Transfer window

[stretchyboy]

Was just having a little thought and was wondering if we need to do any transfer business come january.
Do we need to strengthen in any areas, and do any need to be shipped out?
The three obvious that come to mind to either be sold or loaned out, are Harry Clarke, Baggot, and as much as it pains me to say it, as I think hes a cracking player, is Humphreys.

Not sure if we'd have any space left, but maybe another #9?
Hirst is OK in patches, and Azon is not a 90 minute player (or 70 minutes in our case).

How well would Burns come back into the squad? Would he be a starter if over his injury?

Lots of questions, with not a lot of answers .

Your thoughts?

 

[Southcoastoldgaffer]

Much will depend if we are seriously challenging at the top. If, as we all hope, we continue this good run, I am sure they will want to bring in re-enforcements. Agree with yr thoughts re Baggot et al. Doubt very much that Burns will be strong enough for regular starts.

Mindful of our last Prem foray, I am sure they will try to beef up several areas and not leave it til last minute like last summer.

 

[Southcoastoldgaffer]

At least we wont have the Salah Slot scenario!

 

[itfcptc]

I think we're pretty well covered in most positions but there aren't many positions people have nailed down yet nor shown they would be capable in the Premier League. I'd say try to work with what we've got in the forward positions as they haven't clicked yet and we've got cover in all areas, don't add another player in the mix.

For me the biggest priority is finding a partner for Matusiwa who is also defensively capable of replacing him too.

Beyond that we're an injury away from looking very short at CB and we also don't have natural cover at left back

 

[Nuggets]

We’ve currently got good squad depth, which we’d rightly expect after the amount of money we’ve spent over the last few transfer windows. I’d be reluctant for us to splash a load of money and have it impact the need to bring some better players in the summer - should we get promoted.

Harry Clarke, Baggott, and Humphreys would probably all benefit from a loan move away, but I think we need to keep a couple for the homegrown stipulation for our match-day squads. If we can cash in on Ben Johnson, I’d say do it. He seems surplus to requirements currently and I’m not convinced he’s good cover at left back. I wouldn’t say Burns is a starter when he comes back - as Egeli has a much higher upside - but I’d certainly expect to see him in the matchday squad and a beneficiary of the rotation policy. He gives us something different to the current attacking players, so I hope we keep him. I just hope he’s still the same player after that lengthy injury.

Regarding incomings, is there potentially scope to bring Chaplin back? He hasn’t been ripping up trees at Portsmouth, so they might be inclined to not make the deal permanent. Some fans would also like to see Morsy back, as he’s on a free, but I don’t think he’s a requirement with the current squad. Ironically, the best player who has left us is the maligned Muric, who is statistically one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A this season. But I don’t think he’ll be returning.

As others have said, I’m concerned that a long term Davis injury would seriously impact the team. Townsend is also out for the season. Could we potentially bring in a loan for half a season to cover? Are we reassured by Young or Johnson covering there for a long amount of time? A fourth centre-back would be a good idea, but isn’t there anyone good in the academy we can potentially fast track?

I agree with the consensus that our weakest area of the pitch is centre-forward, particularly considering the amount of chances we create. Hirst has underperformed, but he’s still the current first choice for me. Akpom hasn’t really had a run in the position, but I’m not convinced whenever I see him play. Azon is a handful, but he’s just not prolific or composed enough. Good centre forwards are expensive though, so I’m tempted to maybe just leave the current crop as is and reassess in the summer. Goals aren’t exactly an issue for this side, as the second highest goalscorers in the division, but I do feel that when we drop points - it’s frequently because the attacking players (not just the centre forward) squanders too many chances.

 

[Roystonblue]

We have. 4 right backs so think 1 (Clarke) to go out on loan / sold. Certainly think Humphreys needs some proper game time - again loan to a league 1 side. Players to add - we need another defensive central midfielder, if Matusiwa gets 10 bookings and a 2 game ban (likely) we need cover and I don’t think Taylor, Cajuste or Nunez can play the role. Another centre forward would be fantastic but they don’t grow on trees and I can see the club sticking with Hirst, Azon and Akpom as the 3rd option

 

[Bigal2]

Any new additions must be PL-ready just as the likes of Luongo and Broadhead were ready to step up from League 1 to the Championship.I've still some doubts that's the case with those recruited over the Summer (Egili and,possibly,Nunez excepted)

 

[Spanish]

Sell Mcateer!!!

 

[Mike_Holmes1990]

The transfer window makes me anxious. This set of players is slowly starting to look more like a team and reach their ability. I don't think there's any position that is crying out for new blood; any new player needs to be carefully considered so it doesn't put us back to waiting for them to get up to speed.

Agree that outgoings are probably the first priority to keep some of the fringe players some game time

 

[stretchyboy]

Can't say how reliable this source is, but have been told by a West Ham season ticket holder that Callum Wilson wants out in January, and we are a interested. Is it ambitious of us ( a 33 yr old with injury issues), or should we steer clear?
Personally, i think he'd be a good fit for the rest of the season

 

[Southcoastoldgaffer]

Can't say how reliable this source is, but have been told by a West Ham season ticket holder that Callum Wilson wants out in January, and we are a interested. Is it ambitious of us ( a 33 yr old with injury issues), or should we steer clear?
Personally, i think he'd be a good fit for the rest of the season

Stretchy, I hear my card calling, I have a few injuries, health issues, not far off 33 yrs old, and I am sure I would be a great fit for the rest of season!

 

[Bigal2]

Unconfirmable rumours (Facebook clickbait!) suggests Szmodics wants away?He’s a player I’ve liked throughout his career but feel we’ve never seen the best of him for Town,whether through injury or not being played in his best position.

 

[stretchyboy]

Stretchy, I hear my card calling, I have a few injuries, health issues, not far off 33 yrs old, and I am sure I would be a great fit for the rest of season!

Yeah....i'm not sure Gaffer, think i'd prefer to go with Wilson (nothing personal, but just has that little bit of premiership experience under his belt)

 

[stretchyboy]

Unconfirmable rumours (Facebook clickbait!) suggests Szmodics wants away?He’s a player I’ve liked throughout his career but feel we’ve never seen the best of him for Town,whether through injury or not being played in his best position.

I wouldn't be losing any sleep if he goes....his best before has expired a long time ago, and with his injury record, would prefer someone else took his place in the 25 man squad. I'm pretty sure there would be plenty of players that would want to come to us now (excellent chance of promotion, able to pay decent wages etc). Shame Boro are challenging up the top, would've been nice to nick Hackney off them

 

[Bigal2]

I wouldn't be losing any sleep if he goes....his best before has expired a long time ago, and with his injury record, would prefer someone else took his place in the 25 man squad. I'm pretty sure there would be plenty of players that would want to come to us now (excellent chance of promotion, able to pay decent wages etc). Shame Boro are challenging up the top, would've been nice to nick Hackney off them

I agree,the last player I remember being so disappointed with was Stuart Slater.

 

[stretchyboy]

All rather quiet at the moment...anyone got any juicy rumours?

 

[Nuggets]

All rather quiet at the moment...anyone got any juicy rumours?

Juventus heavily linked with Muric. We might even be able to engineer a Serie A bidding war, considering how well he’s done this season.

Have we been … whisper it … a bit premature turning on Muric and should we have given him longer? He made some horrible errors, granted, but he was our statistically best goalkeeper in the Premier League last season. He was also playing in front of an absolutely torrid defence. Essentially, I don’t think he was the right fit but certainly food for thought.

 

[stretchyboy]

I know what you mean about Muric. He got a lot of (possibly unjustified) stick last season. There's obviously a decent keeper in there, but playing in the defence against some of the best players in the world, you're obviously going to make errors.
I think it could just be that the fit was there between player and club.
Sometimes you get that, with top quality players moving to different clubs and not working out (Look at Grealish and Kalvin Phillips to name just 2).
Probably best if we get our back and he can move on.
Not a lot in it between Muric, Walton and Palmer

 

[Roystonblue]

It was the Bournemouth home game that did for Muric. We were seeing out a home win and he had a rush of blood and came charging out and we ended up losing the game. Unfair as it might be, don’t think he’ll ever be welcomed back by enough of the fans. Probably best for both parties if he continues his career elsewhere

 

[itfcptc]

Technically a very good goalkeeper and has by the far the biggest talent of any of our goalkeepers. But I thought his decision making was very poor and he didn't instill confidence in the defence.

Ironically I think in terms of shot stopping Walton is the worst of our keepers but his decision making is generally very good and every time he's got into the team our defence has looked better. I haven't looked at the stats but I feel we always get more clean sheets when Walton is in goal. He breeds confidence in the defenders because they know that he'll be there to back them up. Muric brought uncertainty to the defence.