January wishlist

[Darnhill Claret]

123EasyasBFC, just beat me to it.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

We have probably missed the boat on tough tackling centre mids given our position but we still need one. Any news of the Marseille link?

[Goliath]

I'd be surprised if we could get Wharton tbh. He's being linked with the big boys.

I think it might be a bit soon for the big boys to come in, theyll probably wait until summer. So it might be an opportunity for us if we went big on him, I imagine Berge would leave in Summer if we went down as well so we'd already have his replacement through the door.

[Darnhill Claret]

Will Massengo get a run out against Spurs?

[123EasyasBFC]

Don’t know about incomings but could definitely see potential in the below players leaving either on loan or perm this window

Muric
Egan Riley
Roberts
Ekdal
Massengo
Cork
Benson
Zaroury
Churlinov
Obafemi

[Darnhill Claret]

We'll never win the FA Cup this season if we get rid of too many from that list.

[DAVETHEVICAR]

Do you think we can beat Spurs ?

[vinrogue]

January wishlist, 3 league games with VAR in our favour and 9 points that would be my starter for 9 !

[CoolClaret]

My info is we tried hard all summer, that he wanted to have a pre-season under Poch initially then couldn’t be persuaded after the season started when he was on the bench. Looks like Chelsea want to sell him again now.

I don’t think it’s so much as we couldn’t get it done as he didn’t want to come. Fair enough, but we needed to move on in summer so I’m hoping we’ve identified other LB targets. As you said previously, Charlie (who I love) is OOC in summer

Yeah - not denying we didn’t try on this one! Just saying it’s a shame (for whatever reason) that he didn’t end up a Burnley player.

I’d hope that we give Chaz another 2 year deal and bring in a first choice left back, either this window or in the summer

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Knutsen with a big new broom

Centre mid

Striker

2 Centre backs

Left and right back

[Westleigh]

Knutsen with a big new broom

Centre mid

Striker

2 Centre backs

Left and right back

Cresswell seems to be out of favour at West Ham ,how about a crafty loan?.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Cresswell seems to be out of favour at West Ham ,how about a crafty loan?.

Not a bad shout, right back is more pressing though don’t rate either Vitinho or Roberts.

Would really like to see Ekdal get a league game and a Tarks type centre back. Must be one in world football.

[Cooclaret]

Not a bad shout, right back is more pressing though don’t rate either Vitinho or Roberts.

Would really like to see Ekdal get a league game and a Tarks type centre back. Must be one in world football.

I got pelters all last year for saying Roberts was bobbins.

[oswyclaret]

My wish,would be for this season to quickly come to an end!

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

I got pelters all last year for saying Roberts was bobbins.

We’ve had Trippier not so long ago so we know a good right back when we see one

[Westleigh]

Not a bad shout, right back is more pressing though don’t rate either Vitinho or Roberts.

Would really like to see Ekdal get a league game and a Tarks type centre back. Must be one in world football.

Would give us an option of Taylor playing centrehalf in an emergency.

[Westleigh]

Cresswell just warming up to come on for West Ham.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Would give us an option of Taylor playing centrehalf in an emergency.

Will be interesting to see if AFCON throws up any decent centre backs, there must be some better than what we have.

[Quickenthetempo]

Do you think we can beat Spurs ?

Why not?

No Son or Kane from recent defeats to them. No extreme pace and they have big injury problems.

[Goliath]

Ben Johnson right back at West Ham leaving on a free in the Summer. Would be an immediate upgrade on what we have currently

[Vegas Claret]

Do you think we can beat Spurs ?

with a stick ?

[Vegas Claret]

Yeah - not denying we didn’t try on this one! Just saying it’s a shame (for whatever reason) that he didn’t end up a Burnley player.

I’d hope that we give Chaz another 2 year deal and bring in a first choice left back, either this window or in the summer

Taylor will probably want a bigger contract than we would want to give him at his age (I might be completely wrong though!)

[Vegas Claret]

Doubtful we could get him but I wonder if we will try and get Sergio Gomez out of City on loan, left back, never seemingly plays for them

[summitclaret]

Doubtful we could get him but I wonder if we will try and get Sergio Gomez out of City on loan, left back, never seemingly plays for them

He's another winger in disguise and a midget, so it's defo a possibility.

[Bullabill]

We are missing THB's passing massively.

I'm so sorry, I didn't know he'd died.

[Goliath]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.belfa ... 5427.amp

Not seen it mentioned but we were linked to Trai Hume the Sunderland right back in December.

[Anthonini]

He's another winger in disguise and a midget, so it's defo a possibility.

We could use some technical ability in the back. Someone who can do an overlap and play a good ball in. Sergio Gómez is almost a playmaker in that aspect. We currently don't have a player like that in midfield nor in defence. And in our build up from the back players that can create danger out of nothing are crucial. Especially when you have guys like Odobert Koleosho Tresor Amdouni and Foster up front who can make those runs. We lack some spacial awareness and technique to reach them.

Another leftback I rate very highly is Maxim De Cuyper from Club Bruges. He played a great season for Westerlo together with Lyle Foster. Now he's doing well for Bruges and he's not called up yet for the national team. His great vision and crossing makes him score goals and deliver a bunch of assists. Comparable to a light version of Alexander Arnold. Seems like he's not out of our league if we act now before bigger teams become interested.

Tresor and Odobert would do well with and upcoming back that can actually play football. So far it's been quite poor with Vitinho and Taylor being incapable to play a decent ball in unless a lucky shot like the assist for Jay Rod by Charlie. The rest of them end up in the stands or in the opponent's feet.

When Foster Obafemi and Jay Rod are available I wouldn't spend money on another striker. A replacement for Berge and Brownhill however should be a higher priority as Cullen has proven to come short at this level. If Berge gets injured that will be a big problem.

A good offensive left back would make us so much more dangerous. Vitinho is a hard working lad who will keep improving and Roberts a good sub. Centrally we have good players with Ekdal Al Dakhil and Delcroix and Taylor as substitutions.

[Anthonini]

Has this been posted?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/soccernet. ... e.html/amp

Rumour about Paul Onuachu the tall striker that played together with Tresor at Genk. Would be a good weapon to have for us. He's huge and incredibly strong and fast enough to be dangerous on the counter as well. Technically decent too. A weapon at set pieces and great target for our wingers to feed. Measuring 2.01m. would be a good loan option for in case something happens to Foster again. I hate to start a game with Jay who's just not good or fast enough and lacks technical ability to trouble premier league defenders.

[Murger]

Absolutely zero chance we do any business with Southampton.

[Jakubs Tash]

I would rather we upgraded right back than got a new left back this window. Taylor is a very solid option at this level and can do a decent job for the second half of the season. A new right back would improve our side massively.

However, we probably need a back up left back or need to start succession planning at left back as Taylor is the only one we have and everything seems to point towards him leaving for free in the summer.

[Belgianclaret]

Phil Jones - man mountain and free agent...

[Woodleyclaret]

Ross Barkley seems to have conquered his issues and on a short deal at Luton.

[Spijed]

Phil Jones - man mountain and free agent...

But for injuries he looked like he'd become one of England's best centre halves in recent years.

[ecc]

AFCON will impact the window.

One name mentioned above is Nemanja Matic. He's had a pretty good season in a Rennes team that's struggling to match the performances of recent seasons. He'd be dreadfully slow but he knows how to play in front of defence and link the latter with midfield.

[Pickles]

Has this been posted?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/soccernet. ... e.html/amp

Rumour about Paul Onuachu the tall striker that played together with Tresor at Genk. Would be a good weapon to have for us. He's huge and incredibly strong and fast enough to be dangerous on the counter as well. Technically decent too. A weapon at set pieces and great target for our wingers to feed. Measuring 2.01m. would be a good loan option for in case something happens to Foster again. I hate to start a game with Jay who's just not good or fast enough and lacks technical ability to trouble premier league defenders.

This season's been bad enough; watching Brownhill hit the first man with a corner when there's a 6ft10 bloke in the box could tip me over the edge.

[Anthonini]

This season's been bad enough; watching Brownhill hit the first man with a corner when there's a 6ft10 bloke in the box could tip me over the edge.

Let Tresor take them please.

[Anthonini]

What about this lad?

https://youtu.be/FCikgHMqExA?si=qnvn3kuFKc3Nritk

Bradley Locko 21 yr old Frenchman. Seems athletic and fast. Good feet. Aggressive. The step up from Ligue 1 seems less hard than from the Championship or the Belgian Jupiler Pro League which is a difficult one.

[Cooclaret]

Phil Jones - man mountain and free agent...

I’d take him in a heartbeat

[Big Vinny K]

I’d take him in a heartbeat

To do what ?
When was the last time he kicked a ball ?

[Cooclaret]

To do what ?
When was the last time he kicked a ball ?

To defend. I’d imagine this morning, he’s a coach at Manchester United.

[Westleigh]

I’d take him in a heartbeat

Oh my goodness he’s an accident waiting to happen,plus every time we’d lose the Horse Botherers would be bleating about agent Jones,no thankyou.

[Big Vinny K]

To defend. I’d imagine this morning, he’s a coach at Manchester United.

Andy Farrell is a coach - shall we sign him too as I’m sure he’ll have kicked a ball this morning

[Cooclaret]

Andy Farrell is a coach - shall we sign him too as I’m sure he’ll have kicked a ball this morning

Don’t think those two are comparable.

[Big Vinny K]

Don’t think those two are comparable.

You started it !

[lucs86]

I'd try and get Elneny on loan off Arsenal, always rated him, hardly used by Arteta, OOC in summer so could do with a few months in the shop window. Just gone AFCON though.

[boyyanno]

We could use some technical ability in the back. Someone who can do an overlap and play a good ball in. Sergio Gómez is almost a playmaker in that aspect. We currently don't have a player like that in midfield nor in defence. And in our build up from the back players that can create danger out of nothing are crucial. Especially when you have guys like Odobert Koleosho Tresor Amdouni and Foster up front who can make those runs. We lack some spacial awareness and technique to reach them.

Another leftback I rate very highly is Maxim De Cuyper from Club Bruges. He played a great season for Westerlo together with Lyle Foster. Now he's doing well for Bruges and he's not called up yet for the national team. His great vision and crossing makes him score goals and deliver a bunch of assists. Comparable to a light version of Alexander Arnold. Seems like he's not out of our league if we act now before bigger teams become interested.

Tresor and Odobert would do well with and upcoming back that can actually play football. So far it's been quite poor with Vitinho and Taylor being incapable to play a decent ball in unless a lucky shot like the assist for Jay Rod by Charlie. The rest of them end up in the stands or in the opponent's feet.

When Foster Obafemi and Jay Rod are available I wouldn't spend money on another striker. A replacement for Berge and Brownhill however should be a higher priority as Cullen has proven to come short at this level. If Berge gets injured that will be a big problem.

A good offensive left back would make us so much more dangerous. Vitinho is a hard working lad who will keep improving and Roberts a good sub. Centrally we have good players with Ekdal Al Dakhil and Delcroix and Taylor as substitutions.

I think Sergio Gomez would be fantastic for us if we could get him on loan but it's unlikely.

We need the following to really kick on in my opinion:

RB - Roberts to leave and a new RB in
CB - Experienced/Solid centre half to pair up and help bring on the likes of Beyer/O'Shea.
LB - New left back required, Taylor to back up LB and CH and Delcroix to make an exit.
CM - Specialised CM who can partner Berge. Brownhill to stay and support the squad.
ST - New ST to replace Rodriguez.

I think that represents another spend of at least 50m+ but I actually think we could take a massive shift forward as a team if we got those positions right.

[RVclaret]

Another leftback I rate very highly is Maxim De Cuyper from Club Bruges. He played a great season for Westerlo together with Lyle Foster. Now he's doing well for Bruges and he's not called up yet for the national team. His great vision and crossing makes him score goals and deliver a bunch of assists. Comparable to a light version of Alexander Arnold. Seems like he's not out of our league if we act now before bigger teams become interested.

Tresor and Odobert would do well with and upcoming back that can actually play football. So far it's been quite poor with Vitinho and Taylor being incapable to play a decent ball in unless a lucky shot like the assist for Jay Rod by Charlie. The rest of them end up in the stands or in the opponent's feet.

A good offensive left back would make us so much more dangerous. Vitinho is a hard working lad who will keep improving and Roberts a good sub. Centrally we have good players with Ekdal Al Dakhil and Delcroix and Taylor as substitutions.

Completely agree with your assessment on our full backs lacking the necessary ball playing ability / skill to progress our play and create. I find Vitinho very frustrating with his non-existent end product. Taylor has been okay but again very limited in that sense and his one footed-ness is a hindrance when playing out.

I’m also hoping De Cuyper is a target, looks an excellent talent, probably be talking over £10m though.

[CoolClaret]

Yeah think fullbacks should be the primary focus now (well, I thought they were in summer in all honesty )

I still have faith in Vitinho improving and absolutely want him in the squad. That versatility he offers can't be understated - perfect for the bench.

De Cuyper looks interesting... I'd definitely like a player in that mould anyway -

I'm still keen on the idea of moving Beyer to right back and having O'Shea & Ekdal or another centre half in there - I think Beyer would be suited for a fullback role that can sit in a three if needed, perhaps not the type to bomb up and down the wing but I think he'd be good in there.

[RVclaret]

Yeah think fullbacks should be the primary focus now (well, I thought they were in summer in all honesty )

I still have faith in Vitinho improving and absolutely want him in the squad. That versatility he offers can't be understated - perfect for the bench.

De Cuyper looks interesting... I'd definitely like a player in that mould anyway -

I'm still keen on the idea of moving Beyer to right back and having O'Shea & Ekdal or another centre half in there - I think Beyer would be suited for a fullback role that can sit in a three if needed, perhaps not the type to bomb up and down the wing but I think he'd be good in there.

Agree on Beyer. Gets more physicality / height into the team at cb, can still utilise his dribbling ability and is a better defender than some of the others there. Only problem is he’s now injured as is Ekdal!

[Anthonini]

I think Sergio Gomez would be fantastic for us if we could get him on loan but it's unlikely.

We need the following to really kick on in my opinion:

RB - Roberts to leave and a new RB in
CB - Experienced/Solid centre half to pair up and help bring on the likes of Beyer/O'Shea.
LB - New left back required, Taylor to back up LB and CH and Delcroix to make an exit.
CM - Specialised CM who can partner Berge. Brownhill to stay and support the squad.
ST - New ST to replace Rodriguez.

I think that represents another spend of at least 50m+ but I actually think we could take a massive shift forward as a team if we got those positions right.

True though I do appreciate Vitinho's work ethic and he seems to have the engine to keep going. Offensively he's also progressing though his crosses still are far away from what it should be. Do like how he overlaps and participates in play.

Delcroix is better than what we've seen so far. He's still feeling the pressure of playing at a world stage against actual top players. You can see he's struggling a bit. When he played at Anderlecht he's been man of the match alot of times and he is usually very comfortable on the ball. Still hope he can step it up a notch and forget about the stress. Just play his game.

I do agree if you just know him since his Burnley move he's been very poor. I feel for the lad. Also think his knee injury is/was still bothering him. He looks slow which is unusual for him.

But in all fairness Beyer has also looked dodgy at times... Now Delcroix can get a few games to prove himself a useful member of the squad.