January transfer window rumours.

[boatshed bill]

The Charlie Taylor that is out for next month or more leaving us with no left back whatsoever?

Delcroix?

[Jakubs Tash]

The Charlie Taylor that is out for next month or more leaving us with no left back whatsoever?

Delcroix, Al Dakhil, Roberts and Vitinho have all played left back. Wouldn’t shock me if he tried Esteve there either.

Not all great options (just like right back) but they are options.

If Taylor is fit, he is hands down our best full back.

[Goliath]

We have 1 option at left back

2-4 options at right back.

It’s obvious that left back is more of a priority

Im not sure how else i can respond to this. You seem to be going in circles. We dont have a right back of the necessary standard. Quality over quantity please.

[Goliath]

i'd have liked a strong defensive midfielder, but you can't always get what you want.

Berge has been excellent in that role for the most part. If he can fix his blips in concentration he will go to a bigger club than us

[Holtyclaret]

Delcroix, Al Dakhil, Roberts and Vitinho have all played left back. Wouldn’t shock me if he tried Esteve there either.

Not all great options (just like right back) but they are options.

If Taylor is fit, he is hands down our best full back.

Call me old fashioned but I’d think we need a left back at left back than continue our struggles with putting centre halves, right back or utility right footer in that position.

Taylor isn’t fit and won’t be for a while.

[Holtyclaret]

Delcroix?

Very much a left sided cb than lb it appears.

[Jakubs Tash]

Call me old fashioned but I’d think we need a left back at left back than continue our struggles with putting centre halves, right back or utility right footer in that position.

Taylor isn’t fit and won’t be for a while.

I agree. I’d also like to see a proper right full back playing on the other side - call me old fashioned but preferably one who is up to it at this level.

[bumba]

Delcroix, Al Dakhil, Roberts and Vitinho have all played left back. Wouldn’t shock me if he tried Esteve there either.

Not all great options (just like right back) but they are options.

If Taylor is fit, he is hands down our best full back.

Al Dakhil was an absolute waste at left back, we should NEVER try that again

[Murger]

I can only echo what’s been said above. The lack of links for a full back are worrying. We are desperately lacking on both sides.

[Holtyclaret]

I agree. I’d also like to see a proper right full back playing on the other side - call me old fashioned but preferably one who is up to it at this level.

If vk wanted a ‘proper rb’ Roberts would be starting each game from what we have, an improving Vitinhio offers more of the other aspects vk wants from a full back. Hence why he plays.

Certainly an area that will improved on at some stage you’d expect.

[ksrclaret]

I'd be saving the money this window and certainly not committing to another loan with a requirement to buy situation after the Tresor disaster.

[Down_Rover]

Maxime Esteve, centre half from Montpellier apparently close

[gandhisflipflop]

Im not sure how else i can respond to this. You seem to be going in circles. We dont have a right back of the necessary standard. Quality over quantity please.

I understand that the right back position is weak in quality, but when you have 1 out and out left back at the club who up until this season hasn’t had a sniff at left back under this manager, then prioritising a rb over a lb would be nothing short of negligent

[gandhisflipflop]

I'd be saving the money this window and certainly not committing to another loan with a requirement to buy situation after the Tresor disaster.

Tresor isn’t a disaster, like foster did, he needs time to settle.

[ksrclaret]

Tresor isn’t a disaster, like foster did, he needs time to settle.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree there.

I was fully supportive of Foster in the Championship last season because I could see he wanted it and was trying.

[Westleigh]

Tresor isn’t a disaster, like foster did, he needs time to settle.

The big difference is that Foster wasn’t 100% match fit less season,but still ran his guts out ,Tresor strolls about ,and doesn’t even raise a sweat.

[Jakubs Tash]

If vk wanted a ‘proper rb’ Roberts would be starting each game from what we have, an improving Vitinhio offers more of the other aspects vk wants from a full back. Hence why he plays.

What, exactly, does he offer? How does he offer more than Roberts?

Is it how weak he is defensively? How he cowers away from diagonal balls and ducks out of the way? Is it how he fails to keep the ball well and often looks like he can’t play simple passes? Is it for all the chances he creates in the final third due to his ice cold composure? Is it for his ‘step over’ when he’s skinning their full back with his electric pace? Maybe it’s for his ‘long’ throw?

[Pickles]

If vk wanted a ‘proper rb’ Roberts would be starting each game from what we have, an improving Vitinhio offers more of the other aspects vk wants from a full back. Hence why he plays.

Certainly an area that will improved on at some stage you’d expect.

Roberts is miles and miles the better player in my opinion. And he offers more of what Kompany wants (or wanted) in a right back. Kompany said so much last season. Roberts has shown he can tuck in to make a back three but also bomb on.

But obviously, Vitinho is playing so something must be there which I'm not seeing.

I don't rate Vitinho. I hope he got his agent so many Xmas presents, he's still opening them now at the end of Jan.

[boyyanno]

What, exactly, does he offer? How does he offer more than Roberts?

Is it how weak he is defensively? How he cowers away from diagonal balls and ducks out of the way? Is it how he fails to keep the ball well and often looks like he can’t play simple passes? Is it for all the chances he creates in the final third due to his ice cold composure? Is it for his ‘step over’ when he’s skinning their full back with his electric pace? Maybe it’s for his ‘long’ throw?

Kompany clearly thinks he offers more or he wouldn't play him.

I'd argue Roberts just isn't good enough for this level. I've seen the good the bad and the ugly from Vitinho, but I think in some ways he is a much better fit as a full back for this system and that's why I think he starts. He covers a good bit of distance, and importantly can go on the inside or out (which is somthing we need in the LB area). I also think he's improved a little bit. I do think we need a new RB and LB, but I'm happy for Vitinho to stay and support and Roberts to go.

[boyyanno]

What, exactly, does he offer? How does he offer more than Roberts?

Is it how weak he is defensively? How he cowers away from diagonal balls and ducks out of the way? Is it how he fails to keep the ball well and often looks like he can’t play simple passes? Is it for all the chances he creates in the final third due to his ice cold composure? Is it for his ‘step over’ when he’s skinning their full back with his electric pace? Maybe it’s for his ‘long’ throw?

And to be honest anyone posting this kind of derogatory nonsense (or liking it) about a young lad trying his best, who helped us to gain promotion last year, might as well do one. You're not a fan.

Blackburn will enjoy having you.

[Holtyclaret]

What, exactly, does he offer? How does he offer more than Roberts?

Is it how weak he is defensively? How he cowers away from diagonal balls and ducks out of the way? Is it how he fails to keep the ball well and often looks like he can’t play simple passes? Is it for all the chances he creates in the final third due to his ice cold composure? Is it for his ‘step over’ when he’s skinning their full back with his electric pace? Maybe it’s for his ‘long’ throw?

I get it, you don’t rate him. I think he’s improving and we have Roberts as back up and O’Shea and Beyer as well as others providing further back up.

Hence why I was saying lb was a tad more urgent than rb. Either way we’ll certainly have new full backs by the start of next season if not the end of this window.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

If we don’t sign a new right back it will be almost negligent. Neither of the two we’ve got are remotely near good enough for this level.

[Goody1975]

Our left is good enough but there is zero cover, our right back isn't good enough but there is cover. Our left back may or may not be injured.

This should have been sorted in the summer, we can't possibly integrate two full backs at short notice and expect them to succeed.

It's a mess.

[Jakubs Tash]

And to be honest anyone posting this kind of derogatory nonsense (or liking it) about a young lad trying his best, who helped us to gain promotion last year, might as well do one. You're not a fan.

Blackburn will enjoy having you.

Oh….I’m upset now. You have really put me in my place. I’ll hand my season ticket back in tomorrow and start supporting Blackburn Rovers.

[Mixedkompany]

It’s the job of the manager to get players and cover in all positions. That went badly wrong in the close season. Now we have talk of players that do or don’t fit the ‘system’. Who should play where. The fact is the ‘system’ isn’t working and we are bottom of the league and going down.
To get back on topic. It’s incredible that the board are giving VK big money in January when he’s squandered so much in the close season.

[yatesybase]

Just been inserted in tomorrow's Arrivals at Manchester Airport.

Looks like the signing is on !!

[NewClaret]

Just been inserted in tomorrow's Arrivals at Manchester Airport.

Looks like the signing is on !!

Haha, it’s not a transfer window without some plane tracking

[NewClaret]

Our left is good enough but there is zero cover, our right back isn't good enough but there is cover. Our left back may or may not be injured.

This should have been sorted in the summer, we can't possibly integrate two full backs at short notice and expect them to succeed.

It's a mess.

I agree with your first paragraph.

I’m pretty certain we tried to sort both in the summer but weren’t able to. Clearly it’s better that we do it now than not at all.

[Westleigh]

Oh….I’m upset now. You have really put me in my place. I’ll hand my season ticket back in tomorrow and start supporting Blackburn Rovers.

The ultimate igmony you’ve been told to go and watch Rovers ,that saying hasn’t cropped up for a while,your not the great Messiah,your a very naughty boy.

[Tricky Trevor]

I keep reading names and I wouldn’t know if they are good enough or for the future but what I don’t see and what this side desperately lacks are leaders.
We came up with a young exciting team but behind them were Jack Cork, JRod, Ash Barnes, Charlie Taylor, Conor Roberts, Josh Brownhill. All either in the team, coming on to see out games or passing on their experience to the young lads. Only Brownhill plays, after Charlies’ injury, and it’s a whole new set up to coach.
We need a boss out there ordering players into position. Somebody they respect who will help stop the late goals we keep conceding.

[Swizzlestick]

I keep reading names and I wouldn’t know if they are good enough or for the future but what I don’t see and what this side desperately lacks are leaders.
We came up with a young exciting team but behind them were Jack Cork, JRod, Ash Barnes, Charlie Taylor, Conor Roberts, Josh Brownhill. All either in the team, coming on to see out games or passing on their experience to the young lads. Only Brownhill plays, after Charlies’ injury, and it’s a whole new set up to coach.
We need a boss out there ordering players into position. Somebody they respect who will help stop the late goals we keep conceding.

Well why isn’t Brownhill doing this? He’s the captain and you’ve called him out here as possessing leadership qualities. I don’t see it tbh. Ditto Taylor who strikes me as a pretty quiet player. Rodriguez and Roberts are in and working the squad. Dara O’Shea was captain of West Brom. I think the issue is a little deeper than just lacking leaders.

[Silkyskills1]

The ultimate igmony you’ve been told to go and watch Rovers ,that saying hasn’t cropped up for a while,your not the great Messiah,your a very naughty boy.

It's ignominy by the way. Vitinho is a poor player at this level. After the goalkeeper full back is probably the most important position in modern day football and he offers and provides little defensively and absolutely nothing attack wise. He's not that young; 25 in July. He does try hard but ultimately he's nowhere good enough for this level of football.

[claretlegend]

Sorry if already mentioned but is the deadline today?

[claretonthecoast1882]

Sorry if already mentioned but is the deadline today?

No tomorrow

[JohnDearyMe]

I keep reading names and I wouldn’t know if they are good enough or for the future but what I don’t see and what this side desperately lacks are leaders.
We came up with a young exciting team but behind them were Jack Cork, JRod, Ash Barnes, Charlie Taylor, Conor Roberts, Josh Brownhill. All either in the team, coming on to see out games or passing on their experience to the young lads. Only Brownhill plays, after Charlies’ injury, and it’s a whole new set up to coach.
We need a boss out there ordering players into position. Somebody they respect who will help stop the late goals we keep conceding.

That's my worry about next season in the Championship. I'm sure we will have some young talented individuals but there's a good chance we'll be without any of those senior pros and leaders

[Guller Bull]

Sorry if already mentioned but is the deadline today?

Tomorrow at midnight to align with the rest of Europe is what I heard.

[NewClaret]

Tomorrow at midnight to align with the rest of Europe is what I heard.

I might’ve started this off. I googled it a few weeks ago and it said 31st but seems that was wrong and it’s tomorrow. Apologies.

[123EasyasBFC]

Alcaraz at Southampton going to juventus on loan with option of 40m is another example of players at relegated clubs can still go for really high fees

[Westleigh]

I might’ve started this off. I googled it a few weeks ago and it said 31st but seems that was wrong and it’s tomorrow. Apologies.

Not 100% certain but they tend not to have deadline day when there a few Premier League fixtures,but I think on the odd occasions that hasn’t been so.

[NewClaret]

Alcaraz at Southampton going to juventus on loan with option of 40m is another example of players at relegated clubs can still go for really high fees

Very good point. And the fiddlers selling Wharton for £20m+

[Nori1958]

Not 100% certain but they tend not to have deadline day when there a few Premier League fixtures,but I think on the odd occasions that hasn’t been so.

We've played at least twice recently on deadline day, and there are games tomorrow

[claretonthecoast1882]

Very good point. And the fiddlers selling Wharton for £20m+

Seen a comment this morning that made me smile from one of theirs saying that Wharton shouldn't go to Palace of all clubs because of the play offs in 1989

[CrosspoolClarets]

Just been inserted in tomorrow's Arrivals at Manchester Airport.

Looks like the signing is on !!

In the air

Flight Radar 24

[Westleigh]

In the air

Flight Radar 24

As long as he’s no gambling debts.

[AGENT_CLARET]

In the air

Flight Radar 24

He lands at 10:40am

Medical in Manchester around 1

Invited to the City game tonight to watch his new team mates

And by 10pm tonight he'll be thinking WTF have I done

[burnley007]

He lands at 10:40am

Medical in Manchester around 1

Invited to the City game tonight to watch his new team mates

And by 10pm tonight he'll be thinking WTF have I done

Need to make sure he's signed the contract BEFORE watching that match!

[Andy_G]

He lands at 10:40am
Medical in Manchester around 1
Invited to the City game tonight to watch his new team mates
And by 10pm tonight he'll be thinking WTF have I done

He'll be thinking that by half time, if not sooner.

[claptrappers_union]

He lands at 10:40am

Medical in Manchester around 1

Invited to the City game tonight to watch his new team mates

And by 10pm tonight he'll be thinking WTF have I done

Take him to West Ham v Bournemouth in instead.

[Mixedkompany]

Transfer Deadline is 11pm 1st Feb

[Stockbrokerbelt]

All the negatives about Vitinho yet there is a right back playing for Liverpool who I would fancy skinning & cannot defend yet get rave reviews & plays for England. Perhaps VK will listen to the this boards experts & play one of his coaching staff there instead.