January transfer window

I'm not sure what bringing Gary Jones to the club in any capacity would do, and I'm not sure what changing Adams as a manager would do - other than, most likely, set us back further. I don't think managers make as much difference as people often think. Don't get me wrong, exceptional managers will make a positive difference and terrible managers will see you underperform. But 80% of managers at this level are just fair to middling and the constraining factor will always be the players.

This club does need a complete reset, from the very top down. But our most important area to improve on, is recruitment. Its been that way for years.

Phil Parkinson had a mismatched squad for the first 12 months, he made 22 signings (including loans) in his first season and we barely survived. It was only in his second year, when he cottoned on to what was needed to make this club successful that we looked a side. And that was based around having a smaller, better squad, and crucially it involved bringing leaders into the club. Darby, Davies, McArdle, Jones. We've lacked talent and character for a while. Your platform for having character as a side is your keeper, Centre Backs and Centre Mids. I wouldn't trust any of ours. I'd have trusted ANY of the 2013 lot. even the backups like Ravenhill and McHugh. They didn't hide, ever. Whether they played well or poorly, they'd never roll over and have the piss taken out of them in games. We have to hope that Adams learns a similar lesson and that he's backed. And on that point - January IS a tough month to do good business. Which is why we have to significantly improve our approach in the summer. This half arsed approach to only doing half a job in the summer, 'keeping budget back' and not signing loan players, is a nonsense. Build the best squad you can and assume January is there for minor modifications, not for full rebuilds.

Its why I don't want Adams sacked. Not because he's done anything special, but because I think most managers need to be given a couple of years, largely to demonstrate they can learn the lessons of their first 12 months. He needs to learn those lessons, we need to sort this shithouse squad out, we need 3 or 4 'captains' bringing in in the summer, and we need a focus on quality, not quantity. And quality that can stay fit too.

 

NO

 

Good post. And I know we all love to look back at that era but you see it mentioned a lot that Parky turned things around in that one magical summer window before the 12/13 season. But that's not entirely true because the work was already underway in the 11/12 season when he brought in Reid, Duke, Ravenhill, Davies & Atkinson. Obviously Hanson, Wells & McLaughlin were already at the club too. It shows how difficult it is to turn things around in one window.

While Parky also loved a pretty pointless youth loan, I think he was skilled at bringing experience and knowledge into the squad. They weren't always the most memorable but you can see the theme throughout each season. Rob Kozluk, Marcel Seip & Chris Dagnall in his first season. Andy Gray & Michael Nelson in his second season. Caleb Folan, Jon Stead, Gary Mackenzie, Tony McMahon, Nathan Clarke, the list goes on. A series of pretty unimpressive signings on the face of it with many largely playing squad roles, but they all added experience to the squad and did their basic job when required on the pitch. I can only pinpoint Canavan, Ridehalgh and maybe Songo'o of this ilk in the current squad.

 

All good points. And all fair. We might look back in 12 months and reflect on some of the groundwork being done here too. Lets see what January brings. 3 or 4 quality signings, with some leadership in there too would make a massive difference. Throw in a Darby and a McArdle type (i.e. strong players and leaders at centre back and right back), plus a dominant midfielder and this side would look very different in my opinion.

 

I think at this level, you'll get far more out of a an experienced pro rather than signings lads in their early 20s to sell on. Such a gamble for them to actually bring in any value, like with Watt. I dont think he's really progressed from the player we brought in, seemingly played his best behind closed doors and struggled since crowds came back, might just not have that mentality to cut at a bigger team? Will probably leave on a free unless someone bites this months.

The Paudie O'Connor deal doesn't look like it will bring us any money in either. Probably had his best spell at City whilst on loan, but over the last few season i wouldn't say he's come on leaps, has very shaky moments in him over the last year and he's now on his 5th full time manager. Had partnerships with BRE, NKP, Anthony O'Connor, Canavan and a short one with Staunton and never looks the more confident with whichever partner he has. Got to think Paudie probably wants out too, had nothing but failure at City every season and needs a fresh start. ROD in the same boat. Again, probably leaves on a free in the summer. I wouldn't be surprised if Adams doesn't renew a single contract in the summer and tries to just start from scratch.

FYI, players out of contract in the summer: ROD, POC, Canavan, Cooke, Foulds, Vernam, Evans, Watt, Angol, Sutton, Robinson, Kelleher, Sikora and Lavery

 

I think Kellerher signed for 2 years. Would love to know the reasoning behind that one.

 

Well, the first bit is true! Beesley has gone to Blackpool.

 

Ah yes, somehow he got a 2 year deal. Mutual termination must be looked into?

 

They've only got one forward on the books now at Rochdale, they are also selling Aaron Morley to Bolton too, probably their best player this season from sounds of the fans. Really want someone to attempt to flog them Lavery or Robinson whilst they are desperate

 

Next season then if we are still in the league.

 

Lavery AND Robinson would be better

 

BOGOFF

 

England's a big place. He might not get any further than Berwick and be suited. Any news on our players following him on twitter or him liking something that twitter boy has tweeted on his new disguised account.

 

The article clearly says he's on the way to Bradford.

 

Walkers is expected to finalise his future in the next 48 hours, just in time to announce his signing before the fans forum , putting the fans baying for blood on the back foot .

 

Do you have a link ?.

 

It’s in post #1496

 

Jamie Walker sits front and centre at the fans' forum.

"RIGHT WALKER, NO GOALS SO FAR. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"