January transfer window

[Prestwick Popeye]

Apologies if I'm a bit early with this one, but we've got to talk about something when there's no game! It seems a wee bit strange that we've talked a lot about who might leave in January (even Dunfermline's fans forum was discussing Moore and Preston being recalled). But there's probably more chance of the squad being strengthened: 1) McCall and his deputy have got loads of contacts, 2) We're flying (as a manager, we should be seen as a good place for fringe players to come on loan), and 3) the gaffer has loads more time to think about where he wants to strengthen and put some feelers out. Not sure who would be on my wish list for Santa - a tricky wee winger maybe?

[Ken]

I think the usual AUFC financial restraints will stop much incoming. The window is usually a damp squib for us.

[TonyH]

If Moore and Preston are staying I'd let Caldwell go and free up wages for someone else.
The better we are doing the more attractive we are, both for keeping the guys we have and bringing in new faces.

[ghostofjimmysmith]

Brian Reid had a habit of picking up one player who made a big difference in the January window (Roberts, McManus, Moff, Parker) - even Roberts did it with Buchanan. McCall did no bad last January with Blakeman and Preston.

I think McCall needs to pull off a similar signing to the ones above - haven't got any suggestions so go on Iain, surprise us!

From a footballing point of view losing Moore would be a big loss - however we have done alright since he was injured (albeit not as good to watch) so can probably cope.

Arguably if we lose one or Moore or Preston we will get by, but two is going to be a big gap. If Caldwell also decides to move on it is going to be interesting but we would still have Forrest and Trouten.

As Blackburn just let a 21 year old striker  who has featured for the 1st team go on loan I don't think Preston is going to be recalled to feature for the first team. If I was looking at it from both the player and Blackburn's point of view is another 3-4 months in Scottish league 1 going to see him develop any more as a player and he would be better getting farmed out to a Yeovil/York/Wycombe in English League 2. However from an Ayr point of view, great experience for a young player to be in a promotion chasing team.

[Prestwick Popeye]

With our game off today, I wonder if McCall was away watching anyone else for some signing ideas? He'd have been fairly lucky to find a game still on!

[Prestwick Popeye]

Just studying next week's opponents or running the rule over a Brechin player?

[Saltire]

So with Bodog putting a five figure sum into the January transfer pot there's also a chance for others to put some cash in as well. I'll put a few quid in anyone else?

[shuggie sproat]

In McCall we trust.His judgement has been sound all the way through his tenure as manager.Financially,we should be backing him to the utmost of the clubs means.We must not let him down in this regard.This is a season where we cannot allow the board to dither,which in my opinion they have been guilty of in the past.Onwards and upwards.

[red dug]

With our game off today, I wonder if McCall was away watching anyone else for some signing ideas? He'd have been fairly lucky to find a game still on!

Pars v Hedge.........

J Henry went to the Pars game and the gaffer was at EK v Stenny game which is pretty random must have been looking at someone

[Prestwick Popeye]

Cheers for the info. Stenny are stronger than last season, but EK squad could be a better shout for grabbing a decent talent who is still flying under the radar. I still think the gaffer will pull a couple of rabbits out the hat, but I would expect there to be more loans than new signings.

[shinglis]

Confirmed news that Bodog are to allow for some additional funds. Maybe more signings than expected.

http://www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/bodog-back-united/

[Prestwick Popeye]

Five figure sum - let's hope that doesn't include a decimal place! I don't know much about crowdfunding, but I've wondered for a while if that's something that could be used to strengthen the squad. So rather than just give a straight donation, fans agree to some sort of regular payment. Someone like bodog could agree to match it. It goes into a separate players fund. It could then be targeted at particular types of players who would be likely to bring fans in (a winger like Paddy McCourt or a goalscorer like Kenny Miller). If it worked and gates increased, fans could get a return or dividend of some sort.

[Caveman]

Cheers for the info. Stenny are stronger than last season, but EK squad could be a better shout for grabbing a decent talent who is still flying under the radar. I still think the gaffer will pull a couple of rabbits out the hat, but I would expect there to be more loans than new signings.

EK's young striker Jack Smith? Maybe worth a look if we can't keep both Moore and Preston.

[red dug]

Cheers for the info. Stenny are stronger than last season, but EK squad could be a better shout for grabbing a decent talent who is still flying under the radar. I still think the gaffer will pull a couple of rabbits out the hat, but I would expect there to be more loans than new signings.

EK's young striker Jack Smith? Maybe worth a look if we can't keep both Moore and Preston.

If he was watching someone it might have been him

[Prestwick Popeye]

Half season tickets now on sale. 110 quid each. Could help the fund if a few folk who held back in the summer decide to buy these.

[Prestwick Popeye]

Didn't realise Gardner Speirs was the assistant manager at EK. Bet they'll have a few decent youngsters. I remember he brought a few through when he was at Queens Park, including Andy Robertson.

[ghostofjimmysmith]

Five figure sum - let's hope that doesn't include a decimal place! I don't know much about crowdfunding, but I've wondered for a while if that's something that could be used to strengthen the squad. So rather than just give a straight donation, fans agree to some sort of regular payment. Someone like bodog could agree to match it. It goes into a separate players fund. It could then be targeted at particular types of players who would be likely to bring fans in (a winger like Paddy McCourt or a goalscorer like Kenny Miller). If it worked and gates increased, fans could get a return or dividend of some sort.

Interesting idea but with all the caveats it just wouldn't work as there is an implication that the fans decide what type of player the money is for - what manager would want to work on that basis - approach a player, agree terms and then the fans say "no he's pish" or "no we want you to sign a striker" - also club never going to agree to a return on the investment and how do you administer this?

Ayr fans did this before, raising 15kish to sign Graham Brown from Alloa, two loanees and I think that mad centre half from Forfar - his name escapes me.

Can't we just create a transfer fund, try and get bodog to match it - only caveat is that the money is for transfers.

However one of the repeated reasons given for no big increase in attendances is the cost and folk being unable to afford it in these austere times. Essentially we are asking those who already go to contribute more but the cost issue is not going away.

If the bodog fund is a five figure sum, potentially we have some signing power as we can pay a fee, even if a modest one.

[Ken]

Take back what I previously stated. Thinking again, could me more going on than expected at Tryfield Place.

[Try6Place]

McCall hasn't let us down so far.

[DavidKennedys_Hand]

is?

Ayr fans did this before, raising 15kish to sign Graham Brown from Alloa, two loanees and I think that mad centre half from Forfar - his name escapes me.

Brown,Steven Miller on loan from Livi and David "Psycho" Lowing