Find all the negativity on here at the minute very odd. Seem to lose sight that we made 2 signings earlier on in the window (Sears and Hunt, make that 3 if you include the short term contract for Kenny) and whilst January has not been great, most of you are complaining about how terrible it has been because you're comparing it to the previous 3 months which have been an absolute delight and we have been performing far beyond initial expectations. Significantly, we kept the nucleus of our squad, more dead wood has been rid, and signed some players that add healthy competition. My one concern (probably the only of the above concerns that I understand) is we severely lack cover on Murphy, we desperately lack a target man when he's not around. Aside from that, no complaints, emergency loan window didn't serve us badly last year...

'With signing players, I've said many times, where do I get players that are better than what we have?'

All over the championship and in league one I think if you look. You're telling me we couldn't find a better winger than Anderson?

“We have done well with what we've got this season and I trust the players to carry that on. They are a great bunch.'

Mick knows his players and team are miles behind our promotion rivals. Is he that worried that a new player or two would disrupt the team spirit, or is he simply covering up for a lack of funds and, honourably, biting his tongue?

Garv, you're being very disingenuous. The team that we have is the team that brought us to the Top 3 in the league so far. To dismiss them now at the first signs of a blip in our performance is harsh. This is similar to earlier in the season when everyone wrote off Tabb, Skuse and Hunt. All have contributed to our lofty position and proved many on here wrong.
My opinion is that if MM wanted to spend money, he could. But he is far more shrewd than anyone on here seems to think. Why spend money on players who may come in thinking they only have to turn up? MM has players working for their places and is getting every last ounce out of them, which is better than needing to horse-whip someone like Paul Taylor to get any kind of effort out of him in the first place.

In Mick we Trust. He's taken us this far - get over it you miserable lot.

Based on the last few games, we seem to be struggling to test defences with pace on the wings. McGodrick hasn't the raw speed but his touch is often sublime, and without Murphy's muscle we're stuck in an attritional midfield battle. We can't stretch the game.
In a game like Wigan, we needed strength up front and someone to run at the opposition for the last 20 minutes. Sears needs a creative midfielder, Murphy holding it up or quick winger (or combination) to get the best out of him.
With JW on loan, The Bish back in for the second half of the season, Murphy back fit and Hunt as impact terrier up front to poach and snap at tired defenders heels I think we'll be fine for the play-offs.
Looking at Hunt on Saturday suggests to me he'll win us a couple of pens and wind up some defenders - hopefully a Budgie. I enjoyed seeing a Wigan defender twice the size of him sprawled on the floor in front of the North Stand after a friendly tap on the back when chasing a ball down. In fact it was the best bit of the game!
COYB.

the difference between now and paul jewell era is that now the loan system is to add depth to our squad, not to improve the first team. our last loan players, Johnny williams and noel hunt (before he signed) both had a pretty decent impact.

carry on the good work, MM. If 3 points off top is failure then god knows what the last decade has been.

And thank you ME for continuing to plow money into the club, another few million this year to be sure.

doom and gloom mongers to those who have short memories remember the panic buying and loans of the Jewell and Keane reigns that didn't get us anywhere trust MM and TC they know what they are doing 3pts at Rotherham what will you lot have to moan about then!!!!

I think it would of been seen as real ambition to sign one of two. Quite impressed that Derby have signed Bent, Lindgard and Ince, even if only on loan will absolutely improve a Championship team and will without doubt help their push. Agree with many on here, the nature of our game plan, very physical etc etc means that it takes a lot out of the players and that has looked the case recently. Anyway, Micks not let us down so far, so am sure he has a trick up his sleeve but i would like to see us go all out for a top 2 place, which is 100% achievable instead of the lottery of the play offs. COYBs

Okay we didn't sign any additional squad members, so I suggest we stop worrying about what other clubs have done and the money they've spent (which they probably don't have), and now lets all get fully behind the lads that we do have and the ones we managed to keep hold of during the window. and hopefully; They, Mick and Terry get us to the play offs which I think we're capable of, top 2 would be a massive bonus.

Don't need superstars but a bit of support in numbers. Lewis Mcgugan went to Wednesday yesterday and I think he is an ideal loan with a view to permanent deal player. Good attacking midfielder. Or how about giving Ambrose more game time. Nobody can say he's blowing through his ass yet!

Let us remember that a top 6 was considerd by many a pipe dream at the beggining of the season, if we finish 6th that will be a huge deal and we should all be happy with that.

I accept that after the 1st half of the season we all dream of more and I think that is understandable but we must not lose site of the fact that this seasons aim has always been play offs. At the momet the positio we are in still outstrips all our wildest dreams for the season and we have to maintain perspective. Look at Derby last year and how they dropped out.

We can still make top 2 and I dont hink for 1 min MM thinks any diffrent,and I dont think for 1 min he will strive for anything less.

The window has been frustrating, but the club is at least being run in a sustaibale manner and that at least means we will continue to have a clun to support, which some years ago frankly was in question, on the flip side we spent 100K! Not mega bucks I know but none the less its a start. If we dont go up Mings will almost certainly be sold and then we will see because I fancy MM with 10 million in his pocket (if hhe getes it of course).

Sorry thats rather rambling but point is this, lets keep perspective and consider where we are vs where we wanted to be at the start of the season, right now we are on track

I still don't understand why Parr and Bishop were brought on as wingers vs Wigan instead of wingers like Ambrose and S. Hunt!!

It's disappointing we didn't get anyone - I am sure there are better goalscoring wingers out there than what we've got, maybe even 1 or 2 which would fit in with MM's work ethic! I know it's a difficult balancing act - you don't want to sign someone who's personality or maybe just their wage could upset the morale of the team.

Anyway hopefully we'll get Williams back again and find a targetman willing to compete with Murphy
#BringBack433!

We ran out of steam badly after Christmas last year during Jan and Feb (2 wins in 12)with all the games dropping points at relegated sides and Blackpool who were on a shocking run the same as Wigan this year.
Team used in 0-0 Blackpool game last season
Loach
Chambers, Smith ,Berra, Cressy
Green, Skuse, Hyam, Hunt
Dids, Murphy
Subs Used - Tabb , Anderson ,SEB

With two transfer windows since we haven't changed the line up much

Regardless of our league position at the end of the season, McCarthy has worked miracles. He has spent (whether intentionally or as a result of there being no cash available) next to nothing. Instead, he (and TC) have nurtured the current squad and created a decent team, capable of beating anyone else in this league but equally capable of having a "bad day". I take my hat off to you MM and pay homage for the fact that you have brought pride back to this great club. My only request is that we see a little more of players like Stewart and Bishop, who are not afraid to run at the opposition. Up the town and long live MM!

Garv thats true they need to be available d afforable, I mean yes Rooney, Fabregas, Aguero, Sanchez would all be great additions but thy in selling, peaps those players that wld improve the squad are not available. there is no point signing people for the sake of it, they have to make a impact and imrove te squad

Last Saturdays game did leave us in a state of gloom and despondency..it was in always a forgettable day. - -and it's gone and so has this ridiculous " deadline day" Like many I had hoped that something would have happened, that the powers that be would have have pulled " a rabbit" out of the hat. It didn't happen. So no good dwelling on what might have been done. I do not agree with all of MMs decisions or press utterings ( although agree or not he is value for money! )
But he has a proven record ..Wolves, Sunderland at this level and has pulled us from the brink of awfulness to being three points from the top.
We don't have the best individuals in the Division. Not many would make the first elevens of our competitors BUT to be fair he has developed a fantastic team spirit. Read or listen to any players thoughts and they are united in their praise as our many of our ex players from the Glory Days.
Oh how I wish we had a Mariner, a swivelling Gatesy, a Matt Holland, a Marcus Stewart and so on.
But we don't. But we do have 18 matches left 54 points to play for. Brentford and Bournemouth to come to PR. The best home record in the Championshipand a fit again leading goal scorer soon to return.
So our half empty glasses of last Saturday ( and mine was down to the dregs!) must be turned into half full as we go forward. It won't be an easy road , we will doubtless have more frustrating angry moments but we still have as good a chance of success as any other in the division.
Time for every true blue to rally together ( even if we have cannot agree on every single aspect)
PS apologies for intially posting under wrong heading!

I think the reason why views are so polarised on here is that whilst the position in the league and results on a shoestring has been brilliant, the football hasn't always been great. When poor performances combine with a poor result, those that pay the money to go to the game feel a bit robbed, worried by what they have seen, not to mention freezing probably. Those (like me) who live far away and don't go to many games, who are delighted at the progress more generally, need to recognise the frustrations of those who go week in week out.

..... this has to be seen as a surefire statement of intent - we had the chance to 'push on' and show the Club's ambition - maybe that's exactly what has happened unfortunately.

Let's all hope otherwise - but the Premiership looks a long way off right now, as it has done for far too long.

....... 'the Football hasn't always been great' ??? ..... I'd say for the most part it's back (recently anyway) to be dire - saying nothing about it being non productive and boring.

Only just seen Jesse Lingard has gone to Derby too!! - I really do hope Mick has some decent players in his sights in the emergency loans system otherwise I really believe we're stuffed for automatic promotion. It really gives the club and the players a lift when a quality player arrives and this has to happen sooner rather than later as the players now seem to be lacking in confidence on the pitch - we now probably more than ever this season need a boost and some quality HAS to come in - particularly in midfield!

....... ing.

Garv - 100% spot on....

'where do I find players better than what we have?'

is MM having a laugh???? I saw better players walking down the park the other day than Anderson .....

I trust in Mick and Terry.... but its starting to get very frustrating to listen to excuses...

unless he pulls out Williams and another midfield general in the mould of Wanyama of Southampton we will slowly slip starting against Rotherham... come on MM get on the phone to your buddies in the premier...

It's amazing how quickly people forget how little money we actually have...

i have lived here for 12 years and had a season ticket for 9 years.some of you on here seem so spineless and fickle,

When can anybody really remember when we were truly active on deadline day.gave obnoxious wally Keane money since then have not been active at all.if I'm honest find tactics strange Mr Evans I feel now put up or shut up we have great opp to get to promised land dig deep.