No More Loans!!!

[Lawto]

So, we nearly brought in 2 players last week. As (I presume) they were both Premiership players I can only assume they would be loan deals. That begs the question, why?
We are now (all but a couple of points) safe from relegation, so shouldn't the current squad be given their chance? I think Gerry Taggart did a brilliant job of galvanising the defence, and was, I feel, the reason for our unbeaten run. But we now have Clint Hill fit(?) again, so shouldn't he be given the chance to build his partnership with Thommo ready for next season? We also have the likes of Williams and Wilkinson as cover should they get injured / suspended, again two players that would benefit from playing regularly. Our midfield is extremely lightweight, as demonstrated yesterday, but we have players to play there. Why not let John Halls have a run in the centre of midfield and give Brian Wilson a run of games at right back? I'm sure this would benefit the club greater in the long run than bringing somebody like Batty in.
Unless it's permanent signings he's looking to bring in I can't see the logic. It has to have a negative effect on the players he leaves out to accomodate these temporary fixes. If at the end of the season, these players have had a fair crack of the whip and they haven't impressed, then they can have no excuses if a permanent replacement is brought in. But we need players for the future and I feel the likes of Taggart, Batty, Hyde etc are not what we are looking for.
Players like Sebastian Svard are the type of player we need. Players who will develop into even better players than they are now, not journeymen who's best days are over and are looking for a final paycheck before they hang up their boots.

[RipRoaringPotter]

If Leicester are prepared to let Taggert go (either on loan or permanent) then I don't see the reason why he shouldn't snap him up. If he has the same effect as last time he signed up we could find ourselves in the play-offs. Very unlikely, very very unlikely, but definatley worth the gamble should the option arise.

[Coll40]

The thing is, we've got a chance of making the play offs. Personally, I don't think we have enough strength in depth to do it without a couple of good signings. If key players get injured, we'll struggle. I know if we did manage to get promoted, the team are nowhere near good enough, but the money we would make would clear our debts and give our young players the chance to experience football at a higher level.
On the other hand, losing most games in the Prem, could demoralise our youngsters and do more harm than good. It depends which way the board and TP want to go.

[JoeinOz]

I doubt if TP really believes the play offs are a possibility. The thing is though you take each game as it comes and if you end up there you end up there.

My own view is that we are a long way away from being a top six team. Our main goal now is to keep improving the team anbd at some point in the future we'll get where we want to be.

[Lawto]

I think we are more than a couple of players away from a team capable of making the playoffs. Look how Wigan pissed on us in the first half yesterday, and how Crystal Palace put six(!) past us last week.
Don't get me wrong, I want us to make the playoffs (and get promotion) as much as anyone. But I'm a realist, and I think this season we will fall short. With that in mind we must start preparing for next season (and coming seasons) with the players we are investing our future in. Halls, Thomas, Hill, Wilson, Commons(?), Russell will benfit from a run of games from now to the end of the season. Add 2 or 3 more quality, permanent signings in the summer and I feel we'll be in a position to have a real go at the playoffs next season.

[AlliG]

Depends how you look at things I guess.

I still think that TP is not counting his chickens on our safety for this season and is it is his neck on the block, I don't particularly blame him.

Even before his groin injury yesterday, I think it seemed likely that John Eustace would probably have to miss a game or two in the coming weeks.

Is John Halls still suffering from his ankle problem? If so, maybe TP wouldn't want to push him into midfield where it would be tested more?

Clint Hill looked very unfit and rusty when he came on yesterday and a few weeks of intensive training and a couple of reserve games didn't look like they would go amiss.

There is also the benefit to be considered for the younger players of having better players around the club. We saw how much the games of Thomas, Clarke, Halls and even the mdfield came on with taggart in the team.

If we could bring in someone who could have the same effect on the young midfield players, Neal, Svard, Commons etc, then it would be worth doing.

I think we have now reached the stage where we should be looking to improve the quality of player rather than the quantity.

I would be happy to see us bring in another young player in the Halls/Svard mould and an experienced old head who we feel we might be able to sign permanently in the summer.

[Coll40]

Look at the difference Taggart made. He never stopped talking to the other defenders. He organised them into an effective unit. Even after attacks broke down, he was talking to the others, telling them where to go, what to do. He made a massive difference. Since he went, no-one has taken charge in defense. Clarky is captain, but isn't experienced enough to organise them. Clint Hill might be able to do it, but his fitness is a doubt.
If we could get Taggart back and keep him fit, plus a similar standard player in midfield, it could be enough.
We aren't that far off a decent team.
OK - Wigan played some good football, but there's only Norwich who have been doing it consistently. I would expect West Ham and West Brom to stay up there, but anyone else in top 14 or so are capable of getting into the play offs.

[Ejay]

If we get an Experienced Central Defender or any type of "Experienced" player in the team what harm can it do???

Taggart did the job!! Not only that it'd sow up a couple of holes and hopefully a couple of our younger / inexperienced players can learn how to stop tackles without lunging or being booked!! ;D

Ejay

[Staffsoatcake]

If getting someone in improves our chances of winning then we must try & get them.

[Lawto]

I agree with the "bringing in old heads can help the younger players along" theory. And I agree that at the right time of the season this is a very good thing to do. However, it has to be balanced out against the negative effects it can have. I remember a couple of seasons ago we brought in Tony Dorigo on a short term contract. The plan was, I assume, for him to help Clive Clarke and other younger players along. But, Clarkey didn't see it like that. All he saw was that he wasn't playing and he very nearly left the club. I'm not against anybody joining the club, but we need permanent additions not loans. If it's a loan til the end of the season with a view to a permanent transfer then fine. But these have to be the right kind of player. While Gerry Taggart did an excellent job of talking the younger players through games for a couple of months, he's not a long term option.
Thommo and Clint Hill must have over 200 league appearances each to their names. Isn't it about time they learnt to stand on their own two feet??

[SuperStokie]

I think we should go for the play offs until it's mathematically impossible for us to get there.

Aims are the way forward!