January transfers

[Charnwood]

Yes but was it said ?

No it wasn’t said Mike. Alan Shearer said Eddie Howe had spotted a weakness down Ipswich’s left side of defence and exploited it over and over again and Ipswich were naive allowing Davis to push forward as much as he did. They blamed him for two of Newcastle’s four goals saying both times he was caught out of position too far upfield. (We all know it happens all the time).
Gary Lineker asked ghe pundits if they thought it was the coaches decision but the pundits said we don’t know that. They did however highlight Burgess bollocking him several times and said if they were Burgess they would be shouting at him too as they left him exposed and pulled out of position over and over again
They also said with only one clean sheet all season and no wins at home the last thing they need is a left back not doing his job defensively.

I guess the question is, even if he wasn’t doing it by instruction, if Eddie Howe could see it why couldn’t McKenna, and if he could why didn’t he pull him back.

I’ve been saying for weeks that Davis and Clarke are a bigger problem than Muric, which is why I prioritised an RB/LB in my January transfer needs. Better cover for Tuanzebe is a definite, as Clarke is worse than Davis, but Davis isn’t the defensive full-back we need if we want to keep a clean sheet. Davis is, however, our No 1 assist machine, so maybe he needs to be redeployed further upfield.

I for one would try urgently to get Ben Chilwell in from Chelsea he's the Natural LB we want, and a quality RB to cover Axel, definitely a new Keeper, I've had it with Muric is far too unreliable, Try Walton as he's got something to prove, and two more upfront players

I think Ben Chilwell is as good as nailed on going back to Leicester City.

[Charnwood]

I see this morning Al Hamadi is being linked with a move to Hull City. If there’s any foundation to that then we’re definitely bringing in a new striker to prop up our attack.

[Bluemike]

It will do him good, I actually rate Al-Hamadi so if it goes well we can then bring him back for another assault on the Championship.

[hallamblue]

Did anyone bother to watch MOTD ? Apparently I'm being told they slated Davis and said it was down to poor coaching? Any truth in that?

Ashley Barnes? Ex England LB said Davis was constantly out of position , even from ko he was on the edge of Newcastle box. We lost possession and Their RB had aches of space to just waltz into. This is not a lie is it. He said if he'd have been Cam Burgess ge would have been saying to Davis ," I want you here, alongside me"...Lineker said, "was it coaching"...Ashley said, I dont care what the viacges say, if i was the CB I'd want my LB in the LB position.

I think that's it in a nutshell. We often moan about Davis getting caught up field. So it must be coached in this all out attack philosophy from McKenna. So in this case I'd say MOTD pundits weren't wrong. McKenna does need to sort his tactics out I'm afraid.

[Bluemike]

That's along the lines of what I had heard elsewhere.

[valleyroad]

Did anyone bother to watch MOTD ? Apparently I'm being told they slated Davis and said it was down to poor coaching? Any truth in that?

Ashley Barnes? Ex England LB said Davis was constantly out of position , even from ko he was on the edge of Newcastle box. We lost possession and Their RB had aches of space to just waltz into. This is not a lie is it. He said if he'd have been Cam Burgess ge would have been saying to Davis ," I want you here, alongside me"...Lineker said, "was it coaching"...Ashley said, I dont care what the viacges say, if i was the CB I'd want my LB in the LB position.

I think that's it in a nutshell. We often moan about Davis getting caught up field. So it must be coached in this all out attack philosophy from McKenna. So in this case I'd say MOTD pundits weren't wrong. McKenna does need to sort his tactics out I'm afraid.

Ashley Williams ex Wales center back and well know tactician and successful manager like the rest of the MOTD pundits. There is a reason a good few of them are pundits.
I think McKenna's tactics are the right ones, get on the front foot and defend from the front. Town are not good enough to defend in depth in the PL, they will get ripped asunder.
There are others on here who believe differently, so be it. Its doesn't mean that those who think McKenna is correct think he is the messiah or can't get things wrong but who in general think he is doing the best he can with what he has at his disposal.

[mugen1]

Yes as that tactic is definitely working

[shabba]

Frankly if we finish above bottom we have over achieved.
I’ve said it so many times, we are so far behind other clubs in this league that we are going to struggle - KM and the squad are doing very well overall IMO.

[hallamblue]

Did anyone bother to watch MOTD ? Apparently I'm being told they slated Davis and said it was down to poor coaching? Any truth in that?

Ashley Barnes? Ex England LB said Davis was constantly out of position , even from ko he was on the edge of Newcastle box. We lost possession and Their RB had aches of space to just waltz into. This is not a lie is it. He said if he'd have been Cam Burgess ge would have been saying to Davis ," I want you here, alongside me"...Lineker said, "was it coaching"...Ashley said, I dont care what the viacges say, if i was the CB I'd want my LB in the LB position.

I think that's it in a nutshell. We often moan about Davis getting caught up field. So it must be coached in this all out attack philosophy from McKenna. So in this case I'd say MOTD pundits weren't wrong. McKenna does need to sort his tactics out I'm afraid.

Ashley Williams ex Wales center back and well know tactician and successful manager like the rest of the MOTD pundits. There is a reason a good few of them are pundits.
I think McKenna's tactics are the right ones, get on the front foot and defend from the front. Town are not good enough to defend in depth in the PL, they will get ripped asunder.
There are others on here who believe differently, so be it. Its doesn't mean that those who think McKenna is correct think he is the messiah or can't get things wrong but who in general think he is doing the best he can with what he has at his disposal.

Whilst Ive always believed in the approach of "attack is the best means of defence", sadly when we do lose possession, we are SO slow to adopt a defensive strategy. Especially at this level.

We are also very slow in our attack, and as much as it pains me to say it, I do wonder how much of this is down to our reliance on Morsey?

EVERYTHING goes through him from the build up out from the back to even the second phase of play. But bless him, he isn't the quickest. He gets by on pure desire and adrenalin, which can only last so long in a game.

Tbh I just don't know how he does it. He's fantastic. BUT looking forwards in our squad development ( and im pretty sure Ashton/ McKenna will be), whichever division we are in, we must upgrade our midfield somewhat.

[ITFC2024]

Yeah I’ve observed and commented on our midfield set up a few times. When we lose the ball in the oppositions half, we struggle to win the ball back and the defence is under immediate pressure over and over again. Add Davis being so far upfield, the defence is less a defender making it even more difficult.

KMs philosophy is great and I love attacking football, but you have to have players all over the pitch who can execute and contribute. We just get over run in midfield frequently and Muric’s ball distribution exasperates our dysfunctional playing out from the back strategy. Take away the silly goals we’ve gifted and I agree we’ve created chances to score and we’ve been competitive. None of that really matters though if you don’t finish those chances and concede soft goals…mostly from the opponents counter attacks because we can’t stop them in the midfield.

[ashfordblue]

Going by the look on Mark Ashton's face during and after the game on Saturday, it was a look of, "I've got to sort this mess out with KM in the January Window and get some strength in the back line." As it stands, we need an experienced LB player like Ben Chilwell or similar. As stated, I can't see Ben going back to Leicester ?? the way they're currently playing is relegation form.
But we have not got experienced and good enough players to cover for our current injury list if we can get a tune out of Ziyech on a free, to team up with Delap, Hutchinson, and Szmodics, will Axel and Greaves be back before the Arsenal and Chelsea games, we have to strengthen or die

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

As stated, I can't see Ben going back to Leicester ?? the way they're currently playing is relegation form.

and ours isn't???
Ash, your own logic has just confirmed that he will not want to come here either.

[hallamblue]

I suppose the only thing in our favour for player acquisition is McKenna. We shall see who we are after ......

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

I suppose the only thing in our favour for player acquisition is McKenna. We shall see who we are after ......

not sure about that, Liz - I think his reputation as a coach is diminishing with every defeat

[ashfordblue]

I suppose the only thing in our favour for player acquisition is McKenna. We shall see who we are after ......

Liz, I think we will see Latte Lath coming here in the window with Edmonson and possibly Jack Clarke going the other way Boro wants Edmonson in their back line he's playing well. also, I'm sure that MA will insist to KM a new keeper is a must, or will Walton get another chance, I'm sure it's going to be a fascinating and positive window

[hallamblue]

Probably a load of cobblers...but here ya go guys.

https://www.footballfancast.com/ipswich ... im-ziyech/

[ashfordblue]

Probably a load of cobblers...but here ya go guys.

https://www.footballfancast.com/ipswich ... im-ziyech/

Liz, He had a good career at Ajax but went to Chelsea and was a so-so player Why have Galatasaray torn his contract up??? he would be on a freebie but what sort of wages would he be on, there's plenty of ex prem players looking for an extra payday who's form is questionable, if he comes here I think Sam would either knock him into shape or out there would be no slacking if he does come here.
But it's a new keeper I would like to see here even Hladky was far better than Muric, and he's not getting much game time at Burnley, we need 2 new left and right full-backs urgently Clarke and Davis are both liabilities leaving miles of space for the opposition wingers to work in, I mean with Davis surely he must have learnt after 19 games that you can't just go charging up the wing and then getting caught out with the long ball, so that's why I would like to see Ben Chilwell here perhaps just Davis would learn something

[ashfordblue]

Probably a load of cobblers...but here ya go guys.

https://www.footballfancast.com/ipswich ... im-ziyech/

Liz, He had a good career at Ajax but went to Chelsea and was a so-so player Why have Galatasaray torn his contract up??? he would be on a freebie but what sort of wages would he be on, there's plenty of ex prem players looking for an extra payday who's form is questionable, if he comes here I think Sam would either knock him into shape or out there would be no slacking if he does come here.
But it's a new keeper I would like to see here even Hladky was far better than Muric, and he's not getting much game time at Burnley, we need 2 new left and right full-backs urgently Clarke and Davis are both liabilities leaving miles of space for the opposition wingers to work in, I mean with Davis surely he must have learnt after 19 games that you can't just go charging up the wing and then getting caught out with the long ball, so that's why I would like to see Ben Chilwell here perhaps Davis would learn something on how to be a sensible thinking wing back

[ashfordblue]

I also see that Tyrone Mings might be leaving Villa in the Jan window we could do with his experience in our centre back line, see if we can get a loan or just a small fee to sign him just a thought

[Cabanas Blue]

Always liked him but injury prone and on big wages I would think.

[hallamblue]

He's 32yrs old now isn't he? And 18/12 recovery time from his last injury. I'd say no myself now I think.

[Charnwood]

Probably a load of cobblers...but here ya go guys.

https://www.footballfancast.com/ipswich ... im-ziyech/

Liz, He had a good career at Ajax but went to Chelsea and was a so-so player Why have Galatasaray torn his contract up??? he would be on a freebie but what sort of wages would he be on, there's plenty of ex prem players looking for an extra payday who's form is questionable, if he comes here I think Sam would either knock him into shape or out there would be no slacking if he does come here.
But it's a new keeper I would like to see here even Hladky was far better than Muric, and he's not getting much game time at Burnley, we need 2 new left and right full-backs urgently Clarke and Davis are both liabilities leaving miles of space for the opposition wingers to work in, I mean with Davis surely he must have learnt after 19 games that you can't just go charging up the wing and then getting caught out with the long ball, so that's why I would like to see Ben Chilwell here perhaps just Davis would learn something

I’d like to see Ben Chilwell here too but I think the chances are do slim you can best forget it.

[Charnwood]

Within our budget constraints we’d probably be better off taking a second gamble on Brandon Williams on a match fee basis only hoping that between McKenna, Tuanzebe and a sports psychologist they can sort out him out and get him back on track. If we could do that we could benefit from both his ability and his potential increase in value if we got his contract right. Given how weak we are at the FB position I think it’s a gamble worth taking. I’m not sure it would be particularly costly and we could dispose of him at the first time of there being an issue.

[hallamblue]

I agree re Williams....

[Cabanas Blue]

Within our budget constraints we’d probably be better off taking a second gamble on Brandon Williams on a match fee basis only hoping that between McKenna, Tuanzebe and a sports psychologist they can sort out him out and get him back on track. If we could do that we could benefit from both his ability and his potential increase in value if we got his contract right. Given how weak we are at the FB position I think it’s a gamble worth taking. I’m not sure it would be particularly costly and we could dispose of him at the first time of there being an issue.

The problem might be getting him up to full match fitness how long would it take ? and hopefully Tuanzebe will be fit and up to speed by then also we have to think about the permitted number of players we are allowed when bringing any new signings in.

[ITFC2024]

BW good player, but too much baggage. I’d be surprised to see him wearing an ITFC shirt again, but you never know.

[Cabanas Blue]

Amar Dedic from Salzburg has been linked numerous times and continues to be rumoured almost daily, I know nothing about him, but imagine there's something in this link due to its unwillingness to die.

22 year old right back there might be something in it especially if Tuanzebe does not sign a new contract as he is out of contact in the summer.

[ashfordblue]

BW good player, but too much baggage. I’d be surprised to see him wearing an ITFC shirt again, but you never know.

Branden could teach Davis a thing or two about how to play as a left wingback, thing is is he spare ay the moment ???

[ashfordblue]

Amar Dedic from Salzburg has been linked numerous times and continues to be rumoured almost daily, I know nothing about him, but imagine there's something in this link due to its unwillingness to die.

22 year old right back there might be something in it especially if Tuanzebe does not sign a new contract as he is out of contact in the summer.

Trust me CB this lad Dedic is outstanding indeed, I doubt he would come here BUT he would certainly help out, a few Italian big boys are looking at him and others, but we will see it would be superb if he did come here

[Bluemike]

No thanks to BW, the blokes a complete tit and not the type of individual we need.