Can we survive relegation without any January improvements?

West Hams owner has said they will absolutely be strengthening this January, and Fulham have also stated their new manager will have full backing to make any changes he feels needed. Palace will also be buying in January, Sunderland are probably going to be joining before long.

I want to say yes we can survive, but I can't with any confidence...

The squad we have ought to be good enough, given that Jan business for most clubs is very hit & miss. It's the affect on morale of the present debacle that I worry about more.......

My real concern is the fragility of the squad, particularly in defence. Beyond the starting four, we haven't really got any defenders that I 100% trust to get the job done in the premier league. Hudson would be far from match fit, likewise Connolly and he is slightly dodgy anyway.

And then god knows what happens if we lose Campbell to injury. We'll probably get stuck with Odemwingie up top all season long...

are you agreeing with the suggestion of a degree of squad rotation?

davewebber65 wrote:are you agreeing with the suggestion of a degree of squad rotation?

If we had the squad depth then yes, I think certain players either already are or at risk of becoming aware that they are irreplaceable - Marshall, KTC, Caulker, Turner, Medel and Campbell primary suspects. Bad characters can get lazy, but even good characters can put their heads down on a losing streak, regardless of what the manager tries. If Marshall starts fumbling every ball that comes towards him, we won't have any match for goalkeepers ready to step in. Same with Medel, no one can perform the role he carries out.

But we don't have that depth, and that's what concerns me.

My thoughts are if Malky is still in charge come January then we will stay up, as we must have had some good results for him to still be here.
If not I have a funny feeling the new incoming manager would have some funds made available for a tweaking of the side.
Who knows what is going on in Tan’s head, apart from the steam that is coming out of his ears at the moment!  

We have a good enough squad to stay up, yes. The problem is, we're likely to be in the bottom three come the end of January and on a bit of a downer - a new player could have given everyone a boost.

it does i suppose it depends on which side of the tan/mackay fence you sit. me i think we can stay up without mackay. we may stay up with him, but it would be touch and go as we have let slip a few too many points

Dave, we may not stay up with a new manager, so what do we do then... sack the new manager for failing to keep us up?

Vinnie Tans Tache wrote:Dave, we may not stay up with a new manager, so what do we do then... sack the new manager for failing to keep us up?

Of course we do, silly boy!

I honestly don't think that we a squad good enough to stay up and keep us in the Premiership. If Malky is still at the club come January (which i very much doubt) then he or his successor should be given something to strenghten the squad.

Vinnie Tans Tache wrote:Dave, we may not stay up with a new manager, so what do we do then... sack the new manager for failing to keep us up?

its getting late so don't complicate things tache

Simple question?

answer this point mr mackay. your first objective this season is to avoid relegation so you have been given a transfer budget. you spend 30% of it on a player who by your own admission is "one for the future." now you want to spend more mr mackay, on what? another one for the future? well go to hell and take your p45 with you.

how is that for an answer

Theoretical question for all -

Malky remains manager the whole season. He doesn't get any January funds and despite wasting much of the summer fund, we finish the season in a comfortable 15th place.

Does he earn himself a clean slate?

For me yes, judge every season as it comes. Having a bad season doesn't guarantee your next won't be excellent.