January Transfer Window

[paul_e]

Long is a no for me, he's 30 and has a Gabby like record over the last couple of seasons.  I think him playing well against us has blinded people to just how poor he is.

Ulloa I'd take on a loan if we had no other option but nothing longer, he's never really been a goalscorer and he's been a bit part player for nearly 2 years now.

Hernandez is a no because by the time he's fit we'll have Kodjia, Hogan, Gabby and RHM all available which completely misses the point.  The only reason to go for him would be to get him in ahead of next season but I think that would be a huge error because he was out of his depth in the premier league and we shouldn't be signing people based on still being in the championship next season.

No to the kid from Swansea as well, a 21 year old who's never scored at a level above league 2 is too big a risk.

Crouch on loan I'm less excited than many on here but I can see the sense to it but I doubt he's available.

Solanki would be a superb loan, both for him and for us, but I suspect if he's available he'll end up in the premier league, he's looked good at Vitesse and for England at various levels.

I think that covers all the names I've seen mentioned.  I'd prefer to see someone with enough ability/pedigree/experience to not instantly be in the reserves when people are fit but also with enough room to develop that they wouldn't be ruined by that happening.

I agree with much of your assessment.  But shopping in the loan window I think we will be hunting for scraps and probably won't be able to be this discerning. 

Indeed, but I still don't want us to do something stupid as a panic (like spending almost our entire budget on a guy who's about 5'7 and using him as a target man).

[Matt Collins]

I think I would take long, despite the poor goal record

We’re not likely to have bags of options 

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I spoke to one of my customers today who's an agent and has close links to Swansea, I asked about their lad who we've been linked with and he questioned whether he'd be good enough for us, he said he was very close to going to Barnsley on loan on deadline day.

[eamonn]

Does he share an agent with Bruce's son or something? Seems an odd link.

I don't know about Long. He's usually lively even when notnscoring, and chases lots of lost causes when playing for Ireland but his confidence must be shot to bits having not scored in nine months. Unless he hit the ground running he could go the way of Hogan.

[KRS]

Shane Long has never really been a prolific goal scorer...apart from one season, he usually averages a goal every 4 games. His work rate may be useful to a team in the Championship but I doubt he'll ever be the kind of player that you can rely on to score and win you games. We've got enough non-scoring strikers in the squad already.

[IFWaters]

David Villa on loan ? MLS season is over.

[ozzjim]

Long would do a good job of bring the midfield into play but he's never going to be available in January so it's a non starter. I would like to see us actually scout and find a big fast beast of a striker in Europe. Bristol City seem to have found another one, Cardiff have a couple. The guy at Wolves only cost 3.5million and has 13 this season. They are out there and are not going to kill us on FFP, rather than take a pretty average youth player from a poor prem side.

[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.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Would Long really be that different than Hogan? I like Long but I am not sure the way we play really suits him.

[ozzjim]

Oh god. Not him. Who was in love with him on here!??

[cdbearsfan]

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.

Ha! Good one, mate.😂

[IFWaters]

Kaka is available as a free agent.
Played his last game for Orlando City in November.
24 appearances this year, 6 goals, 5 assists (hate that term).
Could tee up David Villa nicely.
Just think of the shirt sales.

[IFWaters]

Kaka is available as a free agent.
Played his last game for Orlando City in November.
24 appearances this year, 6 goals, 5 assists (hate that term).
Could tee up David Villa nicely.
Just think of the shirt sales.

I've just had a trouser moment.
Pirlo also becomes a free agent in December.

[adrenachrome]

Kaka is available as a free agent.
Played his last game for Orlando City in November.
24 appearances this year, 6 goals, 5 assists (hate that term).
Could tee up David Villa nicely.
Just think of the shirt sales.

I've just had a trouser moment.
Pirlo also becomes a free agent in December.

We could always  get the Ginger one from Brentford who has been a constant thorn in our paw.

[brontebilly]

Shane Long has never really been a prolific goal scorer...apart from one season, he usually averages a goal every 4 games. His work rate may be useful to a team in the Championship but I doubt he'll ever be the kind of player that you can rely on to score and win you games. We've got enough non-scoring strikers in the squad already.

That one season was the last time he played in our division. His confidence is shot to bits alright, missed some real howlers in recent Irish games. Club level has been a disaster since Koeman left Southampton.

But at his worst he still gives pace up top which we badly need and also a decent physical presence to bring our key players from midfield into games. We certainly won't get that from Hogan or Gabby and Davis has really struggled of late. Loan move for Long until season end is a no brainer surely.