I demand the finest January signings. I demand them here and I demand them now.

[SummerOnions]

Yeah, someone like Kelly, Wisdom or Flanagan.

2 of them are CBs though. I want to find Johnsons replacement and bed him in before we sell Johnson

 

[Spionkop69]

I agree in prinicipal, but I don't like the idea of bringing on a player who's new to the league to replace someone who's been doing well (Lucas , Allen).
Especially mid season. I mean to get M'vila up to speed and in shape (off season in Russia currently) is a big risk.
I wouldn't mind strenghtening the team, especially if we're playing in Europe next season but we're fine in the midfield department for now.
Signing an attacker (winger, offensive midfielder, striker) is less of a risk. Just look at our bench.
I don't know if it makes any sense to you.

So in other words, sign a player for a position that we don't actually need! Ignore all the issues, and just buy a new flair player. Of course that's not a risk!

Obviously if a high quality player in that area who can improve the first team is available and buying him does not detract from the actual areas we need to strengthen, then get him.

People keep looking at Chelsea and City's bench and then look at ours. Of course they're not comparable, they've spent large amounts of money on individual high profile players over a period. We on the other hand have kept spending middle and low amounts on players who are stop gaps, or for the future or big money on a couple of players who've not yet made the desired impact.

Of course we should aspire to have the same quality but we can't just change that overnight, especially not with the way we've wasted money in previous windows.

 

[Rosco]

We have 4 central midfielders. We need 3.

That leaves us with almost no cover. .

I was going to say what about Alberto but he couldn't last more than 45 mins against lower league opposition.

I think it's as simple as what you've said above, if we're going to play three of our CM's in every game we need more than four of them.

 

[SummerOnions]

Coutinho has dropped into the middle 3 before

 

[FoxForceFive]

I was going to say what about Alberto but he couldn't last more than 45 mins against lower league opposition.

I think it's as simple as what you've said above, if we're going to play three of our CM's in every game we need more than four of them.

Yep. When Gerrard was injured & Henderson was a doubt my first thought was that we'd be lucky to get draws in each game until one was back.

 

[Modo]

So in other words, sign a player for a position that we don't actually need! Ignore all the issues, and just buy a new flair player. Of course that's not a risk!

Obviously if a high quality player in that area who can improve the first team is available and buying him does not detract from the actual areas we need to strengthen, then get him.

People keep looking at Chelsea and City's bench and then look at ours. Of course they're not comparable, they've spent large amounts of money on individual high profile players over a period. We on the other hand have kept spending middle and low amounts on players who are stop gaps, or for the future or big money on a couple of players who've not yet made the desired impact.

Of course we should aspire to have the same quality but we can't just change that overnight, especially not with the way we've wasted money in previous windows.

OK, but let's say for the sake of argument that we've got a fully fit squad, no injuries. Who do we bring on if we need a goal and Coutinho, Sturridge and Suarez are on the pitch?
Currently our options are Sterling, Moses, Alberto and Aspas?

Is that good enough?

 

[Spionkop69]

OK, but let's say for the sake of argument that we've got a fully fit squad, no injuries. Who do we bring on if we need a goal and Coutinho, Sturridge and Suarez are on the pitch?
Currently our options are Sterling, Moses, Alberto and Aspas?

Is that good enough?

Of course not. But they are performing and producing one of our best seasons for goals scored. At the other end however....

I'm not saying you're wrong, I just think a rejig of the priorities is there.

 

[Modo]

Of course not. But they are performing and producing one of our best seasons for goals scored. At the other end however....

I'm not saying you're wrong, I just think a rejig of the priorities is there.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, but atm I'd rather take an injury to one our midfielders than one of our front three.

 

[juniormember]

This is a really top class post from 2 months ago that's worth reading again - http://www.sixcrazyminutes.com/inde...-to-strengthen-in-january.39924/#post-1017691

(I'd take a left back though)

Have a look at all the United sides that have won the title over the last 10-15 years; they've all succeeded due to the consistency the same team has been allowed to accrue over the course of a 9 month season, and Ferguson never ever went and bought someone in January to supplement that. Certainly not anyone who markedly replaced the structure or fabric of the team.

He brought in the likes of Larsson, Evra, Vidic, Saha, Forlan, etc in the winter and they all went straight into the team.
Some had instant impact, others didn't, regardless he did bring players in during that period.
As you say, the players weren't to change the 'structure or fabric of the team' (well maybe Forlan was?), but that's also not what we're looking to do either.

Our fullbacks are currently shit. Let's bring one in that can play better. Gerrard's looking like he's going to play deep. Let's get a player to replace Lucas playing further forward, who can compete with both Henderson and Allen (who's been out for an extended period 2 seasons running now).
Just a bit of improvement to ensure we get back into the CL. Our team is not good enough yet and can be improved upon without changing the fundamental tactics and strategy. I shudder to think where we'd be if Suarez had gotten injured this season.

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

That Daily Fail article says Rodgers is wanting centre back, imagine that, Rodgers goes out and buys a 10/12 million quid centre back lol, the Daily Mail hasn't got a clue, it never has.

 

[irishred]

Without spending a penny in transfer fees, albeit selling our soul, this summer we could have this, but in saying that our freebies usually end up duds anyway.

------------------------------Mignolet----------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------Vidic/Terry-----Sakho---------------------------
---Montoya------------------------------Cole/Evra/Caner Erkin--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------Pirlo------------------------------------
-----------------Gerrard/Allen--------Henderson-------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------Coutinho/Sterling-----------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------Suarez-----------------------
----------------------------Sturridge------------------------------------


GK Ochoa/Akinfeev instead of Jones
Fullbacks Kelly, Flanagan, McLaughlin
Centre backs Musacchio, Toure, Ilori, Wisdom
Centre Midfielders Raul Garcia, Fernando (Porto), Blaise Matuidi
Wingers Thomas Ince, Luis Alberto, Assaidi, Ibe, Suso, Joao Teixeira
Strikers Sinclair, Yesil

Out Reina, Jones, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Coates, Enrique, Cissokho and Moses returned, Lucas, Aspas, Borini

 

[Modo]

Akinfeev, really? Russian first choice keeper become our backup? No chance.

 

[Ryan]

So when Modo says we don't need M'vila that's wrong but when Ryan says it, it's right?
Used the same explanation as well.

Maybe my opinion is held in higher regard, albeit through gritted teeth, than yours Modo?

I'd say that's what it is actually.

 

[Modo]

Maybe my opinion is held in higher regard, albeit through gritted teeth, than yours Modo?

I'd say that's what it is actually.

Reached that conclusion myself, sadly.