Just trying to work out where we are at the moment (I'm not counting the likes of East, Bradley, or anyone else with no senior appearances etc): Mannone/Basso Rosenior/McShane, Chester, Hobbs/Cooper, Dawson/Dudgeon/Kilbane Evans/Cairney, McKenna/Olofinjana/Harper McLean/Garcia, Koren, Stewart/Brady Fryatt/Simpson/Adebola/Cullen -------------------------------------- For me as things stand the priorities are (in order): 1) A striker to give us 3 different options that can actually play a run of games - King will do once he's confirmed. 2) A decent CB or RB who's played a few games. 3) Cover for Koren - I know he's being signed as a winger, but he who shall not be named on the other thread could give us the numbers for that. If Koren were injured you could play him, Stewart and Brady/Garcia whilst still having cover available for both wings. Considering when we were talking about this earlier in the season I was saying we needed two defenders (Cooper having returned now), a winger, and a striker for depth I'm quite happy with what we're doing this window. And if the opportunity arises I'd like: 4) To offload Kilbane, Harper, and Adebola without replacing them (having already brought King in for Adebola) 5) McShane, Olofinjana, and McLean replaced (based on choice and rumoured moves) 6) Another keeper, preferably permanent but if a loan certainly with a view to permanent alongside Mannone or Basso (if he gets over the injury) for next season.
Looking at priority 2, and as I'm playing Wolves in the League Cup Final on FM Mouyokolo's name has been flung at me. I wonder if that'd be an option for a loan since we're going to have difficulty getting any other decent cover for it.
Currently on a season-long loan at Sochaux. Stuart Parnaby is currently still a free agent. He's primarily a right-back but can play in centre. Could be decent backup if we loan out McShane and bring him in on a deal until the end of the season.
We still need a proven centre forward, rather than relying on rookie King, untested at this level. A proven striker at this level, someone we can bring on and change the formation if we need to go gung ho to get a result, or that illusive plan B!!!
Problem with signing a proven centre forward is that they cost millions and millions, and i for one would rather us not go out splashing cash that we don't have as its a gift from the Allams. We need to get this club not losing money again, and if we have to rely on loans i would rather that than pay over the top for someone who may not fit in with this club.
Sorry, where did I say in the text that we had to buy a proven striker? There will be plenty kicking around available on loan. Particularly in the top flight with the 25 man squad rule. Perpheral players at the clubs promoted last season that are now not featuring would be a good start. Rob Hulse Ricardo Fuller Aaron Wilbraham (don't laugh, he had a good record at franchise) Jason Roberts not getting games recently? Just some suggestions of players that are not getting many matches at present. Would add experience/competition and a cutting edge I think we lack.
Roberts is apparently about to sign on loan for Donny, Fuller can get a Premier League loan and he's on far too much money, Wilbraham is bloody useless, so Hulse is the only one that we could probably get at this stage and I don't think it's likely. Nick knows Josh King very well, he's seen him play several times and rates him very highly, I think we need to trust in his judgement.
City dont need much else IN now apart from another striker as and when Nick can do the deal. as for Outs...Harper - McShane - Killer - Adebola IF any club wants them. other than that City have a better squad now than started the season thats for sure.
Liam Cooper is back and Sonny Bradley is only away for a month. Evans is also an option. There is always the Emergency window if the worst did happen to either Hobbs or Chester.
I think Nick is a fan of Cooper's, so he might well fill the gap for now, which I have no problem with as I rate him too.
For me we still need RB and GK cover if the loan for King is done Using our current system we have: Mannone/???? (Basso long term injury according to mail) Roseinor/??? Chester/Cooper Hobbs/Kilbane Dawson/Dudgeon McKenna/Cairney Evans/Oli Stewart/Pulsic Koren/Garcia McClean/Bradey Fryatt/Simpson/Adebola With King coming in and the return of Simpson we can sell McClean and McShane. Heard somewhere that Pulsic was getting released too? If the Mirror are right in us been linked to Mayor from PNE then there maybe something in that. Adebola can go too for me. Pretty happy with that squad
The best way to stop the club losing money is with success on the pitch = promotion = bigger attendances. To do this you have to speculate a bit and a proven goal scorer falls into that bracket. This club has a history of being reluctant to buy when we are in a position to progress and it has always lead to stagnation = low attendances = debt.
Even IF City dont go up this season (still think we shall) there is the next parachute payment of 8million next august which can also cover our spending this January. Just saying like. Is Danny East Not Rosies full back cover and Cooper the long term replacement for Dawson ?