02 Aug 2026 06:47:03
Did Martin O'Neill just announce that we won't be strengthening CB this window?
If so, that would be a major disappointment, as we needed to strengthen this position last summer and winter and have gotten weaker since then. ?.
02 Aug 2026 08:09:02
Dont think weaker but stood still. unless someone goes.
02 Aug 2026 08:14:24
We have a loan player coming in from France.
02 Aug 2026 09:02:12
When he said the start of preseason he was happy with Murray tells you we were never going to strengthen cb
Not saying one won’t come in on loan but will just be another bench warmer.
02 Aug 2026 09:12:11
We have CCV, Murray, scales and trusty. I would say we are one injury away from a disaster, which is not good, considering CCV injury record.
Last season we had Pudsey/ Arthur and we just sold nawroski. Soni would say we are weaker as we have one less player.
02 Aug 2026 10:18:20
Dry your eyes Joe.
02 Aug 2026 10:59:43
But not down in numbers in players regarded as first choice. so standing still. either viewpoint i'd like one better than the others we have.
02 Aug 2026 12:03:40
If we bring in decent cover at LB or a very good RB to replace AJ, there's potential we'd have additional cover if injuries/ suspensions left us short.
I hope I'm wrong but I get the feeling that based on what's gone before and the way he's talking, no matter which players we sell, MON is already limited as to the signings he can bring in/ budget he has to spend.
Realistically I think we still require a minimum of x6 signings with at least x3 of those would be first team starters and the others must be upgrades on what's currently in the first 15;-
* GK - a given as we only have x2
* Winger - first team starter required (Hassan or the Algerian lad or Maswanhise from Motherwell)
* LB - cover for KT
* RB - first team starter when AJ leaves
* MF - Baur
* MF/ CDM - we're potentially losing Engels and Hatate
Given AJ's fee is £14M and Engles looks like being £25M, that's the guts of £40M, add to that Hatate and one or two others and you're looking at bringing in £45M+ in transfer fees.
I'd expect us to spend in the region of £30M of that to guarantee CL qualification which would bring in an additional £40M and at the same time we would have an improved/ upgraded side on the park.
HH.
02 Aug 2026 12:17:01
Would be weird considering did we not ask for archer back, maybe by strengthening he means better than what we have but will seek the appropriate cover, scales trust ccv are considered starters, another starter wouldn’t work,
02 Aug 2026 15:39:34
Things might have changed in the last week.
My hunch is MON maybe had to ditch a CB to allow the funds to be spent on Ghedhemis as he appears to be expensive.
Personally I would be happy with this.
Hit the champions league and buy a good CB in January.
02 Aug 2026 17:30:38
We all hope so Pedro. That sounds like too much common sense for the board. Seeing as the money is there with player sales and potential CL money I would rather we spent what we needed overhauling the squad now, as the board will sit on the change for seasons to come and say "Well we spent £45m or so last season" Get the quality in and we will be sorted for a good few seasons.
And then it can be a one out one in scenario going forward and hopefully a far better head of recruitment and scouts in place by then.