Is it? Pretty sure at the end of last season we were clamouring for players to take the burden off Alfie, more creative attacking players (Hagi, Roofe) and a more physical option up front (Itten)
Then the priority behind that was a central midfielder - the hysteria around central midfield has only really ramped up since we brought those players in and our two best midfielders (Jack and Aribo) have picked up injuries.
Gerrard has said he wants someone in the engine room, and if he brings that player in (alongside Balogun and McLaughlin, two players who provide cover and possibly a first team option, Bassey, who looks an excellent prospect and Patterson being promoted to the first team.) I think most people would have been happy with that at the start of the window.
If Jack and Aribo were fit and on form, the narrative would be more "We need one more central midfielder to really complete the squad" rather than "ineptitude from the board" etc.
There is a clamour for wingers, but we don't play with wingers. The wingers on our books - in my opinion - were only here because Halliday and Flanagan (as cover for Barisic and Tavernier) would operate like defensive full backs, instead of wingbacks, so we needed traditional wingers to give us width if there was an injury to Tav or Borna.
Now we have players who can perform the same role as cover, we have no need for traditional wingers, and that's why they're all leaving the club.
We will buy a midfielder before the window closes regardless of whether Alfie leaves or not.I suspect the quality of that midfielder does depend on Alfie leaving or us qualifying for Europe and we're holding off as long as possible to figure that out (which I agree is a dangerous tactic) and if Alfie does leave, I suspect the board will sanction some money for a replacement - after they keep half of fee for running costs.