I think an experienced CB to add to the squad, a solid Championship quality striker to be first choice, and a back up left back should be the priorities for January. Switch to 3-5-2 with KLP and the new striker up top, Elder and Emmanuel bombing down the wings, Doc, Honeyman and Moncur as the first choice central three, and that side looks a whole lot better. Try to ship out Eaves, Smallwood, and maybe even Wilks in January. I think Wilks is showing he can't cut it at Championship level so should try to cash in on him perhaps. Otherwise just loan moves for Eaves and Smallwood to get them off the books could be sensible moves. Couple of names I thought up who should be gettable if we have a bit of financial clout in January are Phil Jones from United and Shane Long, both barely playing and should be available for loan moves you would think.
I'd sort of agree. We have a squad but we don't really have an experienced spine. I'd go for an experienced GK who will push Ingram, an experienced centrehalf to provide a bit of nous, a direct Smallwood replacement cos Tom ain't gonna play 25 games, and a proven no 9. I agree about a left back also, so that's what 5 or 6 in January? I think there are some loans which aren't working out that may need to be looked at in the outgoings. There are also also players who aren't going to play if others come in who need to be looked at in terms of loans out or releases also.
I think the Smith loan could be cut short if those reports about his fitness are to be believed, Longman looked promising in pre-season but seems to be struggling now the season is up and running so could be looked at too. Bernard I'd love to try to make permanent but not sure United would given he's just signed a new deal with him. I tend to agree we basically need a new experienced spine but that might be trying to do much in one window, but at CB and a striker at the very least would make a world of difference. Stop conceding silly goals, and start to finish some of the chances.
You could turn this side into a pretty tasty one with 5 incomings in January. 2 of which would need to be at centrehalf and No9, and have track record. After that then DM, backup for Elder and maybe something else in the creative department, but crucially they'd need to be men and not boys.
This could probably move to the transfer thread but I guess still relevant here, but it just depends how poor we look heading into January with a new manager. If he's getting a tune out of the side, I think we'd just need a top up with a view to making them permanent signings next summer. But if we're still in the relegation zone then we may need 4-5 in to overhaul the first XI.
Talking about signings if this Turkish guy does buy the club, he has already stated that he would like to bring in players from Turkey. Whether that is possible in the January transfer window, or more likely in the close season, what are the criteria for players to come in? Do they need to have international experience or what are the conditions do they need past for them to get a work permit? It would be interesting to know what level players have to be to come in?
The issue with signing players from Turkey is that they need a work permit. This is easily granted if they’re in the national team, but a cursory glance at Turkey’s team shows that most of their players play for top sides. In order to lure them here we’d have to pay them a mental amount of money. If we got promoted, this becomes easier of course but I wouldn’t expect to see tonnes of Turkish players coming in in January.
Why's that? Just because his face looks funny when he makes challenges doesn't make him a bad footballer. He's been injured for a while but he's fit now and a massive upgrade on what we have. The lack of interest also means he wouldn't be ridiculously expensive.
That was more or less my understanding, as you say unless they are prepared to pay salaries to tempt them, then it is not going to be easy. I guess it just depends on their ambition, if they are really wanting to get us back to the EPL, then they may well have to do that.
Never been keen on him, has far too many mistakes in him, which is highly likely why there’s a lack of interest.
Depending on how long the take-over takes. But come January we could very easily be well adrift of 4th bottom. Not sure some of you realise how much in the **** we are in the players have no confidence. Getting a decent manager will be hard enough let alone Turkish internationals.
There was interest, West Ham and Burney both tried to sign him, but he's on £100k a week and they wouldn't even pay half. Anyone who thinks we might, needs a long lay down in a darkened room.
Did they? United fans tell me no one was interested so they're likely to look to palm him off to the Championship, he's also apparently open to dropping down a level, so if Burnley and West Ham were interested I'm surprised he didn't end up there. But maybe the United fans I know are out of the loop.
Only the Star, so you never know, but this is what they said... Now aged 29, it brings to light one of the more bizarre decisions made by the Red Devils when they offered him a new contract worth £100,000-a-week in 2019. At the time, it was clear his time was up at United but that deal has him tied to the club until 2023 on wages no one else would go near. There has been interest in his services from Burnley and West Ham but neither are prepared to fork out even half of his salary with his fitness problems proving that would be a bit of bad business. https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/jones-man-utd-transfer-contract-24032508
Fair enough, maybe that story slipped past the notice down here, as you say doubt we would pay anything close to that so it's a non-starter. I just remembered seeing an article about him being fully fit but no PL interest and thought he might be open to a move to get playing time. Probably not.
Agree. Playing devil's advocate here. On the possibly new owners and perceived influx of Turkish 'internationals'* who would require work visas. How would that work ? When (a) we are no longer in the eu (b) turkey was never in the eu, (c) there are enough unemployed British born footballers, (d) the UK is not obliged to take them. Though I concede we seem to have a lot of Turkish barbers!!!! * judging by their recent performance in the Euros they are hardly better than the current crop of players plying their trade at hcafc.
