McGregor/Harper/Jakupovic Elmohamady/Rosenior, Chester/Bruce/Faye, Davies/McShane, Figueroa/Dudgeon Huddlestone/Meyler, Koren/Boyd, Livermore/Quinn Aluko/Gedo, Sagbo/Graham/Proschwitz, Brady/Fryatt That's 25 players, with McLean left out. As far as I'm aware we're not allowed to leave a gap in the squad and leave players out, so even though we could put Brady on the U21s list, because we have McLean, and then Cairney, Stewart and Oxley out on loan we probably need to sign any free agents by the squad submission deadline tomorrow to be able to play them. Last season for example Sunderland were forced to name Elmo in their squad for the 2nd half of the season (after the January window closed) despite the fact he was on loan with us and they had no ability to recall him. Obviously from the end of January we also have Cairney, any other loanees that come back, and any other signings we make to find a space for. (during January itself we can use who ever we want) Key thing to look for: McLean being named in the 25 man squad - if it happens it'll mean we've got a loan deal lined up for who ever it is we've left out. Although Bruce doesn't rate him we're better to have him registered than somebody we plan to loan out as we will definitely be without that player for the first 28 days of their loan. (unless it's Fryatt being loaned out for his fitness to be recalled when we feel he's ready)
Cole is a good shout, not sure why he hasnt been picked up by anyone yet. I cant see the harm in a one year deal. We need to be more of an aerial threat in open play and set pieces.
I know that I will get some stick for this, but I would rather have McClean on the pitch than Graham at the moment. Work rate vs ability to score? Pity we can't have a mix of the two.
With Gedo coming in, and Quinn fit again, there is always to option to play Brady further forward and Quinn at left mid-field. SB might just stick with this until January.
Steve Bruce can look at the free agents list and see if there is anything on it that would improve us. Other than possibly Carlton Cole i dont see anyone. But Gedo is fine by me and knows how to score goals. Plus Sagbo has much to make up for. I see WBA struggling big time even with what they did yesterday. Shane Long wont be a happy camper and maybe a bust up with Clarke will happen when he gets back to them from ROI duty. What a waste of time monday was in the end. We should send WBA the bill for yesterday. imo. WBA next set of fixtures look nasty www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-bromwich-albion/fixtures
He m ay as well do. Ian Ashbee said he would be great for us so i guess Ash having played against him should know. He would not be my choice but for a season why not ? In saying that Palace may go back after him. I wonder if Shane Long will work to get out of Wba in January ?
You could well be correct John with that for the Cardiff game especially IF Aluko is ruled out. Gedo i expect to start the Udders cup game alongside Sagbo up front.
Well, we have no choice in it now, unless we get a free in before the deadline, so it'll have to do, I think once we start playing against teams we stand a chance of getting something from then we'll see how we do.
Agreed. Our next run of fixtures will be a better indictor to where we are. Cardiff and Newcastle are very winnable.
I'd keep McLean, he could be very useful in closing out games. Norwich with 10 men he'd have been perfect, we just couldn't make the ball stick up front, he can't score but he can win and keep the ball. We'll be backs to the wall a lot this season hanging on to points, McLean is the type of player you can leave up front on his own who will actually pick up clearances and allow the teams to push back out and relieve pressure. Now Gedo is here I'd let Fryatt and Prozzy both go out on loan.
Mclean won't be named, he'll be gone in a couple of weeks, Fryatt may well be gone and Proschwitz isn't going to get a game either, though he'll probably be named. If we sign a free agent, I would expect us to ship out all three of the above as soon as we can.
Bruce has already publicly said that Proschwitz could leave since he hasn't been able to adapt to English football, so he'll try and offload him. Mclean hasn't even been mentioned & Fryatt will get a club.
TWT on what happens with all 3. In saying that Mclean is worth keeping for his dressing room banter and is superb for team spirit. Fryatt will be the next to go. His big-ish wage can go on a FAT player.
As if you know what McLean earns. Only you could post ^^^ this such tosh. Mclean gives it his all and is worth keeping around. ffs, £16k or whatever he earns is nowt in the PL. Even you should know that.
