jagfox Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 Another Christmas season approaches but for me like other Jags fans, thoughts drift to January and who, what and why will be entering/ exiting Firhill. Last season we had a nice return from Scott McDonald with a couple of stocking fillers getting us over the line. It's not been pretty but Mr McCall has started to turn things around. We're still staring down the barrel of 11th or 12th place though and the manager has said we need anywhere from 2 or 3 to 5 or 6 new signings. Who would you like in who would you particularly like to see the back of in January 2020? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Murray Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 Just to get in first Davis Keillor-Dunn is still unattached according to his wikipedia. Would be a good acquisition in my view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagfox Posted November 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 I really likes the look of young Finnish midfielder Miko Virtanen. On the books of Aberdeen and currently on loan at Arbroath. A sitting midfielder who can pick a pass as well as able to win the ball back. Another loan but he plays a position we have been sorely lacking in for two and a bit seasons. Would maybe allow Bannigan and our other midfielders to play more forward which would hopefully increase chances created and better ball retention and play the game further forward. No idea if he's on loan until January or beyond. However McCall and Archibald seem to have a good working relationship with McInnes at Aberdeen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagfox Posted November 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 15 minutes ago, Alan Murray said: Just to get in first Davis Keillor-Dunn is still unattached according to his wikipedia. Would be a good acquisition in my view. I'm surprised he's not been picked up yet. Apparently left County as he wanted more game time. Possibly if he left in September this has precluded him for signing for another club until January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenziejag Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 1 hour ago, jagfox said: We're still staring down the barrel of 11th or 12th place though That’s us definitely relegated then ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady-isobel-barnett Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 Apart from creativity and leadership we're desperate for more pace in the team. By definition I'd say that it's highly unlikely that someone offering all three talents would be affordable. Indeed it'll be a tall order bringing in anyone that offers two out of three. When you add a goalscorer to the tally we could be requiring a fair few in January. Gut feeling tells me it's leadership we need the most, ideally a hard tackling midfielder. Don't know of many players available we should sign if available. The centreback O'Brien at Arbroath springs to mind but I'm assuming he's part time for a good reason. Said before if possible extending Reece Cole's loan would be worthwhile especially if we bring in some muscle in midfield. Think he could develop a worthwhile partnership with Bannigan if both weren't played so deep, again dependent on bringing in that defensive mid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaf Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 For me, the thing we most need is a defensive midfielder, as has been the case for quite some time. We could also do with a goalscorer to reduce the burden on Kenny Miller and the expectation on Jones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garscube Road End Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 We are assuming we have the budget to bring in st least 6 players, unload a huge chunk of this squad. Also can we persuade players to join a club that are on the slippery slope down to League One. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonehJags Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 (edited) 17 minutes ago, jaf said: For me, the thing we most need is a defensive midfielder, as has been the case for quite some time. We could also do with a goalscorer to reduce the burden on Kenny Miller and the expectation on Jones. We are top heavy with midfielders. Its the attacking side of our game that has been woeful for at least 2 years. Another striker has to be top of the wish list. As for defensive midfielders, what bracket does Banzo fall under? I've heard him described as one of the best in the league? A defensive midfielder is the default position when you have no pace and/or no skill. Some of our players cant even pass the ball 10 yards to each other. If neither Slater, Banzo, Harkins, Palmer, Cole are defensive midfielders then what else are they doing marking each other in the centre circle? Edited November 29, 2019 by MonehJags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady-isobel-barnett Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 We've no shortage of midfielders that play in a deep midfield position, but not one of them is a clean tackling ball winner. That's why we experimented with O'Ware in that position. Btw I imagine Palmer will play that role in a season or so but he'll need more strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laukat Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 I have no idea if any of these are possible however.. Someone like Draper at Ross County would to my mind plug the gap in midfield. I would like Alan Forest at Ayr to take over from Cardle and put pressure on Zanatta but if we can't get him then Erskine would be a good option. Ideally I would like both but then again if Mitch Austin is any good maybe we only need one. Zak Rudden's loan to Plymouth is up in January so he would be an ideal addition up front. If we got Doolan back as well then great but I'd prefer someone with Rudden's pace. Not sure if Celtic would loan out Jack Hendry but he would give us what we need at centre half. To get that amount of players in probably means Harkins, Jones, Mansell and DeVita going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady-isobel-barnett Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 I wouldn't say this thread is premature as I don't really see this set of players producing much on the field to alleviate our league position. However a couple of good results against the right opposition coupled with a loss of form by a few of our opponents could see us mid table. That just might give McCall the confidence to bring in players he really wants on a mid to long term basis, as opposed to the short term fixes we'd require if the window opened tomorrow. Put another way there's probably considerable difference between the affordable players McCall would like to see at the Club and the affordable players McCall might have to bring in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fearchar Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 Zlatan. Offer him the club, and tell him he won't be subject to racist comments, unlike in Sweden. Owner-player: it's the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlsarmy Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 5 hours ago, laukat said: I have no idea if any of these are possible however.. Someone like Draper at Ross County would to my mind plug the gap in midfield. I would like Alan Forest at Ayr to take over from Cardle and put pressure on Zanatta but if we can't get him then Erskine would be a good option. Ideally I would like both but then again if Mitch Austin is any good maybe we only need one. Zak Rudden's loan to Plymouth is up in January so he would be an ideal addition up front. If we got Doolan back as well then great but I'd prefer someone with Rudden's pace. Not sure if Celtic would loan out Jack Hendry but he would give us what we need at centre half. To get that amount of players in probably means Harkins, Jones, Mansell and DeVita going. Mansell is on a 2 year deal , can’t see that happening, Harkins is on good money,so if he’s paid off it’s going to cost us a few quid . Devita is on a season long loan from Livi . Alex Jones looks a better bet to move on , don’t think this is going to be an easy transfer window for McCall especially trying to move players on Hopefully with his contacts in the game McCall can pull a few favours and try to get us out of the mess we’re in . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One t in Scotland Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 It wasn't that along ago there was a core squad of around 10 dependable Premiership standard players all signed on 2/3 year contracts. Incomparable with the current ragtag squad ( no doubt assembled at a fair cost ) ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Third Lanark Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 8 hours ago, laukat said: I have no idea if any of these are possible however.. Someone like Draper at Ross County would to my mind plug the gap in midfield. I would like Alan Forest at Ayr to take over from Cardle and put pressure on Zanatta but if we can't get him then Erskine would be a good option. Ideally I would like both but then again if Mitch Austin is any good maybe we only need one. Zak Rudden's loan to Plymouth is up in January so he would be an ideal addition up front. If we got Doolan back as well then great but I'd prefer someone with Rudden's pace. Not sure if Celtic would loan out Jack Hendry but he would give us what we need at centre half. To get that amount of players in probably means Harkins, Jones, Mansell and DeVita going. I’m not sure those 4 you suggested departing laukat would be overly missed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinhead Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 I think we need at least 9 players Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paukea Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 I heard that Miller has asked to leave in January so that should free up some wages its all about forward players for me in January wingers, no 10 and a striker please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 10 hours ago, Paukea said: I heard that Miller has asked to leave in January so that should free up some wages its all about forward players for me in January wingers, no 10 and a striker please That’s interesting about Miller. He’s never looked happy with us, bit of a contrast with Scott McDonald who looked like he cared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garscube Road End Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 22 minutes ago, sandy said: That’s interesting about Miller. He’s never looked happy with us, bit of a contrast with Scott McDonald who looked like he cared. It will be money freed up. I never wanted Miller in the first place, but you cant fault his commitment to Thistle up until now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG1970 Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 Curious if true about Miller.... why leave half way through unless he’s got something lined up or wants to retire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auld Jag Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 8 minutes ago, JAG1970 said: Curious if true about Miller.... why leave half way through unless he’s got something lined up or wants to retire I am sure i remember reading on this forum a while back he had said he didn't come to Firhill to be involved in a relegation battle. Lets hope he can score some more goals for us while he is still with us, as i don't see them coming from many other players at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laukat Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 Wouldn't be surprised if Miller left. I think he joined us because of Caldwell and because he was getting the opportunity to have a major input into the running of the team. Wouldn't be surprised if he came on a promise that he would be the next manager. When McCall came in with 2 experienced coaches Miller became just a senior player. As a player you can't fault his effort but his dip in from seems to have started with McCall arriving so perhaps best if he does go. Replacing his goals will be difficult though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 Freeing up Millers wage would allow us to source a decent replacement 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 2 hours ago, JAG1970 said: Curious if true about Miller.... why leave half way through unless he’s got something lined up or wants to retire Does today's performance not give you an idea of why he wants away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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