January 2023 Transfer Rumours, Discussions and Done Deals Thread

[Toronto Villa]

Our net spend for two seasons is barely anything.

It's not going to happen for us just because we want it to. It feels like we're getting to that way of thinking.

Someone said 'young and hungry' earlier. Christ. Remember that?

In a way I’m glad given who the managers were. Especially the last one

[Beard82]

My real concern is that we limited cover if Watkins gets injured.  Otherwise, if the players aren't available then fine.   Watkins gets a serious injury / hits poor form then we're looking at another season of what ifs. 

Think Bert coming back is fine - I like him (besides the fact that I have never seen another player who can volley a clearance 100 yards high, but only 3 yards forward). 

[oldhill_avfc]

We have absolutely done poorly - we might get away with it, if we’re lucky. But it’s still a poor effort.

Maybe, but at least it’s an improvement on last year.

[gpbarr]

Seems like most teams in Europe are falling over themselves to sell players to PL teams for big money, but we cant identify any that can improve our squad?

PL clubs will pay the most stupid money for average players out of sheer desperation.

Which is what most of them are doing. Some of the money being spent is absurd on at best, average players. I’m glad we are not being baited into that market - some have said we are being negligent - what would be negligent would be to keep repeating past mistakes.

Jesus wept - this thread is so depressing to read, I mean we have a worldie manager (at last), are in top form, sit 3 points off 6th, serious investment in our home, and Carlos, McGinn, Traore all to come back in. 

Far too many with glass half empty syndrome on here.

[Drummond]

Watkins, Dhuran, Bailey, Traore. All experienced at playing centre forward. None particularly natural finishers as Ings was mind.

[SoccerHQ]

Forward options for last 18 games then.

Watkins, Bailey, Duran, Buendia, Traore.

Hmmmm.

Traore is coming back injured again so who knows when he'll be ready to warm the bench. Forgot MLS packed up in November so Duran going to need time to get match fit again aswell as adapt to different intensity of premier league. Wouldn't be a good time for Bailey's hamstring to pop again...

I think we're well short of a serious go at even 8th. The Wolves game recently showed what we put out as a first 11 won't always work so you need a couple of decent subs to lift the tempo for last 20-25 minutes and Ings certainly did that night.

Beyond swopping the FBs and bringing on McGinn again when he's fit I struggle to see what options we can really bring to swing a game back towards us if we're losing tbh.

[Baldy]

Nearly all of our players were under performing before Unai arrived. In a short period of time, most have improved as results will testify. They will improve even more with the better coaching available.

Get 25% more out of Coutinho, 20% more out of Buendia, 20% more out of Cash, 15% more out of Konsa/Ramsey and so on.

That is better than signing two new players. Give Unai the rest of the season to see who can match his expectation and then, where need be, splash the cash on players that will improve the starting eleven and not just squad fillers.

One more proven striker would have been good but Unai (and me) believe our existing squad has enough 'goal' threat.

Watkins might get injured blah, blah fucking blah. We could buy Harry Kane and Haaland tonight and they both might get injured tomorrow. Who knows.

Bottom line, our current squad is capable of scoring goals.

One more proven striker would have been good. Rather than one less, you mean?

We dodged a bullet with Ings. We should be thanking our lucky stars and not moaning.

In addition to Watkins, Bailey, Traore, Duran, we have  players like Ramsey, McGinn, Buendia, Coutinho, Luiz, Cash, Moreno and others who are all capable of scoring goals if given licence to attack.  Mings and Konsa goals from set pieces have dried up. For now, we have plenty to work on and work with.

[eamonn]

Doesn't Meatball score for Scotland in practically every game he plays? Maybe he could use his arse to good effect as a false nine?!

[dorsetvillian]

Really wanted at least one established forward upgrade. It does seem a strange window to me. Our forward options are limited and not of the required quality to take us further. Obviously Unai knows this, so the Summer will be interesting to see how he shapes the squad.

[Risso]

Watkins, Dhuran, Bailey, Traore. All experienced at playing centre forward. None particularly natural finishers as Ings was mind.

Watkins is our one forward. Emery has said that Duran isn't ready. Traore is injured and is an inconsistent winger, the thought of him playing as a centre forward in the English league is frankly laughable. Bailey is being played out of position up front, and mostly isn't very good at it. This transfer window has been a Flinstone endorsed DISGRACE!

[Risso]

Doesn't Meatball score for Scotland in practically every game he plays? Maybe he could use his arse to good effect as a false nine?!

Perhaps when teams as bad as San Marino and Israel start playing in the Premier League.

[RamboandBruno]

Nearly all of our players were under performing before Unai arrived. In a short period of time, most have improved as results will testify. They will improve even more with the better coaching available.

Get 25% more out of Coutinho, 20% more out of Buendia, 20% more out of Cash, 15% more out of Konsa/Ramsey and so on.

That is better than signing two new players. Give Unai the rest of the season to see who can match his expectation and then, where need be, splash the cash on players that will improve the starting eleven and not just squad fillers.

One more proven striker would have been good but Unai (and me) believe our existing squad has enough 'goal' threat.

Watkins might get injured blah, blah fucking blah. We could buy Harry Kane and Haaland tonight and they both might get injured tomorrow. Who knows.

Bottom line, our current squad is capable of scoring goals.

One more proven striker would have been good. Rather than one less, you mean?

We dodged a bullet with Ings. We should be thanking our lucky stars and not moaning.

In addition to Watkins, Bailey, Traore,we have  players like Ramsey, McGinn, Buendia, Coutinho, Luiz, Cash, Moreno and others are all capable of scoring goals if given licence to attack.  Mings and Konsa goals from set pieces have dried up. For now, we have plenty to work on and work with.

Well said, no panic here.

[Villatillidie25]

Seems like most teams in Europe are falling over themselves to sell players to PL teams for big money, but we cant identify any that can improve our squad?

PL clubs will pay the most stupid money for average players out of sheer desperation.

Which is what most of them are doing. Some of the money being spent is absurd on at best, average players. I’m glad we are not being baited into that market - some have said we are being negligent - what would be negligent would be to keep repeating past mistakes.

Jesus wept - this thread is so depressing to read, I mean we have a worldie manager (at last), are in top form, sit 3 points off 6th, serious investment in our home, and Carlos, McGinn, Traore all to come back in. 

Far too many with glass half empty syndrome on here.

I agree. There is a lot of doom and gloom and others are spending ludicrous sums on average players. It’s disappointing we haven’t got anyone as we’re obviously light on bodies, let alone quality in some areas but I’d rather get the players who will step change improve us than anyone we can get when the market is tough.
We’ve got a great manager, fantastic owners and have finally managed to shift some of the dead wood. Let’s trust the process. (Obviously when Watkins gets injured next weekend we can all go into full meltdown).

[rob_bridge]

Bailey will play centrally

The new Dwight Yorke - well he was wasted on the wing mostly

[Brend'Watkins]

Seems like most teams in Europe are falling over themselves to sell players to PL teams for big money, but we cant identify any that can improve our squad?

PL clubs will pay the most stupid money for average players out of sheer desperation.

I’d have liked a decent replacement for Ings but as you say it would have been stupid money in this window. I reckon Emery knows who he wants but that player or players are not available now. I’m fine with that. Bailey, Traore when he’s fit can slot in there if need be.