We missed a lot and got punished. If we had done better we might have been able to bridge the gap. 

well that's the point - you can't just keep spending until you get it right these day. Clubs used to be able to do that to get to the top - Man City and Chelsea got away with it, I have little doubt if FFP rules where around when they both spend big, there would have be a decent change they would have ended up like we are now - hamstrung. 

It is going to be very interesting to see what situation the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle are like in 3-4 seasons time. There are already 6 teams battling for top 4 places season on season - 8 does not go in to 4 and I don't see how teams like this revenues are going to allow them to compete financial with both the now global brands of the top six, plus there CL money. They are heading for a similar cliff to us as I don't see Villa or Newcastle having bona fida revenue streams any more greater than ours - they will get to a point when CL becomes a must to keep the moment going in transfer fees and wages.

 

 

[StevO]

While transfers are so risky it would be nice if managers and coaches improved the players we have (the last manager was an expert at it apparently). So far we’ve seen a big improvement in Holgate and a massive improvement in Iwobi. If they can keep improving Gordon and hopefully Mykolenko and Patterson it would be just as important as bringing in a load of new players. We still need some though. 

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

 

[Hafnia]

5 hours ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

 

Head of performance analysis and insights…. That’s in my world of work but no way would I go for it. I’d want someone far better than me to do that role. I do people data and insights… similar in many ways and skills would lend itself but I would expect this job to be a 60 hour a week minimum 
 

my instinct though would be to establish a methodology for identifying what great looks like using the various data captures that they get….. to do it I would create theories then test them on historic data for players who we know have turned out to be stars…. Jarrod Bowen, Van dyke, Salah, etc.

There is always going to be an X factor or an intangible that you just can’t obtain through numbers. 

[Matt]

23 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

Head of performance analysis and insights…. That’s in my world of work but no way would I go for it. I’d want someone far better than me to do that role. I do people data and insights… similar in many ways and skills would lend itself but I would expect this job to be a 60 hour a week minimum 
 

my instinct though would be to establish a methodology for identifying what great looks like using the various data captures that they get….. to do it I would create theories then test them on historic data for players who we know have turned out to be stars…. Jarrod Bowen, Van dyke, Salah, etc.

There is always going to be an X factor or an intangible that you just can’t obtain through numbers. 

Like photo shoots? That's how you know what great looks like

 

[Wall Writer]

1 hour ago, Hafnia said:

Head of performance analysis and insights…. That’s in my world of work but no way would I go for it. I’d want someone far better than me to do that role. I do people data and insights… similar in many ways and skills would lend itself but I would expect this job to be a 60 hour a week minimum 
 

my instinct though would be to establish a methodology for identifying what great looks like using the various data captures that they get….. to do it I would create theories then test them on historic data for players who we know have turned out to be stars…. Jarrod Bowen, Van dyke, Salah, etc.

There is always going to be an X factor or an intangible that you just can’t obtain through numbers. 

Maybe Amanda Holden would be up for the job? 

[MikeO]

8 minutes ago, Wall Writer said:

Maybe Amanda Holden would be up for the job? 

She could do a job for me any day, in a totally non-sexual way obviously

[London Blue]

1 hour ago, Matt said:

Like photo shoots? That's how you know what great looks like

 

Give me that "Stylish Data Set" look 

[Matt]

15 hours ago, London Blue said:

Give me that "Stylish Data Set" look 

[Hafnia]

12 hours ago, Matt said:

Like photo shoots? That's how you know what great looks like

 

That’s the X factor right there isn’t it. 

[Hafnia]

Data can identify lots a things.  I ran a piece across an organisation where people moved teams and reported to different managers over a period of time. Over a period of time I looked at the performance numbers…. People thought I was analysing the people who were getting good/bad ratings.    I wasn’t. I was actually able to identify the good/bad managers because some would positively influence performance and others negatively….. it really ruffled some feathers. 
 

I still say to this day, people change managers - they change their company/job to facilitate that. 
 

how that equates to footy I have no idea but I’m pretty certain there are unique ways at looking at performance that will improve us.   
 

i do think Moyes to his credit had his own algorithm in his head, not necessarily data driven but similar to many good managers who look at non tangibles like character. 

[RuffRob]

I am liking what I am reading, but it does have a slight feeling of Deja Vu. I just can't get over enthusiastic just yet about any changes at the club. 

lets just hope that this time Moshiri gives this lot the reins to actually do their jobs properly over a prolonged period of time. None of us really know if Walsh and Brands where actually good or poor at their jobs - because to me is sounds like both had to do it with one hand tied behind their backs while hopping on one leg - in a game of 'Moshiri says'. This is the number one thing that HAS to change at this club. Nothing gets better until his constant interfering with footballing matters stops- and its just to early to know if this is actually going to happen.

 

 

 

[Bailey]

4 hours ago, RuffRob said:

I am liking what I am reading, but it does have a slight feeling of Deja Vu. I just can't get over enthusiastic just yet about any changes at the club. 

lets just hope that this time Moshiri gives this lot the reins to actually do their jobs properly over a prolonged period of time. None of us really know if Walsh and Brands where actually good or poor at their jobs - because to me is sounds like both had to do it with one hand tied behind their backs while hopping on one leg - in a game of 'Moshiri says'. This is the number one thing that HAS to change at this club. Nothing gets better until his constant interfering with footballing matters stops- and its just to early to know if this is actually going to happen.

 

 

 

Completely this. We have been here before with Walsh and Brands. More so with the latter. 

Hopefully the guy we employed to do a job is actually allowed to do it!

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kevin-thelwell-everton-transfer-plan-24442785

[The Phoenix]

4 hours ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kevin-thelwell-everton-transfer-plan-24442785

That seems like a positive step. Look at how other clubs like Chelsea, the red shite and City recruit to their academies in this league as do clubs on the continent. If we invest in youth, give them a pathway into our first team or into becoming professional footballers at a different club matching their abilities it can either a) save us millions in transfers or b) be a lucrative investment stream we’re missing out on. As much as it may sicken us we need to look across the park and adopt some of their proven practices cause currently we’re a club marooned in the 20th century in regards to maximising our income streams and marketing strategies 

[StevO]

4 hours ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kevin-thelwell-everton-transfer-plan-24442785

I appreciate the work he’s doing at academy level, but please get some first team work done asap. 

[RuffRob]

12 minutes ago, StevO said:

I appreciate the work he’s doing at academy level, but please get some first team work done asap. 

I know the first team will need recruitment, but our main problem in the past 5-6 years be has lack of focus on the academy and developing top young players. The likes of Cheslea, Liverpool and Man City seem to be selling of top young players who can't get near their first teams for millions and making huge profits helping their turn overs massively, Chelsea especially. We seem to have lost ground massively in this department.

Two of our best first team assets? - DCL and Gordon!! much much more of this please. 

[Bailey]

9 hours ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kevin-thelwell-everton-transfer-plan-24442785

This just sounds like spin to me.

Same thing happened with Brands when he first arrived. Its not like he even had a chance to develop those players into the first team. His work will only be realised in the years to come.

We have always put a lot into the academy, its just the case that some times it doesnt work. Then you go through a good spell again. 

[Hafnia]

22 minutes ago, Bailey said:

This just sounds like spin to me.

Same thing happened with Brands when he first arrived. Its not like he even had a chance to develop those players into the first team. His work will only be realised in the years to come.

We have always put a lot into the academy, its just the case that some times it doesnt work. Then you go through a good spell again. 

Loads go through the academy but the under 23s had a manager playing the likes of niasse and failed other first teamers cos he wanted to win a meaningless league. 

[Palfy]

I’m not going to knock his work of getting 12 youth or under 23s to sign new contracts, but where is our replacement for Richarlison, were is the LB and RB we desperately need, where is the creative midfielder. I hope he doesn’t live to regret he’s concentrating to much on the under 23s and the 1st team takes a back seat heading down to the Championship, whilst under 23s win PL2. 

[Romey 1878]

11 hours ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kevin-thelwell-everton-transfer-plan-24442785

 

[SpartyBlue]

22 minutes ago, Palfy said:

I’m not going to knock his work of getting 12 youth or under 23s to sign new contracts, but where is our replacement for Richarlison, were is the LB and RB we desperately need, where is the creative midfielder. I hope he doesn’t live to regret he’s concentrating to much on the under 23s and the 1st team takes a back seat heading down to the Championship, whilst under 23s win PL2. 

The first team is going to take priority for every club. It’s what generates the revenue that allows the club to exist at all. Judge these things when the window is over and once it’s known what resources we have. 

[StevO]

10 hours ago, RuffRob said:

I know the first team will need recruitment, but our main problem in the past 5-6 years be has lack of focus on the academy and developing top young players. The likes of Cheslea, Liverpool and Man City seem to be selling of top young players who can't get near their first teams for millions and making huge profits helping their turn overs massively, Chelsea especially. We seem to have lost ground massively in this department.

Two of our best first team assets? - DCL and Gordon!! much much more of this please. 

Yeah, the lack of focus on the academy nearly got us relegated last season.

The academy needs work for the long term benefit of the club. If the first team isn’t improved the short term could seriously fuck up the long term anyway. 

[Romey 1878]

Thelwell's at it again with getting youngsters tied down to new contracts  

 

[Palfy]

20 hours ago, SpartyBlue said:

The first team is going to take priority for every club. It’s what generates the revenue that allows the club to exist at all. Judge these things when the window is over and once it’s known what resources we have. 

Yes well it’s looking like we might become an exception to that rule this season, once again Everton last out the traps playing catch-up as usual. So boring and predictable. 

[Palfy]

17 hours ago, StevO said:

Yeah, the lack of focus on the academy nearly got us relegated last season.

The academy needs work for the long term benefit of the club. If the first team isn’t improved the short term could seriously fuck up the long term anyway. 

100%

[The Phoenix]

The first team/academy shouldn’t be seen as separate entities but as cogs in the same machine. Our problem is that for far to long we’ve lacked consistency in both. We’ve had 7 managers since Moyes left in 2013. That’s seven different playing styles, they’ve brought in their “type” of player, implemented their tactics/patterns of play etc etc. 

I haven’t a Scooby Doo how the first team squad would know what to do at any given time let alone the academy players. For us to have long term success from the youth ranks we need them to be playing the same brand of football from the age of 7 up. 

That way players will be able to transition from the under 23 side into the first team without a massive effect on the shape of the team and hopefully performance. As a club we need to draw a line in the sand and start being proactive instead of reactive 

[RuffRob]

On 10/07/2022 at 22:48, StevO said:

Yeah, the lack of focus on the academy nearly got us relegated last season.

The academy needs work for the long term benefit of the club. If the first team isn’t improved the short term could seriously fuck up the long term anyway. 

I may have been better rephrasing that - had a bit more serious focus been give to the academy from day one of the Moshiri regime you - 5-6 years down the line you would not thing we would be benefitting - In recent history there was too much focus on the immediate first team with the wrong players being brought in.

I think we will now see some first team players come in, and now the Richy sale has been done (as our main cash injection this summer), I think we will now see the transfer wheels will start to turn.

 

[Romey 1878]

 

[Bailey]

On 10/07/2022 at 17:32, Hafnia said:

Loads go through the academy but the under 23s had a manager playing the likes of niasse and failed other first teamers cos he wanted to win a meaningless league. 

He also had one of the youngest squads in the U23s (apparently - not checked) and had half the older squad out on loan. 

I suspect there was a lot more going on that trying to win the league. 

[Hafnia]

15 hours ago, Bailey said:

He also had one of the youngest squads in the U23s (apparently - not checked) and had half the older squad out on loan. 

I suspect there was a lot more going on that trying to win the league. 

He was playing baningame, niasse, Kenny, a quarter of our team made up of players who needed moving on. The likes of Josh Bowler stagnated and is now at Blackpool ripping it up…. 

[Romey 1878]

15 hours ago, Bailey said:

He also had one of the youngest squads in the U23s (apparently - not checked) and had half the older squad out on loan. 

I suspect there was a lot more going on that trying to win the league. 

 

2 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

He was playing baningame, niasse, Kenny, a quarter of our team made up of players who needed moving on. The likes of Josh Bowler stagnated and is now at Blackpool ripping it up…. 

It was only last season that Brands (before he left obviously!) had finally been able to start on the academy and basically had the U18s playing the U23 level. Before then it was nothing like that.

[Bailey]

12 hours ago, Hafnia said:

He was playing baningame, niasse, Kenny, a quarter of our team made up of players who needed moving on. The likes of Josh Bowler stagnated and is now at Blackpool ripping it up…. 

Niasse played 506 minutes across 2 seasons with the U23s.

Kenny was clearly going to play because he was seen as having first team potential but he was stuck between the first team and a loan. I don't understand what you think should have happened? 

Clearly the same happened with Bowler. 

I am not really sure what you expect to happen when you have these lads at the club. They need games and the more they play, the more it puts them in the shop window. The issue is that these players have been stuck around the club when they needed to move on. 

I think it would be very unfair to point the finger at Unsworth when there are clearly a lot of other factors at play.

[Hafnia]

10 hours ago, Bailey said:

Niasse played 506 minutes across 2 seasons with the U23s.

Kenny was clearly going to play because he was seen as having first team potential but he was stuck between the first team and a loan. I don't understand what you think should have happened? 

Clearly the same happened with Bowler. 

I am not really sure what you expect to happen when you have these lads at the club. They need games and the more they play, the more it puts them in the shop window. The issue is that these players have been stuck around the club when they needed to move on. 

I think it would be very unfair to point the finger at Unsworth when there are clearly a lot of other factors at play.

What other factors? He had his under 23 team playing totally different football. He was playing first team rejects, how many talents has he bought through that we have either made first team players or sold for good money? 
 

Rumours of bullying, extra maritals with CEO…. Very cosy with Bill.  All in all it’s not just him but he is part of a regime like dunc, bill, DBB, who need to be gone. 

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

https://www.goodisonnews.com/2022/07/15/kevin-thelwell-remains-in-uk-as-everton-squad-in-usa-as-transfer-plans-hit-overdrive/

[Romey 1878]

2 hours ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

https://www.goodisonnews.com/2022/07/15/kevin-thelwell-remains-in-uk-as-everton-squad-in-usa-as-transfer-plans-hit-overdrive/

This was posted about days ago, it might even have been me that put it up actually, but why would Thelwell have been going to the US with the squad anyway? 

[Hafnia]

15 minutes ago, Romey 1878 said:

This was posted about days ago, it might even have been me that put it up actually, but why would Thelwell have been going to the US with the squad anyway? 

Exactly. Are we meant to be grateful that they aren’t having unnecessary travel for a jolly.  Plenty of shit for him to work through 

[Goodison Glory]

6 hours ago, Romey 1878 said:

This was posted about days ago, it might even have been me that put it up actually, but why would Thelwell have been going to the US with the squad anyway? 

Only reason would be because Frank too such a large contingent of younger players

but seems as though club and fans alike agree on the fact that the time is better spent here.

[Bailey]

20 hours ago, Hafnia said:

What other factors? He had his under 23 team playing totally different football. He was playing first team rejects, how many talents has he bought through that we have either made first team players or sold for good money? 
 

Rumours of bullying, extra maritals with CEO…. Very cosy with Bill.  All in all it’s not just him but he is part of a regime like dunc, bill, DBB, who need to be gone. 

I just mentioned one factor... players stuck between the first team and U23s.

Fringe first team players needing games from injury. 

Pressures from above for these type of players needing to have games so they can sell them.

Wanting to show the youngers players in the squad what a fringe first team player looks like and what they need to beat.

In terms of players brought through... Gordon, Kenny, Simms, Dom, Davies maybe, Broadhead, Bowler... there are lots of players that he has influenced that have gone on to have good careers. 

As for playing style... how many managers have we had since he was the U23 boss. We havent had a club philosophy since Martinez left. The clubs decision has been to keep the first team and U23s separate. If you have a problem with that, its on those above Unsworth. 

Back to the rumours again... might be true... might be bullshit. I'd go with the latter. Lampard seems to have a good relationship with some of those people too, should he go? 

[Billwelshblue]

Need signings now it's a bit unfair on KT and Lamps they come in when we have to be careful with money. Seems we are struggling to structure any deals. We need Cornet and or MGW this week and a six before the kick off for me.  All three and maybe a full back before the end of the window.

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

I get the impression KT is still in a WhatsApp Group with the Wolves players and our new transfer policy consists of him asking if anyone fancies a game at our place

Its almost as though we’re a man down for 5 aside so he is trying to ring all his mates to try and get someone to make the numbers up

[RPG]

I think KT is doing a great job so far this window. We do need a striker but additions to defence and midfield have been excellent so far imho.

[Goodison Glory]

How do we rate him accurately? Do we give him credit for 100% of signings? We seemed to struggle with Brands and how to allocate credit/blame.

genuine question. I'd love to think he is responsible for all incomings but who knows. 

[Bill]

I agree RPG, good defenders, and good midfielders brought in get a decent striker and I will be very happy.

[Romey 1878]

17 minutes ago, Goodison Glory said:

How do we rate him accurately? Do we give him credit for 100% of signings? We seemed to struggle with Brands and how to allocate credit/blame.

genuine question. I'd love to think he is responsible for all incomings but who knows. 

There's nothing flashy or completely against what we needed to bring in, they all make sense, so I'd say these signings have 100% been agreed between Thelwell and Lampard.

[Bailey]

6 minutes ago, Romey 1878 said:

There's nothing flashy or completely against what we needed to bring in, they all make sense, so I'd say these signings have 100% been agreed between Thelwell and Lampard.

It feels a bit mad that we are making sensible signings. I am not quite sure what is going on.