The importance of the January 2012 transfer window is already becoming apparent...

[Iver]

On the basis of what we have seen so far this season, it is increasingly obvious that we are lacking.....

 

1. A proven goalscorer, a "finisher" a la Fowler or Torres (dare I say it) in their prime, to partner Suarez, and take the goalscoring burden off him.

 

2. A creative pacy player, preferably two footed, primarily to play on the right, but versatile, and capable of offering that spark of genius like David Silva does for City - Hazard would be ideal, but is likely to be hugely sought after.

 

I feel that if we are to get seriously involved in the shake up for fourth, both the above are imperative.

 

Neither player will come cheap though, and if we are to sign a player of the calibre of Hazard, you are talking thirty plus million, hence an outlay of upwards of fifty to sixty million to land the two players I have outlined above.

 

And when you consider the return FSG have had on their seventy million Carroll / Henderson / Downing investment so far, I don't think any of us could hold it against them if they prove to be reluctant to splash big money again in January.

[Earl Hafler]

A centre half is still priority for me. Also a creative right sided player.

[kop205]

Oh good, the January transfer thread.

[anfield11]

  On 06/11/2011 at 14:39, kop205 said:

Oh good, the January transfer thread.

 

 

:lol: But probably needed, fwiw I think the last thing we need is a CB.

[Cooldude]

I dunno how much the owners are willing to spend until we can get back to the top again. They don't have a bottomless pit of cash like City or Chelsea, and are certainly smarter business people.

 

Yet the thing is, it seems like we have to spend a heck lot to get back up. That or they would want us to only splash on player we know would be successful (which is what they want); but if our summer signings don't deliver long term, then it's gonna put more pressure on the scouts/whoever to pick the right players again before they would splash out the cash

[goodrobotusses]

Increasing talk about January but I honestly can't see Kenny looking to make any major moves then. Whether we need to is up for debate, but we chose our players for the rebuild in summer/last January. I don't think Kenny will give up on them so soon.

[Epic Swindle]

I'd like a RM, DM, AM, CR, RIP, LM, REM and MFI.

[Swipe]

We need a centre half, a dynamic, aggressive, assured midfielder, a better attacking option for the right (two-footed preferably) and someone to take the goalscoring burden off Luis.

 

Clearly won't happen but I think that's what we need ideally.

[Cooldude]

Centre half, no.9/no.7, box to box mid, possibly another fast wide player.

 

There, now I feel the part

Edited November 6, 2011 by Cooldude

[Epic Swindle]

Is CB a real nessessity now?

 

Our defensive record isn't too bad looking at the figures. Would have thought it's some muscle in midfield and the creative and finishing side that were the priorities. That said we've created an awful lot of chances this season.

[Cooldude]

Not keeping a clean sheet all season before WBA against 11 men wasn't a good stat. Particularly when we were having problems in front of goal.

 

Our defense is fine when Agger's around, but once he gets injured, you're looking at Skrtel and Carra, who are known to be a dodgy pairing

 

But a box to box beast of a central mid must be the absolute priority though

[Epic Swindle]

Clean sheets have been hard to come by for most clubs this season, think Swansea have the most. We're judging players and the side quicker than I've ever seen. We're all impatient for success but sometimes a defence, a midfield combo or a strike partnership needs half a season before they click, maybe longer. The defence for the past two games has plenty of potential and I'd like to see it given a good run of games. Carra and Coates in reserve is not too shabby.

[Benzo-13]

We need a creative ten/wing forward type of player, centre forward and centre back.

[jimbolala]

Strange how many we need to buy after just spending £100 million in 6 months

[Ethan]

Can we sell Downing?

[Swipe]

  On 06/11/2011 at 15:25, jimbolala said:

Strange how many we need to buy after just spending £100 million in 6 months

 

It's maybe telling, but we do need to sign again. Don't think there's any doubt.

[Cooldude]

  On 06/11/2011 at 15:22, Masuka said:

Clean sheets have been hard to come by for most clubs this season, think Swansea have the most. We're judging players and the side quicker than I've ever seen. We're all impatient for success but sometimes a defence, a midfield combo or a strike partnership needs half a season before they click, maybe longer. The defence for the past two games has plenty of potential and I'd like to see it given a good run of games. Carra and Coates in reserve is not too shabby.

 

The defense in the past two games have been fantastic, but again, it's the Agger factor: it's great when he plays but we're so much worse off once he's injured. I don't think anyone can argue that our defense has been dodgy with Skrtel and Carra there, and it might take a season for Coates to blend in. Even so, Carra's not getting any younger (and certainly declining), and if we aren't gonna use Coates as much, then we probably should start looking to replace Carra. Also helps to phase out Skrtel eventually, who in reality mightn't be good enough in the long run

 

I just believe in building from the back, get the back four sorted, then the midfield, then the rest. I would just be happy to see the much needed central mid and a centre back, anything else to boost our forward play would be a luxury

[Epic Swindle]

Think we all believe in that but it's not a quick fix. Even bringing in another defender is not going to instantly transform the defence, it needs games together, which is something we've struggled with this season due to injuries.

 

I agree Carra needs limited playing time but he's still a good player to have in reserve. The options we've got are up there with the best in the league, even including Skrtel. I think Coates can step in if Agger breaks down. If he's as talented as everyone says he'll be fine.

Edited November 6, 2011 by Masuka

[The Invisible Man]

We're not going to buy any big names, certainly not Hazard.

What is there to convince a big name to come here? We're not Champions League, we can't pay huge wages and other leagues are getting increasingly stronger.

Any number of clubs in the Champions League would like Hazard, Erikkson, Shaqiri etc and then there are the likes of PSG, Malaga who can break the bank.

You're looking at guys like Matt Jarvis or Victor Moses or from 'lower' European leagues if we can get them and I doubt we'll get the money needed from the owners to even for someone like Marin or Rossi which we really need.

Edited November 6, 2011 by The Invisible Man

[Dan]

1. Creative midfielder ideally right side

2. Boss CM

3. Shawcross

 

in that order

[Falconhoof]

hang on. we haven't had a big spend, not really.

We've had a spend modestly above what we should be spending for the size of club we are and the ambitions we have.

 

Bearing in mind we have been underfunded for 3 years prior to that, its going to take serious investment. If Fenway haven't grasped that then we are all wasting our time and we'll stand still while other clubs continue to forge ahead. I'm almost certain they will not have thought the summer is job done. I think we'll see simmilar in the next few transfer windows.

[Epic Swindle]

  On 06/11/2011 at 16:36, Tony Le Mesmer said:

hang on. we haven't had a big spend, not really.

We've had a spend modestly above what we should be spending for the size of club we are and the ambitions we have.

 

About 38 mill net, just a bit more than we usually spent when we had a bit of stability. But 100 mill creates better headlines. If we'd kept Torres and spent that much people might have a case.

[lfc003]

The only thing i'd do this January is to break the bank and go for Giuseppe Rossi and maybe if there are any funds left find a replacement for Raul but really try and get Rossi in and play him with Suarez.!!

Edited November 6, 2011 by lfc003

[New York Red]

Raise your demands and expectations lads.

[Epic Swindle]

  On 06/11/2011 at 17:02, New York Red said:

Raise your demands and expectations lads.

 

Why? We're not bankrolled by a sugar daddy. I think we'll be in the market but not for the players currently hitting the headlines.