If the likes of Stoke are in for Ennis we never stood a chance. Happy with Pines and Earl but I’ll be disappointed if we don’t get a midfielder and forward.
And most clubs have to replace the players they are losing. Its a long chain. We bring in Pines and Earl, which frees up Lopata and Shepherd to go on loan. And those clubs can then sell/loan out some of their players. And onwards. Ripples from the top divisions down to the lower ones.
Losing the head coach, goalkeeper and entire back three was the damage. We managed to replace the head coach and goalkeeper, but the the recruitment of outfield players was a bit scattergun, and fairly uninspiring. The fact we are loaning out Loparta and Shepherd while signing 2 new defenders suggests that the club feel they are having to undo some damage done in the summer. The fact we also signed 2 new right backs, and 4 centre forwards means we are left with a lot of players which will make recruitment more difficult than it necessarily should've been. To be fair, some of the damage was done last January, with Shaw and Russell not working out (yet). But I wouldn't be critical of the work done in this window. Improving the defence was the priority by a distance, and that is the area that's been addressed.
Just on Ennis. Looks like it's a permanent deal that he is moving on. Having seen a bit of Blackburn this season, I can't say I was particularly desparate to see him sign, he's been pretty poor for them, and a quick look at his scoring record suggests something like 1 in 4. Not sure he'd do more than join the Cosgrove and Watters club of unpopular forwards.
Most that I agree with too mate. The recruitment was a bit chaotic in the summer, and it does appear we're trying to address that now, Earl in particular looks more like the long term Kitching replacement I thought we'd get this window. A couple more calculated signings in midfield and up front, and I'll be happy with the state of the squad for the end of the season.
Yup, it’s been explained many times by ex players, managers and even agents that the reason why so many go through on the last day are because they’ve been in the offing for a while but clubs don’t let players leave until they have secured their targets, so it’s a domino effect, when one starts it’s a whole chain. In fact like buying a house in a chain.
Not a bad window. Got some players out on loan and haven't lost any big game players. Added Pines and Earl too.
The last 3 home games Not one player in from Fleetwood! When was the last time we signed someone who really got you excited? The first half last Saturday, and the two previous home games showed just how much we aren’t quite good enough! Well the board have shown once again they won’t spend hardly anything at all, and we will fall short in what is a really average league!!