Caesium137
Well-known member
Them three and sign Giles would be a great window.
Transfer window - where do we need to strengthen?
- Thread starter h_m_boro
- Start date
It's a weird feeling but I'm struggling to see where we need to improve the starting 11.
I can see McNair and Muniz leaving, but they've both been squad players (if you can even call them that) under Carrick anyway.
Howson is one of the first names on the team sheet for me, but he's not getting any younger so we could potentially sign a long term replacement there.
Maybe a winger who can play both sides, as cover for Jones and also a wider option on the left. I've liked McGree in that position but see him as a more central midfielder.
I can see McNair and Muniz leaving, but they've both been squad players (if you can even call them that) under Carrick anyway.
Howson is one of the first names on the team sheet for me, but he's not getting any younger so we could potentially sign a long term replacement there.
Maybe a winger who can play both sides, as cover for Jones and also a wider option on the left. I've liked McGree in that position but see him as a more central midfielder.
Bruce
Well-known member
I think this is right on. If you figure that our usual starters are picked from:
Steffen, Smith, Fry, Lenihan, Giles, Howson, Hackney, Jones, Akpom, McGree/Watmore, Forss
Then it's pretty hard to see an option to improve them without paying a fortune.
I think Archer would be an upgrade on Watmore or Forss but it seems like a backwards step to replace a permanent player you want to develop with a loanee.
I quite like the look of Barlaser and he could possibly play either Howson or Hackney's role. I don't think he's necessarily an upgrade but may be roughly on the same level and of course he could replace Howson next season. The link with Keanu Baccus is interesting because I could see him as someone who comes in to challenge for the first team but might expect to start on the bench before getting into the team.
Of the usual subs: Muniz appears to be going back. If Stewart was an option then he would be a massive upgrade but would block the route for Coburn next year.
Of the rest of the usual subs: McNair, Bola, Clarke (when fit), Dijksteel, Mowatt, Hoppe, the keepers, Crooks. I could see Hoppe going out on loan and don't see us being able to send Mowatt back. We lack a creative wild-card type but it's hard to see who we can bring in who will be better than those but be willing to sit on the bench. Of course if someone like McNair decides he wants out we'll need to replace them.
It's not that our first 11 are worldbeaters but replacing any of them with someone better won't be cheap and if you assume we have limited money it's hard to see us spending £5-10m on individual players for a possibly marginal gain.
Nosmo-King
Well-known member
I honestly thought Joe Gibson would have made a breakthrough this season. Could do with a fit, proper left back and a creative midfielder.
I agree - the only issue we have is if we get 1-2 specific injuries, our bench is light.
If we lost Fry or Lenihan for a couple of weeks, we've got adequate cover in Clarke and McNair/Dijksteel in my opinion.
Smith - Dijksteel, Giles - Bola, Howson/Hackney - Mowatt/McNair, Jones - Crooks, Forss - Watmore/Hoppe...
Howeverrr... If we lost McGree to injury, Watmore is the only positional replacement and he can't play 180 minutes every week, so it means someone would need to play out of position, either Giles (with Bola in at LB), or Forss (with Akpom up front and Crooks in Akpoms role). So we need cover there.
Another one would be Akpom, I can't see us keeping Muniz and Watmore is too similar to Forss to play the Akpom-role. Possibly why we've looked at Stewart.
Good problem to have though - I can't remember the last time we went into a transfer window without thinking we "NEED" a player.
Simply red
Well-known member
I disagree Ash , there are 10 teams trying for 4 play off spots , we need to ensure we have the strongest group to win it , and at the moment we would struggle IMO , and MC seems to agree as he has said some players will leave to make way for 3/4 1st team starters .
McNair , Dijksteel, ( injured ? ) Bola , Luongo , Muniz are the obvious ones who are not being played , so may be moved on to make space for the new lads . Hoppe and CB Munce May also go out on loan . We will soon know .
Beverleyred
Well-known member
Ultimately it doesn’t matter what we think or what we want, we can offer opinions and speculate until the cows come home; but in the end, it will be the new ‘model’ that dictates who comes and goes. Whether it’s right or wrong, only time will tell. I’m staying optimistic that they will get it right!
festa5
Well-known member
Have you got a link to that? Latest I can find is him saying we're looking for "1, 2 or 3" but only if they're a good fit.
Which is a bit different from looking for 3/4 first team starters but appreciate things do change. I would be surprised if we were determined to change a third of our starting 11 at this point mind.
Simply red
Well-known member
Sorry festa , I don’t have a link , but I am sure I read they are after 3 , with a possibility of 4 .
Might have been the Scott interview?
He also said permanent signings as against loans . A permanent signing will want assurances he will get game time .
festa5
Well-known member
no worries.
as for game time, well surely its the same for loans, otherwise what's the point? Pleased we're looking at permanent though. Think a loan should be exceptional, but few turn out to be. Too many overhyped youngsters about.
Love the optimism, but I can't see us signing 3/4 first team players. Which 3/4 players would be dropped?
It won't be the keeper, Fry and Lenihan are up there with the best CBs in the league, Giles is un-droppable, Smith is in great form and does the job he's in the team for perfectly...
Howson - maybe?, I can't see MC dropping Hackney because he's taken him under his wing a little bit...
Jones? McGree? - I can't see either of those being dropped either, as they're both young and we'll be wanting them to improve.
Akpom? top scorer in the league. Possibly Forss but he's one for the future too... I just don't see it.
Ex Footy Legs
Well-known member
With jones it’s more about genuine cover on the right rather than competition
Agree with your post though 100%
Is pharrell W a right or left footer ? I can’t remember but he’s clearly in Carricks thoughts….
Ex Footy Legs
Well-known member
McNair will probably go or dijksteel
I think if smith got injured McNair would or could demonstrate right back is his best position in this formation
Getting forwards and he has an eye for goal too
festa5
Well-known member
Yeah, played a fair bit for N. Ireland there hasn't he? Good delivery too.
jonny_greenings_sock
Well-known member
You’d hope that with Scott and his team getting their feet under the table and what looks like harmony now between the manager, chairman and recruitment, plus a pretty good team on the pitch, that we’ll be signing either quality to put the cherry on top or medium term targets, no panic buys.
To be fair we usually do alright with permanent signings in Jan, but our record with loan strikers from the PL in Jan has derailed our season a few times. Kebano / Bolasie and Balogun / Connolly totally ruined promising playoff pushes.
I’d be well happy if we got Giles on a permanent. We’ve needed two central midfielders since about 2005 so an obvious area to buy, but not sure it’s that urgent for this window. Need one in the summer though, Howson’s getting on and Hackney will have a dip.
The big quality upgrade would be a proper striker like Gyokeres, but again we’re scoring loads of goals so it’s not desperate (plus he’s probably out of our bracket now).
To be fair we usually do alright with permanent signings in Jan, but our record with loan strikers from the PL in Jan has derailed our season a few times. Kebano / Bolasie and Balogun / Connolly totally ruined promising playoff pushes.
I’d be well happy if we got Giles on a permanent. We’ve needed two central midfielders since about 2005 so an obvious area to buy, but not sure it’s that urgent for this window. Need one in the summer though, Howson’s getting on and Hackney will have a dip.
The big quality upgrade would be a proper striker like Gyokeres, but again we’re scoring loads of goals so it’s not desperate (plus he’s probably out of our bracket now).
Ex Footy Legs
Well-known member
Yup….festa. I genuinely think Carrick believes a certain number of on field leaders are a necessity and Smith is much more of a leader than McNair is which is why he is in there. Playing ok or well enough but leadership/motivation is also really important !
Diego
Well-known member
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