January 2022 Transfer Window

[yakandyeti]

A couple of holes aside we’re nearly there with a first team squad with an alternative for each position. I think we’ll see our recruitment change a bit once we’ve filled those gaps. An occasional outstanding player, but a move towards the RedBull model Moyes has spoke about with more like Alves that could be top class, or could be shifted out 2 years down the line with 3 Caraboo Cup games to show for their time in East London.

[davids cross]

You get the impression with David Moyes that he really doesn't like signing players........like he almost see's it as a failure on his part.

Like he hasn't managed to...

A.) Improve a player within the squad.
B.) Find a system that negates the need for a transfer.
or...
C.) Got a kid within the system.

It's very old school. And I like this about him.

Not to say he doesn't eventually open his purse. But it's a last resort with him.

I suspect if he ever needs a new wallet, he's the sort of man who would cut up a very old leather coat........and whip up a leather wallet from the scraps. And he wouldn't use an electric sewing machine he would hand sew the bits together......and the outcome would be brilliant....and probably last forever......



#Old School....so much like John Lyall was imo.

[Albie Beck]

- or there'd be a few nervous sows

[Ironing Board]

A couple of holes aside we’re nearly there with a first team squad

No need to call them that!

[JonG86]

It's been noticeable that our left side is much weaker without a natural left sided CB in the team. Zouma lacks the confidence and instinct to play the ball out from there and because of that it has stifled any counters that might develop and any attacks building.

This has been a huge problem, because our left side is where most of our attacks begin. It's why we looked more fluent with Diop on the left side of a 3 (even if Johnson stifled a few attacks because of his lack of left foot).

We've got to be looking at a left sided centre back, either left footed (Botman would be the dream, Ake would be great) or a right footer who can play there (Diop is already here or Tarkowski for instance).

[Ironing Board]

It's been noticeable that our left side is much weaker without a natural left sided CB in the team.

Is it really that much weaker? We just beat the European champions! Having Cresswell back will make a massive difference.

[funky chicken]

I stopped reading here..

The majority of the time, I would too with regards to Sports Witness. However, I personally can see this one being very much believable. Not just because he is another player from the Czech Republic. But the fact he ticks a lot of boxes of being a typical Moyes player.

Certainly one to keep an eye on for next summer I feel.

[rainhamtown]

Does Sparta Prague have any decent defenders we could borrow for a bit? Also now Kretinsky is on board will that effect our love relationship with Slavia? Im not up with Czech football but i assume Slavia and Sparta are pretty big rivals

[funky chicken]

I found Moyes’ comments on Kral interesting in today’s conference. “We knew he was coming in as backup and cover.” Maybe I am reading too much into it. But Moyes tends to sign players he believes can knock on the door of the starting 11. To describe Kral as ‘cover’ and ‘backup’ doesn’t sound too convincing. Yes, I know we have one of the best midfield partnerships in the League in Rice and Soucek, so he is right in a manner of speaking. But it’s strange to put Kral down straightaway as an understudy, instead of saying he hopes he’ll feature more in the first team in the future.

[JonG86]

Is it really that much weaker? We just beat the European champions! Having Cresswell back will make a massive difference.

Yes, with a naturally left sided CB in the defence (Diop).

Wolves and Brighton were incredibly poor.

[Ironing Board]

I found Moyes’ comments on Kral interesting in today’s conference. “We knew he was coming in as backup and cover.” Maybe I am reading too much into it. But Moyes tends to sign players he believes can knock on the door of the starting 11. To describe Kral as ‘cover’ and ‘backup’ doesn’t sound too convincing. Yes, I know we have one of the best midfield partnerships in the League in Rice and Soucek, so he is right in a manner of speaking. But it’s strange to put Kral down straightaway as an understudy, instead of saying he hopes he’ll feature more in the first team in the future.

I dunno. Every team needs a good utility man. Man Utd used to have O'Shea, who could play everywhere.

[Wilko1304]

Yes, with a naturally left sided CB in the defence (Diop).

Wolves and Brighton were incredibly poor.

And playing the majority of it, especially the parts where we were good, in a back five. Which, as far as I'm concerned and it would seem the manager too, is not ideal.

[JonG86]

And playing the majority of it, especially the parts where we were good, in a back five. Which, as far as I'm concerned and it would seem the manager too, is not ideal.

The biggest problem when we've played in a back five (in my view) has been that Antonio ends up completely by himself and there's no flow through the team.

Against Liverpool and Chelsea Moyes has counteracted this by moving someone closer to Antonio in the 2nd half (Fornals vs Liverpool and Bowen vs Chelsea).

[westlondonhammer]

I've always felt Moyes often uses his press conferences as a bit of a way to motivate players. With Kral its maybe a little bit of 'here's your chance lad... we've not put too much pressure on you to date because of who is in front of you in pecking order... but go and prove you're more than that'.

I see Tarkowski coming in in the summer... I think Tarkowski can be to Moyes in this team what Jagielka was to his Everton team. With that in mind... maybe we'll ony be looking to bring a loan in (a Phillips, Jones or Davies) just to provide more senior competition / cover.

Any real investment for me will be in a forward if there is any.

[Wilko1304]

Gini Wijnaldum is available on loan, Arsenal the first club mooted.

[hammer1975]

Does Sparta Prague have any decent defenders we could borrow for a bit? Also now Kretinsky is on board will that effect our love relationship with Slavia? Im not up with Czech football but i assume Slavia and Sparta are pretty big rivals

I still wonder if we’ll look at David Hancko as a squad filler. Left back/Left centre back - Coufal level cheap, easy work permit as starts for Slovakia (at left back), decent crosser.

[yakandyeti]

I found Moyes’ comments on Kral interesting in today’s conference. “We knew he was coming in as backup and cover.” Maybe I am reading too much into it. But Moyes tends to sign players he believes can knock on the door of the starting 11. To describe Kral as ‘cover’ and ‘backup’ doesn’t sound too convincing. Yes, I know we have one of the best midfield partnerships in the League in Rice and Soucek, so he is right in a manner of speaking. But it’s strange to put Kral down straightaway as an understudy, instead of saying he hopes he’ll feature more in the first team in the future.

Conversely saying I want him to knock Rice and Soucek out of the team is piling the pressure on. He’s unfortunate with the COVID timing, without it he’d have played 4 or 5 more games.

[e-20]

I suspect if he ever needs a new wallet, he's the sort of man who would cut up a very old leather coat........and whip up a leather wallet from the scraps. And he wouldn't use an electric sewing machine he would hand sew the bits together......and the outcome would be brilliant....and probably last forever......

Which reminds me when does sowing bee start

[Ironing Board]

Lingard looks ready for the exit!

[bubbles1966]

Italians are linking us to Daniele Rugani, 27 year old Italian international centre back from Juventus. 18 months left on his deal -and Gleison Bremer at Torino, 24 - same length on deal.