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

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Reyna was supposed to be the next big thing when he broke into the Dortmund team but he’s never realised that potential, he’s had a few injuries from memory. An attacking midfielder though, not really a position that we’re desperate for cover in but I’m sure Emery could work his wonders.

He's got his hands full trying to get a tune out of Diaby at the moment.

There’s certainly been a drop off in Diaby’s performances but I’d be confident that we’ll see him get back to his early season form. It’s not helping that we don’t play to his strengths.

I’d see Reyna in a similar mould to Buendia.

[Clark W Griswold]

My concern with Diaby is how generally fucking miserable he looks all the time whilst playing for us in recent months. We've been here before with this sort of thing and it usually doesn't end well. He's a top talent though, and although his form has dipped i wouldn't say it's fallen off a cliff, he just doesn't seem to get involved in games as much.

[ChicagoLion]

Reyna was supposed to be the next big thing when he broke into the Dortmund team but he’s never realised that potential, he’s had a few injuries from memory. An attacking midfielder though, not really a position that we’re desperate for cover in but I’m sure Emery could work his wonders.

He's got his hands full trying to get a tune out of Diaby at the moment.

There’s certainly been a drop off in Diaby’s performances but I’d be confident that we’ll see him get back to his early season form. It’s not helping that we don’t play to his strengths.

I’d see Reyna in a similar mould to Buendia.

I am beginning to think that his existing form looks like the exception and what we are seeing is becoming the norm.
It’s not like he was pulling up trees when he was supposedly playing well.

[Brazilian Villain]

All those predicting we wouldn’t sign anyone in this window must be feeling pretty stupid right now
We’ve only gone and signed Ned

I just hope this transfer window isn't as "disastrous" as the last two.

[RamboandBruno]

Reyna was supposed to be the next big thing when he broke into the Dortmund team but he’s never realised that potential, he’s had a few injuries from memory. An attacking midfielder though, not really a position that we’re desperate for cover in but I’m sure Emery could work his wonders.

He's got his hands full trying to get a tune out of Diaby at the moment.

There’s certainly been a drop off in Diaby’s performances but I’d be confident that we’ll see him get back to his early season form. It’s not helping that we don’t play to his strengths.

I’d see Reyna in a similar mould to Buendia.

I am beginning to think that his existing form looks like the exception and what we are seeing is becoming the norm.
It’s not like he was pulling up trees when he was supposedly playing well.

I think that is a little unfair. Earlier in the season he looked a different level of wide forward than we had seen for a number of years, Grealish aside.
I think he looks fed up as he’s not playing well, but he never hides for me and the fact he’s trying stuff and its not working highlights him more than a player hiding. He’s also getting used to a much more physical league with thugs like Tarkowski trying to decapitate him. Personally ive seen enough to think he’ll come good again, look how long it took Bailey.

[Gareth]

You often get peaks and troughs in that first season with players coming to PL from other leagues, when he’s been good he has been v good, he hasn’t been necessarily bad he has been quieter recently.  Would have been less noticeable had Zaniolo contributed a bit more as an alternate.

[ChicagoLion]

Reyna was supposed to be the next big thing when he broke into the Dortmund team but he’s never realised that potential, he’s had a few injuries from memory. An attacking midfielder though, not really a position that we’re desperate for cover in but I’m sure Emery could work his wonders.

He's got his hands full trying to get a tune out of Diaby at the moment.

There’s certainly been a drop off in Diaby’s performances but I’d be confident that we’ll see him get back to his early season form. It’s not helping that we don’t play to his strengths.

I’d see Reyna in a similar mould to Buendia.

I am beginning to think that his existing form looks like the exception and what we are seeing is becoming the norm.
It’s not like he was pulling up trees when he was supposedly playing well.

I think that is a little unfair. Earlier in the season he looked a different level of wide forward than we had seen for a number of years, Grealish aside.
I think he looks fed up as he’s not playing well, but he never hides for me and the fact he’s trying stuff and its not working highlights him more than a player hiding. He’s also getting used to a much more physical league with thugs like Tarkowski trying to decapitate him. Personally ive seen enough to think he’ll come good again, look how long it took Bailey.

I can not say I have watched a game where he has really stood out.
I keep seeing glimpses but the bad since he has been here far outweighs the good.
I am not writing him off ( the common reaction to any criticism) I have not seen it yet and hope that he does become great for us.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

To  be avoid quoting all that. I’d agree that he’s not set the world alight but as Gareth said he’s come in from a different league and settled in and played well initially. In the first part of the season he was mentioned as one of the better summer signings in the league and was thought of as a real coup for us. We all know there’s a player in there and he’s capable of more that’s why it’s frustrating.

[Dante Lavelli]

Ideally I don’t think Diaby and Bailey would play in the same team. They’re too similar too often occupy the same spaces.

Buendia would compliment their pace as he, or a player of that ilk, are happier between the lines whereas Bailey/Diaby thrive on counter attacks and when game is less structured.

Both are good enough but the one in form should be selected and rotated as necessary.

[brontebilly]

Ideally I don’t think Diaby and Bailey would play in the same team. They’re too similar too often occupy the same spaces.

Buendia would compliment their pace as he, or a player of that ilk, are happier between the lines whereas Bailey/Diaby thrive on counter attacks and when game is less structured.

Both are good enough but the one in form should be selected and rotated as necessary.

I think Emery should try one of Diaby or Bailey on the left occasionally. Playing inverted wingers can get a bit predictable, especially when we have both of them cutting it from the same spot. Bailey has done well on the left at times, the first post Gerrard game comes to mind and he made that goal v Fulham from the left wing too. Emery doesn't seem a fan of that tactical shift for some reason.

Buendia is definitely a loss. Not that he would always be starting but last weekend in a scrappy game his battling qualities would be ideal. As it is we have three attacking options who also seem to prefer playing in the one position (including Zaniolo).

[Chris Smith]

Ideally I don’t think Diaby and Bailey would play in the same team. They’re too similar too often occupy the same spaces.

Buendia would compliment their pace as he, or a player of that ilk, are happier between the lines whereas Bailey/Diaby thrive on counter attacks and when game is less structured.

Both are good enough but the one in form should be selected and rotated as necessary.

Don't forget they played together at Leverkusen, I am sure that over time working with the manager they’ll adapt to doing the same in our system.

[LeeB]

Buendia came on in the same fixture last season and completely broke the game open for us.

He is missed.

[Toronto Villa]

There is an industry about Buendia that isn’t talked about enough. He’s a skilful player who gets himself into good positions and is constantly pressuring the back four. The issue with him is he can drift in and out of games and loses the ball a little too much when in possession. But there is a lot to like about Emi the Little that we could really do with right now.

[VillaTim]

My concern with Diaby is how generally fucking miserable he looks all the time whilst playing for us in recent months. We've been here before with this sort of thing and it usually doesn't end well. He's a top talent though, and although his form has dipped i wouldn't say it's fallen off a cliff, he just doesn't seem to get involved in games as much.

Yep doesn't seem right and looks drained of confidence. That airshot at Boro being a good example of where he's currently at . We aren't utilising his blistering pace at all neither is he

[eamonn]

When is Goodday Buendia coming back?