So that's another January transfer window come to and end which has seen four incomings and four outgoings so lets review shall we? OUT: Lewis Walker (FW) - Contract terminated and signed for National League Woking. Cheye Alexander (RB) - Contract terminated, currently unattached. Macauley Bonne (FW) - Loan to Cambridge United, although it is believed was on a one year deal so unlikely to see him return. Tom Nichols (FW) - Undisclosed Fee to Mansfield Town. IN: Remeao Hutton (RWB) - Undisclosed Fee from Swindon Town. Josh Walker (FW) - Loan from Burton Albion. Jorge Cabezas Hurtado (FW) - Loan from Watford. Josh Andrews (FW) - Undisclosed Fee from Birmingham City. So what can we say about the outgoings? Well Walker seemed always set to leave, the lad has played once this season coming off the bench in an FA Cup tie and was effectively fifth choice striker, for a strike force that had only mustered 12 goals this season. Ultimately the right thing for all parties. Alexander? Well he was a good servant when our form upturned from January 2023 until end of that season but has been a bit up and down this year. Giving away 2 penalties in one much and then missing a penalty himself against Swindon didn't do us or himself any favours. With McKenzie's versatility, it made sense for him to go now falling down the pecking order but wish him well. Bonne was the most surprising one to leave for me, as arguably was our best striker. Saying that though, five goals in 31 games and Clemence favouring Nadesan over him can't have made him overly happy and if Harris wanted him back in a higher league, he was unlikely to say no to that opportunity. Nichols I got wind of a few days ago, so whilst sad to see him go after again his epic performances to help keep us up last season, we just haven't seen the best out of Tom Nichols in 23/24. As Mansfield paid a fee for him, I think cashing in probably was the right move for all parties. Now for the incomings. Remeao Hutton definitely looks like an upgrade in terms of the attacking play and getting balls into the box. The less said about his off the field antics the better. Walker from what I saw against MK Dons looked very bright. He wanted to take the ball forwards, take on people and positioned himself in the right place to get a tap in. The fact he scored a lot at National League should mean with a run of games with us we could see reap the benefits. Hurtado seems like bit of an unknown, I've seen comments from Watford fans suggesting he's very raw, but also is committed to the cause and has bounds and bounds of energy to get the ball forwards and create things. To me its one of those signings that could either see him tear up the league or withdraw into his shell and not work so quite a gamble. Andrews offers more physicality and perhaps is a younger and quicker version of Hawkins. Wouldn't expect to see them both play together so I guess with Hawkins' injury doubts, we'll look to play either one of Andrews or Hawkins with Walker or Hurtado & Nadesan alongside. Anyways that is some of my thoughts, how about everyone else?
Good write up PegLeg, also helps me keep track of what is going on, so pleased you took the time to do it. I can only be honest and say as I feel and apologies if this sounds harsh, but I will not miss the strikers/forwards that have gone, the table does not lie for goals scored and the last two managers brought no change in those stats. I'd probably say more in private than on the board, so I'll leave that one there. No one wants to read me droning on. I'll miss only Alexander, but hey ho, that's life, all the best for his future, I liked him. PegLeg has already covered the whys. Now maybe I'm getting old and grumpy in my aging years, but the introductory via a leaked media clip has not got Hutton off to a good start for me, especially after the efforts the new owners have brought to the club, ie cutting out racism and misogynistic behaviours. Ok it was a bit of a laugh for the lads and a joke, I get it, but I'm still not laughing and certainly not impressed! #MiserableOldSod As for the other three new lads, welcome to the club, the bench mark is not very high for you, we have only scored 25 goals in the league this season, so your job is to see how quick you can beat that goal tally, and I wish you all the luck. Bench mark for manager, same as I gave Neil Harris, no less than play-offs. Finally thank you to the owners for another cash outlay on incoming players, I really do hope you get the rewards you deserve for what you have done for our club, no matter how challenging times may sometimes be.
@allbluelenny I have moved your post to this thread which already existed mate. So at last we have signed a proper strikers who score regularly. We need desperately to get back on track with the job in hand, I liked Walker as soon as he came on he was keen to get the job done, and scored on his debut, now let us see what Andrews can do linking up with Walker. Just saw that we have also signed Hurtado, he looks very good. Bonne and Nicholls have gone, and have to say not before too long either. Fingers crossed ONWARDS AND UPWARDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
