I think it would do Symons a world of good if he could get at least 3 players in during this transfer window. He has to show the supporters that he has the clout and knowledge to bring in players of quality that we all know are needed to establish the club as front runners next season. If Ruiz is to leave we need a playmaker of the same ilke (2 would be nice), the fullbacks need to be looked at, they lack height and we struggle at corners as Bodurov also lacks height. We have seen many a team play us with a Smith type of player required in this league, yet Kit loaned him out!!! If he just relies on Hoogland and Amorebieta coming back to fill in the gaps at the back there will big question marks against his future. You can see Hoogland doesn't want to play fullback. We do have a big squad but if you take away the players from the Youth setup and those like Chihi, David, Fotheringham, Eisfeld, Fazlic, Voser that he seems to have no intention of playing, then his choice is limited to inexperienced u-21s. He's been given enough time to figure which of the Youth are good enough to step in now, and those which need more time. If he stagnates now does that mean a more experienced manager will be looked for in the summer? Will we get the 'Kacaniklic, Tunnicliffe, Hoogland and Amorebieta' quote are just like signing new players!!!
If rumours for a certain Mr Huth are true this is going to be a great loan move. Stong, tall and experienced defender will add some muscle and give Hutchison a good partnership. We need a RB to give Grimmer some competition and also experience. Hoogland for me will be good as defensive midfielder alongside Parker and LVC. This will give a very strong 4-3-3. With Amo returning will have cover for CB as well as LB. Critical is a central midfielder to replace Ruiz if he goes.
As I said earlier about 'Hoofer Huth' Madness, "not even with a barge pole"! Agree with Hoogland as a central midfielder - as SuperBri said, he just does not want to play at full back. I'd have him as the holding defender in a 4-1-3 -2 formation rather than alongside Parker and LVC.
Just carrying on from the internal murmurings post. In terms of players/options we have in the midfield and attacking areas, do we really need to sign anyone? I think a CB would be great, someone with experience (and height) but I honestly think we have whats needed in the squad we have. I'm not saying to this wind anyone up, but surely we have 1 or 2 players that can fill Bryans shoes/role. I think he is very skillful but being blunt he doesn't/hasn't really put a shift in for us and certainly not justified his fee. Whether that's the clubs fault for playing him in a position he dislikes is a fair point, but Kaca, Dembele, Roberts, McCormack can all play where he plays. We then have Woodrow and Smith to think about. In midfield we have Captain slow (he is still a decent player though) with LVC, Hyndman, Tunnicliffe, Hoogie baby, Fofana (with us til' the end of 15 now) and Ryan Williams all there, some more there than others agreed but nonetheless, there is enough ability in that lot to do alright this season and for the long term. Surely!
I agree. In most positions, signing someone new would just block the development of our youngsters. The squad we have has enough to get well clear of the relegation battle, IMO. That being the case, this season needs to be about helping the young uns on, so that we're ready to mount a serious title challenge next season. We need to find the right combination up front, and if Kit doesn't rate Smith, then maybe we should buy someone to bring out the goalscoring best in McCormack, but even there, I'm not convinced that we don't have the players already. So, players in this window should be few but carefully considered - maybe a centre back to replace/challenge Bodorov (although he's always looked decent when I've seen him), then Kit and whoever else is involved in player acquisition these days can assess where we are lacking in the summer, ready to reinforce a full-out charge for promotion. I'm not saying that we shouldn't try for a play off place, but staying down for another season might set us up to do better when (if) we do go up. Of course, if we get into the play offs, I'll want us to win and go up as much as the next person, but missing out would be a long way from being a disaster.
A play-off position would be great for the youngsters in terms of achievement even if we don't go up. Don't think we have a "team" or a manager experienced enough yet to push for more. Strong individuals but as a unit we are not there yet. There are 60 points still to play for and you never know...
Reports say that we are looking at 27yr old midfielder Graham Dorrans of West Brom please log in to view this image ”Burnley are locked in negotiations with the Baggies in an attempt to strike a deal for the Scotland international midfielder. Sean Dyche is hoping to add some Premier League experience to his side, and it is understood Dorrans is one of his main targets this month. Dorrans does not appear to be in new manager Tony Pulis's plans having played only twice since Pulis officially took charge at The Hawthorns, lasting 54 minutes of the 7-0 FA Cup victory over Gateshead before coming off the bench in the goalless draw with Everton on Monday However, Goal understands that Fulham are set to make a move for the 27-year-old, and are confident they can land the former Livingston star and persuade him to drop into the Championship.
In his press conference today Kit said that a loan signing was imminent and certainly before the Blackburn game (31st January). He also said that he was unaware of any interest in Graham Dorrans. Probaly means the 'loan' his him then!
West Brom and Palace are supposedly interested in Neil Taylor (who, of course, was a pregnant wife away from joining us this time last year). I guess they've decided to take the chance to trade up.
Would you drop Grimmer, cottagecravens? I thought he was doing well. I'd rather see him keep his place, both for his long term development and on merit right now.
Dropping Grimmer would be harsh, he has been patient gone out on loan done very well, has come back got into the team and slowly improved with every game, who knows how much better he will get with games but if we give him the next 20 games and he keeps developing and improving we could have a very good young first choice right back for next season. Stafylidis on the other hand is different although similar to Grimmer in that another 20 games could really help him kick on he is only on loan so what's the point of giving him that time to develop??? unless we are going to buy him I'd rather give those games to Kavanagh or look to buy a new left back!
I think we have the option to sign Stafylidis permanently in the summer. If getting a run of games would boost his development, we still stand to be the ones who would benefit. It all depends on whether Kit thinks he's got a future with us.
He's decent but is a CB - I think. Suggestion above is not the answer really I'd prefer us to have 2 stay at home full backs disciplined who can tackle. So many games winger get to the bye line, it's our weakness. If we don't address the goals conceded we'll struggle. I've said it before we continue to create and score goals- ok we had a Barron spell but doesn't everyone?
When I've seen Grimmer, he's looked good in the tackle. He was horribly exposed against Bournemouth, but that was more to do with a lack of cover from the midfield than Grimmer being personally at fault. I like him at right back.
