Transfer window - where do we need to strengthen?

h_m_boro

h_m_boro

Well-known member
We have a good squad. There is character there. Looks like a good team bond. But, we are not great and new players will need to be brought in.

What are the key positions? Do we look at squad players? Do we risk big money moves? Get players in who could negatively affect the synergie?

Personally, a CM and RM would do me.....need cover/competition for Jones and wouldn't be a bad move to give Howson a breather.

Probably have sufficient cover in defence and we are scoring goals. Just the midfield looking light.....and we could struggle if Howson/Hackney were injured for a few games.

Interesting to see what Scott and the new recruitment team do.
 
I think we need a center Midfielder, Right Winger and possibly a new striker.
I think with the players we have injured and the versatility of most of the bench players, we have a good squad
 
A centre mid for howson competition. Possibly another if Mowatt goes back. A striker if Muniz is sent back. A right winger for competition with jones
 
I don't like the idea of buying squad players. Every player we buy should be better than what we have or be a young player who will become that. We could do with another 1st choice centre mid and we obviously have gaps we're currently filling with loan players which means we need a LB, GK, ST and CM because we shouldn't be developing other team's players when we could be developing our own. If permanent transfers are available for Giles and Steffen then that would be useful.

Probably the biggest improvement could come from an upgrade up top. Stewart or Gyokeres playing ahead of Akpom would be great.
 
Get Giles and Steffan signed if it is an option and leave it at that.
I'd rather us possibly fall short in the playoffs than buy for the sake of it and disrupt the squad and the momentum.
Save whatever money we have for new signings until next summer and do our business early if we can.
 
Ryan Manning / Brandon Williams LB
Calvin Ramsay / Danny McNamara RB
Teden Mengi / D Bernard / Joel Felix CH
Gus Hamer/ Ettiene Camara / Josh Campbell / Alan Campbell / Barlaser / Dylan Levitt / FD Bashiru CM
Zian Fleming / Sorba Thomas / Pellistri / Morgan Rogers /Semenyo / Cameron Archer / Duk , AM / RW
Ellis Simms / Ross Stewart / Adebayo / Bojan Miovski CF
 
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All the positions I’d consider covering are already listed above. CM, RW, ST.
The progession of Hackney has saved us a small fortune though. As otherwise we’d need two CMs (one now, one in summer)
Guess it depends on which loans go back and whether we sell at all. Selling McNair would mean CB cover reqd imo.
 
In a dream world it would be Gyökeres, but I’d still be more than happy with Archer on loan from Villa, or Ross Stewart if the fee was suitable. Can’t see Gibson and Scott paying over the odds. Dan Barlaser from Rotherham in the midfield, possibly the young Zidane Iqbal on loan for competition on the wings👍
 
I think we have to be careful to strengthen not weaken. Signing in January can be a gamble. The terms of loans can be dictated by the Premier club ie you might have to guarantee playing the misfit striker or future star so many starts or appearances. That would be a nightmare.
This time last season we were looking really strong. The play offs were in our sights. We don't want to get nudged off course again.
 
RB - Smith has done a job, but is limited. without the ball our fullbacks ae both weak, but Giles is improving in that area and makes up for it with his ability on the ball. Smith doesn't have that.

CM - Hackney has done superb, but he's young, he'll have a dip in form at some point. Howson is hot and cold due to age. Mowatt is an ok squad player but wouldn't want him starting too often. We need another CM, preferably one with a bit of vision and goal threat.

RW - Jones, second season syndrome a little and maybe finding his feet in his new role. Needs someone to take a bit of the pressure of him to perform every game.

CF - If Crooks is our second choice CF, then we are clearly light in that area. He'll give it a go, but he just doesn't have enough pace to play in behind, and that allows opposition to keep a high line. We need another CF if Muniz isn't liked by the boss

I'd say CF is definitely the most required, then CM, then RW, RB would be a nice to have.

On top of that we need to think of who will leave. Looks like Muniz going, so that will increase the need for CF, and McNairs days seem numbered, which might mean a need for a 4th choice CB, particularly if Clarke doesn't get fit soon
 
Connor_loft said:
In a dream world it would be Gyökeres, but I’d still be more than happy with Archer on loan from Villa, or Ross Stewart if the fee was suitable. Can’t see Gibson and Scott paying over the odds. Dan Barlaser from Rotherham in the midfield, possibly the young Zidane Iqbal on loan for competition on the wings👍
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Stewart, Barlaser and Iqbal would solve the key gaps for me, without overloading ourselves with loanees
 
Would be looking at starters not just cover. If we got them could they become regular starters? Not many of them around in the January window.

Strengthen the right side. We rely a lot on Giles delivery on the left at the minute which teams will concentrate on and look to frustrate. Need to get the right providing a greater threat again.

Central midfielder - Howson who isn’t getting any younger is carrying a lot of the weight to allow the fantastic breakthrough season Hackney is having - think this lad with Carrick’s mentoring could be anything.

Although we are scoring a lot of goals, losing Akpom through injury would be a big worry (as would losing your best striker at any club). If we could get in a real quality player coming towards the end of his contract so available at a price we could afford we could go very close to promotion.

Going to be a great second half of the season UTB.
 
Jedi boro said:
We need better that’s the key this window as we don’t need numbers we need players to improve what we have snd if they aren’t available then wait until they are.
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I'd agree but temper it with we do need numbers in a couple of positions, we've got 3 players capable of playing CM in this formation, we don't have any experienced out and out wingers, and only 2 CFs capable of playing the role required (if we assume Akpom is now the 10)
 
I thought last seasons Jan transfer widow did more harm than good. Connally and Balogun were no better than Watmore and Coburn who lost game time because of them.

Balogun was alright. Yet showed the difference between playing for the prem U23s and championship football. The best part of a month to get up to speed. I'd rather stay away from these 'bright young things'. Just look at Delap at Stoke. Apparently amazing at City yet only just scored a couple.

We clearly need another forward if (almost certainly when) Muniz goes. So probably another loan. God knows who? I'd love Armstrong from Southampton. The CM from Rotherham has been linked. A bit of right back cover for Smith. Although I guess Jones could do that.

We need to be looking longterm at replacing Howson. We've also not really replaced Tav with like for like. That said Hackney has solved one of those issues.

Mowett can only go back if wba want him. He's played for us and them so can't be loaned out again (unlike Muniz). I have a feeling he's staying.

Get Giles in on a perm😉
 
Out of interest, if we brought in a top CM, do people still see Hackney as the other starter, with Howson as cover?
 
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