So the transfer window opens in just under four weeks, Chris calls you down to Sparrows and asks you your advice. "Mate, the Chairman has asked me for a plan for January and I'd like your advice, what should I do? I have come up with some options what do you think " You reply to Chris.... "I've been thinking this over and think............" So what do you think then? You can tick more than one option AllHell
we need to get some off the wages bill (benson, francis, doherty, cort) to free up some dosh for others
Not sure why you would want to get rid of Cort. We have only just signed him and we won't find a better centre-back willing to play third fiddle. He has done OK in his appearances so far. Besides, I suspect he is a favourite of CP. He is approaching the latter stages of his career at 32 and might not make the grade anymore at Championship level, but that is OK because we have some real CB talent coming through in the juniors and one of those might be ready to claim a squad place by next season. Anyway, we cannot get rid of him because he is on loan until the end of the season which is fine with me. It's the short loans I don't like and which have damaged us in recent seasons (unless there is already an agreement to convert to a permanent signing in the window as in Russell's case).
I've gone for we are just fine as we are but this was a tough call, as with others I expect Benno and Doherty to join Francis in leaving and then I think there are a couple of areas where we are not as strong as I would like, mostly LM and RB but its clear that we have first choice players in those positions (JJ and Solly) so anyone coming in would have to be willing to be patient/one for the future. I would quite like to see Ephraim join until the end of the season but I don't think that's likely as the wages would be high and he probably wants to break into the QPR match day squad (he only came to use to get a few games). I think the most important thing is that CP doesn't make signings just because he can - we have a great squad which looks balanced even though there are some weaker aspects the morale and team ethic appears to be amazing this season and often bringing in new faces can upset this balance. I suppose the mental attitude of any player (bought in on loan or permanently is key) but I wouldn't be surprised to see CP stick with what he's got and perhaps continue to use the loan market as and when. Does anybody think Russell will sign permanently / is he good enough / better than the likes of Pritchard? I haven't seen him play yet so would be interested to know what people think.
If the money is available, then a reserve right-back and a striker (preferably a different type to BWP or Waggy). Smith is the right type but maybe a bit raw as yet. If the money is not available, then we will carry on as we are and should still get promoted.
I agree with your remarks about morale and not signing players for the sake of it but I am surprised that, if you think Benson is leaving, you do not then think we are short of strikers. I think it is more or less settled that Russell will sign unless he proves to be injury prone or blots his copybook in some other way. He will replace Hughes as he is more of an all-round CM, leaving Hughes as utility cover. I don't think CP would have signed Ephraim unless he thought there was a chance of signing him full-time. We are not exactly gripped in an injury crisis and we have plenty of good players who could have filled in at LM (Waggy, Pritchard, Evina, and some youngsters). But the problem is, if Ephraim shines QPR will want him back or sell him to a Championship club, and if he doesn't shine we won't want him.
benson is leaving 'cos he wants first team football. CP has said he cant gurantee anyone that (although its hard to look past bwp and kerno) and so doesnt want a striker who wants to always play. I can see him going and another one coming in. i dont think bringing in new players is going to be a negative. if he brings in the right ones then it could almost be planning for next season in the champ. say he goes and gets another non league youngan. whats that say about us? - content, non progressing. i know we have come far this year, but say we won the next 3 games before the window, we'd be as good as odds on for promotion. signing someone already established in the champ would send out a clear message.
With Benson seemingly with no future (I was disappointed he didn't play on Saturday) we do need cover for BWP, as Hayes and Euell are support strikers, and I suspect Smith will be too. Russell seems to be a replacement for Alonso, Hughes can cover RB plus we have talented youngsters there. Mambo doesn't seem to have made the grade, Cort is fine as 3rd choice CB, Doc is a bit of a worry as 4th choice though. If Ephraim doesn't stay then I assume Evina can cover for Jackson, Pritchard could probably play there too with his energy. It wouldn't surprise me if Alonso went home in January... Between now and the end of the next loan window (February/March?) no doubt we'll be struck down with a injury crisis affecting all our LBs or RMs, so all this can change!
I think we b ok,mambo playing with confidence again while on loan at ebbsfleet been given rave revisws from fleet fans I know.we r def short of a striker and I think cover for jj.out will go alonso,doc and francis and poss euell.i wouldnt b to suprised see us snap up a few free their was talk of mountakill returning and kanu over the summer and even sol cambell was mensioned
Anelka and Alex (both on transfer list at Chelsea) Tevez (Charlton is nearer South America than Manchester) and Ruud van Nistleroy (alleged Charlton fan) Titus Bramble and Marlon King (Powell decides to shed his Mr Nice Guy image)
Did anything come of Stuart Parnaby's trial last month ? Experienced RB - guessing that Francis will go Would be nice to have another CB too - Doherty needs to drop a division or two to play at his level Kermogant seems to be banging them in for fun so maybe BWP wouldn't be missed as much as some people think ... But as Euell is a shadow of his former self another CF would be good too I'd also like to replace our invisible Spanish player with an invisible Dutch player - is Winston Bogarde still knocking about ?
Why the worries ?? - here we are 8 points clear of 3rd , just won 7 on trot - and people are worried !!?? Chrissy - i've got my cigar out - do what you want baby, coz I have trust in YOU !
He has gone, DVD - to Bournemouth. I'm pretty content as well, but I'd really like Bradley to put pen to paper at the earliest possible opportunity.
Hah Tewks you stickler !!! I meant permanently ) In a nutshell if we offload 3 or 4 fringe guys then I'd hope to have replacements lined up
Most places are saying he's going to re-unite with Howe at burnley. Good player, and it would improve the squad., just can't see it. I said the same about Hollands though
