January 2020

[HeCanDoMagic]

Owing to limited injuries and superb form, I don't believe we are desperate for new signings, however it doesn't take a genius to see that we are only a suspension or an injury away from having some issues - especially given the system and style we play.

Also, Wilder is not the type to stand still, he'll want to improve - if there are players out there to make us better, he'll be interested.

So what do we need to A) ensure we have a squad deep enough to last the season and B) make the first team squad even better?

As a priority I would like us to bring in cover for Baldock (who plays there if he gets injured? scary thought) and competition for McGoldrick in that link-up striker role.

In addition do we look to upgrade any of our current players, or is the time to look at that in the summer?

 

[Bladesman]

If we can offload Clarke and get another striker that would be good.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Duffy and if we can move him on? Unless his loan deal is til the end of the season?

Getting the dead wood of the wage bill is must even though they are not in our 25 man PL squad. The likes of Wright and Holmes need to go.

 

[BushBlade]

If we can offload Clarke and get another striker that would be good.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Duffy and if we can move him on? Unless his loan deal is til the end of the season?

Getting the dead wood of the wage bill is must even though they are not in our 25 man PL squad. The likes of Wright and Holmes need to go.

I don’t think it’s a ‘must’ and I doubt they’ll be leaving until their contracts expire. Wright will probably stay on loan at Bolton, we might be able to loan Clarke out. Holmes is fucked, he’ll collect his wage then retire.

 

[Ricky]

We have to get defensive cover. One versatile player ideally.

Otherwise, don't force it, and only move if the right opportunities present themselves.

Injuries and unexpected departures can always change things though.

 

[bongleblade]

It will be interesting to see what happens with Duffy and if we can move him on? Unless his loan deal is til the end of the season?

I wouldn't be opposed to seeing him back to be honest, on the caveat that he drops his agent and both parties put the contract saga behind them

 

[Bladesman]

I don’t think it’s a ‘must’ and I doubt they’ll be leaving until their contracts expire. Wright will probably stay on loan at Bolton, we might be able to loan Clarke out. Holmes is fucked, he’ll collect his wage then retire.

Well Clarke is taking up a space in the 25. So he needs to get moved on ASAP.

Wright could make his move to Bolton permanent.

Just make an offer to Holmes to get him out but I get the impression we may have tried that already.

 

[Akinbiyi]

Besic might want out if he's still not playing so he'll need replacing (replace him with someone to really push Lundstram and Norwood)
We could do with right sided defensive potential shall we sau, it's the time to start to blood someone to compete with Bash I think, he's now the wrong side of 30 and good competition will only make him a better player. I rate Jags as cover for CB, but not either side.

We of course could always use cover on the left but realistically no player who's any good or with any drive will come here to compete with JOC for the LCB position because they know they're going to get splinters in their arse for the whole season.

 

[Athens Blade]

I think that HRH will give the messiah anything that he wants in January

 

[Deleted member 1486]

I wouldn't be opposed to seeing him back to be honest, on the caveat that he drops his agent and both parties put the contract saga behind them

This won't happen, for several reasons. The main ones being that we changed shape and no longer have that role open for him to play. Also, he had serious fitness problems for the past few seasons when he was playing regularly (on the odd occasion when he managed to play 90 minutes he'd sit the next game out). He's 34 now and has spent the past six months getting splinters in his arse.

I wouldn't be opposed to it either, but I can't see it happening.

I think that ship has sailed, as has his chance to ever play in the Premier League.

 

[Bladesman]

This won't happen, for several reasons. The main ones being that we changed shape and no longer have that role open for him to play. Also, he had serious fitness problems for the past few seasons when he was playing regularly (on the odd occasion when he managed to play 90 minutes he'd sit the next game out). He's 34 now and has spent the past six months getting splinters in his arse.

I wouldn't be opposed to it either, but I can't see it happening.

I think that ship has sailed, as has his chance to ever play in the Premier League.

I would be opposed to it now. More so since he has let his old man run his mouth on social media about Wilder.

Bridge burned for me. Thanks for bouncing day Mark but it is time to move on.

 

[blademark]

I have a sneaky feeling that HRH might spring a surprise or two. He is very ambitious for us, and he has a lot of people to impress.

 

[Manuel Azaña]

Swap deal.

McBurnie for Morelos.

He fulfils a dream, we get a proven goalscorer.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

If Duffy was to come back and play for us, it would be the Duffiest return to the side that Wilder's executed yet.

 

[Bladesman]

Swap deal.

McBurnie for Morelos.

He fulfils a dream, we get a proven goalscorer.

McBurnie for Mitrovic.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

It’s a terrible window traditionally to get value-for-money for players good enough to be first choice. I doubt we’ll see much more than strengthening the depth of the squad – proper backup for JOC would be top of the list for me, as Stevens is too important to move for a chunk of games.

 

[bongleblade]

Swap deal.

McBurnie for Morelos.

He fulfils a dream, we get a proven goalscorer.

I cannot see us buying another striker to be honest, and McBurnie will come good i believe... plus, if you think McB has a problem with attitude (not saying you do but it has been an echoed sentiment around our fans)... then wait until you see Morelos!

The priority is defence, Wingbacks and CB's. Seriously needing some decent backup for the winter games when injuries become more commonplace. I still think Osborn will play a role, it's more about filling in the LCB/RCB/RWB role for when that time comes.

 

[Stretch]

Outs:

K Freeman - plateud in the Champ, and even then was inconsistent.

Bryan - ideally a loan, as I think he has potential

Stearman - maybe? Not that I want him to go but I wonder if he will be happy being so far down the pecking order for so long?

Morrison - maybe a short loan to get him match sharp, but somehow I suspect he might kick around in the reserves then leave in the summer.

Robinson - maybe available for a short loan if he doesn't up his game?


Ins:

RWB to push/cover Baldock

Left sided CB to push/cover JOC

Right sided CB if Stearman goes.

A striker to replace Robinson, maybe?

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

I would imagine there will be minimal 'outs' - we can afford to carry a fatter squad for the time being, so can only see Clarke as the one guarenteed leaver.

Freeman wont be allowed to leave if we haven't got cover, also involvement in the FA Cup might affect things.

Stearman - he's enjoying being around the club and provides a good old head behind the scenes. Very professional and likeable character.

Suggestions that Robinson could leave on loan are crazy.

League position will also have a major bearing - get to 25 - 30 points before mid January and it makes us a better proposition and would allow us to get a head start before the summer.

 

[BushBlade]

Outs:

K Freeman - plateud in the Champ, and even then was inconsistent.

Bryan - ideally a loan, as I think he has potential

Stearman - maybe? Not that I want him to go but I wonder if he will be happy being so far down the pecking order for so long?

Morrison - maybe a short loan to get him match sharp, but somehow I suspect he might kick around in the reserves then leave in the summer.

Robinson - maybe available for a short loan if he doesn't up his game?


Ins:

RWB to push/cover Baldock

Left sided CB to push/cover JOC

Right sided CB if Stearman goes.

A striker to replace Robinson, maybe?

We can’t do short loans anymore.

I wonder if we’d be able to get a young, tall right sided defender who can cover for Bash and Baldock, like Enda covered JOC last season. Might be a big ask for a JTW.

 

[Stretch]

We can’t do short loans anymore.

I wonder if we’d be able to get a young, tall right sided defender who can cover for Bash and Baldock, like Enda covered JOC last season. Might be a big ask for a JTW.

Loans to the season end will still be allowed though I presume?

Bryan in particular needs some football, I can't see him sticking around for much longer if he doesn't prove his worth soon.

 

[Ginger Gnome]

I doubt much happens really, we've barely used the summer signings yet.

Besic going back would free up a Premier League loan, but we'd need to replace him either with a permanent signing that'd be an improvement on Norwood, or another backup who'd get as little gametime as Mo.

Ravel doesn't look like he'll ever amount to anything so it might be in everyone's interests to move him on so he can play football somewhere. If Duffy did have his loan cut short he could fill the Morrison role of never even making the bench.

Trying to get rid of Clarke and the other listed players is an obvious move, but we don't actually need to sell Leon to remove him from the squad if we need that 25th slot.

Bryan needs to play some football if he's ever going to be a credible option, but if he's loaned out he'll need replacing.

A long-term replacement for Basham should be on the shopping list at some point, and if we can bring someone in in Jan, that gives them time to learn the role and frees up Basham as an option to cover multiple positions and render Stearman/Freeman even more redundant than they already are (though both would be absolutely fine as cover for a few games).

All the summer signings were sensible as they bolstered the squad without ripping up the team and they'd all be excellent in the event of us going down. Just because relegation seems unlikely at the moment, doesn't mean that strategy should change.

 

[Collins Morris]

I don't see us spending anymore than 10m even that may be pushing it.....but if we can't move players like Clark / Freeman / homles on due to wages we may keep what we have till the summer then pay these three off.... We will soon find out if wilder rates mcburine and Robinson if not he will try and move them on in the Sumner

Can't see ravel Morrison given a contact as he doesn't look any closer to the first team now than he did in the summer...... But sure wilder already is building is list for next Sumner

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

I don't see us spending anymore than 10m even that may be pushing it.....but if we can't move players like Clark / Freeman / homles on due to wages we may keep what we have till the summer then pay these three off.... We will soon find out if wilder rates mcburine and Robinson if not he will try and move them on in the Sumner

Can't see ravel Morrison given a contact as he doesn't look any closer to the first team now than he did in the summer...... But sure wilder already is building is list for next Sumner

The more I think about it the more important it is becoming to get points on the board before January. Having a total that suggests we'll stay up would be huge - imagine being able to bring in 1 or 2 of our summer targets during the January window. Be a huge advantage for next season.

 

[BushBlade]

Loans to the season end will still be allowed though I presume?

Bryan in particular needs some football, I can't see him sticking around for much longer if he doesn't prove his worth soon.

Yes. I wouldn’t be averse to Bryan going out on loan if we’ve got a good points total by Jan. If JOC got injured we could move Enda to LCB and play Osborn. If we’re on 30+ points we could probably risk losing both JOC and Enda for the odd game. What might be a problem is if they both got longer term injuries after the JTW closes. If we’re on fewer than 30 points I’m not sure we can take the risk.
Our priorities come before the needs of Bryan.

 

[BushBlade]

The more I think about it the more important it is becoming to get points on the board before January. Having a total that suggests we'll stay up would be huge - imagine being able to bring in 1 or 2 of our summer targets during the January window. Be a huge advantage for next season.

The problem with that is any club that’s doing well is reluctant to sell their players in the JTW because it can ruin your chances of promotion. So you’re looking at PL (or foreign) rejects or players from mid table championship clubs.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

The problem with that is any club that’s doing well is reluctant to sell their players in the JTW because it can ruin your chances of promotion. So you’re looking at PL (or foreign) rejects or players from mid table championship clubs.

True. It will be interesting to see how Wilder approaches it, see what type of target we are interested in. The links with Watkins are promising though.

 

[finlaytheblade]

If we can offload Clarke and get another striker that would be good.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Duffy and if we can move him on? Unless his loan deal is til the end of the season?

Getting the dead wood of the wage bill is must even though they are not in our 25 man PL squad. The likes of Wright and Holmes need to go.

They'ale
be all gone by summer when contracts expire.
Clark Duffy & co should go in the window to beat all the out of contract players who will be looking for new clubs in the summer if they have any sense,,

 

[Bert]

Bowen from Hull is the lad we should buy.

 

[Bladesman]

I don't think we can afford to be shipping out centre backs without bringing new ones in. I think the likes of Bryan and Stearman are happy to bide their time and wait to be called upon.

 

[bongleblade]

I wonder if we’d be able to get a young, tall right sided defender who can cover for Bash and Baldock, like Enda covered JOC last season. Might be a big ask for a JTW.

My bet WAS Toby Sibbick who fits that exact profile, 20 yo rwb/cb touted as a high potential arsenal target previously.

BUT i've had a peak at Barnsley Forum, and they seem aghast to why he still starts, apparently he's been one of the poorest in the squad. Saying that, it would be such a Wilder signing to see him sign and then prosper under us!