Millenniumram

I agree in fairness, but still for the good of the joke well pretend he was a poo as everyone makes out....

At the minute a bloody Bradley Johnson/ Jacob Butterfield hybrid would be an improvement on Dowell!

Makes sense really. There’s no real need for a goalkeeper in January who’s not significantly better than Roos, as we have enough numbers there. But when Hamer’s loan expires at the end of the season, and Carson presumably leaves at the end of his contract (along with maybe Mitchell) then that leaves us short of numbers, and a signing becomes needed in that area.

Great to see the sort of philosophy Cocu is trying to build here. At the very least, I think he ticks those boxes as a manager.

Can definitely see Cocus point here- we have a number of talented u23s who have to be considered for a role in the first team, so we don’t want to be making loads of unnecessary signings to block their paths. January as a window is also notoriously difficult to get decent business done in, so really it has to be the less busy of the two windows if possible. Should be a window used to make tweaks to your squad, rather than rebuilds which are best left to the summer. That said however, there are still some gaping holes in our team imo that need filling, and need filling quickly. While theres various weaknesses that can be left until the summer to address when we’ve got more time to sort them, there’s also a couple of areas in the squad that are really concerning and it’s more important we do something to address them sooner than the summer (Such as at CB). So personally, while I agree with Cocus general principle in terms of his long term philosophy with the academy, imo I can see justification for 3-4 signings in January, so I’m still a little disappointed if we don’t do anything- especially if there’s still a chance of us doing something this season. In fairness mind, we normally get this sort of statement before every window. It’s the standard thing to do really, come out and say you don’t need anything, then if you go in for a deal you won’t get ripped off as clubs will think you won’t hang around. If you come out and say “we’re bloody desperate for signings and we’ll be fighting for anyone we can get” then quite obviously any clubs gonna see you coming from a mile off and hike their price up, knowing you’ll pay it. Personally, I don’t buy the statement is any more than that (and I think making such a statement is exactly the right move!). My crystal ball is telling me we get 3 signings in January- Marquee CB early doors to replace Keogh, a right winger (possibly on loan) around deadline day, and a cover right back to replace wisdom who we shift on to free up some wages. We’ll see if I’m right.

After Keoghs departure I think there’s only one reasonable answer to this question anymore, and that’s centre half. That signing is absolutely vital, more important that we get it done than any transfer in recent years imo. Most important that we find the right man as well.

Jesus 5000 tickets😂 Always knew Wigan wasn’t really a football town but Christ!

He’ll get his chance this season I reckon.

Martyn Waghorn has entered the chat

Mourinho would be a terrible appointment imo to replace Poch. Hasn’t really had any great deal of success in a few years, and more significantly will bring a totally different style of play which won’t remotely carry on Pochettinos work.

Perhaps, depends how bad the situation is, can’t say I know a great deal about what’s happening at Spurs. The devils advocate would perhaps suggest this was more of a mutual decision than it first appears, as Poch maybe doesn’t think he’ll have the backing to sort the mess out.

Both. Justified based on this season, unfair based on others. But football isn’t played in the past sadly, and if Spurs don’t think Poch can take them forward, then their call is justified.

Mental really given what he’s achieved, but in the modern game it’s justified imo. Their start has been terrible for them, and it’s a pretty decent time in the season to make a change. Does seem so unfair mind.

It’ll all be ongoing right now I’d think, we’ll probably get a one line statement at the end of it and that’ll be it.

Anyone suggesting he’ll be too good needs to give their head a wobble. Top players are never too good, they raise the level of those around them. Rooney is an unreal signing as this level, and I suspect he’ll prove to be one of the very best in the division.