Dusic

Guardian's Ed Aarons: Southampton still in talks with Monaco over a deal for Guido Carrillo. Striker has four goals this season ---------------- I reckon this one is quite likely.

I would rather have MP.

Looking back at those initial post VVD hype articles the links are either i.) Hilarious, ii.) Delusional or iii.) Both: Walcott - asking him to take a pay cut but probably the most realistic Benteke - never happening. Palace would want profit on the £30m they paid and he is apparently on over 100k a week which we will not pay Mawson - talk of £25m+ valuation which we wouldn't pay and it seems like we aren't even interested in a defender now Sessegnon - LOL Cenk Tosun - was already in very advanced negotiations with Everton, who paid 25m for him plus 120k a week wages which we wouldn't have got near Sturridge - still a slight possibility on loan but no way we would pay the fee they would want for a perm. Shaw - again we would be asking him to take a huge pay cut (probably 50k a week) and would be needing to pay a big record fee. The fact these were fed to the cosy Journalists is quite worrying: were the club just trying to soften the VVD blow and make themselves seem like a big player? We were never going to be able to sign most of these players, delusional if they thought they would, deceptive if they knew they couldn't. In terms of realistic signings: I think Guido Carrillo will join this Jan. We miss a big target man and he has a good goals to minutes ratio.

Jeremy Wilson: "Theo Walcott is also increasingly likely to depart shortly – with Everton still favourites to sign him – but he is in Arsenal’s squad today." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/01/14/alexis-sanchez-left-arsenal-squad-bournemouth-manchester-united/ Looks like this mini saga will be sorted either way at some stage this week. I wonder if he is one of the two targets MP was hopeful would be added next week. IMO either he makes a sensible career choice (Everton) or a lifestyle choice (Saints). Surely the former?

We are so weak in this position, have £75m and yet don't appear to see the need to bring anyone in. Negligent.

Worrying with a very tough home game next up. Has the feeling of a relegation season in so many ways. Certainly a lack of vocal leaders in the team.

It was a great run against Liverpool and he did well versus Everton, absolutely. I also saw him come on in a few games, especially away at Palace, and give the ball away a lot and look a bit out of his depth. He may well make it and it would be great to see him on loan in L1 or Champ to see how he goes. There are countless examples of players who briefly shine at PL level and thats the best they ever manage (transfer tipster Leandre Griffit being one), so Im not sure a.) Sims is better than the players we already have in his position (even if they are boo boy targets) and b.) you chuck in youngsters in a relegation battle. Let him develop on loan in a confident L1 side backed by a positove support rather than a toxic SMS in the glare of negativity.

Am I alone in not especially seeing the hype around Sims? Promising debut and a couple of good cameos mixed in with some very raw stuff but nothing to show he should be a regular PL starter IMO. A loan move to L1 or Championship would be the best outcome for him in this window - then if he excels at that level consider him for next season.

Essentially like the Pelle/Austin situation the replacement or lack of for Fonte can be argued various ways. What cannot be argued is that our CB options are as weak as for a long time, assuming VVD is not replaced. IMO each is currently promoted a choice level above where they should be.

Shame to miss out on Walcott, especially as the club have pushed his name to their favoured journalists very heavily of late. We aren't going to get anyone more PL proven/ready than him. Everton needed a striker this window and went and got one early. They are now seemingly signing our top target. Fair play to them.

Saints are trialling Dany N'Guessan.

Telegraph & Crossy saying Everton are going to bid £20m for him and will match his wages whilst we want him to take a wage cut and join a relegation battle. Reedo and Wee Ross will remain "hopeful" but I hope they have some other ideas as this one isn't happening which is a shame as his goal record from out wide is excellent.

- Scorer of the most uncomfortable looking worldie of all time... - Most unlikely successful wide-player in PL history... - Selected purely to facilitate a left back to get forward... - Football Genius. Mazza.

He obviously isn't coming here.

Is Hoedt fit for this one? Not in the training pics or video from yesterday.

Always likely in January that you have to overpay to get good players. After a season of struggling to score goals, to not sign any attacking players last summer was an absolute cluster**** so the club only have themselves to blame. After selling VVD others clubs and agents know we are 1.) Desperate and 2.) Have money available. We also still absolutely need to replace VVD as our current CBs are not good enough. Feels very similar to the Jan window last year where we sold Fonte and then bungled replacing him. Every game that goes by without reinforcements is mismanagement IMO. We are running out of time and will likely have Shane Long up front in a massive, massive match this weekend, which is telling.

Thats the one. When you look at the facts ita pretty clear that he isn't suddenly going to be what we need.

We have been linked with a young striker from the Championship. In and out this season but has four league goals... Thoughts?

Last season Walcott scored: 10 in 23 PL starts 4 in 3 Champions League starts This season he hasn't started a single league game but has 3 goals in 5 Europa League starts. For a wide player his goal record is excellent.

Pied will be released in the summer. Not good enough or fit enough. We do need a backup RB as has been shown lately.

If only it were that easy for Shane!

No. We will bring a couple in. Just frustrating that seemingly a couple more PL games will have gone by before we do. Clearly crying out for reinforcements now.

Carrillo scored a hattrick yesterday so any move surely made tougher. Shame as we badly need a frontman with physical presence. The goal stats quoted by many are misleading. He has now scored 8 in his 7 games where he has played more than 15mins, so is in good form. Probably too good for them to let him go and possibly for him to be interested now. Clearly though, with links to Carrillo, Benteke and Carroll that we are looking for a particular type of player. Its a crucial signing so hopefully we get what we want and not a cheapo option that becomes a sub.

"Les, shouldn't that dial be in the green section?" "Its been like that for a while now, Ralphy. I will see if Ross can download an upgrade once he has finished spellchecking the pledges."

I get the Jan window is tough etc, but am absolutely amazed we didnt seemingly have a striker waiting to move on. Please not a repeat of last Jan's fiasco.