Transfer Window January 2026 Post Transfer Window Thread

[Carpy]

 

[isibuko]

I'll save you the bother.

"Oxford are tiny, relegation was always inevitable".

I think that's a massive simplification.

 

[m]

I'll save you the bother.

"Oxford are tiny, relegation was always inevitable".

Harsh.

It's a decent piece. It has emotion and is well-argued.

 

[Some U's fan]

Surely you can't have a midfield triangle in that formation. Your midfield is the '3-2' part in the middle, that is clearly a midfield trapezoid.

I suppose it depends how close together the 2 of the 1st 2 stand.

The second 3 included the wingbacks, you can call it a 5-1-2-2 if you prefer, but I like my wingbacks to push on!

 

[billyturleyscurlywurly]

I'll save you the bother.

"Oxford are tiny, relegation was always inevitable".

Exactly how I read it & to me it’s an attitude that’s not just his but of many.

It’s why only 1,000 go to Cov.

It’s why there’s a couple of thousand empty seats Tuesday night.

 

[RgYellows]

Exactly how I read it & to me it’s an attitude that’s not just his but of many.

It’s why only 1,000 go to Cov.

It’s why there’s a couple of thousand empty seats Tuesday night.

Are you sure it’s because of George Elek and not because no one wants to watch a second tier football team lose every week in the driving rain in a car park while a group of peculiar middle aged men with awful opinions berate them for not supporting the team in the correct way?

 

[Jster]

Exactly how I read it & to me it’s an attitude that’s not just his but of many.

It’s why only 1,000 go to Cov.

It’s why there’s a couple of thousand empty seats Tuesday night.

Not sure how that follows. If one believes we're unlikely to be in this division for long, isn't it likely to be seen as an exciting couple of years of punching above our weight, and worth getting to these games while we can?

I don't think these attendances have anything to do with attitudes to our perceived size, more to do with the facts - we're losing most weeks, and not scoring many goals.

 

[billyturleyscurlywurly]

Not sure how that follows. If one believes we're unlikely to be in this division for long, isn't it likely to be seen as an exciting couple of years of punching above our weight, and worth getting to these games while we can?

There’s a lack of fight and belief by many that we belong at this level.

I think you look at our home games last year & it was an all in mentality from the majority.
It’s almost as if a lot of people were worn out by that & couldn’t go again this year.

I don’t think that just applies to large sections of our support too. I think that also applies to big figures high up at our football club who looked to have sat back and relaxed after the Sunderland home win & admired one great season of staying up for far too long.

 

[Jster]

But I think if we perceived ourselves as a small club at the level, aren't we *more* likely to take the attitude we had last season? Perhaps the issue is we started to believe we "belonged" and stopped putting in quite as much effort as a result?

 

[billyturleyscurlywurly]

Are you sure it’s because of George Elek and not because no one wants to watch a second tier football team lose every week in the driving rain in a car park while a group of peculiar middle aged men with awful opinions berate them for not supporting the team in the correct way?

That’s a cop out answer that. The mentioning of the weather whilst a dig at a stadium we’ve played at for years with plenty of success in previous. Did we not play at the Kassam last season? Did in not rain last season?

 

[greatunclekip]

Not sure how that follows. If one believes we're unlikely to be in this division for long, isn't it likely to be seen as an exciting couple of years of punching above our weight, and worth getting to these games while we can?

I don't think these attendances have anything to do with attitudes, more to do with the facts - we're losing most weeks, and not scoring many goals.

It isn’t fun in any sense. Losing is always a risk at this level, but the issue is we aren’t even laying a glove a lot of the time, it’s not close, we aren’t even laying being played off the park.

Allied to the s**t match day experience, horrific traffic and it’s easy to see why people don’t fancy it.

There’s a trade off I think, supporters will go and support if they feel the club and players are giving their all, to sustain the level and progress. This season we gave up in August so you are inevitably going to watch a team you care about take a pasting, and it doesn’t matter how much you cheer and shout, the talent and coaching just isn’t there. It’s actually torture at times.

I’m extremely proud of the level we play at and attend whenever I possibly can, but I bloody dread the 3 hour drive nowadays, whereas previously I was excited by it, as there was genuinely a level of fair fight as reward.

 

[billyturleyscurlywurly]

But I think if we perceived ourselves as a small club at the level, aren't we *more* likely to take the attitude we had last season? Perhaps the issue is we started to believe we "belonged" and stopped putting in quite as much effort as a result?

Possibly & that’s a good point but it seems there was an acceptable of smallness in actions in the summer whether it be a late planned tour or an out of touch transfer window. Actions you wouldn’t see a club who believe they belong at this level take. The lack of belief certainly didn’t take long to spread to Rowett & it’s definitely spread early on to large sections of the fanbase as shown with the number of empty seats weekly despite the figures being reported.

Pundits talk about the ‘second season’ syndrome & it definitely looks like that’s something you could apply to oufc.

 

[carefreeoufc]

There’s a lack of fight and belief by many that we belong at this level.

I think you look at our home games last year & it was an all in mentality from the majority.
It’s almost as if a lot of people were worn out by that & couldn’t go again this year.

I don’t think that just applies to large sections of our support too. I think that also applies to big figures high up at our football club who looked to have sat back and relaxed after the Sunderland home win & admired one great season of staying up for far too long.

I think that is the accurate reflection. When we came up last season, we knew we were punching above our weight, one of the smallest budgets, playing in a ground we have to rent, and with a squad made up of our L1 playoff winners and a mixture of waifs and strays. Every game was 'us against them', whether it was the fans roaring on OUFC at home to Norwich, Stoke, Sunderland and so on, or going to the likes of Leeds in our thousands, hoping for an upset.

This season, there isn't that same mentality in the stands and possibly not on the pitch either. It's been like the Joshua v Fury clown show. A circus in the build-up (our pre-season and transfer activity), followed by our team slowly being dismantled, along with the hope and optimism of fans. Week after week after week.

From a financial perspective, the way we're managed off the pitch and so on, we don't belong in the Championship at the moment. The money, infrastructure, revenue streams etc. are so far removed from our own. Christ, there are non-league clubs (one a couple of miles down the road) who have a greater ability to create revenue, provide options for fans on matchday etc.

I love that we're in the Championship, for the first time in years, there are colleagues and friends of mine who acknowledge our results, whether that's because they're fans or they see us on TV or in the media. I love going to some of the grounds we've been to, seeing a full away end instead of 48 fans from Accrington, and concourses singing "come on you yellows". It's been incredible, and I'm desperate that it doesn't end. I want everyone in the club to feel the same! It's why I'm so angry when I hear comments like "we're ahead of schedule", "it's not the end of the world if we go down". It may not be to you, Tim. But to me, having gone to my first game at the Manor in the mid-90s, to celebrating with my five-year-old at Wembley, it IS the end of the f*cking world! Which is why I so desperately wanted us to go into this campaign swinging. Instead, we stuttered in, and we've paid the price ever since.

Belief and fight need to be driven from the top, not just platitudes and Instagram posts, but proper words and actions. Get the players engaged, you'll get the fans engaged and give them some fight to stay up. It's frustrating, but a lot of the fan base aren't like those of us on here. They support Oxford, but for some, it's not in their veins. They need a bit extra than we do when getting in the car at lunchtime to drive to Wrexham on a Tuesday.

If the management team can't see that THEY are responsible for instilling some proper fight, grit and desire (like any good SMT in business) then it's going to be a long few weeks as we get picked off, jab after jab after jab. Maybe when the season is done, we can turn our passion towards holding those who have caused us to stall this campaign.

 

[RgYellows]

That’s a cop out answer that. The mentioning of the weather whilst a dig at a stadium we’ve played at for years with plenty of success in previous. Did we not play at the Kassam last season? Did in not rain last season?

Great point. Tell me how many years we have played at the Kassam without having thousands of empty seats.

George Elek’s podcast also predicted that we’d get relegated last year. So your own explanation for the empty seats fails by the same logic.

 

[uptheus]

I think that is the accurate reflection. When we came up last season, we knew we were punching above our weight, one of the smallest budgets, playing in a ground we have to rent, and with a squad made up of our L1 playoff winners and a mixture of waifs and strays. Every game was 'us against them', whether it was the fans roaring on OUFC at home to Norwich, Stoke, Sunderland and so on, or going to the likes of Leeds in our thousands, hoping for an upset.

This season, there isn't that same mentality in the stands and possibly not on the pitch either. It's been like the Joshua v Fury clown show. A circus in the build-up (our pre-season and transfer activity), followed by our team slowly being dismantled, along with the hope and optimism of fans. Week after week after week.

From a financial perspective, the way we're managed off the pitch and so on, we don't belong in the Championship at the moment. The money, infrastructure, revenue streams etc. are so far removed from our own. Christ, there are non-league clubs (one a couple of miles down the road) who have a greater ability to create revenue, provide options for fans on matchday etc.

I love that we're in the Championship, for the first time in years, there are colleagues and friends of mine who acknowledge our results, whether that's because they're fans or they see us on TV or in the media. I love going to some of the grounds we've been to, seeing a full away end instead of 48 fans from Accrington, and concourses singing "come on you yellows". It's been incredible, and I'm desperate that it doesn't end. I want everyone in the club to feel the same! It's why I'm so angry when I hear comments like "we're ahead of schedule", "it's not the end of the world if we go down". It may not be to you, Tim. But to me, having gone to my first game at the Manor in the mid-90s, to celebrating with my five-year-old at Wembley, it IS the end of the f*cking world! Which is why I so desperately wanted us to go into this campaign swinging. Instead, we stuttered in, and we've paid the price ever since.

Belief and fight need to be driven from the top, not just platitudes and Instagram posts, but proper words and actions. Get the players engaged, you'll get the fans engaged and give them some fight to stay up. It's frustrating, but a lot of the fan base aren't like those of us on here. They support Oxford, but for some, it's not in their veins. They need a bit extra than we do when getting in the car at lunchtime to drive to Wrexham on a Tuesday.

If the management team can't see that THEY are responsible for instilling some proper fight, grit and desire (like any good SMT in business) then it's going to be a long few weeks as we get picked off, jab after jab after jab. Maybe when the season is done, we can turn our passion towards holding those who have caused us to stall this campaign.

It’s second season syndrome. I believe the players are fighting/trying, but other teams have probably raised their game, especially at our place. We made our place/home a bit of a fortress last season, but a combination of various things e.g. pre-season, summer transfer budget shambles, sacking Rowett too late leading to a catch-up January window and all in-between!

It’s looking highly unlikely that we’ll avoid relegation, but whilst there’s a chance we’ve got to believe and try, get behind the manager, players and stick together.

 

[uptheus]

Post in thread 'Summer 2025 Transfer Window Thread'
https://yellowsforum.co.uk/threads/summer-2025-transfer-window-thread.13009/post-1036346

 

[tonyw]

I don’t mean it from a financial pov. Loan players know they’re only at the club for a limited time, so inherently no long-term buy-in compared to someone who’s fully contracted. Just think that from a quietly mental aspect, it can be tough to fully invest in a relegation fight when they know they’ll be gone in a few months. And if a third of your squad is made up of these types of players, surely that is nothing but a hindrance in a relegation fight. There’s much less at stake for them personally, less attachment to the club, fans.. it subtly affect group morale and cohesion, especially when a squad is heavily reliant on short-term arrivals rather than players who see the club as their current home.

You’ll of course, get some like Nelson who’ll fight for the cause but ultimately, for example… I think asking a player to come in from overseas, who’s never played in the EFL, on loan, has to adapt very quickly, and in a relegation dogfight, signing last day of the transfer window… Ergh. I just don’t see any logic behind that. (Krastev). It’s 18 months since we joined the championship and we’re contractually no stronger up top than we were vs Bolton at Wembley.

Though the counterargument here is Preston - overachieving on a low budget for this level, and their top three goalscorers are all young PL loanees. They also got a great half-season from Harrison Armstrong, before Everton recalled him (and have actually been giving him Premier League minutes).

Those four players between them are a big reason why Preston are in 7th and only out of the playoffs on GD (by one).

I think our problem is less that we are trying to use the loan market - because I think in general that judicious use of the loan market can get you access to players that you can't otherwise afford - and more the fact that only one of the nine players that we've loaned this year (Lankshear) has so far made a meaningful positive impact on our season. Krastev and Larris were definite busts and poor signings. And the jury is still out on the other six.

In other words, I think it's bad player choices by our recruitment team more than it's bad strategy for a team like us with a limited budget for this level.

 

[billyturleyscurlywurly]

Speaks volumes when Matt Phillips has just signed for Stevenage, Luke Harris is now on loan at Wycombe, Bradshaw at Barnsley, Sibley at Bradford & Krastev at Goztepe.

These were lads in our 25 for the first half of the season. No wonder Rowett was so pissed off.

 

[holdsteady]

Speaks volumes when Matt Phillips has just signed for Stevenage, Luke Harris is now on loan at Wycombe, Bradshaw at Barnsley, Sibley at Bradford & Krastev at Goztepe.

These were lads in our 25 for the first half of the season. No wonder Rowett was so pissed off.

Missed Phillips, quite strange that he never fancied finishing the season here in that case, maybe he didn’t like the idea of Bloomfield playing him wing back for the rest of the season.

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

Though the counterargument here is Preston - overachieving on a low budget for this level, and their top three goalscorers are all young PL loanees. They also got a great half-season from Harrison Armstrong, before Everton recalled him (and have actually been giving him Premier League minutes).

Those four players between them are a big reason why Preston are in 7th and only out of the playoffs on GD (by one).

I think our problem is less that we are trying to use the loan market - because I think in general that judicious use of the loan market can get you access to players that you can't otherwise afford - and more the fact that only one of the nine players that we've loaned this year (Lankshear) has so far made a meaningful positive impact on our season. Krastev and Larris were definite busts and poor signings. And the jury is still out on the other six.

In other words, I think it's bad player choices by our recruitment team more than it's bad strategy for a team like us with a limited budget for this level.

Absolutely spot on Tony.

I was thinking about this the other day - over the last 18 months we've relied (or should have been able to) on a number of loan players whose subsequent moves have been to a lower standard - the likes of Wycombe, Hibernians, Göztepe or even (effectively) retired (last club Blackpool).

That's not good enough. And it's largely because (in the main) we're not doing loans at this level correctly.

It should be young players from the very top clubs - on the cusp of being EPL regulars - who just need game time. Tammy Abraham at Bristol City (from Chelsea) being the gold standard for me, but your Preston examples work (as does Lankshear, maybe even Donley, potentially).

We're talking players who will go on to be, literally, out of our league.

But too often it's players who can't break through at Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brentford or at a club in Belgium. For the club sending the player out it's one last throw of the dice - can we get a return on this investment? or do we release them at the end of the season?

At League One you can take these gambles (we often did - with varying success). But in The Championship it needs to be the top pedigree loans. That's the benefit of being at this level - we have access to Will Lankshear and not just Ateef Konate.

Ultimately, loans should feel like we're being done a favour - by getting access to technically superior players.

Too often it feels like we're doing a favour to the club loaning us the player - they have someone on their books that they know won't make the cut with them, at that level, and it's one last throw of the dice to see if they can do it in the 2nd tier before the inevitable tumble down the divisions...

 

[greatunclekip]

Absolutely right. We have used loans as a cheap way to build a squad rather than to lift the quality of the existing squad.

 

[Some U's fan]

Leicester have got five players on loan in their squad, supposedly worth over twenty million between them and they’re not bargain bucket - in fact the points deduction very clearly suggests they’ve been spending too much!

 

[carefreeoufc]

Presumably parent clubs have to be willing to loan their players to a club. Playing devils advocate, who’s to say we didn’t try for some of those players?

 

[Mateo Corbo's Tackle]

Speaks volumes when Matt Phillips has just signed for Stevenage, Luke Harris is now on loan at Wycombe, Bradshaw at Barnsley, Sibley at Bradford & Krastev at Goztepe.

These were lads in our 25 for the first half of the season. No wonder Rowett was so pissed off.

I don’t think Krastev can be included in the bracket. Göztepe 4th in Superlig and he’s been given the number 10. Another team that believes he can excel for them a decent level; perhaps he will with them.

 

[holdsteady]

Presumably parent clubs have to be willing to loan their players to a club. Playing devils advocate, who’s to say we didn’t try for some of those players?

Guessing how much of their wage and how big a loan fee you are willing to pay comes into it, not all loans are cheap options.

 

[TailsWeWin]

Presumably parent clubs have to be willing to loan their players to a club. Playing devils advocate, who’s to say we didn’t try for some of those players?

……and that those players took one look at our club snd league position and said No Thanks!

 

[The Mighty Aldo]

Though the counterargument here is Preston - overachieving on a low budget for this level, and their top three goalscorers are all young PL loanees. They also got a great half-season from Harrison Armstrong, before Everton recalled him (and have actually been giving him Premier League minutes).

Those four players between them are a big reason why Preston are in 7th and only out of the playoffs on GD (by one).

I think our problem is less that we are trying to use the loan market - because I think in general that judicious use of the loan market can get you access to players that you can't otherwise afford - and more the fact that only one of the nine players that we've loaned this year (Lankshear) has so far made a meaningful positive impact on our season. Krastev and Larris were definite busts and poor signings. And the jury is still out on the other six.

In other words, I think it's bad player choices by our recruitment team more than it's bad strategy for a team like us with a limited budget for this level.

Could be the Preston manager has something to do with it.

Likewise Norwich and Sheffield United.
In their case both were in the bottom 3 and a several points behind us.
Two managers come in and galvanise the same players.

Trouble is both SU and Norwich had far better players in their squads than we could ever hope to have.
We got away with it last season through sheer doggedness and over achieving players. All went wrong for us in the summer

 

[MiddleBartonYellow]

I’ve said on this forum before that it’s all down to recruitment. A club like Oxford has to get it bang on and we haven’t. What is it now, 37 players since returning to this level. It will be interesting to do an analysis of each one if someone has the time to do it. Not many have been successful have they.

 

[billyturleyscurlywurly]

Hat trick for Jack Marriott today taking him to 15 goals in 21 League One games this season.

Remember we said there was no value in him and proceeded to spend nearly half a million quid on Will Goodwin who has 2 goals in League Two this season.

 

[derek]

I'll save you the bother.

"Oxford are tiny, relegation was always inevitable".

You didn't read it, did you.

 

[joshua]

Hat trick for Jack Marriott today taking him to 15 goals in 21 League One games this season.

Remember we said there was no value in him and proceeded to spend nearly half a million quid on Will Goodwin who has 2 goals in League Two this season.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing