January Transfer Window

[Martyn Smith]

Any chance we could get Ross McCormack back off loan? He seems to be doing ok at Melbourne (features quite prominently on their website). Ok, if not, any chance of persuading them, and maybe one or two other clubs borrowing our players, to convert the deals into permanent ones? Maybe that income could lift us out of the FP restrictions.

[cdbearsfan]

He's due back in January. I don't think they will extend his loan as they are only allowed six foreigners and they have seven, the one he has replaced is due back from injury when McCormack's loan expires.

[pauliewalnuts]

David Villa on loan ? MLS season is over.

This might sound a bit nuts and probably a non starter anyway but Altidore at TFC playing in the Championship would be a better fit than Villa. He’s not a PL footballer but he’s much improved from the player he was at Sunderland and Hull. Big and strong, he’s done really well in MLS.

Because he's playing against players who aren't that good?

[eamonn]

At least he can't be 2phat anymo'.

[Toronto Villa]

David Villa on loan ? MLS season is over.

This might sound a bit nuts and probably a non starter anyway but Altidore at TFC playing in the Championship would be a better fit than Villa. He’s not a PL footballer but he’s much improved from the player he was at Sunderland and Hull. Big and strong, he’s done really well in MLS.

Because he's playing against players who aren't that good?

The MLS isn’t as bad as it was. Has a number of good players/teams in it. It’s not PL standard by any stretch and I wouldn’t ever advocate him as a permanent signing at that level. But versus Championship teams, which I might argue isn’t that far removed from Eredvisie where he did very well in, I think having seen him several times now, he’d be just fine.

[cdbearsfan]

Come on now, you've had your fun. Don't milk the joke.

[Toronto Villa]

Come on now, you've had your fun. Don't milk the joke.

I have no idea what you’re on about. I’ve made my point and in doing so compared the qualities of the two leagues. If you care to debate it reasonably that’s absolutely fine.

[cdbearsfan]

Sorry, you were being serious?

[in exile]

He doesn't have a sense of humour

[ciggiesnbeer]

He is also pretty much correct. My guess is he and to a lesser extent myself have seen more MLS games than most folks on the thread.

It really is a decent league with some Championship level players in it. Not sure David Villa is one of them mind (but I see no reason to disagree with him based on what he has seen), but for sure he is right about the MLS.

[cdbearsfan]

Nobody was debating that David Villa is a good player. I was questioning his assertion that Blind Jozy Altidore would solve our problems.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Oh. Well fair enough. Yeah Altidore ... I gotta disagree there Toronto.

[curiousorange]

Shane Long may not be prolific but he's one of those pain in the arse strikers defenders hate. I wouldn't hate to see him at Villa for a bit.

[Toronto Villa]

Oh. Well fair enough. Yeah Altidore ... I gotta disagree there Toronto.

That’s fine. I’ve seen two full seasons of him now. Plus when he plays for the US national team. He is a much better player today than the one that played in England a few years back. The way he took the goal last night that turned out to be the winning goal in the MLS Cup was superb. I’ll stress again he’s not PL quality but he’s more than good enough for the Championship. Players can improve with time and confidence. Players also get worse when they lose faith in their abilities- see Benteke as evidence of that. Altidore has matured a lot and is a better and more confident player as a result.

[Steve67]

Lewis Grabban being linked online, another loan deal. 11 goals for Sunderland.