Agreed.
but is it just us, or is it we don't notice other clubs doing it?
just trying to make myself feel better here...
There's DEFINITELY an element of that. We're not following the ITKs of other teams, so we don't see the 'also ran's. Also, we want EVERY name we like and are linked with to work out, but it doesn't, so we feel let down way more often than other team's fans, it seems.
Confirmation bias is rife.
BUT, I believe we are one of a few teams that are actually being kept 'at arms length' by the bigger clubs. We are scaring them, trying to take their shit. They are making life difficult as often as they can (these are just the ways I can think of and ignore the agent's own efforts to drive up interest and prices):
1. Not selling to a rival.
2. Making 'enquiries' to players we want, to drive up the price. This forces us to overpay or wait until it's clear the other 'big' club isn't going to pay.
3. Outbidding us/paying more weekly wages.
4. Stating interest in looking at players 'in the summer' etc. This makes them hesitate to sign early.
There are probably loads of other ways they make life harder, but we're in conspiracy land at that point).
Arguably the above applies to any team, not just teams at the top, but that 'top 4' bracket means the difference these tactics make are way more important than for teams finishing 8th or 14th.
By now, we should be well aware of this shit and have a scouting team and connections to undermine it.