January transfers

[hallamblue]

Thought it might be good to have a thread for the January window guys. I couldn't see anything already started so if it's possible to make it a sticky thread thanks.


I'll kick off with a thought I had.

I wonder if we should convert Davis to a left winger or left side of midfield, and bring in an actual defensive minded left back?

We all know Lief is great with his crosses into the box etc but those duties seem to prevent him doing his defensive duties to the max.

[shabba]

I think Davies would work great if we played a 343 like we did at spurs. Otherwise we always seem open down that side when we play the usual 4-2-3-1

I’d like to see Enciso and Ferguson here from Brighton - likely both on loan but I think they would both fit perfect for us as a number 10 and a rotation striker respectively.

Hard to say what we need as I guess we could upgrade in alot of positions but getting players above what we have now won’t be easy given our likely small budget and low league position, loans might be key.

Can’t think who isn’t getting minutes but would add quality to our XI. I definitely feel we need a number ten, chaplins done ok, Omari is better out wide.

[Cabanas Blue]

Rules about loan players in the Premier League:
A club can only have two players on loan from other domestic clubs registered at the same time.
During the season, a club can only register a total of four players on loan from other domestic sides.
A club cannot loan more than one player from the same club during the same season12.
From July, teams may only have a maximum of seven players loaned in and seven loaned out at one time3.

We have Phillips from Man City on loan and Cajuste from Napoli so I think we can only have one more domestic loan.

[hallamblue]

Question is, which position would we look to.get a loan player in?

With Hirst / Delap likely to be both fit from Jan onwards, do we actually need to sign another striker, now? We have AH as 3rd striker if need be. Problem comes if either Hirst / Delap gets another serious injury.

[Charnwood]

We definitely need a RB as cover for Tuanzebe as even when he returns it’s highly unlikely he’ll manage every game. We could do with a Brandon Williams ( without the baggage) type player who can play at both LB & RB positions but these players are hard to find available.

In truth if neither Christian Walton or Cieran Slicker are good enough to dislodge Muric we probably need a new keeper but this maybe a hard to fill position with someone significantly better than what we have. Maybe we should be playing Walton or Slicker against Arsenal & Chelsea to find out.

Next most important position for me would be a striker. I don’t think Al Hamadi is up to leading the attack in the absence of Delap and Hurst. We’ll only know if Broadhead could offer emergency cover if he’s given a chance. I like the sound of Brighton’s Ferguson but can’t imagine they’d be prepared to release him although there’s talk of a big money move in January to either Man United or Fulham. Brighton value him at circa £50m so the chances of him coming to Town must be minimal.

TBH I think we’re going to struggle to get anyone better than what we have unless a top player currently sitting on a bench desperately wants some game time to put themselves in the shop window for a summer transfer or needs to get away from their current club for a short while. Kieran Tripoier comes to mind but again probably unrealistic and overly ambitious.

[shabba]

Well said, but regarding the right back - Johnson and Clarke are there too.

Striker is a must - Hirst can never stay fit and ideally we need better. I’d mean Ferguson would be on loan as I know he is in their long term plans, especially with Welback aging and often injured.

Anyone standing out in the championship?

[Blue Wilf]

Well said, but regarding the right back - Johnson and Clarke are there too.

Striker is a must - Hirst can never stay fit and ideally we need better. I’d mean Ferguson would be on loan as I know he is in their long term plans, especially with Welback aging and often injured.

Anyone standing out in the championship?

Maybe Latte Lath if that can be resurrected?

[ATB]

Well said, but regarding the right back - Johnson and Clarke are there too.

Striker is a must - Hirst can never stay fit and ideally we need better. I’d mean Ferguson would be on loan as I know he is in their long term plans, especially with Welback aging and often injured.

Anyone standing out in the championship?

Maybe Latte Lath if that can be resurrected?

I suggested Latte Lath on Reddit the other day and got slated for it for some reason. I think he could do a job

[ATB]

For me, I think we need the following:

CF - Delap cannot do it all on his own. Plain and simple. We need more options up front.

CAM - We need a prem quality #10. Chaplin has actually been the most impressive in the central role of anyone who has played central behind Delap. However, I think he'd be better as a sub. We desperately need someone who can split defenders open with a cutting pass. To me, the only player who looks like being able to do that is Cajuste but he plays more defensively.

All in all, our main problem is not scoring enough goals. Our defensive record isn't actually that bad for a newly promoted team. Half our goals conceded have come from 4 of the 17 games. Take those 4 games out and we've only conceded 16 in 13 games (1.23 goals per game). That is ok by me.

We're not scoring because we're not creating enough chances. We are way to slow on the ball. I'd say Davis, Chaplin, Szmodics and Delap are the only ones who play with enough urgency consistently. Cajuste could potentially be thrown into the mix.

I will be very curious to see how we play with Phillips and Cajuste in the middle assuming that is what we'll start with against Arsenal. It's not really fair though to judge against such a quality opposition.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

I agree with Liz - Davies is not a good enough LB at PL level, and to my mind should never be included in a 4-2-3-1 line-up. He would be great as left sided midfield in a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2, but it seems that KM is unlikely to go down this route. Pity, but it emphasises what some of us are calling for, namely to play a system that suits the players we have rather than to expect them do do something they can't.

For me, our problem this coming window will not be to do with funding or of financial rules; simply that players of the quality we need are unlikely to want to come and play for us as things stand.

[marko69]

Very recently switched to Latte. Most places recently taking the pi$$ with the amount of frothed milk in the Cappuccinos. Bstds!

[hallamblue]

Well said, but regarding the right back - Johnson and Clarke are there too.

Striker is a must - Hirst can never stay fit and ideally we need better. I’d mean Ferguson would be on loan as I know he is in their long term plans, especially with Welback aging and often injured.

Anyone standing out in the championship?

Maybe Latte Lath if that can be resurrected?

I suggested Latte Lath on Reddit the other day and got slated for it for some reason. I think he could do a job

I'm not sure why you should be slated for that ATB, as we're definitely in for him in August and it was an all but done deal. FWIW, I'm expecting us to sign him in Jan.

[Bluemike]

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?

[Blue Wilf]

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?

No I never saw it but you do have to question why (having been caught out in the first minute several times this season), Davis was again too far up the pitch to be effective in defence within the first 26 seconds! Either he just did it or someone ?KM I presume), told him to push up Either way, that error set the scene for the whole game and then Muric error sealed the loss. That is what a few of us are questioning week in week out - I am getting fed up of it happening time and again and it is also (on this forum) causing issues between individuals. Some of us think it can be fixed with tactics - for me the last thing I would have said as they left the dressing room would have been 'keep it tight for the first 20 mins and feel your way into the game' but from their actions, it seems that the opposite was either said or decided by the players.

Chaplin kicking it straight into touch from the kick off didn't fill me with confidence either!

[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?

Aye that would be all the outstanding coaching talents that are on MOTD. Think McKenna is about to get exited after their analysis !
Davis has been caught out of position since the start of the season vs Liverpool. He can't defend at this level.
It also may be others not doing their jobs of covering his runs

[valleyroad]

I will be very curious to see how we play with Phillips and Cajuste in the middle assuming that is what we'll start with against Arsenal. It's not really fair though to judge against such a quality opposition.

I agree, i think it will be interesting if they click what McKenna does when Morsy is available again

[marko69]

Not stirring the pot at all here, but have cut Leif Davis some slack due to his VERY good performances further fwd....... But......, to add to your assessment, Valleyroad; he struggled to defend in the Championship as well. So that is more things to sort out in the "January War Room!"

[valleyroad]

Not stirring the pot at all here, but have given Leif Davis some slack due to his VERY good performances further fwd....... But......, to add to your assessment, Valleyroad; he struggled to defend in the Championship as well. So that is more things to sort out in the "January War Room!"

Good to see David Gray turning it around. Wonder if McKay as sporting director has helped him stay in a job.

[Bluemike]

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?

Aye that would be all the outstanding coaching talents that are on MOTD. Think McKenna is about to get exited after their analysis !
Davis has been caught out of position since the start of the season vs Liverpool. He can't defend at this level.
It also may be others not doing their jobs of covering his runs

Yes but was it said ?

[marko69]

Not stirring the pot at all here, but have given Leif Davis some slack due to his VERY good performances further fwd....... But......, to add to your assessment, Valleyroad; he struggled to defend in the Championship as well. So that is more things to sort out in the "January War Room!"

Good to see David Gray turning it around. Wonder if McKay as sporting director has helped him stay in a job.

Early days of the big “turn-a-round”, Valley but its been very good. The football has actually been decent.
Boxing Day @ Tiny Shitecastle will be HUGE! Its a pity they beat St Johnstone yesterday. Could’ve done with them being on a total downer.

[valleyroad]

I'm not convinced on Morsy. Not sure he has the legs for Premiership and one paced. Was all over the place against Newcastle but seems a bit untouchable but i'd be looking for more legs in Towns midfield. Phillips has it but isn't doing enough. Maybe need a new signing in midfield

[Blue Wilf]

I'm not convinced on Morsy. Not sure he has the legs for Premiership and one paced. Was all over the place against Newcastle but seems a bit untouchable ?

He is still the best we have in that position even though his legs will go eventually. Lets hope he keeps going for a while as Philips flatters to deceive, Cajuste has been mainly very good and Taylor OK when he comes on. Will be interesting to see who KM plays at Arsenal with Morsy out.

[Bluemike]

Without Morsy we'd be hammered every game, along with Delap our Two best players by far.

[valleyroad]

I'm not convinced on Morsy. Not sure he has the legs for Premiership and one paced. Was all over the place against Newcastle but seems a bit untouchable ?

He is still the best we have in that position even though his legs will go eventually. Lets hope he keeps going for a while as Philips flatters to deceive, Cajuste has been mainly very good and Taylor OK when he comes on. Will be interesting to see who KM plays at Arsenal with Morsy out.

Philips was class at Leeds and deserved his England position. Really don't know what the heck has gone wrong. I get why McKenna brought him in. If McKenna can get him near that level again then Town will have real option there. I always believe form is temporary, class is permanent so hopefully he can get there

I think he'll start Philips for his defensive ability against Arsenal

[Mauswara]

I'm not convinced on Morsy. Not sure he has the legs for Premiership and one paced. Was all over the place against Newcastle but seems a bit untouchable ?

He is still the best we have in that position even though his legs will go eventually. Lets hope he keeps going for a while as Philips flatters to deceive, Cajuste has been mainly very good and Taylor OK when he comes on. Will be interesting to see who KM plays at Arsenal with Morsy out.

Philips was class at Leeds and deserved his England position. Really don't know what the heck has gone wrong. I get why McKenna brought him in. If McKenna can get him near that level again then Town will have real option there. I always believe form is temporary, class is permanent so hopefully he can get there

I think he'll start Philips for his defensive ability against Arsenal

Will be interesting to see who gets the captain's armband.

[shabba]

Some good comments so far.

Suspect Burges or O’Shea will get the armband?

[mendipblue]

He is still the best we have in that position even though his legs will go eventually. Lets hope he keeps going for a while as Philips flatters to deceive, Cajuste has been mainly very good and Taylor OK when he comes on. Will be interesting to see who KM plays at Arsenal with Morsy out.

Philips was class at Leeds and deserved his England position. Really don't know what the heck has gone wrong. I get why McKenna brought him in. If McKenna can get him near that level again then Town will have real option there. I always believe form is temporary, class is permanent so hopefully he can get there

I think he'll start Philips for his defensive ability against Arsenal

Will be interesting to see who gets the captain's armband.

Right now I think KMck might give it to Muric 🫣 but don't worry he will ony drip it.

[Charnwood]

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?

Aye that would be all the outstanding coaching talents that are on MOTD. Think McKenna is about to get exited after their analysis !
Davis has been caught out of position since the start of the season vs Liverpool. He can't defend at this level.
It also may be others not doing their jobs of covering his runs

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 & Clarke are for me a bigger problem than Muric which is why I prioritised a 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.

[ashfordblue]

Aye that would be all the outstanding coaching talents that are on MOTD. Think McKenna is about to get exited after their analysis !
Davis has been caught out of position since the start of the season vs Liverpool. He can't defend at this level.
It also may be others not doing their jobs of covering his runs

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

[Bluemike]

Aye that would be all the outstanding coaching talents that are on MOTD. Think McKenna is about to get exited after their analysis !
Davis has been caught out of position since the start of the season vs Liverpool. He can't defend at this level.
It also may be others not doing their jobs of covering his runs

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 & Clarke are for me a bigger problem than Muric which is why I prioritised a 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.

Thank you Andy, its pretty much what we all know about Davis defensively then.