Winter transfer, gossip, speculation and usual butter ollocks thread

[Clampy]

Don’t fucking kid yourself. He was involved in all player recruitment decisions. There’s lots on record where they all sat as a group and decided the path forward. He hasn’t improved the players we’ve bought. We’ve chopped and changed the one system he knows for the great majority of the season with the exception of playing the one CF we bought who’s now done. He stumbled upon a 3 CB formation for Burnley. I’m sure he didn’t want to do it, but we got the win and it worked again at Leicester. He then sends us out to play anti possession, deep defensive against one the top teams in the world and we got battered.

The answer to the majority of your issues is in the mirror Dean. You’ve been backed very well and paid well to do your job.

Other than start Tresequet and a 16 year old youth team player, what else could he have done yesterday?

[ozzjim]

Absolutely. It's not over and we can improve. It does look unlikely at the moment as the trajectory has been downard for a while now, but it's not impossible.

We do need to win some games soon though. And really soon. The record against the top half is atrocious (1 point from 11 played v the top 10). We've played a disproportionate amount against the lower half and have 3 six-pointers in a row now. If we don't get 2 wins from those (ideally against Bounremouth and Watford) we will be leaving ourselves short for the final games.

Hopefully Reina can bring some belief back and we can defend well. I do genuinely think any CF who can hold the ball up will make a massive difference, just getting us 5 yards further up the pitch would make big difference to a midfield that is constantly squeezed back.

The last bit is so true. Been saying it all day when people say how bad we were. End of the day if you can't get out and up the pitch a team like Man City will kill you. We need 3 forwards. We need to carry a threat. The lack of movement from the board etc to get a player in is woeful.

[hilts_coolerking]

Absolutely. It's not over and we can improve.

I totally agree.  Relegation is still avoidable and the players are capable of more than they showing but I just think that such an improvement is more likely to come from a new manager.  That's not an 'I hate Smith' remark, it's pragmatic.

[aj2k77]

Any links apart from some donkey kid who couldn't get in to the Leeds side?

[brontebilly]

Benteke is a no brainer, just get him in. The lift alone that would give the support would be worthwhile and he would be an obvious focal point up front. He may not be the player he once was but he is going to be better than Kodjia anyway at his absolute worst. Like any forward a goal or two could trigger a big confidence surge and Grealish will give him chances. I'd still be hoping for a second striker to come in but a new one in place for Brighton is a must.

[ASHTONVILLA]

The links are not encouraging, its smacks very much of the period following the failed 'Young and hungry' moneyball experiment in the Lambert / Lerner era when we realised we had fucked up and had spunked the money.

[PaulWinch again]

Let’s not forget Citeh isn’t an isolated poor display. We were dreadful for most of December. We need some fairly fundamental improvement, with quality up top. One of the absolutely key things is getting hold of, and using, the ball much better.

[Dante Lavelli]

I’ve not really been following the window, out of curiosity has any other club signed two players?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Let’s not forget Citeh isn’t an isolated poor display. We were dreadful for most of December. We need some fairly fundamental improvement, with quality up top. One of the absolutely key things is getting hold of, and using, the ball much better.

As much as we need strikers, I wouldn't complain if we added a new face to our coaching staff.

[Steve67]

Let’s not forget Citeh isn’t an isolated poor display. We were dreadful for most of December. We need some fairly fundamental improvement, with quality up top. One of the absolutely key things is getting hold of, and using, the ball much better.

As much as we need strikers, I wouldn't complain if we added a new face to our coaching staff.

Good idea. Dean can then concentrate on the window!

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

In 2013, Yacouba Sylla rather bizarrely improved our team. Sometimes, a particular kind of player can just add a bit of muscle that can give others a platform.

I don't think it applies to forwards though, we do need somebody of quality up front. Even just a good target man to hold it up.

I read online a few weeks back that his brother is available from Monaco. Mousa sylla, a once highly rated forward, he’s probably not kicked a ball in a competitive match for ages so he’ll fit right in if our recent activity is anything to go by!

[ASHTONVILLA]

Good idea. Dean can then concentrate on the window!

I think his is the role we need to replace on the coaching team!

[Smirker]

Maybe I'm being impatient but this window is very underwhelming.

I feel like if we were going to bring anyone half decent in we would have done it by now.

It's not happening is it?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Good idea. Dean can then concentrate on the window!

I think his is the role we need to replace on the coaching team!

I hope not but I really do think he needs some help.

[Villan For Life]

This window is working out just like most of the other January windows.

Most business is done at the end of the month, we need reinforcements fast and we all know that but there isn't much happening anywhere. I reckon that it will be another couple of weeks before we see real movement whether we like it or not.