January window opens - here we go

I'm still sat here wondering why we're only signing him today? What benefit is there in leaving it till the last minute? Alf was loaned out ages ago, surely that should have been the catalyst for this deal.
Same with the kids on loan from Everton and the Swindon Aussie. They've all been available with no obvious replacements requiring to be signed before they would be released. I do think the bid for the Aussie might have been one to appease the fans rather than sign the player. A sort of "look we tried to buy a £3.5m midfielder but nasty Swindon wouldn't let us" rather than a genuine attempt. I suppose the counter argument is that Tan actually would probably like to sign the Asian cup's MVP.

I think to answer my own question its - The club from the top to the bottom couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery, but it's still ridiculous.

More worryingly, maybe Slade has persuaded Tan it's the lack of quality not his total ineptitude that has resulted in our form. If Tan is backing his man (to a fashion) we might be stuck with the clueless prick for a little while yet.

 

WOL say Maynard is definitely not leaving this window.

 

double post

 

He may not be leaving on a transfer or loan, but that wouldn't stop them terminating his contract by mutual consent like Kimbo and Burgstaller.

That's what is being quoted - if so another cock up on a mammoth scale for the club.

 

Good news - a couple of tidy finishes from Doyle in this vid.

Bad news - Chesterfield appear to be able to pass the ball to each other so he might not be the same player here......

 

To be fair Maynard and ourselves were unlucky. He had a terrible injury which it seems has taken his pace.

I still think he would have buried some of Le Fondres misses though.

 

What would you prefer - Noone playing the way he is, or £2M to spend on someone else?

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/norwich-city-table-2m-bid-8565457

 

The money if it's spent on a box-to-box dynamo.

 

Norwich have bought Dorrans so I'm sure we've priced them out of Noone

I'd have sold him and bought dorrans

 

He's also been awful this season, showing only very occasional sparks last year.

 

Chesterfield site says Doyle sale completed.

 

Now confirmed by City and loan to end of season of Everton's Conor McAleny.

 

And on BBC.

Also, Kennedy on a permanent deal and McAleny on loan, both from Everton.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31100542

 

The 2 Everton lads are clearly "for the future" as neither have much experience. Kennedy is a winger with little goal scoring record and McAleny is a "forward". Not much on him scoring either.

Odd deals unless Slade knows something we don't especially when we send out 2 of our youngsters on loan. Brentford were keen to resign McAleny before this window, having had him on loan before.

Kennedy has played for Scotland from 15 to 21 age groups and had some loan time with Tranmere, MK Dons and Hibernians.

Never boring at CCFC is it? Off the field anyway.

 

Only Kennedy for the future, McAleny is on loan and goes back at the end of the year.

Underwhelmed!!

 

What depresses me about the signings Slade has made is that there is no new player midfield creativity and pace in the team between now and the end of the season so we'll still have to suffer Whittingham and Gunnarrsson.

He has brought in since he came:

Malone. A below average full back.
O'Keefe. A relatively inexperienced workhorse who may turn out to be useful.
Revell. A below average striker.
Peltier. A competent defensive full back.
Doyle. Proven goal scorer in League 1
Kennedy. A vey inexperienced winger
McAleney. A very inexperienced striker (but who did score 2 against City when at Brentford in a friendly)

I don't think I have missed anyone.

Slade said he'd be judged after the window. Well he has brought in 7 players, so let's see how City get on with those.

ps. I do think Pilkington's absence has had a profound effect on the team's ability. Plus Mason is hopefully back soon as will Manga to help shore up the terrible defence.

 

In fairness Pilks and Manga are probably 2 of our better players.

I concur with the under whelmed feeling but I was excited about Alf, Guerra and Macheda last summer........

 

Well lets all hope 'The only way is up' from here.

 

Harry's resigned from QPR - he needs a leg op.

Think they would take Slade off us if we asked nicely?

 

I think he may have jumped before the inevitable push.