What do we need in January

Bin Kelly,Byrne,Leigh,Kav and Richards off Id have another go for Shepherd and maybe try for a player like Ryan Hardie and if we're ambitious have a punt with Sam Morsy

 

He's trying hard but ultimately its about the goals and assists and that's what we need to see more of.

 

Problem with Shepherd is that he'll be too expensive now he's a first team regular at Barnsley. Out of our price range IMO. And Morsy plays the same role as Max Power, who I can't see being dropped.

Assuming that they all regain fitness, we'll have Pennington, Tilt, J Wright, Kelly, Byrne, Baldwin, McIntyre and Touray as centre back options. Surely that's enough, even with our injury record? There should also be enough options in the attacking midfield role, with Bobby and Sarce being the first picks, with any of Tyreik, Lasplie, Swan, Humphrys and, erm, Nick Powell(!) able to play there. I say this hoping that the days of Kav being picked there are over.

The obvious area we're a little short is central midfield, as I think we'll start to play 3 in the middle a little more, meaning we'll need someone else to sit alongside Power and Metcalfe/Patto. I'd farm Leigh out in January if possible too, so would need a replacement for him should we do so.

All of that being said, I think we'll probably end up sticking with what we already have, barring an underwhelming loan signing from Notts County or similar. And Nick Powell will have his contract terminated.

 

My thinking with Shepherd is that hes out of contract at the end of the season and can move for free, he wanted the move and Barnsley could be tempted. With Morsy he brings a winning mentality and will be a perfect replacement for power when he inevitably gets suspended again and would be a great player to sure up the midfield when trying to hold a lead. With the rest its time to improve on the weak links if we're going to start to look at securing a top 6 spot.

 

Gonna depend on where we stand in January .........if we are still hovering then he should simply have a go whats he to lose ???????
Got players in that squad worth money and its a chance for him to sell the club on for a huge profit

 

Agreed. If we fail this year, there’ll be an underlying feeling of disappointment that might carry very into next season. If we finish strongly with a decent squad then hopefully we’ll push on again. As it stands I don’t think we’ve enough in the squad to get us over the line if we get injuries to any of our creative players.

 

The way our division is going, I think there will be roughly 20 teams hovering.

 

You have zero chance of Shep from a fellow top six nor his potential fee. I can’t help smiling at the thought.

 

Don’t forget Clarke Oduor will probably coming be back in January. Not even starting for Grimsby

 

On the bench tonight, so is Smallwood for Tranmere. 3 more ex city players on show tonight also

 

Is it just me or does anyone else prefer lower league football to the Thursday night euro matches?

 

We definitely need a couple of strikers in January, Kavanagh not up to league one, Swann a good back up, Cook can't run anymore, Humphrys isn't a centre forward. A couple of names I've seen mentioned/or hope we are keeping tabs on are,

Reegan Linney at Carlisle, a late bloomer, he's scored a goal every other game in his career. Scored a hat trick at Reading in the FA cup. Downside is they'll probably want a good fee for him.

Micah Mbick Colchester on loan from Charlton, 4 in 11, maybe they'll want to call back and send to league one.

Emre Tegzel Crewe on loan from Stoke, similar to Mbick, has good height on him and looks skilfull.

Ryan Hardie I can't see this happening as apparently he's got a house in Plymouth still and can see him going back.

Jatta Notts County, apparently they are wanting still 7 figures for him, not sure if his attitude would suit working under GA.

Macaulay Langstaff Millwall, probably more likely to go to Peterborough and link up with his old manager.

 

Four if you include Staunton

 

I completely agree, if it was so easy everyone would be doing it. Without any sentimentality I don't think there's anyone in our squad (okay unproven kids aside) who couldn't at the very least 'do a job' for us when called on but some of those will never be first on the team sheet if there's no injuries. That is no different to any team.

Given that our goals have dried up a bit that is where I think we should focus efforts to strengthen in January if we're to have a serious go at promotion. I think Kav and Lapslie are the 2 who we might look to try move on to free up budget to try strengthen our attack. I wouldn't put either in the lost cause / expensive mistake category - both decent players and would probably walk into many L2 teams - just not quite showing it at league 1 based on the season so far.

 

Three for me, a goal scorer , one centre mid and lastly a left footed back three player .McIntyre isn’t doing it for me. Tilt remains an unknown “ when” and Kelly just not good enough..

 

On McIntyre I don't see why he's not had more of a chance, not seen loads from him but thought he's always looked decent. That said I have missed a few matches so others will have seen more. Totally agreed on Kelly, yes he is a total warrior but bit too rough round the edges for me. Tilt coming back before Christmas would be a major boost but I have no idea on the likelihood of that.

Don't disagree on central mid - we need to account for inevitable suspension (Power), lack of consistency (Leigh) lack of experience (Metcalfe) and likelihood of injury (Pattinson).

 

I wouldn’t be investing in a left sided defender. Between Tilt and Tourey we have enough quality for a starting XI. Kelly, Richards, McIntyre on top of this is more than sufficient IMO as cannot see the season been won or lost with the depth we already have there.

With whatever budget is available, id be prioritising other positions - but that’s simply just my opinion.

 

Who do we think the outs will be? Given we are at the stage where we need outs before ins for any players over 21.

Powell immediately springs to mind. Got to move on Kelly if we want to upgrade at CB, maybe they cancel McIntyres loan if he isn't being used to free up a space too. Any others where we see them likely out than in come Feb? Kav? Richards?

 

Kav’s a funny one.

GA seems to like him but league 1 just looks a level too high for him.

Lapslie will probably go back to league 2 which looks his level as well.

Powell has never looked interested in any game he’s played and must go down as one of the strangest signings in recent years.

 

Kav shouldn't be judged on his performances out of position. He needs to be given a run at the point of the attacking 3. He played well there against Barnsley.