Another signing out of the blue... Lewis Travis from Blackburn. Has a wealth of experience at this level, can cover Morsy and both full backs. Only on loan, so quite sensible...and hopefully if he impresses, can come in permanently.
I quite like the two loan moves so far, sensible additions to the squad. However, as others have pointed out, hopefully this precedes a big move for a striker who can do the Hirst role and chip in with several goals. Sarmiento is rated quite highly at Brighton - who are a club that certainly knows how to recruit an uncut diamond! Hopefully he provides competition in the wide areas and in the number 10 attacking midfield positions. Players like Broadhead, who have been out of form lately, certainly need the competition for a first team spot. West Brom didn't start Sarmiento frequently towards the end of the year, looks like he ended up being their Hutchinson impact sub type player. The Travis loan - if we get it over the line - is another low-risk, potentially high reward move. He'll provide cover for when Morsy is suspended, adds further competition in central midfield, and is able to cover for the full-back positions where we do lack depth. Travis hasn't played much this season, but he has been regarded as a good player at Blackburn in previous years. He signed a four-year deal last March and was made their club captain in the summer. So, bringing in someone with his leadership, experience, and versatility makes sense - even if it isn't the most glamorous of signings. I trust in McKenna and the recruitment team on this one - remember that Luongo was an out of favour midfielder when we initially signed him on loan from Middlesbrough and he turned out alright! I'm glad we're getting business resolved early - like we have been doing in recent windows. Gives us a chance to see these players in the FA Cup on the weekend and gets a full week of training under their belts before the league fixtures recommences. I'm certain we'll be spending money on at least one centre-forward, but good strikers aren't cheap and we'll no doubt have to pay a bit more as selling clubs know we need a striker.
Was gonna suggest we have a look at the top scorer in League 1......til I googled it and found out it was none other than a certain Jordan Rhodes
Tbh, I think anyone would be attracted to our Club, its ethos, its style of play, our sensational young manager. And we know we aren’t quite ready for the PL yet, and perhaps dare I suggest that we dont need to be. One step at a time. If we did go up, I’m sure our owners will invest strongly to try and keep us there. This weeks newbies both look sensible signings that improve our squad & backup, which of course needs to be done, whether we go up or not. Who we bring in up front will give us a better idea of our ambitions for this season. It needs to be a big gun.
I know it's not the striker we all want, but have just read that Djed Spence has been released by Leeds and going back to Spurs with a view to another loan. We could do a lot worse, as thought he was a constant threat when they played us.
He was phenomenal for Nottingham Forest when they got promoted a couple of seasons ago. Unfortunately, he got an injury in September, which had an impact on his place in the Leeds team. He couldn't break into the Spurs first team, as Conte didn't rate him - according to my Spurs mate. I do rate him as a right-back and I think he would be an upgrade on Williams - if we were to send him back to Manchester United (apparently there have been issues behind the scenes - late to training etc. - or so the rumours go). I think we're only allowed five loanees in the squad/first team eleven? So I'd be reluctant to use that fifth position on a second right-back (again, presuming Williams is staying).
There's obviously something not quite right with Williams - whether its an injury or his attitude. If it's the latter, then surely send him back and free up a loan space.
Travis loan is confirmed. Just what we need, decent player to help us through until the end of the season.
I don’t see how - unless he’s coming in to play full back. Come on, let’s have a striker in the door.
