January budget talks ongoing.

[I should coco]

The contract situation with Sunderland has no bearing on my opinion in regards to his potential signing. It tells me nothing of his character. I'm more bothered about whether he is any good. I have my doubts - but we've seen Wilder turn water to wine, so improving Rodwell would be a walk in the park.

It's not just that he wouldn't take a wage cut from the £70k per week though, didn't he declare himself 'unfit' while continuing to bank his wages?

Not exactly the sort of 'hunger' that Wilder is looking for and found in Enda/Egan/Lunny etc etc etc.
Ravel is a low cost punt. Rodwell would be different league altogether, with no guarantee how long the toys would stay in the pram.

Barge pole job for me.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Keep telling you lot we need to keep a decent squad ready for our European adventures the following season - not shipping players out! Recall Duff at Christmas. Him big Leon and Sharp terrorising the defences of third rate European teams like FC Quarrybag/Glentoran etc. Simon Moore to save the decisive pen in the euro shoot out final! YHIHF

Qarabag karabakh.

I've a love in for them, purely for betting reasons.

 

[BushBlade]

It's not just that he wouldn't take a wage cut from the £70k per week though, didn't he declare himself 'unfit' while continuing to bank his wages?

Not exactly the sort of 'hunger' that Wilder is looking for and found in Enda/Egan/Lunny etc etc etc.
Ravel is a low cost punt. Rodwell would be different league altogether, with no guarantee how long the toys would stay in the pram.

Barge pole job for me.

Did he declare himself unfit or did Wilder just tell he was and, after discussing it for ten minutes decided Wilder was right?

 

[Balham]

Some did vilify Hammond for that, and again that wasn't his fault. That was another blinder by Adkins.

The contract situation with Sunderland has no bearing on my opinion in regards to his potential signing. It tells me nothing of his character. I'm more bothered about whether he is any good. I have my doubts - but we've seen Wilder turn water to wine, so improving Rodwell would be a walk in the park.

The issue there is that if Jack Rodwell goes for that walk in the park he would inevitably pull a muscle and be out for 6 weeks.

 

[Cheesebored]

Qarabag karabakh.

I've a love in for them, purely for betting reasons.

1224 points on a double word score in scrabble.

 

[Peaktrade]

People need to be wary of what's being said and rumoured at this point in time, especially anything to do with background 'dressing room', 'finances' 'relationships etc'..
Be aware Troll McCabe is lurking in the background ready to stir any trouble, unrest etc to prove a point....

 

[CaptainMorgans]

I'd seriously consider a swap deal for Ollie Watkins using Callum Robinson as a makeweight. He looks the perfect guy to come & challenge Mousset to me. Robinson, sadly, just hasn't worked out so far.

That's not to say I'm writing Robinson off completely just yet, but I think Watkins has the higher potential.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I'd seriously consider a swap deal for Ollie Watkins using Callum Robinson as a makeweight. He looks the perfect guy to come & challenge Mousset to me. Robinson, sadly, just hasn't worked out so far.

That's not to say I'm writing Robinson off completely just yet, but I think Watkins has the higher potential.

Watkins plays a similar role to Robinson being a wide forward. We don't really need that type.

 

[GrayBlade]

Out:
Morrison
Freeman K
Stearman
Robinson on loan
Besic maybe if we could sign Robinson replacement in that spot

In:
1 loan (foreign if Besic stays)
Maybe 1 permanent

Going to be tight in the back three department if we lose Stears. Just Jags covering Egan/ Bash and Edna covering Jack. I‘d put Bryan on that list though as I don’t think he’s good enough, Osbourne can cover for Edna, and I’d leave Freeman until the summer. Not a big fan but I don’t think he’d let us down. I agree with Morrison and if Robinson doesn’t get his mojo back a loan would be good for all concerned.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Going to be tight in the back three department if we lose Stears. Just Jags covering Egan/ Bash and Edna covering Jack. I‘d put Bryan on that list though as I don’t think he’s good enough, Osbourne can cover for Edna, and I’d leave Freeman until the summer. Not a big fan but I don’t think he’d let us down. I agree with Morrison and if Robinson doesn’t get his mojo back a loan would be good for all concerned.

Fair point on Stears. I didn't put Bryan in because I can't imagine his wage is enough to make a difference.

It may be we have to sacrifice depth for quality

 

[10-0 win]

pretty sure we're looking at players on the continent aswell, and my guess is any signings in january will be a surprise 'never heard of player(s)'. Some very good players in the scandinavian leagues(young promising africans in the Ajax mould) well worth a shout. We did cover some french leaguegames last month aswell. Regardless of how some of the reserves have done in the cup matches, we won't know how they'll do before actually playing with the best. Norwood didn't look the same player in the cupdefeat against Sunderland. We've had amazingly few injuries in the past 3 season, long may it continue.

 

[FriethBlade]

Still think McBurnie will come good and the only possible reason for Wilder reassessing is his 'off field' activities. A drink driving charge is not the kind of thing Wilder will take lightly and I doubt he'll get a second chance if he transgresses again.

I'd be looking for a young, rock hard centre back to come in as cover but also as a potential future replacement as I'm fearful one of the big four will come in for Egan in the summer (although now we r in the big league we may be able to fend attention off).

Moussett has shown you need physical presence and speed to scare premiership strikers so I m sure we are on the lookout for another similar player.

Clearly the keeper situation needs addressing but that will be difficult until we know Hendo and Man U's intentions. It's not impossible hes here on loan again next year.

 

[Jimmy Fleck]

Think mcburnie needs a bit more time to settle in and get used to the premier league. Often when he’s playing all we do is try and lump it up to him, our service isn’t often good enough to him. The times when it has been good service, he has a shot or creates a chance like in the Leicester game. Give him time to settle into a role.

 

[diode_blade]

Right we know who to sell now in Jan.
Tufty does not like diving and says any of his players diving will not get a shirt.......
Thats the Subs gone then.............

 

[Harrisblade]

Yeah, we can’t enter it until next season.

Was going to question your understanding of Melbournes words "champions league push" as I read it as a push to get into the qualifying positions THIS season.
But I'm not going to, as I know that SOMEONE on this forum will then accuse me of being anti-semantic!

 

[bongleblade]

I'd seriously consider a swap deal for Ollie Watkins using Callum Robinson as a makeweight. He looks the perfect guy to come & challenge Mousset to me. Robinson, sadly, just hasn't worked out so far.

That's not to say I'm writing Robinson off completely just yet, but I think Watkins has the higher potential.

Yeah but then again, Robinson will be months ahead of Oli for learning the system. Granted, he has looked off the boil when he has come on, but let's stick with him and give him time in the current coaching setup, they have worked wonders with very little so far for us!

 

[EzxaBlade]

I dont care a monkey's what other teams are paying for players, that's down to them. Thanks for your in depth insight by the way. Can you answer the question posed as to why Wilders not starting him? Doesn't fit our style? Horses for courses? Or just doesn't fancy him? Presumably he sees him train every day.

Lundstram's time has come, but if Wilder had done what you suggest for McBurnie now it would be with another club.

 

[Cheesebored]

Lundstram's time has come, but if Wilder had done what you suggest for McBurnie now it would be with another club.

Correct, but I didn't suggest it for Lundstram.

 

[Champagneblade]

Maybe swap McBurnie, Rangers fan for Marelos, clearly going to exit some time soon.

Might work.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Unless Robinson or McBurnie have a massive upturn we are very light in that area of the pitch

Agree! Let’s hope Robbo and McBurno come good, but we shouldn’t wait if we can help it. A couple more attackers (maybe one striker and one AM) would be lovely!

 

[Sean Thornton]

Maybe swap McBurnie, Rangers fan for Marelos, clearly going to exit some time soon.

Might work.

Someone's said this before. Morelos is a head case.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Someone's said this before. Morelos is a head case.

Maybe, but whatever we lose on his fee and wages, we more than make back on his merchandise.

 

[MalvernBlade]

And the chance to get tickets to games, bloody glory hunters!!

 

[Champagneblade]

Someone's said this before. Morelos is a head case.

He seems to have improved his temperament this season.

Someone with ability but a little that might scare off more established clubs is probably where we could step in.

There is probably always going to be a bit of gamble about our signings this season.

At present it is looking like the one we got for 10m could be a hit and the one at 17.5m a miss. As long as one comes off, we're ok. It's when none come off we are in trouble!

 

[Champagneblade]

I like all those, particularly Bowen.

Offering money for Bowen and loaning them Robinson for a few months wouldn't be a bad move.

We have a few chips to offer if we are looking at recruiting from the Championship.

 

[Champagneblade]

Said it somewhere else but I read in the week Wilder talking about Robinson and McBurnie. He said he’s giving both players time. Sounded to me like he was trying to take the pressure off them after slow starts. But it makes total sense. Both completely new to the Premier League and both completely new to the system. I think Oli Norwood is the only signing we’ve made who’s slotted in seamlessly, and that was at a level he knew well. Many people had doubts over Egan, ditto Stevens, early on in our first Champ season. It took Baldock a while to break through and even then people longed for Kieran Freeman. That’s without even getting into Lundstram.

We will also have the FA Cup on its way. Could be a couple of rounds playing lower league opposition. It could be mutually very useful for Robinson, McBurnie and Sharp to get a run out. Maybe all three together for that matter in front of Besic and Freeman. I,ve seen worse front lines.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

We will also have the FA Cup on its way. Could be a couple of rounds playing lower league opposition. It could be mutually very useful for Robinson, McBurnie and Sharp to get a run out. Maybe all three together for that matter in front of Besic and Freeman. I,ve seen worse front lines.

I've seen better formations though ;-)

 

[Niceguyeddie]

Mcburnie is ten times the player Morelos is

 

[grafikhaus]

So... how do we find a Top Flight, 20-goal a season striker?

By getting Europe-wide scouts?

I think we will go for a young 'shit off a shovel' black striker, or maybe 2 if the price is right.

Such as Allan Saint-Maximin at Newcastle? Hardly set the world on fire at Saint-Étienne, Hannover 96, Bastia, Monaco and Nice but looks ideal for the English game.

 

[ATL Recs]

I’m amazed how many people are willing to judge Robinson and McBurnie on the basis of such a short time span. The only reason we get rid early is if their attitude stinks, or in the hugely unlikely scenario Wilder can trade in to upgrade.

We invest in players in their early 20s for a very good reason. If fans aren’t patient enough to back them properly then they need a stiff dose of financial realism.

No doubt Mcburnies attitude so far stinks pal say no more - kid needs a huge kick up the arse then his bollocks to straighten him out
- if that don’t work then out him