January 2021 Transfer Window

Seriously, this window has been a very, very good one. No transfer is risk free, but the manner in which we've systematically and aggressively moved on a large number of players who were clearly adding no value, and the targeted manner in which we've brought players in, for specific roles and to a specific order of priority - paying fees to secure players who seem to have been in genuine demand, is a massive shift in the right direction.

Hopefully, this is a signal that from the very top of the club, the finances, planning and means of execution are now geared towards moving forward.

The actions speak for themselves and I have to withdraw my earlier post which lambasted the selection of Sparks to the CEO role.

Excellent work from all at the club. 6 weeks ago I was done with this club and we looked nailed on for relegation. Now, I can't wait to get back to VP for games and I think we have at least an outside shot at the play-offs. That's a hell of a turnaround.

 

Good call.

 

This is a little far fetched but I wonder if a part of the reason why we never did any business at the start of the season because we thought we could maybe hang in there till this and when realisation hits the football league with the salary crap there may be some better deals to had.

More than likely we were clueless though.

 

Just goes to show what can be done when we have a decent recruitment strategy in place. Its been years since Ive been this happy about the club.
Well done Sparks and Turnbull!

 

I still don't buy the narrative from the summer. I think there was much more to it, not least the uncertainty surrounding COVID. But hopefully, we've drawn a fresh line and this is now a new era for the club. One where modern, ambitious thinking is backed by the owner.

 

I would go a bit further and say we could even have a shot at automatic spots... This league is very tight this year and I cant really see any team go on a consistent season-long run. We’ve played First place and got an easy 4 points from them. We keep this up only lose 3 or 4 more games we can do it.

 

I think it helps we seem to have a clear system too to sign players for the club.
I mean if we had McCall would anyone know what system we were signing players for?
T&S have surely made Turnbulls job easier and visa versa as he gets the bodies in

 

Any inclination as to whether further business today could occur?

 

The next 4 games are key. 8 points or more and I think we could really start looking at those top 7 spots. The real test will be how we react to a defeat and what impact changes to the XI have, because they'll come at some point. That said, I think the likes of Canavan and now Vernham will actually strengthen our first team. Possibly Hossanah too - he was our best player before McCall left.

 

One more I reckon. The only position we lack depth are the 2 central midfield spots covered by Watt and Sutton. We don't really have cover there. Cooke isn't as good playing deeper, Stevens played CM for FGR, but I don't think he's a defensive player. Staunton or A'OC? They'd maybe do a job for a game but its not their position really. Need some cover there I think.

 

I do not want to get too carried away. Well that's a lie. I actually do.

As well as all the obvious recent positive changes, something has definitely changed behind the scenes in recent weeks to allow all of this to happen. A sort of feeling that all the rubbish and bad vibes of the last few years has finally been put to bed.

 

It could literally be as simple as - our previous CEO didn't want to be here and had no interest beyond stemming the flow of cash we were hemorrhaging, and that we now have a more solid financial base and a forward thinking, motivated CEO who wants to take the club forward. And Rupp is responding.

I think that's much of it.

 

Even if we've left ourselves with too much to do for a playoff push this season, we've already laid the groundwork for next:

Keeper: R'OD contracted for next season.
Right Back: FCD under a long term contract
CB: Canavan, POC and Staunton all signed up

Mid: Watt and Sutton both contracted for next season, as is Cooke.
Wing Positions: Vernham, Evans
Striker: Rowe under contract. Cook is a loan but he's a free agent in the summer so if it works out we're well placed.

Donaldson, Pritchard, Ismail, AOC all out of contract. 2 have no role, Pritchard is a squaddie at best and Canavan is already a replacement option for AOC. All on good wages too.

Wood is out of contract and that's a concern. But we've got probably 10 of our 11 starting spots sorted and contracted for next season, 3 or 4 other strong First Team options contracted too, and a handful of kids with promise.

At worst, the summer will be a case of replacing Wood and bringing 3 or 4 other Squad options in permanently, plus maybe a loan or two. It'll be the best platform we've had for a while, couple with what looks to be our most capable recruitment system for a long while too.

 

Well said, honestly anyone who cannot at least acknowledge this really is just being a misery for the sake of it - still a way to go but credit to all involved in making this happen

 

No I think that honour goes to Rhodes/McCall.

 

I think we all know who is to blame for that....................

 

You're giving way too much credit to the two people that had the most influence on the rebuild.

Whether you want Rupp here or not, it's an unfair judgement to put all of this season's disastrous recruitment at his door.

 

66 points left to play for. On 31 now. Maybe high 60s for playoffs. If we can keep this up it feels on. Pick up 3 wins in next 4 games and results going our way and we should be knocking on the door. Newport are having a shocker right now in 7th and Salford just below have played a game more than us and are on 38.

 

Completely agree. I'm really interested to see how we handle a loss. We have stopped losing after conceding first which is good. We have 7 games in the next four weeks too so squad depth must come into play, whether its through rotation or injuries.

 

This groundwork leaves very little to do in the summer, unless we go up !!! A truly amazing transfer window, especially considering its the January window where players are "impossible" to source.

I'll leave you with one thought. Vernam or DMH ? Rowe or The Don ?