After the vital win against Burnley I am sure like me you felt better but am getting concerned with the mounting injury list and areas of the team where we have no senior fit players.
The comments in the programme notes from AK and various comments from MB when asked about the January transfer window may have managed expectations and looking at how we operate historically in previous windows leads me to think that any business that is done will be done at the very end of the window. I know there’ll be reasons why we work to the wire rather than making moves early in windows and a number of factors come into play, money being a big one.
I think it would be a good debate to define “better than players we already have" and a few other relevant points.
Under normal circumstances I’d totally agree with that position but I believe there are some circumstances we are dealing with that or not normal.
When stating that position to what extent does it take into account the number of players who are injured and the number of those who are out long term or where the comeback time is not known?
Better than current players – form vs historic form and performance. Let’s say MB is weighing up bringing in a number 8 type player and comparing Klich with John Swift. In his rating of Klich whether ‘better’ is based on how Klich played in the past rather than the more recent performances this season vs what Swift would and could offer now and in the future with our coaching.
A similar debate could be had about say Roberts, Shackleton and Rodrigo vs potential targets.
A player might not be obviously better but can help with the overall balance of the team and so we have cover and competition and can play people in their best positions more often than not.
The other thought is the target might not necessarily be ‘better’ but help us get cover in positions we are exposed in like left back and striker. By recruiting the left back to cover when Firpo is out you have the knock on impact of not moving Dallas out from an already struggling midfield.
Finally by having players of comparable ability who can be coached and developed and help us alleviate such a bad injury crisis may help us every bit as much as chasing more unrealistic ‘better’ targets who we don’t end up getting in the door.
There are no right or wrong answers but it would be good to get peoples thoughts about this argument of ‘better than what we have’ and why that might not necessarily be the only way of improving our squad.
Transfer window -
posted on 13/1/22
Vedat Muriqi
posted on 13/1/22
comment by Shaun M - Everywhere you go, always take Raphinha with you! (U9955)
posted 1 hour, 34 minutes ago
Linked to 2 full backs today. Ola Aina from Torino
(AFCON) and Benny Couto from Oldham, teenager who could be for U23's although he's played 13 games in L2
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All well and good. Mind you, I'd be hacked off we invested more resources into under-23s than the struggling main squad.
posted on 13/1/22
Elephant in the Room!
Rapha away with Brazil for World Cup Qualifiers January and February.
( He always going to get selected )
posted on 13/1/22
Seko Fofano heavily linked. Midfielder
posted on 14/1/22
comment by RobLUFC Have you ever seen a better goal or on... (U5692)
posted 1 day, 23 hours ago
Better is such a subjective argument isn't it but having options and cover with 11 absentees and having a Swift or a Wallace type on the bench to come on or start looks a better option than say some of the lads that have padded out squads in recent times.
We can say what about when player X and Y gets fit(if they return in anticipated timeframes) but whose to say such recruits/loanees won't relish the step up to the Premier league and be good competition. Worth remembering of course who the core group of reliable performers in our squad are and where they came from and it wasn't the premier league.
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My understanding re Swift is that he himself has turned down the chance of a January move, wanting to see out the season with Reading, as they are struggling in the Championship. I don't know the guy, just what was being reported online.
I assume you mean Jed Wallace? Plays predominantly on the right hand side of midfield for Millwall, if I'm not mistaken, and would surely cost over 10 million. Can't imagine he is on the list for CM recruiyts.
Fofana would be a good signing. Seen us also linked to John Buckley at Blackburn today. Their fans all seem to rate him. Played in six different positions so far this season.
posted on 15/1/22
Buckley is an interesting one. I must confess I have never seen him play but I am big advocate of looking at hungry championship players on the up and feel those are the players we've had most success with under Bielsa, many of whom were coached and developed to the levels we see now.
posted on 16/1/22
Thanks for all the comments. A good debate and an interesting few weeks in store to see how the transfer window plays out.
posted on 16/1/22
rod wants out
posted on 16/1/22
comment by kammys left foot (U21862)
posted 30 minutes ago
rod wants out
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Not been convinced by him at all. If we can get decent money I’d sell.
posted on 16/1/22
comment by kammys left foot (U21862)
posted 1 hour, 57 minutes ago
rod wants out
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How do you know this?