we don't need any new players

[The Godfather]

New players are not the answer. We have already got a squad of players who should be well capable of operating at Premier League level. I think Mark Hughes is being very sensible, taking his time, seeing who's out there, making a couple of very speculative offers, but essentially biding his time. I am sure he'll take a very close look at our players in the next couple of games, and then make a decision. But the worst thing he could do would be to bring in a number of new players so soon after his arrival.

And the problem with the current squad is not that they're no good, but that they are for whatever reasons hugely underperforming. It's much more important that he sort this problem out first. If anyone continues to play poorly - and I include just about everyone - then they need to be replaced. But first sort out the style of play, the tactics, the plan, the formation, the team spirit. If all this can be improved with our present team, we'll be in the Premier hat next season. And then maybe rebuild.

I'm sorry but I strongly disagree. I feel that we are desperately short of Premiership-quality players. It's painstakingly obvious that we need to sign a couple of centre-backs, a central midfielder and two strikers.

[neetoneeto]

I think 2/3 is probably about right. But all this talk about 4/5 and big names and big money is nonsense. Let Hughes find out where the weaknesses are, Let the players prove that they've got it. Get everyone playing as a team, together, for each other, targetting our strengths, exploiting other's weaknesses. And then make a careful purchase. Anyone looking for new big names for Sunday, is daft. Hughes won't do it and nor should he.

[The Godfather]

I think 2/3 is probably about right. But all this talk about 4/5 and big names and big money is nonsense. Let Hughes find out where the weaknesses are, Let the players prove that they've got it. Get everyone playing as a team, together, for each other, targetting our strengths, exploiting other's weaknesses. And then make a careful purchase. Anyone looking for new big names for Sunday, is daft. Hughes won't do it and nor should he.

So you're confident in a Derry/Buzsaky midfield pairing and Connolly and Gabbidon in defence? Really?

[stainrodisalegend]

With the greatest respect to the original poster its the kind of thing that Steve Kean trots out: we aren't being beaten by many, we have a good squad, we've been a bit unlucky, our position in the table doesn't reflect our ability, etc etc.

Avram Grant's probably still saying that about the West Ham team he took down last season. Oh, and its all v well saying at full strength we have a decent squad but how often are we likely to be at full strength? Certainly not in the crucial month ahead of us with winnable games. No sensible poster denies how hard it is to bring players in, but that's v different from saying we don't need anyone else. Be v surprised if any team in the Prem will field a weaker midfield than ours this weekend.

[Kirill]

What a wonderful welcome to a newbie poster!

Window Licker

Were you referring to yourself or a fellow-poster?
Think very carefully now

[Shania]

In fact this weekend we have to HIDE our midfield. Believe it or not!
That´s how bad it is really..

[northampton rs]

In fact this weekend we have to HIDE our midfield. Believe it or not!
That´s how bad it is really..

It's not easy to hide in that awful mango kit!

[iheartwegerle]

I can see a bit of logic in what the OP says - fools rush in and all that, time for a bit of contemplation, suss out what needs to be done.

BUT, overall I have to disagree. Our squad is threadbare and we are painfully weak in some positions. Also, Mark Bowen made a good point in his interview on Talk Sport this morning that a couple of new faces can really lift the whole dressing room and the players really respond to having new people around.

[vblockranger]

we got nearly 40 pro players on our books that we are paying wages too with only about 6 or 7 that are decent enough for premiership imo....long lucrative contracts dished out over last few seasons to average players, thats the damage done right there. Vine/Agyemang/Shittu/Pellicori/Hulse/Perone/Vaagan Moen among others must be ****ing themselves laughing while they roll around in all that money they are "earning"

[neetoneeto]

My son disagrees with me, and at 13 years I have to respect his better opinion, but if you look at Swansea and Norwich, two teams who we were better at last season, and who haven't bought heavily, but who have intelligent and perspective managers, and who are doing better than us this season, and who, lets be honest share our goals and aspirations, then that must be the path we follow. No big name signings (Who is Henrique, had you heard of him yesterday!). Lets make the most of what we've got. Last season itwon us the league, we've improved the squad, let's finish mid-table with what we've got.

[LoftusRoadLad]

My son disagrees with me, and at 13 years I have to respect his better opinion, but if you look at Swansea and Norwich, two teams who we were better at last season, and who haven't bought heavily, but who have intelligent and perspective managers, and who are doing better than us this season, and who, lets be honest share our goals and aspirations, then that must be the path we follow. No big name signings (Who is Henrique, had you heard of him yesterday!). Lets make the most of what we've got. Last season itwon us the league, we've improved the squad, let's finish mid-table with what we've got.

We cannot take that chance mate !!

[qpr4life]

New players are not the answer. We have already got a squad of players who should be well capable of operating at Premier League level. I think Mark Hughes is being very sensible, taking his time, seeing who's out there, making a couple of very speculative offers, but essentially biding his time. I am sure he'll take a very close look at our players in the next couple of games, and then make a decision. But the worst thing he could do would be to bring in a number of new players so soon after his arrival.

And the problem with the current squad is not that they're no good, but that they are for whatever reasons hugely underperforming. It's much more important that he sort this problem out first. If anyone continues to play poorly - and I include just about everyone - then they need to be replaced. But first sort out the style of play, the tactics, the plan, the formation, the team spirit. If all this can be improved with our present team, we'll be in the Premier hat next season. And then maybe rebuild.

A nice post to be honest...

I think it words well, and in some ways you are right, I place this comment in bold because this sums up the situation. 'we should, if, and but' all words I hear too much

However, the prem is a tough place, the table doesnt lie and we are very close to the relegation zone.

[Bluehoop]

What a wonderful welcome to a newbie poster!

Window Licker

So you know the proverb then - he who licks windows only cleans them so he can see the feline ##### on the otherside.

[qprbrisbanedivision]

Great first post, but i like most on here would disagree with the idea...

Maybe they could play better, maybe the manager might improve them, maybe...etc...

Problem is, we're half way through the season and in ( i believe) the position we should be....

With money at his disposal and management backing...uif you were MH, why would you chance it when you could get better players elsewhere....It his neck on the line..

Personally, Faurs and Kenny aside, i dont see anyone in the team that i couldnt replace for a better option....

I totally accept the point of the orig post, but, we're fast running out of time and points, taking ionto account our run in!!

Each to thier own though..