So what are everyone’s transfer expectations for Jan. My main hope is that we act fast and decisively - appreciate we aren’t the most attractive proposition but money talks and we may have to spend a bit more on wages / loan fee to get them in asap. It’s clear we need a left back and a right back (Kiko and Mapps have done well but I can’t see them maintaining it) and at least one central defender. I expect these to be in before the Tranmere match as we have been in dire need for 3 years and given our predicament surely we have signings lined up early. Danny Rose loan until the end of the season may suit all parties ? Plus there’s the fella from Milan We need another striker but cant see us signing one as I suspect hope are pinned on Joao Pedro. Unless we ship out Grey or Success As for out goings - I can’t see much happening really: Faulquor (or however you spell it) seems like that’s on according to the press. Dhalberg on loan somewhere in the championship What does everyone else think ?
Certainly looks like LB is a priority and I'd be happy with Rodriguez. I've got a nasty feeling the Pozzos are happy with our CB options for now, unless a good upgrade comes available (they do seem to be keen on the Korean chap). I think we need more options on the wings, and I'd imagine we'll try to get someone in. Up front... I feel like the Pozzos don't want to invest heavily as we've got a couple of young guns potentially stepping up - Pedro, Cucho in the summer. I'd like to see a decent loan signing, and I'd also like to see the back of Success. Whatever they're planning, I hope we can get it done early in the window - it might be to late by the end.
I’ve learnt to have zero expectations with Gino. We all know what we need, he knows what we need, if it happens, great. If it doesn’t, we will just be fed with the same lame excuses from Scott again.
I think expecting 2 FB’s and a CB before the Tranmere game is crazy. Just not going to happen in the next 4 days.
Definitely need upgrades in the FB positions. On the left side, I’m happy with Masina being given a chance to make himself the long-term solution there, but a replacement for Holebas is certainly needed. I’m not sure what to make of the resurgence of Kiko, but irrespective of the last few games, I don’t think neither he, nor Janmaat is the long-term solution for the RB spot. I’d hope that we’re looking for a serious upgrade here. Clearly a central defender is needed, but it absolutely has to be a genuine upgrade, who’ll walk in on day one and play there for the next few years. If we can’t find a player to do that, then I’d rather we focus on the full back positions, instead of wasting resources and efforts on another Dawson-esq signing, who is much like the other options we have there. If Sarr, or Geri were to pick up an injury bad enough to miss several games, we’d lose all creativity in forward areas, and I don’t think Pereyra is the answer. A pacy wide player to provide competition up front would be useful. We’d all love a goal scorer to come in, but I think the club are going to give Pedro a chance to come and show what he’s got. I think they are also wary of spending money on a striker when Cucho and Suarez are possibly options next year. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but I think that’s how they are going to see it. I’d imagine they are also hoping Welbeck returns to fitness and makes an impact, although I’m not sure it’s a realistic hope.
The staff will have expectations of what Pedro is capable of, by playing him against Tranmere, depending on his performance they will then be able to gauge whether they need to look at forward additions now!
Agree entirely. Our Facebook account is seriously lacking. The guy on Twitter is a massive *******, but at least he’s active. If we’re trying to reach worldwide fans in their 40’s-50’s then we need to hire those positions. Good thinking. I like that you are seeing the big picture on a global scale.
To be honest we spent a lot in the summer so would be happy with a couple of loans. Maybe one full back and one up front. We have to be a bit cautious of the consequences of relegation although I imagine we can now get money back on Sarr if we do go down. Dahlberg out on loan. Probably Dele Bashiri as well. I’d sell Pereyra if we get a good offer.
Can't see us spending big in the position we are in, most fans would want us to spend big but don't think Gino will do anything that would kill us if the great escape fails. Have a funny feeling Pereyra could go unless they are confident he will sign a new deal with only 18 months left. Need a LB, CB and some goals. Another wide option would be good because there is nothing much backing up GD and Sarr, especially if Pereyra does go. Is there any sign that Wellbeck could reappear in the foreseeable future?
All things being equal as assuming all players would be fit to be transferred at some stage in the month: Incoming: Ricardo Rodriguez (LB), Todibo (CB) and Nathaniel Clyne (RB) Joao Pedro Outgoing: Foulquier, Prodl, Masina and Janmaat (due to his contract ending soon), Success, Dahlberg or Bachmann (maybe even both if they are guaranteed 6 months of first team action) I’d be happy with the above and keeping the rest of the squad as it is for now. Would rather keep Masina over Holebas as back-up but no question over who we have more chance of selling. Would like to keep Janmaat but I suspect a move back to Holland will happen sooner rather than later. Have picked Success over Gray to sell but I suspect Gray is more ‘sellable’. Would resist all offers for Doucoure unless a more than suitable replacement came about. Would rather we kept Pereyra until the summer but could understand if he went this month - but again, he’d need to be replaced.
Nobody is buying Prodl. He is suckling Giraldi’s teat for the rest of this year and next. Quite some money for 4 years of minimal appearances.
It'll be a couple of loans, probably towards the end of the window, and 90% of the fans won't be happy about them.
Who cares though if they're in before the Tranmere match? Just play the Under 23s. Really the Bournemouth game on the 12th is the next big one where it'd be good to have a fresh face or two. I'd be surprised if we make any signings that aren't loans.
Zero chance we're getting Todibo at the moment (if ever). Latest rumour is he's going on loan to Milan.
My point re getting them in before Tranmere game was not so they could play (I agree play the u23s for this match) more that they have a week to settle and push for a place vs Muff
Even if we aren’t front-runners, why zero chance? Outsiders sure, but I zero chance implies it’s impossible which I don’t think. Even then, my list wasn’t what I think will happen, just what I would like that isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.
We have 3 days before Tranmere. No way we sign 3 players by then. I’d be very surprised if we even had 1 in by then.
I appreciate your pedantry in countering my response (truly). I will then finesse my wording to state that, instead of there being "zero chance", or it being "impossible", it is rather incredibly unlikely, with chances so slim that the possibility is just not worth entertaining.
Transfer targets and negotiations for players should if been done - the club know what is required, the club know we screwed up in the summer window and they know we are in the mire and time is not on our side if they want to have a chance of retaining our premier league status. Players should be lined up and ready to sign. we can’t wait weeks and then sign a zeeglaar and a Wague on deadline day
Pedantry? I was just asking what makes you so sure there’s zero chance? No need to be touchy about an honest response.
We're well down the pecking order for decent players anyway, but now we're in the relegation zone we're probably going to have to wait our turn. Any players we're in for will probably wait most of the month for a better offer I'd imagine. I can't see Rodriguez or Todibo seeing us as the most attractive proposition out there. Not saying we won't sign good players, but I don't think we'll be able to get early deals done because we won't be their preferred choice.
"No need to be touchy about an honest response." I'd actually put that to you. I liked your response: if you look again you'll see I said that I "truly" (honestly) appreciated your pedantry (I find it good when people are precise and challenge opinions on reasonable grounds). Quite the reverse of being touchy. Though now, to be pedantic myself, like it or not your response in pointing out that while there is some possibility of Todibo signing it renders my statement of there being "zero chance" as invalid (whether it was just used as a saying, or not) was you being pedantic. However, sometimes pedantry has its place and can be appreciated.
So if I disagreed partly with what you originally put, how would you have rather I said that without it somehow sounding pedantic to you? For which I disagree it was but will accept if you found it to be.
What the fact that a team who were expected to finish mid table are reverting to longer term expectation? Holly smoke. It’s as if the bigger a sample you take the more accurate results get!
Neither of the pundits in The Times had us as one of the relegated three. Rupe knows his football, and tells them what to write.
Don't expect much. Would be happy with a first-year quality player in either defence. No chance they'll bring a striker in. About time the right-back position was refreshed.