[Albion] Where would you be looking to strengthen in January?

[blue-shifted]

6 months left on contract in January - Murray, Bong, Schelotto, Balogun.

18 months left on contract in January - Pröpper, Stephens, Izquierdo, Button, Steele.

It may be a case of maximising any fee on some of the above

All of the 6 months ones I think are being kept as back up with no intention on either side of a new contract being signed.

I expect we will have offered Davy a new contract and I think he will assess his options in the summer

 

[rogersix]

Striker - you can never have enough strikers - and I will pitch this one again - Shane Long would be excellent off the bench.

Saints?

 

[Joey'The Bull'Gambino]

Attacking/Goal scoring/Providing midfield player to replace Propper or Stephens.

 

[Not Spanish Dave]

On that note, any idea when our existing pacey LB, Bernardo, is due to return?

Back in training next week

 

[Perkino]

Back in training next week

I like this news about Bernardo

 

[Seasidesage]

Wasnt he being quoted as available at £40m in the summer when Bournemouth enquired.

Exactly. I would think £10m would probably do it comfortably at this point? If that was the case I think the risk would be worth the reward....

 

[Seasidesage]

I suppose the point about Butland (assuming you can get him back to his best) is that you could have a debate about who is the better keeper out of him and Maty. With Button and Steele, they are clearly back up rather than competition. My view is that Maty would keep the shirt if we signed Butland, but he'd have someone breathing down his neck for the place and keep him honest.

Having said that, there's some talk that the dressing room is Stoke isn't a good place and I have no idea what his character is like. It also depends on the wider plan with keepers. We will surely have to make a decision on Walton and maybe Sanchez this summer and probably already have, so any recruitment would have to fit in with this plan.

No for all I know he may be a complete dickhead, but assuming he isn't to have him and Ryan competing for a 1st team place would be a good thing at least from an outsiders perspective. There was a very good keeper in there only 18 months ago and if we could rebuild his confidence we could potentially get a player we could never ordinarily afford in this mad market. Course he may be terminally shite.....

 

[Weststander]

Unless there’s a season ending injury to a key player, my guess is that the club won’t acquire any PL squad players in January.

GP is undoubtedly improving what we already have, with hopefully more to come, for example with Bissouma.

 

[Stat Brother]

Unless there’s a season ending injury to a key player, my guess is that the club won’t acquire any PL squad players in January.

GP is undoubtedly improving what we already have, with hopefully more to come, for example with Bissouma.

Nah, I don't see that at all.

I'm sure they'll buy a 'different' (tall) striker.
I can also see them testing the water on a full back, or two, without being keen to close a less than Grade A deal.

 

[Weststander]

Nah, I don't see that at all.

I'm sure they'll buy a 'different' (tall) striker.
I can also see them testing the water on a full back, or two, without being keen to close a less than Grade A deal.

There’s always your pal Glenn Murray to fulfil that role?

 

[HalfaSeatOn]

I can picture it now :

The year is 2029.. and we really do need a Murray replacement - but he just keeps on coming off the bench and scoring - so we can't let go. He's now got a head of hair like Michael Jackson circa 1979 thanks to his bulk-buy at the transplant shop, and we are starting to suspect he's a Cyborg.

Lol. The film Cocoon springs to mind.

 

[Uter]

I'd like us to sign Eberechi Eze from QPR

I didn't know much about this player prior to this season other than he was on loan at Wycombe and had featured in a few England youth teams, but I am a big fan now.

Lots to like about him: hard to dispossess, quick, can dribble, scores and assists, can play anywhere in midfield, accurate passer. Plus counts as a home grown.

He should definitely be on our radar. Could have a very high ceiling.

Contracted to 2021, but I think QPR will struggle to persuade him to sign a contract extension in the summer if they don't go up and may cash in rather than risk him going for a lot less the following year.

Probably worth considering buying and loaning back to QPR for the second half of the season if our position is looking secure.

He will have already have a lot of suitors, and the list will grow and grow if he sustains this form.

Realistically we may have missed the boat with this one, but certainly worth trying.

 

[Don Tmatter]

Fullbacks, def midfielder, pacy unit winger that doesn’t get pushed off the ball and at least 1 forward if Andone to be banished.

 

[portlock seagull]

Main priority has to be a match ready player. No injuries, no fitness issues, no adjustment, no development squad...Just old fashioned straight into first team because he’s better than what we currently have. Remember those players?!!

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Pace in almost all departments. It's been our weakness for a while.

 

[fleet]

Right back, and reserve right back maybe , forward, midfield in that order!

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

- A couple of U23s that might need permits, and will be the next iteration of the Tau / Mac Allister strategy - for the 2021/22 squad.

- Glen Kamara, possibly meaning Bissouma goes out on loan.

- An U23 striker - who'll be bit part 4th pick senior striker - or recall Mlakar from QPR.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Striker maybe - but I don't expect defence to be stressed till summer. Centre midfield is top priority in summer, need a first name on team sheet type to play alongside either Stephens or Propper

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Fullbacks, def midfielder, pacy unit winger that doesn’t get pushed off the ball and at least 1 forward if Andone to be banished.

Roughly half a new team then. In the January transfer window? . . . naaah.

 

[Surf's Up]

A pair of pacey full backs who know how to defend and how to attack