So we are 3 games in..

Maybe we do have a middle or even top 10 budget and there's plenty left to spend? I don't actually know and won't presume. Welsh won't have come cheap and probably neither Hess, and maybe not Cook. Macca has a good deal. It's no coincidence though that these are our 'good' players, and I should imagine, by contrast, that the deals/wages of the likes of Clifton, and Whitmore, and Robles, plus Fox and RHJ plus plenty of those already here from last season are relatively modest.

Whatever the truth of it is - we don't have enough players, and 3 or 4 good new ones, who might cost a bit, could well be decisive in terms of us looking up or looking down the table as we go into Autumn.

Not sure what the exact situation with moneybags in the division is this year?

We know that Mansfield, Notts County, FGR, MK Dons and Lincoln have all spent a lot on players - or it has at least been reported as such. Exeter have had a lot of money in from transfers in recent seasons so you'd think they have probably used the money That's a fifth of the division and it's no surprise they are up around the top of the table even after just a couple of games. I'm not sure if many other clubs are chucking a lot of money around.

Other than those 5 mentioned, there are one or two clubs which you would guess would have a bigger budget than us due to their circumstances (eg. Exeter with the transfer fees they have received from selling good players in recent years). After that, you'd say there are several clubs about the same 'size' as GTFC and quite a few who are 'smaller'. All in all, you'd expect a mid-range budget, possibly upper mid-range if the size of the crowd gives an indication of the funds available.

We have heard that Jolley perhaps plans to make signing(s) from Sweden in January and we know the squad we have is pretty light on numbers. We reportedly had a 6 figure offer for Angol accepted which would indicate there is plenty left in the budget so I don't think we need to be panicking too much yet. If we don't get a couple of players in during the loan window and struggle to get results (even with our tough start to the season) that would be a concern. As I've said in the past, if Jolley isn't expecting to have a full-strength squad available until January, it's a hell of a gamble, especially as Whitehouse, one of the better signings is out for probably the whole season.

We definitely don't want to be putting all our hopes on signings to be made half way through the season!

Absolutely

Great post Jonnyboy82, I agree with every word. The lack of wide players if we are to play 4-3-3 is a particular concern as is the lack of a left wing back if we are to play 3-5-2. We can't play 4-4-2 as we don't have any wingers. I trust in MJ, but it is frustrating at the moment.

To be honest, the way that Hessenthaler has tricked his way past defenders in his home appearances makes me think he could certainly do a decent job out wide. He's got a few tricks in the bag and has decent pace as well.

Didn't Jolley say the other day in the last 15 years we've only finished in the top half of a football league table just once ( non league not counted).

We've been shite for Fenty's entire tenure, this will take time. Hurst had what 10 transfer windows to get us out of the conference, if Jolley gets us to league one in less than that it will be good progress,   even more so given the wrecking job Bignot and especially Slade inflicted .

Off the field progress in staff infrastructure and the academy appears good,  on the field may take a little longer  unless, and very unlikely, somebody spunks money at it.

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

Didn't Jolley say the other day in the last 15 years we've only finished in the top half of a football league table just once ( non league not counted).

We've been shite for Fenty's entire tenure, this will take time. Hurst had what 10 transfer windows to get us out of the conference, if Jolley gets us to league one in less than that it will be good progress,   even more so given the wrecking job Bignot and especially Slade inflicted .

Off the field progress in staff infrastructure and the academy appears good,  on the field may take a little longer  unless, and very unlikely, somebody spunks money at it.

You were doing so well in that post till you mentioned the F word.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

You were doing so well in that post till you mentioned the F word.

Sorry lol the F word!!!

Quoted from marinerdazza

I agree that with Whitehouse this would have been an awesome midfield.

Any midfield that includes Woolford can never be described as awesome.

After Saturday we will be in for Rhead ......