Winter-January 2026 Transfer Window Rumours ...

DamoNorthStand

Gonna need to go big in January. No hiding from it as we will be bang in trouble otherwise. 

MarcusH26

 I just hope there's a serious budget to go and get 3-4 quality players , not Prem U21 kids on their first loan in this situation. 

CAFC_boi

Need serious investment to stay up and signings need to be made in the first couple weeks, not at the death. 

HUGE month coming up, could quite literally decide the future of the club for the long term. 

Relegation again would be catastrophic for us. 

Chunes

Sage said:

Callumcafc said:

It’s a team game. What was having a striker who can put the ball in the net going to do for us on Boxing Day when we have so few touches of the ball in the final third anyway?

The lack of defensive solidity caused by not having the right players to play the system that has meant more “negative” tactics and less goals scored in the last 11 vs the previous 11.

Get the back five sorted and we can be more aggressive in the midfield again and more chances will come as a result.

Ideally we get both the defensive reinforcements and a forward - it was clear Nathan wanted one in August when we almost sealed Fofana.

Because where Leaburn runs so hot and cold, if we had a striker who, as I’ve said in recent posts, can be physical and hold up the ball effectively , we automatically get higher up the pitch and aren’t so open and don’t need to press like mad men just to try and get into decent positions.

It’s why when we have games in quick succession, we aren’t able to sustain any kind of consistent levels because we simply can’t play at that intensity all the time without the ball being able to stick up top.

We all see the game differently... Personally I don't see that our problem is lack of territory. We can have all the territory in the world (like today) and we don't have the quality to show composure and create clear cut chances. 

Scoham

Chunes said:

Sage said:

Callumcafc said:

It’s a team game. What was having a striker who can put the ball in the net going to do for us on Boxing Day when we have so few touches of the ball in the final third anyway?

The lack of defensive solidity caused by not having the right players to play the system that has meant more “negative” tactics and less goals scored in the last 11 vs the previous 11.

Get the back five sorted and we can be more aggressive in the midfield again and more chances will come as a result.

Ideally we get both the defensive reinforcements and a forward - it was clear Nathan wanted one in August when we almost sealed Fofana.

Because where Leaburn runs so hot and cold, if we had a striker who, as I’ve said in recent posts, can be physical and hold up the ball effectively , we automatically get higher up the pitch and aren’t so open and don’t need to press like mad men just to try and get into decent positions.

It’s why when we have games in quick succession, we aren’t able to sustain any kind of consistent levels because we simply can’t play at that intensity all the time without the ball being able to stick up top.

We all see the game differently, and personally I don't see that our problem is lack of territory. We can have all the territory in the world (like today) and we don't have the quality to show composure and create clear cut chances. 

Which I think is a problem across the pitch - more pace and quality out wide, better hold up play up front, more creative passing and ability on the ball in the midfield, more composure at the back (what a difference Bell makes vs Gillesphey when he has the ball).

ForeverAddickted

For all the wishlists and the spending thats going to be required to keep us up... I'll be very surprised if its no more than a number of loan players (we've still got four we can bring in and add to a Match Day squad, and will be five if we sign Bree on a permanent deal).

I think people are setting their expectations for the window too high, and will be disappointed / pissed off when they dont see the right sort of money thrown around - Just look at last year with Gilbett / McIntyre brought in... January is a horrible Transfer Window, I hate it so much, and more often than not, you'll waste money bring in over priced / average players.

Chunes

Scoham said:

Chunes said:

Sage said:

Callumcafc said:

It’s a team game. What was having a striker who can put the ball in the net going to do for us on Boxing Day when we have so few touches of the ball in the final third anyway?

The lack of defensive solidity caused by not having the right players to play the system that has meant more “negative” tactics and less goals scored in the last 11 vs the previous 11.

Get the back five sorted and we can be more aggressive in the midfield again and more chances will come as a result.

Ideally we get both the defensive reinforcements and a forward - it was clear Nathan wanted one in August when we almost sealed Fofana.

Because where Leaburn runs so hot and cold, if we had a striker who, as I’ve said in recent posts, can be physical and hold up the ball effectively , we automatically get higher up the pitch and aren’t so open and don’t need to press like mad men just to try and get into decent positions.

It’s why when we have games in quick succession, we aren’t able to sustain any kind of consistent levels because we simply can’t play at that intensity all the time without the ball being able to stick up top.

We all see the game differently, and personally I don't see that our problem is lack of territory. We can have all the territory in the world (like today) and we don't have the quality to show composure and create clear cut chances. 

Which I think is a problem across the pitch - more pace and quality out wide, better hold up play up front, more creative passing and ability on the ball in the midfield, more composure at the back (what a difference Bell makes vs Gillesphey when he has the ball).

Yes, absolutely, and it just doesn't seem like a situation that's going to be solved by bringing in a new hold-up striker. 

MarcusH26

ForeverAddickted said:

For all the wishlists and the spending thats going to be required to keep us up... I'll be very surprised if its no more than a number of loan players (we've still got four we can bring in and add to a Match Day squad, and will be five if we sign Bree on a permanent deal).

I think people are setting their expectations for the window too high, and will be disappointed / pissed off when they dont see the right sort of money thrown around - Just look at last year with Gilbett / McIntyre brought in... January is a horrible Transfer Window, I hate it so much, and more often than not, you'll waste money bring in over priced / average players.

Absolutely agree on the last paragraph. January is a horrible window to need what we need in terms of re-enforcements. 

ForeverAddickted

MarcusH26 said:

ForeverAddickted said:

For all the wishlists and the spending thats going to be required to keep us up... I'll be very surprised if its no more than a number of loan players (we've still got four we can bring in and add to a Match Day squad, and will be five if we sign Bree on a permanent deal).

I think people are setting their expectations for the window too high, and will be disappointed / pissed off when they dont see the right sort of money thrown around - Just look at last year with Gilbett / McIntyre brought in... January is a horrible Transfer Window, I hate it so much, and more often than not, you'll waste money bring in over priced / average players.

Absolutely agree on the last paragraph. January is a horrible window to need what we need in terms of re-enforcements. 

Trouble is its always the domino effect... No team is going to sell its starting players, unless they're offered silly money, as they'll have limited time to replace themselves... It means that we're going to have to target either ageing individuals, or unproven youngsters who aren't already getting into Premier League / Championship squads at the moment and want the game time.

The former you risk signing them when they're best years are behind them, the latter you risk signing someone who isn't ready for Senior Football, or is doomed to a long career in Non-League Football. The alternative is we look at players at the likes of Cardiff / Luton / Plymouth who are playing in League One now, but have Championship experience and weren't individually at fault for the relegation; Perry Ng for example wouldn't have been a bad Full-Back option a few years ago

Dazzler21

No rumours from me but we need at least 5 players through the door, LCB, RWB, LWB, SS, STR. 

Campbell ain't it, Olaofe ain't it, Leaburn is trying but ain't it, Carey undecided, Berry is old AF, Bree ain't it... Gillesphey definitely ain't it.

MarcusH26

ForeverAddickted said:

MarcusH26 said:

ForeverAddickted said:

For all the wishlists and the spending thats going to be required to keep us up... I'll be very surprised if its no more than a number of loan players (we've still got four we can bring in and add to a Match Day squad, and will be five if we sign Bree on a permanent deal).

I think people are setting their expectations for the window too high, and will be disappointed / pissed off when they dont see the right sort of money thrown around - Just look at last year with Gilbett / McIntyre brought in... January is a horrible Transfer Window, I hate it so much, and more often than not, you'll waste money bring in over priced / average players.

Absolutely agree on the last paragraph. January is a horrible window to need what we need in terms of re-enforcements. 

Trouble is its always the domino effect... No team is going to sell its starting players, unless they're offered silly money, as they'll have limited time to replace themselves... It means that we're going to have to target either ageing individuals, or unproven youngsters who aren't already getting into Premier League / Championship squads at the moment and want the game time.

The former you risk signing them when they're best years are behind them, the latter you risk signing someone who isn't ready for Senior Football, or is doomed to a long career in Non-League Football. The alternative is we look at players at the likes of Cardiff / Luton / Plymouth who are playing in League One now, but have Championship experience and weren't individually at fault for the relegation; Perry Ng for example wouldn't have been a bad Full-Back option a few years ago

It's absolutely a catch 22. PL kids on loan are you getting a Conor Gallagher or either Matt Smith. Anyone from the top end of League 1 add another million to the pricetag because it's Jan and no one is selling key players unless the fee is absolutely ridiculous. 

And anyone within the league who's fallen out of favour because someone's upgraded their squad you don't really know how fit and ready they'll be if they haven't had regular games. 

RonnieMoore

DamoNorthStand said:

Gonna need to go big in January. No hiding from it as we will be bang in trouble otherwise. 

We need our injured back fully fit … that’s more important , Jan not the time to spend money you pay way over the odds for average players .. couple loans and couple of perm deals that will be all i expect .. left wing back and someone to create chances … 

Weegie Addick

We’re not exactly an attractive proposition for potential signings at present which will make it all the harder. 

Crispywood

Couldn’t care less if it’s loans or fees, Jones has actually proved he’s better at transfers when working on frees and loans rather than having money to spend. Need to get some players in where we know what to expect rather than more wildcards hope we can bring 4 new players in 

fenaddick

Just need to sell it well. “Be a bit part player at a mid table team or be a hero and keep us up”. If there’s one thing we know NJ is really good at it’s convincing players to sign 

MarcusH26

I do wonder how we're viewed by Prem clubs when young loan players come up. Avoid us because NJ would rather play our own academy players and our style of play won't help anyone? 

Just a musing really. 

Scoham

MarcusH26 said:

I do wonder how we're viewed by Prem clubs when young loan players come up. Avoid us because NJ would rather play our own academy players and our style of play won't help anyone? 

Just a musing really. 

Got to be truth in both points. We wouldn’t end too many young players in the side, and I doubt many clubs would want genuinely good prospects playing in our style.

Callumcafc

MarcusH26 said:

I do wonder how we're viewed by Prem clubs when young loan players come up. Avoid us because NJ would rather play our own academy players and our style of play won't help anyone? 

Just a musing really. 

And then you see players loaned to Sheff Wed and realise it’s probably not as big of a problem as you think.

MarcusH26

Callumcafc said:

MarcusH26 said:

I do wonder how we're viewed by Prem clubs when young loan players come up. Avoid us because NJ would rather play our own academy players and our style of play won't help anyone? 

Just a musing really. 

And then you see players loaned to Sheff Wed and realise it’s probably not as big of a problem as you think.

At least they'd play every week there with the amount of injuries and tiny squad they've got. Think I saw they've asked for emergency dispensation to sign a couple more due to player welfare issues with the amount of U18s they've got in the squad. 

Elthamaddick

I fully expect 2 or 3 to arrive and those will be 'known' to Jones and have worked with him before.

Backs to the wall stuff he'll want players he knows and can trust - the Hull full back being the perfect example. 

He'll then keep us up and rightly claim he knows what he's doing. It won't be pretty but I think we'll finish about where we are now

mr.se7

Dazzler21 said:

No rumours from me but we need at least 5 players through the door, LCB, RWB, LWB, SS, STR. 

Campbell ain't it, Olaofe ain't it, Leaburn is trying but ain't it, Carey undecided, Berry is old AF, Bree ain't it... Gillesphey definitely ain't it.

Extremely harsh on Carey IMO. Easily brightest spark this season before slight drop off last couple games 

ForeverAddickted

MarcusH26 said:

Callumcafc said:

MarcusH26 said:

I do wonder how we're viewed by Prem clubs when young loan players come up. Avoid us because NJ would rather play our own academy players and our style of play won't help anyone? 

Just a musing really. 

And then you see players loaned to Sheff Wed and realise it’s probably not as big of a problem as you think.

At least they'd play every week there with the amount of injuries and tiny squad they've got. Think I saw they've asked for emergency dispensation to sign a couple more due to player welfare issues with the amount of U18s they've got in the squad. 

I thought the EFL had rejected their latest request to sign anyone?

MarcusH26

ForeverAddickted said:

MarcusH26 said:

Callumcafc said:

MarcusH26 said:

I do wonder how we're viewed by Prem clubs when young loan players come up. Avoid us because NJ would rather play our own academy players and our style of play won't help anyone? 

Just a musing really. 

And then you see players loaned to Sheff Wed and realise it’s probably not as big of a problem as you think.

At least they'd play every week there with the amount of injuries and tiny squad they've got. Think I saw they've asked for emergency dispensation to sign a couple more due to player welfare issues with the amount of U18s they've got in the squad. 

I thought the EFL had rejected their latest request to sign anyone?

Didn't see that had been rejected! Only saw that they'd asked about it. 

The Red Robin

I wonder if Ramsay may be off. Not sure I buy the ‘hamstring’ injury. 

fenaddick

The Red Robin said:

I wonder if Ramsay may be off. Not sure I buy the ‘hamstring’ injury. 

Brownie said before the game he got injured that he was injured all week. Absolutely no way Brownie is saying that if he’s being sold

CH4RLTON

I can’t believe how deluded some of our fans are, coming out with statements like, “We need four top Championship players, and we need them right at the start of the window, or we’re doomed.” We need a reality check. This time last year, we were outside the League One play-offs, and the only signings we could make were loans. Why do some entitled fans suddenly think we’ve become a massive club that can just splash cash willy-nilly?

Scoham

https://x.com/RichSCawley/status/2005932927742321107?s=20

Nathan Jones confirmed last night that James Bree's loan from Southampton means he is "here until January 17th)."

"Everything is ongoing. The window now will be open in two or three days' time. We have to make sure we have a good window." #cafc

Crispywood

The Red Robin said:

I wonder if Ramsay may be off. Not sure I buy the ‘hamstring’ injury. 

Fact he didn’t make it through the Oxford game then wasn’t available at Norwich makes it likely that its injury related 

Scoham

Crispywood said:

The Red Robin said:

I wonder if Ramsay may be off. Not sure I buy the ‘hamstring’ injury. 

Fact he didn’t make it through the Oxford game then wasn’t available at Norwich makes it likely that its injury related 

You sure a bid wasn't accepted during the second half of the Oxford game and a note passed to Ramsay?

Mortimerwasgod

PWR, but we need Ryan Hardie from Wrexham. Barely played, proven at Championship level, a handful. Just one of those players you know can come up with something.