Transfer Rumours Jan transfer window..

[Uber_Hoop]

This has to be the most boring, lacklustre and I unsensational transfer windows that I can remember right across the football spectrum.

If the Beeb’s headline is United’s signing of Ighalo on loan from China it kinda proves my point.

 

[Quite Possibly Raving]

I think he could. He'd need runners going beyond him though.

Most likely we'll see him carry on at DCM instead

 

[rangercol]

Clives take on our transfer window. Depressing reading, but he's right in pointing out that the clubs hand has been forced by the pressures of FFP

Could the last one out...

Friday, 31st Jan 2020 19:39 by Clive Whittingham


Bristol City, with Nahki Wells leading the line, come to Loftus Road on Saturday to face a QPR side that appears to have taken a depressingly pragmatic approach to the second half of the season.


If you’d told me when I jumped on the plane on the morning of the Leeds game for two weeks in America that by the time I flew back we’d have been knocked out of the FA Cup and Nahki Wells, Matt Smith, Jan Mlakar, Josh Scowen and Toni Leistner would all have permanently left the club I’d have said I’ll be needing something stronger to drink than this in that case.

Individually, the deals make sense.

Nahki Wells was always likely to leave, for all the reasons I gave a fortnight ago. Even if QPR had decided they wanted to spend money and wage on a player about to turn 30 with little sell on value, which they obviously did on this occasion despite it being contradictory to what they’re meant to be doing, they simply couldn’t. It’s not the case of the board not being able to afford it or not wanting to do it (they can and did), it’s a simple matter of maths and FFP. Where’s the money from Freeman, Luongo, Smithies et al gone? Onto the fire. Even with it we’re still losing north of £10m a season, that money is just reducing losses to keep us compliant. This is where we are. If we had bought Wells and breached the rules, then it would have been a transfer embargo until we sold enough players to get back into a compliant position again. Would you want a summer fire sale of Bright and Eze at knockdown prices just so we can keep Wells for our quest for sixteenth now? No


https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/footb...news/51866/could-the-last-one-out...--preview

Mmm, I agree with nearly all of that and though the draconian rules dictate how we operate, fans will inevitably feel ****ed over that we've basically written off the rest of the season.

What I do take issue with is Clive's neandathol attitude towards 'smaller players'.
I admit that this is a bruising, muscle laiden league, but skillfull, smaller players can have a role to play.
Clive dismisses these more diminutive players in much the same way that many wrote off Messi for being too small.
I realise that Messi is a one off, but let's not go back to the bad old days of only wanting the biggest, fastest, strongest kids with limited technical ability.

 

[Star of David Bardsley]

Mmm, I agree with nearly all of that and though the draconian rules dictate how we operate, fans will inevitably feel ****ed over that we've basically written off the rest of the season.

What I do take issue with is Clive's neandathol attitude towards 'smaller players'.
I admit that this is a bruising, muscle laiden league, but skillfull, smaller players can have a role to play.
Clive dismisses these more diminutive players in much the same way that many wrote off Messi for being too small.
I realise that Messi is a one off, but let's not go back to the bad old days of only wanting the biggest, fastest, strongest kids with limited technical ability.

He loves Chair because Chair doesn’t let his size see him bullied out of games. Smith had no impact at all when he had a chance. Amos looked for a bit like he might do something but has done **** all and can go weeks without contributing much at all.

 

[rangercol]

He loves Chair because Chair doesn’t let his size see him bullied out of games. Smith had no impact at all when he had a chance. Amos looked for a bit like he might do something but has done **** all and can go weeks without contributing much at all.

It was his general point I was referring to, not individuals who haven't impressed here.
The changes in the rules on tackling have meant that smaller, skillfull players can have far more influence.
All I hear around us at games are idiots shouting at players to stop passing the ball around and 'get it forward'.

Chair is doing well and I rate him. He does get bullied off the ball quite a bit but I forgive him as I enjoy watching him play.

 

[Star of David Bardsley]

It was his general point I was referring to, not individuals who haven't impressed here.
The changes in the rules on tackling have meant that smaller, skillfull players can have far more influence.
All I hear around us at games are idiots shouting at players to stop passing the ball around and 'get it forward'.

Chair is doing well and I rate him. He does get bullied off the ball quite a bit but I forgive him as I enjoy watching him play.

His point was about pampered academy players. They’re soft because they haven’t been exposed to playing proper adult football. When they’re also physically weak then they look especially out of their depth in this league e.g. Smith. He didn’t look particularly skilful when I saw him live. Just ineffective and weak. Clarke shouldn’t be written off after one game but it was painful to watch him last week.

 

[Frome-Ranger]

This has to be the most boring, lacklustre and I unsensational transfer windows that I can remember right across the football spectrum.

If the Beeb’s headline is United’s signing of Ighalo on loan from China it kinda proves my point.

That might be a positive, time to ditch the window I reckon.

 

[rangercol]

His point was about pampered academy players. They’re soft because they haven’t been exposed to playing proper adult football. When they’re also physically weak then they look especially out of their depth in this league e.g. Smith. He didn’t look particularly skilful when I saw him live. Just ineffective and weak. Clarke shouldn’t be written off after one game but it was painful to watch him last week.

He was also coming across as though you have to be built like Eze to succeed.
Smith looked very skillfull and wouldn't have got as far as he did at City if he couldn't play.
I take the point about needing senior game time.

 

[Sooperhoop]

Jan 1st - playoffs?
Jan 31st - survival?

Deja Vu?...

 

[QPR Oslo]

Clives take on our transfer window. Depressing reading, but he's right in pointing out that the clubs hand has been forced by the pressures of FFP

Could the last one out...

Friday, 31st Jan 2020 19:39 by Clive Whittingham


Bristol City, with Nahki Wells leading the line, come to Loftus Road on Saturday to face a QPR side that appears to have taken a depressingly pragmatic approach to the second half of the season.


If you’d told me when I jumped on the plane on the morning of the Leeds game for two weeks in America that by the time I flew back we’d have been knocked out of the FA Cup and Nahki Wells, Matt Smith, Jan Mlakar, Josh Scowen and Toni Leistner would all have permanently left the club I’d have said I’ll be needing something stronger to drink than this in that case.

Individually, the deals make sense.

Nahki Wells was always likely to leave, for all the reasons I gave a fortnight ago. Even if QPR had decided they wanted to spend money and wage on a player about to turn 30 with little sell on value, which they obviously did on this occasion despite it being contradictory to what they’re meant to be doing, they simply couldn’t. It’s not the case of the board not being able to afford it or not wanting to do it (they can and did), it’s a simple matter of maths and FFP. Where’s the money from Freeman, Luongo, Smithies et al gone? Onto the fire. Even with it we’re still losing north of £10m a season, that money is just reducing losses to keep us compliant. This is where we are. If we had bought Wells and breached the rules, then it would have been a transfer embargo until we sold enough players to get back into a compliant position again. Would you want a summer fire sale of Bright and Eze at knockdown prices just so we can keep Wells for our quest for sixteenth now? No


https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/footb...news/51866/could-the-last-one-out...--preview

In many ways this window was pretty depressing, not managing a way of keeping our top scorer and loaning out our best aerial defender in this physical League looks, like we've given up any chance of promotion this season, and this write up reflected that. We can only hope we have enough left, and enough points in the bag to keep us up.

But on the positive side, we do seem to have kept Eze, Bright and Chair until the summer at least, and I'll certainly be watching all the games I can while they are here. We should also be able to sell Eze and Bright for decent fees in the summer if we need to, but also need to get Bright at least to sign a new contract.

 

[Queens Park Stranger]

Could still look at the free agent/ out of contract players list. May find a gem

 

[Fourtyyearsofhurt(mostly)]

I quite like the idea of a small squad......didn't hamper us in 75/76?!!

However, I think a new Keeper was warranted as it really doesn't matter how good the other 10 are if you are likely to be responsible for a goal almost every game then whats the point!!!! and that is no exaggeration...….. I really hope Kelly proves me wrong but the 2nd v BR he was nowhere and fumbled another one which I could have trapped. I guess there was no one available or overpriced...….shame.

 

[Flanman]

Sometimes in life you go through lean times and during that time you stop buying expensive things you stop going out and you certainly don't go on holiday and when the tide turns you get back to normal again.

Is a football club any different from one of us?

 

[stick]

Could still look at the free agent/ out of contract players list. May find a gem

Victor Anichebe
Vurnon Anita

 

[rangercol]

Sometimes in life you go through lean times and during that time you stop buying expensive things you stop going out and you certainly don't go on holiday and when the tide turns you get back to normal again.

Is a football club any different from one of us?

Absolutely true.

However, I do think it's going to be tough for fans who have bought season tickets and others who go regularly to not feel like they've been ****ed over by the club for the rest of the season.

 

[Turkish" Premier" Hoops]

Could still look at the free agent/ out of contract players list. May find a gem

I just had a look, Adebayor on it aged 35 but knows where goal is, Nikolai Bendtner 32 plus a few more all out of contract and free agents some on there could be worth a look at on short term contract £3-5k pw just to get in as cover for Hugill etc.

 

[sb_73]

Absolutely true.

However, I do think it's going to be tough for fans who have bought season tickets and others who go regularly to not feel like they've been ****ed over by the club for the rest of the season.

What was the promise at the beginning of the season? Honest question I can’t remember if there was any target set for the team which was made public. Probably not, in which case we can set our own expectations as individuals. Mine was that avoiding a relegation scrap and getting 60 points would represent real progress. Still in with a chance of both. Unless they aren’t going to try for the rest of the year.

I do agree with Clive though that clarity from the club on what represents progress in both the short and medium term would be handy. Lots of fans will ignore it and continue to demand the impossible, or things that would likely lead to administration or closure, but that’s the way of fandom.

 

[Uber_Hoop]

Sometimes in life you go through lean times and during that time you stop buying expensive things you stop going out and you certainly don't go on holiday and when the tide turns you get back to normal again.

Is a football club any different from one of us?

Ah, so we’re having the football equivalent to a hermit month.

 

[rangercol]

What was the promise at the beginning of the season? Honest question I can’t remember if there was any target set for the team which was made public. Probably not, in which case we can set our own expectations as individuals. Mine was that avoiding a relegation scrap and getting 60 points would represent real progress. Still in with a chance of both. Unless they aren’t going to try for the rest of the year.

I do agree with Clive though that clarity from the club on what represents progress in both the short and medium term would be handy. Lots of fans will ignore it and continue to demand the impossible, or things that would likely lead to administration or closure, but that’s the way of fandom.

Could well be a relegation scrap.

 

[Sooperhoop]

What was the promise at the beginning of the season? Honest question I can’t remember if there was any target set for the team which was made public. Probably not, in which case we can set our own expectations as individuals. Mine was that avoiding a relegation scrap and getting 60 points would represent real progress. Still in with a chance of both. Unless they aren’t going to try for the rest of the year.

I do agree with Clive though that clarity from the club on what represents progress in both the short and medium term would be handy. Lots of fans will ignore it and continue to demand the impossible, or things that would likely lead to administration or closure, but that’s the way of fandom.

I think the problem both this season and last season is we overperformed in the first half of the season raising expectations to frankly unrealistic levels. Despite the better football this season we just can't defend and it's costing us the points that would make us comfortably mid-table, if we were on 45 points we'd be unrealistically contemplating possible play-offs, as we are we're nervously looking in the other direction as we were last season. Overall I'd say we are slightly better thanks to our goalscoring but vulnerable to a late relegation battle due to our poor defence and the loss of Wells...