Loans - Some Questions

[Maltapar]

What are the pros and cons of acquiring loan players as opposed to signing players? Are the fringe players from the likes of Celtic or Cardiff better than out of contract players with Championship experience or older players who have played at a higher level? How do the costs compare? Are there problems getting loan players in early for the start of the season - do they only become available later?  Is it likely that McPake is intending to bring in say four loan players including a goalkeeper in the coming weeks to strengthen the first team and provide cover in the squad? 

[El Patrón]

Pro - often low to zero wage contribution as the parent club is benefiting from their youngsters getting game time and experience.

Con - IMO when the going gets tough they aren't as bothered and aren't up for the fight as they are returning to their parent club anyway (e.g. Ben Summers)*.

* Doesn't always apply as the player could be looking for a move and hoping to stay if they are out of favour like MWH and Chris Kane were last season....

[SanguinePar]

14 minutes ago, Maltapar said:

What are the pros and cons of acquiring loan players as opposed to signing players?

Pro - access to players potentially better than we could afford to sign, plus a better chance to sign them permanently should they be released from their parent club later (eg Otoo/KRH). Parent club may take on some/all of wage demands. Easier to release them without cost if they don't work out.

Con - risk of incoming players being less motivated in the cause of DAFC than ones that come through our own system. Also it's a short term solution, as no guarantee of signing them later (eg MFW/MWH) and may sometimes mean we miss out on transfer cash later if we have to give any to parent club. Risk of an important player being recalled with little notice. Risk of loan not being renewed in later seasons, leading to holes in squad.

 

14 minutes ago, Maltapar said:

Are the fringe players from the likes of Celtic or Cardiff better than out of contract players with Championship experience or older players who have played at a higher level?

Some will be, some won't.

 

14 minutes ago, Maltapar said:

How do the costs compare?

Would vary player by player, per the points above.

 

14 minutes ago, Maltapar said:

Are there problems getting loan players in early for the start of the season - do they only become available later?  

That does seem to be the pattern in recent years, leading to us starting seasons shorthanded.

 

14 minutes ago, Maltapar said:

Is it likely that McPake is intending to bring in say four loan players including a goalkeeper in the coming weeks to strengthen the first team and provide cover in the squad? 

We can only hope, since signing our own players currently seems to be out of the question.

[Auld_Reekie]

Pros:

• Access to players better than we can afford
• Reduces exposure to multi-year contracts
• Can benefit from discounted wages
• Try before you buy
• Loan players often have a key incentive to impress, either to parent club or other potential parties

Cons:

• Delayed addition to squad
• Limits longer-term planning - need to replace at end of loan
• No inherent player value to club

In general, if there's financial concerns I think club are quite right to prefer loans rather than permanent signings. We're no longer in a great position to attract good players on contract and there's a number of players on contracts from League 1 that need to be moved on at the end of this season. Unfortunately, whatever is going on at the club is continuing to leave us exposed in the transfer market. Can only hope for a very strong loan window or some other major change in strategy.