When you look at the squad we have plenty of players with the potential to be stars in this league. Bruce has also added quality and although good players like Chester and Brady have gone we look capable of promotion this season. Hopefully we can hold on to our best players in the remaining weeks of the window, but for me the final pieces in the jigsaw to make us promotion favourites are: A 20 goal striker who can terrorise opposition defences. Andre Grey looks like he could fulfil that role and I hope we get him even if it means paying over the odds. The other is a reliable goalkeeper because we don't have one. McGregor and Jakupovic make too many goal conceding mistakes and I don't think our defenders are confident with either of them. Daniel Bentley at Southend seems to be a target and at 21 he could be a great investment, but at the end of the day we just need someone that won't single-handedly lose 12 to 15 points in a season.
If we kept the squad we have now I would be confident of promotion - I really think Akpom will continue his form and this will be a breakthrough season for him, although there is always chance of being recalled. Playing Aluko as a creative player behind him would work and Luer looks to be gaining confidence and will only get better with game time. If we lose a few more then we desperately need to strengthen - and I do agree with you about a new goalkeeper. Jakupovic is okay backup at this level but i would hate to be scrambling around for emergency loans in the event of an injury to either Mac or Jak. Would love a CAM (Diame/Snodgrass when/if fit?) and a striker though.
If we lose Huddlestone Diame Hernandez Elmo Then we become fair bit weaker If we keep them and 1 or 2 more, i think we will be up there at the end
Chuba is the striker to terrorise defences. I know it's early days but both his goals so far have been class. Great movement, great skill to embarrass his markers, composure and clinical finishes. Do we need to spunk 9 mil on Gray?
Agreed. Good of the Allams to back Bruce in the transfer market but i dont think we can justify spending 9 million on him.
Yes I do think we need gray we have two forwards that want out and aluko who loves to pick up an injury
Ignoring the fact he wouldn't actually cost us £9m unless we got promoted, yes we do need him. Akpom isn't ours, he could be recalled in Jan, or he could get injured or suspended, we still need another player we know we can depend on in this league(that's assuming we're serious about getting promoted).
I think we will probably need another striker, but Chuba's start is making me think it doesn't need to be 7/9 million on Gray. Though I do think he's worth it, there must be better value options to play a supporting role.
We will likely lose 2 or 3 of those, plus Jelavic. Remember the scramble that takes place as the window comes to a close. Lower PL clubs will strengthen. Looks like Sunderland for one are going to have to panic buy. Of course we need Gray, and a couple of other quality signings if the club is serious about a promotion challenge.
lets not forget chuba is still a young lad so maybe he might not be as consistent as we would like so we do need anorher very good forward, I still expect another couple to leave and a couple to come in at least
In my opinion we should sell Jak, drop McGregor to third choice and try selling or loaning him in January. Bring in Bentley as a long term project and sign Jussi Jaaskelainen as first choice for this season. McGregor is terrible and cost us around 10 points last season. Points that would have kept us up. I hope we don't stick with him and miss out on promotion because of points he has cost us. He is too laid back and way too apathetic when it comes to throwing himself around like all good keepers do. Too often is he daydreaming about what wallpaper he is going to use in his living room and bang another stupid gaff.
