07 Dec 2016 16:29:11
I've been thinking about what we can do in Jan to cover the loss of Bolasie. What about trying for a loan deal for Leroy sane untill the end of the season.
I don't know how feasible it would be but he's struggling at city at the moment and surely him getting game time at us would be beneficial for both teams.
Has anybody got any other shouts other than Depay?
07 Dec 2016 20:31:33
Yeah keep hold of Mirallas.
07 Dec 2016 21:04:12
Under RK, the forwards have to be productive. How many goals has Mirallas scored this season and how many assists does he have?
{Ed025's Note - not enough..
07 Dec 2016 21:13:04
I think he's probably off at the end of the season tbh but suppose he stays he hasn't showed his best for that was on show under moyes since well . Moyes lol
Then we are left with Gerry and Lennon who have both been really really poor this season. Way of the level that we need if we want to be challenging for the top 6 imo
If we where going to bring in depay anyways then we've surely got to be looking at another winger
Centre back
Striker
Attacking mid
Left back
Centre mid / if it was up to me Davies would come in Gibson/ cleverly
GK
These are all positions that clearly need strengthening in my eyes and it's rather worrying when you think just how much absolute rubbish is in are squad.
07 Dec 2016 22:56:01
For me goalkeeper, striker, winger and left back are priorities. Left back probably less so than the other 3.
Of course if a centre back, centre midfield and attacking midfield are signed happy days but we have decent enough cover for them positions compared to goalkeeper, striker and left back imho.
Williams is more or less first choice centre back. At the moment the other 3, Holgate, Mori and Jags are fighting it out for the other position. I believe the best out of the three will be established by the end of the month and there won't be much need for a centre back. They are three decent centre backs. Even though one is at the end of his career. One is starting off and the other is in the middle.
Centre midfield we have Gana who is first choice. Then for the other position we have Barry, McCarthy, Cleverly, Gibson and Besic. Really we have Barry or McCarthy. For me this position is relatively strong. If we're stuck I think Baines could do a job there also. Provided we have a left back in his place.
Attacking midfielder imho is Barkley. I know people are not over joyed with him but he is stronger than some of the other positions we have imho.
Areas needed most imho:
Baines is without doubt in the last few years of his career. Oviedo and Garbutt seem to simply be not good enough. Galloway may do a job but can't return until next season. Another reason a centre back may not be needed next season. So in my opinion competition and ideally a young left back would be beneficial.
Striker all we have is Lukaku and he may leave so at least one in January and the very least an additional one in the summer. Whether Lukaku stays or not.
Goalkeeper we need also. Koeman seems to have the philosophy 3 goalkeepers with similar ability to fight it out for the jersey rather than having a number one. I find that slightly strange because Joel hasn't got much of a chance. Anyway, either way imho a keeper is badly needed. Stek is doing decent enough. He's just very hot and cold for me. Sometimes he pulls off brilliant saves and then other times he does a stinker like the last game.
Winger? What can I say Bolassie out and we are left with Lennon, Del and Mirallas. Lennon not good enough and Del seemingly is a problem. Left with Mirallas then. He can't play both wings so one winger would be good. Imo Mirallas is still questionable. I thought he was class getting a raw deal this last couple of years. So far this season he hasn't proved me right. I hope he improves and by doing so proves me right.
If we sign a decent striker and a decent goalkeeper I'll be happy with that. A good winger also would be fantastic as I think these are the areas that need strengthening most. A up and coming left back thrown in for good measure also please santy.
08 Dec 2016 01:11:49
How about James Forrest from Celtic? . Again I don't have a clue of how feasible a deal would be but he was very impressive against city the other night and has been highly regarded for a few years now.
He's really direct and reminds me a lot of Coleman when he first broke through and was playing right wing.
Maybe offer mcgeady, Gibson, Cleverly or Niasse to sweeten the deal haha.
{Ed007's Note - Forrest is the second worst player in the Celtic team after the 'keeper, he's been gssh for years and has struggled with fitness and form since he broke into the team. I would love anyone to make an offer we can't turn down for him. An absolute diddy of a player that a lot of Celtic fans would love to see the back of.
I don't know who you seen or heard highly regarding him but I'd stay clear of them, they're obviously bonkers and could be potentially dangerous.
Now Tom Rogic, there's a player Celtic will struggle to hold onto. I once seen him nutmeg a mermaid in a phone box - blindfolded! :-o
08 Dec 2016 09:39:50
A lot of criticism for Mirallas there! However, I truly believe he is the best we have. He was injured for a while and then played under Martinez in a system that required him to change his game quite a lot. ie holding posession and turning back towards his own goal. He was also dropped a lot by Martinez and Lennon (who in my opinion is nowhere near him) was as regular. Under Koeman I am seeing signs of a game that suits Mirallas and he is starting to show signs of his previous form when under Moyes. He is certainly theonly player we have that has the all round ability (heading not included) to run at defenders, shoot from distance, cross and pass to a high level and chase back and make the odd tackle (although not his strongest point) . I just feel he is the best we have at the moment so we should not get rid. we should add to him not get rid. Re his assists and goals. so far I agree on that point. He has beeninvolved in 14 this season with only 1 goal. Not sure how many were as sub or where he was subbed. but yes not good enough. but tell me this. which players have been good enough this season. and which wingers have been good enough this season and are fit to play?
08 Dec 2016 08:57:52
ed007 ex forces by any chance.
{Ed007's Note - Nah mate.}
08 Dec 2016 14:44:28
I fail to see all of a sudden how Mirallas is our saviour. Was a big fan of him just like you Degsy but overall he has been disappointing this season. He is our best winger but is that saying much at the moment.
Del and Lennon's main problems seem to be there attitude and not ability. Both are not being used by Koeman and look to be on the way out.
Mirallas is getting on in age. When he first arrived I thought he would be brilliant. It just hasn't happened. I never wanted Martinez and gave out about him loads because he didn't use Mirallas near enough IMO. The damage is done I think and may have passed those critical years to develop.
I was really looking forward to him under Koeman. So far I'm not impressed at all.
08 Dec 2016 17:08:30
NBTB I never said saviour. just the best we have in that position. and like I have said many times on here. in football you "get rid" of someone when you have another in place who is better. In my view we have no one better. Lennon and Del boy are way below him in my view so I say keep him. unless we sign another. maybe even 2 to allow for injuries, suspensions, loss of form, African Nations or whatever crops up to cause problems. I also see Mirallas starting to show he is returning to form. let's see the next few games.
08 Dec 2016 22:27:06
I hope your right Degsy and that he is starting to show form.
If you read my post you would see I agreed with you he is the best in that position. No need to say that again. You did however as always ignore a different point.
He is 29, how many more years has he as a winger? 2 or 3 maybe. I hope 10 but that's just not going to happen. £20m or more and I'd take hand and all. One player doesn't make the team. He's peak years are behind.
As I said pity Martinez was here during them years as in my humble opinion he was under used.
09 Dec 2016 12:29:08
Sorry mate. I don't ignore your points. but I respond to the parts that catch my eye. But I do agree with all of your last post. and would add. we do need to worry about this season and getting as high as we can and the last thing we should do is "get rid" of a player who is the strongest in his position without having another lined up to replace him. Especially when another player in the same position has probably finished his career or at least been put out for a seriously long time. And yes I have seen glimpses that he is starting to regain confidence under Koeman. I also believe he is a player who can do the support striker role. He does have goals and assists within him. just not the last 3 seasons. He has scored 27 in 125 appearances for us. Not bad when you think he has not scored for so long. He is still a 1 in 5 games player. That is better than everyone except Lukaku. His whole career has better stats than that. even playing for Belgium. Most are not tap ins neither. usually good shots and he has been a bit unlucky of late including last week where the Utd keeper deflected one over. maybe he should have done better but it is a sign he is getting there. I see he is predicted to start against Watford. I guarantee the winner from him mate!
09 Dec 2016 19:09:13
Parts that catch your eye? You very conveniently always ignore comments that are not in line with your thinking. You mean selective response. You can't ignore he is 29.
He may be our best winger. For the short term. Right offer came in I'd let him go. After all we are building for the future.