January 2025 Transfer Window

10/10 is max, but only giving it 7/10 - so the 3 points is the measure of the issue not making it 10/10

 

It's been decent.

We're missing a key piece of the puzzle it feels like, but we should have plenty for a top three finish.

Everything is resting on that midfield to win us games. That's the choice GA and the club have made, it needs to pay off.

 

Ah ok , a bit over my head that one. I think I gave it a 7 this morning too.

 

Overall not a bad window. Covered positions late on when we picked up injuries and a keeper which was a must. Would like to have seen a striker as cover for the outgoing Smith and Oliver and the injured Cook, not convinced that Leigh is the answer in that position. Apart from that, didn't seem to be flapping around late to get stuff done which is unusual but positive.

 

Like you, I don't think we have strengthened the team but I do think we have strengthened the squad.

 

As in 7/10, rather than 10/10 - missing 3

 

I think we have signed a lot of unknowns, so we will have to wait and see how they perform. Every single one of them are going to have to be super fit pdq.

 

8/10 window

I think we didn't need Lapslie and Khela, it should have been one or the other and getting them in so early without getting Walker or Oduor out seems like overkill. And that money should have gone on an experienced forward. We were always going to struggle to move on Walker and we had Oduor to be the 5th choice if need be, just 1 would have done. Even for his versatility, if theres a time when everyone's fit, Khela is 4th choice LWB. It's not a move that's really needed.

Good that we've got Oliver kinda off the books. GAs main gripe when he joined which he mentioned again and again was squad size, but it feels we've gone back to having a large team and it's going to be impossible to keep everyone happy, hopefully the form and results don't let the morale drop.

 

Thanks

 

For the poll, taking a dispassionate point of view, signing have been...

1. Khela - not impressed, but pointless, as someone said when he arrived - if he plays more than six games they'll be amazed. There's 18 left, he may play in the cup but aside from that he is probably not going to play 90 minutes across those 18 matches.

2. Lapslie - bit of a league two name player, has hardly played so far. I'm unsure if we're getting the Mansfield version, who had something about him, or the Gillingham version, who didn't seem to. Unimpressed so far as he can't even prove to Alexander that he should be starting.

3. Leigh - again, one good spell at Accrington and nothing since. Has taken two full matches to get near match fit, no goals, no assists. Might sound brutal, but we need goals. Is he going to contribute? We'll see but he hasn't produced moments in a match that have created chances yet so I'm undecided.

4. Hilton- well, we needed a keeper but he doesn't seem a starter now, probably isn't going to play this season, so we've ticked a box but yet to see if he's a back up or competition for Walker.

5. Tayo - we needed a left back. His pace will be useful. Let's see if he has as good a cross as Richards which has been a decent asset at times. Undecided on whether this is a good signing or not.

6. Crichlow - was decent in his forst spell with us but like the others he probably isn't match fit and will take a few matches to get up to speed. Based on what we saw before he should be competing for a staring spot. A decent signing but not the big, hard b@$tard leader we need at the back.

7. Mellon - seems decent on his Morecambe form but we have 18 games left and so need at least 18 goals this season assuming the need to score in every match. Is he going to get 6 of those and Kav 6 and 6 elsewhere? Seems a lot to ask a kid and Alexander can be fickle with these kids so I'm not convinced.

 

Agree with you on Lapslie/Khela, that's kind of where I got to in my thinking just now.

 

Can’t describe signings as “pointless” our injury list in early season is the reason we are not higher up now. An injury to Smallwood for instance and Khela could be needed. We have good competition all over the pitch now which bodes well providing the signings step up

 

I just did. Khela is pointless as he provides no competition to Smallwood and won't play.

Good competition all over the pitch? We have two average, unproven strikers and no competition for Smallwood.

 

3) Did you watch any of the Dons game and his short sub cameo at VP ? He has had two 1-1 with the keeper both saved by a flailing ankle . So not sure what you mean by your comment whatsoever ? Sorry . This really sounds like you would never be pleased with anything .
2) He’s cover for Smallwood and it was his through ball over the top from wide right on the midland rd side that gave Leigh one of the instances in 3) . I think @Allotment Bantam commented on how good it was . ?
Unless I’m watching different games

 

I think @Petrov mentioned the through ball for Leigh. I agreed that he looked very promising in the short time he was on the pitch.

 

Your second point is emphasising Smallwood's ball/performance? Leigh neither scored nor assisted, thud proving my point.

Anyway, to save you from going through your usual tit for tat arguing over several posts, let's just say "you're right" and move on so you don't need to keep replying just to have the final say.

 

You certainly did . So you want competition for Smallwood or cover that could be valuable if Smallwood loses form or gets injured . If you want someone to provide competition for Smallwood he would need to be on the same wages and yet Sat on the bench week after week . That’s POINTLESS recruitment ! I really don’t understand where you are coming from at all .

 

That’s a funny way of backtracking . And yes that’s my final say after I just replied to your other “ observation”

 

Cheers

 

You don't and you're not trying to understand. You're just arguing, as usual, so bore off!