I really don't see us having the firepower to finish top two. It was debateable when Austin was fit, so without him I guess it may be play offs at best. Tony and Harry may look back and think what a big mistake not spending on a striker that can score goals.
Yes, it is strange that it has not occurred to them, especially as the they been moaning about a lack of striking options and only relying on Austin and needing to strengthen. And then, lo and behold it clear slips their mind during Jan to do it. To think if only they had thought to go out and buy RVP or Shrek, or the Scouse Rat, or Giroud or one of Pelligrinis front 10. Such a shame they forgot.
we can still get loans after the widow closes and the PL teams sort themselves out. i agree it hasnt been a good window though.
If a player is available on loan when the window closes I cant see him been any better than what we have at the moment.
Not a bad window imo, but have to agree that it isn't particularly good either. I'm interested to see what the South American chap and Man U youngster will be like, but also think Doyle will put in a shift much like Mr Austin does. Hopefully one of em finds their feet quickly!
Realistically we were never going to replace Austin the only option would have been Rhodes and Blackburn would have asked silly money. Who else is out there really?
Completely agree & if finish outside the top two I then don't see us getting through the play-offs so could be a real chance wasted.
Do we have issues regarding the financial side I wonder. Loans were all we were going to get if what Harry was saying is true. Financial fair play and all that may have hindered the bids we've all been saying we should be doing and splashing out on players like Rhodes etc may be out of the question. Maybe last seasons splash and flop has made this seasons January transfers more cautious. The club knows what our financial situation is and probably have a budget on how much we can spend on wages. Other issues like the training ground etc will be eating into the funds. All just maybe's etc but they must effect what we can buy outright and what we can loan. I know promotion would earn a nice wedge but I've also heard TF saying promotion would be great but not the end of the world if not achieved.
PL teams won't loan out fringe players until they know who they've signed. they will only be available once they don't make the 25 man squad, its only the ones no where near the squad like Keane being loaned out now.
I am glad we have got the young Brazilian maybe one for the future if we have the option to buy later.
I was more thinking of McCormock, Wickham or someone like that. We wouldn't even get the players you mention in the premiership so lets be sensible.
its quantity over quality. hopefully one of them can go on a freak agyemang like scoring run but I would bet on it. it looked to me like 75% chance of second place with Austin but I'd say its the playoffs where we should lose now.
Agreed ................... Certainly thought and hoped that we'd get one proven striker to go with some promising lads. All we can do now is support them 100%.
Last January we bought a centre back for £12 million (Samba), this time we bought one for £150,000 (Donaldson). Last January we bought a striker for £9 million (Remy), this January we got a division 1 striker on loan (Doyle). I'd say that was pretty strong evidence of belt tightening; whether its about FFP, the training ground or the shareholders getting cold feet -only time will tell. We're only the fans, the last to know these days
