Not a shock after the shambolic strategy here. Was always going to be a stretch on a permanent, loan might have been different but we screwed that up as well.
While I agree we've made a few decent signings for big money, I am struggling to see the point if we miss out on fixing the glaring weakness in the squad that's been 100% proven with ZERO goals in 3 games. And that includes 60 minutes against 10 men. The risk our strategy has exposed us to is in...
Well that's 30m (which he's clearly not worth) but it sounds like its that or guaranteed relegation. Our strategy and complacency was so risky, how anyone can dress this up as anything but a major cockup will at least be interesting to see,
So right now it seems Andone wants to come but we need to make a stupid offer or trigger his clause. Babacar has turned us down and Niasse is going to Palace. Shambles.
I truly think we are screwed for a decent striker now. Obviously hope to be wrong but our complacent strategy and willingness for brinkmanship is a disgrace.
Looks a decent enough squad option and a loan to buy makes sense financially with our poor negotiating position on strikers likely to cost us big time today. Having another left sided centre back balances the squad and gives us another option at left back where we look very weak. Get this done...
The way it's heading I will be pleasantly surprised if we do any better than bringing in Niasse and a random "one for the future" youngster. I really hope we have a couple of high caliber options that we've managed to keep quiet and are working hard on.
I think we've left it way too late on...
Ryan - 6, barely called upon thankfully
Bruno - 5, poor today, couple of easy balls straight out of play and a red waiting to happen
Dunk - 8, not only great at the back but drove the team on with urgency
Duffy - 7, commanding but a few mistakes attacking set pieces
Suttner - 6, composed going...
This is nothing new but an upgrade up front and we would probably have won this. I thought we were much improved all round and Izquierdo looked very promising in his brief run out - came close when cutting in and a lung busting sprint back to make a key tackle.
It's generally been a crazy window and we've ended up doing some mixed business but I really don't get the clubs strategy. Too many players who will be found lacking are being retained and our targeting and urgency both need to be questioned. I'm not at all convinced by the business we've done...
For me it seems really obvious that the biggest reason we are struggling is the lack of pace from our available strikers. Murray and Hemed are highly unlikely to get in behind premier league defenses which makes us pretty predictable. Push our wingers back or force them inside and we will...
I think this season in particular we could do with a keeper who sets out to dominate the box and won't hesitate in coming out for crosses. The exact attributes Walton demonstrated fantastically well during his loan spells.