2024 January transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[johnc]

Nicole Williams would be a dream. I am sure there will be lots of heavy hitters in for him.

[john e]

I’m quite happy with the squad at the moment, obviously better players that come available will make the team stronger and that should be an ongoing situation

My main area of concern is where we upgrade in specific positions,
the gap is too big for me with following players, I’m not interested in the ‘never let us down’ and ‘he can do a job’ rubbish, I’m interested in good proficient reliable replacements where the team isn’t significantly weekend when they come on

Donk - Kamara
Chambers - anyone in defence
Olsen - Martinez

3 players, in those positions is what I would like to see

[Risso]

We’ve got Carlos and Lenglet before we need to bring Chambers on though,

[AV84]

Yeah, Chambers and even Donk don't really figure in terms of players who actually play. We'd have to have a massive injury crisis to get down to them being starting options.

The fact there is no specialist cover for Cash is the biggest concern.

[Dante Lavelli]

There’s no natural swap for Kamara in the squad so we’d need to reshuffle the pack if he got injured or suffered a drop in form. Philips is the obvious player but I suspect monchi would have a cheaper alternative and with less baggage.

Also, we should sign all the best 18 year olds, whilst we are in a position of strength.

[Steve67]

Replacements for Kamara and cash are the obvious one's for me.  I don't see Douglas as a replacement for Kamara either as he's found a role that really suits the team and I don't think he has the physicality to do what Kamara does.  Not that I want us to replace Bouba but the strength of the squad would be enhanced.  Donk is not that man and I can see someone like Burnley or Sheffield United picking him up.  We all know that, if we are really going to compete at the top, we need players as good as the one's leaving the pitch.  Olson, Chambers, Dendonker are not those players. I'd like to see big Tim go out on loan to a really decent Championship club too.

[VillaTim]

We really need a RB and a striker as Priorities

[ChicagoLion]

Surely the priority is where we do not have decent cover GK & RB.

[VillaTim]

Surely the priority is where we do not have decent cover GK & RB.

yes, plus nr 9 as we don't have "decent" cover there either

[ChicagoLion]

Surely the priority is where we do not have decent cover GK & RB.

yes, plus nr 9 as we don't have "decent" cover there either

and that is where it gets very difficult.
There are plenty of PL teams that Dont even have a decent 9 to start.

[Risso]

and that is where it gets very difficult.
There are plenty of PL teams that Dont even have a decent 9 to start.

Every team needs cover for the way they play. Liverpool tend to play with three pacy forwards rather than an out and out number 9, and so have various players who can slot in there. We play a fairly consistent 4-4-2 with Ollie +1 up front, and we literally have no cover for him. I don't personally see Duran as anything like good enough cover.

[VillaTim]

and that is where it gets very difficult.
There are plenty of PL teams that Dont even have a decent 9 to start.

Every team needs cover for the way they play. Liverpool tend to play with three pacy forwards rather than an out and out number 9, and so have various players who can slot in there. We play a fairly consistent 4-4-2 with Ollie +1 up front, and we literally have no cover for him. I don't personally see Duran as anything like good enough cover.

totally agree which is why i said a backup to OW is a priority

[Ian.]

and that is where it gets very difficult.
There are plenty of PL teams that Dont even have a decent 9 to start.

Every team needs cover for the way they play. Liverpool tend to play with three pacy forwards rather than an out and out number 9, and so have various players who can slot in there. We play a fairly consistent 4-4-2 with Ollie +1 up front, and we literally have no cover for him. I don't personally see Duran as anything like good enough cover.

I agree, we really need someone who can play that roles. I like Duran but If we start with him we’d have to adapt our formation and style to accommodate him.

[Toronto Villa]

The way we play it requires the running Ollie puts in to pressure the opponents defenders. Something that is often overlooked when we evaluate Ollie as a forward. While we might not find the same it would be great to find a forward with that kind of work rate. Or attitude. Why I also like Emi Buendia. Despite some of his shortcomings of the final product, his attitude, energy and desire can’t be questioned. Same as Ollie.

[paul_e]

I do think someone with Duran's style is a great option for games where, as we've seen recently, teams just want to park the bus and try to bully Watkins whilst closing up the space in behind. That said we do need cover and the more I see of him the more I'm convinced that Nico Williams is perfect, could cover both Watkins and Diaby, gives us an option of genuine width on the left as well if we want to change the shape.