The likes of Alioski, Costa, Harrison and Roberts are average championship players.
We should have kept Douglas as the only out and out LB with experience.
I agree Messlier and Koch will gain from the experience and are without doubt the future.
However for me I would go with the following as our best 11.
Messlier
Ayling Cooper Llorente Davis
Phillips
Poveda Klich Rodrigo Raphenia
Bamford

You the n have the likes of Koch Struijk Shackleton Alioski Hernandes Costa Harrison Geldhart Greenwood Edmonson Roberts as squad fillers.
One more keeper Forshaw to get fit or buy another midfielder and another striker..
RDP, Romero and Danny Rose would do. for a start.

Danny Rose wouldn't last a week.
RDP won't sign for less than £40m

Romero would be a good signing if we can get him for free, but we'll see no more than one than one player brought in in January, we never do a lot of business in January anyway. We've already spent £100m anyway, so I doubt there's much left in the budget anyway.

I’ve been a critic of Harrison but he’s been excellent up to the last couple of games to be fair. He’s more than worthy of a squad spot and I think he is prem quality but mid to low end. I think we’ve made a mistake not strengthening at left back. Alioski is woefully short defensively which is to be expected as he’s not a defender which leaves us exposed against the better teams especially those who counter attack with pace, it’s a real weakness off the team.

The goals by Dann and Eze they’ll be lucky to score again in the entirety of the season. One offs especially Dann’s. Costa own goal. Score line certainly flattered Palace

Not sure the criticism of Alioski is entirely justified. He's not a premiership quality winger, but he's a decent lower end left back, he's better thanLuke Shaw for example. . He's only started one game at left back (Villa), and was outstanding. To be honest, it's been Dallas whose struggled the most, the fact he's right footed doesn't help, and we actually look more balanced with Alioski there IMO.

Alioski is a good squad filler, won't kick up a fuss and will bust a gut wherever he is put but not one you would want to be relying on starting many games at this level. he has started 3 of our first 8 so far which far from ideal.

we need to get a run of games with a settled back 5 with Phillips in front, i don't think we have played more than 2 straight yet where that has been the case. when we do, we will be just fine.

Agreed. There’s also no way he’s better than Shaw. In my opinion of course

Think you are pushing it a bit saying Alioski is better at LB than Luke Shaw mate.
I don`t even think Alioski is a full back tbh.
Leif Davis is a better LB so was Douglas but that boat has sailed.
I reckon we are 3 players short of finishing above the bottom 6.

Luke shaw is not even championship standard. He's been worse than Maguire, but doesn't get anywhere near as much stick.

It's pretty pointless talking about signing players in January. The number of successful signings in the January window are few, and you don't get a lot of value for money. I think we'll try to sign a midfielder, but if Forshaw comes back by then, I wouldn't be surprised if we hold fire until the summer.