January Transfer Window (rumours + actuals)

Uboat said:

Here is an AI summary of this thread:

The general mood amongst supporters regarding the January transfer window is a mixture of hope, realism, and some cynicism.... There's a recognition of the team's needs, but also a concern about the club's ability to address them effectively.... Here's a breakdown:

•

Recognition of Needs: There's a widespread understanding of what the team is lacking, with many fans identifying similar areas for improvement. These needs include a goalkeeper, a left-sided centre-back (LCB), and, crucially, creative players.... There is also a call for pace in midfield and out wide.

•

Desire for Quality: Fans are keen to see the club bring in players who can make a real impact, with a particular focus on creative players who can generate goal-scoring opportunities. Some fans are hoping for young, hungry players from Premier League or Championship clubs.

•

Skepticism about Club Action: There's a general lack of confidence that the club will make significant improvements during the window.... Some fans expect the club to move out players they don't want, and bring in average loan players, or players past their prime.... There is a concern that the club may not spend much money4. One fan even suggests that they expect the club to move deckchairs, bringing in the usual inept PL loanees, or players at the twilight of their careers.

•

Loan Market Reliance: Many fans acknowledge that the club will likely rely on the loan market.... There are differing views on this, with some hoping for quality loans from Premier League or Championship clubs, while others are wary of taking on "has beens" or players from certain clubs (like Luton).

•

Concerns about losing players: There is concern that the club may lose valuable players such as Leaburn.

•

Specific Player Concerns: There are some concerns about relying on loans from certain clubs, with some fans expressing that they do not like the idea of another loan from Ipswich. There is also discussion about moving on players, including Hylton, Potts, Asiimwe and Edun.... There is some disagreement as to whether the club should move on Edun4.

•

History of Disappointment: Some fans express a sense of resignation based on past transfer windows. They believe the club rarely emerges from the January window significantly stronger. Some supporters feel that they know what the club needs, but that they will not get it.

•

Desire for ambition: There are some supporters who express that it is time for the club to make radical changes that will cost money. Others suggest that the club should scout for individuals from North of the Border, players released from Academies, or who are in League One or League Two, rather than being transfixed with players with decent CVs.

•

Cautious Optimism: Despite the skepticism, there is still some hope that the club will make the necessary changes to push for a playoff spot. However, the general feeling is that any new signings will have to be "spectacularly good" to make a real difference.

In summary, while fans recognise the need for new signings and are hopeful that the January window can improve the squad, there's also a sense of caution and a lack of confidence that the club will make the necessary moves.

AI? Sounds like a Charlton fan wrote it themselves, far too sophisticated if you haven't fed it too much info mate. Shut it down.

Uboat said:

Here is an AI summary of this thread:

The general mood amongst supporters regarding the January transfer window is a mixture of hope, realism, and some cynicism.... There's a recognition of the team's needs, but also a concern about the club's ability to address them effectively.... Here's a breakdown:

•

Recognition of Needs: There's a widespread understanding of what the team is lacking, with many fans identifying similar areas for improvement. These needs include a goalkeeper, a left-sided centre-back (LCB), and, crucially, creative players.... There is also a call for pace in midfield and out wide.

•

Desire for Quality: Fans are keen to see the club bring in players who can make a real impact, with a particular focus on creative players who can generate goal-scoring opportunities. Some fans are hoping for young, hungry players from Premier League or Championship clubs.

•

Skepticism about Club Action: There's a general lack of confidence that the club will make significant improvements during the window.... Some fans expect the club to move out players they don't want, and bring in average loan players, or players past their prime.... There is a concern that the club may not spend much money4. One fan even suggests that they expect the club to move deckchairs, bringing in the usual inept PL loanees, or players at the twilight of their careers.

•

Loan Market Reliance: Many fans acknowledge that the club will likely rely on the loan market.... There are differing views on this, with some hoping for quality loans from Premier League or Championship clubs, while others are wary of taking on "has beens" or players from certain clubs (like Luton).

•

Concerns about losing players: There is concern that the club may lose valuable players such as Leaburn.

•

Specific Player Concerns: There are some concerns about relying on loans from certain clubs, with some fans expressing that they do not like the idea of another loan from Ipswich. There is also discussion about moving on players, including Hylton, Potts, Asiimwe and Edun.... There is some disagreement as to whether the club should move on Edun4.

•

History of Disappointment: Some fans express a sense of resignation based on past transfer windows. They believe the club rarely emerges from the January window significantly stronger. Some supporters feel that they know what the club needs, but that they will not get it.

•

Desire for ambition: There are some supporters who express that it is time for the club to make radical changes that will cost money. Others suggest that the club should scout for individuals from North of the Border, players released from Academies, or who are in League One or League Two, rather than being transfixed with players with decent CVs.

•

Cautious Optimism: Despite the skepticism, there is still some hope that the club will make the necessary changes to push for a playoff spot. However, the general feeling is that any new signings will have to be "spectacularly good" to make a real difference.

In summary, while fans recognise the need for new signings and are hopeful that the January window can improve the squad, there's also a sense of caution and a lack of confidence that the club will make the necessary moves.

AI? Isn't that for people who can't think for themselves?

Ilovelondontown said:

Not to fussed about our outgoings and I don’t know anything about our 2 loans and hope they are a success, but are these the two “ real quality signings that are gonna improve us “ NJ quote after Blackpool? Think we might have missed a very good chance to push on ? We shall see. 

Doubtful. I always thought Jones would make it well known if he wasn't getting what he wants in the player coming and going department.
We shall see, but my guess is he, like the rest of this shady SMT are paid very well to toe the ownership mantra no matter how off target it is.

JustFloydRoad said:

Braziliance said:

Shame we didn't sign Owen Dale, his missus is a vlogger and we would have got some insight 😂

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdDEutXr/

She seems really sweet, good for him 👍🏻

Didn't  he end up singing for Wigan Athletic. 

Don't worry they'll be coming to the Valley in March anyway.

What did he sing?

.

I think saying we have 14 senior players is doing a disservice to some of the others. AMB is 25 so not young at all in football terms, Small is young but has played a lot of football in a lot of places, Leaburn is in his 3rd season with the senior squad (yes I know he was injured), Anderson has made 50 senior appearances, Campbell over 100 senior appearances and Kanu has also made over 50 appearances. They aren't deep into their careers but they aren't as green as Enslin and Laq or even Z Mitchell. None of them come close to being able to be described as "scholars"

Grapevine49 said:

Well the usual cacophony of noise for quite frankly not a great deal. No doubt a lot of work but in all honestly it registers as pretty much just another day at the office.

No headline statements, no momentum build, no adrenaline rush just a couple of solid loan additions (maybe a couple missed) to add some creativity and natural left sided balance. Gilbert & McIntyre CVs indicate both should be able to contribute immediately. You’d I like to think such measured re-engineering suggests both are deemed targets for permanent deals in the Summer.

In this sense the field of opportunity is theirs.

To be clear I hate the squad numbers and corporate clubhouse interference. There is a world of difference between a streamlined squad of 20 outfield players and 14 (effectively 13) seniors and 6 still developing “scholars”.

As per many I give due credit for resigning Jones and rebuffing the no doubt multiple fiscals inducements received in respect of  Small, Leaburn and Campbell. At the same time though a little overdue getting sundry contracts game time elsewhere and moving overall 8 largely non contributing “others” off the full payroll is no easy task. 

No doubt GFP “brownie points” were earned.

In which sense the equilibrium extends to the fiscal arena where the fee received for Edmonds-Green will likely cover the loan fee to Middlesboro. As per Jan 2024 ( Blackett-Taylor, the aborted Dobson transfer) and Summer 2025 (May) the intent very much appears to be for acquisitions in large part to be “clubhouse” financed.

Good housekeeping to the fore, effectively signing 3 loans in the last 13 weeks of the industry’s transfer windows does not scream compelling ambition. Signing a reclamation project and a 7th choice veteran out of window on 20 week (part financed*) contracts does not move that dial.

* What appearance & performance bonuses do you think a fit Aneke/ Leaburn are on?

In terms of expense with the pipeline now strongly featuring, (I concede being interested in seeing something of Laqeretabua & Enslin), with just 14 seniors in play the continued involvement of Messrs Rodwell, Jones and Scott does seem overkill. 

Will the end result be enough to secure a play off spot? Maybe. In any normal terms a promotion will be an enormously significant achievement. It is a huge demand to place on the youngsters notably so with Leaburn struggling to find consistent form, Campbell a half season into his “reformation” and Small 10 appearances into his brave new world.

I concede I am of the opinion not only my mental faculties, but those across the SMT, SE7 and GFP are not in a position to even address the concept of this squad actually playing in the Championship. Part of me actually shudders at the thought…..

It's an interesting window for sure Grapevine. I probably fall into the camp of 'clear out and don't bring any crap in' . I was pleased with the outgoings although I can understand people's shock at REG moving to Orient, but if you are offered money for a player who doesn't appear in your first team, then you'd be wise to take it. I don't think you can judge a teams potential in a higher division, we simply are not there and the last time we were, we brought in Gallagher, who made a world of difference. As for the incomings, well you can base it on 'the previous' and probably the same people crying out for marquee signings are probably the same people who were messing their kacks when we signed Ladapo, 'Statement of intent' I think they called it, how many did we bring in last January ? are Coventry and Gillisphey the only ones left ? Admittedly most of last seasons signings were loans but none have been missed. I keep hearing calls for back up for Docherty and Coventry but any player brought in would have to be as good, if not better and then you have your 'marquee' signing warming the bench. No, I'm happy with the squad and as for the two players brought in, we don't have any bias, for or against, I'm also happy the squad was trimmed and the club is not paying out wages to players who were not considered good enough to start in the first team, now lets wait and see where it takes us. 

ShootersHillGuru said:

Scoham said:

Chunes said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

At least part of the issue if indeed it is an issue with this window was that Jones wasn’t pressing the owners for reinforcements. He wanted the squad reduced in size and got rid of players he knew he wasn’t going to use but on the whole was content with what he had left. I think Gilbert being the exception, in a role that even the doziest of fans could see we’re were in need of. I’m sadly confident that we’ll lose Small in the summer and he’ll definitely be hard to replace. Just like every summer we’ll need to rebuild in order to go for it next season but how many times have we all said that. 

I agree with your post but I'm not sure I'd call the summer another 'rebuild'. The only players out of contract in the summer are:

Tennai Watson
Chuks Aneke
Thierry Small 
Aaron Henry

It would be nice to be more like a normal club and not need 10+ signings every summer.

Summer will imho still require a fairly significant recruitment. I’d suggest a replacement for Small if he goes which I expect. Competition for Gilesphey, replace Aneke, replace Watson and get in a GK. That’s without anyone being sold. I’d like to think a striker would come in. I’d say that quite a rebuild. 

Well ideally McIntyre does well enough to convert into a permanent so you're only talking 3 (I think 4 as Leaburn could go) signings, that's pretty quiet for most L1 clubs. If we go up I wouldn't be surprised to see Leaburn and Small stay so then that would be 2 plus a couple of places where we might need an upgrade

Braziliance said:

killerandflash said:

eastterrace6168 said:

Braziliance said:

Shame we didn't sign Owen Dale, his missus is a vlogger and we would have got some insight 😂

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdDEutXr/

She seems really sweet, good for him 👍🏻

Sod Owen Dale, shame we didn't sign his missus...👌

In the summer maybe we can do a swap deal with Braziliance

Don't imagine Owen Dale will be too happy with that. 

Sounds like you're up for it though 😀

blackpool72 said:

fenaddick said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Scoham said:

Chunes said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

At least part of the issue if indeed it is an issue with this window was that Jones wasn’t pressing the owners for reinforcements. He wanted the squad reduced in size and got rid of players he knew he wasn’t going to use but on the whole was content with what he had left. I think Gilbert being the exception, in a role that even the doziest of fans could see we’re were in need of. I’m sadly confident that we’ll lose Small in the summer and he’ll definitely be hard to replace. Just like every summer we’ll need to rebuild in order to go for it next season but how many times have we all said that. 

I agree with your post but I'm not sure I'd call the summer another 'rebuild'. The only players out of contract in the summer are:

Tennai Watson
Chuks Aneke
Thierry Small 
Aaron Henry

It would be nice to be more like a normal club and not need 10+ signings every summer.

Summer will imho still require a fairly significant recruitment. I’d suggest a replacement for Small if he goes which I expect. Competition for Gilesphey, replace Aneke, replace Watson and get in a GK. That’s without anyone being sold. I’d like to think a striker would come in. I’d say that quite a rebuild. 

Well ideally McIntyre does well enough to convert into a permanent so you're only talking 3 (I think 4 as Leaburn could go) signings, that's pretty quiet for most L1 clubs. If we go up I wouldn't be surprised to see Leaburn and Small stay so then that would be 2 plus a couple of places where we might need an upgrade

If we go up we will need to upgrade a lot more than just a couple. 
5 or 6 minimum. 

I’d say that optimistic on a couple of fronts