Mr Paul W.

[ramAnag]

DC has said PW will have some money for January transfers. Some fans, although none of the regulars on here, I suspect, will be expecting incoming transfers in excess of half a million pounds. I fully expect some fans to be pushing for fees rather larger than that to be spent on a striker AND on a midfield strong man general. I think we're fine in the goalkeeping department. We miss Nyambe in January with the African Cup of Nations but with Wilson we have a capable replacement. Elder and Foz give us good options on the left and Sibs can be our 3rd choice there. I have faith in Nelson and Cashin. Less so in Bradley who seems to make one goal conceding error in almost every game. I'd think seriously about playing young Fapetu in MF and would be more than willing to give Tony Weston a go. Even more so if you start with the odd cameo off the bench.

But would you trust Warne to spend money wisely in January, MA?
His record so far isn’t impressive. I fully accept the spending restrictions argument however...his two signings last January were poor. Of this summers’s signings I’d suggest that Nelson and Wilson have been the most successful while Nyambe too has been very good but, one way or another, we won’t have him in January and maybe not beyond. Of the others...Bradley has been a disaster, Waghorn and Washington injury prone and disappointing, Ward looked the part but has been injured, John Jules invisible, Elder likewise and Fornah...as suggested elsewhere, a promising mystery.
The fact is that virtually all our most influential players have been signed by or brought through by previous managers and that has to be a source of concern.

In addition, if you look at the nine performances we’ve put in since October - I’m discounting the BSM Cup - then I reckon four (Blackpool A, Exeter H, Northampton H and Barnsley H) have been between ‘good’ and ‘excellent’ while the other five (Cheltenham, Shrewsbury and Stevenage A and Crewe H&A) have been between ‘poor’ and ‘dreadful’.

Like you I recognise the dangers of us starting to chop and change again, but I think the evidence above tells you why there is concern and the last two performances...excellent against Barnsley and apparently dire last night against Crewe...seem to sum up the ‘one step forward two steps back’ Warne era.

P.S. Two differences between Warne and Smith, Sith. Smith had the privilege of being able to add Stimac to the squad at about this time of year...but what a choice of addition...and Warne has been with us for a great deal longer than Smith had when he started to turn things round. JS also understood the need for ‘leaders’ on the pitch...having three in Robbie vdL, Darryl Powell and Stimac.