Deano’s wishlist - the Jan transfer speculation/guaranteed nonsense thread

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Priority;

Keeper - sorted
Left back
Left sided centre half

Maybes

Attacking midfielder
Deep lying play maker

[VinnieChase84]

A new centre half - McKenna
A new left back
Sawyers

[VinnieChase84]

Talk of Barbet coming in from Brentford

[mr underhill]

TBH Dean needs to fill in the blanks around the new keeper, Chester, SJM, Grealish and Abraham - if he could tempt him to come. As for the others? Sell, if possible, release from contract. I might keep Bree as cover for right back. Major rebuilding needed - and Abraham apart, that doesn't equate to spending a fortune.

[PeterWithe]

I don’t think we need too many more new players to challenge for top two in this division, it’s more about getting rid of enough of the deadwood to free up money and spots for them.

I think with an energetic left back, two centre backs and a box to box midfielder, we should be well set

[Matt Collins]

Barbet is an obvious shout. Can play cb or lb. Knows Smith.

But it would be a squad filler. Can't see him dramatically improving our defence when all are fit. I think Smith will be looking for the team press to improve to do that, more than anything

[darren woolley]

A couple of signings in next months window a couple of defensive options would be good.

[Risso]

Barbet is an obvious shout. Can play cb or lb. Knows Smith.

But it would be a squad filler. Can't see him dramatically improving our defence when all are fit. I think Smith will be looking for the team press to improve to do that, more than anything

Anybody resembling an actual left back who can play football would dramatically improves the options there.  We've had such a catalogue of numpties playing there in recent years, it almost feels like a practical joke.

[Matt Collins]

I think Taylor has been hugely improved under Smith personally

Were really missing him at the moment

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Priority;

Keeper - sorted
Left back
Left sided centre half

Maybes

Attacking midfielder
Deep lying play maker

I should add that Is recall both Elphick and RDL.

[RussellC]

I really think we need a mobile defensive midfielder.  There was next to no protection in front of the back 4 yesterday, and the same against Forest a few weeks ago. Whelan isn't up to the job and all of our other midfielders are too attack-minded. I'd love us to be in for Marlon Pack at Bristol City, but would imagine he'd cost a fair bit.

Alternatively, I have a vague recollection of James Bree being touted as a someone who could play as a holding midfielder as well as a full-back - a bit like Eric Dier. I wouldn't advocate trying him there now, but may be one for the future?

[tomd2103]

I really think we need a mobile defensive midfielder.  There was next to no protection in front of the back 4 yesterday, and the same against Forest a few weeks ago. Whelan isn't up to the job and all of our other midfielders are too attack-minded. I'd love us to be in for Marlon Pack at Bristol City, but would imagine he'd cost a fair bit.

Alternatively, I have a vague recollection of James Bree being touted as a someone who could play as a holding midfielder as well as a full-back - a bit like Eric Dier. I wouldn't advocate trying him there now, but may be one for the future?

I think that has really become apparent over the past few months.  In the way we played under Bruce, the likes of Whelan, Jedinak and Bjarnason were fine as they could just sit in, but in the system under Smith we really need someone who can get about and dictate the play.  Bjarnason is more mobile than the other two, but I'm not sure he is good enough on the ball really to play there (his passing was sloppy when he came on yesterday albeit he has been out a while).   

Before we part with any money for a player in that position, I would like to see Jake Doyle-Hayes given a chance there as I think he could develop into that type of player. 

[Matt Collins]

Hourihane has played that role much better than I expected

Except against forest where it was a disaster

I agree we need a new player there but I'm not sure it's the most pressing concern.

[SoccerHQ]

We (the guys I go with) spoke before the game about the Sawyers rumours.  If true, he could only realistically come in for either Jack or McGinn.

We discussed whether we could move McGinn back & play Sawyers with Jack.

We would then only really need 2 from Whelan, Lansbury, Hourihane, Jedinak & BB.  Personally, I'd keep Hourihane & Lansbury.

Sawyers is a number 10. From memory he never played anywhere else in Walsall's 4-2-3-1, always just off a striker.

Personally to me it's a long term move as yet again  there will be bids for Jack next summer and that will remain an issue every year we don't go up.

[Matt Collins]

Sawyers has played for Brentford in more or less the same position Jack has been