I read with interest yesterday that those at the club involved in transfers were planning a meeting to address the need for cover in the squad. And then I just allowed my head to rest softly in my hands and tried not to lose my mind.
I realise that there will be a lot going on in the background that we as fans never hear or even understand, despite what our social media ITKs and plane watchers would have you believe. But, seriously, did no one realise that January was going to happen? Did they miss the fact that it was creeping up? And has no one been in the treatment room lately?
It’s as clear as day that we need cover, especially in defence. I’m not here to make suggestions about players, mind you. I can’t say I watch a lot of football other than us really, so my finger just isn’t on the pulse as far as emerging talent is concerned. But I can’t stress the frustration I feel when I see the sheer amount of defensive problems we’ve been having. Schar, Lascelles, Livramento, Krafth and Dan Burn are all unavailable for varying amounts of time and no one appears to be postponing any of our upcoming fixtures. So what are we waiting for?
It’s great that we’ve discovered a couple more strings to Lewis Miley’s bow, but I’d be that bit more comfortable if we just could sign an actual defender.
There’s a need up front too. Will Osula seems to have vanished into thin air, Sean Neave is untried and possibly a bit untrusted too, leaving only Wissa and Big Nick as options. Wissa is only just back from a fairly serious injury and yet we seem happy to gamble with him staying fit.
I know that these things take time, but was the time between the start of the season and now not enough for a bit of forward planning? To still be reading that we’re monitoring players while also feeling optimistic about people returning from injury feels strange to say the least. It feels like an accident waiting to happen, in my opinion.
Maybe I’m panicking. Maybe I’m naïve. But with crucial and some might say season defining games to come over the next month, the need is now. I’m all for trusting the process, but I think that the process might need to hurry up a bit occasionally. I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering just what’s going on and waiting with everything crossed for some progress on at least a loan deal some time soon!
What do we think? Are the club right to be taking their time? Or does the current injury situation, coupled with the sheer amount of upcoming fixtures warrant a bit of urgency?
Middle Age Fanclub 