General manager of football operations Lee O’Neill says the club constantly look at whether areas of the squad need strengthening with the January transfer window now only two months away.

At last night’s Meet the Club event, O’Neill was asked about the sell-ons from ex-players - Adam Webster, Matt Clarke, Tyrone Mings and Kieffer Moore - over the summer and whether that cash might be available to Paul Lambert in January to add to his squad.

“Regarding the details and specifics on those figures, [finance director] Mark [Andrews] has them but in principle I think I can answer the question,” O’Neil said. “We’re constantly looking at and evaluating the squad in general.

“I think it’s fair to say at the moment that we have probably one of the strongest squads in the league, so if we were to bring in anyone they’ve got to be better than we’ve got at the moment.

“You can look at the squad, they’re all in competition and fighting for places, it makes it difficult for the staff to pick the team.

“We have got, not 11 players out there, we’ve got a squad of 20-plus and they all want to play football, they don’t turn up and train just to sit on the bench or sit in the stands.

“So, we are looking out there to strengthen in every area of the pitch as and when we can. Those things do depend on finances, but it’s not just about that, it’s making sure that we have a pathway for those players to play as well.

“If they continue the way they are at the moment there’s healthy competition amongst the squad, I think [owner] Marcus [Evans] was very generous in the last window, in the summer when we were looking to strengthen in certain areas.

“We were able to do that and that’s probably put us in the position where we are at the moment. We will constantly look at it and where we feel we need to, we’ll look at those areas.”

You can read notes on the questions asked of Lambert, his staff and general manager of football operations Lee O'Neill on the TWTD Forum.

Photo: TWTD

DifferentGravy added 16:05 - Nov 1 It would be easier to agree or accept those comments referring to the size and quality of our squad if the players that were filling in (Edwards, Dozzell etc) were actually giving the manager a genuine selection dilemma. Also, we have a number of players still out for a couple of months....even before they achieve match fitness (Sears, Lanks, Bish) I expect the Owner to be making reasonable funds available should the manager need it. Must not waste this opportunity to go straight back up.

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Saxonblue74 added 16:23 - Nov 1 Agree differentgravy. I also think we need to be looking ahead to next season in the championship. Now is the time to build a competitive squad that can hit the ground running in August 2020, assuming all goes to plan this season!
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Saxonblue74 added 16:25 - Nov 1 .....I'm also waiting for something informed and inciteful from Bluearmy81 as you've mentioned funds and ownership!😂
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runningout added 19:26 - Nov 1 someone decent who can play every game would be an idea
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Cakeman added 19:30 - Nov 1 I guess investment in the January window could hinge on whether or not our long term injured people will play again this season. The worry for me is Kane Vincent-Young as I am not convinced he will return quickly. That being the case we will need a new face.
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KiwiBlue2 added 04:01 - Nov 2 I am wondering if Tommy Smith might be available. A group of Smith (left cb), Woolfie, Wilson and presumably Chambers would be handy for the Championship next year hopefully. Just a thought..........
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:29 - Nov 3 Saxon, Bluearmy is prob writing his speach ready for our next defeat, it will be along the lines of Evans OUT, ! cant you numpty's see it ! join FB Evans OUT.
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Razor added 10:25 - Nov 4 I thibk we definitely need another top class striker----imagine if we lost Nozza or Jacko long term,especially as none of the injured lads look like coming back any time soon.
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