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

[Dave]

Squad depth/quality is a serious issue imo
Our bench in our last league game

1) We didnt even name a full bench
2) Dendonker and Marschall subs - both gone
3) Leaves Zaniolo, Tielemens, Duran (prob off as well), Cash, Tim, Wright (gk)
(JJ, Pau and Digne only ones to add back in when fit)

If our strategy is going with this and hoping for best with 30+ games left to play then its beyond risky

It would be absolutely nuts.

I also worry, too, that we can't bring in any more loans, what with six days left in the window and perm moves taking longer to make happen. There's no room for quick fixes.

Although, I'm sure I read Sheffield United have got 3 on loan at the moment. McAtee, Brereton and some other player I don't recognise. It might have been wrong, but if correct there is something weird going on.

Yeah, a guy called Yasser Larouci. Bit odd, as you say.

[brontebilly]

I think we could cut Zaniolo's loan early if it meant a decent loan in for a problem position (of which there are many). Bailey, Diaby and even McGinn can play in Zaniolo's favourite position coming in off the right.

We have no cover really for Martinez, Cash, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn or Watkins. Only Ramsey seems comfortable on the left too, that position has been a problem all season, McGinn isn't as effective there. It's going to be a tough ask to get near 70 points I fear.

[VinnieChase84]

Squad depth/quality is a serious issue imo
Our bench in our last league game

1) We didnt even name a full bench
2) Dendonker and Marschall subs - both gone
3) Leaves Zaniolo, Tielemens, Duran (prob off as well), Cash, Tim, Wright (gk)
(JJ, Pau and Digne only ones to add back in when fit)

If our strategy is going with this and hoping for best with 30+ games left to play then its beyond risky

It would be absolutely nuts.

I also worry, too, that we can't bring in any more loans, what with six days left in the window and perm moves taking longer to make happen. There's no room for quick fixes.

We can bring in more loans

[eamonn]

30+ more games left this season...really? Contingent on two successful cup runs, I assume.

[AV82EC]

Yep

[Gareth]

I think we could cut Zaniolo's loan early if it meant a decent loan in for a problem position (of which there are many). Bailey, Diaby and even McGinn can play in Zaniolo's favourite position coming in off the right.

We have no cover really for Martinez, Cash, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn or Watkins. Only Ramsey seems comfortable on the left too, that position has been a problem all season, McGinn isn't as effective there. It's going to be a tough ask to get near 70 points I fear.

Think we’d need Galatasaray to play ball or want Zaniolo back to terminate this month.

[pablo_picasso]

Apparently, according to Sky Sports News, Tottenham have, & I quote, "won the transfer window"... 🤨😂🤣

"Never sing that" & all that.

When did they become a "project" too?

[eamonn]

Zaniolo + cash for Zaha would be a real shot in the arm. If it was even a possibility, we should try it.

[Smithy]

Squad depth/quality is a serious issue imo
Our bench in our last league game

1) We didnt even name a full bench
2) Dendonker and Marschall subs - both gone
3) Leaves Zaniolo, Tielemens, Duran (prob off as well), Cash, Tim, Wright (gk)
(JJ, Pau and Digne only ones to add back in when fit)

If our strategy is going with this and hoping for best with 30+ games left to play then its beyond risky

It would be absolutely nuts.

I also worry, too, that we can't bring in any more loans, what with six days left in the window and perm moves taking longer to make happen. There's no room for quick fixes.

Although, I'm sure I read Sheffield United have got 3 on loan at the moment. McAtee, Brereton and some other player I don't recognise. It might have been wrong, but if correct there is something weird going on.

Yeah, a guy called Yasser Larouci. Bit odd, as you say.

Technically, you can loan as many as you like, you just can't register more than two to play at any point in time.  Maybe one of the loans goes back at the end at the end of the month?

[Baldy]

There is not one team in the Premier League who have two quality players for the same position, not even Man City. We have a strong squad, with some versatile players and on occasion have started with a very strong bench.

Look at Liverpool, they throw in lots of youngsters and still produce the goods. As yet, we don't know if some of our youngsters will turn out to be gems. Putting the art of risk and good management to the test.

No club can legislate for injuries and it is generally accepted that you if get more injuries than your fair share, you are generally fucked!!

Bottom line and relatively speaking, we have a great manager, good squad and with 'average' luck on the injury front and an improved discipline we are well capable of getting more than 70 points this season. Keeping our quality players this window will be enough to keep me happy.

[Risso]

This whole FFP thing - sorry, can't say 'P&S', makes me think of ferries or creepy old theatre directors or something, while 'FFP' makes me think, appropriately, of swearing - it's all just made me even more pissed off with Gerrard and the whole Gerrard phase. Squandering all that money, forcing the sale of academy players we might've wanted to keep while reselling his duds at big losses...fuck all of that honestly.

Yep. Gerrard was a colossal error.

He was, but not sure that signings were the worst bit of it. Kamara is brilliant and was free, and Digne has been good value and more than played his part in our improvement. The jury's out on Carlos but a year out with an injury will do that to anybody. The biggest hit to our current FFP in terms of value for money is Diaby unfortunately. Just under £20m a year in amortisation and salary, and playing like an absolute drain for weeks now. I hope he'll come good, but he's not looking like a £50m+ player at the moment.

[Sexual Ealing]

I'd imagine that paying up Gerrard and co's contracts hasn't helped either.

[VillaTim]

didn't kamara get a huge signing on fee

[pauliewalnuts]

didn't kamara get a huge signing on fee

Even if he did, it wouldn't scratch the surface of the £30-40m it would have cost to buy him.

[Risso]

I'd imagine that paying up Gerrard and co's contracts hasn't helped either.

Nope, sacking two managers in 12 months is going to put a dent in the accounts, certainly. Possibly Purslow as well, as even though he "stepped down" I imagine it wasn't entirely mutual.