Marquee signings.

Nick 0208 Ldn

News 24
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Are they more important to the media machine than they are to the average supporter?

Would confidence in Moyes [or your club's manager] be diminished were he not to conclude some transfer which be could be waved in the faces of the footballing world?

I heard the Telegraph's Jim White saying only the other day that it was imperative for our Dave to make a "marquee signing", yet consider how some of Ferge's best acquisitions in recent years wouldnt' fall into this category at all:

Evra
Vidic
Rafael
Hernandez
Nani, at least until the last 12-18 months perhaps.
 
I don't think it makes a blind bit of difference to United in terms of building a team which in truth is all that matters. It's about getting the right player, occasionally that coincides with a big price for a big name.
 
I can't remember when we last made a true 'Marquee' signing. Veron maybe? Or at least he was the last world famous player we purchased.
 
Berbatov was surely a marquee signing, especially as Sir Alex compared him to Cantona right away
 
Nick 0208 Ldn said:
Are they more important to the media machine than they are to the average supporter?

Would confidence in Moyes [or your club's manager] be diminished were he not to conclude some transfer which be could be waved in the faces of the footballing world?

I heard the Telegraph's Jim White saying only the other day that it was imperative for our Dave to make a "marquee signing", yet consider how some of Ferge's best acquisitions in recent years wouldnt' fall into this category at all:

Evra
Vidic
Rafael
Hernandez
Nani, at least until the last 12-18 months perhaps.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's a massive list right there. I'll let you know when I'm done reading it.

Andy Cole
Roy Keane
Seb Veron
RVN
RVP
Rio Ferdinand
Wayne Rooney
Jaap Stam
Dimitar Berbatov

I could go on. Marquee signings are important on many levels, to appease the fans, global appeal, shirt sales and you know, the fact that they are marquee players.

Also, Vidic was wanted by everyone.
 
Dwight Yorke as well. Was a record fee (broken by Stam in the same summer IIRC) and he was in demand back then.
 
When RVP was signed there was a lot of talk about it raising the mood in the dressing room. Star players do give you that bit of confidence and also adds a factor where other teams need to formulate specific strategy around them.

It also does adds to the club for other signing on top of everything else the club has to offer. The idea that you will be taking up the field with a household name can be enticing.

It is not a neccesity but marquee signings can be worth more than just their own play on the pitch.
 
Nick 0208 Ldn said:
Are they more important to the media machine than they are to the average supporter?

Would confidence in Moyes [or your club's manager] be diminished were he not to conclude some transfer which be could be waved in the faces of the footballing world?

I heard the Telegraph's Jim White saying only the other day that it was imperative for our Dave to make a "marquee signing", yet consider how some of Ferge's best acquisitions in recent years wouldnt' fall into this category at all:

Evra
Vidic
Rafael
Hernandez
Nani, at least until the last 12-18 months perhaps.
Click to expand...
 
Nick 0208 Ldn said:
Are they more important to the media machine than they are to the average supporter?
Click to expand...

In addition to what The Don mentioned, I think it would give Moyes the extra confidence boost (strong signal from the board) he needs after taking over from Sir Alex.
 
The reason why they want Moyesey to sign a marquee player is to win over the fans. That's basically the first and the only thing he can do before the season begins. Until then, people, like hungry dogs, will keep waiting for the results.
 
Marquee signings are not a necessity for the team - you can probably find cheaper players out there who can do the job just as well (though the risk is higher) - but for a manager like Moyes, perhaps the most important thing is to get the fans to back him and to get a good start.

If we had signed Thiago - everyone would back Moyes - and there would be a proper Buzz around Old Trafford when the season started. Varela might turn out to be a really good signing - but he will be a footnote in that respect.

Back in the late 90's - when we had a really established side, we often didn't need to sign too many players as we had the Beckham-generation who filled half the team and they weren't going anywhere. You knew what you would get with them, and they did the job and then some - but perhaps we should have signed a couple of more players to create some more interest around Old Trafford. The "problem" was that these guys were so good we won anyway.

Another issue is that a really big signing would show that Glazers are prepared to back Moyes with lots of cash - and for the fans that is important. No matter how often Gill went on record saying there was money available, there still were fans who refused to believe him.
 
Was Carrick a marquee signing? No but he was certainly a player we needed at the time. These are the type of signings that count. Marquee signings are something for the media to blab about or used by fans as a form of gloating. Purchasing a marquee player runs a larger risk of losing money because if the move doesn't work out, clubs are most likely going to pay less than what you paid for the player. It is hard to turn down a marquee player because you feel they are proven and will more likely than not, come good for your club. Nonetheless, you never really know do you?

I have always stuck with the view purchasing the right player is better than a marquee signing. One problem with this view is you are assuming the club know who the right player is for the team. Most of the time, this isn't necessarily easy to know but you trust the club make a very educated guess. As cider said in a different thread, there are many ways to play the game. Therefore, it's possible to strengthen the team by not directly addressing a certain issue. However, if it as bad as ours, it's hard to avoid.
 
Marquee singings don't mean shit. They're for the media, kids and muppets. What matters is getting the right players who balance the team/squad and are capable of doing the job required of them, maintaining the quality of the current squad and/or take it up a level.

It doesn't matter whether the player/s to do that are world famous and cost 100billionquid each, or are complete unknowns signed for a pittance. Squad balance is all important in the game today.
 
The Neviller said:
Marquee singings don't mean shit. They're for the media, kids and muppets. What matters is getting the right players who balance the team/squad and are capable of doing the job required of them, maintaining the quality of the current squad and/or take it up a level.

It doesn't matter whether the player/s to do that are world famous and cost 100billionquid each, or are complete unknowns signed for a pittance. Squad balance is all important in the game today.
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Depends how you look at it. In terms of performing on the pitch - I agree with you, they don't mean anything. But even if you have a really good side without any stars - you don't attract that much attention. And no matter how you look at it, attention is important - for fans, for media and from a financial Point of view.
 
lysglimt said:
Depends how you look at it. In terms of performing on the pitch - I agree with you, they don't mean anything. But even if you have a really good side without any stars - you don't attract that much attention. And no matter how you look at it, attention is important - for fans, for media and from a financial Point of view.
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Winning things is what counts. What you've just said is what is wrong with modern football. Showbiz, razzmatazz, media attention. None of that shit matters. What counts is having a balanced side with players who fight for each other and have a will to succeed. It doesn't matter who those players are, how many followers they have on Twitter/Facebook, who they're married to/shag or what clothes they wear.

Marquee signings, the signing of big names, isn't what builds a football club. Clever management, planning and squad building is what counts. It's fine to spend big money in areas where it's needed, if it's the right player to do the job, but Marquee signings for the sake of making them to please the fans/media/fill the superstar quota are nonsense. The fans shouldn't need to feel pleased at the start of the season, they should be waiting to be pleased by what happens during it and at the end of it.
 
The Neviller said:
Winning things is what counts. What you've just said is what is wrong with modern football. Showbiz, razzmatazz, media attention. None of that shit matters. What counts is having a balanced side with players who fight for each other and have a will to succeed. It doesn't matter who those players are, how many followers they have on Twitter/Facebook, who they're married to/shag or what clothes they wear.

Marquee signings, the signing of big names, isn't what builds a football club. Clever management, planning and squad building is what counts. It's fine to spend big money in areas where it's needed, if it's the right player to do the job, but Marquee signings for the sake of making them to please the fans/media/fill the superstar quota are nonsense. The fans shouldn't need to feel pleased at the start of the season, they should be waiting to be pleased by what happens during it and at the end of it.
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Wholeheartedly agree. It would be interesting to hear what someone like Vato has to say on the matter, whose supported team is known for buying players to please the fans. This is in not a dig at Vato but a genuine question I think would generate an interesting answer.
 
Marquee signings are usually world class players, so they are often wanted/needed because of that.
 
Marquee means nothing really we just need the right signings. I mean id take 2 quality midfielders over a £40m winger for example.
 
Shimo said:
When RVP was signed there was a lot of talk about it raising the mood in the dressing room. Star players do give you that bit of confidence and also adds a factor where other teams need to formulate specific strategy around them.

It is not a neccesity but marquee signings can be worth more than just their own play on the pitch.
Click to expand...

Agreed and I must add they definitely influence mood on the pitch as well...
 
The Don said:
Yeah, that's a massive list right there. I'll let you know when I'm done reading it.

Andy Cole
Roy Keane
Seb Veron
RVN
RVP
Rio Ferdinand
Wayne Rooney
Jaap Stam
Dimitar Berbatov

I could go on. Marquee signings are important on many levels, to appease the fans, global appeal, shirt sales and you know, the fact that they are marquee players.

Also, Vidic was wanted by everyone.
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Ronaldo ?
 
I think this type of purchase is not a necessity as such, but they do serve a purpose. Signing Van Persie was a signal of intent from Ferguson, and there's no denying it galvanised the squad. Such is his talent he single-handedly won us games last season. The name on the teamsheet can, by nature, unsettle the opposition to an extent that it gains an advantage. The key is the team...if the marquee player adds to the team and improves it immeasureably, say enough to make a difference at the top end of the Champions League, then yes it does make a lot of sense.

I would say also that it can be important when looking to acquire similar talented players. When a club is renowned for actively pursuing, and indeed signing top end players, then the attraction to someone is obvious. All players want to play with the best there is.
 
Kaos said:
Not really all that marquee. We signed him on the back of an impressive performance against us, was still relatively unknown in world footballing circles.
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We paid top money (based on his age back then) for the relatively unknown...
 
Back in SAF's early days, its when he started to sign players like McClair, Webb and Anderson, Hughes (very well regarded at the time) that alot of fans perked up and thought .... good to see that the new manager can attract top players.

When Big Fan Ron signed Bryan Robso, Muhren and Thysen, that arguable inspired his team to win 2 FA cups.

Of course signing top players who already have a reputation matters.
 
sammsky1 said:
Back in SAF's early days, its when he started to sign players like McClair, Webb and Anderson, Hughes (very well regarded at the time) that alot of fans perked up and thought .... good to see that the new manager can attract top players.

When Big Fan Ron signed Bryan Robso, Muhren and Thysen, that arguable inspired his team to win 2 FA cups.

Of course signing top players who already have a reputation matters.
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Who? Do you mean Thiessen? Who, incidentally, never played for us.

Edit:Thijssen is the correct spelling, I think.
 
Kaos said:
Not really all that marquee. We signed him on the back of an impressive performance against us, was still relatively unknown in world footballing circles.
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No, we didn't, we and a stack of other clubs including Arsenal and Juventus had been tracking him. That friendly match may have earned him the #7 shirt and a run in our first team (rather than an immediate loan back to Sporting). But of course he was bought on potential, not as a marquee signing.
 
Could anyone find a worse example of a marque signing than Ibra to Barca? I think the only reason that happened was because Barca wanted to tell that they can compete with Madrid on big players (after Madrid got Ronaldo, Kaka' and Benzema).
 
"...marguee signings aren't important..." :lol:

This is Manchester United, not Fulham.
 
Hal9000 said:
I can't remember when we last made a true 'Marquee' signing. Veron maybe? Or at least he was the last world famous player we purchased.
Click to expand...

Eh?

Rooney and Van Persie are the two most glaring examples.
 
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