Right now, how do I view the squad and what does it need to take us into the playoffs. Even though most of our players are crap, there are a lot I like in terms of character. From where we are right now, regardless of how deserving our points total is, we do have an opportunity to get into the playoffs. This is a reality if we do the right thing in the market and make good choices. Hamer is a real bonus, as is Livermore and Kayembe. These are all low level players who have really excelled and have upped their games from previous clubs or previous seasons with us. These are players we can rely on, but I would like a number one keeper, a good rotational DMF, a creative or box-to-box midfielder and a target man striker. I think some players have not made the grade or not really what we need. Ince, Healey, Louza, Ngakia. Wouldn’t have a problem if we move them out and sign upgraded replacements. I actually like Bachmann, but can see we need a better keeper, even though his reactions are probably EPL level, the rest of his game is well below. We need a more rounded, experienced keeper, but who is younger than Hamer. Would like a target man striker in to replace Healey, and it would give Rajovic time to grow and improve his game, learning off a player like Keifer Moore would really help him. I like Morris too, but more as a character rather than a player. He’s ok as a number 3, but he’s getting too much game time right now. But we have to be realistic and say Lewis, Sema and Morris has to be enough for this position. A bigger concern is getting in a RB to replace Ngakia, but not to hamper Andrews’ development. So a number one keeper, RB for Ngakia, a DMF to rotate with Livermore, a central midfielder and a target man striker. If we’re serious about going for a playoff place, this is a bare minimum. I’d be interested to see if Pozzo still has any ambition left, as currently very little appears to be happening.
Do we really want to get in the play-offs just to be hammered by Leeds or Southampton? Yes sure could do with some new faces but not just for the sake of it which we seem to to have done in recent seasons. Even most of the signings in the summer have been hit/miss and the best one has probably the least welcomed one.
Not much needed in January. I know it is a time when some get excited or begin to moan because there are no signings yet but we have a firmly mid table team punching above it's weight. A bit more depth is required but the starting 11 is absolutely fine. The change in attitude has also resulted in less players being 'injured'. A second choice right back and a right winger would be nice. If we had Sema one side and a pacey right winger the other side we would create a lot more...and we already have the strikers to put away chances if they get the service. A decent base to build upon in the summer for a proper play off push next season. The summer signings should look to be a first choice keeper & a Livermore replacement.
If you’re in the playoffs then you have a punter’s chance of promotion. It would probably mean a very quick way of getting Pozzo out of the club too. Wipe the debt and start again with new owners. It could really save the club.
If we get this window right, I do feel like the mentality is finally right to be optimistic. But we do need a couple of quality players that are ready to go. Not to praise the scum at all, but look at Nakamba - kept them fresh and consistent having joined on deadline day in Jan.
I still worry about our GK situation. Hamer is playing out of his skin but age is not on his side (although in truth GK's can generally play longer than outfield players). I cannot see Bachmann going as that new deal he signed has more or less tied him to the club, and unless we get a mega offer he's here for a few years yet. Roberts I have not seen anything of him, but I guess it all depends on whether Hamer will leave in the Summer or decides to stay. Regardless of what division we are in, it needs to be something the club looks into. Also badly need a RB as backup to Andrews, is not fair on TDB playing in a position he isn't comfortable in. CB I think we're ok for, maybe another left-footed one wouldn't hurt. Striker as well, which are the most expensive of the signings.
He will tear that league to peices. L O will be smashing down Gino's door to buy him in the Summer for a massive fee.
Quite the swift downfall for Bachmann - club captain, 5 year deal, alleged links to Man Ewe. Now on the bench backing up a 36 year old and saved for big cup games vs Chesterfield.
I'm sorry but that's really unfair on Bachmann. You can't possibly think his level is cup games against Chesterfield and frankly you're setting the bloke up to fail if you're putting that much pressure and high expectation on him.
Brought a lot of it on himself though with his "hot headed" rush of blood. He's not a terrible keeper by any means but I think VI is doing the right thing in keeping him out of the side. Hopefully when he does come back in he has a fresh outlook and a calmer perspective.
Hadn't realised Ben was 36. That's a shame. We will need a new keeper then, if not now, in the summer.
He's only just turned 36. Ben Foster was good for us until he was 38. Hamer should still have another good season or two in him.
Agree, he's easily ok for the rest of this season and probably next - I'd rather not rush getting a new goalie in and end up with another Okoye (hope this doesn't sound too harsh), who seemingly didn't settle for one reason or another.
True, and unlike Foster he doesn't have a teenage Zoomer clawing at him to get out when he retires. "Fozcast"? Really?
Unusual transfer plea from Jean Valjean Ishmael to the sleeping Gino... We need the gurning cyclist back in the fold, 2 Bens are better than one. Just BRING HIM HOME!
Agree with all of this and would add a CB too. Hamer is definitely playing above his normal level but it isn't sustainable to me while Bachmann has played below his level but his weaknesses are too much to ignore if he returns later in the Season now to not address. Ngakia and Andrews are similar in ability bit Andrews has better pace and isn't made of wet paper for hamstrings and having Dele-Bashiru covering to prevent burnout is damning because we have nobody who is even remotely comfortable there after those two unlike LB where we have 3 viable choices. Livermore is currently one of our two lychpins of the squad along with Hoedt. An injury to either curtails any play-off push so would wany both CDM and a ball playing CB to cover for Hoedt. ST I'd agree now that Healey is not the answer this season which is a shame. I think he can be a proper asset but needs to be on loan elsewhere for game time which is critically needed for him to recover properly. I think we'd need an outlay of £3-4m to make this realistic which I fear is beyond our means this year and probably next.
They are both key players but the issue is that we can't afford to spend our limited budget on good quality players who are unlikely to make the first 11 most weeks. We will always be in a situation where the back up players are not as good as the first 11. We need to improve the starting XI and accept that the reserves will not be as good if and when called on.
Turns out the LCB from Udinese is not coming as he already played for Bayen Munich this season as well.
Loyd Kazapua is the Namibian national GK and last night he played an absolute blinder. It could of been a one off, but he must be worth a look at as he would not cost a lot and we could do with another keeper.
Agree with this . When Livermore went off last Sunday and given that we had no Kayembe we seemed to lose any control of the match .
