03 Jan 2026 16:20:58
The more I look at our squad and how we actually play, the more convinced I am that full-backs have to be the priority in this transfer window.
Modern full-backs are so important, and right now we’re just not getting enough from either side. We need players who can defend properly, but also get forward, support the wide midfielders, overlap, and most importantly put quality balls into the box. That balance just isn’t there for us at the moment.
On the right, O’Brien deserves credit because he’s done a decent job in a tough situation. But he’s still a makeshift right-back. He’s not a natural in that role, and while he can hold his own defensively, he doesn’t really offer much going forward. There’s very little overlap or attacking support, and that limits everything we try to do down that side.
On the left, I don’t think Mykolenko is good enough. He doesn’t get forward anywhere near enough, his crossing is poor, and the overlap is almost non-existent.
Even defensively, he gets caught out too often, so we’re not even getting consistency at the back to make up for the lack of attacking output.
When both full-back positions aren’t contributing, it makes life incredibly hard for the wide midfielders. They end up isolated, teams can double up easily, and our attacks become slow and predictable. That also feeds into the striker debate. For me, the striker isn’t the biggest issue right now. With better service, proper width, overlaps, cutbacks, and crosses with intent, whoever is playing up top could do a job for us.
Fix the supply line first. Get proper full-backs who can do both sides of the game, and I genuinely think you’d see a big improvement across the whole team. Sort that out, and suddenly the goals problem doesn’t look quite so desperate. That’s why, for me, full-backs should be right at the top of the list this window.
03 Jan 2026 17:58:26
Good post optimumshots and i agree with you, especially re mykalenko i like him but he's not what we need if we want to be consistently around the european places.
03 Jan 2026 18:47:36
Sign 2 fullbacks and we get Europe. It’s that simple.
03 Jan 2026 19:09:38
What I'd give to sign a Baines replica now. And his RB clone lol.
03 Jan 2026 20:02:39
I honestly think if we’re going to invest properly, Leif Davis from Ipswich would be a top-quality addition at left-back. He’s valued around £20m, but you can see exactly why. Good pace, real attacking output, and he actually gets forward and delivers. He looks more than ready for the step up and would improve us straight away.
On the right-back side, one player I don’t see mentioned enough is Femi Seriki from Sheffield United. He’s only 23, playing in a struggling side, and still has 3 assists and a goal already. That tells you a lot about his mentality and ability. Quick, positive going forward, and clearly not afraid to take responsibility even when things aren’t going well around him.
For me, those are the kinds of signings we should be looking at in this window.
03 Jan 2026 19:32:00
Now there’s a player.
03 Jan 2026 22:30:59
I couldn't agree more OS. Ed025 and me have had a few discussions regarding our need for modern full backs. O'Brien is not a right back and Mykolenko can be improved on, easily.
The majority of our fans believe getting in a better striker will mean more goals and they are probably right.
But I believe 2 decent full backs will improve everything in our play, especially more chances created by our wingers with overlapping full backs. Hopefully that will lead to Barry or Beto scoring much more.
{Ed025's Note - my only reservation on that Joe is Davey,s possible reluctance to use them as that attacking mate, dont get me wrong i think its a great idea and thats how PSG play so its a yes from me..
04 Jan 2026 09:39:37
One of the worst things (on a VERY long list) the previous board/ ownership did was allow Rafa to sell Digne and replace him directly with Myko, only to fire him 10 mins later.
Still angers me to this day seeing Digne play for Villa and thinking how he should still be starting for us. We didn't even make a penny profit from that deal.
{Ed001's Note - Digne wanted to go, he had been looking for a move before Rafa even took charge. That was not a Rafa thing, it was a Digne thing and that is why the board sanctioned it.}
04 Jan 2026 10:12:18
They actually had a big disagreement in training Ed 001. Rafa was the reason he pushed for a move, there was a big fall out between the two of them.
04 Jan 2026 11:38:47
Robinson better than Digne and Myko.