January wish list?

Keeping expectations realistic (read - basically no money available), what would you like to see happen to the team this window?

- I'd like to see Tony Watt signed permenately using the savings made from Kenwynes departure - as much as I like the old fashioned 'big man small man' combination up front, Mason and Watt both testing their marks and seeking space constantly looks like it could give most defences a headache at this level. Happy to admit early signs hint I was wrong about his signing and he has changed the face of our play (yes, well done Russell).

-We need another winger if Kennedy continues to be out of favour. Noone and Pilkington are starting to look tired, so at least one more player that's able to provide a rotation option/breathe down their necks would be pretty valuable.

- furthermore, just general squad improvement as opportunities present. We need more competition in the centre of the park in particular as the quality of our midfied drops significantly if you fluctuate from the current combo of Gunnarrson and Ralls. Another striker would be the cherry on top, as again Watt and Mason are acres ahead of the likes of Macheda, and Watts work rate looks particularly susceptible to burnout. Frazier Campbell on short term loan, maybe?

Slade is pre-occupîed with the big man / small man combination, but City play their best football in keeping the ball on the ground and working openings around the box.  We have seen Gunnarsson pushing up in support recently and that is the style I would like to see us continue to develop.  

The addition of a big man is likely to just lead to lump-it-forward-ball.  There are not likely to be that many big mobile skilful strikers available in this window and if they are, then they are going to be expensive.  Expect another donkey or a foreigner untried in football at this level.

In Saadi & Macheda, we have potential, but it is up to the management to get them fit and motivated and playing in a system that suits them.

I'm not too fussed about another front man, other than Watt, but as you say, a nippy winger who can deliver a final ball and some more energy for midfield should see us okay.........

............oh, and a new manager!

Fraizer Campbell starts for Palace against Chelsea today, so I shouldn't think he will be going out on loan.

TDA wrote:Fraizer Campbell starts for Palace against Chelsea today, so I shouldn't think he will be going out on loan.

Looking pretty tidy too. His work rate has always been staggering but he's just lacked that little bit of quality. Fond memories of him running himself into the ground for 90 minutes regardless of how lost a cause the game was - a lot of our current team could learn from that.

I do worry that with Watt and Mason, we lack a physical presence. It would be okay if the midfield could provide that but only Gunnarrson can really claim to have any sort of authority on the ball. It's a shame it has to be one or the other at the moment - that we can't get a fast striker who is also capable of shrugging off defenders with ease.

Tamas is free to go as well according to his agent. Another pointless/useless signing by Rusty. Using Oshilaja as cover would have been much better and cheaper.
My wish is still Slade out.

Get rid of Marshall, Manga and Noone, Tamas along with Jones. Don't sign anyone and give youth/development players a chance. Recall Ajayi, Oshilaja, O'Sullivan and Barnum-Bobb. We don't appear to be in any danger of either promotion or relegation, therefore nothing to lose.
Then we'll see how good Slade really is.

I would certainly like to see the youngsters given a chance, too, rather than bringing in more Slade-esque signings. One player I'd love here is Patrick Bamford, who is seemingly on his way back to the Championship.

I'd like to see Saadi and watt try a partnership (Saadi looked like he had pace when he played that once) I think Saadi and watt could be potentially a dangerous pairing if given a chance

I cry a little inside whenever anyone mentions selling Marshall as anything but a huge negative. He's our star player, by clear head and shoulders. No one else in our price bracket would get anywhere near him - it's replacing your Ferrari with a Ford Fiesta.

I hope we keep Marshall, all I hope is we do sell we get all of fee up front not in dribs and drabs,, I don't believe Marshall wants to leave.... If he did he would put in a transfer request, he does deserve another crack at the prem

Marshall is by far and away our biggest asset - selling him for anything less than £5m is a big no. Even then, that money HAS to go on a couple of new players at the very least,

Who's says 5mill why not 6mill.... ??? U say 5 clubs may haggle just below... If I start at 6mill u may get the 5 or just above,

I've just been reading that Oshilaja's loan spell at Gillingham is up today but they rate him highly and want it extended. However, he's not cup tied and with Tamas seemingly not wanted it looks to be the perfect time to get him back. Will Russell see sense? There's a first time for everything.

Doubt it

Cyncoedslumdog wrote:I've just been reading that Oshilaja's loan spell at Gillingham is up today but they rate him highly and want it extended. However, he's not cup tied and with Tamas seemingly not wanted it looks to be the perfect time to get him back. Will Russell see sense? There's a first time for everything.

I don't see the point of bringing these players back from useful loan spells to play them in one or two meaningless cup ties and then be inactive for the rest of the season. Slade isn't going to trust the youngsters in the Championship.

I expect to see Tamas play on Saturday, if only to put him in the shop window. Fair play to him for wanting game time, but he should have appreciated that there were four very capable CBs ahead of him when he signed.

Saturday's team selection will be very interesting........