I know it's early and I know this has been a nearly perfect season. However, there is always room for improvement. For me, centre back has to be priority. Britos has shown a real regression this season Mariappa has to be admired but not good enough to be a regular starter Cathcart won't ever be the same Kaboul won't ever be reliable fitness wise. Prodl once back is a starter. Still super slow however. Kabasele looks useful but still got a bit to prove. Personally, I'd like us to go spend big money on someone who can marshall, lead and defend. I'd possibly even slap the captain's armband on him considering Deeney isn't a guaranteed starter. Now that begs the question, what and who is available. Well for starters, Leicester bought Harry Maguire for £1 million less than we paid for Andre Gray!! But anyway, I like Ben Gibson at Boro, if they're still around where they are now (13th) in January, then I think we could tempt him for around £15 mill. Subotic at Dortmund was once great, he never plays and his contract is up in the summer. I think we could revitalise him. Who's on your January window wish list?
Even though Holebas is playing very well, I'd like to see a quality left back come in, Silva can't have to much faith in Zeeglar or what ever his name was as we haven't seen him since deadline day. Centre back like you mention, keep who we have that's around the match day squad, maybe allow the fringe players to leave.
Agree with those three positions, but would add another quality midfielder if Chalobah can't return and another play maker if Pereyra's fitness remains doubtful.
Defence defence and defence. We're alright elsewhere and don't have the squad positions unless it's one in one out and an improvement.
Pretty sure Zeegelaar was bought in as a cheap backup option, so not surprised we've seen much of him. Holebas has been immense this season. That being said Holebas will be 34 in the summer so we'll need a new starter for next season, although January isn't the time to buy one. Potentially i'd look at CBs who are available, but other than that think we're pretty solid.
A centre back and a replacement for Gray are the main priorities. A backup for 34 year old Holebas also wouldn't hurt.
Like everyone has said, a top draw CB has to be the priority. But can you get those in January??? Anyone of genuine quality will be playing wherever they are so we will be paying a premium on top of whatever their value is (and that value will already be inflated in today’s market). So my wish is: That we find that CB who is a genuine upgrade on what we have. And that we don’t buy anymore fodder such as Wague and Zeegelaar who I’d be surprised if we see play at all bar maybe 10 mins here or there in desperate situations. Can’t see you other of them being brought in for regular football. My expectation: We buy one player who is squad fodder to fill the extra squad place available. Or add Djedje. But I don’t think we’ll splash out on anyone given the way the market is in January.
I can't say I've seen too much of him, but Silva's comments after deadline day were hardly a ringing endorsement.
I think we need a real quality centre back that is good at attacking the ball in the air we have conceded far too many goals from set pieces and crosses.
That's why he's backup. Plugs the gap until summer when we can invest a decent amount on a new left-back that will start.
A top top centre-back such as Ben Gibson or some foreigner I've never heard of. Gibson (and Boro) might be tempted if their expensive promotion push goes pear-shaped.
I think the squad needs a few tweaks - So on the past performance that will probably turn into say 5 in at January and 8 in the Sumner. Not sure who. I just know some of the players mentioned on the forum that we missed out on have been a bit iffy in their new homes; and players we have brought in who i have never heard of - Feminia; Doucoure and Richarlison have been excellent acquisitions. In the end i think we should make sure Silva gets his preferred recruits so that he wants to extend his contract.
If Cathcart and Prodl ever regain fitness, then I don't really see the need for a centre back in January. I'd say a central midfielder could be a good shout if Preyera is going to be injured all the time, and depending on how long it takes Chalobah to regain full fitness. A striker is a must, especially if Okaka is deemed not squad worthy and Gray carries on being ****. Loan Hughes out to the Championship (Derby perhaps?) no point him sitting in the reserves.
I'll be happy with just a couple of made foreigns with funky hair cuts. Failing that, Angella back to solve our defensive woes and goalscoring needs in one fell swoop. And that gabbiadini in from southampton would be nice.
I hate to think what our centre midfield would be like if Doucoure got injured before Chalobah returns, hopefully that won't happen. I can't remember the last January signing that worked out since John Eustace can someone remind me please! (don't say Amrabat)
You have to give Boro credit for their consistency.Couldn't score with 27 strikers in the PL,can't score with 127 strikers in the Championship! I would suspect Gibson will get a bit restless if they don't improve by Christmas. So much for the other Gibson saying they would "smash the Championship".
Get shot of Gray and bring in a proper premiership standard striker. Get rid of Britos and replace with a more diciplined defender. Apart from that the squad is fine.
And centre midfielder. Bye to Okaka, Watson, Success, Djedge and Sinclair. Hughes and Zeegelaar loans.
Thanks for all of your replies forgot about Watson he was excellent when we signed him in January of the promo season, made his debut at half time home to the bottom club Blackpool who were leading 2-0, 45 minutes later it was 7-2 thanks in no small part to Watson! Gueds also helped us in our first season back in the P.L. And Tom Cleverly slotted in very well this January!
Why? Baffling the amount of people saying we need a LB in January. The market is always inflated in January so it'd be a terrible time to buy a new first choice LB. We don't need a backup LB as that's what Zeegelaar is - a cheap stop-gap until the end of the season when we can purchase a high quality LB to take the place of Holebas. For those wondering why Zeegelaar hasn't played - IT'S BECAUSE HE'S A BACKUP PLAYER (and Holebas has been brilliant). We're fine for LB until the end of the season.
