COLUMNIST JIM HOURIGAN

Right or wrong?

By Jim Hourigan : 15/12/2007 :

Comments (8) :

If we are to believe DM's comments on the official website, then we'll get one signing at best and probably on loan. Assuming that he is telling the truth, and he seems to an honest bloke ? is this the right policy?

A few things spring to mind: firstly, there is a general premise that you continue to improve when you are on top, not look to panic when things go wrong. Man U are a classic example of that and whilst we can't compete at their level, they continually look to improve to keep ahead of the game ? and we're still playing catch up. So is the policy right or wrong?

Next we seem fairly well covered up front but are we as well served in both central and wide midfield? What would we do if (God forbid) Arteta was out for a good few weeks? Will the lightweights Osman and Piennar cope with the matches ahead? (And Piennar's off in Jan! ). Who plays in the holding role if Carsley's legs begin to go as the matches pile up? What happens if there is a loss of form by anyone in midfield? Who is there as back up? It seems from his reluctance to play Mad Dog, that there are questions about his suitability, so who else goes in there? Neville? Jagielka? Hmmmm...

Then in defence we're going to lose Yobo and our options are an aging, slow Stubbs or Jagielka (which immediately reduces our midfield options if it Jagielka). At full back our cover is Hibbert (Baines already out until Feb).

I'm not advocating panic buying but I for one am concerned about:

a) our genuine options in Jan
b) the need to keep improving
c) the quality beyond the first 13/14 players particularly in Jan.

So my question is not is he doing well or how good a manger is he but is his policy right or wrong?

Reader Comments

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Gordon Brown
1 Posted 15/12/2007 at 20:28:23

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Steven Appiah will join us :)

Gavin Ramejkis
2 Posted 15/12/2007 at 20:37:31

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Appiah is playing in the ANC too so not available in January even if we did loan or buy him

Jimmy Hoffa
3 Posted 16/12/2007 at 08:57:06

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I know fer a fact that Vogel is joinin? us. And Vogel is free of charge.

Only to negotiate salary which i think wouldn?t be a problem.

Terry Smith
4 Posted 16/12/2007 at 13:10:56

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I beleive Moyes has a few deals up his sleeves but is not letting anything out the bag.!I think 2 loan and one signing will be on there way.Vogel , Downing & another!!

Matt Bone
5 Posted 16/12/2007 at 14:45:08

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Downing wont come and quite frankly I dont want him to come. He is over-rated. Look at Pienaar for £2.5m and then Downing for £10m. Come on. why would Moyes spend £10m for a an understudy to SP????

Andrew Weston
6 Posted 16/12/2007 at 20:19:44

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Vogel will be a good signing, top class player with bags of European experience. Also heard rumours about Wes Brown, not someone I would have been too excited about but would be good cover for Yobo and Lescott

Dan Mckie
7 Posted 17/12/2007 at 10:28:50

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David Moyes has said time and again how difficult the January market is, clubs rarely want to sell and certainly not anyone who is playing any good so prices are at a premium! I think he made those comments just to be cautious, he may have a few deals lined up or he may only be looking for 1 player, personally I would like to see more like 3 players, 2 in midfield and 1 in defence but all we can do is wait and see! There has been 1 or 2 mentions now of Downing on loan, that would be a strange one for Boro to let him go mid season for no cash, are there any actual sources on this or is it all just rumour?

Laurie Hartley
8 Posted 17/12/2007 at 11:45:38

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The one player I think we really need cover for is Lee Carsley. He is making a major contribution to the team. I can’t think of anyone we could get in January to replace him if he gets injured (he won’t run out of steam). Except perhaps Vogel if the rumours have any substance.

Tony Waverleas
9 Posted 17/12/2007 at 15:35:55

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"...lightweights Pienaar and Osman..." Unbelievable.
Erm, why not just wind your neck in and leave the manager to continue the job he’s doing?
Just a guess like, but you’d have to say he seems to know what he’s doing.
No offence but I reckon DM will struggle by without your sparkling insights into how he intends running things.