January transfer window

How appalling was this window. Failed to sign a back up striker. Lost out to Blackpool in the signing of George Byers (instead signed Connor Grant). Signed an unfit centre half who only played 3 games for us then out for season. Sent out on loan 3 centre backs, yet kept, probably one of the worst defenders in recent history (Mccart). All in the name of saving money, yet it looks like costing us 6 million + by us failing to get promoted.

 

Not defending it, it was crap, but isn't hindsight great. Don't think you can accurately add Pines to the list of disasters, pretty much universally lauded, yes there were errors, but that's why he signed for us and not a PL team. Unfortunate injury.

 

I agree to an extent, but the thing with Pines, similar to appointing Collins as head coach, is that the EFL, especially league 1, is way more physical than American soccer leagues. Being successful in American soccer does not mean you will be successful in the EFL. Also Collins said in relation to Pines injury. That the contrast in physicality between American soccer and the EFL was the reason he got the injury.

 

Could be worse imagine if we were a club that has a model of developing players to sell on for profit, then selling 2 defenders for around £7m and knowing one of those was going for a while with a model of not having a replacement in the door or even identified, that would be horrendous if we operated that way.

 

Fortunately not many league one clubs would get around 8 million for 2 defenders either! Silver linings and all that
We did replace btw. Earl, Pines, MDG, McCart and young uns. Unfortunately pines has picked up long term injury, Earl completely gone off boil and mcCart is no more than a lower league 1 squad player.

 

Pines is a massive loss. Connell has had injuries all seson.

Neither of these explain why the team on the field has failed to show up recently though, as we coped without them & got in a decent position.

What has happened in the dressing room now is a concern. It may be due to a fair few players being out of contract to some extent, but I can only look at the coach I'm afraid. I was one of the people saying "keep him". Not now. That first half was a shocker. After 10 games of poor form we needed to show up. We didn't, we capitulated

 

See also Daryl Dike. They're developed as athletes, not 40-games a season footballers.

 

I think we are in perfect storm category January we signed a good player but he needed a pre season and we have a core of senior players who don't want to be hear and finally a head coach who's not very good.

 

Both windows have been a disaster this season. Not just January.

I'd argue the summer one was even worse. At least in January they tried to sign something that was at least at this level with Pines and Earl.

In summer it was mainly punts from non league and overseas bar the odd one or two.

 

The damage was done in the summer, not January. There’s only so many players you can have on the books, so the club will have been hindered in what they could do in January

 

We brought Mcart in on loan from Rotherham on deadline day and played Williams as a CB I wouldn't call that brilliant succession planning for Mads whom we knew was always leaving

 

Can I just add to this subject that a head scout has recently been re recruited. His job will be to go watch the highlighted players from the spreadsheet...I put this out about two weeks ago on here (just to give us a bit if hope). His name is Brian Young and my dad (x scout) knows him very well and told me he knows his players. So it looks like an end to the no show of a summer transfer window.
Hopefully we get our identity of high press, energetic, pacy, players to complement a proper playing style for this division.

 

The last decent scout we had was Martin Wilkinson
Many moons ago

 

To be fair, IF we get promoted, at least 8 signings would be rqd, IF we stay in League 1 we'll just need 3/4, the rest are good enough, i'm all for keeping the squad t'gether an working t'gether for another season. A lot of good players in our team.

 

Conversely out of the current squad I’d keep, Earl, MDG ( only as a squad player), Connell but last seasons not this one, Jalo in the blind hope he comes good, Pines the rest McAtee and Roberts not ours so won’t be here the rest can go including the dross out on loan, Dallas, Shaw, Lopata can’t even get in teams lower down (I include Motherwell in that), Shepherd probably a step too far although showed potential,McCartthy and Lofthouse too a big rebuilding job whichever league we are in ! That’s L1 btw