vreitti

I don't really know what to think about the others, but Hourihane looks like an actual footballer.

Great backup for Hutton!

We aren't actually that far off yet, only need to win all of our remaining games.

Miguel?

Signing Hourihane will likely give us a chance of premier league football in the not so distant future.

This couldn't really have come at a worse time. We never seem to get a break. So disappointing. Then again, Gabby got a second chance, the same should apply to RMc. Sincerely hope he takes it, otherwise he can piss off.

Getting some more accomplished midfielders besides him might actually raise his game, and perhaps Jedinak is the one that will have to get used to the bench. Either way it gives us much needed options.

100% this. Only real way forward, as we seem to manage to buy at least one rotten apple every window.

I really don't see how that makes any difference. Him being a "senior striker" is irrelevant. Fact is he isn't scoring, and we aren't winning. I understand why he's being picked, I just find it hard to accept.

Is he capable playing as a lone striker?

Spot on Dave. He needs more time, but soon all the earlier excuses will be void.

I would argue that short term him starting isn't helping the team either.

Regardless, that's still not a good enough reason to once again start Gabby. It really isn't a coincidence that the wins have stopped. I hate to admit it, but we badly miss selfish Kodjia.

I heard he's been on a physical healing programme recently, so his energy levels are undoubtedly of a positive nature.

Impossible not to agree. However, he's still young and immature, he might improve.

Well he simply has to. The way our "midfield" has been playing, no amount of training sessions will make a difference.

They all keep yapping on about the size of of the club. It sure would be nice to actually be 'BIG' once again. Help us out Henri, please.

May the Force be with you pal!

Seems to be just what we are lacking. I sincerely hope he doesn't turn to shit the second he pulls on our once great claret and blue shirt.

I'm pretty sure proper research has been done in regard to how many passengers a team can carry, before the house comes falling down. Obviously that doesn't account for 'a Gabby' in the team.

So he's most likely due an extension in the summer then. Anything short of a 5 year deal would be a travesty.

I really get your sentiment, and wholeheartedly agree, apart from the highlighted part. It's not an easy task to put a specific time-frame on how long a rebuilding process should take, even more so in our case. I think we can all agree we've been a shambles top to bottom the last five years, if not longer. Having said that, I expect managers to be professionals, e.g. experts in their 'field of business', just as the players. In football, most of the time they should be able to 'hit the ground running'. A manager with Bruce's pedigree shouldn't really need a few years imho. Whereas a younger, more inexperienced manager probably should be given a little more time. But as it stands, we didn't hire one of those, instead we went with one where the level of expectation was high to begin with. I can only hope that Tony and the board feel the same way. Now for the sixty-four-thousand-dollar-question; what is the adequate amount of time that should be given? To me, the deciding factor here is first and foremost the progress made along the way. Results have been decent up until a few weeks back, but performances have largely been a disappointment. I honestly feel we are playing worse than under RDM, from a pure footballing perspective. I'll admit, I initially massively overrated our squad this season. Most of RDM's signings made sense, and I was sure both Gardner and Westwood would be good players at this level. I've since changed my stance, and now come to terms with the deficiencies to our squad. Given what Bruce has to work with, I'm now absolutely sure he needs to be given an entire transfer window. January just isn't enough. But come next autumn, and we're still regularly starting Gabby up top, simply running around like headless chickens, hoofing the ball left, right and center, totally devoid of a game plan, I'll certainly be calling for his head twice a day!

PW + YI + QS NM + HF + HK FG + ER + MA ED + GC + BV ...... Yes. We need reinforcements.