Getting closer. What do we need and who do we need to move on? Personally we need to try and sell or loan out or release the following- Bahre Green Simoes Miller Schmidt (For me they are all too lightweight and are not championship standard) Incomings A left wing back to compliment Brittain on the right hand side. A physical presence up top.
I think James will go back to Leicester and if we can get a left back in, we can shift Styles into the centre where I think he could be more instrumental. Though we have to consider its very likely Styles might be the one who vanishes this window if a high end championship club or even a Premier league team are content to take a punt. And if so, we could potentially see us losing Mowatt, Styles and James all in one window. I'd be content to get rid of the deadwood you mentioned (obviously we've crystallise fee losses on the players we've paid money for) and try and extend Mowatts deal. I'm not expecting much transfer wise in the league so I don't think it will be easy to get rid of surplus players now and I'm not sure what monies we have at our disposal. But if we're bringing anyone in, I'd be very surprised if there wasn't at least one player out to offset the cost.
Randell Williams from Exeter City. Highly rated 23 year old left wing back who is out of contract at the end of the season. Charlie Austin on loan for remainder of the season. Only played 2 league cup games all season for WBA. He may be 31 but is 6ft 2 tall and a very prolific goal scorer throughout his career at championship level.
Someone of that ilk. Maybe we could offer a percentage of his wages similar to what we are doing with Matty James.
You can only ask, but I'd be very surprised if WBA did that. He's a proven scorer and has value, even at PL level. Much different to James who has been riddled by injury for years and years and for some reason seems to really like it here.
I would add Thomas to that list & look for a left wing back so that Styles can be pushed further up , maybe even up top along side a striker not unlike David Speedie eventually did or certainly into midfield , I would also welcome an extra striker but if James goes back I think the emergence of Palmer would be encouraged
I have a feeling that any business we do in January will be done early. Val will know who he wants in and out.
I’m not sure whether moving to centre mid would be Styles’ best position at the moment, with this system. The wing backs seem to have more license to get forward than Mowatt does. A left sided centre back, that could play as an orthodox left back in a back 4 if needed would be ideal. Along with a striker with some pace or ability in the air. Hopefully we can keep hold of Mowatt and James, if not, they’ll need replacing
2 forwards, 1 left, 1 right ideally. Think we'll be OK in defence when J. Williams is fit. Still have Oduour and B. Williams when he's fit again for cover at LB. Keep James till the end of the season. Outs; Miller Schmit Bahre Thomas
I’d definitely be wanting to keep Simoes. Don’t know what’s gone off between him and the gaffer but I think if he keeps developing and getting game time we could see him being on a par with Styles.
I'd keep Simoes personally. Bahre obviously isn't in the reckoning and Green is more league 1/2. Miller, it is a complete mystery as to why he was even bought!
We need either 1 or 2 centre mid if James goes back. Another left wing back, a centre half and 2 forwards. Miller, Schmidt, Green, Collins (get Steele signed) and Bahre off the wage bill. Maybe Oduor or Simoes out on loan. Give Big Val some ammunition, and give him some input into the signings.
Agreed Helen. We need to keep our best most influencial players for as long as possible. Mowatt, our captain, is that and more. I think Dane has alluded to that already recently. Whether he will sign another contract or not is debatable, but that does not mean we should show him the door
Not 100% in agreement, as Odour goes nowhere. Otherwise, yes. Oduor has been poor this season, but we should be hands on supporting him. There is one hell of a footballer in there.