blunted
Well-Known Member
Absolutely agree. Just thought it may happen if we don't have an agreement for him to sign for Rheims.
25/26 January Transfer Window (26 Viewers)
- Thread starter Phoenix5555
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Hobo
Well-Known Member
Grimes is one of those rare signings who just slots in. I would take one carefully selected signing in January, two maximum. Otherwise I think it will be more disruptive than positive.
Trueskyblue20
Well-Known Member
I know it has been speculated already but imagine adding Anis Mehmeti to this squad. One of the best attackers in the league this year and I feel he’d push us to that next level
Hobo
Well-Known Member
Imagine signing Kevin Drinkell who had scored for fun at every club until he joined Coventry.
Or Manchester City with a big lead at Christmas in the old First Division. Signed the best and most gifted player in that league Rodney Marsh and it totally derailed their season.
shmmeee
Well-Known Member
We can probably swap Bidwell Brau and Andrews for players who would be competitive. So the latter.
Mucca Mad Boys
Well-Known Member
Better players. Despite all the goals we’ve scored, Sakamoto and EMC have only scored 7 goals between them. There’s no depth in that position either.
Hobo
Well-Known Member
But you have to integrate players. Swapping players isn't an automatic upgrade. You often don't get a return in a January signing until the following year.
Grimes was an exception to the rule.
I would go with one maybe two maximum.
Bidwell and Brau would just force you to sign a left back. One could free you up to another position
Isn't Kai Andrews outside of the 25 man senior squad due to age. so actually does offer squad depth? So it would be barking mad to loan him out.
Who are you dropping from the midfield to play them - Torp or Rudoni?
oakey
Well-Known Member
Five players for 3 positions. In some games we might want to switch to 4 up front. Even in League 2 days we were never this short of forwards. We have got away with it so far. We won't for long, I suspect.
Ccfcisparks
Well-Known Member
Counter-argument: Nah
Ccfcisparks
Well-Known Member
Yes, we are seeing the nightmare scenario play out for real with this squad
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
How many hours have you watched of him ?
Good grief. Get a grip you plum.
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
SBAndy
Well-Known Member
See, you’re mocking it but our bench v Ipswich consisted of 2 keepers, 4 defenders, 2 midfielders and 1 attacker, one of those midfielders being Andrews. Ok Torp was out, but it looks like Eccles now may be out. Another midfielder jumping ahead of Allen/Eccles in the queue is not a bad thing, and would still get a very good amount of game time even if not starting every week. Injuries/suspensions happen. Why risk letting that derail our season?
Hobo
Well-Known Member
25 five man senior squad including loans whatever their age. That is two in each position with 3 floating. Injuries will always weaken you. That is why Rudoni, BTA, Allen, Eccles, Latibeaudiere and Bidwell are key. They all have more than one position.
You either have to accept sometimes players not playing in their best positions or the clubs signs under 21 players to get the depth.
By the way in the system we play EMC and Sakamoto are forwards just like Wright, Simms, BTA and Rudoni.
Ok we play with one orthodox forward and two out wide and a midfielder behind.
Yes I think we lack someone who like Rudoni can play 10 LW and RW. But that is the versatility we need to bring in. But BTA has covered there successfully.
The initial post I was replying to wanted a Grimes-level signing who would presumably play every week. We just don’t need that - we have one of the best starting midfields in the league.
Spending millions on a better backup than Eccles seems like a strange use of resources when neither would be in line to play all that often and you’d presumably need to upgrade on both players again in the summer.
oakey
Well-Known Member
So who are the 25?
I count 20 outfield players + 3 GKs.
Milan, KKH
Thomas, Lati
Kitching, Wolfie
Da Silva, Bidwell (Brau)
Grimes, Eccles
Torp, Allen
Rudoni, Andrews
Saka,
Wright, Simms
EMC, BTA
Rushworth, Wilson, Dovin
Two more are needed.
I would say a winger and an attacking midfielder.
I count 20 outfield players + 3 GKs.
Milan, KKH
Thomas, Lati
Kitching, Wolfie
Da Silva, Bidwell (Brau)
Grimes, Eccles
Torp, Allen
Rudoni, Andrews
Saka,
Wright, Simms
EMC, BTA
Rushworth, Wilson, Dovin
Two more are needed.
I would say a winger and an attacking midfielder.
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COVKIDSNEVERQUIT
Well-Known Member
SkyBlue_Bear83
Well-Known Member
I'd take two wingers who can push EMC and Sakamoto. I think EMC has really struggled for sharpness and trying to manage his body this season and we've just seen Sakamoto been out injured and have to go straight back into the starting 11 due to lack of bodies.
I'd also take a midfielder of better quality than Allen and possibly a left back as I think we would be in trouble if Da Silva was out for an extended amount of time.
Hobo
Well-Known Member
One winger who can play on either side would be better. Injuries are random and even over stocked areas can quickly be depleted. Fans have to accept versatility in the squad. Different options offer different possibilities. Fans demand a plan B and then shit the bed when one is delivered. Fans really just want like for like, in fact they just want their favourite 11 each week.
Allen is a great option and consistent off the bench. Coming on and delivering for the last 20-15 minutes is more difficult than people think. It takes most the start eleven that long to get going. By that time for subs the game is over.
shmmeee
Well-Known Member
I think we can do a lot better in the wide forward positions. I’d be looking at at least one winger you’d expect to start. Love Saka but his output could be better. Same as I think you could get someone more direct than EMC.
I agree it’s hard in Jan but that’s what Austin is paid the big bucks for.
Andrew’s needs to be playing regular football. He’s not good enough to seriously offer an option at the top of this division and if we want to keep a tight squad then moving players out when it suits us and then makes sense. If we pretend Brau is a LW and Andrew’s a winger/AM then replacing those two keeps the squad the same size but would offer us far more options to change a game or rest Saka EMC and Rudi.
baldy
Well-Known Member
The club aren't fortune tellers though - why wouldn't we have taken a punt on Drinkell if he was scoring for fun everywhere? So we shouldn't sign the best players in our division then?
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Balli001
Well-Known Member
Are you mixing him up with o'nien
Sky Blue Harry H
Well-Known Member
Sunderland have O'Nien, Hume, Ballard and to a lesser extent Neil who fall into that category (now supplemented by Xhaka and one or two more who will be off to Afcon soon). That's why I won't be surprised at a red card in the Tyne/Wear derby on Sunday.
Andrews and Bell (the young keeper) could be redesignated as U21s in January.
alexccfc99
Well-Known Member
I’d sign him just to have Josh Eccles’ doppelgänger in the side, they could take bookings on each others behalf when one of them is nearing suspension
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Trueskyblue20
Well-Known Member
A lot of - I’ve watched a large amount of Bristol City games this season and a few last year. Why?
Fair play to you then …