January window opens - here we go

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
Other than your comment earlier, even the Revell signs story got buried by our other news today.

I've heard no more on Feruz since Wednesday when he was training with us.

Anyone in the know?
 
Oldsparkey said:
Anyone know what's happened on the Feruz story?

Seems to have all gone a bit quiet on that one (unless I've missed something).
Click to expand...

Apparently Slade wasn't as keen to talk about that deal as he was about Revell in his press conference this morning.
 
Feruz has spent the week here and I'd seen terms had been agreed for the loan.

Therefore the only conclusion I can make is he obviously wanted to play in lucky red.........! (Or Slade doesn't fancy him having seen him train for the week )
 
Stevoldinho said:
I'm really happy with that. At least we had the sense to have a look at him for a week and decide if he was any use.
Click to expand...

And me.

I've said my piece about loanees in the past - the principle not any actual player - but the fact that it looks we had a sort of "try before you buy" arrangement seems to have confirmed a few doubts.

Still think that any significant dosh set aside for loanee wages should be directed at midfield if we can't buy in that area.
 
Stoke get stuffed 3-0 and Adam didn't get on the pitch again - he must be a bit pissed off by now.

FFS City - get on the phone to Hughes right now and go for him if only on loan.

I reckon a cheeky decent bid could get him on board permanently.
 
Do you think the money is there Sparks?
Maybe if we sell Marshall and free up other wages but until then it all looks like bargain basement at best.
 
City desperately need a playmaker in central midfield. Someone like that Watford guy who destroyed us and has now gone back to Palace.

Whittingham is slow, ponderous and a luxury. Gunnarrsson is not creative. Adeyami is just not good enough; tries hard but not the article I was led to believe as the like for like swap for Mutch.

If City have the same midfield personnel come February then it's mid table at best.
 
Agreed although if you talk to Brum fans they will tell you Adeyemi was never going to be a Jordan Mutch - doesn't have the ball skills. He's more of a Darren Prately style. Lots of effort around he park and will occasionally get on the end of things, e.g. Charlton game.

If we are looking for a Whitts replacement then it has to be someone with the ability to hold the ball and distribute it well. Not many of those around at bargain basement prices.

I like Sparkey's idea of Charlie Adam. Plenty of skill and vision and a bit of bite to go with it. If Marshie was to go (and I'm not sure he will given the report yesterday) then £4 or 5 mill invested in Adam would be a good move - better than a loan for all the reasons given. But if it was a loan then i would still take it and it would cost a lot less.
 
I think that's harsh on Adeyemi, he's starting to develop into the side (now he's actually getting a chance).

He looks full of running, likes a tackle and isn't afraid to keep going if there's space in front of him. Him and Gunnar can hold the centre of a Championship midfield without issue imo.
The Palace loan player made a really decent impact and Pardew actually commented after the game how impressed he was with him in training. Pity as he'd be ideal. Adam would be a great fit and I agree with sparks now that he'd probably be available but I just don't believe we have the finances.
 
Steve, all I'm saying is that Adeyemi doesn't have Mutch's ball playing skills. I don't see him taking on players, beating them with a drop of his shoulder and getting shots away. Everything else you say about him is spot on.

I see what you mean about Guedioura. He drifted about the park at our place and nobody picked him up. In fact, he had a sighter of a turn and shot on the volley before he did the same for his first and his second was one of the best goals seen at CCS. Pity Palace hadn't recalled him 2 weeks earlier!!! <doh>

The other loaner who gave us a tough time was Tom Lawrence with Rotherham. I see he is now back at Leicester and came on as a second half sub in their win over Villa on Saturday. So, yes, loans can work. I guess it depends on the player, their attitude and how the loanee club manager uses the player. Perhaps we're not very good at the last part?
 
Bluey - Tom Lawrence is someone I mentioned before as a loanee if we must as preferable to Feruz. He'd provide far more of what we really need, though I'm not saying we don't need a goal scorer as well!

I remain convinced that the source of problem lies in midfield. The right players brought in there would vastly improve our game at both ends of the pitch. Defensively we've been left exposed at the back as typified against Bournemouth and Brentford, whilst up front we've been starved of the quick ball into space.

Our current midfield seem intent on passing the ball to each other (when they can maage it <laugh>) rather than into the space in front where the receiving player is heading. This slows up the game to a walking pace and gives the opposition time to organise - something we are rarely given by them.

The ball travels much quicker than a player can run. This back and forth play to feet rather than space is crucifying the little pace we've had up till now. We need to step it up in midfield with the right players - the rest will come.
 
One of the season's best loans is Bertram from Chelsea to Southampton. However, in general the loan players we have signed over the years have not been a resounding success apart perhaps from Andy Campbell who was great until he was signed permanently.

Adam would be perfect for us either on loan or as a permanent signing. But the money simply isn't there. Tan is clearly intent on reducing the wage bill because as soon as the parachute payments cease we will be in breach of financial fair play. Bearing in mind we were losing £1m per month in our Championship promotion season it is obvious the wage bill needs to be slashed.

As for Adeyemi he has played only a few games and might well turn out to be a decent player if given a run in the side. On Saturday he played well. However, again we only secured minimal possession - 37% on Saturday - which suggests it is the system rather than the players that are at fault.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back