I agree with the policy. Loan players should only be brought in if they are an improvement on what is already here, and there is a readily available player on the market and wants to come or if there is a necessity due to long term injuries.
City have scrapped their way to 8th place after 10 games with this squad.
Complaints have been levelled at the lack of goals. City have scored 14; the teams above us have scored as follows:
Brighton 14
Burnley 14
Hull 13
Derby 12
Boro 17
Reading 16 (5 in one game)
B'ham 16
Not exactly a real problem then.
Complaints have been levelled against our defence. City have conceded 11; the teams above us have conceded as follows:
Brighton 6
Burnley 11
Hull 7
Derby 7
Boro 7
Reading 7
B'ham 10.
So a slight deficiency there, with not many clean sheets which are so vital. City have Manga, Tamas and one spare full back in reserve so what difference would a new defender make?
Where I would like to see a comparison though is in the teams' shots, defensive blocks, possession, woodwork, tackles, passes etc. The real difference IMO in these teams is in the skill areas ie attaining and retaining possession, forward passes, crosses, shots etc
This again IMO refers to midfield, especially central midfield. City are cloistered in this area. Whittingham is too deep, Ralls and Pilkington come in too often, and Dikajcoi could et up the field also a bit more. City are too deep, and lack pace and forward drive in this area.
So in conclusion, the area to bolster has to be central midfield. the rest will work itself out. But unless there is somebody out there whom can do a better job, it is best to wait to January when the available players would be more recognisable, and buy a player who would form part of the squad.
Notwithstanding though, I would hope to see a new striker in in January unless the Moroccan striker is fit and raring to go - instead of Jones.
