January Window

[Hipper]

I'd like us not to waste any money this winter. The players we have available have got us top of the league near the half way stage and there's only one side that have shown us up. In addition we seem to be still improving and some players are still missing and when fit could enhance the squad even further.

Let's keep the money for when we need it, in the summer.

[Ampth7]

Interesting to see if Tella stays with us in January. I have a horrible feeling that Saints new manager may want to recall him. Twine and Churlinov coming back might negate this potential problem but it may force VK into looking for another forward again.
Think he might reach out to a few young and talented prospects from his knowledge abroad, but only if the price is right, which it rarely is in January.
Having 3 of 4 defenders playing as loans concerns me for next season regardless of which division we are in, so could there be some movement there?

[Paul Waine]

We've got Ashley Westwood, Scott Twine and Darko Churlinov all recovering from injuries. That's better than 3 new signings. We've also got Wout Weghorst finishing his loan in summer. Maybe he is available for recall, especially if Nathan Tella is recalled by his club. Anyone doubting Wout Weghorst needs to understand that Belgian and Dutch nations are very close. Vincent Kompany maybe best placed to get the very best from Wout. Culturally they will understand each other.

Then there's our two loanee centre halves. We need to be thinking ahead to next season. Do we have buy options? Can we plan/negotiate these? How are the other defenders we signed in summer progressing?

We need to be thinking ahead to next season. Based on this season we will be back in the Premier League. How many of this season's squad will be ready for Premier League? Do we need some players in now to plan for this step up, or does all this wait until summer?

I'm sure other posters will have made similar comments. (I've not read any of first two pages). I'm confident it's all in good hands, both Vincent Kompany and Alan Pace.

UTC

[Casper]

I'd like us not to waste any money this winter. The players we have available have got us top of the league near the half way stage and there's only one side that have shown us up. In addition we seem to be still improving and some players are still missing and when fit could enhance the squad even further.

Let's keep the money for when we need it, in the summer.

Players/prospects will be double the price after promotion.

[Ampth7]

Players/prospects will be double the price after promotion.

That’s a great point! This may already be the case based on our current form.

I always think that January is a sellers market owing to the fact that most clubs aren’t interested in selling assets at this time. Unless of course the bid is crazy mental usually because the buying club is desperate and have the money…. In other words Man U for the past 10 years.

[Cleveleys_claret]

Players will cost twice in the summer what they will in Jan if we are promoted. There's also the help having them bed in for 6 months which would help us long term.

I would also be hopeful players that were 'maybe's' because they were unsure how we would do, would look at what we have done so far and be encouraged to join us and the project VK and Pace are leading

[Cleveleys_claret]

Personally I would assess what we have now and what we will likely have come the end of the season. 25 players squad size.

We are now in the territory as VK has said that we will look to sell players when they at peak value to our model. I dont think its out of the realms of possibility that a 20 million pound offer for Brownhill will be accepted in the winter window. Twine to come in, Churlinov, and others that can play the role too as well as possible targets.

I am not adverse to this model as long as we replace and use the money wisely and possibly upgrade in other positions, such as allowing Long to leave then spreading out the cash received to fill that position too. Slowly getting rid of the players which don't fit into the model.

As shown in the summer, VK is not adverse to massive rebuilding jobs, and if we don't act in January I feel he would have another summer of this, not as big as this summers, but not far off, once loan players go back, OOC players leave, others that may not have proven themselves that have been brought in. Then as we know, get in the Prem and contracts start becoming more tiresome with length of times to actually get players to sign whilst agents are hawking them about similar clubs, often leaving it to last minute. We need to carry on the momentum of the summer and not take our foot off the pedal regards the rebuild

[NewClaret]

Players will cost twice in the summer what they will in Jan if we are promoted. There's also the help having them bed in for 6 months which would help us long term.

I would also be hopeful players that were 'maybe's' because they were unsure how we would do, would look at what we have done so far and be encouraged to join us and the project VK and Pace are leading

Agree about the promotion point. Although factor in the January premium and possibly equals out.

I’m not actually convinced we need anyone if Tella stays. I think we’re already in the situation we have highly experienced and very good players not even making our bench & we have Twine, Churlinov and Westy to come back in. Striker is the only one I can make a case for but Halil has looked good to me when he’s played + Twine May play a similar ish role. How many strikers can we have afford to have?

Incidentally, the strikers we were linked with in summer have not done much: Obafemi, Dovbyk and Mikautadze.

But if we are active, I’m hoping we’re now a more attractive/less risky prospect to players and our league position means teams are willing to do deals contingent on promotion, which means we should stand a chance of attracting some good players.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

We should try and make the loans permanent so we’re not doing a forest if and when we go up. Beyer would be my preference as it looks like thb is not doable along with Tella and Maatsen.

[MDWat]

Agree about the promotion point. Although factor in the January premium and possibly equals out.

I’m not actually convinced we need anyone if Tella stays. I think we’re already in the situation we have highly experienced and very good players not even making our bench & we have Twine, Churlinov and Westy to come back in. Striker is the only one I can make a case for but Halil has looked good to me when he’s played + Twine May play a similar ish role. How many strikers can we have afford to have?

Incidentally, the strikers we were linked with in summer have not done much: Obafemi, Dovbyk and Mikautadze.

But if we are active, I’m hoping we’re now a more attractive/less risky prospect to players and our league position means teams are willing to do deals contingent on promotion, which means we should stand a chance of attracting some good players.

Dovbyk has scored a bagful. Mikautadze got a brace at the weekend.

[NewClaret]

Dovbyk has scored a bagful. Mikautadze got a brace at the weekend.

Ah, 3 for Mikautadze at the weekend actually.

Dovbyk also got 3 recently which I’d missed and have really improved his stats. He has 9 in 12 actually, so maybe a bit harsh on him but like I say, flattered by a hatrick in one game.

[Clive 1960]

Get back in for the Swansea forward if we can agree a price if not wait until the summer and go with what we got and hope no injuries up top.

[Hipper]

Players/prospects will be double the price after promotion.

It is a fair point but also it's easier to attract players if you are actually promoted then if you maybe promoted. We could afford the higher wages then too.

I'm looking forward to the Man Utd game and hope VK put's his best team out (and for Man U to do the same) to see how we deal with the challenge.

[andyh]

I think our first team would murder Man U reserves but that is off topic. I can’t see us bringing in anyone that isn’t a bargain. We are top of the league. We have a fair few players to come back in and already have a strong bench. We could do with a better keeper and more experience in central defence but both area are not hugely weak and while you could argue it may have cost 6 -8 points in the first half I think sticking with what we have is the right thing to do from a morale standpoint.

[1882Clarets1882]

Whoever kompany may or may not have his eye on, you have to say that for any prospective signing our current league position and the admiration were receiving for our style of play under VK. Really does make us an attractive proposition. Fabulous stuff .

[Firthy]

Prospects in the pro league that are premier league material:

Duranville, 16 year old winger from Anderlecht who is already showing his ability at the highest level despite his age.
Mike Tresor, playmaker from Genk, most assists in the pro league and the next player for me who will make it in the premier league. His ball control and one vs one dribbling is top notch.
Paul Onuachu, very big center forward who bangs in the goals for fun. Top striker.

I think all we need in January is a striker who can score goals and won't get bullied by teams like Sheff Utd. Onuacho sounds ideal.

[Firthy]

Whoever kompany may or may not have his eye on, you have to say that for any prospective signing our current league position and the admiration were receiving for our style of play under VK. Really does make us an attractive proposition. Fabulous stuff .

Totally agree. I think any aspiring young player with promise who can't quite break into a Premier League team or is doing well in the lower divisions like Twine and O'Hare would want to come to us. VK has shown his style of football and that he's not afraid to play younger unproven players and rotate the squad round.

[burnley007]

Was there a message on Instagram last night between Maatsen and Tella and egging each other on to sign a contract with us??
My son forwarded it to me, but I'm not great at social media!!

[1882Clarets1882]

Totally agree. I think any aspiring young player with promise who can't quite break into a Premier League team or is doing well in the lower divisions like Twine and O'Hare would want to come to us. VK has shown his style of football and that he's not afraid to play younger unproven players and rotate the squad round.

A fabulous position for our club to be in. I doubt we'll be looking at another Crouch-style signing this window ! Lol

[AGENT_CLARET]

Was there a message on Instagram last night between Maatsen and Tella and egging each other on to sign a contract with us??
My son forwarded it to me, but I'm not great at social media!!

Screenshot_20221115-114805_Twitter.jpg (168.18 KiB) Viewed 3118 times

[burnley007]

There is definitely something building with these players. They clearly all get on. This is special.

[Bigvince]

Looks like Tella is getting a new phone

[Commy]

I read that one of them said if you sign I will.

[Firthy]

A fabulous position for our club to be in. I doubt we'll be looking at another Crouch-style signing this window ! Lol

Closest we'll come to that is Weghorst returning

[Bigvince]

Am I missing something? They belong to Chelsea and Southampton, what contracts?

[RVclaret]

Am I missing something? They belong to Chelsea and Southampton, what contracts?

Fans have been commenting on their instagram accounts all season telling them to sign contracts to stay here.

Tella must have then been joking with Maatsen as they both notice all the comments.

[Tricky Trevor]

I noticed on the sky comms Sunday they referred to VK having an eye on Zaroury for a couple of years and his name appearing on the clubs scouting system also. They got the deal done.
We need more gems where the stars align.

[1882Clarets1882]

Closest we'll come to that is Weghorst returning

Like it !

Hey , let's be honest if , and it's a big if, he did return and he did well for us, we're fickle football fans and we'd be cheering him to rafters and all would be forgiven !! Football eh !? Lol

[Roosterbooster]

I think all we need in January is a striker who can score goals and won't get bullied by teams like Sheff Utd. Onuacho sounds ideal.

Gyökeres would be top of my list

[KateR]

for me we should be looking for completely different players in Jan than we did in the summer, the idea surely must be assessments made with a view to bringing in players who will be playing in the EPL now not in the second tier, which as the summer objective.

Not saying those strikers mentioned couldn't make the step up but it's now a step into the unknown, for me I really like how VK & team have unearthed players from the continent that have played really well, are young. Surely with a view to playing EPL football next season it would be better to identify now players that can meet the needs and replace the loans if required, CB positions should be a priority, plus potential LB. I would love to see players identified in that way and who are out of contract identified with pre-contract agreements, provided we achieve EPL next season.

I also think Wout would fit in that category very well in this team, provided he is not a disruption and that will be VK's job to identify that or recommend we accept offers.

Not expecting to see much in terms of first team players arriving in Jan, however others at various level who are young and talented could be joining the academy, such as the Liverpool youngster identified, the ones for the future who meet the ownership strategy.

[claretandy]

A dominant centre-half to stop us being bullied.

[boatshed bill]

A dominant centre-half to stop us being bullied.

Yes, top of the league and victims of bullying.

[claretandy]

Yes, top of the league and victims of bullying.

We should be more than 10 points clear.

[MancunianClaret]

Interesting to see if Tella stays with us in January. I have a horrible feeling that Saints new manager may want to recall him. Twine and Churlinov coming back might negate this potential problem but it may force VK into looking for another forward again.
Think he might reach out to a few young and talented prospects from his knowledge abroad, but only if the price is right, which it rarely is in January.
Having 3 of 4 defenders playing as loans concerns me for next season regardless of which division we are in, so could there be some movement there?

Vydra is ready to start playing football again, he posted on Instagram earlier today about it - he'd be a sure bet if he can regain his fitness quickly.

[Ampth7]

Vydra is ready to start playing football again, he posted on Instagram earlier today about it - he'd be a sure bet if he can regain his fitness quickly.

I suspect not. That ship has sailed me thinks

[andyh]

Vydra isn’t good enough for this team.

[beddie]

It’s whatever VK decides for me. I liked Vydra, he was unlucky with few starts for us but getting him back may not be the right thing.

[MancunianClaret]

Vydra isn’t good enough for this team.

How do you know that? He scored 21 goals the last time he played a season in the championship.

[Vegas Claret]

Coventry about to be taken over by a local businessman apparently, probably puts to bed any sort of 'cheap' deal for O'Hare

[Ralphandwillie]

Assuming Westwood returns from injury showing the same form as before, who thinks our manager will select him?
I think of Lawton who has seems to be on the way out.

[Bosscat]

Assuming Westwood returns from injury showing the same form as before, who thinks our manager will select him?
I think of Lawton who has seems to be on the way out.

Whos Lawton

[Nori1958]

Yes, top of the league and victims of bullying.

Did you see Sheffield?
More teams will do that
Rovers fans are furious they didn't try it

[boatshed bill]

Did you see Sheffield?
More teams will do that
Rovers fans are furious they didn't try it

Yes, they may try, but they may not succeed.

[arise_sir_charge]

Did you see Sheffield?
More teams will do that
Rovers fans are furious they didn't try it

The thing is, they have to get the ball off us for a start and at the same time have the physical attributes to expose the weakness. Blackburn didn’t do it because they simply aren’t capable.

In fact, thus far only Sheff Utd have been and I believe that had the schedule not been so punishing the game would have played out much more like the first half and we’d have come out winners.

[LoveCurryPies]

If we are still top, we need to start creating a Premier League team.

[RVclaret]

The thing is, they have to get the ball off us for a start and at the same time have the physical attributes to expose the weakness. Blackburn didn’t do it because they simply aren’t capable.

In fact, thus far only Sheff Utd have been and I believe that had the schedule not been so punishing the game would have played out much more like the first half and we’d have come out winners.

Completely agree. We were also missing two key set piece defenders at Sheffield. Other teams have tried and failed, others have had moderate success (I can only think of Birmingham off the top of my head). Time will tell but the notion that every team can just copy Sheffield is a bizarre one.

[superdimitri]

Time will tell but the notion that every team can just copy Sheffield is a bizarre one.

It's very bizarre, the overreaction on here was crazy. According to some it was a mastermind to play that way against us and they'd played that way especially against us because of Muric not claiming balls.

That's just how they play against every team. Sure, we collapsed because we couldn't cope, but it was down to groundbreaking opposition tactics. They have a guy who can throw it well and they use that every game.

[Nori1958]

Completely agree. We were also missing two key set piece defenders at Sheffield. Other teams have tried and failed, others have had moderate success (I can only think of Birmingham off the top of my head). Time will tell but the notion that every team can just copy Sheffield is a bizarre one.

I never said every team....

I'd add WBA, Watford and Blackpool too your list

[Culmclaret]

We’ve lost TWO games in virtually half a season for god’s sake. This is a very competitive league and teams have been trying to bully us pretty much since the Huddersfield game……..

[andyh]

I can’t believe this “we need to build a new team for the PL” .

We are not playing FM. We haven’t the money. We have a great young team. Let’s build on that. Promotion now relegation next year and promotion the year after in many ways would be ideal.