Transfer News Summer 2024 Post-Transfer Window Thread

[ttg17]

It wasn’t a crisis, we haven’t struggled to fill a bench. This is the biggest squad we’ve had in years and you’re making out like there was only one way to skin the cat.

We lost Brannagan but still had 5 central midfielders fit at the time, 6 if you include Goodrham. Ok we lost the bulk our wingers and that’s some seriously rotten luck. But does that mean every game without them is a free hit and we just get what we can and be thankful for it? Rubbish. Roll up the sleeves and find another way. In 10+ games Des hasn’t done that well enough and I’m afraid his dependence on high quality wingers is becoming his undoing.

I applaud him for changing the shape and what he’s chosen, in theory, makes sense for what we have but the execution has been dire and it’s been the beginning of us going in to our shell. We’re playing like we’re in a dog fight akin to when Manning joined which we aren’t, yet. Stay in that zone and we’ll be relegated, it’s really that simple. He’s got to be brave on Tuesday because if we set up in a 541 and get smashed again i think that’ll be that.

At what point was a 4231 off the cards, all the below have been fit prior to yesterday.

Cumming
Kioso, Moore, Brown, Leigh
Vaulks, El Miz
Harris/Ebiowei, Rodrigues, Goodrham
Scarlett

Sub in anyone you like of Nelson, McEachran, Ter Avest, Dale, Long, Sibley

It’s all a bit of a smokescreen. We’ve been unlucky to have such a concentration of injuries in wide areas but to pretend we couldn’t field a respectable team is crazy.

You’re making some fair points. I agree we should be able to find a way to be competitive even with our injuries (although I would say that, yesterday aside, I think we have been).

But the way we play, that 41221 demands pace on the wings. It requires players capable of having the ability to pin back opposition fullbacks and stop our flanks being overloaded. That formation you proposed we basically played against Swansea, and it was a shambles. We haven’t recruited to have bombing fullbacks, so all our width and pace needs to come from our wide attackers.

I think a change did need to be made - I actually thought our selection for the formation yesterday made a lot of sense - but the query to Des is A) why it took so long to make a change and B) why we can’t be better when compelled to vary the approach. As you say, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.

Also, can we please put to bed the ‘Harris is a winger’ idea. It’s been tried a number of times, it simply doesn’t work. He came good last year by Des making him stay central, shoehorning him out wide won’t solve anything.

 

[ttg17]

View attachment 23739
Posted November 2021 by a certain Scotchegg!

November 2021! Bloody hell fair play.

 

[Paul Cannell]

It astounds me that
So many are in the know
While knowing nothing.

 

[OtteryYellow]

You’re making some fair points. I agree we should be able to find a way to be competitive even with our injuries (although I would say that, yesterday aside, I think we have been).

But the way we play, that 41221 demands pace on the wings. It requires players capable of having the ability to pin back opposition fullbacks and stop our flanks being overloaded. That formation you proposed we basically played against Swansea, and it was a shambles. We haven’t recruited to have bombing fullbacks, so all our width and pace needs to come from our wide attackers.

I think a change did need to be made - I actually thought our selection for the formation yesterday made a lot of sense - but the query to Des is A) why it took so long to make a change and B) why we can’t be better when compelled to vary the approach. As you say, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.

Also, can we please put to bed the ‘Harris is a winger’ idea. It’s been tried a number of times, it simply doesn’t work. He came good last year by Des making him stay central, shoehorning him out wide won’t solve anything.

I really can't fathom why any fan in their right mind would question Des, I think it is plain to see that most teams have players that are technically better than our players who aren't quite good enough for the best 11. Best 11 gives most teams a decent game and that is huge credit to the board and Des, both of whom would probably chuckle at the suggestion his immediate future is under question. We've had one (shorter) window to try and build a squad of quality and given the hit rate is always going to be well below 100% I think we are doing pretty well. If we can get that first 11 fit and firing then with a few additions in January I can see something in the range 16th to 21st which would be bloody marvellous thank you very much. Then we will see how good Des is when he has had a few windows to allow him to really compete at this level and we start to worry about him being poached.

In Des I definitely trust

 

[Northernyellow]

I really can't fathom why any fan in their right mind would question Des, I think it is plain to see that most teams have players that are technically better than our players who aren't quite good enough for the best 11. Best 11 gives most teams a decent game and that is huge credit to the board and Des, both of whom would probably chuckle at the suggestion his immediate future is under question. We've had one (shorter) window to try and build a squad of quality and given the hit rate is always going to be well below 100% I think we are doing pretty well. If we can get that first 11 fit and firing then with a few additions in January I can see something in the range 16th to 21st which would be bloody marvellous thank you very much. Then we will see how good Des is when he has had a few windows to allow him to really compete at this level and we start to worry about him being poached.

In Des I definitely trust

Absolutely! He got this club our first promotion to the second tier in nearly thirty years. Pretty much every 'pundit' has us nailed on for relegation, and yet here we are, a third of the way through the season and -apart from Sunderland and Middlesbrough - we have been very competitive . The reality is that we probably have 6-7 players who are comfortable at this level, and the rest are doing ok, but only by playing specific roles in a very organised, tight set up. If we go down (and I'd say it's 50/50), we absolutely must keep him. I thought he wasn't going to make it after the Bolton 0-5, but I've been so impressed at how he's come back. It isn't going to be easy (we could easily lose the next two), but he's done a fantastic job in the last 12 months!

 

[Swaby39]

You want Des out, don’t you?

Yawn

 

[Swaby39]

That midfield has every team in the league walking through it

Why? Vaulks, Rodrigues and El Mix has been our midfield on many occasions so are you saying that we bought poorly? I thought Vaulks was here to be the defensive midfielder so why should any team he’s involved in get walked through?

But this is besides the point. The suggestion was we were in an injury crisis and as though that gives Des a free pass. But we weren’t, we could still field a very competitive XI that, if assembled properly, should not be getting just one win in 11 games, let alone conceding 6 at home.

 

[Brahma]

It's been crystal clear what the issues are; a lack of wingers to play a specific system which no one could have really forecast and as a result and having to use players (who rightly were afforded the chance to prove themselves) who look like the Championship level is a step too far.

The return of Cameron will make a huge difference. I liked Vaulks fronting some negativity in the North Stand on Saturday first half, following the previous game where his name was booed by some cretins in the same area.

We now need to look to replace Nelson and a host of players, who've done admirably, but ain't good enough to keep us up, if they come into the side.

 

[Common Villager]

I think the January window is very straightforward (at least in theory).

We have a number of players who are not contributing to the team at the moment and we need to be looking to replace them with players who will contribute, ideally with championship experience.

I don't think January is the time to be offloading players that are currently contributing (Leigh).

 

[tonyw]

I think the January window is very straightforward (at least in theory).

We have a number of players who are not contributing to the team at the moment and we need to be looking to replace them with players who will contribute, ideally with championship experience.

I don't think January is the time to be offloading players that are currently contributing (Leigh).

I don't think we should be offloading Leigh, but we should be looking to find an upgrade at LB (might be Currie, but if not - someone new).

Leigh's versatile and a great asset to have on the bench to bring on in games; but I think Saturday showed his limitations at this level.....he's just not a good enough defender to cope with someone like Ben Doak. And while not everyone in the Championship has a right winger as good as him.....some do (like Rak-Sakyi, who we'll see tomorrow night).

We unfortunately look like we're going to need to find another CB to replace Nelson, we need to find upgrades on Dale, Ebiowei and Edwards on the flanks (the first two on grounds of quality, the latter on grounds that we never see him) and it would be great to have another option with some Championship experience in CAM.

Going to be a busy, busy window.......

 

[JOHN BOY]

I don't think we should be offloading Leigh, but we should be looking to find an upgrade at LB (might be Currie, but if not - someone new).

Leigh's versatile and a great asset to have on the bench to bring on in games; but I think Saturday showed his limitations at this level.....he's just not a good enough defender to cope with someone like Ben Doak. And while not everyone in the Championship has a right winger as good as him.....some do (like Rak-Sakyi, who we'll see tomorrow night).

We unfortunately look like we're going to need to find another CB to replace Nelson, we need to find upgrades on Dale, Ebiowei and Edwards on the flanks (the first two on grounds of quality, the latter on grounds that we never see him) and it would be great to have another option with some Championship experience in CAM.

Going to be a busy, busy window.......

Yes January is absolutely vital to our Championship survival.

 

[Vancouver Yellow]

There are obvious areas on the pitch where we’d like to offload/strengthen - ie Dale, Ebiowei, CB, possibly upfront.

if Ebiowei and Nelson are returned; we’ll have two spaces. I imagine a like for like situation with those two.

Other than that we’re needing to offload, I can’t see us shifting Thorniley in Jan, and I can’t see Dale going either.. but time will tell.

Be interesting to see what happens with Currie too as Bennett is expected back early Jan. if we bring Currie back that’ll be another squad space we need to find.

 

[werthersoriginal]

There are obvious areas on the pitch where we’d like to offload/strengthen - ie Dale, Ebiowei, CB, possibly upfront.

if Ebiowei and Nelson are returned; we’ll have two spaces. I imagine a like for like situation with those two.

Other than that we’re needing to offload, I can’t see us shifting Thorniley in Jan, and I can’t see Dale going either.. but time will tell.

Be interesting to see what happens with Currie too as Bennett is expected back early Jan. if we bring Currie back that’ll be another squad space we need to find.

I don’t see why Dale and Thorniley wouldn’t appeal to a league one club, they’re decent players. I don’t think we’ll see Bennett again.

 

[Carpy]

I think the January window is very straightforward (at least in theory).

We have a number of players who are not contributing to the team at the moment and we need to be looking to replace them with players who will contribute, ideally with championship experience.

I don't think January is the time to be offloading players that are currently contributing (Leigh).

I don't think we should be offloading Leigh, but we should be looking to find an upgrade at LB (might be Currie, but if not - someone new).

Leigh's versatile and a great asset to have on the bench to bring on in games; but I think Saturday showed his limitations at this level.....he's just not a good enough defender to cope with someone like Ben Doak. And while not everyone in the Championship has a right winger as good as him.....some do (like Rak-Sakyi, who we'll see tomorrow night).

We unfortunately look like we're going to need to find another CB to replace Nelson, we need to find upgrades on Dale, Ebiowei and Edwards on the flanks (the first two on grounds of quality, the latter on grounds that we never see him) and it would be great to have another option with some Championship experience in CAM.

Going to be a busy, busy window.......

I'm sorry, but if we're bring Currie back, still registering Bennett and getting another CB to allow Brown to play there if we need to be solid, then I really don't think we have the squad numbers to be giving Leigh a free pass, he'd likely be behind all of those as a LB, and if we can pick up a winger or two, he'd be behind all of them to play LW.

He's a victim of his versatility, jack of all, master of none.

 

[tonyw]

I'm sorry, but if we're bring Currie back, still registering Bennett and getting another CB to allow Brown to play there if we need to be solid, then I really don't think we have the squad numbers to be giving Leigh a free pass, he'd likely be behind all of those as a LB, and if we can pick up a winger or two, he'd be behind all of them to play LW.

He's a victim of his versatility, jack of all, master of none.

Leigh's the guy you bring on with 15 minutes to go in a game you're winning, to provide defensive solidity at LW whilst still having the energy to get up and down the flank and stop us from getting boxed in.

I think we can accommodate him too. I see the window being something like:

OUT: Thorniley, Nelson, Dale, Ebiowei, Edwards, Goodwin (loan)
IN: Currie, Bennett, CB, CAM, 2 x Wingers

 

[holdsteady]

Leigh's the guy you bring on with 15 minutes to go in a game you're winning, to provide defensive solidity at LW whilst still having the energy to get up and down the flank and stop us from getting boxed in.

I think we can accommodate him too. I see the window being something like:

OUT: Thorniley, Nelson, Dale, Ebiowei, Edwards, Goodwin (loan)
IN: Currie, Bennett, CB, CAM, 2 x Wingers

Goodwin out but no centre forward in? That would go down well on here. I see the point that we don’t use a third centre forward but the likes of bazzer do want a 20 goal centre forward, think they even mention it occasionally.

Bennet must be dependent on where he is at the end of January, we can’t afford him not to be available by then and taking up a squad place.

Although a lot of the signings will be loan players who maybe under the age requirement so might give us some wiggle room.

 

[TheDukeOfBanburyshire]

Hadn't realised Wycombe were doing so well this season. Does it make me a bad Oxford fan that I'd rather see them go up than Birmingham/Wrexham? Feels wrong to wish any kind of success on the plucky non-leaguers after recent years. But they they aren't our rivals anyway...

No I'm with you on that. Brum and Wrexham going up would be the worst.

 

[Axol0tlFC]

I think we will probably have the most active window of any championship club and hope so too. This half of the season has exposed gaps in our team which in the championship we cannot have.
This is what will hopefully happen:

Outgoings - Thorniley, Nelson, Dale(Possibly loan if we are in relegation positions), Ebiowei, Goodwin(Loan), if we have the budget left for a new player then sell Edwards.

Incomings - New CB X2(1 loan, 1 perm), Currie/New Lb if he is not ready, New Winger(loan, one on a perm if Edwards was sold), New Striker(Perm)

 

[holdsteady]

I think we will probably have the most active window of any championship club and hope so too. This half of the season has exposed gaps in our team which in the championship we cannot have.
This is what will hopefully happen:

Outgoings - Thorniley, Nelson, Dale(Possibly loan if we are in relegation positions), Ebiowei, Goodwin(Loan), if we have the budget left for a new player then sell Edwards.

Incomings - New CB X2(1 loan, 1 perm), Currie/New Lb if he is not ready, New Winger(loan, one on a perm if Edwards was sold), New Striker(Perm)

Edwards contract runs out in January so we can’t sell him, not that anyone would buy him anyway.

 

[Bornyellow]

I see it’s finally being picked up on that Vaulks preference is to play in a holding 2 rather then by himself in that role. Also getting a mention on the Dub.m this week. I think we could still do with a proper midfield destroyer, allowing the two other midfielders to push forward. Ideal window for me would be CB, CDM, CF and a reliable pacy winger. A lot to ask in one ludicrous January window.

 

[werthersoriginal]

I see it’s finally being picked up on that Vaulks preference is to play in a holding 2 rather then by himself in that role. Also getting a mention on the Dub.m this week. I think we could still do with a proper midfield destroyer, allowing the two other midfielders to push forward. Ideal window for me would be CB, CDM, CF and a reliable pacy winger. A lot to ask in one ludicrous January window.

We could see 7 or 8 leave so it's going to be ludicrously busy

 

[chromeyellow]

Yawn

A handy way of avoiding the question. Do you want to replace the manager? It’s all about opinions- why are you reluctant to say what yours is?

 

[Scotchegg]

We could see 7 or 8 leave so it's going to be ludicrously busy

I'll be gobsmacked if 7 or 8 leave.

 

[werthersoriginal]

I'll be gobsmacked if 7 or 8 leave.

Yes, in practical terms it’s unlikely. But we do have quite a few who aren’t playing, and it’s not the best use of their time or our money. They’re all decent players so would find other gigs.

 

[Scotchegg]

Nelson out Loanee CB in
Edwards out New Winger in
Thorniley out Currie or Bennett in
Ebiowei out? Loanee Winger in?

Can't see another 3 or 4 moving on in addition to these.

 

[werthersoriginal]

Nelson out Loanee CB in
Edwards out New Winger in
Thorniley out Currie or Bennett in
Ebiowei out? Loanee Winger in?

Can't see another 3 or 4 moving on in addition to these.

I think Dale to somewhere like Stockport and maybe Goodwin on a loan, possibly Sibley too.

 

[billyturleyscurlywurly]

I'll be gobsmacked if 7 or 8 leave.

Thorniley will be gone.

I fully expect Goodwin to end up out on loan. Barnsley/Charlton would not shock me.

Ebiowei and Nelson loans will be ended.

Think that will be it for outgoings.

 

[billyturleyscurlywurly]

Think Negru will return from Salford. Been one of the standout centre backs in L2 this season.

 

[tonyw]

Goodwin out but no centre forward in? That would go down well on here. I see the point that we don’t use a third centre forward but the likes of bazzer do want a 20 goal centre forward, think they even mention it occasionally.

Bennet must be dependent on where he is at the end of January, we can’t afford him not to be available by then and taking up a squad place.

Although a lot of the signings will be loan players who maybe under the age requirement so might give us some wiggle room.

Loan players don't give us any wiggle room - you still have to register loanees even if they're 12 years old. The only players that don't have to be registed are those that we own who are Under 21. But maybe we find one or two of them (like we did with Dickie and Brannagan back in the day.......)

One the subject of a new centre forward - we only play one, we have two.....and between them they've been scoring at a rate of 1 in 2, so they're far from being our biggest problem. Plus, we have Phillips who can likely fill in in a crisis (and maybe one of the wingers we get is a young loanee that can play across the front three).
And getting a new CF in January who has any sort of track record is going to be so ludicrously expensive that it would probably tank us under FPP.

Don't disagree about Bennett though.

 

[yellowyellow]

I hope that Cam returning gives us more in the middle of the park. I think Vaulks and Sibley have been poor, El Mizouni looked bright in patches but still quite underwhelming.

I think the central midfield definitely needs improving, but firstly we need Cam and Tyler back in the middle