As previously mentioned - the minutes, starts and opportunities, in my view; prevented any supporter from making any full judgement. Hence the disagreement.

Completely disagree with this level of criticism, and I personally wouldn’t be as arrogant to think I know what makes a player at this level, or at least how to spot potential.

Yea, myself included The balance sheet didn’t seem to be impacted much, over last 2/3 windows we’ve built continuously but always from a certain “pool” of players that don’t bust the wage bill.

I disagree - we went for the likes of Bamford and Celina but couldn’t get near wage demands. Hence assumption the deal we did didn’t go beyond a budget. My view then, people “ignored reality” when using the fee to expect instant success. Age, previous experience and him being 3rd or 4th choice on our shortlist suggested (at the time) to me that this was one for further down the line.

We spent more than 7m in one season in sacking managers “allegedly” and that was nearly a decade ago. It’s 2020 - when prem stable money Bunla can’t match top Champ wages, some in region of 4 year 10+million contracts, it makes no sense to see 7m as a “talismanic” mega splurge. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with criticising a player after for perceived lack of performance and effort, as long as you agree there is no issue with suggesting such criticism of a 19 year old only partially involved was critical then, and looks even more stupid now. Equally - it’s absolutely fair game to say we could’ve spent the money better at the time, and it’s absolutely fine to suggest transfer business isn’t easy with certain limitations. We’re all buzzing one of our lads is performing well, that’s something we all agree on.

I didn’t compare them, you did. I asked how much he’d be in this climate, any input on that? You’d have to elaborate further on the part in bold because I’ve no idea what you’re on about

I guess one point of mine regarding this is one came with AA 101 league apps when bought, BB 53... Newcastle wanted to sell, perhaps Notts Forest less so? I can’t see how 2 years difference, and a minor argument of more Championship apps for BB cost double, and I can understand people’s view on that discrepancy, but transfer deals are never £ for £ the same. All come with an element of risk, more so at 19 and 6/7m. My annoyance with many of the so called “humble pie eaters” (Which sounds more like a problem in Wigan atm) was a lack of patience for his age, to even give benefit of the doubt for certain mistakes or lack of impact. Arma is 2 years in front of Ben. Experience, maturity of decision making - massive for modern day forwards. Some players like Harvey Elliott have so much ability at young age they’re above Championship standard at 17. Doesn’t mean he will make top level - but I wonder what it would cost to get him on a permanent?

The criticism at the time was related to a poor spell at Bolton if I recall. Turned out a banger. Now looking more and more top flight. ... and I hope you’re well too Phil

https://www.lawinsport.com/topics/item/determining-the-level-of-compensation-for-out-of-contract-football-players-the-fpcc-danny-ings-award Some confusing elements at the end about it being different with EU member states and crossing borders etc. Can see Nyambe being popular abroad - particularly Italy or Spain, they love proper full backs!

What would you describe his role as? For me, the change out wide suits him but I wouldn’t describe it as his speciality. Part of the reason for investing in players of this age, is the opportunity to develop their potential around specific opportunities and the style of the team. 61 appearances for the us in all competitions equals 2850 minutes. Considering we’ve had around 100 fixtures since he signed, he’s been in around half and only played about 30min a game. Far less before this season. No supporter could’ve come to a proper judgement in that time, and as far as I’m concerned about the level he can get to, I don’t think any of us have had the time yet to judge or safely say what his full potential is. Extreme example? A striker our club paid 3.5m for who achieved fuck all and ended up costing us millions to pay off? It’s pertinent to any BRFC debate on signing strikers. Especially when many of the same criticisms (like being a lazy sod) have been nonchalantly placed on Big Ben. Why do you and others see the pointing out the “over critical” comments as some sort of attempt to shut down debate? You're welcome to criticise whatever and whoever you want, just like I am allowed to suggest that particular comment is wrong from my perspective. It applies to everyone - you could take (as many did) umbridge at the notion that I felt a multimillion pound deal for an English 19 year old striker with potential was a good idea. As for the straw-man on the end of your post, I don’t think anybody needs to be told that the club would be rightfully and heavily criticised if it allows investments like AA slip away for nowt! Speaking of AA - a 3 million pound investment in a player, who at the time was a “risk” because he’d never achieved it in the championship!

Some good points but I always thought Sky chose their games through number of subscriptions in the area of the club? Hence why city teams more likely than smaller towns, and also why Leeds played every week on Sky every week when in a lower division

By giving a recent “ish” example of us wasting money, I’m not suggesting we either do this one way (young and big fee) or the other (older ex prem and big wage)... such an obsession with seeing this in Black and White! It’s just example of why (at the time) I felt this “flex” argument is a simple format for viewing the way we can sign players. Like you say - it’s all speculative without exact figures, but it’s not a stretch (for me at least) to see why we struggle attracting ex prem players, or competing for lower league who have interest from PL teams due to wages. TM seemingly has managed that side well, keeping us competitive but away from the days of Rhodes on 50k per week. Within that limit - there’s no opportunity to compete with recently relegated teams for players, even more so being recently (at the time of the BB deal) in league 1. Thus BB was one in our “available players” to buy. The same summer we spent 3m on Armstrong btw and whilst that isn’t an excuse to waste money, it’s an example of how every deal is about weighing up risk / reward for clubs in our position.

That’s a good point - you’re talking about Josh Maja? I know certain leagues have different rules

Is this fair Hasta? I mean what constitutes a fair crack at the whip? 25 minutes when we’re a goal down or chasing a game is that a fair justification of his potential and talent? Maybe for a Danny Graham with genuine expectation and past example of producing - but not so much a raw young striker in an unfamiliar position. Also for someone supposedly without the touch or technique to be a goal scorer - I wouldn’t want to judge until he’s had a run playing upfront in the centre. Equally his goals (particularly one vs Watford) suggest there’s ample technique and an eye for goal we’ve still to see. He’s had one solid run in the team and people think he looks a different player. This to me is just pure irony.

Why is it always black and white? just because I suggest someone shouldn’t be written off without a fair chance, doesn’t mean there is no room for discussion at all? The financial aspect of Best is to show just how expensive wages and pay offs are - to show how criminally we’ve wasted millions. It makes that point that investing 7m in a 19 year old might cost you less than signing a ready made 28/29 year old for 3.5m. Also for productive input - if you search Kevin Davies BRFCS in google - most recent references to him are in this thread, most compare his price and impact - and that’s more than 20 years ago, in a league where the sponsorship money’s up by about 3000%.

I’m enamoured with Tommy K already! Remember seeing an interview with Manchester fans about Joe Hart back when Pep arrived. I was as confused as anyone to why England’s No1 at the time was so easily binned off, for a “foreign style goalkeeper”... Being a stubborn skeptic, I had thought it was a “myth”, or at least an overstatement of modern foreign keepers being so different to old fashioned English, .. Thats when I saw what TK offers! He’s effectively a Centreback when we have the ball. His kicking, throwing and general passing is good, his shot stopping (header vs Barnsley especially) is top drawer and TBH for 500k, I can’t believe nobody else spotted this guy...!

RF - he had criticism thrown at him after a handful of sub appearances in an unnatural position. That’s not demonstrating no hope to me - it’s not even having the chance to settle. Even in his second season - he had barely a chance to get up to speed. There is no need to judge players on limited minutes. 500k/5m/50m it doesn’t matter who they are or what they cost, all deserve a chance. For context too - 7m plus a standard wage over 3 / 4 years is still about 2 or 3 million less than what the Leon Best debacle cost us.

As long as we don’t offer him up for transfer, or offer him a lower wage than he’s on, and he is under 24 when his contract expires- we’d be due compensation if he left. Wouldn't be his value but can’t be walking away for free.

I meant substitute apps specifically before his first league start! Cheers 47er

Precisely why sitting on the fence is good with any young lad - not judging fleeting performances etc. It’s just one way to look at it

Do you really want me to repost some of the comments before he even started a game? Is it necessary?

Most predictable defence for anyone vociferous in past about level of the lads ability, predicting a 19 year old WOULD get better has nothing to do with “Hindsight”

Ah come on, I’ve barely looked at this place for 12 months. If it’s such a contentious idea to you, that the wider fanbase IS represented by this site, I’ll gladly concede. Still, doesn’t change my view on earlier comments in this thread.

Surely must be? It’s a community group for the club. If it isn’t, maybe it’s time we should be?

Over the years, I don’t remember being as impressed by a players development as I have by Nyambe. Always showed the physical stats - pace, power, strength, bravery for blocking and aggression for battling. I initially felt he wouldn’t have the technique to become an asset and potentially thought he’d be a centreback. Since 2019 though, he has developed this part of his game in my opinion. His crossing, passing and footwork all much improved. He has also shown mental attributes, trickery to beat a player, when to come inside and when to overlap. I think he is excelling in this style and formation and the free reign to push up the flank makes him a danger.