January 2021 transfer window - rumours

[dynastydan]

Hi everyone, new here so give me a chance!!

It was as plain as day that we are crying out for a striker. Not only as fans we knew this, but it was evident pundits have picked up on this too, Keith Andrews for example.
For whatever reasons, we will never know the full truth, Luton got the Walsall lad.
I realise PH hasnt covered himself in a y form of glory, he has a lot of work to do to win most round now, but I am surprised that someone who has made quick decisions (for the best) such as Siewert and then Cowleys sacking, that he hasnt sorted out the mess that is our recruitment team.
Bromby, marsh etc have made an absolute car crash of the last 2 windows, not in terms of identifying players etc, but organisation and due diligence. Why did it take them until yesterday afternoon to start panicking and going for every Tom Dick and Harry (right now they would be a better front 3).
Surely contacts with clubs and agents should have been done sooner, even if the deal itself even had to wait until yesterday.

I look through DATM frequently, but never been a member, and I see fans identifying players, some realistic, not all, and to me this shows how bad our recruitment team is.

I look at other clubs doing some great business.
Preston - Anthony Gordon (think someone mentioned him last week before any club was interested)
Derby - to say they cant afford players have brought in 5 players all who improve their 1st 11.
Luton - Ince would still get in our team now in my opinion. The lad from Walsall.

Just to name a few.

Covid has impacted every club not just Huddersfield Town, so I am not having this thrown around as an excuse.
Even with:
Parachute payments going back to bank to payback loans.
Money going to DH
40% wage reduction to those that stayed with us after relegation.
Transfer fees recieved.

I cant fathom how we are looking like we are one of the skintest teams in this division.

I hope this huge gamble the club have taken pays off. Not just in terms of survival, but also keeping hold of a coach and his staff that deserve backing. If I was CC (I know I am not before any sarcastic members start) in the back of my head I would be wondering 'is this worth it?'

[VLP Fan Club]

Feb 2, 2021 11:51:11 GMT 1 dynastydan said:

Hi everyone, new here so give me a chance!!

It was as plain as day that we are crying out for a striker. Not only as fans we knew this, but it was evident pundits have picked up on this too, Keith Andrews for example.
For whatever reasons, we will never know the full truth, Luton got the Walsall lad.
I realise PH hasnt covered himself in a y form of glory, he has a lot of work to do to win most round now, but I am surprised that someone who has made quick decisions (for the best) such as Siewert and then Cowleys sacking, that he hasnt sorted out the mess that is our recruitment team.
Bromby, marsh etc have made an absolute car crash of the last 2 windows, not in terms of identifying players etc, but organisation and due diligence. Why did it take them until yesterday afternoon to start panicking and going for every Tom Dick and Harry (right now they would be a better front 3).
Surely contacts with clubs and agents should have been done sooner, even if the deal itself even had to wait until yesterday.

I look through DATM frequently, but never been a member, and I see fans identifying players, some realistic, not all, and to me this shows how bad our recruitment team is.

I look at other clubs doing some great business.
Preston - Anthony Gordon (think someone mentioned him last week before any club was interested)
Derby - to say they cant afford players have brought in 5 players all who improve their 1st 11.
Luton - Ince would still get in our team now in my opinion. The lad from Walsall.

Just to name a few.

Covid has impacted every club not just Huddersfield Town, so I am not having this thrown around as an excuse.
Even with:
Parachute payments going back to bank to payback loans.
Money going to DH
40% wage reduction to those that stayed with us after relegation.
Transfer fees recieved.

I cant fathom how we are looking like we are one of the skintest teams in this division.

I hope this huge gamble the club have taken pays off. Not just in terms of survival, but also keeping hold of a coach and his staff that deserve backing. If I was CC (I know I am not before any sarcastic members start) in the back of my head I would be wondering 'is this worth it?'

Good first post dynasty, many on here won’t like it but it’s factual and Fans rightly so can question the goings on.

Welcome.

[iangreaves]

Feb 2, 2021 11:49:03 GMT 1 richhtfc said:

Feb 2, 2021 11:47:25 GMT 1 iangreaves said:

I think Grant picked up an injury early in training.

Yeah I saw he’d picked up an injury but assumed it was minor?

Even if it's minor, it's stopped his training schedule - and it's a huge step up from Irish league football to the Championship. Then there are the the particularly tough demands of the carlosball training regime. I may be wrong but I can't see him in the first team any time soon.

[VLP Fan Club]

Feb 2, 2021 12:15:49 GMT 1 iangreaves said:

Feb 2, 2021 11:49:03 GMT 1 richhtfc said:

Yeah I saw he’d picked up an injury but assumed it was minor?

Even if it's minor, it's stopped his training schedule - and it's a huge step up from Irish league football to the Championship. Then there are the the particularly tough demands of the carlosball training regime. I may be wrong but I can't see him in the first team any time soon.

hamstring and initial diagnosis was 6 weeks, remember Lolley when he joined us? He was injured frequently just from training alone.

We won't see him this season I don't think.

[Sparrow]

Overall it feels like a decent window.

Holmes and Aarons should hopefully be very good additions to the first team this season

Hogg, Vallejo, Bacuna, O'Brien & Holmes is a pretty good 5 to pick 3 from in a 433 formation. You could even play all 5 in a 451. With Hogg & Vallego sitting deep it might actually make us more solid at the back, with Holmes, Bacuna and O'Brien breaking from Midfield to support Campbell

Aarons, Campbell, Mbenza plus Koroma & Ward when they are back from Injury gives us a good 5 to select from across the front 3.

Keogh gives a bit of experience and cover at the back with so many CB's out injured.

Grant and Thomas are young, inexpensive gambles. Getting them in now gives them a good settling in period to when next season kicks off. Adding signings like these to the quality in the Academy will hopefully strengthen the club in the long term.

We've managed to get Diakhaby of the books and 2 young Academy lads out on Loan to hopefully get game time in League 2.

All of the above are very positive.

It's a huge shame that we didn't get another striker in as we've needed another one since the summer when Grant and Mounie left. Even with everyone fit we probably need another centre forward in as the 2 young lads aren't ready and both Koroma and Ward aren't really centre forwards who can do the role that CC system and style of play requires Campbell to do. We also don't have anything different up front to either come off the bench and change the dynamic or a big strong lad to physically compete against big CB's from the start

However, with the squad we now have, especially with a few players coming back from injury we should have enough to stay up.

Not really sure what the summer window will bring. Even through most if not all of the high earners will be off the wage bill, we've still got debts to service.

The club is due to pay DH £10m by the 31st August 2021, with a further £10m in the 12 months after that and the final £10m to pay with no specific dates attached subject to future events taking place. So even though the high earners will be off the books and the wage bill should be more manageable by the time the next window opens, the club will still owe DH a minimum of £20m. I think we've received about £75m in Parachute payments so far, with £46m going on Loan repayments (£31m to the bank and £15m to DH). I'd assume a large chunk of the rest on player wages and covering the impact of Covid. With the final parachute payment of £15m to come next season. The majority of that will possibly go to cover the £20m owed to DH. So not sure how much funds the club will have for Transfers.

[Tinpot]

Feb 2, 2021 10:35:16 GMT 1 Maynardblue said:

I'm sorry guys.

I genuinely expected one of the deals over the line last night.

Nowt to apologise for. Your updates are appreciated.

[richhtfc]

Feb 2, 2021 12:15:49 GMT 1 iangreaves said:

Feb 2, 2021 11:49:03 GMT 1 richhtfc said:

Yeah I saw he’d picked up an injury but assumed it was minor?

Even if it's minor, it's stopped his training schedule - and it's a huge step up from Irish league football to the Championship. Then there are the the particularly tough demands of the carlosball training regime. I may be wrong but I can't see him in the first team any time soon.

Was reading an article suggesting the best players in the Irish Prem have been able to step up to Championship in the past without much difficulty, and we’re talking about that leagues young player of the year. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part.

[Ross83]

Feb 2, 2021 11:12:07 GMT 1 terriersyndrome said:

Feb 2, 2021 11:00:27 GMT 1 @biffy2 said:

Hey, all might not be lost, Diego Costa is still available!

Here are some English free agents (you can change the drop down to see all nationalities): Free agents

Great news everybody..

Ishmael Miller is available on a free

Heard Emley are showing interest so not sure we'd be able to compete.

[k1man999]

Feb 2, 2021 12:22:22 GMT 1 Sparrow said:

Overall it feels like a decent window.

Holmes and Aarons should hopefully be very good additions to the first team this season

Hogg, Vallejo, Bacuna, O'Brien & Holmes is a pretty good 5 to pick 3 from in a 433 formation. You could even play all 5 in a 451. With Hogg & Vallego sitting deep it might actually make us more solid at the back, with Holmes, Bacuna and O'Brien breaking from Midfield to support Campbell

Aarons, Campbell, Mbenza plus Koroma & Ward when they are back from Injury gives us a good 5 to select from across the front 3.

Keogh gives a bit of experience and cover at the back with so many CB's out injured.

Grant and Thomas are young, inexpensive gambles. Getting them in now gives them a good settling in period to when next season kicks off. Adding signings like these to the quality in the Academy will hopefully strengthen the club in the long term.

We've managed to get Diakhaby of the books and 2 young Academy lads out on Loan to hopefully get game time in League 2.

All of the above are very positive.

It's a huge shame that we didn't get another striker in as we've needed another one since the summer when Grant and Mounie left. Even with everyone fit we probably need another centre forward in as the 2 young lads aren't ready and both Koroma and Ward aren't really centre forwards who can do the role that CC system and style of play requires Campbell to do. We also don't have anything different up front to either come off the bench and change the dynamic or a big strong lad to physically compete against big CB's from the start

However, with the squad we now have, especially with a few players coming back from injury we should have enough to stay up.

Not really sure what the summer window will bring. Even through most if not all of the high earners will be off the wage bill, we've still got debts to service.

The club is due to pay DH £10m by the 31st August 2021, with a further £10m in the 12 months after that and the final £10m to pay with no specific dates attached subject to future events taking place. So even though the high earners will be off the books and the wage bill should be more manageable by the time the next window opens, the club will still owe DH a minimum of £20m. I think we've received about £75m in Parachute payments so far, with £46m going on Loan repayments (£31m to the bank and £15m to DH). I'd assume a large chunk of the rest on player wages and covering the impact of Covid. With the final parachute payment of £15m to come next season. The majority of that will possibly go to cover the £20m owed to DH. So not sure how much funds the club will have for Transfers.

From transfers alone since relegation we have taken over 50m if figures are to be believed , last year and this years ticket money probably over 5m, commercial monnies last year, TV money I'm sure with all this there should be a couple of quid to get a striker not withstanding covid paying wages etc.
Don't think anyone is asking for silly money to be spent but that a small outlay could save a fortune long term.

[Tinpot]

Feb 2, 2021 0:37:08 GMT 1 thomo said:

Feb 2, 2021 0:31:58 GMT 1 Amigo said:

You mean you'll pick games you think we'll win or wait till we're doing well again and might get promoted? Fantastic.

You disagree we've not got a squad capable of a top half finish yet we're a while 4 points away?

Only 1 of the bottom 12 have scored less than us this season so there's another 10 sides that can't cope either or aren't good enough.

Who should we have bought then? Everyone keeps saying we should have signed or top quality striker or the next Karlan Grant but who is he? Who have we missed out on?

To be honest it should have been Ivan Toney given the income generated from player sales over the last 2 years. Well worth the investment even at £2mil over 5 years.

And yes I’ll stick my neck out and say we don’t have a squad capable of finishing in the top half. I think anyone would be a lunatic to say otherwise. I’m also willing to bet we finish 15th or below.

That's not my concern at all. Unlike in the Premier League there is no prize money for finishing higher in the table. No material difference between finishing 7th & finishing 21st. If we're confident of finishing *anywhere* between 7th & 21st and didn't feel there was value to be had then we were right not to splash out.

My worry is that if Campbell gets injured (and increasing tiredness means it's likely) or even just fails to regain form (also increasingly likely as he is denied the rest that he obviously needs), I'm not at all confident of finishing 21st or above.

Also, I wonder if we might feel less confident giving youngsters game time to grow the squad for next season if we are desperate for the points needed to stay up. Not the same margin for error as we could have had.

[Sparrow]

Valid points re Transfer monies received K1man999.

Hopefully we will have a transfer Kitty.

A few quality additions and it could be exciting

[dynastydan]

Feb 2, 2021 12:06:08 GMT 1 VLP Fan Club said:

Feb 2, 2021 11:51:11 GMT 1 dynastydan said:

Hi everyone, new here so give me a chance!!

It was as plain as day that we are crying out for a striker. Not only as fans we knew this, but it was evident pundits have picked up on this too, Keith Andrews for example.
For whatever reasons, we will never know the full truth, Luton got the Walsall lad.
I realise PH hasnt covered himself in a y form of glory, he has a lot of work to do to win most round now, but I am surprised that someone who has made quick decisions (for the best) such as Siewert and then Cowleys sacking, that he hasnt sorted out the mess that is our recruitment team.
Bromby, marsh etc have made an absolute car crash of the last 2 windows, not in terms of identifying players etc, but organisation and due diligence. Why did it take them until yesterday afternoon to start panicking and going for every Tom Dick and Harry (right now they would be a better front 3).
Surely contacts with clubs and agents should have been done sooner, even if the deal itself even had to wait until yesterday.

I look through DATM frequently, but never been a member, and I see fans identifying players, some realistic, not all, and to me this shows how bad our recruitment team is.

I look at other clubs doing some great business.
Preston - Anthony Gordon (think someone mentioned him last week before any club was interested)
Derby - to say they cant afford players have brought in 5 players all who improve their 1st 11.
Luton - Ince would still get in our team now in my opinion. The lad from Walsall.

Just to name a few.

Covid has impacted every club not just Huddersfield Town, so I am not having this thrown around as an excuse.
Even with:
Parachute payments going back to bank to payback loans.
Money going to DH
40% wage reduction to those that stayed with us after relegation.
Transfer fees recieved.

I cant fathom how we are looking like we are one of the skintest teams in this division.

I hope this huge gamble the club have taken pays off. Not just in terms of survival, but also keeping hold of a coach and his staff that deserve backing. If I was CC (I know I am not before any sarcastic members start) in the back of my head I would be wondering 'is this worth it?'

Good first post dynasty, many on here won’t like it but it’s factual and Fans rightly so can question the goings on.

Welcome.

Thanks. By reading I have learnt anything you say needs a decent explanation, otherwise your hounded out.

Personally though, and for the club and those that care it's a real shame, but PH is going to need to work wonders to sell season tickets for next season.

As a club, they need the fans money from ticket sales to help with running costs, whiever way they want to use them.
But as fans we want to see some sort of ambition - I dont mean spending to achieve promotion- but ambition to entertain us, ambition to show we are not just 'getting by'.

PH needs to find a happy medium, because for it to work, the club needs the fans, but the fans also need the club to show its appreciation.

[Porrohman]

Feb 2, 2021 10:43:52 GMT 1 TJTown said:

What irritates me the most, is we will now have radio silence from the club (again). Leaving everyone to come up with all sorts of reasons and theories as to why it didn't happen. All of this then paints the club in a bad light, and further widens the gap between fans and club.
From my perspective it looks like we were panicking and trying desperately to get anyone and everyone over the line last night, whether that is actually the case or not nobody really knows. It's bloody frustrating though whichever way you look at it.

If it is that they were panicking and fucked it up at deadline time AGAIN surely Bromby and Devlin should go

[Porrohman]

Feb 2, 2021 11:44:39 GMT 1 richhtfc said:

Feb 2, 2021 11:37:49 GMT 1 iangreaves said:

I think Koroma's out for the season effectively. He had an operation. I'm not convinced Ward will ever be fit.

Seems to be a couple of assumptions there, Ward played two weeks ago and looked sharper? Frustrating that he’s injured again, but I’d hope the management haven’t written him off yet. Also are we all sure Grant isn’t ready to feature at some point? It seems to have been decided that’s he’s not ready, did the club say that, as I missed it if so.

No but he did his hamstring the day before the Plymouth game, the club said it was just a niggle but I think it was then said to be worse than they'd originally thought

[Tinpot]

Feb 2, 2021 12:20:16 GMT 1 VLP Fan Club said:

Feb 2, 2021 12:15:49 GMT 1 iangreaves said:

Even if it's minor, it's stopped his training schedule - and it's a huge step up from Irish league football to the Championship. Then there are the the particularly tough demands of the carlosball training regime. I may be wrong but I can't see him in the first team any time soon.

hamstring and initial diagnosis was 6 weeks, remember Lolley when he joined us? He was injured frequently just from training alone.

We won't see him this season I don't think.

Agreed. He & Sorba Thomas are "project players". Might be stars in a year or two, but if we get any meaningful contribution out of either of them this season I'll be very surprised.

[richhtfc]

Feb 2, 2021 12:56:14 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

Feb 2, 2021 12:20:16 GMT 1 VLP Fan Club said:

hamstring and initial diagnosis was 6 weeks, remember Lolley when he joined us? He was injured frequently just from training alone.

We won't see him this season I don't think.

Agreed. He & Sorba Thomas are "project players". Might be stars in a year or two, but if we get any meaningful contribution out of either of them this season I'll be very surprised.

I’m still hopeful we’ll see them at some point, especially as we’re not flush with options off the bench.

[Tinpot]

Feb 2, 2021 11:35:48 GMT 1 @bluesandtwos said:

Three long term signings and two short contract stop gaps. Two decent sized wages off the books. Not a bad window. A striker would have been nice but if the right one at the right price isn’t there then we wait and see what summer brings.

The club seem to have held their nerve and not panic bought so the question is can Carlos keep us firing well enough to stay clear of the drop zone. It must be a discussion the management had.

I would like us to buy players we really feel can make a difference in the longer term. We will see if the strategy works.

In terms of the business we did, I agree. Not a bad window at all.

Only problem is, there were 2 positions in the squad that desperately needed filling to give confidence in staying in the division & building for next season, and we only filled one of them. It's been a bad window not because of the business we did, but because of the business we failed to do.

[Tinpot]

Feb 2, 2021 11:00:27 GMT 1 @biffy2 said:

Feb 2, 2021 10:50:13 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

35 years old. 1 goal in 17 appearances over 18 months at League 1 level.

Harratt & Philips might be better options tbh.

Hey, all might not be lost, Diego Costa is still available!

Here are some English free agents (you can change the drop down to see all nationalities): Free agents

I suspect a lot of town fans started looking at that page at around 11:05 last night!

[Deleted]

Post summer, if we have Hamer, Pritchard, Mbenza, Diakhaby, Elphick Steerman and Schindler off the wage bill and Hogg on his new Championship contract, I'm sure we’d be over £100k a week better off.

That would have to see us back in the game with a bit of a kitty for fees from the £50m we’ve brought in over the past 18 months.

The next transfer window is the key one. How we act then will be the true litmus test of where we are heading.

[arry11]

Feb 2, 2021 12:43:59 GMT 1 Sparrow said:

Valid points re Transfer monies received K1man999.

Hopefully we will have a transfer Kitty.

A few quality additions and it could be exciting

Just need a better Negotiating team one with PATIENCE.

[ldotm]

Feb 2, 2021 13:09:29 GMT 1 @mrx said:

Post summer, if we have Hamer, Pritchard, Mbenza, Diakhaby, Elphick Steerman and Schindler off the wage bill and Hogg on his new Championship contract, I'm sure we’d be over £100k a week better off.

That would have to see us back in the game with a bit of a kitty for fees from the £50m we’ve brought in over the past 18 months.

The next transfer window is the key one. How we act then will be the true litmus test of where we are heading.

Exactly how I see it as well mate. That’s why personally I can’t fathom the uproar for this window, the striker situation is disappointing but we have brought players in and have had a serious injury crisis.

We should be good enough to stay up, before Christmas they were posters suggesting top 6 and that was with the same strikers as we do have now. Yes, Koroma has been a big miss but it’s an unfortunate injury.

In summer for me is where my judgement will lie in the recruitment team and the board, big wages off the club and a chance to have a full summer identifying, meticulously planning and bringing in players that will have an impact and fit into CC’s identity. The full pre season will also do the squad a world of good in adapting to the intense training methods that CC demands.

I’ve seen enough that we will stay up, we are a decent team on our day and with some key players returning from injury at some point, we should be fine. Then fingers crossed look rosier next season.

[portugalterrier]

At least we didn’t end up with the 2021 version of Jason Puncheon.

[islandterrier9]

Although we shouldn't be surprised by this sort of thing anymore it is absolutely baffling that a CF wasn't brought in with the serious lack of goals in comparison to possession/chances created and I doubt it is Coerberan's doing.

On the flip side, of the players that were brought in (DH & RA) will come good and RK I think is a great signing once he settles in.

Only thing really to look at is whether there's any free agent strikers looking for clubs? Oumar Niasse?

[captainjack]

Feb 2, 2021 10:35:16 GMT 1 Maynardblue said:

I'm sorry guys.

I genuinely expected one of the deals over the line last night.

Personally I’m not surprised.
Just more of the same from PH.
People will start to wake up sooner or later,
A lot of people I know already have including me and will not be renewing their SC.

Final straw for me, I’ve been watching town since the 80’s and a season ticket holder since 95.

I’ve tried to stay positive over the last few years and it’s been difficult at times but PH has shown on several occasions that he is a penny pinching asset stripper backed by DH.

A bit convenient that DH sold to PH to asset strip whist still being a share holder. Takes the focus from him in my opinion.

Anyway, I wish the club all the best “but I’m out” !!

Added note, you have nothing to apologise for, I’ve always looked out for your posts as at least I know I can trust what you tell us.
Unlike PH who most fan’s have lost trust in.

[detox]

We'll just have to feed our academy strikers raw meat and have them in the gym pulling weights all day, then throw 'em into Championship action after some motivational psycho stuff to make them really angry.... Bit similar to my District League days when a couple of pints pre match did the trick...

[linson]

Diakhaby leaves having played 60 games for us as a winger, AM, ST and didn't score a single goal.

Not a single one.

It's hard to think of a worse player.

[Porrohman]

Feb 2, 2021 13:48:15 GMT 1 linson said:

Diakhaby leaves having played 60 games for us as a winger, AM, ST and didn't score a single goal.

Not a single one.

It's hard to think of a worse player.

Fairly average scoring record for a forward at Town recently 😁

[jonny5]

Feb 2, 2021 11:25:54 GMT 1 @biffy2 said:

Feb 2, 2021 9:37:39 GMT 1 jonny5 said:

The good news is that he found a bike shop for the next pedal for pounds

Hello, Carlos. You're not still on about this striker, are you? I remember when strikers were strikers. I saw one at Maine Road when we lost 10-1... Proper cloggers who could put it over the stand. Look at those boots. Like kicking with a razor blade. Maybe next year, eh? 

How did you get on, Leigh?
I think I found one. Walsall. Says he'll keep it until deadline day. 
You'd better give him a ring then.

Bollocks. They've sold him to Luton.


I were reet about those boots though. 

I was thinking more along the lines of whoever is largely responsible should know where he can shove that saddle.

On a more serious note, we aren't going up, we aren't going down, give the two new guys some time to settle, we get Koroma back and hopefully a much better window during the summer then let's see where we are, I don't think it would be wise to splash the cash (assuming we have some left). Once lockdowns start lifting then the future is more predictable.

I think PH has got one massive transfer window to come otherwise he is going to lose another significant amount of support on top of what has already gone.

That's me with my sensible (tin) hat on, ready for the onslaught...

[Tinpot]

Feb 2, 2021 13:18:05 GMT 1 ldotm said:

Feb 2, 2021 13:09:29 GMT 1 @mrx said:

Post summer, if we have Hamer, Pritchard, Mbenza, Diakhaby, Elphick Steerman and Schindler off the wage bill and Hogg on his new Championship contract, I'm sure we’d be over £100k a week better off.

That would have to see us back in the game with a bit of a kitty for fees from the £50m we’ve brought in over the past 18 months.

The next transfer window is the key one. How we act then will be the true litmus test of where we are heading.

Exactly how I see it as well mate. That’s why personally I can’t fathom the uproar for this window, the striker situation is disappointing but we have brought players in and have had a serious injury crisis.

We should be good enough to stay up, before Christmas they were posters suggesting top 6 and that was with the same strikers as we do have now. Yes, Koroma has been a big miss but it’s an unfortunate injury.

In summer for me is where my judgement will lie in the recruitment team and the board, big wages off the club and a chance to have a full summer identifying, meticulously planning and bringing in players that will have an impact and fit into CC’s identity. The full pre season will also do the squad a world of good in adapting to the intense training methods that CC demands.

I’ve seen enough that we will stay up, we are a decent team on our day and with some key players returning from injury at some point, we should be fine. Then fingers crossed look rosier next season.

I accept the injury crisis as a valid excuse - up to a point. Our inability to play a settled defence has hampered us a lot - but in terms of up front we've been incredibly lucky so far that Campbell has only missed 1 league game (iirc - Bournemouth). I know Ward has been injured but that wasn't unforeseeable even in the summer and even if he'd been fit - he's a squad filler at best in this division.

The need for a striker seemed clear from the moment Mounie left in September and has been confirmed over half a season as we watch Campbell busting a gut to try & do the job all by himself - yet we're scrabbling around on deadline day trying to bring in any one of half a dozen strikers. If we'd got one over the line at 10:59pm last night, all would have been forgotten but the fact is - this is not a problem that was sprung on the club at the last minute. It's something that we could and should have prepared for.

[leedsroadrob]

Well, if nothing else, these threads tend to identify the mouth-breathers, and another dozen or so have been carefuly lifted to the BLOCKED! list. One day this forum will be worth reading, but for those with something sensible to say, keep up the good work, and I'll eventually narrow it down...

A special mention for @maynardblue, who must look at these threads and despair... I'm particularly struck by presumed hard-of-thinkers describing last day panic for numerous strikers and abject failure by the recruitment team in landing all 10 of them - is that how you saw things Maynard?