January Transfer Window (rumours + actuals)

FishCostaFortune said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

drawnablank said:

I think the view of Lloyd & Thierry being sold, would be about CM looking for cash / lack of ambition a little unfair. Neither player is going to sign a new contract unless we’re promoted this season. 

Lloyd is 29, he has one good contract left, he’s getting interest from teams firmly in the promotion race in league one and the championship.

Thierry won’t sign for us in league one, the only reason he’s here this year is because we exercised the 1 year option and his agent couldn’t manufacture a role elsewhere.

Then make our offer to Jones at least as good as what he’s being offered elsewhere. He’s a key player and whatever fee we receive would need to be spent to adequately replace him. It’s not incoming money if you need to spend it to replace. We know he’s good enough and if we have ambition we need to keep him. Would be different if the offers were for millions but they’re not. As for Thierry Small. If he wants out then I doubt we can prevent that but what is he ? 20. If he moves on again it will be his sixth club. I think he’s done ok with us and needs to think of sticking somewhere and getting games under his belt. 

It’s just not as simple as that though. What if he thinks he can earn 15,000+ a week from a championship club, and currently our highest earner is on something like £7,500?

Then if that’s the scenario we can say goodbye but Wycombe Wanderers are supposed to be in the hunt and I’d like to think we can beat off competition from them and any other League one club barring perhaps Birmingham and Wrexham. We’re fast becoming an established third tier club. That’s going to become year on year increasingly difficult to change. At some point we accept that’s us or we move heaven and earth to keep our better players. As I said before, I understand the likes of Miles leaving at some point. He’s got a long and probably very lucrative career ahead of him and when he goes it will be for a few millions but Lloyd Jones is someone we should be able to retain.

DOUCHER said:

I don’t think Leaburn or Jones will be sold this window - I think we’ll offload as many non contributors as we can and if we add 2 or 3 in the places we all seem to agree on, we can have a real crack at the playoffs - if we get it right, our competition is nothing to fear 

Hope you are right, but we have a long history of selling [or giving away] our best players at the worst possible time.

If Mile’s head is turned, they will take the cash in January.

I also think Taylor and Kanu might go in this new window.

Question is - will we get better players in?

drawnablank said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

drawnablank said:

I think the view of Lloyd & Thierry being sold, would be about CM looking for cash / lack of ambition a little unfair. Neither player is going to sign a new contract unless we’re promoted this season. 

Lloyd is 29, he has one good contract left, he’s getting interest from teams firmly in the promotion race in league one and the championship.

Thierry won’t sign for us in league one, the only reason he’s here this year is because we exercised the 1 year option and his agent couldn’t manufacture a role elsewhere.

Then make our offer to Jones at least as good as what he’s being offered elsewhere. He’s a key player and whatever fee we receive would need to be spent to adequately replace him. It’s not incoming money if you need to spend it to replace. We know he’s good enough and if we have ambition we need to keep him. Would be different if the offers were for millions but they’re not. As for Thierry Small. If he wants out then I doubt we can prevent that but what is he ? 20. If he moves on again it will be his sixth club. I think he’s done ok with us and needs to think of sticking somewhere and getting games under his belt. 

Lloyd is not going to take an offer to guarantee playing league one football next season! We talk about our ambition, what of the ambition of the player?

100% agree about Thierry.

It is a good point about Lloyds ambition. When I spoke to him, he was well aware of his stats and even said to me he was one of the best performers this season. These are the type of things that get attention these days as there's so much eyes on data, and the money spent on it all. It's fairly reliable.

He's the highest rated player in the whole league on one of the most renowned data sites. He will be on the radar of the majority of league1 and the lower end championship sides. 

The more I think about it, the more likely he is going to go. There's only two scenarios I don't mind. 

We keep him and he goes for free next season which at least gives us a chance of play-offs. 

Or, 

We sell him, and with the money replace him with a like-for-like. Paudie O'Connor for instance has almost identical stats to him, is just behind him in 2nd in the ratings, marginally better and worse in some areas, and has experience playing in a back 3 and with our current centre back, Mitchell.

The worst case is we sell him and the club try and force REG in the team as cover, which genuinely wouldn't surprise me. 

He's absolutely immense, but if we could get a decent fee for him, and he's not willing to sign, we could get a fairly decent replacement where other clubs also don't want to lose a player for nothing. Like O'Connor. 

Fraser Horsfall, Jason Kerr top of my head could fill his shoes potentially, if they were to settle here and if their clubs were willing to sell. Horsfall is out of contract in the summer. 

Braziliance said:

drawnablank said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

drawnablank said:

I think the view of Lloyd & Thierry being sold, would be about CM looking for cash / lack of ambition a little unfair. Neither player is going to sign a new contract unless we’re promoted this season. 

Lloyd is 29, he has one good contract left, he’s getting interest from teams firmly in the promotion race in league one and the championship.

Thierry won’t sign for us in league one, the only reason he’s here this year is because we exercised the 1 year option and his agent couldn’t manufacture a role elsewhere.

Then make our offer to Jones at least as good as what he’s being offered elsewhere. He’s a key player and whatever fee we receive would need to be spent to adequately replace him. It’s not incoming money if you need to spend it to replace. We know he’s good enough and if we have ambition we need to keep him. Would be different if the offers were for millions but they’re not. As for Thierry Small. If he wants out then I doubt we can prevent that but what is he ? 20. If he moves on again it will be his sixth club. I think he’s done ok with us and needs to think of sticking somewhere and getting games under his belt. 

Lloyd is not going to take an offer to guarantee playing league one football next season! We talk about our ambition, what of the ambition of the player?

100% agree about Thierry.

It is a good point about Lloyds ambition. When I spoke to him, he was well aware of his stats and even said to me he was one of the best performers this season. These are the type of things that get attention these days as there's so much eyes on data, and the money spent on it all. It's fairly reliable.

He's the highest rated player in the whole league on one of the most renowned data sites. He will be on the radar of the majority of league1 and the lower end championship sides. 

The more I think about it, the more likely he is going to go. There's only two scenarios I don't mind. 

We keep him and he goes for free next season which at least gives us a chance of play-offs. 

Or, 

We sell him, and with the money replace him with a like-for-like. Paudie O'Connor for instance has almost identical stats to him, is just behind him in 2nd in the ratings, marginally better and worse in some areas, and has experience playing in a back 3 and with our current centre back, Mitchell.

The worst case is we sell him and the club try and force REG in the team as cover, which genuinely wouldn't surprise me. 

He's absolutely immense, but if we could get a decent fee for him, and he's not willing to sign, we could get a fairly decent replacement where other clubs also don't want to lose a player for nothing. Like O'Connor. 

Fraser Horsfall, Jason Kerr top of my head could fill his shoes potentially, if they were to settle here and if their clubs were willing to sell. Horsfall is out of contract in the summer. 

Jason Kerr is an interesting name to mention , we were very close to signing him when he was at St Johnstone , missed out to Wigan and ended up signing Sam Lavelle. 

drawnablank said:

Braziliance said:

drawnablank said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

drawnablank said:

I think the view of Lloyd & Thierry being sold, would be about CM looking for cash / lack of ambition a little unfair. Neither player is going to sign a new contract unless we’re promoted this season. 

Lloyd is 29, he has one good contract left, he’s getting interest from teams firmly in the promotion race in league one and the championship.

Thierry won’t sign for us in league one, the only reason he’s here this year is because we exercised the 1 year option and his agent couldn’t manufacture a role elsewhere.

Then make our offer to Jones at least as good as what he’s being offered elsewhere. He’s a key player and whatever fee we receive would need to be spent to adequately replace him. It’s not incoming money if you need to spend it to replace. We know he’s good enough and if we have ambition we need to keep him. Would be different if the offers were for millions but they’re not. As for Thierry Small. If he wants out then I doubt we can prevent that but what is he ? 20. If he moves on again it will be his sixth club. I think he’s done ok with us and needs to think of sticking somewhere and getting games under his belt. 

Lloyd is not going to take an offer to guarantee playing league one football next season! We talk about our ambition, what of the ambition of the player?

100% agree about Thierry.

It is a good point about Lloyds ambition. When I spoke to him, he was well aware of his stats and even said to me he was one of the best performers this season. These are the type of things that get attention these days as there's so much eyes on data, and the money spent on it all. It's fairly reliable.

He's the highest rated player in the whole league on one of the most renowned data sites. He will be on the radar of the majority of league1 and the lower end championship sides. 

The more I think about it, the more likely he is going to go. There's only two scenarios I don't mind. 

We keep him and he goes for free next season which at least gives us a chance of play-offs. 

Or, 

We sell him, and with the money replace him with a like-for-like. Paudie O'Connor for instance has almost identical stats to him, is just behind him in 2nd in the ratings, marginally better and worse in some areas, and has experience playing in a back 3 and with our current centre back, Mitchell.

The worst case is we sell him and the club try and force REG in the team as cover, which genuinely wouldn't surprise me. 

He's absolutely immense, but if we could get a decent fee for him, and he's not willing to sign, we could get a fairly decent replacement where other clubs also don't want to lose a player for nothing. Like O'Connor. 

Fraser Horsfall, Jason Kerr top of my head could fill his shoes potentially, if they were to settle here and if their clubs were willing to sell. Horsfall is out of contract in the summer. 

Nothing needs to be done until the end of Jan. Where are we in the league at 17:00 25th January 2025?

If this run continues and we’re well and truly in the play off picture, Lloyd will be here until the end of the season*
If we’re not then we have the weakest negotiating position of all his options. 

*NJ’s ability to nullify the best teams is something that would be a real strength in play-off type one off game. Bizarrely I think NJ would have more chance of winning a play offs than making a play offs.

I also think he’d be very good for us in the championship for this reason, it’s just getting there that is the hard part 

drawnablank said:

Braziliance said:

drawnablank said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

drawnablank said:

I think the view of Lloyd & Thierry being sold, would be about CM looking for cash / lack of ambition a little unfair. Neither player is going to sign a new contract unless we’re promoted this season. 

Lloyd is 29, he has one good contract left, he’s getting interest from teams firmly in the promotion race in league one and the championship.

Thierry won’t sign for us in league one, the only reason he’s here this year is because we exercised the 1 year option and his agent couldn’t manufacture a role elsewhere.

Then make our offer to Jones at least as good as what he’s being offered elsewhere. He’s a key player and whatever fee we receive would need to be spent to adequately replace him. It’s not incoming money if you need to spend it to replace. We know he’s good enough and if we have ambition we need to keep him. Would be different if the offers were for millions but they’re not. As for Thierry Small. If he wants out then I doubt we can prevent that but what is he ? 20. If he moves on again it will be his sixth club. I think he’s done ok with us and needs to think of sticking somewhere and getting games under his belt. 

Lloyd is not going to take an offer to guarantee playing league one football next season! We talk about our ambition, what of the ambition of the player?

100% agree about Thierry.

It is a good point about Lloyds ambition. When I spoke to him, he was well aware of his stats and even said to me he was one of the best performers this season. These are the type of things that get attention these days as there's so much eyes on data, and the money spent on it all. It's fairly reliable.

He's the highest rated player in the whole league on one of the most renowned data sites. He will be on the radar of the majority of league1 and the lower end championship sides. 

The more I think about it, the more likely he is going to go. There's only two scenarios I don't mind. 

We keep him and he goes for free next season which at least gives us a chance of play-offs. 

Or, 

We sell him, and with the money replace him with a like-for-like. Paudie O'Connor for instance has almost identical stats to him, is just behind him in 2nd in the ratings, marginally better and worse in some areas, and has experience playing in a back 3 and with our current centre back, Mitchell.

The worst case is we sell him and the club try and force REG in the team as cover, which genuinely wouldn't surprise me. 

He's absolutely immense, but if we could get a decent fee for him, and he's not willing to sign, we could get a fairly decent replacement where other clubs also don't want to lose a player for nothing. Like O'Connor. 

Fraser Horsfall, Jason Kerr top of my head could fill his shoes potentially, if they were to settle here and if their clubs were willing to sell. Horsfall is out of contract in the summer. 

Nothing needs to be done until the end of Jan. Where are we in the league at 17:00 25th January 2025?

If this run continues and we’re well and truly in the play off picture, Lloyd will be here until the end of the season*
If we’re not then we have the weakest negotiating position of all his options. 

*NJ’s ability to nullify the best teams is something that would be a real strength in play-off type one off game. Bizarrely I think NJ would have more chance of winning a play offs than making a play offs.

Fair points, sound bonkers, but I am of the view that if we make the play-offs we will win them, quite confident about that.

Nothing more than a gut feeling and the way Jones make us play, play-offs are always scrappy and I think the scenario would suit him. Agree with your last point, my concern is the league consistency and getting there. 

This time tomorrow 'why have we sold the whole squad'?.

Yorkshireaddick said:

Keeping hold of Jones and Leaburn depends on their contractual arrangements surely. They might have buy out clauses, a big club interest clause, failure to make the play offs clause and so on.

Sure they can't use that one halfway through a season

BigDiddy said:

DOUCHER said:

I don’t think Leaburn or Jones will be sold this window - I think we’ll offload as many non contributors as we can and if we add 2 or 3 in the places we all seem to agree on, we can have a real crack at the playoffs - if we get it right, our competition is nothing to fear 

Hope you are right, but we have a long history of selling [or giving away] our best players at the worst possible time.

If Mile’s head is turned, they will take the cash in January.

I also think Taylor and Kanu might go in this new window.

Question is - will we get better players in?

I think we should sell Leaburn as we're bound to bring in better.
Look at what Godden and Ahadme have done for us.

DOUCHER said:

I don’t think Leaburn or Jones will be sold this window - I think we’ll offload as many non contributors as we can and if we add 2 or 3 in the places we all seem to agree on, we can have a real crack at the playoffs - if we get it right, our competition is nothing to fear 

With the windows we have had the last two times , you still live in hope.😂

DLewis Coaches said:

Henry Irving said:

NJ has twice taken teams to the play-offs and lost them both so not sure that theory stands up.

Charlton have never lost a play-off final and have won 50% of the play-offs we have reached.

But we need to reach the play-offs first before we worry about any of that.

Charlton v Leeds won 2-1 have you forgotten that one?

For me, the most important win in Charlton history and I include the 47 cup final.

Lewis Coaches said:

Henry Irving said:

NJ has twice taken teams to the play-offs and lost them both so not sure that theory stands up.

Charlton have never lost a play-off final and have won 50% of the play-offs we have reached.

But we need to reach the play-offs first before we worry about any of that.

Charlton v Leeds won 2-1 have you forgotten that one?

No

We won finals v Leeds and Sunderland twice.

We lost semi-finals v Palace, Swindon and Shrewsbury

Yorkshireaddick said:

Keeping hold of Jones and Leaburn depends on their contractual arrangements surely. They might have buy out clauses, a big club interest clause, failure to make the play offs clause and so on.

All I am reading again like every window what players we are going to sell and every window these players are still with us at the end... and the same will happen this year Jones and Leaburn will be playing for us in February.……. Leaburn up to a vastly better performance v Wycombe has been pretty average to poor on his return, and Jones may be outstanding for us this season but he is injury prone and last season fans were saying not good enough and should have gone in the summer... so they will be going anywhere 

As always we seem to end up with the wrong squad balance for how we want to play. Usually that happens because we've changed managers, but this time it's the same manager, but the system has changed.

We started the season playing 352, so no wingers, 2 wingbacks to provide the width and a pair of strikers, with T Campbell playing centrally at the start of the season. Now we seem to be lacking wingers, and have a massive excess of strikers - crazy to have Ahadme, Godden and Hylton on the bench, Kanu left out and Chuks injured, that's 5 striking options who didn't start on Sunday, and none will get ahead of Leaburn if he stays fit.