January sales...

[PFree]

Looking at the team that started yesterday, plus reserves, it's interesting to consider who should stay or go, for me...

Fielding - decent keeper, kicking still a bit dodgy and he's too small to command his box but otherwise okay - keep

Ayling - unpredictable but as a centre half does just enough to gain a keep for me

Flint - adjusting to life in the Championship still but overall, I like him a lot, keep

Baker - let's hope we can keep him, great player who is Championship standard

Bennett - does a lot of good unseen and work, especially in defence, possesses a quality touch, keep

Pack - not consistent enough for me, glimpses of quality but overall I feel he is a division one player, get rid or use as back up

Little - remains to be seen and if he gets a run in the team, could yet make it, great player last season hence the let's see bit

Smith - consistent and for me, outstanding, keep without doubt

Williams - certainly no wing back, okay as a back up centre half but nothing else

Freeman - players who can change a game are rare, he's adjusting too but would be a better player if we had a better defensive mid alongside him

Agard - one of life's triers but I'm not sure he possesses the required finishing or touch at Championship level

'The young codger' - great signing and good player, not the finished article but a def keep, could do with a target man who can hold the ball up and who he could play off, it would remove the need for him to do everything himself

Wilb's - did a great job for us last season but time to go sorry, legs have gone and age has caught him up

Reid - still young enough to improve and well worth persevering with, needs game time though 

Bryan - confidence seems shot, needs to be encouraged to play without fear and not to go backwards as often, keep 

Overall, I feel we are gradually settling but in the January sales we need a back up keeper, quality defensive midfielder, left wing- back and an experienced target man who is powerful enough to hold the ball up (Matt Smith type)

Thoughts??

 

 

[Bristol Rob]

So you want to get rid of two strikers, both of whom have scored this season earning us valuable points.

And replace them with one striker.

[Selred]

Needed:

Keeper (back up)

Bennett (Or replacement)

CB - Moore's loan is up so need cover.

CM - Experienced head

ST - Quality player

 

Ideally I'd take Bentley (Southend GK, however unlikely), Bennett, Maguire (Hull CB), Sidwell (Stoke), Kermorgant (B'Mouth).

However knowing us we'd sign David Bentley, Gordon Bennett, Toby Maguire (Spiderman), Orsen Wells and Kermit the frog.

[EmersonsRed]

Stupidest OP I have seen.

[Bristol Rob]

5 minutes ago, EmersonsRed said:

Stupidest OP I have seen.

That's a bit harsh. There are other more stupid threads on here.

[PFree]

48 minutes ago, EmersonsRed said:

Stupidest OP I have seen.

Thanks Emerson, you don't agree with any of the points then or have your own opinion on what we should do with the squad?

I thought the idea was to promote discussion rather than send responses like that but I guess 12 year olds are allowed to use this forum too

 

[JoeAman08]

Don't know how you can say Williams is no WB. He's been a decent threat down there at times and is very solid defensively. I guess people forget some of the good he does. Scored the goal at Brighton, assisted one against Forest, and had a hell of a cross yesterday that no one anticipated and was wasted. All while putting in decent shifts defensively. I've grown used to him out there and am happy with how he's coming along. 

[Davefevs]

6 minutes ago, JoeAman08 said:

Don't know how you can say Williams is no WB. He's been a decent threat down there at times and is very solid defensively. I guess people forget some of the good he does. Scored the goal at Brighton, assisted one against Forest, and had a hell of a cross yesterday that no one anticipated and was wasted. All while putting in decent shifts defensively. I've grown used to him out there and am happy with how he's coming along. 

Exactly, we don't have to agree with @PFree, but at least you've taken the time to give an argument.

I think Cotts should keep all of the squad except:

Wagstaff - not featuring, great lad, but time to move on I'm afraid.

Robinson - not featuring either, so let him go back to Villa and bring in someone else.  Personally I think he's got something to offer, but he us to getting a look in.

Moore is a good defender and we have to have cover in case of injury / suspension - so extend loan.  Whether he would want to stay though?

I suspect Cox may go back to Reading too.

[PFree]

20 minutes ago, JoeAman08 said:

Don't know how you can say Williams is no WB. He's been a decent threat down there at times and is very solid defensively. I guess people forget some of the good he does. Scored the goal at Brighton, assisted one against Forest, and had a hell of a cross yesterday that no one anticipated and was wasted. All while putting in decent shifts defensively. I've grown used to him out there and am happy with how he's coming along. 

I guess what I'm saying is I'd rather have a specialist left wing back and that I prefer Williams as a strong centre half who reads the game well from there...that said, I agree he's done well and always puts a good shift in.

 

[JoeAman08]

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

Exactly, we don't have to agree with @PFree, but at least you've taken the time to give an argument.

I think Cotts should keep all of the squad except:

Wagstaff - not featuring, great lad, but time to move on I'm afraid.

Robinson - not featuring either, so let him go back to Villa and bring in someone else.  Personally I think he's got something to offer, but he us to getting a look in.

Moore is a good defender and we have to have cover in case of injury / suspension - so extend loan.  Whether he would want to stay though?

I suspect Cox may go back to Reading too.

Yup it's all opinions. Maybe Williams looks good because of how poor Joe has been. Which is odd as he had some good spells on the left early in the season. Thought Joe was good against Brentford then been down hill since but DW has improved lots and I reckon he will be an above average championship player. 

As far as who should go, I believe Cox, Robinson, and Moore should all return. No hard feelings but they aren't playing and I'd rather have the flexibility of wages and loans. Also Wagstaff should get a loan spell away. 

We will still need to replace Cox and Moore but maybe with lesser profile loans. I'd love to see a CM come in as well on loan or permanent. I'd also like to see a striker in permanently. I'm happy with our patience to continue however but the team obviously needs a bit of help. 

[PFree]

1 hour ago, Bristol Rob said:

So you want to get rid of two strikers, both of whom have scored this season earning us valuable points.

And replace them with one striker.

I guess I wrote this a bit quick and didn't re-read it prior to posting , I wasn't saying to get rid of Agard, more that I feel we need to replace Wilb's with a Matt Smith type player who I feel would play more suitable with our young codger..

[JoeAman08]

2 minutes ago, PFree said:

I guess what I'm saying is I'd rather have a specialist left wing back and that I prefer Williams as a strong centre half who reads the game well from there...that said, I agree he's done well and always puts a good shift in.

 

Yea that's fine. We'd all love a Robertson or high caliber WB but I believe that's a luxury. Derrick is getting the job done for what we need right now and I'm happy with that. Joe should be able to do the job but hasn't. Hopefully he regains his form and becomes that player for us again. 

[Lanterne Rouge]

Surely we only have two loans left available to us this season no matter who stays or goes back. I think we`re only allowed 8 in a season, 4 under 23 and 4 over so if one goes back like Hamer did it doesn`t let us have another one as he still counts in our 8 for the season. As far as I can see we`ve had three of each with Baker, Moore and Robinson under 23 and Hamer, Bennett and Cox over.

Good job Fredericks was a signing I suppose.

[EmersonsRed]

2 hours ago, PFree said:

Thanks Emerson, you don't agree with any of the points then or have your own opinion on what we should do with the squad?

I thought the idea was to promote discussion rather than send responses like that but I guess 12 year olds are allowed to use this forum too

 

I'd love to be 12 again! You would consider selling people... That is hilarious. We are relying on loans to fill our squad on a match day as it is anyway, even if we buy people, we shouldn't sell anyone.

[PFree]

9 minutes ago, EmersonsRed said:

I'd love to be 12 again! You would consider selling people... That is hilarious. We are relying on loans to fill our squad on a match day as it is anyway, even if we buy people, we shouldn't sell anyone.

Thanks for adding such quality debate to the thread, appreciated.

[archie andrews]

22 minutes ago, PFree said:

Thanks for adding such quality debate to the thread, appreciated.

fight fight fight fight

[Septic Peg]

Can I just say how disappointed I was opening this post...

With the subject heading "January Sales", I fully expected a run down of discounted clobber and accessories available in the club shop from the new year... 

[TETBURY MASSIVE]

1 hour ago, Red Right Hand said:

Surely we only have two loans left available to us this season no matter who stays or goes back. I think we`re only allowed 8 in a season, 4 under 23 and 4 over so if one goes back like Hamer did it doesn`t let us have another one as he still counts in our 8 for the season. As far as I can see we`ve had three of each with Baker, Moore and Robinson under 23 and Hamer, Bennett and Cox over.

Good job Fredericks was a signing I suppose.

It's 12 in a season. 

http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/rules-of-the-association/2015-16/038_standardised-rules.ashx

[BS4 on Tour...]

50 minutes ago, archie andrews said:

fight fight fight fight

How many 'break times' at school were lit up with that chant?!

[Northern Red]

Wilbraham won't be going anywhere, and nor should he.

[Lanterne Rouge]

49 minutes ago, TETBURY MASSIVE said:

It's 12 in a season. 

http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/rules-of-the-association/2015-16/038_standardised-rules.ashx

Interesting. If I read that right (and I probably haven`t) we can have 8 season long ones of which we`ve used two (Baker & Hamer) and 12 short term of which we`ve used four (Cox, Moore, Robinson, Bennett) so things aren`t as bad as I thought.

[cidered abroad]

4 hours ago, Bristol Rob said:

That's a bit harsh. There are other more stupid threads on here.

We are not selling anyone in our first team squad. Some of the loanees may go back, eg Moore.

We may actually sign some on a permanent basis.

[cidered abroad]

7 minutes ago, Red Right Hand said:

Interesting. If I read that right (and I probably haven`t) we can have 8 season long ones of which we`ve used two (Baker & Hamer) and 12 short term of which we`ve used four (Cox, Moore, Robinson, Bennett) so things aren`t as bad as I thought.

I think Robinson is good the season.

[Lanterne Rouge]

1 minute ago, cidered abroad said:

I think Robinson is good the season.

Is that right? Thought he was short term for some reason. Makes it a bit better then in that we have 9 further options.

Of all of them I can see Cox & Moore going back in Jan and us either extending Bennett`s loan or trying to sign him permanently. Mind you, it would be nice to see something of the first two so we can judge it a bit more.

[grubby]

Cox is a class striker who's scores goals BUT is fitness the concern for Cotts? SHOULD be a hellava signing ...................IF he ever plays.

[hortonred]

9 hours ago, PFree said:

Looking at the team that started yesterday, plus reserves, it's interesting to consider who should stay or go, for me...

Fielding - decent keeper, kicking still a bit dodgy and he's too small to command his box but otherwise okay - keep

Ayling - unpredictable but as a centre half does just enough to gain a keep for me

Flint - adjusting to life in the Championship still but overall, I like him a lot, keep

Baker - let's hope we can keep him, great player who is Championship standard

Bennett - does a lot of good unseen and work, especially in defence, possesses a quality touch, keep

Pack - not consistent enough for me, glimpses of quality but overall I feel he is a division one player, get rid or use as back up

Little - remains to be seen and if he gets a run in the team, could yet make it, great player last season hence the let's see bit

Smith - consistent and for me, outstanding, keep without doubt

Williams - certainly no wing back, okay as a back up centre half but nothing else

Freeman - players who can change a game are rare, he's adjusting too but would be a better player if we had a better defensive mid alongside him

Agard - one of life's triers but I'm not sure he possesses the required finishing or touch at Championship level

'The young codger' - great signing and good player, not the finished article but a def keep, could do with a target man who can hold the ball up and who he could play off, it would remove the need for him to do everything himself

Wilb's - did a great job for us last season but time to go sorry, legs have gone and age has caught him up

Reid - still young enough to improve and well worth persevering with, needs game time though 

Bryan - confidence seems shot, needs to be encouraged to play without fear and not to go backwards as often, keep 

Overall, I feel we are gradually settling but in the January sales we need a back up keeper, quality defensive midfielder, left wing- back and an experienced target man who is powerful enough to hold the ball up (Matt Smith type)

Thoughts??

 

 

I thought we learned in the summer the difference between what we want/need and what we get is massive. Why will January be any different. It is supposed to cost more to sign players. I imagine it will be all rumour and disappointment with other clubs beating us to the punch.

[EmersonsRed]

On 22/11/2015, 18:46:57, PFree said:

Thanks for adding such quality debate to the thread, appreciated.

Ah, I understand your original reply to me now! You are the 12 year old using the forum! Makes sense. Weird child.

[Mad Cyril]

On 23/11/2015, 00:14:27, grubby said:

Cox is a class striker who's scores goals BUT is fitness the concern for Cotts? SHOULD be a hellava signing ...................IF he ever plays.

While the players tunnel is where it is, we will always be an attractive proposition for loan players looking to build their fitness.

Each game I notice Cox looking stronger on that walk to the bench. Few more months and he should be good to go.

Bit concerned about when the tunnel moves to the halfway line in the new Williams stand - what loanee is going to want to come here then?

[LondonBristolian]

For a start, I think the squad is too small to talk about getting rid of players.  There also genuinely isn't anyone in the club at the moment I'd want to see shown the door. Without question, we need more players and more quality but, of the players criticised in the OP, I think it's harsh.  At 22, Williams is still extremely young for a first-team defender.  He's covered really well as a left-wing back and I think he's massively underrated. for me, most of the flaws in his game are the flaws that often come with inexperience and I think, with time and coaching, he's well-worth keeping.  Whilst I'd like us to sign a new central midfielder, I think Pack offers a lot more than he gets credit for.  He's tidy, keeps thing simple, keeps the team moving and does the unspectacular and unnoticed well.  I also think that, whilst it'd be great to get a new striker, we've really missed Agard and it's great to have him back in the team.  Aside from anything else, his running off the ball is excellent and his presence on the field opens up a lot of space for other players.  

In January, I think we need to aim to get a new GK, CM and Striker in and do everything we can to persuade Bennett to stick around.  We also need to replace Moore as his loan expires.  For obvious reasons, it doesn't seem to be worth renewing Cox's loan either.  For all the flaws in the team, I honestly don't think we're that far away from being a decent side.  We're missing key players from key positions and, if we can, we need to get quality in those positions, I really think two or three signings can make a massive difference.