25/26 January Transfer Window (105 Viewers)

[TomRad85]

Concerned that we'd be using a squad place and wages that could be used on someone that may see more of the pitch.

I don't understand the concern still. Again i'm not advocating the signing of O'Nien but we might want a player who is versatile, can cover CB and can occasionally cover a few minutes for a Matt Grimes who plays almost always but may benefit from 10 mins off here and there, as well as being someone who has already experienced promotion. We all want a 'marquee' signing and we may well still get one, but we have no idea what else Frank is asking for.

 

---

[skybluecam]

Let's do it and go and sign another LB

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I don't understand the concern still. Again i'm not advocating the signing of O'Nien but we might want a player who is versatile, can cover CB and can occasionally cover a few minutes for a Matt Grimes who plays almost always but may benefit from 10 mins off here and there, as well as being someone who has already experienced promotion. We all want a 'marquee' signing and we may well still get one, but we have no idea what else Frank is asking for.

A better version of O9, sure. I’d certainly welcome some more established players into this squad.

 

[skybluecam]

I don't understand the concern still. Again i'm not advocating the signing of O'Nien but we might want a player who is versatile, can cover CB and can occasionally cover a few minutes for a Matt Grimes who plays almost always but may benefit from 10 mins off here and there, as well as being someone who has already experienced promotion. We all want a 'marquee' signing and we may well still get one, but we have no idea what else Frank is asking for.

That's the only justification for O'Nien I can see, if he is being eyed as someone who can come on for Grimes to see out games and manage his minutes, while also being able to play CB.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

On Eccles, without wanting to start another run of Sheaf criticism, Eccles has benefited from no longer being his junior partner. He was always better offensively than Sheaf, but it used to look like Sheaf was the one allowed to "step out" more. Especially under Robins.

My own opinion is that Lampard telling Eccles he can be better suited as an advanced midfielder has made him think about his game differently and presumably he’s been coached to play in that role.

I’ve been sceptical of Eccles in the past but it was always apparent he did have moments of great execution of passes/crosses so it’s not really a stretch for Lampard to take that and repurpose that to his shooting. I’m pretty sure his goals previously were ‘power shots’ but his goals lately had more finesse in them. That suggests he’s been coached to do that.

 

[TomRad85]

That's the only justification for O'Nien I can see, if he is being eyed as someone who can come on for Grimes to see out games and managing his minutes, while also being able to play CB.

You'd think it would mean Lati would move on, which suits me.

 

[SwanLane]

Yes, Not excited by O’Nien but he is genuinely versatile which Lati is not.

Cirkin would be my choice of the Sunderland players possibly available. Fast and technically good. Bit injury prone by all accounts.

 

[Great_Expectations]

Don’t see what O’Nien adds over anything we currently have.

He is a poor footballer and an average defender. He isn’t better than our current CB’s or midfielders. He is technically sub par and won’t fit our style.

And it is a waste of a squad and loan place.

And that’s being objective without thinking he’s a tosser.

 

[Lamps]

Our strikers as a trio have something like 27 goals in the league and its early Jan thats crazy.

Yet we have slaughtered them at times. No one can touch that figure in this league.

The problem we have is when our players were seen to be poor before the season started there wasn't much expectation. But once it was noticed we had a good 1st team and the reserve players showed they weren't as bad as many made out we were suddenly world beaters and we should win each game by 3 or more goals. The middle ground is totally missing by many.

We have a very good side for the Championship. We're not world beaters. We don't have the right to keep winning as we did. But we're certainly good enough for a top 2 finish.

 

[DazzleTommyDazzle]

My own opinion is that Lampard telling Eccles he can be better suited as an advanced midfielder has made him think about his game differently and presumably he’s been coached to play in that role.

I’ve been sceptical of Eccles in the past but it was always apparent he did have moments of great execution of passes/crosses so it’s not really a stretch for Lampard to take that and repurpose that to his shooting. I’m pretty sure his goals previously were ‘power shots’ but his goals lately had more finesse in them. That suggests he’s been coached to do that.

I recall, back before he’d broken into the first team, Robins saying that Eccles had the ability to be a top player (can’t recall the exact phrase he used, but the meaning was along these lines), but that he needed to develop more self-confidence/self-belief to enable him to fully utilise his assets.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I recall, back before he’d broken into the first team, Robins saying that Eccles had the ability to be a top player (can’t recall the exact phrase he used, but the meaning was along these lines), but that he needed to develop more self-confidence/self-belief to enable him to fully utilise his assets.

Viveash was also a big fan of his too and he’s coached elite talent so knows what he’s talking about.

When the facts change, I’m happy to change my opinion and frankly, when Eccles starts scoring and assisting goals, he becomes an 8/10 a week player rather than a 7/10 which is how I described him previously. He’s always been solid but never felt he was a game changer.

I still don’t think he’s there just yet, but there’s a lot of promising glimpses and with a consistent run in the team, you’d hope he kicks on.

 

[SBT]

He doesn’t, he would get more minutes here than he will at the Mackems though.

I can see why it makes sense for O’Nein from a playing time perspective, I just don’t see why it makes sense for us.

 

[SkyBluePower]

Viveash was also a big fan of his too and he’s coached elite talent so knows what he’s talking about.

When the facts change, I’m happy to change my opinion and frankly, when Eccles starts scoring and assisting goals, he becomes an 8/10 a week player rather than a 7/10 which is how I described him previously. He’s always been solid but never felt he was a game changer.

I still don’t think he’s there just yet, but there’s a lot of promising glimpses and with a consistent run in the team, you’d hope he kicks on.

Poor bloke scored in the last game.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Poor bloke scored in the last game.

It was a great goal, has he had run where he’s strung together top performances and goal contributions? Not yet because he’s not been 100%.

 

[Diogenes]

On my hands and knees, begging Doug and Dean to snipe this deal from the Yanks.

"Something tells me Amin to something good"

 

[Lamps]

It's very simple to me. If O'Nien is a target of ours we're not aiming as high as I thought we would.

 

[CovRes]

Viveash was also a big fan of his too and he’s coached elite talent so knows what he’s talking about.

When the facts change, I’m happy to change my opinion and frankly, when Eccles starts scoring and assisting goals, he becomes an 8/10 a week player rather than a 7/10 which is how I described him previously. He’s always been solid but never felt he was a game changer.

I still don’t think he’s there just yet, but there’s a lot of promising glimpses and with a consistent run in the team, you’d hope he kicks on.

When am academy coach moved on a few years ago he got a load of good luck messages from current and former players that knew him.

He replied with messages of encouragement to them. His reply to Eccles was different. Whereas most of his replies could be seen as him just coming out with platitudes, his reply to Eccles seemed much more honest and genuinely full of praise and encouragement.

 

[Balli001]

It's very simple to me. If O'Nien is a target of ours we're not aiming as high as I thought we would.

Like i said yesterday its a tough call at this stage. We need players to get us over the line in this division before we can attract the premier league level players we would need down the line.

 

[CovveeBreak]

It's very simple to me. If O'Nien is a target of ours we're not aiming as high as I thought we would.

Sorry but not a fucking chance he is a target in my mind, regardless of what ITKs suggest

 

[Balli001]

Sorry but not a fucking chance he is a target in my mind, regardless of what ITKs suggest

Be awkward if he signs now wouldnt it....

 

[Deity]

It's very simple to me. If O'Nien is a target of ours we're not aiming as high as I thought we would.

This is a difficult window to get players in and even more so for us.

Clubs don’t want to lose their best players unless a real premium is paid and we don’t want to offer long term contracts unless we think they can step up IF we get promoted.

Loan signings was always likely to be the approach and was for other clubs in similar positions to us over the last few seasons ….

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Like i said yesterday its a tough call at this stage. We need players to get us over the line in this division before we can attract the premier league level players we would need down the line.

I just don’t think he is such a player.

 

[Lamps]

This is a difficult window to get players in and even more so for us.

Clubs don’t want to lose their best players unless a real premium is paid and we don’t want to offer long term contracts unless we think they can step up IF we get promoted.

Loan signings was always likely to be the approach and was for other clubs in similar positions to us over the last few seasons ….

I don't have the slightest problem with loans. My problem is lower quality loans.

 

[CovveeBreak]

Be awkward if he signs now wouldnt it....

It would. In which case what @Lamps said would be painfully true.

 

[Deity]

I don't have the slightest problem with loans. My problem is lower quality loans.

Very difficult to get better players than we have already on loan …. You’re basically talking about persuading premier league clubs / players to loan you a player they think won’t get many minutes if any for them …. Hence the 2 young loan’s we are looking at …. Certainly no guarantee either will be better then the wide players we have but they will give us options from the bench

 

[fernandopartridge]

I recall, back before he’d broken into the first team, Robins saying that Eccles had the ability to be a top player (can’t recall the exact phrase he used, but the meaning was along these lines), but that he needed to develop more self-confidence/self-belief to enable him to fully utilise his assets.

You can sometimes see in his body language that doubt - I don't think it necessarily helps if there is a big groan when he tries something, other than a safe pass, which doesn't come off.

 

[Skyblue Bangkok]

Very difficult to get better players than we have already on loan …. You’re basically talking about persuading premier league clubs / players to loan you a player they think won’t get many minutes if any for them …. Hence the 2 young loan’s we are looking at …. Certainly no guarantee either will be better then the wide players we have but they will give us options from the bench

Didn't we have Quinn and Huckerby on loan initially back in the day ?

 

[Captain Dart]

She’s finished, she’s beautiful

View attachment 48147

Can you see the next position that needs strengthening. I can.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Can you see the next position that needs strengthening. I can.

LB For sure.

 

[Mr Panda]

O'Nien from a purely footballing perspective wouldn't be my pick. But if you've got senior professionals swiping out and getting red cards at 3-2 down then there's the argument you need a leadership option off the bench see things through.

It's all about having different options for different scenarios on the bench to get this done

 

[skybluebristol]

Seems to be not a popular opinion on here at the moment but I don't think we really need to be targeting players who are going to make the starting 11 better. The main core of the squad have shown that they're by far the best in the division. The problems have only come because the lack of depth has been exposed over the past few weeks with the xmas schedule, flu, injuries and suspensions. I don't think we need to be looking at statement signings or anything like that. Rather, we need a number of rotational players who can come in, give the main 11 a break without there being too much of a drop off when the starters aren't in the side.

If we can get those players in, the main core rested and ready to go for the second half of the season, we'll be absolutely fine. Then we can invest for the appropriate league come summer.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

The problem we have is when our players were seen to be poor before the season started there wasn't much expectation. But once it was noticed we had a good 1st team and the reserve players showed they weren't as bad as many made out we were suddenly world beaters and we should win each game by 3 or more goals. The middle ground is totally missing by many.

We have a very good side for the Championship. We're not world beaters. We don't have the right to keep winning as we did. But we're certainly good enough for a top 2 finish.

It’s important to note that even Gyokeres had a 10 game goalless streak in 22/23 and even Piroe last season only score 4 goals in the final 12 games - all of whom against Stoke after a 9 game drought in a free scoring Leeds side.

It’s only the players scoring 25+ goals in a season who don’t have these streaks, like Mitrovic and Toney.

 

[CCFCSteve]

I don't understand the concern still. Again i'm not advocating the signing of O'Nien but we might want a player who is versatile, can cover CB and can occasionally cover a few minutes for a Matt Grimes who plays almost always but may benefit from 10 mins off here and there, as well as being someone who has already experienced promotion. We all want a 'marquee' signing and we may well still get one, but we have no idea what else Frank is asking for.

We’ve also started to get bullied a bit recently and with fuck all protection /assistance coming from refs, I wonder if Lampard will try to address this with O’Nien or someone similar. All well and good everyone looking at forwards, attacking midfielders, nice footballers etc but apart from Kitching and Thomas we’re pretty soft/nice guys as a team.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

We’ve also started to get bullied a bit recently and with fuck all protection /assistance coming from refs, I wonder if Lampard will try to address this with O’Nien or someone similar. All well and good everyone looking at forwards, attacking midfielders, nice footballers etc but apart from Kitching and Thomas we’re pretty soft/nice guys as a team.

You can sign players with leadership qualities who are better footballers than O9. You frankly may as well resign Michael Doyle if you just want a scrapper.

 

[CCFCSteve]

You can sometimes see in his body language that doubt - I don't think it necessarily helps if there is a big groan when he tries something, other than a safe pass, which doesn't come off.

He’s a far better footballer than people give him credit for. Can put in some great long passes, did one to EMC v blues first half and showed good touches and finishes recently

Still needs to get involved more/take games by the scruff of the neck for me