January Transfer window and beyond

[Morph]

Okay, so we've played about 10 games, and had at look at all the players we've got, although not enough of some (Gonzalez for example), so what would everyone like to realistically in regards of transfers in January and beyond.

Asside from the players we've sent out on loan, of which I'd only call back Carson, and trying to offload Diao, there isn't much dead weight left.

However:

If Carson comes back, I'd like to see us find a new home for Jerzy, seems a shame to see him on the bench, and he isn't going to get a game appart from maybe Carling Cup. Surely we could still get a million for him.

I'd also like to see Zenden shipped out, he's not good enough, and I think we need a good holding midfielder in his place, I think we should try to resolve this in January.

I'd also like to see another good right back come in, preferably in January and preferably Alves. Once this spot is filled, and if we could gain another CM, we would really have 2 players for each position then.

If Cisse comes good for Marseille, before christmas I think they have the option to complete the transfer in Jan, which is rumoured to be about 8 million. If Kirklands fit come Jan, Wigan have to take him off our hands for something like 2 mil and maybe another 1 mil from the sale of Jerzy, and that would give us 11mil, providing it hasn't already been spent, that would surely allow us to fill at least one of the positions I mentioned before.

I think then, we would have to hold out till the end of the season, to see the true quality of each of the players. Because although we are having a bit of a bad patch at the moment, I can't really see what other positions we could improve in. But the key 4 for me that need to perform are Bellamy, Pennant, Gonzalez and Reina, If they all come good, then would we really need to buy anyone next Summer?

[paulcooper4]

replacement for zenden and cover for finnan will do me nicely. as long as neill isnt the cover for finnan

[Rich]

Agree with what has been said, I don't think we'll do much in January, maybe look at replacing Zenden with a better (younger) player - Reo-Coker would be a good shout, if he could get him at a decent price. I think we'll also look at Neil (or somebody else that can cover both full back positions.)

Plus we might see a couple of loanees leave.

I'd guarantee now that Diao will still be on our payroll, come 1st February 2007!

[Howard_lfc]

replacement for zenden and cover for finnan will do me nicely. as long as neill isnt the cover for finnan

Alves is the man in january

[paulcooper4]

Agree with what has been said, I don't think we'll do much in January, maybe look at replacing Zenden with a better (younger) player - Reo-Coker would be a good shout, if he could get him at a decent price. I think we'll also look at Neil (or somebody else that can cover both full back positions.)

Plus we might see a couple of loanees leave.

I'd guarantee now that Diao will still be on our payroll, come 1st February 2007!

would be over the moon if we got reo-coker but although he looks like he wants to leave, dont think weve got the money unfortunately. might have to get a freebie from spain short term i reckon

[paulcooper4]

Alves is the man in january

I hope so like but doubt it financially you know summat?

[Morph]

Like I said, if the Cisse and Kirkland transfers come off, there's 10 mill, and we normally have about 6 mil to spend in Jan, so that's 16 mil, if wanted to blow it all on one player, we could get Alves, and then look for a very cheap cover option at CM if we really needed it.

[Bob]

We'll probably only bring one man in. In all likelihood we're looking at a RB.

However long term i'd like to go for another LB at the club. In Riise's absence we are woeful at the back. I can think of no better player than Philip Lahm.

[Howard_lfc]

I hope so like but doubt it financially you know summat?

I know we're fecked at RM with the options we've got - Gerrard apart.
But to answer your question - no lar.

[paulcooper4]

I know we're fecked at RM with the options we've got - Gerrard apart.
But to answer your question - no lar.

laffin lid

[mersey86]

I think Rafa has his squad now. The large scale rebuilding and tinkering should be more-or-less done. We should be patient and let this team develop - if Rafa's worth his long-term salt, they will. I hope we can now settle into a pattern of 1 (at most 2) signings per transfer period and let the current group take us forward.

[Moe Szyslak]

I think we'll get a new RB, probably be Neill and that'll be about it for January, maybe a bid for some promising youngster like Palleta might be on the cards (weren't we linked with some river plate striker by some of the less credible websites recently). Can't believe people are so keen to get a replacement for Zenden. For what he is, a fourth choice CM and an adequate backup for LW who seems happy with a squad role is an ideal squad player imo. Why would we want to buy the likes of Reo-Coker who would probably cost over £10m and would still only be a 4th choice for a CM spot is beyond me. The encouraging thing though is if we get a RB in Jan come the summer we won't have any holes in the squad and will hopefully splash out on one/two top quality players

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Dudek needs first team games so he needs to go. I'm looking forward to Scott Carson coming back from Charlton and pushing Reina next season.

Steve Finnan is 30, and we have no back-up. I'd rather see Micah Richards signed than Lucas Neill. I doubt we'll go back for Alves now.

Pennant, Bellamy and Zenden aren't good enough and Fowler won't be offered a new deal. I'd like to see Joey Barton or Kevin Nolan brought in to replace Zenden. Scott Parker would cost too much as would Steve Davis from Villa.

Kewell should be sold. I'd like to see us go after Aaron Lennon, who can play on either flank. Or Ashley Young at Watford. Perhaps we could get Ribery in return for Cisse.

And we need a fast centre forward who can score goals. David Villa would be ideal.

[Morph]

that seems like a hefty bit of rebuilding considering most think Rafa's nearly completed his squad. I agree with you on the RB and CM roles, don't think Barton or Nolan are good enough though. Fowler will probly be done by the end of this season, but unless we offload another striker, I don't see us going in for another one, when we will have 3 able strikers on the books (providing Bellamy does the business) and some in the reserves.

Think we need to give the likes of Pennant, Bellamy and even Kewell till the end of the season before making judgements on if they should go. I agree about lennon coming in tho, should we get rid of one or two of our wide men.

[mersey86]

Pennant, Bellamy and Zenden aren't good enough and Fowler won't be offered a new deal.

Surely its too early to write off Pennant and Bellamy. I agree on Zenden and Fowler, though. Hopefully our youth players will come through to fill in some of the needs.