January 2025 Transfer Window

Those were the heady days. Back to Wolves away again! They were untouchable .

 

To me that's a very dangerous game Dennis.
As you quite rightly say, when Cook isn't available or is marked out of the game, goals are at a premium.
To simply rely on one striker to score the goals is reckless, Cook does need a partner for me, it shows that he does need help up there, so many times we see him struggling and to be quite honest, the lad isn't the most mobile.
Most teams now have weighed this up and attempt to mark him out of the game (which sometimes always doesn't work!) thank goodness he still gets goals though.
We cannot keep relying on lumping the ball into the penalty box and hoping Cook can get onto the end of them.

 

We are over reliant on Cookie as your first paragraph sets out the reason why in its entirety . He won’t be willingly sold unless he demands to go. Even then it would only be a sideways move for more money. Whilst under contract he has little clout at his age?

 

Was it last season or season before that we actually put clauses into loan deals
That meant the parent club couldn’t recall if they played a certain number of games hopefully that’s the case with shepherd, diabetes & Sanderson can both go back! Sanderson don’t look like he wants to be here last few games he played. I’d want a pacy striker to actually run the channels and take defenders away from cook giving him more space am sick of the likes of kav,Sanderson and who ever else plays upfront coming deeper completely congests the midfield giving no space to anyone

 

Evans is only 34,not sure he is looking to retire yet.

 

Maybe not, but his career progression from the championship to league 2 and his injuries may say different.

 

I don't think it was necessarily that nobody wanted them but that nobody who wanted them could afford them, I've heard from a couple of people that York were looking at Oliver but they couldn't get anywhere near his wage demands.

The January window changes a lot for players especially those into the last 6 months of a deal like Oliver is as they look to secure an 18 month deal now whilst they are fit rather than gambling in the summer with the 100s of other free agents. Club are also more likely to take a punt on a player for 6 months on loan.

 

It was 2 seasons ago we had the clauses in the Crichlow deal and I think it was Banks but couldn't get one in the Wright deal. Last season I don't think we'll ever know if there was any as 2 of the 4 summer loans were sent back, Oyegoke was injured and we know Tomkinson could be recalled but Norwich decided not to.

I don't see why we wouldn't have them if the parent club agreed to them, if we don't them most recall windows only have a specified date that tend to expire early in the window.

I think Sanderson will depend on what happens to Oliver and Smith, if we can offload 1 or both then I think Sanderson stays as 4th or 5th choice striker. Diabate I think depends on what happens to Shepherd, although they are different positions in the back 3 I don't think we'd want to lose both unless we get in someone else

 

None of those three, despite having some great individual attributes could ever be described as free scoring for City I don't think.

 

Stead 7/40
Jim 77/283
Clarke 27/141

 

Cook is a lifer here as long as we want him. He actually has City fans as mates from what I am led to believe and his wife seems to be involved with supporters. Obviously we will never know what goes on in his personal life or how he feels about us as more than just a job but it seems like he is comfortable here and I can't see him leaving. Especially as Carlisle may be in non-league next season

 

And replaced by Nicholls.

 

While true, and its just a baseless rumour - he only has 18 months left and Carlisle have lots of money. At his age its about security, sentiment comes 2nd. And I doubt he would care for playing non league in his twilight years if his bottom line is sated.

Its more likely Walker goes there anyway. For the same reasons.

 

Based on nothing more than a feeling, I think we'll see Walker depart in January. Where to I have no idea, but Carlisle isn't a bad shout.

 

Regardless of any hopes we have, any rumours that exist and any other false promises of investment, this is BCFC we are talking about so we must all be ready to be once again completely underwhelmed by our transfer activity. This club continues to head in just one direction - and it isn't upwards

 

One thing you can't accuse Birmingham City of is false promises of investment.

 

I can't see Cook going anywhere. He will either retire here or reach an age where part-time football is the alternative. I'd be shocked if he ever plays for another football league club.

The other rumours seem more plausible, and I agree that Walker is likely to go.

 

Big Jim. A goal every 3.5 games approximately and god knows how many assists.
A much under valued player by some, but a lad that worked his way up and always gave good service to the club.

 

Absolutely …..In a similar mould to Bobby in many respects .