Possible January Targets

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Ricky

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Before the Burton game it was highly debatable how we should strengthen, and to some extent still is. But unfortunately now one position stands out.
It's hard to know just how high we can aim with our targets. We look like being in the top 6 at least by January so this list is on that basis.

Add your own suggestions, if there are any left!

* out of contract in the summer


DEFENDERS

*Andy Yiadom
- Versatile and quick Barnsley right back. Good on the ball. Can play both sides and further forward having started out as a winger. Linked with Swansea and Huddersfield last summer. This could be area to look at if Baldock's injuries continue, with Freeman also susceptible to knocks.

James Justin - Highly rated young Luton defender. Predominantly a right back, plays the same positions as Yiadom. Could be a good one for the future while giving us what might be necessary cover this season.

Kyle Walker-Peters - Another right back. Another double barrelled young defender. Maybe we could loan him from Spurs if needs be.

No Body - Exactly what we need at centre back. Will be easy to sign.



MIDFIELDERS

*Ryan Leonard
- Ryan Leonard.

Chris Forrester - Classy playmaker who could also develop into a number 10. He's only been in England just over 2 years after moving from the Irish league, and at 24 (25 in December) could still improve quite a lot. His stock has fallen a bit recently, so it could be a good time to sign him. It certainly seems like the right time for him to move, and I think we'd be a great choice for him. Still wouldn't expect Peterborough to let him go cheaply though.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles - This would be a high calibre PL loan. Very versatile good all round footballer, the type Wilder likes. Naturally a winger but has recently been moved into the middle, where he looks at home, even playing a deeper role. Can even play RB/RWB.

Massimo Luongo -
Silky playmaker who's become increasingly solid and reliable. In good form for QPR and has been made captain. Genuinely two footed and a good ball carrier. Whether he'd be realistic or not might depend on the extent of QPR's financial problems.

Lewis Baker
- On loan at Boro from Chelsea but hasn't been playing recently. There's a chance they'll recall him and send him elsewhere. In which case, we'd be in a great position to pounce. Genuinely two footed, skillful and a good athlete. Scored 15 goals in Holland last season. More of an attacking player but I think he's versatile and mouldable.

Sam Field
- Really highly rated young West Brom central midfielder. Composed left footed playmaker who also likes a tackle. Would be good competition for Fleck and could also play alongside him. Could be a quality loan.

Max Power - The man with the name you'd love to touch - but mustn't. Box to box all rounder with good quality. Back in Wigan's team but wanted a move in the summer and they wanted rid, so could be available in January.

Josh Vela - All round midfielder who can also play in defence. Showed last season that he can play a more attacking role and score goals. Still young, could kick on to another level playing for a football team and not Bolton.

Daniel Johnson - Someone we should have signed in January 2015. Energetic, skillful left footed attacking midfielder who can also play deeper. Would be excellent albeit expensive competition for Fleck and the attacking midfielders.

Scott McTominay
- Young Man Utd midfielder on the fringes of their first team squad. Tall, physically good, tidy on the ball and can play deeper or advanced, and even up front. Possible loan.

Lewis Morgan - 21 year old St Mirren winger who we've been linked with previously. Quick with close control. Right footed but also good with his left. Generally plays on the left but can play all across the pitch. Has continued to do well this season with Celtic, Swansea and Birmingham linked.

*Siriki Dembele
- Grimsby winger, same age as Morgan. Called Dembele, which is always a plus. Right footed, generally plays on the right but is given the freedom to drift all over the pitch. He's only short but is a good technical player with close control and decent pace. Would be cheap.

Sullay Kaikai - Quick goalscoring right footed winger who should be available from Palace.



ATTACKERS

*Devante Cole
- It seems like a perfect time to sign him, as it often is with young strikers when they hit decent goalscoring form. He has the tools to be a very good player - pace, skill and finishing ability. Wanted the move here in August and would give us something different. 'Worth a punt'.

Sam Baldock - George's brother. Proven player at this level who has good pace and a powerful right footed shot.

Jamie Murphy - Might not be an obvious place for him in our team but he'd give us something different and I certainly wouldn't say no to a loan. A quality wide option could be useful and I also think he could play as a second striker.

Conor Washington
- Hardworking, athletic all round forward with two good feet and a powerful shot. Can run at defences and create his own chances. Mediocre scoring record at this level but has the ability to improve that, especially if Wilder's managing him.

Idrissa Sylla
- Washington's strike partner at QPR, they were a handful against us. Another good athlete and quite an all rounder. Good in the air. He scored a decent number of goals last season in a struggling team in his first season in England.

Collin Quaner
- Big powerful forward who has the tools to do well at this level. Not starting for Huddersfield. Also helped end Wednesday as a club with his impact in the play off semi final, so there's that too.

Junior Kabananga - Random shout. Saw two goals he scored for Astana in the Europa League and wondered if he could be attainable. Turns out he was linked with Leeds and Forest in the summer. Tall, quick and agile centre forward with a powerful left foot and good recent scoring record. Plays for DR Congo and was top scorer in the 2017 AFCON.

Julien Ngoy - Very highly rated quick, versatile young attacker at Stoke. Belgium U21 international. Recently linked with Monaco, Arsenal and other top clubs. But hasn't played enough games and could do with a loan move.
 

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The 'for-one-reason-or-another-don't-make-it-onto-the-first-list' list:


MIDFIELDERS


Ryan Woods - Surely unrealistic but if there's any chance we could get him he'd be right at the top of the list.

Ademola Lookman - If we want a quick winger on loan I doubt we could do any better, if he's available. But he's one who'd really have to play every game.


ATTACKERS


Connor Wickham
- If fit enough would be a high calibre loan signing.

*Louis Moult - Scoring a lot of goals for Motherwell. Fox in the box with a decent all round game. Might be worth consideration and shouldn't be expensive.

Ollie McBurnie - Highly rated Scottish striker at Swansea. All round centre forward, tall and agile with good technical ability. Might be available on loan.

Jerome Sinclair - Would offer us something different but would we be willing to go back for him?
 
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Ricky, is Moult the fella we were rumoured to be interested in close season/last season?

Yes. His form's only got better, but we're at another level now. Not quite sure he's the type of striker we should go for. And the SPL isn't the hardest league to score goals in.
 
Yes. His form's only got better, but we're at another level now. Not quite sure he's the type of striker we should go for. And the SPL isn't the hardest league to score goals in.

The very few times I've seen him on the box he looks like he has quality about him.

Up to CW and AK to decide whether he can make the step up
 
Will be very much a game changer as well if we sell Brooks. I’d rather keep him, as he’ll be worth a lot more if we do manage to get up, but there’s a very real chance of £20m+ coming our way in January
 
One for the midfield:

Ethan Ampadu – given the need for a Coutts replacement, Ampadu in the recent Wales-Panama game showed attributes that could be well suited to this role. A deep-lying midfielder that likes to be the focal point for play, in many ways he performed a similar role to Coutts in that game, albeit as part of a midfield two, keeping it simple for the most part, but prepared to deliver long diagonal balls to the wings, and to push forward when possible. Strong on the ball, and a strong tackler too. Only used by Chelsea in the cups so far, and at 17 surely would benefit from a loan to the Championship.
 
Haven't heard of 90% of those.

On the list - Is there a Leon Clarke (but 5 years younger) and Couttsy ?

Because if they are on your list, we need to sign them basically.
 
Ryan Leonard - Ryan Leonard.

:D - Think Leonard and Cole will happen tbh.

I'd absolutely love us to test Brentford and Woods' resolve with a decent offer but yeah, may have to wait until we go up for that one.

Edit: LoughboroBlade beat me to it with Ampadu - though he may be a little too young and raw just yet for week in week out champ football.
 
I remember when Gordon (Sid) Cowans came to Utd.
Wise head on old-ish shoulders. Knew the game inside out. Crafty & calm.
Paul McGrath was the same before he blew up. There’s bound to be others that escape my memory.
So, is Mr Wilder the type to bring in someone like that to fill the gap, do a job & help steer us on & up? Then review in the Summer?
Someone elsewhere mentioned Michael Carrick - that sort of ilk. The way we play should attract proper footballers who fancy a last hurrah.
 
Wilder will have his targets lined up but whoever we sign won’t satisfy Jim Whites deadline day army mob.
 
Jack Marriott-Peterborough
Callum Camps-Rochdale

Would love Ryan Woods at Brentford no way we will have the money to buy him though.
 
Ampadou on loan from Chelsea? Played the deeper lying role for wales and we surely have a good relationship with Chelsea regarding Blackman..
 

No way we can replace coutts him and fleck are the best partnership in the middle if the park I've seen this season and to thin they didn't cost us a penny.
 
Yiadom didn't move to Swansea because of late paperwork, so I imagine they will revisit that deal in Jan. Che Adams anyone? No, ok.
 
Time to see how I did in Rumour Mill bingo...

Versatile - ✓
Highly rated - ✓
Two footed - ✓
Playmaker - ✓
All rounder - ✓
All round game - ✓
Worth a punt - ✓
Leonard - ✓

Not bad but plenty of room for improvement. 6/10.
 
Time to see how I did in Rumour Mill bingo...

Versatile - ✓
Highly rated - ✓
Two footed - ✓
Playmaker - ✓
All rounder - ✓
All round game - ✓
Worth a punt - ✓
Leonard - ✓

Not bad but plenty of room for improvement. 6/10.
Like Rob86 ive not heard of more than half of those. Impressed with the knowledge, where do you get your info from Ric? You obviously don't go to all those games, they are not all televised and my sons FIFA 12 doesn't give that much detail.
 
One for the midfield:

Ethan Ampadu – given the need for a Coutts replacement, Ampadu in the recent Wales-Panama game showed attributes that could be well suited to this role. A deep-lying midfielder that likes to be the focal point for play, in many ways he performed a similar role to Coutts in that game, albeit as part of a midfield two, keeping it simple for the most part, but prepared to deliver long diagonal balls to the wings, and to push forward when possible. Strong on the ball, and a strong tackler too. Only used by Chelsea in the cups so far, and at 17 surely would benefit from a loan to the Championship.

Also was a standout performer in the Wales squad with Brooks.

Id also want him just to hear the kop sing "Aaaam-paaaa-du-du-du! Push pineapple shake the tree!"
 
Like Rob86 ive not heard of more than half of those. Impressed with the knowledge, where do you get your info from Ric? You obviously don't go to all those games, they are not all televised and my sons FIFA 12 doesn't give that much detail.

I've never based anything on any console game and never will, least of all FIFA.

I will have seen most of them over full matches at some point, and tend to remember. I keep an eye on players who stand out and build a view of them over time from further full matches, highlights and reports. You could watch a lot of clubs' full matches on Blades Player last season before iFollow came in and fucked everything up.

For any I haven't seen over full matches it's much the same. It's not hard to establish a player's strengths, player type and general ability level. It's harder to establish weaknesses without watching more extensively though.
 
I remember when Gordon (Sid) Cowans came to Utd.
Wise head on old-ish shoulders. Knew the game inside out. Crafty & calm.
Paul McGrath was the same before he blew up. There’s bound to be others that escape my memory.
So, is Mr Wilder the type to bring in someone like that to fill the gap, do a job & help steer us on & up? Then review in the Summer?
Someone elsewhere mentioned Michael Carrick - that sort of ilk. The way we play should attract proper footballers who fancy a last hurrah.
Charlie adam pissed off with lack of games under Hughes
 
John McGinn. I was calling Strachan an idiot for picking him but I've seen him play since then and he's actually quite decent. Not sure how much he'd cost though.
 
A great list but tbh I dont think Utd will do too much business in Jan - prob Cole, 1 poss 2 CMs (maybe go back in for Leonard or a PL loan) and maybe a wildcard loan e.g. Kalkai at Palace or Edwards at Spurs.

I can see Hanson leaving on a perm and Lavery, Eastwood and possibly Hannigan on loans.
 
- Kyle Walker Peters loan
- Shane Long
- Jamie Murphy
- Troy Deeney cheeky loan offer? Can't get on the bench at Watford.
- Ampadu loan
- Woodburn loan
- I'd like us to loan a left back to rival Stevens too, Lafferty to me is the cover for JOC now. Anyone got any suggestions?
- Would we still be in for Lenihan from Blackburn? I remember them saying they wanted £5 million for him, but he's only made one appearance this season for them.

Good list all round though. Some good names i'd not thought of.
 
Charlie adam pissed off with lack of games under Hughes
Funnily enough a Stoke fan at work has suggested him. Scottish as well ! Worth spending the £15/£20K on wages until the end of the season if we can't find a permanent replacement. Doesn't necessarily have to be him like.

Just to add - he probably wouldn't come with a big ego either, which is always a danger loaning Premier League players. Suppose you can always tell them to fuck off though
 

Funnily enough a Stoke fan at work has suggested him. Scottish as well ! Worth spending the £15/£20K on wages until the end of the season if we can't find a permanent replacement. Doesn't necessarily have to be him like.

Just to add - he probably wouldn't come with a big ego either, which is always a danger loaning Premier League players. Suppose you can always tell them to fuck off though
I think he would do us a job and would be playing for a contract and I get the feeling he is a CW type of player
 

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