January 2024 Transfer Window

Agree with you on Pattison. We need as many first team players fit as possible if we want to push for promotion (or avoid a relegation scrap). No time for luxury.

 

The problem with this "who do we release" game is that everyone weighs up players as individuals but they play together as a team.

We can all go down and say 'get rid of x and y' but it creates unrealistic expectations as it isn't going to happen, plus we also need a squad of players. So, there's no issue for me with Richards, Halliday, Stubbs, Platt, Kelly as five defenders, we need a couple of real strong signings to go with them though who would be first team starters. Another strong right and left back and another strong CB. As a group, that would be fine in league two. We're not the league two Man City with two 'league one level' players in every position.

 

I think we need to find the balance, which is seemingly the biggest issue with our squad building since dropping back to L2. Like when we first came down, it's OK having Doyle, Vaughan and Donaldson on the books, but when the defenders we signed were Richards-Everton, Longridge and Henley to go along with Kelvin Mellor and Anthony O'Connor who the juries were already out on, the squad was never going to achieve. It's been like that pretty much every season we've been back here, just wasteful spending.

We need to have better balance the areas of the squads. With 22 slots for Over-21 year old players, which most teams end up filling, there is the ability to have 2 per position on the pitch of experienced players, let alone any U21s you produce or loan in. But spending the money wisely again is the issue. Going into this season with Osadebe, Doyle, Tulloch, Afoka, Wilson, Debryshire taking up slots on the bench, I'd argue most if not all aren't even L2 standard. We need to create a squad with genuine options next season.

 

Jack Diamond has turned down a loan return to Harrogate in favour of a loan move to Carlisle.

Harrogate were supposedly linked to Adam Wilson a week or so back, I wonder if they'll now be back in for him? Can imagine Wilson is certainly one who gets moved on in the next week.

 

Imagine Wilson and Foulds on the left, they'll probably be excellent together.

 

I'd be happy for Richards, Smith and Gillead to go too.

 

I'd like to have seen Wilson take Ridehalghs place. I think he has the physicality and energy to make a decent wingback.

 

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/24071135.bantams-boss-graham-alexander-keen-make-next-signing/

Nothing further for Jake Young.
GA wants another in but not sure about whether it would be in time for Saturday.
Sounds like a striker.

Not sure how successful GA is going to be at trimming the size of the squad come February...

Seems like we need players in a lot of positions so it's going to be hard to shift significantly more players than we bring in.

 

Interesting quote in this article, confirms that one of the 3 rejected bids for Young have come from a club not in league 1 "City have already rejected three bids – including two from League One clubs – for Jake Young."

My guess would be that it is club near the top of our division like a Stockport or Wrexham or maybe Gillingham who have some money and struggling for goals. I can't see it being a Championship club unless they are looking at an investment for the future.

 

I've only really heard of League One clubs potentially being interested, so it is an interesting comment.

 

The most interesting (and surprising) thing in that article is the stats. They make us sound absolutely brilliant, if you ignore the fact we can't put the ball in the back of the net.

 

Can you imagine a club carefully plan recruitment, don't make wholesale changes every year and add cautiously to their squad- often with good or developing younger players and sell players who dont want tobe there qucjly snd for good fees. A club that are above us in L2 as a result of this approach.

 

It can be done with wholesale changes if the manager is good enough. I think Barrow only have 4 of their original squad left since Pete Wild took over. But they have one big thing we do not, a clear and concise plan set with owners with a genuine interest in the clubs progress. Its why an apparent 'minnow' like Barrow are well ahead of us in the table. Until we get that kind of enthusiasm and ambition from our owner we ain't going anywhere.

 

Might have been Swindon too tbf, everyone knows they cant afford him but doesn't stop a low ball bid in the hope he has some tie to them. Guessing more Gillingham or Stockport as every single player Wrexham even sniff around gets leaked into the local media there.

 

Didn't realise we were 22nd in the home scoring charts until yesterday and 19th overall in the home table. Shocking stats.

 

The plan bit, yes for sure.... the wholesale changes bit... yes they certainly do make wholesale changes. Carlisle have signed 17 players (and still recruiting this season) and 23 on contract out the door. Last season it was 15 in and 15 out. Season before it was 19 in and over 20 out. They rebuild every season, I'd imagine that carries on with the new chairman wanting to refresh everything too.

 

Probably L1 clubs because that’s his current ceiling. “One for the future” at 22, unlikely, but never say never.

If there are only three bids , there aren’t a lot of clubs with money , but it is quite telling what clubs with decent funds think of him at this moment?

Either we are asking stupid money and want to him to stay, or there is very very little enthusiasm for his services.

Weird?

 

I think clubs are waiting to the final days to see if we drop our asking price. I cant see him going anywhere in L2, it will be a L1 move but most clubs with cash to spend already have a stacked striker room. A week to go, still no idea where he ends up. Cant wait to have a drink with a family member of his tomorrow and see if there's actually any news on it.

 

I am beginning to wonder if an agent has badly misjudged “ demand” for his services. I alluded to something similar the other week, the more this goes on?

We should NOT be dropping our asking price…imho.

 

I think City and his agent thought we'd be flushed with offers, but the only ones coming in from Exeter and Carlisle dont exactly float our boat valuation wise. I dont think we should either, i wonder if his agent will ask us to.