January Transfer Window Rumours/Suggestions/Hearsay/Heresy/Horseplay

[pbavfckuwait]

Would like to see us use the loan market come January, as Bruce has said, the prices are inflated in January and as good as it feels at the moment this team will need major investment for when we do go up in May.

[passitsideways]

If Grealish can keep it going, we may actually be able to get away with just using the loan market to pick up a midfielder, rather than spunking a lot of cash - basically, just somebody who has the legs to keep us from being overrun in the middle and also be able to press upfield when required (given that Westwood did that particular task well enough against both Brighton and SHA, it's not that much of an ask as it sounds, I don't think), as opposed to the dominant all-rounder it seemed like we absolutely needed when RDM was still here.

[Malandro]

I'd go for Tom Carroll.

[paul_e]

I agree with a few others, loan in a midfielder and possibly a striker as ACN cover.  I would however try to buy a young-ish central defender (Baker's age) who can then settle into the squad and get to know the rest of the defence and slowly work their way in.  I think one of the big mistakes we've made repeatedly over the last few years is buying defenders and throwing them together and expecting them to form a defence from the off.  I'd like a right back as well but if we get as midfielder it frees Bacuna up to move back there so we should be ok.

For midfield I'd go for someone like Loftus-Cheek, just on the edge of a top half of the premier league squad but with good energy and a few goals in them.

Up front given it's short term I'd try to get one of the top scorers from mls for a month or 2.

Then I'd put all the effort into finding a very good central defender from somewhere.

[UK Redsox]

Up front given it's short term I'd try to get one of the top scorers from mls for a month or 2.

http://www.fifa.com/live-scores/nationalleagues/nationalleague=usa-mls-2000000103/top-scorers/

Bradley Wright-Phillips ? (no work permit problems)

Can't see David Villa or Sebastian Giovinco coming (having seen him play in person for Toronto against DC, the latter is far to good for MLS)

How about the 9th top scorer in MLS..... Jozy Altidore

[paul_e]

I think I'd try for Giovinco, you never know, he might agree that he's 'retired' to mls too early and see this as a chance to get a move back to europe.

[Dave]

I think I'd try for Giovinco, you never know, he might agree that he's 'retired' to mls too early and see this as a chance to get a move back to europe.

I reckon at least 14 teams in Serie A would take him in a flash.

He's unlikely to need a Championship playoff push to be noticed.

[paul_e]

I think I'd try for Giovinco, you never know, he might agree that he's 'retired' to mls too early and see this as a chance to get a move back to europe.

I reckon at least 14 teams in Serie A would take him in a flash.

He's unlikely to need a Championship playoff push to be noticed.

I know, but if you don't ask you don't get.

[Matt C]

Rhodes on loan would do the job wouldn't it? If we move Richards on then maybe there's a chance of a defensive loan too. Meyler seems like a good shout for the midfield.

[Toronto Villa]

I think I'd try for Giovinco, you never know, he might agree that he's 'retired' to mls too early and see this as a chance to get a move back to europe.

I reckon at least 14 teams in Serie A would take him in a flash.

He's unlikely to need a Championship playoff push to be noticed.

I know, but if you don't ask you don't get.

Paul, there isn't a chance on earth he'd end up with us or anyone else in Championship or second tier of football in Europe. He's a tremendous player, an Italy squad member and worthy of a place in most sides in the top tier of England/Italy/Spain/Germany. Now in the summer, if we got promoted, then certainly worthy of revisiting, but I'll actually be really surprised if he isn't targeted by more established sides by then. Some of the stuff he does is simply superb, and the only thing that will keep him from a top side in my opinion is that he is doing it in MLS. But from what I have seen first hand he's good enough to come back to Europe and command a position at any number of sides competing at minimum in european club competition.

[peter w]

Well if Allan Simonsen can join Charlton then we can pick up some internationally retired star from somewhere.

[Toronto Villa]

Well if Allan Simonsen can join Charlton then we can pick up some internationally retired star from somewhere.

You might want to explain that one to the kids.

[Old Kodjia]

Does anyone think Aron Gunnarsson (the number 17 from Saturday) may improve our midfield?  I know he was annoying on Saturday but to do a job on Grealish, you have to be.  I thought that he was possibly their best player.

He is current captain of Iceland (has been for around 4 years).  Apart from that, his CV isn't great.  Signed for Coventry in 2008, played 3 seasons for them, before joining Cardiff.

I've watched the opposing midfielders for most of the season, mindful that our midfield needs improving.  We are unlikely to persuade a decent PL player to drop down, so realistically  we will look to the Championship or abroad to bring someone in.

I thought Gunnarsson looked strong and had  a good game.  i'm not sure if this was his normal standard or not though.  I haven't seen many better midfielders in this league.  I thought the small ginger lad for Brentford did well against us (I think thet got him from Shrewsbury) but I liked Gunnarsson's presence on Saturday, I thought he'd compliment Jedinak.

[OCD]

Is this Giovinco the guy that played for Arsenal and was awful?

Danny Ings doesn't seem to be getting many games.

[peter w]

Does anyone think Aron Gunnarsson (the number 17 from Saturday) may improve our midfield?  I know he was annoying on Saturday but to do a job on Grealish, you have to be.  I thought that he was possibly their best player.

He is current captain of Iceland (has been for around 4 years).  Apart from that, his CV isn't great.  Signed for Coventry in 2008, played 3 seasons for them, before joining Cardiff.

I've watched the opposing midfielders for most of the season, mindful that our midfield needs improving.  We are unlikely to persuade a decent PL player to drop down, so realistically  we will look to the Championship or abroad to bring someone in.

I thought Gunnarsson looked strong and had  a good game.  i'm not sure if this was his normal standard or not though.  I haven't seen many better midfielders in this league.  I thought the small ginger lad for Brentford did well against us (I think thet got him from Shrewsbury) but I liked Gunnarsson's presence on Saturday, I thought he'd compliment Jedinak.

To be fair if you can't be 'up' for a game at Villa park - Danny murphy aside - then you will never amount to anything. His track record suggests there's less to him than saturday's eye was able to meet.