No nearer a loan deal - oh for da Costa now!

It seems Doctor Evil is working his way through his wish list, meeting with rejection and frustration every time he suggests a possible centre back to bring in on loan. And that's hardly surprising when you think about it. The window closed some time ago and any players that clubs were happy to part with were ushered through the door then. A few stragglers remained, it is true, but they have been collected with the empties some time ago, meaning that the cupboard is pretty damn bare.

Who is responsible for leaving the squad so exposed in this critical position? When we signed Faye we had centre backs coming out of our ears - but Gabbidon, Upson and da Costa all departed in a rush, taking us down to the bare bones.

da Costa was the strange one in most people's eyes. True he may have been trading a stretch in Wandsworth Prison for a year or two in a Russian gulag, but if the impending court case was not the reason for his sale, why did we let him go? At the end of the day, all he received was on a slap on the wrist for a slap around the face so if it was the threat of imprisonment, it was a gross over reaction.

da Costa would have been a giant in the Championship and would surely have been first pick over Reid and Faye. Was this, therefore, an error of judgement on Allardyce's part or a penny pinching move by Sullivan and Gold? Or was there a form of revenge involved because da Costa voiced criticism of the club following relegation?

Whatever the reason, the decision to let him go is looking pretty stupid at the moment. What happens if Tomkins or Faye, or God forbid both, join Reid in the treatment room? Or if either see a red card? We will then be up shit creek without a paddle!