January Transfer Window

Don't care about wages of footballers.

If you say he's on peanuts then he's on peanuts for a reason. Get him playing with youth team or something then.

He's not good enough and we need better.

 

Or just put 6 on the bench. Can anyone honestly say that over half the team on the bench isn't enough cover or options to change things?

 

The rule is nonsense

 

The rule should only be enforced for the Premier League where clubs have some of the best youngsters on the planet. Not at clubs like ours where we have poor academies full of players who are nowhere near good enough for senior football.

 

Gibson in fairness is probably on peanuts. Anderson and Akpan however....

 

Gibson’s better than the other fringe players we have imo. Poor decision making at times and often tries a trick too many but I thought he was surprisingly strong in the tackle and at least looked to make things happen. Think he even set up a goal too with an excellent cross. Not good enough to start games on a regular basis but nowhere near as bad as Anderson or Devine who are completely out of their depth.

 

Most teams have 1 or 2 subs that they have no intention of putting on. They are just there to make up the numbers. There has been quite a rise this season in teams not naming 7 subs. (if I remember correctly one of the teams that played at City round about November only had 6 subs)

 

Agreed. The rule to constantly increase bench numbers is purely beneficial for top flight teams and serves no purpose further down the ladder.

 

So you honestly think we should bin off the 7/8 suggested in the January transfer window? When we are pushing for promotion? Dismantling this squad is a ludicrous suggestion. You would think we are in the bottom 2.

Replacing them with better costs money. It would be far more logical to wait until the summer so we can A) budget better and B) attract a better quality of player to replace them IF we have gone up.

He is on peanuts because he is young and a fringe player. We need fringe players and Gibson for me is one of the better fringe players. Im not advocating he starts every game - he shouldn't, but happy enough to for him to make up 1 of the 7 subs on the bench.

 

Partially agree with not breaking up the squad but I would get rid of Devine, Anderson and Akpan possibly Taylor as well but Bowyer seems to like him.

I think there is something about Gibson, I’m unsure if he will ever make it higher then league 2 but that’s where we are currently, I would keep him until the end of the season. The lad has a great work rate and puts in 110% effort unlike Anderson and Akpan.

I’m also interested in what will happen once Riley is back, he showed great promise in pre-season and looked a player. If he comes back I would quite happily get shut of Henley, the lad is a liability in defence, can’t cross and I’m still not sure why he didn’t get sent off against Mansfield

I don’t feel we are too far away from getting promoted, yes the football has been poor and at times I would rather be shopping with the wife but we’re in a great position.

 

I would be looking to get rid of:

Longbridge - useless and stealing a wage
Akpan - a higher earner
Anderson - poor and we have about 7 CM's
McCartan - a higher earner and done nothing

I would suggest that eases any financial burdens, doesn't disrupt the squad too much and we can replace with 1 or 2 who can give us that final push for promotion. I would include Doyle as one of those to 'bring in/back'.

With Donaldson and Devitt due back we will be ok for numbers.

 

Im ok with Henley, can operate RB or LB. Decision can be made on him in the summer as a risk getting shut of him with Riley unfit. Devine doesnt bother me, about 6th choice so keep him as a squad filler or do a short term loan somewhere. Taylor is favoured by Bowyer so think he will keep him on until season end.

 

Longridge is a strange one, he came with so much promise but unfortunately it hasn’t worked for him but Wood has been excellent so far this season.

I still think Shay might have something to offer but if Doyle comes back and Devitt shows what he is capable of then unfortunately due to his high wages then he needs to go.

I would also be trying to sign Cooke permanently, I feel he has the quality to play league 1 and make a decent partnership with Reeves

 

Well thats it - IF Doyle comes back and Devitt is raring to go then you would think Shay is surplus. At the moment though he is needed I suppose.

Devitt is a new signing when he returns, not had him at all. Donaldson missed too.

 

This is fair if the player and his manager have confidence that he will come on and change a game. I’m not sure ANY of our bench have the ability to grab a game by the scruff and as such, we do need better if we have any real aspirations of getting out of this league this season.
Apart from McCartan of course .....

 

What do people think we need in January, personally we are short left sided, either a left back if connor wood gets injured we are screwed cos bowyer doesn't rate longridge and maybe a left winger similar to Connelly especially if we get doyle back, we have to cross the ball in good areas

 

I think Bowyer will be happy to use Henley at LB if needed in an emergency, if he has Mellor back at RB, so wouldn’t surprise to see Longridge leave.

Hornby seems to have been frozen out but won’t be on much. Can see Devine going out on loan and maybe McCartan and Akpan if there is a taker. Anderson and Gibson will probably be free to leave too.

I don’t think we need much in tbh. I’d take Doyle if finances allow but I think we’re otherwise well stocked when the injuries clear.

Henley and Mellor competing for RB
O’connors and Paudie for the CB slots, with French backup.
Reeves, Cooke and Palmer as deeper midfielders
Ismael, Connolly, Pritchard for wide roles
Pritchard, McCartan, Devitt as possible no. 10s
Vaughan, Donaldson, Oteh and maybe Doyle up top

 

God did u see Henley at left back at start of season, god damn awful, I'd like at least another winger were reliant of Connelly or ismael being fit for every game for width and pace

 

Aye, not great....but he still preferred him over Longridge in an emergency

 

Reliant on Ismail being fit when the club know for a fact he isn't reliable in terms of fitness.

I'd say it's imperative we sign a winger in January.

If Doyle does return, even if he flops again, our forward line will be bolstered - a couple of offloads (Devine to Salford and one/two others) should allow for a winger to be brought in.

I'm not bothered about signing players in any other positions, to be honest.