I have always had a problem with loan deals and why, or why not, they are permissible in the latter part of the season. City have the lowest squad size by far (24) and yet we are not allowed to re-sign Matt Smith for the rest of the season apparently because he was an injury replacement when other teams with considerably larger squads are allowed to bring in loan players. Today Walsall (30) brought in a new player and so have others over the last couple of weeks. Our competition for promotion have the following squad size: M.K.Dons 30 Preston 33 Swindon 28 Sheff Utd 35 Now I know that we have been on a major revamping of our financial issues, and very well done apparently on that front, and I would hazard a guess that is why we are the lowest team in the division for squad size. I think we have a team that is more than capable of winning promotion with our existing lads, so do you think it is club policy to stay as we are or do any of you think we could look at other players for the run in. Twist or stick.
That question will only arise if and when we start to falter. The next three games are key for me. If we get a min of 5/6 points then we don't need to get anyone in. It is a judgement call. My worry is the goals for column. If Wilbs gets injured who is there to step up to the plate? On paper we are short of goal scorers.
Every week in the programme the away sides squad is bigger than ours - we also have at least 4 out on loan
We stick for the time being. The squad we have has got us to top of the league. I believe that the Loan Window doesn't shut until the 24th March so there is no rush to bring anyone in. I dont think anyone will want to join us on loan for a place on a bench, not even that in Saville's case (not sure if he is injured or not) and why risk upsetting the current first team by bringing in someone to start, who may not even fit in properly and may even unbalance the side. My opinion would be keep the squad as it is, and bring in a player if we lose someone for a few weeks. Of course the real dilemma would be what to do on the 24th March, do we bring someone in then to cover the squad for the rest of the season?
That squad of 24 have put our team at the top of the table by 8 points. Walsall can have a squad of 31 and so can MK Dons. We have quality they have quantity
I am content at the moment with some reservations. We only have 18 which includes a second keeper. Saville is fit or injured? Maybe we will know more tomorrow if he is NOT among the sub's. If we plan to bring in another striker, let's do it sooner rather than later.
I really don't think we'll see another striker... If Agard and Wilbs stay fit for the rest of the season, along with JET and Freeman in the hole. I really don't see the need for another, plenty of goals in the team and the defence is the 2nd best in the league. We'll keep ticking over and if need be (suspension or injury) cotts will bring someone in.
Freeman and JET aren't out and out strikers, we need a third proper striker as cover and for an impact when we need goals and players are worn down.
'Every week in the programme the away sides squad is bigger than ours' I think we've been incredibly lucky with injuries so far this season, let's hope it continues for another 2 months.
The Matt Smith situation is nothing to do with either club, no team is now allowed loan Matt Smith this season. No hidden agendas no conspiracy theory against us it's just the rules. When he signed for Fulham he had already played for Leeds under contract to them. No player can be under contract for more than two clubs in one season, although they can be used to a maximum 93 day emergency loan deal. We can still loan another player and I suspect that Cotts is already considering his options, but like others have said we are looking for back ups and players can either sit on the bench at their parent clubs or sit on ours so I guess it's not so simple to get them to sign.
I think there's a need for another striker, if Agard or Wilbs get injured, we will be very short in that very important department.
I guess we can manage as we have a good academy that has players within it that we could use if necessary? I assume there is no limit on us bringing in our own players. Tea,s like Swindon and Walsall don't have that luxury. I also agree with Shiny that it is all about the quality. Who cares about the number of players. And with players out on loan getting game time every week we have the luxury of being able to bring back Osbourne, Bobby Reid and Al-Abd if we need to, and they won't be game-rusty. SC has shown before that he doesn't sign players for the sake of it. I trust him. And will tell him so tonight.
