11 Jul 2026 10:34:52
Rafiki Said has been confirmed by the club. Thoughts? Does anyone have any more information about him?
11 Jul 2026 11:00:03
At least 8 goals in all of his last 4 seasons. Feels like what we were missing last year - since Cunha left, we haven't had a proper goal threat.
11 Jul 2026 12:47:32
Let's give the player a chance. Even the great Steve Bull wasn't reckoned that much when we signed him from the Baggies.
11 Jul 2026 13:21:38
As I said in a previous post, that is all we can do.
If he turns out to be half as good as Mr Bull, we will all be delighted.
However, it is far from certain you can compare the 2 transfers, as Bull was only 21 and was bought for a bag of beans, whereas this player is 26 and was acquired for a fairly sizeable fee.
11 Jul 2026 17:11:29
Of course, we can't compare the Said transfer to Steve Bull's, but my point really is that you can't judge a book by its cover. We obviously see something in him.
11 Jul 2026 23:24:52
Well, that is axiomatically correct.
Sadly, though, that is also the case for every player ever acquired.
Some of whom will have been brilliant - the aforementioned Mr Bull, some will have been ordinary, and some of whom (and, tragically lately, that some could be replaced with most) will have been abysmal.
His record is modest, but as I have never seen him play, it would be wrong of me to dismiss him.
Consequently, whilst I am not optimistic, I have not said he is a bad signing - yet - but have said that there must be safer ones, i.e.
players who have a better or more relevant track record.
All signings are a gamble, but this one, especially for the price, looks a substantial one.
However, as the new manager is just that new, perhaps he is entitled to a punt; after all, he can't be blamed or held responsible for the shambolic transfer dealings of previous regimes.