‘One in’ in January- Why are we holding back?
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been linked with an absurd number of players, as you can see from our ‘Rumour Mill’ page. And therefore, I can’t help but feel disappointment at this rather unambitious target for January.
Speaking to the Chronicle, the manager had this to say;
“It is a difficult window but I think we would like to get, definitely, one player in and not lose anybody. It could be that we lose a player, you never know.
Obviously I lost Andy Carroll in this window and in a situation that wasn’t too dissimilar to what I’m in now two years later, maybe it was a bit better.
If that is the case then we need two players and if we lose two then we need three.
Myself, Mike and Derek all agree that we should have brought one more senior player in here”.
With the club currently sitting in a dismal 15th place, the squad is beginning to look paper-thin. With the additional Europa League games this season, we’ve been hit by several damaging injuries which has only further worsened our worrying position.
We’ve been effectively forced to field a much weakened XI on numerous occasions this season due to this lack of depth in the squad, and therefore have paid the price – most notably during the 2-0 loss to Bordeaux in which 6 U21 players started the match.
But, again, I’m finding it difficult to understand why we’re holding back. The management realised their mistake in only bringing in one first team player in the Summer, and I feel that we may be ruing a missed opportunity again come February.
We’ve recently expressed our growing frustration towards the inadequacy of Jonas out on the wing, while the center back position is looking increasingly precarious. In addition to all of this, we still only have two top-class strikers at the club – and that could even change if the Demba Ba / Arsenal rumours are anything to go by.
We still have the Andy Carroll funds – the resources are there – so i don’t understand why we are holding back in this way.
What do you think? Do you reckon Pardew is being unambitious?
The Spectator's View 
‘One’ certainly doesn’t solve the squad-depth problems, when hit by several injuries at once like we have been. 2 or 3 would probably make a real difference.
Exactly. The reason for our collapse this season is the flimsiness of the squad. We need depth to cultivate a competitive atmosphere. I’d love to see debuchy, remy and douglas. Then Sissoko in the Summer
In the interests of the club the owner should try and sell up. He obviously lacks what is needed to run a PL club and the heart is not in it.