January 2024 Transfer Window

It needs tweaking.....I don't think the squad is that bad at all. Hughes was just a shite manager on the pitch.

Send the 4 loans back, Ridehalgh, Osadebe, Derbyshire can all go ASAP for me. Taylor, McDonald and Oduor address at end of the campaign but wouldnt shed tears if all 3 went in Jan.

Young is a certain to return. And if we can get another LWB (if Ridehalgh goes), CB and another CM (more so if McDonald goes) then I think we look ok.

 

If Young is recalled as expected, he takes our remaining O21 slot in our registration allowance. From that point, if GA wants experienced heads it will have to be one out before one in. I think Tulloch was the only loanee who takes up an O21 slot.

 

Tulloch! I've forgotten about him. He had a few decent cameos, and now nowhere to be seen at all. Afoka never played well, but I thought Tulloch might have cracked on a bit. Send them all back next month, they won't be missed.

 

Alot of people seem to have written McDonald off already. I personally think/hope he could still turn out to be a good signing for us, and be good cover for Smallwood who's now in great form.

There's the argument his legs have gone, but his season has been compromised so far- he missed any off-season training and preseason through injury. He did look off the pace on his return, but still showed flashes of on the ball quality. And then obviously he's barely played since he took over as manager.

He came with rave reviews from Exeter fans, so I'm hoping he's currently being worked hard on his fitness, ready for a big second half of the season.

 

Not sure on McDonald, just because we don't use his style of midfielder under GA. His midfield 3 so far in Smallwood, Gilly and Walker seems to be Smallwood as the sitter to break up play and quickly move the ball on. Gilly and Walker have been used more to cover space and try push the ball forward or to the wing backs, but both are putting hard yards in.

McDonald certainly can't play the leggy roles anymore, which just leaves the Smallwood slot and McDonald also doesn't have the legs to play as often as Smallwood does or from what we've seen, be used as the ball player to get across that protective area infront of the back 3. McDonald seemed more of a ball player, wants the ball and can still pick a pass to push on and under GA our midfield doesn't have that role. I think East would struggle too as he is another passer rather than a stamina runner or break in guy.

 

Judging by the last couple of matches, if any player of ours can make a 50 yard diagonal pass from our half of the pitch into theirs, then I think they've got a shout at getting a place in the side! McD should be able to do this, as should East.

 

Hope you are right but clearly taking the manager role won’t have helped, however I am sceptical he could last 90mins tbh.

 

No January signings.

 

He definitely didn't. He ruled out signing 4 or 5 players. That leaves 1, 2, or 3.

West Yorkshire Sport Daily - Alexander 'certain' on lack of need for January recruits - BBC Sounds

 

Or 6

 

The squad is far too big, so much for the leaner, better quality spoken of in the summer.
We can not have 12 or 13 players, not even getting to warm the subs bench on a match day.
Outgoings a must before we try and add that bit of extra and January is not the best time for signings, unless you have pots of money, it is usually players that can not make the grade at their present club.
I am not sure many would take Derbyshire, Osadibe, Afoka, Tulloch , Taylor, Ogeyoke kokey or Mcdonald off our hands.
I am glad i don't have to sort this mess out, left by Hughes and Gent,

 

I agree McDonald wouldn't suit the "box to box" midfield roles we're currently deploying, but he should be able to offer direct competition for Smallwood in the sitting role. If something were to happen Smallwood or his form drops off, McDonald needs to grab his chance.

 

Yes it is a mess, but probably a bit of a better one for GA than having no players to choose from and struggling in the window.

Just for the record the loanees are Tomkinson, Oyegoke, Afoka and Tulloch, and would n't be surprised if all go back to home Clubs as soon as. However Tomkinson may get a few run outs this month before a decision is made, and hopefully not costing us a great deal knowing the amount of commitments he has elsewhere.

I have a suspicion McDonald's absence means he will be on the market in January. Derbyshire will see his contract out assisting with the coaching. Osadebe and Taylor keep getting game time, so could be here for a bit longer, but maybe being put in the shop window.

May try the hard sell with the respective loan Clubs for FCD, East and Hendrie.

Hopefully Young is recalled and played, and GA may want another couple of new (to us) faces in.

 

Can you please point out , time wise within the clip, where he said that?

 

I think we are not far off. if the American kid kicks on we may be okay with two or three signings.

 

Im writing him off because GA doesnt fancy him. He cant get a sniff, even in the EFL cup!

 

Has Derbyshire stepped into a player/coaching role?
And who do we have out on loan (apart from East and Young)?

 

Afoka, Tulloch and Ogeyoke are all loan players so we can just send them back to their parent clubs.

 

Expect to be disappointed.