Yes it has been a disappointing window from the number of new signings perspective, but I think it is too easy to see what didn't happen rather than what we have got now the window has closed. We have kept all the key players we feared we might lose and that is a better outcome than some of us could have anticipated. We still have a strong squad, a great team spirit, and in my opinion, a good manager. We need to be behind the players we have got, not the ones we wish we had. HTL!
A huge sigh of relief we've kept those players that have been speculated about this transfer window, no doubt had another club come in with a silly offer, and there are one or two that are throwing money around, then we would sell. At least we wont be known as this seasons 'Selling Club'
This! There is no point bemoaning the fact we missed out on a couple of our targets (De Jong, Debuchy), what's done is done. Toon Toon!!
What we seem to have is utility players in abundance (even Ba being made to play wide!). There is cover all over just not natural cover!!! However, I am worried about our striker situation and wont be surprised if we only play one Demba at a time, rotating them with all the mid week strikers.
In abundance? I disagree.. One of our most versatile, Raylor has just gone down with a major injury. Perch left that game with a neck injury of sorts...We only have 3 senior strikers available, 2 of whom are going to go to ACoNs later in the season. The last of whom, Shola, I don't think is able to play a run of games in a row. Shola is best when subbed on for half an hour or so but if we ask him to play 90 minutes for straight games, he isn't fit enough to do that. Our fullback situation is not good as well. We only have Simmo, Santon, Perchy and at a stretch Ferguson and then we'll turn to Jonas. I have never believed all this nonsense about us losing players this past window because Mike Ashley never sells cheap as we've learned in the Carroll transfer. Besides, none of the big teams barring Man U(who themselves have already spent big) need our key players. Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal are so deep in midfield they wouldn't have came for our players. The problem is that Mike Ashley is as tight in selling as he is in buying! Keeping our squad is one thing, not improving on it is very bad. We can still survive or do as good as last season, but for people like me who had hopes of us challenging for Top 4, it's looking highly unlikely now.
I'm happy we managed to hold on to Tiote and Cabaye. I'm not happy that we didnt bring in new players. Our squad is thin on the ground and all we need is more injuries and we will suffer. Raylor out for several months is a huge blow.
Cheick Tiote, Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi and Shane Ferguson remain sidelined, while Ryan Taylor is now on the injured list. News of James Perch is awaited. Not looking very healthy is it?
We kept our star players because no one came in for them - It's not down to Pardew or the board convincing them to stay, it's the fact that nobody wanted them. For a club looking to move forward, as we allegedly are, holding on to your players is the bare minimum anyway. Maybe this window isn't a failure, but it sure as hell isn't a success either. We haven't added enough in terms of quality or quantity, as we just have to pray that no one gets injured until January when we can hopefully get in some more players.
Strikers - Ba Cisse Ben Arfa - Support wingers/wide mids and attacking mids - Ben Arfa Jonas Marv Obertan Amalfitano Fergie CM's/CDM's Cabaye Tiote Anita Bigi Abeid Perch Fullbacks - Simmo Santon Perch Anita - Cover Ferguson - Is he back yet? Tav CB - Saylor Colo Willo Perch Tav GK - Krullington Harpington Elliot We have depth in defence, but not that much quality. We could do with another fullback and CB. Plus after Ba and Cisse we have no one senior at all, we have to rely on Adam Campbell stepping up.
We'll be fine, should rotate the Demba's instead of playing together imo, especially with players like Marveaux and hopefully Ober pushing for a place.
The young guns will have to step up to the plate. Impressed with Marvo and would love to see him get his chance in first team. Bigi only a young lad but the looks as if he has loads of potential.
Do you guys really think Anita can cover for defence? I would be worried, seeing how he gave away the penalty against Chelsea, but that may be a one-off. Still, we're a rash of injuries away from dangerously thin in defence.
