What else do we need for January?

utmp

utmp

Well-known member
Lyons and Rogers through the door now means we have two extra options for the upcoming fixtures. Suddenly things look much healthier. Assuming the rumoured Bowler return goes through, what else do we need this window to ensure we're competitive and ultimately retain our Championship status?

I'll start us off:

- a CB to replace Keogh (send Williams back and replace with another loan)
- a midfielder of (dare I say his name) the Brannagan mould

If we get those two I think we'll be looking well-placed, assuming we do get Bowler and keep all of our assets.

Not too much to ask surely??
 
Right back as Gabriel can't be relied on and Andy Lyons is an unknown. Maybe not a priority as Gabriel could get fit or Lyons could turn out to be decent.

Centre back and centre midfield are obvious ones.

Right winger - Bowler

Left back - they are all a bit average but again not a priority. Thomspon could make that position his if he cuts out the mistakes. Husband is ok but in a 4-3-3 we need attacking full backs who can overlap and provide space for the wingers.

If we do that, we will go from the worst squad in the Championship to maybe 5th worse and that's where we want to be.
 
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Lyons and Rogers are a decent start but neither are proven at Championship level. Obviously Bowler is and would he a huge lift for our fans. The single biggest issue all season has been the lack of control in the middle of the park. Way too often teams have played through us with ease and left our defence exposed. Whatever money we have leftover needs to be used to bring someone in who is going to resolve this. Our defence is OK but needs that little bit of extra protection and also someone who can take control when we are building from the back. We really need the former Coventry duo to unearth a gem or 2.
 
NewburyOne said:
Lyons and Rogers are a decent start but neither are proven at Championship level. Obviously Bowler is and would he a huge lift for our fans. The single biggest issue all season has been the lack of control in the middle of the park. Way too often teams have played through us with ease and left our defence exposed. Whatever money we have leftover needs to be used to bring someone in who is going to resolve this. Our defence is OK but needs that little bit of extra protection and also someone who can take control when we are building from the back. We really need the former Coventry duo to unearth a gem or 2.
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Yep, I also hope that the Coventry lads can make the difference. Dare I say it's looking OK so far?
As we discussed in the Armfield on Sunday, it's obvious to all that we desperately need the leader and ball winner /carrier/ passer to protect the defence. Also saves us giving the ball to Marv to lump it to their CB's.

But I think as well that a stronger midfield would also reduce the number of yellows and reds we've been getting (admittedly some due to poor or inconsistent refereeing).

The midfield hopefully won't have to chase shadows like they have done in the majority of games so far, and therefore the defence won't be rushed or panicked into challenges which give referees a decision to make in the first place, when teams break against us when they win the midfield battle.
 
I'm quite happy with Lyons and Rogers so far, although they'll both have to step up to the level, Bowler back would be fantastic. But, we have been crying out for a decent Championship standard midfielder, since the start of the season, this should be our first priority along with a Keogh type centre half.
Get these over the line and I'd be quite impressed. It would be then over to Michael Appleton to prove he can do the job of keeping us in this division.
 
Decent CB has to be our priority and ideally a striker but cannot see us getting anything this window that is better than what we have. If Bowler arrives get a few back from injury then it’s really just a main CB this season before a big clear out closed season
 
We need the same today as we did yesterday imo. A LB, an experienced central defender, a couple of midfielders (one of whom is a ball winner and both of whom are not forever on the treatment table) and a decent striker. It’s nice to have Rogers on board but we need experienced, non injury prone, proven Championship players to get us out of this mess.
 
TommyHutch said:
We need the same today as we did yesterday imo. A LB, an experienced central defender, a couple of midfielders (one of whom is a ball winner and both of whom are not forever on the treatment table) and a decent striker. It’s nice to have Rogers on board but we need experienced, non injury prone, proven Championship players to get us out of this mess.
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We are in the bottom three budgets in the division so third bottom is not exactly a mess. It's nature taking its course. Perhaps we should align expectations with reality and just support the team?
 
voyeur said:
We are in the bottom three budgets in the division so third bottom is not exactly a mess. It's nature taking its course. Perhaps we should align expectations with reality and just support the team?
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It’s mess enough for us to be relegated if we stay where we are, regardless of the budget. What the owner spends this window will determine what division we’ll be in next season.

And I do support the team, as everyone else on here does. We all have our own opinions.
 
TommyHutch said:
It’s mess enough for us to be relegated if we stay where we are, regardless of the budget. What the owner spends this window will determine what division we’ll be in next season.

And I do support the team, as everyone else on here does. We all have our own opinions.
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Yeah fair enough but it's good to stay real and accept where we are at and get behind the team and not chant or post angry shit at our own people cos we expect to outperform clubs with bigger budgets. I don't mean you. Lots do though.
 
We will see what the lads from Coventry are made of now. You can't credit them with Rogers or Bowler, they were both in the pipeline way before they arrived. So, if they are as good as their credentials we need an Andy Morrison type midfielder, an experienced centre back and a right back as I have no idea how far away Gabriel is for a return and we don't know if Lyon's is first team ready yet. We may also look for a Madine type who is more prolific and younger.
 
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hertfordseasider said:
We will see what the lads from Coventry are made of now. You can't credit them with Rogers or Bowler, they were both in the pipeline way before they arrived. So, if they are as good as their credentials we need an Andy Morrison type midfielder, an experienced centre back and a right back as I have no idea how far away Gabriel is for a return and we don't know if Lyon's is first team ready yet. We may also look for a Madine type who is more prolific and younger.
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Morrison and Madine types? Get Big Sam in too!
 
voyeur said:
Yeah fair enough but it's good to stay real and accept where we are at and get behind the team and not chant or post angry shit at our own people cos we expect to outperform clubs with bigger budgets. I don't mean you. Lots do though.
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I think that's the point

You have actually made it better than I've been trying for the last few days

Welcome back btw
 
NewburyOne said:
Lyons and Rogers are a decent start but neither are proven at Championship level. Obviously Bowler is and would he a huge lift for our fans. The single biggest issue all season has been the lack of control in the middle of the park. Way too often teams have played through us with ease and left our defence exposed. Whatever money we have leftover needs to be used to bring someone in who is going to resolve this. Our defence is OK but needs that little bit of extra protection and also someone who can take control when we are building from the back. We really need the former Coventry duo to unearth a gem or 2.
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Our defence isn't OK. We've shipped 38 goals and are poor at defending set pieces. A mobile, strong, robust, tough, good in the air Championship CH is a must for me.
 
I’m like a broken record I know but if we’d have signed nothing but 2 defensive midfielders we would be fine. All of the attackers we have included wingers have done well at one stage or another - yet all looked lost ever since we had Bridcutt or Connolly in the DM role.

In early season we were a typical middle table team - win some, lose some. As soon as we lost Gabriel and Bridcutt we had no DM options and our results have suffered ever since.

So yes, I’d love more flair options but can accept what we’ve got if there’s at least someone to win the frigging ball and cover the gaps left by the rest.
 
utmp said:
Lyons and Rogers through the door now means we have two extra options for the upcoming fixtures. Suddenly things look much healthier. Assuming the rumoured Bowler return goes through, what else do we need this window to ensure we're competitive and ultimately retain our Championship status?

I'll start us off:

- a CB to replace Keogh (send Williams back and replace with another loan)
- a midfielder of (dare I say his name) the Brannagan mould

If we get those two I think we'll be looking well-placed, assuming we do get Bowler and keep all of our assets.

Not too much to ask surely??
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How about Smiles, songs and lots of BEER
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
I think that's the point

You have actually made it better than I've been trying for the last few days

Welcome back btw
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Is this not little old Blackpool syndrome rearing it’s ugly head again… why can’t we dare to dream and want better… looks like too many fans are happy and satisfied with a relegation fight each year when we should be looking at upgraded players, managers and a betterment of the league position each season.
 
TANGERINETOWERPOWER said:
Is this not little old Blackpool syndrome rearing it’s ugly head again… why can’t we dare to dream and want better… looks like too many fans are happy and satisfied with a relegation fight each year when we should be looking at upgraded players, managers and a betterment of the league position each season.
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Not really

There is no reason why teams with small budgets can't challenge

Luton have been doing it for the last couple of seasons, similar crowds to us and a relatively small budget

For it to happen though everything has to be aligned and currently we are miles apart as a club and fanbase
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
Not really

There is no reason why teams with small budgets can't challenge

Luton have been doing it for the last couple of seasons, similar crowds to us and a relatively small budget

For it to happen though everything has to be aligned and currently we are miles apart as a club and fanbase
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That’s fair comment but I can guarantee you that Appleton is not aligned to a few of our players and Callum Wright won’t be the only one shown the door(personally I never thought he was anywhere near this level and I’m glad he’s gone)
 
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