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Post by Lakeland Potter on Dec 16, 2009 9:42:11 GMT
Did anyone else hear John Acres on Praise and Grumble last night? I found myself shouting abuse at the computer because of one comment he kept making throughout the programme.
He was talking about whether we should strengthen the squad in the January window. His argument seemed to be that if we didn't get many points from the remaining december games we should strengthen but if we got a decent number of points then we should not buy anyone in January.
What a bloody simplistic view of life! As TP often says, if you don't try to move forward in football then you are likely to move backwards. So long as we have any weaknesses in the side (and we certainly have weaknesss) then we should try to strengthen the squad by shipping out the weaker players and getting in better.
I hope TP doesn't get cold feet and sticks to his principles and refreshes the squad by shipping out five or six of the players with no future and shipping in three or four better players - providing he can find them at a decent price. And this should happen however many points we have or haven't got by January.
Am I right - or is Acres talking more sense than me?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2009 9:57:24 GMT
lakeland your right please see post "last years table " Acres is an
Acolyte " falloing hopelessly "into the King has got not clothes " trap.
We deperately need to strengthen , our position isnt anywhere near as good as some may have us believe and our principal advantage over some in the dogfight is we have the fiscal muscle to pull out of it, if used wisely.
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Post by lew86 on Dec 16, 2009 10:01:15 GMT
Central midfield vitally needs fresh faces, regardless to whether we get some good points or not.
Acres talks out his arse sometimes, but speaks some truths other times.
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Post by wuzza on Dec 16, 2009 10:22:50 GMT
I think the point is that January is a very difficult time to buy good quality so if you can avoid paying out large sums for over-inflated 'panic' buys then all the better. If the quality midfielder etc wasnt available pre-season then the chances in January are limited and you would be better keeping the cash in your pocket for the next window.
Not very exciting message for fans (and especially message boards like this) but its the truth.
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Post by Trubritt on Dec 16, 2009 10:42:57 GMT
I think the point is that January is a very difficult time to buy good quality so if you can avoid paying out large sums for over-inflated 'panic' buys then all the better. If the quality midfielder etc wasnt available pre-season then the chances in January are limited and you would be better keeping the cash in your pocket for the next window. Not very exciting message for fans (and especially message boards like this) but its the truth. i agree , good post |
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Post by 811 on Dec 16, 2009 10:51:12 GMT
i don't like acres at the best of times, i don't even know why, it maybe because he is the biggest rimmer going at times and find him kind of cringeworthy.
imo we should strenghen the side ( the starting 11) whatever position we are in, the more points we get at the end of the season the easier it should be to look attractive to future transfer targets.
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Post by mikeyb99 on Dec 16, 2009 10:55:57 GMT
Our squad - and first team - is desperately in need of strengthening, and, since we did some of our best business last January, it seems to me Christmas is as good a time as any to do it in.
I still cannot believe we will continue to pick up results while our right-back slot is filled by Huth, our left-back slot by Collins, and our midfield includes Diao and/or Whitehead. We're also desperately short up front, presuming Beattie goes on his way.
New signings are an absolute necessity.
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Post by rorymscfc on Dec 16, 2009 10:56:51 GMT
I think that this January is slightly different in that there are a number of clubs who for one reason or another actively need to sell players. That usually means that they are available at a more reasonable price than they would be otherwise.
If this is the case and the players in question would strenthen us then we would be mad not to try to get them regardless of how many points we do or don't have.
RoryM
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Post by despotter on Dec 16, 2009 11:25:10 GMT
Nobody in their right mind could argue that we don't need a creative CM.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Dec 16, 2009 11:37:09 GMT
I think the point is that January is a very difficult time to buy good quality so if you can avoid paying out large sums for over-inflated 'panic' buys then all the better. If the quality midfielder etc wasnt available pre-season then the chances in January are limited and you would be better keeping the cash in your pocket for the next window. Not very exciting message for fans (and especially message boards like this) but its the truth. That maybe true wuzza (I'm not actually sure that it is but that's a separate argument), however that wasn't the POINT that Lakeland was taking issue with, was it? |
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Post by mcf on Dec 16, 2009 11:56:22 GMT
If I was Peter Coates then I'd be bothered about what I was likely to get in return for my money possibly.
Unless you can break into the top 4, then there is argument for making the books balance - what do you get for each extra place - 700k?
So I see where he is coming from, if we look like we are going to be safe, then maybe we should keep the money in our pocket for when we really need it.
That is not to say we shouldn't be looking for value for money bargains.
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Post by despotter on Dec 16, 2009 12:01:05 GMT
If I was Peter Coates then I'd be bothered about what I was likely to get in return for my money possibly. Unless you can break into the top 4, then there is argument for making the books balance - what do you get for each extra place - 700k? So I see where he is coming from, if we look like we are going to be safe, then maybe we should keep the money in our pocket for when we really need it. That is not to say we shouldn't be looking for value for money bargains. That's how Wigan seem to be doing business. It's a good pragmatic approach. No doubt some on here would whinge if we spend our time trying to unearth gems, though.  |
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Post by lust4life on Dec 16, 2009 12:08:05 GMT
But lets look at the table and even though we sit 11th we are now only five points from 3rd bottom which is nowt......We deffo need to strengthen in CM and upfront if nowhere else....
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Post by Titan Uranus on Dec 16, 2009 12:11:39 GMT
Nobody in their right mind could argue that we don't need a creative CM. Tony Pulis doesn't think we need one. |
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Post by mumf14 on Dec 16, 2009 12:33:23 GMT
I can see both sides to this one, both Fornsides and Acres.
On the one hand Fornside it is essential to get better players in , in order to move on, but it all comes with a big price tag...a MUCH BIGGER pricetag to take us to the next level.However that said, there is a lot of waste we are carrying and we desperately need a big clear-out...
Theres a least six players who need to go in my opinion with Mama Sidibe and Dave Kitson the most obvious ones.The reason is that these two are on the fringes of the first team and effectively add nothing to our attacking virility.The other players in the reserves are less important in terms of their likelihood to play so the tendency is to keep these as cover...Griffin,Pugh etc..
The point I think Acres is trying to make (I assume) is to keep the wage bill down at least until the end of the season,.. as to bring in better players would inevitably mean a massive step up in the wage bill.(P.S I didn't listen to the program)
I disagree with this idea of Acres purely because at this stage of the season many players find themselves out of favour and many would much prefer first team football. Likewise managers can at times fall out with certain players and in many instances cannot wait to get rid of disruptive influences..(Beattie perhaps). Therefore it is firm belief that the January window provides an excellent opportunity to pick up a bargain ...even more so than the close summer season for the reasons I have given.
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Post by mrstommysorensen on Dec 16, 2009 12:48:14 GMT
The thing I have always thought about acres is that he is a sycophant, and he will always suck up to Tony and Coates, and he makes to known by telling everyone his own opinion millions of times. I think I have read somewhere that if there is a chance to spend in January, it will only be taken if it is 100% needed, so I think Acres has just taken those words a little bit too literally and will not listen to anybody elses opinion.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Dec 16, 2009 13:00:04 GMT
I can see both sides to this one, both Fornsides and Acres. On the one hand Fornside it is essential to get better players in , in order to move on, but it all comes with a big price tag...a MUCH BIGGER pricetag to take us to the next level.However that said, there is a lot of waste we are carrying and we desperately need a big clear-out... Theres a least six players who need to go in my opinion with Mama Sidibe and Dave Kitson the most obvious ones.The reason is that these two are on the fringes of the first team and effectively add nothing to our attacking virility.The other players in the reserves are less important in terms of their likelihood to play so the tendency is to keep these as cover...Griffin,Pugh etc.. The point I think Acres is trying to make (I assume) is to keep the wage bill down at least until the end of the season,.. as to bring in better players would inevitably mean a massive step up in the wage bill.(P.S I didn't listen to the program) I disagree with this idea of Acres purely because at this stage of the season many players find themselves out of favour and many would much prefer first team football. Likewise managers can at times fall out with certain players and in many instances cannot wait to get rid of disruptive influences..(Beattie perhaps). Therefore it is firm belief that the January window provides an excellent opportunity to pick up a bargain ...even more so than the close summer season for the reasons I have given. I certainly wouldn't disagree with what you say about the wage bill mumf. But I suggested we should offload more players than we bring in and part of the reasoning was that the wage bill of the outgoing players might balance the wages of the lower number of players coming in. On the general point made by some posters about the January window - whilst BT arguably isn't the player he was when we bought him last January, he did score the goals which pushed us up the table and Etherington was a snip at the price - and his form is better now than when we bought him. I'd be delighted to repeat that quality of business next month. |
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Post by mumf14 on Dec 16, 2009 13:08:40 GMT
Yes....Absolutely Mr Fornside..I endorse wholeheartedly your points there.
We could be improved significantly with little extra outlay if we get rid of more players than we actually bring in ( quality in ....quantity out).
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Post by anarchicalan on Dec 16, 2009 13:13:28 GMT
.... add nothing to our attacking virility..... I rarely agree with you mumf, but credit to you for this literary gem. Nicely put. "The thing I have always thought about acres is that he is a sycophant, and he will always suck up to Tony and Coates, and he makes to known by telling everyone his own opinion millions of times. I think I have read somewhere that if there is a chance to spend in January, it will only be taken if it is 100% needed, so I think Acres has just taken those words a little bit too literally and will not listen to anybody elses opinion." Mrs tommy - not only is he a sycophant, he's got more faces than a church clock! As for listening to anyone else's opinion, he doesn't believe anyone has the RIGHT to an opinion other than his! A journalistic nonentity sucking the integrity out of the BBC, and Radio Stoke in particular, with his parasitic sputum choking the life out of reasoned and open debate. I can only wish him a promotion to Head of Services in Greenland. |
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Post by lordb on Dec 16, 2009 13:49:09 GMT
make deals when you can
cant agree that we are 'desperate' for players as we are clearly going to finish mid-table.
imho we could ship out Cort,Sonko,Griff,Cresswell,Soares,Amdy Faye,Tonge (I think he;s a good player but he isnt going to play)& Kitson in jan & bring no-one & we would still be fine.
thats 8 players
if we do bring players in we can let others go.
e.g.if a striker comes in Beattie could go.
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Post by truckerged on Dec 16, 2009 14:02:08 GMT
i don't like acres at the best of times, i don't even know why, it maybe because he is the biggest rimmer going at times and find him kind of cringeworthy. imo we should strenghen the side ( the starting 11) whatever position we are in, the more points we get at the end of the season the easier it should be to look attractive to future transfer targets. if you think acres is a rimmer you should hear some of the shite spoken by other summarisers, i drive al over the country but the biggest laugh i had was driving thru birmimgham about 6 weeks ago. i think brum had won a game and where destined for a european slot, and the baggies had won and they are going to piss the championship!! |
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Post by boweryboy on Dec 16, 2009 14:22:17 GMT
Is Pulis capeable of buying someone in January and putting them straight in the team? the answer is yes if its a defender they will get shoe horned in right away,a player with quality needs to get Stoke City fit as we have seen and on that footing he might be ready for the last game of the season.......
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Dec 16, 2009 14:27:39 GMT
Is Pulis capeable of buying someone in January and putting them straight in the team? the answer is yes if its a defender they will get shoe horned in right away,a player with quality needs to get Stoke City fit as we have seen and on that footing he might be ready for the last game of the season....... Ethers and BT managed to get straight into the team last January. What is so different this season? |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Dec 16, 2009 14:27:44 GMT
John Acres is a prat.
The midfield and strikers need strengthening, it's that obvious Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles have seen it!
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Post by Ron Jeremy on Dec 16, 2009 14:39:55 GMT
If we didnt sign anyone in Jan, or loose anyone i would still be confident of us staying up But if we signed a couple (Attacking Mid, Cover winger for Ethers or Lenny) then i would be confident of us finishing high mid table, maybe 8th?  |
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Post by boweryboy on Dec 16, 2009 14:44:04 GMT
Lake.....even Pulis at that time realized we needed a left wide midfield player that could actually cross a ball with his left foot,BT luckerly came in as a striker and scored seven goals,now Pulis has converted him into a midfield /defender,there is no chance of him scoring anywhere near what we want.......
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Dec 16, 2009 14:47:37 GMT
Lake.....even Pulis at that time realized we needed a left wide midfield player that could actually cross a ball with his left foot,BT luckerly came in as a striker and scored seven goals,now Pulis has converted him into a midfield /defender,there is no chance of him scoring anywhere near what we want....... I don't think Pulis has converted BT into anything different - he simply isn't fit (or interested? take your pick!) this season. That doesn't alter the fact that Pulis bought (and immediately played) Ethers and BT last January - something you said he wouldn't do with a skillful player. |
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Post by fromafar07 on Dec 16, 2009 15:21:46 GMT
ous squad needs strengthening now, never mind in january. in particular midfield !!!!!
i was listening to the ManU Wolves games on satellite radio yesterday and of course Man City came into the conversation, one of the commentators said, well if they strengthen their squad in january they can make a run for top 4. good god, after spending a gazillion pounds on players in the off season, and he says they still need to strengthen !!
SO, yes we need midfielders and a fast left back !!
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Post by boweryboy on Dec 16, 2009 16:07:10 GMT
Lake Pulis
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2009 16:10:23 GMT
When you say "Beattie luckily came in" do you mean, "Pulis made one of the signings of the transfer window in bringing in the striker whose goals kept us up"? |
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