Got to be a cm next ? (1 Viewer)

[TomRad85]

Even if Doug went crazy this month he’s only spending £10-15m max (all in cost of transfer fees + wages). That would barely impact our ability to spend in the PL.

I can't imagine the loans set him back too much for half a season and anyone we buy outright we should obviously just be doing the due diligence we always do, then worse case we'll just have a decent player on our hands even if we fail to go up.

 

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[Mucca Mad Boys]

Even if Doug went crazy this month he’s only spending £10-15m max (all in cost of transfer fees + wages). That would barely impact our ability to spend in the PL.

By the end of this window, we need to be able to call upon a strong bench to get us through tight games.

Something like:
Dovin
KKH
Wolfenden
Eccles
Allen
MKY
Sakamoto
Simms
Haji

That bench as a sample looks exceptionally stronger and you’ve got options there. That’s without signing a CM, LB or striker.

 

[stupot07]

Feels harsh... but when he came on, on Sunday, it felt like his role was to immediately give the ball to the adults.

Maybe I'll see him in a different light on Saturday... be surprised if he's not starting.

Not saying hes the answer but it's harsh to judge him on Sunday coming on in the 86th minute, with us playing a 442 with so many players having poor games.

He had a decent cameo against Southampton.

The biggest issues is he has been underused this season. Just 53 minutes of football in the league, and then we expect him to come on and make a difference. Lampard has underused quite a lot of his squad this season, and wonders why they struggle when they play.

 

[SBT]

I agree on Austin which is why I don't understand where you are coming from. Are you saying don't spend just incase you get it wrong and it doesn't work out? That's just football.

I’m not even saying don’t spend - I’ve said many times that new signings that are in a position of urgent need and/or can help us out next season in the Premier League are worthwhile.

What I don’t want to do is tie ourselves down with long-term signings we know won’t be good enough in 20 games from now. If you want to bring those players in short-term then I guess it’s fine - I just don’t see a ton of options out there that make sense for both player, club and Doug.

I also think there’s something to be said for not spending several weeks trying to integrate several new signings into the team - I was under the impression that squad continuity has been a big part of our success this season. So if you do bring in new players, especially in key positions, they have to be ready to make an impact straight away.

 

[JSL]

Just noticed Dan Neil has some familiar followers on Instagram. Simms may be because he played there on loan a few years back but the others? Coincidence or something brewing?

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Not saying hes the answer but it's harsh to judge him on Sunday coming on in the 86th minute, with us playing a 442 with so many players having poor games.

He had a decent cameo against Southampton.

The biggest issues is he has been underused this season. Just 53 minutes of football in the league, and then we expect him to come on and make a difference. Lampard has underused quite a lot of his squad this season, and wonders why they struggle when they play.

He’s not been underused, he’s just not at the level required yet. Nice touches here and there but otherwise hasn’t looked dangerous.

There’s a player in there but at the top of the Championship, the stakes are too high for him to be given a lot of minutes.

 

[TomRad85]

I’m not even saying don’t spend - I’ve said many times that new signings that are in a position of urgent need and/or can help us out next season in the Premier League are worthwhile.

What I don’t want to do is tie ourselves down with long-term signings we know won’t be good enough in 20 games from now. If you want to bring those players in short-term then I guess it’s fine - I just don’t see a ton of options out there that make sense for both player, club and Doug.

I also think there’s something to be said for not spending several weeks trying to integrate several new signings into the team - I was under the impression that squad continuity has been a big part of our success this season. So if you do bring in new players, especially in key positions, they have to be ready to make an impact straight away.

I don't really see an issue with bringing in for 20 games given what the 20 games mean tbh. The player should be at least top end Championship standard incase we don't go up. If we do go up it pays for itself 100 times over.
Don't really see a downside honestly.

 

[CovveeBreak]

Calling it now - I don’t think we sign another midfielder. Now not saying I don’t WANT us to or that we don’t NEED it - it’s just a feeling more than anything.

If Torp, Grimes, Rudi are our starters (when on form) - that leaves Allen, Eccles, BTA (in the 10) as backups for each position (albeit with an obvious capability gap in instances).

Think it’s harder for DK to justify a loan promising minutes or spending big money with what we have in place.

Backing up Tats and EMC was critical because we had no-one (not even BTA). Who is DK/FL gonna piss off to make way for someone new? Just not convinced at all.

 

[skybluecam]

I honestly think Andrews has a part to play this season, he’s looked very assured when he’s come on and reminds me a bit of Jude Bellingham in the way he plays

I think he’ll be a cracking talent with the right management

Jude Bellingham????????

 

[fernandopartridge]

Just noticed Dan Neil has some familiar followers on Instagram. Simms may be because he played there on loan a few years back but the others? Coincidence or something brewing?

View attachment 48193

Doyle played there as well. No idea about the others though, Binks doesn't even play for us

 

[skybluecam]

Calling it now - I don’t think we sign another midfielder. Now not saying I don’t WANT us to or that we don’t NEED it - it’s just a feeling more than anything.

If Torp, Grimes, Rudi are our starters (when on form) - that leaves Allen, Eccles, BTA (in the 10) as backups for each position (albeit with an obvious capability gap in instances).

Think it’s harder for DK to justify a loan promising minutes or spending big money with what we have in place.

Backing up Tats and EMC was critical because we had no-one (not even BTA). Who is DK/FL gonna piss off to make way for someone new? Just not convinced at all.

Well right now BTA, Torp and Allen are out. So Andrews had to play on Saturday and he’s simply not up to the level. That’s where we’d benefit from another midfielder, and Allen or Andrews hardly have licence to get pissed off about it if we did sign one.

 

[Martw]

Backup Attack minded CM
Genuine question, is Dele Alli completely shot to bits or is there something left in his tank?

Ive wondered thia a lot, I sense that we haven't seen or heard of him linked elsewhere which "might" suggest he isn't fit to resume his career.

 

[Grendel]

So no then?

I don't think when there is £130m on offer the following season someone would complain a fraction of that was spent on a security back up plan. The point was he covered if he was ever needed.

 

[Pusb1]

Castledine going to Middlesbrough

 

[JSL]

Castledine going to Middlesbrough

Adi probably has background with him too

 

[stupot07]

He’s not been underused, he’s just not at the level required yet. Nice touches here and there but otherwise hasn’t looked dangerous.

There’s a player in there but at the top of the Championship, the stakes are too high for him to be given a lot of minutes.

Sorry disagree with you. There's been plenty of times to give him some decent minutes and he's not.

Derby 5-3 - 0 minutes
QPR 7-1 - 0 mins
Brum 3-0 - 9 mins
Millwall 4-0 - 7 mins
Sheff Wed 5-0 - 16 mins
Charlton 3-1 - 2 mins

Could have easily given him 20-30 mins in some of these.

He done the same with KKH and Brau (who's not good enough). Now Milan is flogged and knackered, and out of form and KKH is now injured so can't give him a break.

 

[skybluecam]

Sorry disagree with you. There's been plenty of times to give him some decent minutes and he's not.

Derby 5-3 - 0 minutes
QPR 7-1 - 0 mins
Brum 3-0 - 9 mins
Millwall 4-0 - 7 mins
Sheff Wed 5-0 - 16 mins
Charlton 3-1 - 2 mins

Could have easily given him 20-30 mins in some of these.

He done the same with KKH and Brau (who's not good enough). Now Milan is flogged and knackered, and out of form and KKH is now injured so can't give him a break.

He’s just not good enough yet. Whenever he’s come on he’s looked like he doesn’t really want the ball and has struggled to positively impact the game. He’s only been used when we have no other options.

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

Adi probably has background with him too

I doubt it. Their crossover at Chelsea would have been when Castledine was aged between 6 and 8!

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

He’s just not good enough yet. Whenever he’s come on he’s looked like he doesn’t really want the ball and has struggled to positively impact the game. He’s only been used when we have no other options.

He could still have appeared in the games when it was as good as won though, and given a bit of respite to the players who're knackered now.

 

[JSL]

Castledine going to Middlesbrough

Just read that they've offered him a 4.5 year deal. Lets hope he is good enough if they get promoted. That's probably why we didn't pursue him if we were indeed interested, could have just been as a loan.

 

[SBT]

I don't think when there is £130m on offer the following season someone would complain a fraction of that was spent on a security back up plan. The point was he covered if he was ever needed.

Which is lovely for them - I believe they were working under a slightly different financial reality to us, but no doubt a £1 million comfort blanket is lovely.

I think the point remains that it’s not unreasonable to think that spending seven figure sums on largely superfluous backup players isn’t necessarily needed for promotion when you’re already the best team in the league - at least, that appears to be the case with Bournemouth 10 years ago.

 

[Grendel]

Which is lovely for them - I believe they were working under a slightly different financial reality to us, but no doubt a £1 million comfort blanket is lovely.

I think the point remains that it’s not unreasonable to think that spending seven figure sums on largely superfluous backup players isn’t necessarily needed for promotion when you’re already the best team in the league - at least, that appears to be the case with Bournemouth 10 years ago.

A one million comfort blanket is nothing to any club trying to get promoted.

 

[procdoc]

Which is lovely for them - I believe they were working under a slightly different financial reality to us, but no doubt a £1 million comfort blanket is lovely.

I think the point remains that it’s not unreasonable to think that spending seven figure sums on largely superfluous backup players isn’t necessarily needed for promotion when you’re already the best team in the league - at least, that appears to be the case with Bournemouth 10 years ago.

So would you rather us not sign good championship players to add depth and risk failing to get promoted?

 

[shmmeee]

It’s only worth signing players when you definitely won’t go up. Then they aren’t a waste of money or something.

 

[shepardo01]

I honestly think Andrews has a part to play this season, he’s looked very assured when he’s come on and reminds me a bit of Jude Bellingham in the way he plays

I think he’ll be a cracking talent with the right management

Just don't see it.
He's shown enough to be able to be part of the squad, but nowhere near enough to be an effective player at Championship level.

 

[SBT]

So would you rather us not sign good championship players to add depth and risk failing to get promoted?

Would refer you to my post from 2:06

All I’ll add is that I clearly think the risk of us not getting promoted is much much smaller than most people apparently think.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Would refer you to my post from 2:06

All I’ll add is that I clearly think the risk of us not getting promoted is much much smaller than most people apparently think.

Here's hoping. The team's looked dead on its feet in this recent run of games and isn't getting much respite from now until the end of the season.

 

[procdoc]

Would refer you to my post from 2:06

All I’ll add is that I clearly think the risk of us not getting promoted is much much smaller than most people apparently think.

We have been shite for weeks and a lot of players look dead on their feet. There’s a very real risk we fall away unless we can improve the depth

 

[SBT]

Here's hoping. The team's looked dead on its feet in this recent run of games and isn't getting much respite from now until the end of the season.

I think the knock-on effect of adding two wingers means we won’t have to switch formations or shunt players out of position to give people like EMC and Tats a rest. That on its own gives us a lot more flexibility and backup options in CM.

 

[SBT]

We have been shite for weeks and a lot of players look dead on their feet. There’s a very real risk we fall away unless we can improve the depth

I think we’ve had a rough few weeks both in terms of performances and absences, but we have key players soon to return, two strong new signings in a position of need, and over the totality of the season we’ve been anything but shite.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I think the knock-on effect of adding two wingers means we won’t have to switch formations or shunt players out of position to give people like EMC and Tats a rest. That on its own gives us a lot more flexibility and backup options in CM.

It doesn't give us more options in central midfield at all, where the player crucial to the whole set-up looks absolutely knackered. A double figure lead at the top was halved in the space of a week, I'm not sure where this assumption that it's all but in the bag comes from.

 

[procdoc]

I think we’ve had a rough few weeks both in terms of performances and absences, but we have key players soon to return, two strong new signings in a position of need, and over the totality of the season we’ve been anything but shite.

We need a midfielder, the only person disputing it is you

 

[SBT]

It doesn't give us more options in central midfield at all, where the player crucial to the whole set-up looks absolutely knackered. A double figure lead at the top was halved in the space of a week, I'm not sure where this assumption that it's all but in the bag comes from.

So you think we’re signing a Grimes replacement this month? I just don’t see it.

The bookies have us at 1/4 for promotion and Opta puts our chances at 90%. Are they wrong?

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

So you think we’re signing a Grimes replacement this month? I just don’t see it.

The bookies have us at 1/4 for promotion and Opta puts our chances at 90%. Are they wrong?

I think it depends on our transfer activity. If we have burnt out the squad and don’t strengthen appropriately we won’t stay where we are.

 

[SBT]

I think it depends on our transfer activity. If we have burnt out the squad and don’t strengthen appropriately we won’t stay where we are.

So you’re predicting no promotion if we don’t sign any more players?