Transfer Window + Squad

[BWFC_Insane]

Ok so after the 150 odd pages of speculation the endless torment, multitude of hopes, dissapointments and excitements we have signed the following....

Alonso cost somewhere in the region of £1.5M
Blake Free
Eaves cost around £300,000
Klasnic Free
Petrov Free
Rodrigo Loan

How do we assess the last transfer window for the club and the current squad, given that today Owen must name his 25 man squad?

In my view its a bit mixed.

The positives are we've managed to bring in 6 players during what has been a very tight window all round, and we've done that without spending massive amounts on fees (in fact net spend on fees we're probably not far off zero). I imagine we've spent a fair amount on wages and signing on fees for Petrov and Klasnic and a loan fee for Rodrigo. We've also finally got to the point where we have four strikers, ok Rodrigo is an unknown, but by all accounts has pace which was the one thing we lacked up front. So he'll be an option even if just late on in games. We have also added some potential real class in Petrov and experienced versatility in Blake. Alonso if he's a third as good as Coyle seems to think will make us a profit eventually. We have also kept our best players in Cahill and Muamba and although the money from a Cahill sale was tempting early in the window, the way the window has spun out selling him would have ended badly I feel.

So from the point of view of limited money to shell out we've probably done as well as we could have possibly hoped for.

However, as I'm sure Caps will be amongst the first to point out, whilst we've bought the front players to support the brave new world of 4-4-2, I'm not entirely convinced we've sorted out whats behind that. In fact I'm fairly confident we haven't.

Whilst Holden and Muamba are both mobile and both keen and willing runners, there doesn't seem to be much discipline in the centre of midfield. We don't have much genuine experience in there and we're struggling at times to keep the ball and sometimes to stop the opposition playing. Many teams will play one or two holding midfielders this season and we have none in our first 11 at the current time. We lack that genuinely calm premiership midfield player who will boss the game. I think Davis would do a job there, but obviously not anytime soon (if ever).

We have also not managed to improve on the back four, either at centre half or full back, not in a defensive sense anyways. Ok Alonso may come in and be better all round than Robbo, but defensively I suspect he'll leave more holes. Centre half to be fair we'll probably get away with and without silly money we would struggle to better as individuals the two we have there.

So in summary I think we have the best range of attacking options we've had since the Rioch era. We've probably got the best wingers we've had since then too. We have a strong keeper (when he's not being silly) and centre backs who whilst they don't always gel, individually we can have few complaints with them. Our issues really come at full back and central midfield. Its not as if any of those players are terribly poor but perhaps they might not be strong enough to cope all the time with the system we've played so far. Overally we probably can't grumble, we've got the makings of a decent squad, and shift some more deadwood in January or next summer and we should be able to get that defensive midfield player we need. Things are looking positive but there is still some worries and room for improvement.

Other views?

[H. Pedersen]

Whilst Holden and Muamba are both mobile and both keen and willing runners, there doesn't seem to be much discipline in the centre of midfield. We don't have much genuine experience in there and we're struggling at times to keep the ball and sometimes to stop the opposition playing. Many teams will play one or two holding midfielders this season and we have none in our first 11 at the current time. We lack that genuinely calm premiership midfield player who will boss the game. I think Davis would do a job there, but obviously not anytime soon (if ever).

This is true, though I didn't see anyone move in this window who A) would fit this description B) would come to us and C) was in our price range.

The bottom line on this window is that we all had to scale our expectations back a bit after the orgy of spending under Megson. Given what he had to work with - nothing - Coyle did pretty well. I do hope he is willing to be flexible because as you say I don't think we have the central midfielders to hold down a 4-4-2 and I have yet to be convinced by Knight.

[ohjimmyjimmy]

I'm fairly pleased. I think we needed that pacy striker and i'm glad we have that option, albeit maybe taking a couple of months of training ground footy, reserve footy & carling cup footy before an appearance will be made in t'first team!

Petrov im sure will gradually make his mark on the team, Klasnic will flit in and out of the team, depending on niggles, Elmander blowing hot & cold, oppositions before us.

Would have liked another quality defensive option and of course an attacking midfield link player would have been great, that said, we have scored 6 in 4 games, not too shabby.

[Il Pirate]

I think Knight continues to improve, and in time, he and Cahill will bring the best out of each other. As for midfield, Holden has a lot of promise but needs to learn how to play positionaly, as was highlited on sun with Bowyer continualy running into the space Holden left behind him. I'm not sure who can fill the role of holding m/fielder at present, but Holden seems to be OC's first choice and in the manager we must trust. Perhaps OC may think of doubling up the m/field with Mavies coming in against the bigger teams to assist Holden. But again, the team will have the balance to reflect the style of football OC wishes to play. Will he pick a side to go to Old Traford to batten down the hatches in the hope of securing a draw, or pick one with a bit of flair in the hope of nicking a couple of goals? I think we now have a squad capable of giving him these options, but it's early days and any team incorporating new faces needs to gel. I know he gets vilified on here sometimes, and I've no idea why; but Matty Taylor could also be an option as an atacking central midfielder. Just my opinion. As for full backs, I think Robinson has improved ten fold from when he first arrived. I know he's prone to the 'odd' booking for clumsy challenges, but that tricky winger at Wet Spam gave him the runaround for twenty odd minutes until Robbo cracked him one. Yes he got booked, but the winger didn't want to know after that and it seriously blunted WH's attacking force. Steiner or Ricketts at R back? Much of a muchness to me, and you can toss a coin to see who plays. As for the youngsters brought in, who knows? They all need game time, but as my grandad used to say, if you're good enough you're old enough. I feel we have some exciting times ahead of us this season, and look forward to able to write at the end of it all, "wasn't x superb this year? Along with such & such and the new spanish fella in attack, who'd have thought we'd finish fifth"!!!!

[mullayo]

I hope Davis injury doesn't unbalance us and make us a bit light ie. West Brom circa 2008. I wish we got Hitzleberger. I always liked him.

However, I think Holden has potential. Pleased with Petrov, Blake has repaid his non-transfer fee and Alonso looks exciting. We have 3 keepers. Zat Knight is ever improving as is Robinson although he'll never get faster. Ricketts is a fine back-up for the back four. Samuels and Shittu could have done with shifting but at least they tried. January???

Klasnic, Blake and Moreno on frees and we now have six striking options with Eaves coming in and Bambi on Ice in a winter wonderland somewhere our striking options are improved and much needed competition is there. I'm really impressed with Coyle's persistance with both Alonso and Moreno. He didn't take no for an answer from Real Madrid and Benfica. Brilliant. Got his two men against all kinds of odds. "Owen, Moreno has been sold to another club!" "Minor setback son, nothing to worry about he'll be here by deadline day."

Looking good and got points on the board. Unlikely as they have been. Bolton could do with a lucky manager. We're well due some decisions.
I love Muamba btw. Brilliant to watch him hunt and destroy.

[Il Pirate]

I love Muamba btw. Brilliant to watch him hunt and destroy



I wrote on here last season that the Moo would leave us for mega money, to somewhere probably spanish. I was ridiculed................But still stand by what I said







So there

[ohjimmyjimmy]

If you were ridiculed, mayyyybe bringing it up again isnt the smartest thing to do?

Given that he hasn't, ya know, left for big money to a Spanish club.

That post was like the world's worst ever 'i told you so'

[General Mannerheim]

when is the final 25 man list released? do we still neatly conform to this or are there gonna be a few bods left out in the cold?

[BWFC_Insane]

when is the final 25 man list released? do we still neatly conform to this or are there gonna be a few bods left out in the cold?

Has to be submitted 5pm today.

CBA working it out but have a feeling we might at worst be one over.

I suspect Coyle might not bother naming Riga anyways, possibly might leave out Samuel and Shittu to encourage them to take loans in the championship as well.

[Tombwfc]

It'd be nonsensical to not name players we're paying in the squad when we've got spaces to fill, so he won't do that. How much of a bellend would he look if we got a few injuries?

Anyway, I think Klasnic and Petrov were great pieces of business for frees (although neither have lit the place up so far). Not entirely sure why a club with no money felt fit to spend all of it on a reserve left-back.

All in all not much to complain about really.

[BWFC_Insane]

It'd be nonsensical to not name players we're paying in the squad when we've got spaces to fill, so he won't do that. How much of a bellend would he look if we got a few injuries?

Anyway, I think Klasnic and Petrov were great pieces of business for frees (although neither have lit the place up so far). Not entirely sure why a club with no money felt fit to spend all of it on a reserve left-back.

All in all not much to complain about really.

I guess he might take the view we aren't going to play Riga/Shittu anyways given whats in front of them and of course we have a number ahead of them who are U21 anyways.

He did say last weekend we wouldn't name 25 players but I'm sure we have 25 to name. Guess we'll find out later.

[seanworth]

Does this list have to remain rigid until january? Or as injuries happen non contract players or youth academy players can be added and dropped throughout the season.

[BWFC_Insane]

Does this list have to remain rigid until january? Or as injuries happen non contract players or youth academy players can be added and dropped throughout the season.

You can play U21 players whenever. They aren't on any list and don't need to be.

But the rest of the list is fixed until January and they are the ONLY over 21s you can play until end of December.

[thebish]

It'd be nonsensical to not name players we're paying in the squad when we've got spaces to fill, so he won't do that. How much of a bellend would he look if we got a few injuries?

Anyway, I think Klasnic and Petrov were great pieces of business for frees (although neither have lit the place up so far). Not entirely sure why a club with no money felt fit to spend all of it on a reserve left-back.

All in all not much to complain about really.

Klasnic has hardly had much of a chance has he!!

[seanworth]

Does this list have to remain rigid until january? Or as injuries happen non contract players or youth academy players can be added and dropped throughout the season.

You can play U21 players whenever. They aren't on any list and don't need to be.

But the rest of the list is fixed until January and they are the ONLY over 21s you can play until end of December.

Cheers. Kind of kills off the chance of a late pick up of an out of contract player (over 21).

[enrdentw]

I was suprised that Ward was not sent out on loan?

A bit of a waste not sending him out...

[BWFC_Insane]

I was suprised that Ward was not sent out on loan?

A bit of a waste not sending him out...

He will be sent out next week.

[thebish]

I was suprised that Ward was not sent out on loan?

A bit of a waste not sending him out...

he'll be off to coventry next week when he has signed a new long term contract with us..

[bwfcmadlad]

Im pretty sure championship clubs and below can still loan players for a little while longer yet

[enrdentw]

I was suprised that Ward was not sent out on loan?

A bit of a waste not sending him out...

he'll be off to coventry next week when he has signed a new long term contract with us..

Forgot Championship etc had an extended window.