Not long to go now till transfer deadline. While, like most, I had hoped for a couple more decent signings, im increasingly of the opinion, if we hold on to all our top players, thats the very best we can hope for. Thers always the slim chance we can nab a couple of useful loanees after that although not ideal. Wont be too dissappointed if this is how next week pans out
Going by the current links I'd say the best we could hope for would be Lansbury and Bertrand coming in. I won't be overly worried if we don't get anyone and hang onto our best players, we've proved how good we can be.
Lansbury would be a good addition, although like many others, I feel defense is priority. We can score goals, and the potential of a Howson/Clayton midfield is the best hope of a solid, quality centre mid partnership we've had in years! I wouldn't mind signing a half decent CB on loan. I know we have several, but bottom line-they are not good enough. I love Paddy, but the only other CB i trust is Bromby, and for some reason Grayson doesn't start him. I liked O'Brien but think he has lost his confidence, O'Dea is average on a good day and Bruce bless him, hasn't played at all this season yet! Lees is promising, and I think next year he will be a massive part of our squad, but to rest all hopes on him this year is unfair and unrealistic. I suppose the irony of my wish is that hoping Grayson recruits a loanee CB with experience and ability is also unrealistic (mainly cos there aren't many options!)
For me ... 1 CB is enough... and happy to take a loan CM.. think we should try and off load Beesone Bruce Billy
...the best we can hope for? Messi taking a liking for Sam Smiths & Yorkshire pies? In the unlikely event of that not happening, I'd say Gradel & others signing contract extensions, a class RB coming in, Bessone & others who are unlikely to feature being sold or loaned out, & OB fracturing an eyelash or breaking a toe nail thereby puting him out of action for weeks. All of this would then allow SG to focus on using Bromby, Bruce, Kisnorbo, Lees & O'Dea as CBs, knowing that we have the FBs we need to help stop the goals going in.
I would eb happy if we off load Grella, Bessone & perhaps bruce who does not look like he is gonan feature at all. We might make maybe one decent midfield signing and Forrsell which would be fine by me, a v tight squad but such is life
Best we can hope for? That City realise that O'Brien and Bessone are exactly what they need to strengthen their back four now they've got every attacked in the world. Realistically hope for a good centre midfielder and an outstanding centre back... but I feel even that is dreaming.
I stated that he was rubbish when we got him, so I ask the question to Grayson: "Why when the coaches at his previous clubs informed you that he was not of the level required, did you sanction his loan move?" Something suspicious behind the loan move for O'Dea and I reckon Bates friendship with a few Irish business men was behind it. Got him off Celtic's wages & was cheap wage against the kind of quality we needed.
Why all the O'Dea hate after two solid performances? I think we already have a class RB in Connolly, he's shown what he can do last season, as Larry said a constant 7/10 player, get his confidence up in the reserves then bring him back and move Lees to CB.
Its not hate re O'Dea Simon,its not his fault he's been brought in but he's simply not the answer to our defensive frailities. Its just frustrating that with all our firepower going forward we get let down time & again by our defence,& as O'Dea was the latest acquisition the focus will naturally fall on him. I can't remember the last time we kept a clean sheet away from home-its simply not good enough. Any new defenders coming in should be better than those we already have,& O'Dea is no better than Bruce & is worse than Bromby & Kisnorbo. Not mobile enough,not good enough in the air,just a waste of wages. If only Grayson could develop as keen an eye for defenders as he has for spotting midfield gems like Clayton & Nunez. I don't know why he has this blind spot when it comes to CB's. Like I say,not O'Dea's fault but he shouldn't be here. A commanding presence at the back alongside Kisnorbo is what is required before the transfer window,or else it won't matter how good we are going forward,we'll still be vulnerable at the back,just like last season.
I think the best we can hope for is that we hold on to everyone... Come on we have had several months to bring players in and I can't see us making any signings in the last few days. My worry is the words coming out of Simons mouth, he is singing up the praise far too much regarding Nunez and how he is standing up to be counted, I have a feeling Gradel will go.
Connolly is shocking, his legs have gone. Him and O'brien were appauling v donny. Tom Lees gets injured and we are fooked!!
Half that I am sure, I would love see both Gradel and Nunez starting alongside Clayton and Snodgrass but Grayson seems to feel it is Gradel or Nunez on the left... So a player with 12 months left on a contract that Bates see's as too expensive to renew and his current value in excess of £2 million, only one outcome. It will probably happen Tuesday then Bates can use the excuse it was too late to re-invest the money.
