Joao Replacement

[Brogue]

Whilst I tend to agree, you may see some interesting* moves happening towards the end of the window as PL clubs know who will be in their named squad - could be some players such as Long available for a small contribution as it would be better for the player and his club for him to be somewhere else playing than training without any chance of making a first team appearance.

Not doubting long might be made available, and if he were I’m sure there will be other clubs in a better situation ready to gazump any bid we made. It’s not outside the realms of possibility, sure. it ain’t happening though.

he was made available in January and went to Bournemouth. Accept that WCBAP given our current situation but he still lives locally I believe and perhaps still has an affinity to the club. Also 34 and OOC at the end of this season - so getting close to your definition I think of a has been.

Indeed, and I’m sure money bags Bournemouth paid a handsome loan fee and a % of his wages, neither of which we are in a position to do. And yes he’s still local, my sister is friends with his wife they went to school together in woodley. Her family are still all around here. They quite often are in woodley visiting. So indeed he very much still has roots to the town. And of course I would love to see him come back. But it ain’t happening in this window.

[blythspartan]

Joe Ironside of Cambridge united, he reminds me of Martin Butler. We would need to loan him from them so not sure how that would work.

[Fox Talbot]

Tell me about Clarke, please. Hadn't noticed him coming up the ranks. He created one moment of danger last night, which was one more than poor Puscas did.

[Zip]

I think HRK could do a job if motivated. Shane Long would be my preference.

[Snowflake Royal]

Good lord no to every single one

Personally if Puscas does not come good I would rather we gave Clarke a run. Big lad and did ok last night. Better to give an 18 year old a go than a has been on the way down.

A 10 minute cameo against a shit Bristol city team and you think he can lead the line for us for the next 6 months.

At least he'd be fit and cheap

[Linden Jones' Tash]

If we can't alter our shape to optimise the International Striker we have, then the Coach isn't as good as be thinks he is.

If we do have wiggle room to bring someone in, I'd rather a young hungry lower league player or Prem Academy youngster than an ageing injury prone player.

[Sutekh]

Wouldn't be adverse to him on loan, if Norwich are happy for us to only cover 8k or less of his wages.

Relatively slim pickings on the free agent front but names that jump out as options*:

Connor Wickham
Daniel Sturridge
Hal Robson-Kanu
Andy Carroll
Wilfred Bony
Yaya Sanogo
Rudy Gestede

*list taken from out of contract players on Transfermarkt - so some may be unavailable now, and only looked at players with experience of playing in England. None massively excite but could be options if we need someone.

Good lord no to every single one

That list is depressing.

Wickham would fit right in with his injury record though

All the same, if it could be done, signing Daniel Sturridge and Andy Carroll would at least scare the cr@p out of opponents for the 10 minutes they were both fit and on the pitch together in the same game.

[Norfolk Royal]

Good lord no to every single one

That list is depressing.

Wickham would fit right in with his injury record though

All the same, if it could be done, signing Daniel Sturridge and Andy Carroll would at least scare the cr@p out of opponents for the 10 minutes they were both fit and on the pitch together in the same game.

lol.

[Crowbar6753]

Definatly underwelmed with anything on these lists!! i would much prefer a young hungrey forward from the Premiership who needs to prove himself to progress his career.
I'm sure there's still plenty of talent floating around and these fringe players need to prove a point. Look at the lad Bashiru who came on last night! The Championship is the ideal league for this type of players to prove their point.
I'm sure the big six have been raided already, but the Villa's, Wet Shammer's and Wolves and maybe Leicester's might have some still knocking around.

[blythspartan]

Andre Gray or Isaac Success from Watford? Tbh half the championship will want Gray.

[Norfolk Royal]

Andre Gray or Isaac Success from Watford? Tbh half the championship will want Gray.

I can't see someone with Isaac's surname signing for us tbf.

[From Despair To Where?]

What about his cousin Isaac Abject-Failure?

[Crowbar6753]

[quote="Linden Jones' Tash"]If we can't alter our shape to optimise the International Striker we have, then the Coach isn't as good as be thinks he is.

This 100% !!!!!!! in all walks of life you have to adapt and overcome....especially in sport, if you stand still your competition will overtake. We have lost 40+ goals between Joao and Meite and we're down to our last fit striker (Barring the youngsters) and this Striker cannot play the lone striking role to save his life.
Its time for Pauno to start earning his money and get creative....we,ve been dealt a bad hand, i get that, it sucks for everyone but we have to deal with it.
Go back to basic's... 4-4-2

Cabral

Holmes Morrision Moore Bristow

Yiadom Laurent Bashiru Swift

Azeez Puscas

Its not great, however, most footballers can play 4-4-2. Scrap the zonal defence and keep it simple,

[Snowflake Royal]

If we can't alter our shape to optimise the International Striker we have, then the Coach isn't as good as be thinks he is.

This 100% !!!!!!! in all walks of life you have to adapt and overcome....especially in sport, if you stand still your competition will overtake. We have lost 40+ goals between Joao and Meite and we're down to our last fit striker (Barring the youngsters) and this Striker cannot play the lone striking role to save his life.
Its time for Pauno to start earning his money and get creative....we,ve been dealt a bad hand, i get that, it sucks for everyone but we have to deal with it.
Go back to basic's... 4-4-2

Cabral

Holmes Morrision Moore Bristow

Yiadom Laurent Bashiru Swift

Azeez Puscas

Its not great, however, most footballers can play 4-4-2. Scrap the zonal defence and keep it simple,

You can't play Swift as a winger though. That's worse than asking Puscas as a lone striker. And Rino is dropped despite being one of our more reliable players. Whilst Captain Calamity retains his place.

[Crowbar6753]

If we can't alter our shape to optimise the International Striker we have, then the Coach isn't as good as be thinks he is.

This 100% !!!!!!! in all walks of life you have to adapt and overcome....especially in sport, if you stand still your competition will overtake. We have lost 40+ goals between Joao and Meite and we're down to our last fit striker (Barring the youngsters) and this Striker cannot play the lone striking role to save his life.
Its time for Pauno to start earning his money and get creative....we,ve been dealt a bad hand, i get that, it sucks for everyone but we have to deal with it.
Go back to basic's... 4-4-2

Cabral

Holmes Morrision Moore Bristow

Yiadom Laurent Bashiru Swift

Azeez Puscas

Its not great, however, most footballers can play 4-4-2. Scrap the zonal defence and keep it simple,

You can't play Swift as a winger though. That's worse than asking Puscas as a lone striker. And Rino is dropped despite being one of our more reliable players. Whilst Captain Calamity retains his place.

I think if we stop this zonal crap and just get back to basics then Moore and Morro should be the starting CB's, however, McIntyre and Holmes must be wondering what they have to do to take their place. Regarding Swift, i think he's played out wide a few times in the past and looked ok even though he's not an out an out wideman.
Anyway, we now have Hoilett which now gives us more options to play with.

Cabral

Yiadom Holmes McIntyre Bristow

Hoilett Laurent Rinhomota Ejaria (When fit)

Puscas Azeez

[Snowflake Royal]

You can't play Swift as a winger though. That's worse than asking Puscas as a lone striker. And Rino is dropped despite being one of our more reliable players. Whilst Captain Calamity retains his place.

I think if we stop this zonal crap and just get back to basics then Moore and Morro should be the starting CB's, however, McIntyre and Holmes must be wondering what they have to do to take their place. Regarding Swift, i think he's played out wide a few times in the past and looked ok even though he's not an out an out wideman.
Anyway, we now have Hoilett which now gives us more options to play with.

Cabral

Yiadom Holmes McIntyre Bristow

Hoilett Laurent Rinhomota Ejaria (When fit)

Puscas Azeez

Swift was dire when out wide in the past

[Linden Jones' Tash]

You can't play Swift as a winger though. That's worse than asking Puscas as a lone striker. And Rino is dropped despite being one of our more reliable players. Whilst Captain Calamity retains his place.

I think if we stop this zonal crap and just get back to basics then Moore and Morro should be the starting CB's, however, McIntyre and Holmes must be wondering what they have to do to take their place. Regarding Swift, i think he's played out wide a few times in the past and looked ok even though he's not an out an out wideman.
Anyway, we now have Hoilett which now gives us more options to play with.

Cabral

Yiadom Holmes McIntyre Bristow

Hoilett Laurent Rinhomota Ejaria (When fit)

Puscas Azeez

Swift was dire when out wide in the past

Cabral
Yiadom Morrison McIntyre AN other
Rinhomota
Hoilett Laurent
Swift
Puscas Azeez

Something like that?

[Snowflake Royal]

I think if we stop this zonal crap and just get back to basics then Moore and Morro should be the starting CB's, however, McIntyre and Holmes must be wondering what they have to do to take their place. Regarding Swift, i think he's played out wide a few times in the past and looked ok even though he's not an out an out wideman.
Anyway, we now have Hoilett which now gives us more options to play with.

Cabral

Yiadom Holmes McIntyre Bristow

Hoilett Laurent Rinhomota Ejaria (When fit)

Puscas Azeez

Swift was dire when out wide in the past

Cabral
Yiadom Morrison McIntyre AN other
Rinhomota
Hoilett Laurent
Swift
Puscas Azeez

Something like that?

Look, you don't need my approval or permission to pick a team. I'm just giving my view.

I'd just say if your complaint is play Puscas in a way he is playing to his strengths and can be effective, I'd say the same should be true for everyone else.


I'd say a 4-4-2 diamond would work, playing to Swift, Laurent and Rino's strengths, but it doesn't give us much width to cross with and we've no anchor. Maybe Tetek. Maybe Rino as anchor, but I don't think that's his forte.

I'd say traditional 4-4-2 with wingers, but we've got maybe two and one of them would be Puscas's partner upfront.

I'd say 5-3-2 with wingback to provide the width, but we don't have an attacking left back at the club who is up to it.

I just don’t think we have the players to play two up front at the moment.

[linkenholtroyal]

I still think Hal Robson Kanu might be the answer and not for sentimental reasons.
He could play as a foil alongside Puscas and hold the ball up like Joao does. Ok he is not going to score 20 a season but he could help Puscas to. He would also potentially take a year contract on low wages with us.

[royal67]

Could we tempt Glenn Murray out of retirement?

Better off with Glenn Miller.......