I think we will definitely try to bring in 2 or 3, whether the ones we want will come and if their clubs will agree to sell remains to be seen.

I think everybody knows we need to splash the cash rather than thinking we will splash the cash

Great thread Wolfie

To improve the squad from where we are now we’d have to bring in high quality players, so would need to splash a fair bit of coinage !

The issue for January is to improve the depth of the squad. In December we had a couple of games where we didn't make any substitutions at all. That is extremely rare at this level where the intensity of the games is so high, but the reality is that every time we change from our first choice 11 we become a much weaker team. And over the Christmas and new year period we had 4 games in 7 days so some rotation was inevitable and we have ended up losing 2 and drawing one of the last 3 of those games. We have played more games than any club in the Premier League this season and the fatigue is showing at times because we are relying on too few players.

Our first 11 is good enough to be in the top 6 but having 11 quality players isn't enough. The next stage of development of the club is to get to the point of having 18 top six quality players rather than the 11 or 12 we have now. And we need to move towards being in that position first in the January and then in the summer transfer windows.

Spot on DJ. We certainly need a player or two that will come in now with the quality and experience to strengthen the squad but again we know that the club will not throw stupid money and take the sort of risks that Fulham and Villa have done.

I think the club will also continue with its policy of wanting to bring in players that have the potential to improve and develop in to first team starters. Neto has improved quickly and is pushing for selection ahead of Jota for example.

The other important thing is to retain the players we have and not bow to pressure to sell. It looks like Cutrone will move, which whilst disappointing means we need to focus efforts in the forward line.

I see everyone is coming round to my opinion that I have been making since the last transfer window.
Three top class players this window, more to follow in the summer.
Failure to do this and we will begin to struggle.

RAA.

COYW

another one gone. definitely a mistake imo. would be a better bench option than cutrone or ashley-seal thats for sure

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/january/07/ivan-cavaleiro-made-permanent

It's hard to disagree with comments above. However, we tried to improve to depth of the squad by bringing in more players last summer. But for whatever reasons, it didn't work out. Plus we loaned out two players who were maybe worthy of keeping, for the strength of depth being mentioned.

The main point I believe, is the fact that Nuno wants to work with a small senior squad. He's mentioned that on numerous occasions. If he's going to appease many on here, then he has to change his strategy.

I'm sure we're trying to bring in new players, but are they going to be better or are they just here to make up the numbers like last summer, plus of course it looks like two of those who came in last summer, will be departing.

So does that mean we're going for 5 or so new arrivals? I don't think so. Plus as I mentioned before, January is not the best time to find players of the quality we need.

It would be my opinion to get some loan players in now and then concentrate on spending money in the summer to get BETTER players in.

I really don't see the argument about squad size versus bringing in better players. For me it is very simple. It is as Spangles says, we have a first 11 that can compete with anyone in the league but when we rotate the squad or bring on subs we weaken the team. The players that we bring in need to be as good or better than the first 11. In this way we strengthen the bench and thereby strengthen the squad. As Spangles mentioned before, the ultimate aim is to have a squad of 18 with no weak links.
Inevitably this will mean replacing some of the players currently in the squad. Cutrone and Villejo in the short term, probably others such as Saiss, Bennett, MGW will eventually make way.
Once these new players start to arrive squad rotation will become even more important, not just to give players a rest but to ensure everyone has regular game time and remains sharp and ready to compete.

At the moment we have star players, Jimenez, Boly, Nevez, Moutinho, Jota, Traore and Patricio. Ultimately the aim has to be a smallish squad of around 20 with no standout stars but all top players in their own right.

Wolfie I don't understand your comments about bringing in players last summer to make up the numbers.
Last summer we signed Raul Jimenez, arguably the best striker the club has ever had. Leander Dendoncker, an essential part of the squad. Bruno Jordao who has a long term injury but showed great promise before that happened. Pedro Neto who is seriously pushing for Jota's position. The only 2 that have not worked out are Cutrone and Valejo and yes, those two truly are just makng up the number and need to go.

All the best to Cav, it was his signing got us all excited for the new Fosun era. I dont think he quite lived up to expectations and he did have to work under Zenga and Lambert (who was loathe to actually play him) but he always tried and was certainly different to anything we'd seen at Wolves for a long time. Costa outshone him briefly but of the two I'd rather have Cav back. Dont know if Leeds have to pay us for Costa now or at the end of the season but judging by his performance at Arsenal last night I'd be knocking on their door now before they change their minds.

Gem. Both Jimenez and Dendonker were already at the club. They came on loan in 2018. Sure they signed permanent deals, which were great, but they weren't additions last summer.

I dont think we are in the business of bringing in players to make up numbers, some players are brought in to play today, some to develop in to top players for the future and some will get injured and some won't settle. Bringing in players to bulk out the squad and placate supporters is hopefully a policy that walked out of the door with Steve and Jez.

That said I am slightly concerned, based on the last two windows, that maybe we've become a little over cautious in our dealings and that our pre-requisites for players are narrowing the field too much. Paying over 20m for a player over 25 may be a good thing to do but I get the impression that investment potential is being considered over squad needs.

comment by wolfieintheSunshineState (U16306)
posted 25 minutes ago
Gem. Both Jimenez and Dendonker were already at the club. They came on loan in 2018. Sure they signed permanent deals, which were great, but they weren't additions last summer.
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Of course they were additions, they are not Wolves players until they sign a contract.

Boly
Vinagre
Jota
Jonny
Jimenez
Dendoncker
All came to the club initially on loan and are all now a vital part of the squad. None of them are making up the numbers.

As you say Oldgold, some come in to play and some won't make the grade or won't settle.
No-one can criticize Nuno for the players that he has brought to the club. The vast majority are still here and form the nucleus of the squad. He has shipped out a lot of players since he has been at the club but very few of them are players that were sanctioned by him. I don't think we have made a financial loss on any 'Nuno player' to date and his transfer dealings have been both shrewd and fruitful.

I'd say the jury is still out on Rafa Mir Gem, but yes you're right.

The Cutrone thing is a real shame, seems he just missed home, mama's cooking and all that. Maybe didnt make any mates, no other Italian speakers in the club.

Perhaps the Pizzas in Asda just weren't good enough for him. Dont know about the the Molineux one but our local Asda has an excellent fresh Pizza counter, you can choose your base, your toppings, gluten free, vegan cheese if you like, the lot.

With the Commies instructing proxy investors to pull out of foreign sports investment - Wolves are owned by the Chinese state 'government' - expect to see asset stripping over the coming five years. There will be minimal investment, maximum sales, until such time a Western or Middle Eastern buyer can be found.

But that will be within the balance of staying up and being a viable sell, so there will still be the occasional signing if necessary.

comment by Uncle Herbert (U16263)
posted 20 minutes ago
With the Commies instructing proxy investors to pull out of foreign sports investment - Wolves are owned by the Chinese state 'government' - expect to see asset stripping over the coming five years. There will be minimal investment, maximum sales, until such time a Western or Middle Eastern buyer can be found.

But that will be within the balance of staying up and being a viable sell, so there will still be the occasional signing if necessary.




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Fosun are the largest non state owned company in China. Do your homework chap!

I don't see Nuno making a U-turn and agreeing to work with a bigger squad, just to make a few posters on here happy. He has always said he likes working with a small squad.
What we need is 11 world class players in the starting team, and a squad full of total rubbish so as not to cause disharmony in the squad and get players upset when they don't get game time and end up leaving.

Wolfie is correct when he states that Nuno has never said he is looking for BETTER players. Or that he wants a BIGGER squad.

lone brain cell

Wolfie is correct when he states that Nuno has never said he is looking for BETTER players. Or that he wants a BIGGER squad.

.................................

but nuno has said that we are short of players and that we need players who improve the squad - which most people with a brain ( excludes you ) would say is the same thing.

So, wolfie is an idiot then?

Fulham have confirmed the permanent signing of Ivan Cavaleiro. Fee on the region of £7m

Some reports say the fee was £15m which would be tremendous business if true

One player surely surplus to requirements is Bright Enobakhare who is wanted by a few lower division teams. Him being arrested for fighting over a woman over the Christmas holidays won’t have done much to help his cause at Molineux