Stephens

[KRBFC]

It's a nothing article which doesn't change anything (not that I think we have or will go back in for him this window).

Based on last window, if they say he isn't going anywhere, that's exactly what it means.

[claretandy]

This window has been a disaster so far, we should be strengthening for a position of strength, each premier league place is worth £2M, we have an opportunity to finish in the top half if we are bold and ambitious.

[CrosspoolClarets]

This window has been a disaster so far, we should be strengthening for a position of strength, each premier league place is worth £2M, we have an opportunity to finish in the top half if we are bold and ambitious.

I get where that is coming from but we have signed Barton in the window who has already gained us 2 points, nearly 3 (his raking pass set up the spell in the Arsenal half that led to our goal). We have sold nobody of note. So it has hardly been a disaster.

A couple of additions would be great though.

[Reecey1987]

The way its going i cant see anybody coming in . It looks like we have put all our eggs in 1 basket im hoping something works out regarding incomings . I just hope we have a back up plan

[claretandy]

Barton facing a 10 game ban, Marney could be out indefinitely, Bamford has gone back and we know we need at least 1 wide man.

[FCBurnley]

So far Barton in ( who should never have left) and Bamford out. Looking at our fixture list the Leicester game is now a must win.

[ElectroClaret]

Based on last window, if they say he isn't going anywhere, that's exactly what it means.

No it doesn't.

It means "we want a lot more dosh."

[Steddyman]

No it doesn't.

It means "we want a lot more dosh."

It didn't in the last two windows, it mean't he is going nowhere.

Why would they sell for a few million and risk their chances of promotion?

[Jambounchained]

I'm still confident of bringing one or two in.

[jojomk1]

Stephens will be going nowhere this month
If, as expected, Brighton get promoted don't be surprised if he suddenly decides he likes the south coast more than he thought, and signs a new contract

[BabylonClaret]

He'll cost them a huge wedge though if they want to keep him. He holds all the cards

[Vegas Claret]

I would hope at this stage our Chairmen have sore fingers from all the agents and clubs they are calling. No excuses

[Reecey1987]

They have prob got them on speed dial . You can count all our targets on 2 hands

[KRBFC]

No it doesn't.

It means "we want a lot more dosh."

Not true though, we bid 7 times for him in the summer.

[MACCA]

A free transfer walked through the door, that position is now filled.

[joey13]

Just saying if we beat Leicester we are safe from relegation, trust me, I'm rarely wrong.

What happens if we lose ?

[ShabbaRanks]

A free transfer walked through the door, that position is now filled.

It's anything but as it stands.

There is currently two huge question marks over the long term availability of two of our center midfielders.

[jurek]

I can't understand why, if we have that is, gone back for Stephens.
Personally I don't think we have but still believe we do need another CM especially
if Marney is out for any length of time.

Can we risk Barton not getting a lengthy ban?
If he does then we could be down to 2 in midfield and/or risking playing Arfield there
which most would say isn't much of an option.
We've got 3 or 4 very important games coming especially away so we need to be able to field
3 CM's if required and have back up - be it as a sub or if one is injured.

Whether that is Brady is another question as to be honest I'm not sure he's a central midfielder
in the same mould as Barton or Hendrick.

And it's far from certain we are going to get Brady.

[Hurstclaret]

MOTM at the Amex tonight. Did the simple things well. Kept possession and kept the ball moving although mostly sideways rather than through the channels but with Knockaert out wide then why wouldnt you. Reminded me of Marney not flash but effective and can see why Dyche rates him.

[fidelcastro]

Barton facing a 10 game ban, Marney could be out indefinitely, Bamford has gone back and we know we need at least 1 wide man.

10 game ban?

That's a new one!

[MACCA]

What happens if we lose ?

Then we still have an excellent chance of survival. ( I think we are safe )

[MACCA]

It's anything but as it stands.

There is currently two huge question marks over the long term availability of two of our center midfielders.

Absolutely.

I firmly believe that we will have no better chance than now to recruit players for the next 2/3 seasons and build a squad.
We are in a great position, and can offer this season as well as next season in the top flight.
There is a strong possibility, that in the summer 3/4 midfielders will no longer be at the club, or deemed good enough.

In the summer there is a strong chance that we will have to start competing with Newcastle, Brighton and anther big club that will come up and throw money at it.( We will be back at the bottom of the pile like the summer just gone )

Currently our rivals that we are competing with this window are all below us and in serious danger of going out of the league.

No better time than now IMO to sell the Burnley plan to any targets.

[Winstonswhite]

The better chance to sign players is in the Summer surely? Then we can guarantee a season of Premier League football hopefully.

Everyone gets their pants pulled down in January. And who'd sign for us when our board will (quite rightly) on a relegation clause in every contract. No. I can't see us getting anyone tbh.

[MACCA]

I think at the moment we are in a better position than 6 teams to offer prem football next year.

For arguments sake.
Say Swansea, Hull and Sunderland go down

And Newcastle, Brighton & 1 of Leeds/Sheffield W/derby/villa go up, we will go back to being the most unfancied side in the division paying the least wages.

I think it's a great time to sell our club and buy into the adventure, and what looks like the steady upwards climb.

[jlup1980]

I think at the moment we are in a better position than 6 teams to offer prem football next year.

For arguments sake.
Say Swansea, Hull and Sunderland go down

And Newcastle, Brighton & 1 of Leeds/Sheffield W/derby/villa go up, we will go back to being the most unfancied side in the division paying the least wages.

I think it's a great time to sell our club and buy into the adventure, and what looks like the steady upwards climb.

Couldn't agree more. It doesn't mean I want the club to throw silly money at players, but the fact is we're in a really strong position to sell our club to potential players. We look pretty safe in the table but we can't afford to rest on our laurels. The time to strengthen is when you're at your strongest.

[joey13]

I think at the moment we are in a better position than 6 teams to offer prem football next year.

For arguments sake.
Say Swansea, Hull and Sunderland go down

And Newcastle, Brighton & 1 of Leeds/Sheffield W/derby/villa go up, we will go back to being the most unfancied side in the division paying the least wages.

I think it's a great time to sell our club and buy into the adventure, and what looks like the steady upwards climb.

Can't take you seriously Villa could go up , no mention of Huddersfield ?

[MACCA]

For Arguments sake I said.

Was listing the bigger clubs who could be more fancied by players or could offer bigger wagers.

Huddersfield would be similar to us this year being written off and the least fancied team.

I would prefer Huddersfield personally, but I was thinking worst case senario.