Which would indicate a centre half incoming or a development player promoted to the first team squad for cover. (Need 4 centre halves to cover injuries)
I’m ITK but don’t like to talk about it. Docherty is leaving in January (or the summer/another future window). The loan players are being monitored by their parent clubs. They will go back in the summer but there is a chance they may come back. Smith is likely to go on loan dependent on a few factors. 2-3 signings are not imminent but are possible. As is 1-4.
I think the striker is the absolute must. Either as a Delap backup or someone that can give us another dimension and offer something a little different. We could do with another winger of Lokilo's ilk. If Doc goes we'll definitely see Bird or similar coming in - we may see that regardless. We may also see a defender, but based on Furlong not being tried out yet and being unable to tell if Vinagre is out of favour, it's hard to say whether we'd go for a CB or a wide defender. We definitely don't need another central attacking midfielder.
Not a centre mid? I think that's the area we've been lightest in numbers all season. Beyond Seri, Slater and Morton there's a big drop off in quality to Docherty, and after that there's no one. Seri will be off to AFCON so I'd have thought we surely should look to add another one in that position. Obviously we're light at centre forward too, but realistically we play the likes of Tufan, Traore or Twine there pretty often so it's not that desperate (not saying we won't or shouldn't go for another out and out striker, just that it's not a desperate situation). And although people will say those guys can play CM as well, realistically they don't unless it's late in a game and we're throwing everything at it.
I agree re CM, Im just not sure Rosie see's an issue, but I'd be happy with another CM to give us options and cover. I think if we see Doc go then we will be forced into it.
This Bird has 6 months left on his contract when January window opens. Pointless for City to pay a fee for him. Tell the lad theyre interested, sit tight, dont sign a contract and pick him up on a free at season end.
But then he might sign for someone else, any fee would be minimal. Get him signed up, he could make the difference between finishing 6th or 7th!
If we're serious about challenging, is he going to cut it? Doc was amazing in L1 but not a top end champ player for example
I wasn't convinced in summer either, Morton, seri are the level we should be looking at and I'm not sure Bird is that level, approx 100 games in the champ so has champ experience, but is he a top 6 champ player. I'm not sure... If the club think he is then I'm sure he'll be fine
Hope we don’t send the same scout for a lb, it’s a bit disappoint we are looking for a third in the same season
Bird is young and exactly the kind of understudy we need for and ageing Seri, who may well **** off in June. He’s also a big 6’ bone breaking beast.
