Back from the January Transfer Window Sponsored by Yermas Dildo

[NewCorkSeth]

I realise there are a lot of new threads currently so sorry for adding to the pile.

I think we can all agree that on paper that was a hugely successful window. We have filled some gaps and added some quality.

The question I am left asking myself is: What to do with the forgotten players?

Our squad currently looks a little something like this -
GK - A. Al-Habsi, J. Bond, A. Jaakola
DR - C. Gunter, T. Watson
DL - J. Obita, T. Blackett
DC - P. McShane, L. Moore, T. Ilori, R. Oxford(L), D. Gravenberch
MC - D. Williams, J. Swift, L. Kelly, G. Evans, J. Van Den Berg, J. Mutch(L), S. Quinn, S. Weiser
WG - G. McCleary, R. Beerens, A. Popa, C. Harriott
ST- Y. Kermorgant, L. Grabban(L), Y. Meite, D. Rakels, J. Mendes
(some of the above listed positions may be flexible)

Thats a squad of 29 players which is quite large. Obviously Quinn has been out injured for a while (as has Rakels) but the players listed in red have hardly been seen or heard from.
The fact that a player has been loaned in in their respective positions is a pretty dead giveaway that they are surplus to requirements.

No loan moves were sorted out for them this window and their future at the club seems non-existent so what does anyone think is going on? Are they just rubbish gambles we made? Or will we see them more as we near the end of the campaign?

[genome]

Probably just rubbish gambles. With the amount of players we signed since the start of the summer, you can't expect them all to work out - especially not from a management team so inexperienced.

For your Mendes's, Gravenberch's, and Wieser's you've got your Swift's, your Moore's and your Beerens's.

[LWJ]

I think Mendes has struggled with fitness/adapting to English football and has also just had a child. I would imagine he is still one who will be involved.

Gravenberch wasn't Stam's signing so was always going to struggle.

Weiser I think we can agree is a failure.

[NewCorkSeth]

I think Mendes has struggled with fitness/adapting to English football and has also just had a child. I would imagine he is still one who will be involved.

Gravenberch wasn't Stam's signing so was always going to struggle.

Weiser I think we can agree is a failure.

Mendes has apparently made 8 league apps for us and I honestly cannot recall a single thing hes done.

Weiser is the only one not to make the first team right?

[NewCorkSeth]

Probably just rubbish gambles. With the amount of players we signed since the start of the summer, you can't expect them all to work out - especially not from a management team so inexperienced.

For your Mendes's, Gravenberch's, and Wieser's you've got your Swift's, your Moore's and your Beerens's.

I accept that! overall our signings have been hugely successful but it does seem interesting that the 3 loanees are quite obvious replacements for those 3.

[LWJ]

For your Mendes's, Gravenberch's, and Wieser's you've got your Swift's, your Moore's and your Beerens's.

I accept that! overall our signings have been hugely successful but it does seem interesting that the 3 loanees are quite obvious replacements for those 3.

Not quite as obvious as you think as Mutch is more of a Williams type player, Popa is a right winger and Oxford is a left back..

[Rusty royal]

What about Jakkola?

[NewCorkSeth]

What about Jakkola?

[genome]

Oxford is a left back..

Centre-back, isn't he?

[NewCorkSeth]

For your Mendes's, Gravenberch's, and Wieser's you've got your Swift's, your Moore's and your Beerens's.

I accept that! overall our signings have been hugely successful but it does seem interesting that the 3 loanees are quite obvious replacements for those 3.

Not quite as obvious as you think as Mutch is more of a Williams type player, Popa is a right winger and Oxford is a left back..

Ah see I just meant rough positions rather than tactical placement. Mendes/Grabban are FWs, Gravenberch/Oxford are CBs and Wieser/Mutch are MCs.

[LWJ]

Oxford is a left back..

Centre-back, isn't he?

From wiki apparently, but from what I've heard he's more cover for LB than CB. Not sure a lad of his stature would fare well against some of the lumps playing CF in the Championship tbf.

[muirinho]

Oxford is a left back..

Centre-back, isn't he?

Yep. (And also Defensive midfielder) Possibly wouldn't have brought him in if Ilori hadn't got injured so quick. Maybe tough on Rob Dickie, whose loan was curtailed to provide extra cover, and now might not get a look-in

[CountryRoyal]

Stam said he was after a CB, a CM and ST.

We got the CB in Illori, we were chasing Mutch for a while and then managed to get the striker in the end. Had Illori and VDB not gotten injured (Illori especially) we wouldn't have gone in for oxf*rd. The only unexpected one was Popa but with Harriot out we needed another winger.

Think it's been a thoroughly efficient and successful window. Well done to the club.

[NewCorkSeth]

Oxford is a left back..

Centre-back, isn't he?

From wiki apparently, but from what I've heard he's more cover for LB than CB. Not sure a lad of his stature would fare well against some of the lumps playing CF in the Championship tbf.

The same Reece Oxford who kept Giroud in his pocket when he was 16 on his debut?

[genome]

Stam said he was after a CB, a CM and ST.

We got the CB in Illori, we were chasing Mutch for a while and then managed to get the striker in the end. Had Illori and VDB not gotten injured (Illori especially) we wouldn't have gone in for oxf*rd. The only unexpected one was Popa but with Harriot out we needed another winger.

Think it's been a thoroughly efficient and successful window. Well done to the club.

Presumably we were waiting on Palace for the Mutch deal, to see if they signed that bloke with the impenetrable name.

[NewCorkSeth]

Stam said he was after a CB, a CM and ST.

We got the CB in Illori, we were chasing Mutch for a while and then managed to get the striker in the end. Had Illori and VDB not gotten injured (Illori especially) we wouldn't have gone in for oxf*rd. The only unexpected one was Popa but with Harriot out we needed another winger.

Think it's been a thoroughly efficient and successful window. Well done to the club.

Agreed. Although managing to get one of the premier leagues hottest prospects on loan is fairly good going. I imagine Oxford will be playing that JVDB role possibly in the place of Evans.

[genome]

Stam's pulling power has been considerable. Nearly every signing has said they wanted to come here because of Stam.

[NewCorkSeth]

Stam's pulling power has been considerable. Nearly every signing has said they wanted to come here because of Stam.

Even Bilic said he wanted Oxford to go here because of Stam.

[Hound]

the squad is probably too large now and there will be players who aren't going to get the minutes they possibly deserve, or at least think they deserve.

We'll have handy players like Harriott, Rakels and Watson who might not get another minute in the first team this season,

However, the board have backed Stam to lead us to a challenge for the play offs, and inflated the squad to hopefully limit the impact of any further injuries etc, and fair play to them for that.

[LWJ]

The same Reece Oxford who kept Giroud in his pocket when he was 16 on his debut?

Cooper 'kept' Lukaku in his pocket against Everton.. Look where that got him.