January Transfer window

[Forever Blue]

19 minutes ago, CrouchingNunhiddenCucumber said:

If the cunts and the incompetents they have running the place fuck this transfer window up, it'll be up there amongst their biggest crimes since darkening our doors.

Back JE and get us in the top 6 come May you wretches 

The worrying thing about those quotes is he is saying he’s provided the names of the people he wants to sign, but also acknowledges other names might be chosen for him.

It’s such a shit system. The manager, and only the manager, should decide who gets signed. 

[Exiled_Rover]

46 minutes ago, Torgeir said:

Good but it means they will be after a striker too this window. Maybe Stoke can sell them Ennis so we can offload one of our to to the hatters again.

We don't have enough CFs to offload anyway. 

Edited January 3 by Exiled_Rover

[Torgeir]

3 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

We don't have enough CFs to offload any. 

[RevidgeBlue]

1 hour ago, ben_the_beast said:

I've a feeling the court case mid Jan will be a lovely excuse. We all know it will be delayed once again, however it provides a narrative that we couldn't bring in x, y or z because of factors outside our control. 

You begin to see signs over time. No contract renewals for over 12 months indicates there are certain self imposed restrictions in place. So frustrating considering it was widely acknowledged that when JDT came in we were resetting due to assets leaving for free and the only thing GB received credit for was being proactive with renewals. They/Waggott never learn their lessons. It's always make it through 1 season at a time. Survival, not ambition. Personally I'm amazed we're at the level we are after the shambolic way we've been run for years and years.

 

The Court Case can't be used as a legitimate excuse, Waggott has said repeatedly that it doesn't affect the day to day operations of the Club.

As regards Broughton renewing contracts, I know I wasn't a fan of his ( to put it mildly) but  (genuine question because I dont know the answer) whose contracts did he renew out of senior players still at the Club as opposed to new deals for people who were going to be sold immediately afterwards?

[RevidgeBlue]

6 minutes ago, Forever Blue said:

It’s such a shit system. The manager, and only the manager, should decide who gets signed. 

I couldn't agree more. I find it absolutely baffling a manager ( or head coach) should have to work with players he may not like and/or rate.

Seems to be the downfall of the Head Coach /DOF system. I suppose if you sign up for a highly paid job job as "Head Coach" though you know what the script is before you start so you can't really complain.

[Tugayisgod]

3 hours ago, ... said:

How have the unwashed over there been able to transact so quickly and yet we are still sat here twiddling our thumbs. It's like no one talks before the window opens, it becomes open, and then they start talking

Acting quickly once the window is open is fine if you get the right players. Didn't we sign Niall Ennis the first day of the window under Broughton? I'd rather wait and get it right, though (hopefully 🤞🤞)

I think the Dingles signing that donkey is a sign they are cash strapped as well.

Edited January 3 by Tugayisgod

[RevidgeBlue]

1 hour ago, J*B said:

The contract one especially is bewildering to me. What are they all up to sat in the offices at Brockhall all week?

I've always wondered what Waggott actually does all day.

Especially more recently since we seem to have a "Head of Everything" so what is there left for him to actually do?

Out of the two things mentioned above though the recruitment one is still the more bewildering of the two. By definition "recruitment" is the only thing that the army of analysts have to focus on all year so you'd think everything would be planned out months in advance ready to be executed in the first week of January.

Ditto any necessary request for extra funding from Waggott.

Instead we seem to get into or at least very near January before even thinking about it and invariably end up scrabbling about desperately on the last day or two of the window.

[DE.]

20 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

I couldn't agree more. I find it absolutely baffling a manager ( or head coach) should have to work with players he may not like and/or rate.

Seems to be the downfall of the Head Coach /DOF system. I suppose if you sign up for a highly paid job job as "Head Coach" though you know what the script is before you start so you can't really complain.

In theory you should have a DoF and head coach who are on the same page in regards to recruitment and general style of play. As long as there's solid communication between the DoF and head coach, a system like that can work fine. At no point should a player be brought in who doesn't suit the agreed requirements from all parties. 

Obviously that isn't the case here because we have amateurs running the show, and that's being polite. 

[philipl]

Eustace isn't the Yes man many feared he would be but equally I don't think he is JDT style bucket kicker either.

So when every interview he gives currently includes JE talking about two or three signings to strengthen the squad, I am pretty certain the headless 8 in the Recruitment Department are working their socks off to deliver.

Issues are budget for wages and fees and typical January non-availability. Almost certainly we will be in a chain or two of "you can't sign him until we have a replacement" and "let's see what injuries and suspensions we have on 30 January before deciding who can be loaned out"  

 

[Exiled_Rover]

21 minutes ago, Tugayisgod said:

Acting quickly once the window is open is fine if you get the right players. Didn't we sign Niall Ennis the first day of the window under Broughton? I'd rather wait and get it right, though (hopefully 🤞🤞)

I think the Dingles signing that donkey is a sign they are cash strapped as well.

I think it's a final farewell to a Burnley legend - one who has been let go by Norwich.

I bet they spend more money than we do this window. 

[RevidgeBlue]

17 minutes ago, Tugayisgod said:

Acting quickly once the window is open is fine if you get the right players.

It has a dual benefit. Firstly you get the benefit of said players hopefully helping you achieve better results for an extra month and secondly you're not scrabbling around at the last minute for the players no-one else wants after all the decent ones have been snapped up.

*Cough* Fleck.

[Torgeir]

Some good points philipl but if a player such as Godo is our first choice now (would make sense as we just missed out on him on DLD in the summer), then he should've been announced already.

What kind of characters do we want/need to gel with the squad? More grafters similar or better than the ones we have or others who perhaps are more raw but offer something different offensively? Some big calls that has to be made... I'm worried that Gestede will control who comes in and they won't be ready for action, and that's also why JE has emphasised that he wants proven Championship experience. 

[Exiled_Rover]

1 minute ago, Torgeir said:

Some good points philipl but if a player such as Godo is our first choice now (would make sense as we just missed out on him on DLD in the summer), then he should've been announced already.

What kind of characters do we want/need to gel with the squad? More grafters similar or better than the ones we have or others who perhaps are more raw but offer something different offensively? Some big calls that has to be made... I'm worried that Gestede will control who comes in and they won't be ready for action, and that's also why JE has emphasised that he wants proven Championship experience. 

Yep, Godo should be in the building already. We couldn't sign him on deadline day because Fulham didn't get the Nelson deal over the line in time.

Unless he's been promised to another club / we think we're getting much, much better that deal should have been wrapped up in December.

[RevidgeBlue]

8 minutes ago, philipl said:

"let's see what injuries and suspensions we have on 30 January before deciding who can be loaned out"  

I've always been a big Critic of this style of recruitment. It's completely beyond your control and if the parent Club decide at the last minute they're not prepared to loan said player out you're completely screwed.

[BankEnd Rover]

Andre Gray leaving Plymouth due to contract extension expiring.

Seems to fit the bill on championship experience - Not arsed that he's ex Burnley. 

[...]

13 minutes ago, philipl said:

Eustace isn't the Yes man many feared he would be but equally I don't think he is JDT style bucket kicker either.

So when every interview he gives currently includes JE talking about two or three signings to strengthen the squad, I am pretty certain the headless 8 in the Recruitment Department are working their socks off to deliver.

Issues are budget for wages and fees and typical January non-availability. Almost certainly we will be in a chain or two of "you can't sign him until we have a replacement" and "let's see what injuries and suspensions we have on 30 January before deciding who can be loaned out"  

 

I'm hoping they are seeing what Eustace has built up in his short time here with the very little we have on offer. He's got us to "giant killer" status (in championship terms meaning we've held our own and beat others in the top 6)

Surely they've gotta be looking at this and wanting to deliver now. We're doin ok as we are but imagine a couple of good signings where we could be

[MarkBRFC]

57 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

As regards Broughton renewing contracts, I know I wasn't a fan of his ( to put it mildly) but  (genuine question because I dont know the answer) whose contracts did he renew out of senior players still at the Club as opposed to new deals for people who were going to be sold immediately afterwards?

In Gregg's time at the club from July 2022 we sorted out the following contracts for current first team squad members or youth team players who would be around the squad...

2nd September 2022 - John Buckey on a 5 year deal

12th September 2022 - Adam Wharton on a 5 year deal

20th September 2022 - Ashley Phillips on a 3 year deal

24th October 2022 - Jack Vale on a 3 + 1 year deal

25th October 2022 - Jake Batty on a 3 year deal

21st March 2023 - Jake Garrett on a 4 year deal

29th March 2023 - Scott Wharton on a 4 year deal

30th March 2023 - Haydon Carter on a 4 year deal

12th May 2023 - Ainsley Pears on a 4 year deal

19th June 2023 - Zak Gilsenan on a 2 + 1 year deal

10th July 2023 - Joe Rankin Costello on a 4 year deal

29th July 2023 - Harry Leonard on a 4 year deal

28th November 2023 - Sammie Szmodics on a 3 + 1 year deal

8th December 2023 - Adam Wharton on a 5 year deal

Since Gregg left the club in June 2024 (in reality it was January 2024) we have sorted out contracts for the following first team players.....

 

 

 

Edited January 3 by MarkBRFC

[Eddie]

3 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

In Gregg's time at the club from July 2022 we sorted out the following contracts for current first team squad members or youth team players who would be around the squad...

2nd September 2022 - John Buckey on a 5 year deal

12th September 2022 - Adam Wharton on a 5 year deal

20th September 2022 - Ashley Phillips on a 3 year deal

24th October 2022 - Jack Vale on a 3 + 1 year deal

25th October 2022 - Jake Batty on a 3 year deal

21st March 2023 - Jake Garrett on a 4 year deal

29th March 2023 - Scott Wharton on a 4 year deal

30th March 2023 - Haydon Carter on a 4 year deal

12th May 2023 - Ainsley Pears on a 4 year deal

19th June 2023 - Zak Gilsenan on a 2 + 1 year deal

10th July 2023 - Joe Rankin Costello on a 4 year deal

29th July 2023 - Harry Leonard on a 4 year deal

28th November 2023 - Sammie Szmodics on a 3 + 1 year deal

8th December 2023 - Adam Wharton on a 5 year deal

Since Gregg left the club in June 2024 (in reality it was January 2024) we have sorted out the following contracts for the following first team players.....

 

 

Broughton deserves credit for that, but so does JDT.

I'm not here to stir the JDT pot and I know that all of the noises coming out from the squad are very positive about Eustace, but the buy-in with JDT may have been higher with players knowing that his style of football would make them look good, increase their value and demand, and make a chance of a bigger payday in the future that bit more likely. 

[superniko]

Hyam is out of contract at the end of this season - at 29 will be looking for a payday.

Hedges and Weimann the other two - squad players so only if it’s a cheap deal.

Danny Batth at 34 we should probably sign up for 12 more months the way he is playing. 

The big ones for me are the 2026 group. Travis and Trondstad and lesser extent Brittain. We should be extending all 3 of them asap 

[MarkBRFC]

Just now, superniko said:

Hyam is out of contract at the end of this season - at 29 will be looking for a payday.

Hedges and Weimann the other two - squad players so only if it’s a cheap deal.

Danny Batth at 34 we should probably sign up for 12 more months the way he is playing. 

The big ones for me are the 2026 group. Travis and Trondstad and lesser extent Brittain. We should be extending all 3 of them asap 

Hedges and Hyam both have 1 year options so I imagine we will trigger those.

[superniko]

Just now, MarkBRFC said:

Hedges and Hyam both have 1 year options so I imagine we will trigger those.

Ah yes. Would make sense to do that. 

[RevidgeBlue]

2 minutes ago, BankEnd Rover said:

Andre Gray leaving Plymouth due to contract extension expiring.

Seems to fit the bill on championship experience - Not arsed that he's ex Burnley. 

I'd pass on that unless we are absolutely desperate. Not bothered about the Burnley connection either but I'd rather have someone on the way up than the way down.

Also his name conjures up visions in my mind of an overpaid prima Donna. That might be completely unfair as I've no idea either way.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

20 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Yep, Godo should be in the building already. We couldn't sign him on deadline day because Fulham didn't get the Nelson deal over the line in time.

Unless he's been promised to another club / we think we're getting much, much better that deal should have been wrapped up in December.

He has been making the bench and got some minutes recently due to Reiss Nelson’s injury last month - probably a big factor now 

[Exiled_Rover]

Just now, Emerald Isle Rover said:

He has been making the bench and got some minutes recently due to Reiss Nelson’s injury last month - probably a big factor now 

Ah, fair enough then.

Move on to the next target - we can't hang around until 31 Jan for them to decide. We need bodies now. 

[RevidgeBlue]

14 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

In Gregg's time at the club from July 2022 we sorted out the following contracts for current first team squad members or youth team players who would be around the squad...

2nd September 2022 - John Buckey on a 5 year deal

12th September 2022 - Adam Wharton on a 5 year deal

20th September 2022 - Ashley Phillips on a 3 year deal

24th October 2022 - Jack Vale on a 3 + 1 year deal

25th October 2022 - Jake Batty on a 3 year deal

21st March 2023 - Jake Garrett on a 4 year deal

29th March 2023 - Scott Wharton on a 4 year deal

30th March 2023 - Haydon Carter on a 4 year deal

12th May 2023 - Ainsley Pears on a 4 year deal

19th June 2023 - Zak Gilsenan on a 2 + 1 year deal

10th July 2023 - Joe Rankin Costello on a 4 year deal

29th July 2023 - Harry Leonard on a 4 year deal

28th November 2023 - Sammie Szmodics on a 3 + 1 year deal

8th December 2023 - Adam Wharton on a 5 year deal

Since Gregg left the club in June 2024 (in reality it was January 2024) we have sorted out contracts for the following first team players.....

 

 

 

So really - Buckley (seemed a bold move at the time but player has fallen off a cliff since. No way of knowing that at the time)

Scott Wharton (sidelined with a serious achilles injury at the time),

Carter (fair play)

Pears (don't suppose that would have been a popular decision at the time) 

Rankin Costello.

Not as good as it appears at first glance but shouldn't knock it I suppose as it's more than we're doing currently.