So it’s clearly not a habit of a lifetime then?There have been a few recent scrapes where we thought a couple of signing would have helped us get over the line. If if Txki Bergistain didn't retire then I might be more convinced we might have dipped our toe in January but still can't see any availble players who can really help
We very rarely make mid-season transfers of real note. Laporte was an good opportunity although he was meant to arrive in that summer and if Athletic Bilbao were involved in qualifying for the Champions League or La Liga in that season we would have had to wait. We missed out on Sanchez and made a low bid for Mahrez (who did want to join mid-season). And besides that we were in a much better shape to accomodate him back then. There is not much quality currently available to really help us. Even loan signings.So it’s clearly not a habit of a lifetime then?
There is clear precedent of us moving in the jan window when we’ve deemed it necessary. Anything other than that in this upcoming window would be another example of negligence by Txiki. I’d be amazed if we didn’t at least try for a couple even if they only end up being on loan.
Nothing remotely like the need for new blood this season though. In the past it was looking for opportunistic buys to enhance a strong squad, this season it's looking for plugs to fill holes to stop us from drowning. Very, very different needs.There have been a few recent scrapes where we thought a couple of signing would have helped us get over the line. If if Txki Bergistain didn't retire then I might be more convinced we might have dipped our toe in January but still can't see any availble players who can really help
We won't chase our tails after failing to add in the summer and would give Hugo Viana more of a chance by giving him all of the budget to really fix the issues. A couple of signings now won't add much and would still need the time and would still make the same mistakes as our current squad is doing on a regular basis.Nothing remotely like the need for new blood this season though. In the past it was looking for opportunistic buys to enhance a strong squad, this season it's looking for plugs to fill holes to stop us from drowning. Very, very different needs.
Txiki leaving won't have any impact on whether we spend or not, he'll continue doing his job until his last day, there's no reason to suggest otherwise. Pep will be in discussion with him and will have his input on what he needs, we're not going to be drastically changing anything when Viana comes in and whatever we might spend in January isn't going to have a significant impact on budgets going forward either, it's a non-factor.
As for who is available, that's Txiki's job, there's not a chance there isn't plenty of players that would improve us with the shitshow we are producing. we might have to pay a premium or make less than ideal deals but needs must.
That's the price we pay for a catastrophic summer window. Continued champions league football is at huge risk as is, the loss of earnings from that far exceeds whatever premium we might have to pay for doing business in January. It's something we just have to take on the chin and fix before it's a bigger problem.
Yes because as @ninjamonkey explained they haven’t deemed it necessary in previous years. Failure to act in this window could mean we miss out on top 4 and even European football full stop.We very rarely make mid-season transfers of real note.
There were still a few necessary circumstances in recent memor that could have done with a couple of new signings. One was Cancelo issue. Rodri's cover too but the club decided to gamble. Kev's injury issues, Laporte's, Vinny's and us having to move Fernandinho as an emergency CB.Yes because as @ninjamonkey explained they haven’t deemed it necessary in previous years. Failure to act in this window could mean we miss out on top 4 and even European football full stop.
Did we not break our transfer record in signing Laporte in Jan 2018? A while ago yes but the precedent is still there that when we need to move in jan they will.
So because they didn’t sign anyone in summer they’ll compound their errors and not back the manager who has committed himself for two more years?We won't chase our tails after failing to add in the summer and would give Hugo Viana more of a chance by giving him all of the budget to really fix the issues. A couple of signings now won't add much and would still need the time and would still make the same mistakes as our current squad is doing on a regular basis.
They will let the new DoF do his bit and will work alongside the manager and not by any stop gaps. If the quality isn't availble mid-season then no point in wasting money regardless of lack of cover.So because they didn’t sign anyone in summer they’ll compound their errors and not back the manager who has committed himself for two more years?