Jan transfer window

[godlike1]

Sooooooooooooooo

The big question is, will PD be given any funds to strengthen the squad? and if SC have bought shares in the club will they show their hand and commitment by offering money to help keep us in this division?

If its a falicy or they for some reason are not able to invest or dont want to, will Dick and Terry put their hands in their pockets to get PD the players he needs and show their commitment to the club and town.  They may say a sustainable club is more important but a club in the championship is more important to the town financially and suffers as a result of the impending relegation

I think we need further strenghtening down the spine of the team with

Ideally a 20 a year goal scorer would be nice, but clearly not going to happen so someone who has a record of scoring reasonable consistently would be nice

A creative midfielder to act as competion for RW when he's not quite on his game

A longer term contract for RW for that matter

A Centre Half who can add some competition and experience for a dog fight to help us not ship so many goals

A new keeper who can act as back up to Turnbull and not let him have such an easy ride (i admit he has kept us in many games this season but competition is good if you can afford it)

 

[The Red Baron]

The problem with the January window is that you can end up paying over the odds for players who would be available in the summer at a much lower cost.

I think we need a couple of defenders and a central midfielder, but I'd hazard a guess that we'd be looking at loans or free agents. A striker would also be good, but again we're probably going to have to take a punt on a 19 or 20 year old from the PL and hope he can score at this level. 

When I look at the balance of the squad, I think we should also be looking at moving one or two players out.

[mrfrostsdad]

Of course, someone could always play devils advocate and say they didn't have to spend a penny if they didn't want to, by letting SC take over in the first place! :-)

I think we will have to wait and see. I still want to know what the 'exciting vision for the future is'
Hopefully, come January, we may find out. Or then again, maybe not!!

[Boomstick]

I can see this being another 5 page thread ....

[mrfrostsdad]

Hahaha!
Broomstick please no!!!!
I only threw that in as a bit of light hearted banter!

Let's just give TB the benefit of any doubt for now and see what happens come January

[Dare to dream!]

Didn't PD say Alex Nimley would be a possible target in January when we missed out on him earlier.

[nortikorner]

Under John Ryan Managers were given the time will this be the case now ?

[raggytash]

January will show the boards full intention.. I'm on the fence.. Got a horrible feeling there will be nothing and pd sent on his way..no lengthy contract etc etc...anybody else noticed the supposed big earners are consistently on the frays??? Just a note..

[RedJ]

Maybe because they've been consistently poor?...

[raggytash]

True... As anybody got a list of contracted players??

[Boomstick]

Hahaha!
Broomstick please no!!!!
I only threw that in as a bit of light hearted banter!

Let's just give TB the benefit of any doubt for now and see what happens come January

Yeah, I'll keep schtum and wait to see what January brings. although I do expect it to be not a lot!

[djoftherovers1]

Bramhall did say in his interview that pd knows the budget that was set at start of season and will work to this. This was a few week bk so it may change now but I doubt it.

[One_Matty_Lucas]

Again what is the point in a budget process if we dont stick to it in the season?

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Exactly. And the budget would include a monthly breakdown anyway. I'd imagine a football budget to include a slightly higher wage bill in the winter months than summer anyway.

[One_Matty_Lucas]

Think we have to have faith in some very successful businessmen who are in charge of the budgeting process.

Would assume you wouldnt just get a budget for the year to spend in the summer surely the Jan window is taken into account into the original budget

And again, why would we advertise a high budget?

[boro_rover]

The reality is we need the whole spine strengthening. A centre half, a midfield anchor man and a clinical striker are all necessary. Lengthening Wellens, Stevens and kikos loan should also be done. However the fact is, PD will be working on a shoestring budget, demand is high, as are player prices and supply for a club with our spend power is low. Some rabbits will have to be pulled out of the gaffers hat in order for us to get what we need.
We are conceding for fun and scoring is a problem as well. It would be great to sign 3 quality players during the window, but I'm expecting one signing at best.

[bobbymax]

The reality is we need the whole spine strengthening. A centre half, a midfield anchor man and a clinical striker are all necessary. Lengthening Wellens, Stevens and kikos loan should also be done. However the fact is, PD will be working on a shoestring budget, demand is high, as are player prices and supply for a club with our spend power is low. Some rabbits will have to be pulled out of the gaffers hat in order for us to get what we need.
We are conceding for fun and scoring is a problem as well. It would be great to sign 3 quality players during the window, but I'm expecting one signing at best.

You could say if we got back a fully-fit Jones, Keegan, Husband and Forrester (maybe even McCombe) that would be like five signings. Though whether there is enough quality there to keep us up is anybody's guess.

[Dare to dream!]

The reality is we need the whole spine strengthening. A centre half, a midfield anchor man and a clinical striker are all necessary. Lengthening Wellens, Stevens and kikos loan should also be done. However the fact is, PD will be working on a shoestring budget, demand is high, as are player prices and supply for a club with our spend power is low. Some rabbits will have to be pulled out of the gaffers hat in order for us to get what we need.
We are conceding for fun and scoring is a problem as well. It would be great to sign 3 quality players during the window, but I'm expecting one signing at best.

You could say if we got back a fully-fit Jones, Keegan, Husband and Forrester (maybe even McCombe) that would be like five signings. Though whether there is enough quality there to keep us up is anybody's guess.

Im interested to see how McCombe copes at this level. He was a key player for Bristol City when they reached the play off final which i was unaware of so he obviously can play at this level but didn't show much of that ability last season

[selby]

Talked to the lad in the car park earlier in the season and he told me that he had not been fully fit and no more than 75% fit for two years and had not been able to sprint flat out in all that time.
   We have a great player on our hands if he gets 100% because he had a good season last year with Jones and was with Cotterill and Jones one of our standout players.
   Anyway he deserves a bit of luck and so does the club I for one hope he can get back fit and playing well again.

[boro_rover]

Me as well dare to dream, I'm keen to see how well McCombe copes when he comes back fully fit. He didnt really let anyone down last season with a stress fracture in his back. I'm sure he will do well, but at this point he will come back a bit of an unknown commodity. And he will be thrown in at the deep end in a relegation dogfight. But I think a man who can play through that sort of pain week in week out for two years has definately got the ability and the desire to battle.

I understand what you are saying DTD, although Hubby has been found wanting against some of the top players in the championship. We know jones has the experience though and the type of leadership you can't buy. I think Forrester will be a great addition to the squad, but again I haven't seen much of him and he is essentially another wide player. Keegan is another player who has really been a dark horse for us, I think we have missed him since he has been out. He does offer the defence an extra line of protection and allows Wellens that extra attacking freedom. It doesn't look to bad for us in reflection I we can get a fully for squad together. However, I do think we have a paper thin squad, and at least some able cover should be brought in to give us some more competitive edge.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

It would be common sense to manage players out as well as in. If he can  'move' two or three out then there may be scope to firm up some of the short terms deals (RW) and may be strengthen.

Like many, I'm not that convinced with Macheda and wonder whether Syers could find the net more frequently.

The board should be encouraging PD to manage his budget however, I'm sure if he does what he can to show he's not wasting funds, then there's more chance of him being supported with funds to strengthen.

[Sammy Chung was King]

He's done a very good job under very trying circumstances,what a start to being a Championship manager,all the injuries we've picked up,and he's still managed to put a team out most weeks that compete's,he's unfortunately inherited the bad luck with injuries that previous managers have had,i'm positive that with most of those players fit,we could have been pushing towards the top of the bottom half of the table.

I think he's been really shrewd with the funds he's been given,hasn't really wasted a penny,i'd trust him spend any money just as well in the future,he seems really methodical when he's thinking of signing players,he doesn't just rush in like a lot do,and just sign a body,that just bulks the squad out,and doesn't add any real value,if we can get four or five of the unfit players,playing we won't need to lay out quite as much,got to agree that the spine of the side isn't strong enough,the main problem being just behind Wellens,defensive midfield,and another option in defence with a bit of experience would help,i do think our strikers can score at this level,if given better service,don't play Robinson out wide,play him where he's best,pick a team with players in they're best positions,i think there's enough games to alternate the strikers to keep them fresh,we can't afford to be predictable,Robinson/Macheda  Brown/Robinson  Brown/Macheda,change them after a run in the team,keep teams guessing,but if one hits form,don't p..s him off by dropping him.

The midfield needs to get an understanding,so decide on your best combination,and unless they are badly off form stick with them,same with the defence,Cotterill for me cutting in from the left,Duffy has earned a place on the right.

[PDX_Rover]

Agree that PD has been shrewd so far. I think Macheda will blossom and hope we can keep him into January... Who knows? I am sure the owners will work with him and Brian Horton to bring in quality where it's needed. They're no mugs.

[Sammy Chung was King]

Talked to the lad in the car park earlier in the season and he told me that he had not been fully fit and no more than 75% fit for two years and had not been able to sprint flat out in all that time.
 

It's terrible the way the ''stewards'' are treated,Selby ,i think a pie as well as a burger might up the fitness from seventy five to a hundred per cent
''A Stewards for Life,not just for Christmas''

[MrWoodySir]

The problem with the January window is that you can end up paying over the odds for players who would be available in the summer at a much lower cost.

I think we need a couple of defenders and a central midfielder, but I'd hazard a guess that we'd be looking at loans or free agents. A striker would also be good, but again we're probably going to have to take a punt on a 19 or 20 year old from the PL and hope he can score at this level. 

When I look at the balance of the squad, I think we should also be looking at moving one or two players out.

BIB:- But could also keep us up - and therefore be more financially viable in the future. 

[silent majority]

The problem with the January window is that you can end up paying over the odds for players who would be available in the summer at a much lower cost.

I think we need a couple of defenders and a central midfielder, but I'd hazard a guess that we'd be looking at loans or free agents. A striker would also be good, but again we're probably going to have to take a punt on a 19 or 20 year old from the PL and hope he can score at this level. 

When I look at the balance of the squad, I think we should also be looking at moving one or two players out.

BIB:- But could also keep us up - and therefore be more financially viable in the future. 

Football clubs are not financially viable. Ever.

[Wellred]

The problem with the January window is that you can end up paying over the odds for players who would be available in the summer at a much lower cost.

I think we need a couple of defenders and a central midfielder, but I'd hazard a guess that we'd be looking at loans or free agents. A striker would also be good, but again we're probably going to have to take a punt on a 19 or 20 year old from the PL and hope he can score at this level. 

When I look at the balance of the squad, I think we should also be looking at moving one or two players out.

BIB:- But could also keep us up - and therefore be more financially viable in the future. 

Football clubs are not financially viable. Ever.

So does that mean they are not sustainable either?