03 Jan 2026 09:23:33
Sounds like all is not well, there seems to be some misalignment with the January transfer window between Manager and above. It doesn’t sound like Amorim will get what is desperately needed.
Our Centre Mid is dire, we only have one striker. We are desperate but you half expect them to come up with a cheapskate option.
Three things come to mind
1) This doesn’t bode well for Amorims long term future.
2) Are the owners cutting back on spending to make a profit and get their hands on dividends?
3) This is so short sighted, we surely will struggle to stay in 6th with that midfield
Get the Glazers out.
03 Jan 2026 09:50:08
Is this information reliable, Red Man, or just clickbait in the media?
03 Jan 2026 10:14:29
Fizz
As reported
“Amorim was far more definitive and downbeat:
• “The transfer window is not going to change. ”
• “We have no conversations in this moment to have any change in the squad. ”
• “There is a process, there is an idea that is going to continue. ”.
03 Jan 2026 10:24:58
We will see come the end of the window Red Man. Right now, I've only seen some piece from a daily mail columnist. Maybe you can share some more information.
But the proof will be in the pudding come the end of the window.
But we have invested heavily over the last 2 summers, and we also have AFCON players to come back as well as injured players.
IMO he has more than enough but it's about getting the best out of the current squad which I believe he has struggled to do.
03 Jan 2026 10:44:31
Angel
Midfield has not been properly strengthened since Keane left, Hargreaves was unfit. We are left totally exposed in that area so I don’t think Amorim has anywhere near enough.
Yes I read the Mail article about the concerns in the upper echelons about the formation and how the youth formations have not been changed to match the first team. The concern the system is too easily read and countered particularly after the Fulham managers comments.
Another mess and a feeling the manager, another manager is being hung out to dry. Hope I am wrong.
03 Jan 2026 11:23:15
Perhaps a smokescreen to allow us to get done the deals we need to get done without media buzzing around.
Fergie used to pull this stunt and then we ended up with players regardless.
If that is the case, I like it.
03 Jan 2026 11:45:37
It could be many things, including the manager just tempering expectations.
Typically managers tend to think more short term (as they don't tend to have a long shelf life at clubs) while the club should be thinking more long term. Sometimes things align that work ideally for both the club and the manager, but more often they don't.
Amorim will be thinking about the aims and objectives he has for this season. With the injuries and the AFCON we are at a real risk of being cut adrift in the pursuit of top 4.
The club have aims far beyond this season, and they need to take a slightly longer term view of things. They won't want to make the same mistakes of the previous management team, thinking too short term. Panicking and wasting money on short term fixes to long term problems. Ultimately that always ends up with problems piling up and loads of issues end up needing to be dealt with at the same time, while the money is no longer available as it's tied up or already spent.
The mess we are in right now is due to the previous management team thinking too short term, leading to us having to rebuild the entire squad almost in one go, but having limited money to do so.
100% for the short term aims bringing in one or two players in January would be massive and if they work out they could be the difference between getting UCL or not this year.
But that's the gamble, if they don't work out, or are unable to make the difference and we don't get UCL football then we not only lose the money from that, but we also have less money to spend in the summer on long term targets.
Ultimately signing 1 or 2 of the wrong players in January to try and boost our chances this season, could ultimately put us one or two years back on the project overall.
The only players we should be signing in January should be genuine long term targets. Players we have extensively scouted, and are highly confident that they will work out and how they fit into our long term plan. If those players aren't available then we should keep our powder dry and stick to plan.
Much like managers fans tend to only consider the short term, we want to win the next game. That is why fans should never actually run their football club. It's the equivalent of allowing your young children to do all the meal planning. They'll pick the same few meals, and nearly all of it bad for them. They do this because they are chasing what they want, not what they need.
03 Jan 2026 11:48:56
Red Man, "As reported" does not equate to 'not clickbait'. We shall see come the end of the window, but it's obvious that strength is needed in midfield.
03 Jan 2026 13:45:45
I'd imagine much will depend on outgoings for our January window
Zirkzee
Mainoo
Ugarte
Are 3 players who we might try and find a move for if any of these 3 go I'd imagine we might see a singing coming in in place of them
Baleba also seems like one who a deal could be done for hasn't really been great this season in and out of the Brighton team they might let him go for a decent sum for them to strengthen and he wants to come as we all know.
03 Jan 2026 14:18:14
We have midfield targets, if they aren’t available in January, why would we go for a short term solution.
January is well known as a difficult time to do business, I would rather we not waste money go for our targets come the summer.
03 Jan 2026 15:14:10
I think January is about opportunity.
I think we will buy 2x players.
03 Jan 2026 18:24:35
Shipping out Ugarte to Galatasaray and putting in a £90m bid for Anderson or Wharton would be good business in January.
Both short and long term fix.
Baleba is not the answer for our current midfield woes I don’t think.
Despite what anyone thinks, the board will surely be wondering whether they want to give Amorim any more money other than for a CM.
If that position is addressed to a degree in January then he has to show he’s the man for the job for the remainder of the season.
03 Jan 2026 18:35:39
We all know midfield is a priority. The manager and club must do too. I really don't think we should be thinking about a champions league place as being realistic this season.
Collyer is back and he adds numbers to the midfield. Bruno will have had his enforced rest and should be better for it. Hopefully Mainoo gets more game time. I would take Garner if available but prefer Utd wait and get the best players they can in the summer if not possible now. If we miss out on Europe again so be it. We should be building for long term success.