January transfer window rumours.

[Chester Perry]

Brentford are owned by Matthew Benham not Anders Holch Povlsen(richest man in Denmark)

Matthew has also recently sold his stake in the Danish club.

I see you were in there first - good

[lucs86]

We would have to get rid of a CH to make way for a place in the 25 man squad. Who would you move out of the current defenders

Could make space with a winger, either Redmond (now he's injured) or Benson (seemingly available).

25 man squad must have been 70% defenders and keepers under Dyche.

[Vegas Claret]

Could make space with a winger, either Redmond (now he's injured) or Benson (seemingly available).

25 man squad must have been 70% defenders and keepers under Dyche.

they were top drawer defenders and keepers for the most part !!

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Josh Doig. Weren’t we interested in him when he was at Hearts?

[Swizzlestick]

Josh Doig. Weren’t we interested in him when he was at Hearts?

*Hibs - don’t want to get those two mixed up! We were but don’t think we made an offer.

Looks like he’s off to Sassuolo

[CharlieinNewMexico]

*Hibs - don’t want to get those two mixed up! We were but don’t think we made an offer.

Looks like he’s off to Sassuolo

Yeah Hellas need money so wanted to sell him to Marseille or Sassuolo and get the Rangers left back in on loan. Apparently he’s really come on well.

Information brought to you by googling “available left backs”

[alwaysaclaret]

Any rumours

[Taffy on the wing]

Any rumours

Not a chance!........if there were, they'd only argue about the accuracy.

[Ric_C]

Rumours of Benson going to Leeds now

https://x.com/sachatavolieri/status/174 ... 73940?s=20

Think I'd be physically sick if that happened

[Newcastleclaret93]

Rumour we after another winger in Tete from galatasaray

[NewClaret]

Rumours of Benson going to Leeds now

https://x.com/sachatavolieri/status/174 ... 73940?s=20

Think I'd be physically sick if that happened

Me too.

This must not be allowed. I’d prefer Southampton.

Just can’t see why we’re looking to offload Benson at all. Anass for experience I could understand, not Benson who is our most threatening RW.

[123EasyasBFC]

People seem to be losing their head at the thought of another winger, if benson isn’t deemed good enough and we have already lost koleosho Redmond and then relying on JBG and JBL to stay right then signing an actual right winger makes sense, however it’s a link from turkey so probs not true

[Newcastleclaret93]

People seem to be losing their head at the thought of another winger, if benson isn’t deemed good enough and we have already lost koleosho Redmond and then relying on JBG and JBL to stay right then signing an actual right winger makes sense, however it’s a link from turkey so probs not true

I would be more concerned we are prioritising the wrong position again.

We are desperate for players in other positions.

[123EasyasBFC]

I would be more concerned we are prioritising the wrong position again.

We are desperate for players in other positions.

How do you know it’s prioritising though, if we have a list of positions we need it might just the the case that a winger has been made available first, we might have our full back targets but a selling club might be waiting for other targets before letting players leave.

It’s not as simple as just getting the player in the position you need straight away

[NewClaret]

People seem to be losing their head at the thought of another winger, if benson isn’t deemed good enough and we have already lost koleosho Redmond and then relying on JBG and JBL to stay right then signing an actual right winger makes sense, however it’s a link from turkey so probs not true

I’m not losing my head about signing another winger. I think that whole argument is overstated somewhat when you consider:

1. We have two out for the season.
2. Benson has been injured for most of the season (we’re told).
3. I think Kompany believes Anass & Benson need to develop to play at this level.
4. JBG is a wide player but doesn’t really have the pace to beat a man and is in his last year(s).

Given how things are panning out you could argue we’re well stocked but also justified in signing so many in summer.

I wouldn’t be against a RW signing if it were someone of say Pellistri’s quality (looks like he’s going to Granada - also in a relegation battle on loan though). Else would rather play Benson and give him the experience at this level.

What is glaring though is we have more wingers than anywhere else so I’d be strengthening LB, RB, DM before worrying about RW when we have Benson.

Hopefully we are behind the scenes.

[NewClaret]

How do you know it’s prioritising though, if we have a list of positions we need it might just the the case that a winger has been made available first, we might have our full back targets but a selling club might be waiting for other targets before letting players leave.

It’s not as simple as just getting the player in the position you need straight away

Or the other ones have just not hit the media. You can’t read too much in to rumours.

I imagine in summer we had a lot of other targets we just couldn’t secure.

[summitclaret]

How do you know it’s prioritising though, if we have a list of positions we need it might just the the case that a winger has been made available first, we might have our full back targets but a selling club might be waiting for other targets before letting players leave.

It’s not as simple as just getting the player in the position you need straight away

It's very simple. We have overspent on wingers and still have gaping holes especially at full back. They've had since last June to find what we need and the failure is the main reason we are set to go down. Just keep Benson and focus on what is so obviously a problem.

[Spijed]

Why do we need a left back?

In Charlie Taylor we have a good quality Prem quality solid defender.

Whilst his attacking abilities might not be that good our major problem has been defending and he is far better than most in our defence at doing exactly that.

The problem that the club and VK in particular is doing is that we are trying to run before we can even walk. Until everyone recognises that we'll get exactly nowhere.

[123EasyasBFC]

It's very simple. We have overspent on wingers and still have gaping holes especially at full back. They've had since last June to find what we need and the failure is the main reason we are set to go down. Just keep Benson and focus on what is so obviously a problem.

We haven’t overspent on wingers, we have to many but not overspent at expense of full backs because on deadline day we had a deal accepted for Maatsen but he said no, that’s the clubs fault for waiting so long and for that they have failed but it wasn’t due to overspending on wingers. Nobody is arguing that we failed to get all the positions we needed but it’s not about prioritising loads of wingers it’s just that came available first

It’s not as simple as playing football manager and bidding for a full back clicking enter and a day later it’s accepted or rejected

[boatshed bill]

Why do we need a left back?

In Charlie Taylor we have a good quality Prem quality solid defender.

Whilst his attacking abilities might not be that good our major problem has been defending and he is far better than most in our defence at doing exactly that.

The problem that the club and VK in particular is doing is that we are trying to run before we can even walk. Until everyone recognises that we'll get exactly nowhere.

Actually our 2 main problems seem to be holding on to possession and converting chances. We aren't leaking goals so easily now as early in the season despite constantly having to change the back four, I think our defenders are getting the hang of it.

[Anthonini]

Why do we need a left back?

In Charlie Taylor we have a good quality Prem quality solid defender.

Whilst his attacking abilities might not be that good our major problem has been defending and he is far better than most in our defence at doing exactly that.

The problem that the club and VK in particular is doing is that we are trying to run before we can even walk. Until everyone recognises that we'll get exactly nowhere.

Because a modern fullback should do more than just defend. Make some overlaps. Play a good cross in.
Don't see him in our squad. And by the looks of it not happening soon. Missed opportunity.

[Westleigh]

Because a modern fullback should do more than just defend. Make some overlaps. Play a good cross in.
Don't see him in our squad. And by the looks of it not happening soon. Missed opportunity.

Wasn’t it Charlie did the overlap for the first goal against Sheff Utd.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Actually our 2 main problems seem to be holding on to possession and converting chances. We aren't leaking goals so easily now as early in the season despite constantly having to change the back four, I think our defenders are getting the hang of it.

Over the last ten games we are averaging 1.6 goals a game conceded.

That is the biggest reason we are where we are.

[Goliath]

Actually our 2 main problems seem to be holding on to possession and converting chances. We aren't leaking goals so easily now as early in the season despite constantly having to change the back four, I think our defenders are getting the hang of it.

Sounds simple when you put it like that. The problem being our improved defending is at the cost of the possession. We cant really have both with the level of player weve got.

[NewClaret]

Why do we need a left back?

In Charlie Taylor we have a good quality Prem quality solid defender.

Whilst his attacking abilities might not be that good our major problem has been defending and he is far better than most in our defence at doing exactly that.

The problem that the club and VK in particular is doing is that we are trying to run before we can even walk. Until everyone recognises that we'll get exactly nowhere.

Because we only have one and he’s OOC in summer.

If we lose Charlie to injury we have nobody who can reasonably deputise and are going to need to replace him entirely in summer (assuming contract talks are not progressing well) so better to do it now.

I would agree he is solid defensively and that’s what we need most at this level so if we signed someone I wouldn’t necessarily see them as an immediate starter.

[Anthonini]

Wasn’t it Charlie did the overlap for the first goal against Sheff Utd.

The mere fact you can remember the one and only time he didn't kick it in the stands says it all.

[Woodleyclaret]

Anything that may help Dirty Leeds is a very bad idea.Offloading Benny is a ridiculous idea as we have little cover already

[DCWat]

Because a modern fullback should do more than just defend. Make some overlaps. Play a good cross in.
Don't see him in our squad. And by the looks of it not happening soon. Missed opportunity.

I’m not against another left back, we need two decent options. If it was possible, and Taylor is OK playing mostly second fiddle, I’d be more than happy if he remained with us for the medium term.

He may not offer everything that we’d ideally want from a full back, but what he does offer remains pretty valuable, as he has proven since coming back in.

Another factor is maintaining some of the core group of longer serving players - we need them to guide and help instill the right attitudes amongst our younger crop of players.

[DCWat]

The mere fact you can remember the one and only time he didn't kick it in the stands says it all.

Come on, being critical of players is fine, wholly exaggerating the weaknesses that you perceive them to have, is not.

[StayingDown4Ever]

Come on, being critical of players is fine, wholly exaggerating the weaknesses that you perceive them to have, is not.

Don’t worry, he’s the guy who claims Trafford barely plays a bad ball out

[elwaclaret]

I’m old school, Charlie Taylor would still be one of the first names on my team sheet. Great to have attacking full backs; but first and for most ai’d want defenders who could defend and keep those in front of them honest when it comes to covering.

For me a solid defensive midfielder who can dominate the middle would be my main target, then if possible another central attacker who could increase our threat immediately.

[SalisburyClaret]

It’s obvious we need a second choice left back - not having proper cover in that position would just be incompetent management

[gandhisflipflop]

I’m old school, Charlie Taylor would still be one of the first names on my team sheet. Great to have attacking full backs; but first and for most ai’d want defenders who could defend and keep those in front of them honest when it comes to covering.

For me a solid defensive midfielder who can dominate the middle would be my main target, then if possible another central attacker who could increase our threat immediately.

I’d agree with this If it wasn’t obvious that it isn’t the way VK plays and CT playing there this season out of necessity.

[elwaclaret]

I’d agree with this If it wasn’t obvious that it isn’t the way VK plays and CT playing there this season out of necessity.

On that I have no argument. But hopefully VK is learning that solidity needs to come first, then flair will be allowed to flourish.

[Jakubs Tash]

It’s obvious we need a second choice left back - not having proper cover in that position would just be incompetent management

Absolutely - and succession planning is required. Get another left back in so they can learn and grown into the role now rather than in August/September because there is a big possibility Charlie Taylor won't be around next season.

However, if fit and available, Taylor at left back is currently a solid option. So because of this we're more desperate for a right back and centre half for the immediate.

[Anthonini]

I'm not saying Charlie Taylor isn't probably our best defender. Man marking, heading, defensively probably our strongest player. Offensively he offers near 0. Does the bare minimum on the opponents half.

Might be harsh for some, I'm just being realistic. And what if he's injured? Start playing central defenders or rightbacks?

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Come on, being critical of players is fine, wholly exaggerating the weaknesses that you perceive them to have, is not.

Struggle to think of many of his crosses that we’ve scored off over the years. Always been a part of his game that hasn’t really improved.

[alwaysaclaret]

Struggle to think of many of his crosses that we’ve scored off over the years. Always been a part of his game that hasn’t really improved.

Taylor has put many a good cross over imo , just been crying for someone on the end of it, not he's fault we just don't attack crosses with enough conviction, but he's one of the few players we've still got in the ranks that can get to the line and whip one in,zaroury is another given the chance to reproduce he's pre world cup form.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Struggle to think of many of his crosses that we’ve scored off over the years. Always been a part of his game that hasn’t really improved.

Brentford at home when he crossed it for Lowton to head home and Jay against Everton both in the last Prem season are ones that come to mind but very little else

[Bigvince]

Although charlie Taylor is (imo) one of our better defenders, but he’s hardly prolific in the creative department, 8 assist and 1 goal in 6 premier league seasons for us. Having said that I’m more than happy with him being our regular left back.

[Goody1975]

Although charlie Taylor is (imo) one of our better defenders, but he’s hardly prolific in the creative department, 8 assist and 1 goal in 6 premier league seasons for us. Having said that I’m more than happy with him being our regular left back.

This has been discussed till the cows come home but my opinion is the right back slot is the bigger concern, there is very little 'end product' on that side and less defensive nous.

If we want a full back who drops into midfield like Maatsen did then surely we'd be better looking for a right sided option, there are more right backs available and Charlie is the ideal 'conservative full back' on the other side, especially when playing behind Odobert, Koleosho or Tresor.

If we signed a new right back, we could do with a better orthodox right midfielder to give the balance for his attacking intent, JBG is filling that role but it just isn't working.

Obviously this is something that was one of the priorities in the summer.

[TopCat]

Struggle to think of many of his crosses that we’ve scored off over the years. Always been a part of his game that hasn’t really improved.

It was certainly part of his game at Leeds, we just knocked it out of him.

[Woodleyclaret]

Charlie used to cross for Chris Wood to convert at Leeds

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

It was certainly part of his game at Leeds, we just knocked it out of him.

Not sure how we knocked it out of him given he often made some great runs down the left especially under Dyche but his end product is largely poor a bit like Vithinio on the other side. Shame they don’t have much time to practice.

[Big Vinny K]

Charlie’s assist and goals record is not great.
But under Dyche whilst directly not getting an assist by it’s normal definition he very often contributed to goals with lung bursting 40 and 50 yard runs which ended up in free kicks or corners (which we often scored from). CT also had a really good understanding with Dwight and that was a big part of our success when we were playing well.

CT was not suited to VKs style last season and Maatsen clearly was. Our style and possession and the way our full backs played meant they were often breaking the lines and finding themselves the furthest men forward. In these situations you need technically good players who are composed enough to cross it or score themselves.

This season we cannot play like last year and obviously have a lot more defending to do. CT has had a good season because he’s one of our better defenders. He’s good at blocking and last ditch tackles and timing challenges.

It’s not simply the case of questioning how CT was rarely picked as left back for us last year in a lower league. It’s more to do with the opposition and how we have had to adapt our style.

All that said we probably have the weakest full backs in the league this season - or thereabouts

[Stayingup]

Because a modern fullback should do more than just defend. Make some overlaps. Play a good cross in.
Don't see him in our squad. And by the looks of it not happening soon. Missed opportunity.

Yes like the overlap and cross for Jay's goal against Sheffield United?

[Newcastleclaret93]

Yes like the overlap and cross for Jay's goal against Sheffield United?

Charlie Taylor has 6 assists and 1 goal in over 150 apps in the premier league.

[Goliath]

Charlie Taylor has 6 assists and 1 goal in over 150 apps in the premier league.

Which is why we need a productive right back. Taylor fits the modern trend of a sizeable full back that can tuck into a 3. But it puts more resonsibility on thr right back to offer something in terms of inverting to control the game or overlapping and being an attacking threat that way. Unfortunately Vitinho is still learning how to kick a football so i dont think he will be offering either of those anytime soon.

[burnley007]

Have I missed something here??

Why is there pages of discussion on Taylor, on transfer thread??

[claretonthecoast1882]

Not sure how we knocked it out of him given he often made some great runs down the left especially under Dyche but his end product is largely poor a bit like Vithinio on the other side. Shame they don’t have much time to practice.

Before we knocked it out of him he had 8 assists in 3 seasons at a lower level.