| Big January ahead 08:02 - Dec 14 with 1185 views | tractorboy1978 |
Despite having a big squad we are somehow in a position where we have 4 RBs but no like for like back up LB, no Matusiwa cover, two 10s that don’t fit our system and no striker that looks like you can hang your hat on them.
My shopping list would be LB, CM, 10, striker. But in reality I don’t know how much wiggle room with the squad we actually have? We obviously couldn’t get the deal we wanted for Johnson in the summer or he would already be gone. Humphreys may go on loan. But who else? I’d be shifting McAteer out on loan in January if we can. Offering nothing and obviously miles down the pecking order. Can we send Akpom back? I doubt it given how hard we had to push to get him here in the summer. [Post edited 14 Dec 8:05]
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| Big January ahead on 08:16 - Dec 14 with 965 views | Dubtractor |
No matter how you dress it up, our squad looks pretty imbalanced, and carrying players who have majorly failed to deliver (at least yet) and halfway through the season we really ought to be seeing something from the senior signings. A long bedding in period is fine for a youngster (eg Egeli) but not for a senior player.
Akpom and McAteer have been massively disappointing, to put it mildly. And I'm really struggling to see the benefit of having Young here.
Johnson will surely go in January, even if we have to suck up some financial hit from his wages.
To spend the cash we have, and still be looking for the 4 players you identify (which I agree with) is a bit of a mess. |  |
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| Big January ahead on 08:22 - Dec 14 with 929 views | southnorfolkblue |
Mcateer has played for 2 clubs already this season, so the only club that could£ take him on loan is Leicester | |
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| Big January ahead on 08:24 - Dec 14 with 918 views | Pinewoodblue |
I assume you are looking for us to gain promotion. You have however given a shopping list for next season. You don’t go shopping at Harrods on an Aldi budget.
The priority is a number nine but there are plenty of other clubs looking for the same and an acute shortage of options available.
We have a squad capable of gaining promotion we just have to workout how to do it. Perhaps our approach needs more than a tweak, perhaps we did to approach things differently. It is all down to Kieron McKenna and the players, get behind thrm. |  |
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| Big January ahead on 08:28 - Dec 14 with 892 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Big January ahead on 08:24 - Dec 14 by Pinewoodblue |
I assume you are looking for us to gain promotion. You have however given a shopping list for next season. You don’t go shopping at Harrods on an Aldi budget.
The priority is a number nine but there are plenty of other clubs looking for the same and an acute shortage of options available.
We have a squad capable of gaining promotion we just have to workout how to do it. Perhaps our approach needs more than a tweak, perhaps we did to approach things differently. It is all down to Kieron McKenna and the players, get behind thrm. |
Why do we have an Aldi budget in January? | | | |
| Big January ahead on 08:30 - Dec 14 with 879 views | ITFCSG |
| Big January ahead on 08:24 - Dec 14 by Pinewoodblue |
I assume you are looking for us to gain promotion. You have however given a shopping list for next season. You don’t go shopping at Harrods on an Aldi budget.
The priority is a number nine but there are plenty of other clubs looking for the same and an acute shortage of options available.
We have a squad capable of gaining promotion we just have to workout how to do it. Perhaps our approach needs more than a tweak, perhaps we did to approach things differently. It is all down to Kieron McKenna and the players, get behind thrm. |
Shouldn't us, as a parachute club, and the club with the most expensive squad and highest budget also be the most attractive option in the entire EFL?
We are not shopping for PL ready strikers, we need strikers that can score to bring us up. Like Piroe at Leeds, for example. Or Moore who did the job for us 23/24.
Same as last season, when plenty here trotted out the line "PL quality players won't want to join a newly promoted club". So how did PL quality players end up at Sunderland and Leeds over the summer then? | | | |
| Big January ahead on 08:38 - Dec 14 with 853 views | NthQldITFC |
I'd say we can do without LB cover as we already have options there and Davis is pretty robust. We can also do without another 10 as Egeli will probably be in there as the main man. I agree that we don't then have top notch backup in those places (or RW if Egeli is inside), but perhaps enough because we need to focus all of our spending power on striker and CM.
What we need more than any specific player upgrade though is an injection of morale/team spirit/camaraderie/determination to impose ourselves/call it what you will.
Whether that comes from the character of a new CM or a new striker is debatable, it probably comes from within the group IF we can get a proper good run going. But I want to see more fight/bravery/directness/improvisation/smiling/grinning and roaring. |  |
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| Big January ahead on 08:45 - Dec 14 with 834 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Big January ahead on 08:38 - Dec 14 by NthQldITFC |
I'd say we can do without LB cover as we already have options there and Davis is pretty robust. We can also do without another 10 as Egeli will probably be in there as the main man. I agree that we don't then have top notch backup in those places (or RW if Egeli is inside), but perhaps enough because we need to focus all of our spending power on striker and CM.
What we need more than any specific player upgrade though is an injection of morale/team spirit/camaraderie/determination to impose ourselves/call it what you will.
Whether that comes from the character of a new CM or a new striker is debatable, it probably comes from within the group IF we can get a proper good run going. But I want to see more fight/bravery/directness/improvisation/smiling/grinning and roaring. |
Not saying we have to spend loads of money on all 4 signings but a round peg in a round hole would do in CM/LB. An equivalent of Lewis Travis would be fine to back up Matusiwa. | | | |
| Big January ahead on 08:49 - Dec 14 with 820 views | franz_tyson |
If we need a big January that does say a lot about our recruitment for the last 18 months. Last year, we built a narrative when it became obvious that we were getting relegated thàt we were building a promotion team. We're still unbalanced with players not fitting into a McKenna team. Maybe we passed on players who fitted and preferred to choose players with bigger reputations and, presumably, higher ceilings. Just wondering if having too much money to burn is not an advantage at all.
Common sense goes out the window. Part of me thinks we shouldn't go big because our recruitment team aren't doing their job and we could end up wasting more money and we'll likely have less to spend in the summer. And it's up to our coaching team to get more out of this squad.
Jan priority: Back up to Matusiwa.
Also back up to Leif and Hirst.
Sorry, but how daft it is that we've spent so much money yet we've got no-one to replace Matusiwa ( the yellow card king), Leif or Hirst. And we've had to rely on Taylor coming in to partner Matusiwa. I don't understand how a highly paid team whose sole job is to source players can recruit players who don't fit our system. And we've got 4 right backs and only 1 left back. That looks so amateurish. [Post edited 14 Dec 8:51]
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| Big January ahead on 08:55 - Dec 14 with 795 views | BanksterDebtSlave |
Hamer, to add to our collection of Championship all stars? |  |
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| Big January ahead on 09:05 - Dec 14 with 753 views | BloomBlue |
Harry Clarke, I guess, especially as he seems plssed as he's not even getting on the subs bench.
But if Johnson goes will we go from 4 to 2 at RB?
Baggott or Humphreys out on loan, most likely Humphreys I'm guessing.
Also let Szmodics go out on loan, not adding anything as a 10 and hasnt looked like scoring since this time last season.
Jack Clarke, its simply not working for him here. Looks great when he comes on as a sub against a knackered defence, looks like a schoolboy when he starts. I'm still struggling to understand why he destroyed defences when playing for Sunderland, but incapable of beating a player when in a Town shirt. Maybe teams play a low block against us, but didn't against Sunderland. |  | | |
| Big January ahead on 09:07 - Dec 14 with 743 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Big January ahead on 08:16 - Dec 14 by Dubtractor |
No matter how you dress it up, our squad looks pretty imbalanced, and carrying players who have majorly failed to deliver (at least yet) and halfway through the season we really ought to be seeing something from the senior signings. A long bedding in period is fine for a youngster (eg Egeli) but not for a senior player.
Akpom and McAteer have been massively disappointing, to put it mildly. And I'm really struggling to see the benefit of having Young here.
Johnson will surely go in January, even if we have to suck up some financial hit from his wages.
To spend the cash we have, and still be looking for the 4 players you identify (which I agree with) is a bit of a mess. |
Issue is aswell, its said alot players need time to settle, look at what .... has become
whilst it's absolutely true, we don't actually know what level they can actually be
Clarke for example, is this the best version of clarke we'll ever see
Philogene?
Egeli, incredibly promising but how much development are we losing the longer he's kept on the right
Taylors come in from the cold and looked the best partner for azor, the issue is, in my opinion, taylor is far far away from being a top 2 level midfielder and the only reason i liked him recently was because he did the closest job to what luongo did for us with his effort levels.
Hirst - what are we waiting or hoping for? he's never been prolific, hes not the best at making goals for himself, he's not that great as an in the box striker either and he's not doing the basics of holding the ball up.. i'd go as far to say he actually looks worse than ladapo at this level and he got binned.
Yet our other option seems to only be azon where we don't really know what his potential level is and the one we have maybe the best he's ever gonna be
Lots of unknowns but i also think sometimes you have to make tough decisions and go early with cutting your losses. |  |
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| Big January ahead on 09:24 - Dec 14 with 714 views | cbower |
| Big January ahead on 08:38 - Dec 14 by NthQldITFC |
I'd say we can do without LB cover as we already have options there and Davis is pretty robust. We can also do without another 10 as Egeli will probably be in there as the main man. I agree that we don't then have top notch backup in those places (or RW if Egeli is inside), but perhaps enough because we need to focus all of our spending power on striker and CM.
What we need more than any specific player upgrade though is an injection of morale/team spirit/camaraderie/determination to impose ourselves/call it what you will.
Whether that comes from the character of a new CM or a new striker is debatable, it probably comes from within the group IF we can get a proper good run going. But I want to see more fight/bravery/directness/improvisation/smiling/grinning and roaring. |
Your post reminds me of what Paul Cook said upon signing Sam Morsy in the wake of a $hit-show against Bolton at home I think. To paraphrase, Cook said something like that performance doesn't happen with Morsy in the side. Now this is not a clarion call for the return of Morsy, I think that step is littered with pitfalls. However, a galvanising, driving on field force who grabs the game a la Morsy is certainly lacking in this squad right now. |  |
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| Big January ahead on 11:33 - Dec 14 with 580 views | NthQldITFC |
| Big January ahead on 08:49 - Dec 14 by franz_tyson |
If we need a big January that does say a lot about our recruitment for the last 18 months. Last year, we built a narrative when it became obvious that we were getting relegated thàt we were building a promotion team. We're still unbalanced with players not fitting into a McKenna team. Maybe we passed on players who fitted and preferred to choose players with bigger reputations and, presumably, higher ceilings. Just wondering if having too much money to burn is not an advantage at all.
Common sense goes out the window. Part of me thinks we shouldn't go big because our recruitment team aren't doing their job and we could end up wasting more money and we'll likely have less to spend in the summer. And it's up to our coaching team to get more out of this squad.
Jan priority: Back up to Matusiwa.
Also back up to Leif and Hirst.
Sorry, but how daft it is that we've spent so much money yet we've got no-one to replace Matusiwa ( the yellow card king), Leif or Hirst. And we've had to rely on Taylor coming in to partner Matusiwa. I don't understand how a highly paid team whose sole job is to source players can recruit players who don't fit our system. And we've got 4 right backs and only 1 left back. That looks so amateurish. [Post edited 14 Dec 8:51]
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Re. your first sentence: Possibly, but I think Ashton and McKenna have more than enough credit in the bank that we shouldn't be focussing on the past here. There should still be heaps of positivity at this club (and there is still heaps of opportunity) and while I know it's tempting to have a moan and start pointing fingers, I don't think now is the time.
I actually think the recruitment has been decent (not great, but decent) but we're not getting the best out of a lot of players yet because a top notch team spirit has not yet built up - a lot of that is to do with pressures of expectation after coming down from the PL, and is very common unless you get off to a flying start in your first six or so matches. We didn't really.
Keep the faith everyone. | |
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| Big January ahead on 11:35 - Dec 14 with 568 views | NthQldITFC |
| Big January ahead on 09:24 - Dec 14 by cbower |
Your post reminds me of what Paul Cook said upon signing Sam Morsy in the wake of a $hit-show against Bolton at home I think. To paraphrase, Cook said something like that performance doesn't happen with Morsy in the side. Now this is not a clarion call for the return of Morsy, I think that step is littered with pitfalls. However, a galvanising, driving on field force who grabs the game a la Morsy is certainly lacking in this squad right now. |
Bang on. | |
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| Big January ahead on 11:36 - Dec 14 with 565 views | Zx1988 |
Going into a transfer window needing a No 9, with it having been abundantly clear for some time that such a player is needed?
Where have I heard that one before?
It'll all be wrapped up by January 7th, right? | |
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| Big January ahead on 11:45 - Dec 14 with 546 views | SuperKieranMcKenna |
If we can’t return Akpom is it worth giving him some proper minutes as no9? He’s not really had much game time to find some rhythm, clearly he doesn’t work as a 10.
Azon unfortunately blows hot and cold with his finishing which can be the difference at the top end of the the table. Still think we need another CM alongside Matisuwa, Taylor has been decent but I’m not sure is the long term answer. | | | |
| Big January ahead on 11:52 - Dec 14 with 538 views | itfcsuth |
Chaplin has to come back in January 1st. That’s the biggest piece of business we need to do.
Beyond that there are pieces of the puzzle you can’t see being here long term: Johnson, Young, J.Clarke, Akpom, Azon, McAteer.
If we could offload any of them it would be a bonus, although think it will be tricky. |  | | |
| Big January ahead on 12:01 - Dec 14 with 522 views | SomethingBlue |
I doubt we'll bring in huge numbers so a couple of these are probably in the nice-to-have category. I think the essentials are in central midfield and up top – these need addressing and preferably early in the window. We should not be in that position but we are where we are. The right couple of players would make all the difference. | |
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| Big January ahead on 12:07 - Dec 14 with 509 views | SomethingBlue |
| Big January ahead on 11:52 - Dec 14 by itfcsuth |
Chaplin has to come back in January 1st. That’s the biggest piece of business we need to do.
Beyond that there are pieces of the puzzle you can’t see being here long term: Johnson, Young, J.Clarke, Akpom, Azon, McAteer.
If we could offload any of them it would be a bonus, although think it will be tricky. |
Love Chaplin to bits but, like most of that team, he was a glorious moment in time – not sure bringing him back into the current setup would do very much. | |
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| Big January ahead on 12:08 - Dec 14 with 503 views | billlm |
| Big January ahead on 08:49 - Dec 14 by franz_tyson |
If we need a big January that does say a lot about our recruitment for the last 18 months. Last year, we built a narrative when it became obvious that we were getting relegated thàt we were building a promotion team. We're still unbalanced with players not fitting into a McKenna team. Maybe we passed on players who fitted and preferred to choose players with bigger reputations and, presumably, higher ceilings. Just wondering if having too much money to burn is not an advantage at all.
Common sense goes out the window. Part of me thinks we shouldn't go big because our recruitment team aren't doing their job and we could end up wasting more money and we'll likely have less to spend in the summer. And it's up to our coaching team to get more out of this squad.
Jan priority: Back up to Matusiwa.
Also back up to Leif and Hirst.
Sorry, but how daft it is that we've spent so much money yet we've got no-one to replace Matusiwa ( the yellow card king), Leif or Hirst. And we've had to rely on Taylor coming in to partner Matusiwa. I don't understand how a highly paid team whose sole job is to source players can recruit players who don't fit our system. And we've got 4 right backs and only 1 left back. That looks so amateurish. [Post edited 14 Dec 8:51]
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Back up to hirst dear lord,
A starter in front of hirst, |  | | |
| Big January ahead on 12:15 - Dec 14 with 477 views | Axeldalai_lama |
Despite all the inconsistency and upheaval we mainly need:
A forward better than Hirst
A centre mid better than Taylor
They then become back up. Of course there are plenty of tweaks we could do, cajuste, akpom, Clarke, Mcateer, but not sure that is vital and risks even more upheavel for the sake of it. |  | | |
| Big January ahead on 13:10 - Dec 14 with 406 views | bobbyramsey |
| Big January ahead on 11:36 - Dec 14 by Zx1988 |
Going into a transfer window needing a No 9, with it having been abundantly clear for some time that such a player is needed?
Where have I heard that one before?
It'll all be wrapped up by January 7th, right? |
Wrong.
We normally complete the majority of our business very late in the window.
As you know, it could be a very long January.... |  | | |
| Big January ahead on 13:23 - Dec 14 with 382 views | cressi |
Not sure we will get it right spend over the top at times on players who don't perform or play them out of position. | | | |
| Big January ahead on 13:24 - Dec 14 with 378 views | Zx1988 |
| Big January ahead on 13:10 - Dec 14 by bobbyramsey |
Wrong.
We normally complete the majority of our business very late in the window.
As you know, it could be a very long January.... |
That's absolutely what I'm expecting.
I know it's not FIFA/Football Manager, but surely it's not unreasonable to think that conversations are already being had, KMc/MA know who's definitely available in January (rather than waiting to see who falls off the merry-go-round), and they're in a position to have someone half-decent in through the door in early January. | |
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| Big January ahead on 13:25 - Dec 14 with 376 views | Herbivore |
| Big January ahead on 12:07 - Dec 14 by SomethingBlue |
Love Chaplin to bits but, like most of that team, he was a glorious moment in time – not sure bringing him back into the current setup would do very much. |
He's not been pulling up any trees at Pompey and it's nearly 2 years since he was performing well for us regularly, he tailed off quite badly in the promotion winning season and hasn't featured much since. Love him to bits but feels like a ship that's sailed. |  |
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