30-01-2019, 00:12
As ever, I'll reserve judgement on the window until it's closed.
January is a tough market because you're waiting on Premier League sides to make last minute deals to free up their squad players.
To be fair to us, right back has been the biggest problem area all season and we got Holgate sorted on the 1st.
Subsequently, the injury crisis at central midfield have made that area a priority too, while wide forward is a problem of our own making.
I do believe we will have a wide forward coming in as it would be ridiculous to release both Sako and Burke after losing Barnes if we didn't have someone almost guaranteed to come in. While it's possible we might have took a gamble that could fail by releasing players before confirming anyone would come in, I would hope the powers that be at the club aren't completely clueless and it's just red tape holding up that deal.
I also hold a hope that if Leicester sign someone, Barnes could come back. Puel knows he's not ready for Premier League football and has bowed to the fans to bring him back on the final day they could recall him. I do believe after the performance against Wolves where Puel withdrew him early, if they sign someone, they might be willing to let him come back.
As for central midfield, this is the area I think we might miss out on. Harper's good performances and Field scoring in the Bolton game might convince the powers that be that we do not need anyone. Personally, I'm pleased with them both but don't think they are quite ready to start games yet if we're serious about dominating games and winning automatic promotion. Field comes into his own in the games like Brighton, where you're asking him to defend and plug gaps (Pulis style) but needs to develop as a footballer against lesser opposition. Harper has raw talent but is young and drifts in and out of games. I'd love us to sign a midfield dominator, but can't really see it.
But let's judge at the end of the window... There's nobody really blowing the league away with signings this month, everyone is in the same boat.
January is a tough market because you're waiting on Premier League sides to make last minute deals to free up their squad players.
To be fair to us, right back has been the biggest problem area all season and we got Holgate sorted on the 1st.
Subsequently, the injury crisis at central midfield have made that area a priority too, while wide forward is a problem of our own making.
I do believe we will have a wide forward coming in as it would be ridiculous to release both Sako and Burke after losing Barnes if we didn't have someone almost guaranteed to come in. While it's possible we might have took a gamble that could fail by releasing players before confirming anyone would come in, I would hope the powers that be at the club aren't completely clueless and it's just red tape holding up that deal.
I also hold a hope that if Leicester sign someone, Barnes could come back. Puel knows he's not ready for Premier League football and has bowed to the fans to bring him back on the final day they could recall him. I do believe after the performance against Wolves where Puel withdrew him early, if they sign someone, they might be willing to let him come back.
As for central midfield, this is the area I think we might miss out on. Harper's good performances and Field scoring in the Bolton game might convince the powers that be that we do not need anyone. Personally, I'm pleased with them both but don't think they are quite ready to start games yet if we're serious about dominating games and winning automatic promotion. Field comes into his own in the games like Brighton, where you're asking him to defend and plug gaps (Pulis style) but needs to develop as a footballer against lesser opposition. Harper has raw talent but is young and drifts in and out of games. I'd love us to sign a midfield dominator, but can't really see it.
But let's judge at the end of the window... There's nobody really blowing the league away with signings this month, everyone is in the same boat.