Transfer News 2024 January Window Preview

[OX14]

Des said 3 weeks for murphy and negru right?

Murphy should be 3 weeks, Bodin should be available Monday, Leigh and Long the following week against Coventry

Not heard how long Negru is out for or Browne.

Goodrham and Mills could now be out too.

 

[Nadi-]

With Negru being out (until?) and Thorniley so off-form and now a managerial change, might we fancy a recall for Findlay? I think I’d rather him around the squad than Thorniley at this moment in time. That’s if he ever wants to come.

Defensively would rather we got something for Findlay, as doesn’t want to be here.
Use the money on Pijnaker if Sligo have the option. Would cover left side for Brown. Likewise Long and Negru are there for the right side.

 

[Osei Yaw]

We won’t let Gorrin go, god knows why but he will still be here in a decade.

He seems a good lad and always seemed to appreciate the support from fans. If he fancies having a go at being CEO then I'd get behind him.

 

[YellowsForLife]

Murphy should be 3 weeks, Bodin should be available Monday, Leigh and Long the following week against Coventry

Not heard how long Negru is out for or Browne.

Goodrham and Mills could now be out too.

There was an in depth look at the injuries from OxMail yesterday that said 3 weeks

 

[greatunclekip]

He seems a good lad and always seemed to appreciate the support from fans. If he fancies having a go at being CEO then I'd get behind him.

He genuinely could not do any worse than the current incumbent on almost any key metric.

 

[Swaby39]

You're wrong Kip.

Perkins going back to Leeds.

O'Donkor isn't good enough and will be going out on loan

Edwards is out for ages so will likely return to Ipswich

Browne likely to be out for a long time too.

Smyth isn't good enough and should go out on loan.

Henry isn't good enough but we can't get rid of him as of yet.

Gorrin isn't good enough and I believe he is only contracted until January so let him go.

Woltman also needs a loan .

So that means we need to sign

2 X strikers
2 x powerful midfielders ( 1 attacking willing to drive with the ball and the other a hard bastard to get stuck in and not be out muscled)
2 x wingers
Sign Bennett until the end of the season

Then hopefully Leigh, Long, Murphy, Bodin, Negru will all return sharpish.

Agreed. It’s 5 or 6 for me as I had those names in mind as people who will either leave or shouldn't/won’t be contributing.

If Edwards is out any longer than mid Feb, send him back. We’ve got enough passengers on the books that we must be ruthless. Perkins, Edwards, Gorrin, Smyth, O’Donkor, McGinty all need letting go in different ways and all replaced with better, more available options. Henry needs marginalising as yesterday was uncomfortable, got thrown around like a rag doll.

Deal with Browne, Murphy and co in the summer as there’s no immediate solution there. Keep Bennet to the end of the season and I’d also put another 12 months in front of Bodin who we’ve missed recently but his fitness record has been generally very good for us.

Has the potential to be a large swing of players depending on what funding is available. We certainly need it but it’s a big ask in January and this isn’t football manager. If we can cut a deal with Killie for Findlay in Jan that might help but I’m with you - 5 or 6 arrivals for me and a few outs to make this a good window.

 

[Joey]

Having been thinking about it today, I'm not convinced we need a huge amount. Certainly not the 5 or 6 some are saying.

I would say 3.

Striker. Not a forward player who can play anywhere across the front line, not a punt, not a winger/attacker, a proper, experienced striker. Go all out for JCH, Marriott, Eisa, Langstaff. We create enough for any of these to thrive.

Winger. A must. You see what someone like Edwards brought to the team in terms of creating space, running at people and putting in chances. We need another experienced good one.

A strong midfielder - this is a nice to have, something we have needed for ages. That player who can stop others playing. A Digby at Cambridge.

Having Leigh back is massive, it's mad what a huge difference he made, and I feel he will create chances and add height and pace.

We need Des to get a grip on tactics else we could have Haaland up front and we wouldn't score, but I honestly feel the above keeps us in a decent position.

No chance is 3 enough. If you accept we have no worthwhile striker currently, and I think you've hinted at as much previously, then you want at least 2 there.

Agree a winger is a must and again I'm not against a couple. Edwards may well go back as he's one who struggles with injuries which is a shame as he's clearly talented. Browne you may as well write off and Murphy will need to have minutes managed too. Having all 3 out at the same time is slightly unfortunate but would you back against it happening again? I certainly wouldn't.

I'd really want another midfielder as well, ideally with a bit of presence or at least someone switched on defensively whilst still being able to play. McGuane looked to be running through treacle last night and his form has dropped off massively but at the moment we seem loathe to rest him.

That's without taking into account Smyth, Gorrin, Henry etc who aren't up to it and could do with replacing. Doubt we'll get rid of Henry thanks to the contact uncle Karl dished out but we may as well try and move the other two on, as well as loaning out GOD and sending Perkins back.

We've all been bemoaning our lack of depth but a lot of the players we have out currently are regulars in the treatment room. Trying to rely on them to get us through this season is playing with fire. I still think it's a weaker league than normal and we're well placed despite the gaps in the squad, if we are aggressive and go for it then we can still get something out of this season.

 

[werthersoriginal]

No chance is 3 enough. If you accept we have no worthwhile striker currently, and I think you've hinted at as much previously, then you want at least 2 there.

Agree a winger is a must and again I'm not against a couple. Edwards may well go back as he's one who struggles with injuries which is a shame as he's clearly talented. Browne you may as well write off and Murphy will need to have minutes managed too. Having all 3 out at the same time is slightly unfortunate but would you back against it happening again? I certainly wouldn't.

I'd really want another midfielder as well, ideally with a bit of presence or at least someone switched on defensively whilst still being able to play. McGuane looked to be running through treacle last night and his form has dropped off massively but at the moment we seem loathe to rest him.

That's without taking into account Smyth, Gorrin, Henry etc who aren't up to it and could do with replacing. Doubt we'll get rid of Henry thanks to the contact uncle Karl dished out but we may as well try and move the other two on, as well as loaning out GOD and sending Perkins back.

We've all been bemoaning our lack of depth but a lot of the players we have out currently are regulars in the treatment room. Trying to rely on them to get us through this season is playing with fire. I still think it's a weaker league than normal and we're well placed despite the gaps in the squad, if we are aggressive and go for it then we can still get something out of this season.

We do need a big strong midfielder, we’re screwed if anything happens to Cam.

Henry’s extra year was triggered by a clause in his contract, he’ll retire in the summer.

 

[Osei Yaw]

He genuinely could not do any worse than the current incumbent on almost any key metric.

Never worked in Finance at Man U and Inter Milan though, has he? All the content our CEO does with the national press points towards that being a key requirement.

 

[Yellow River]

To my eyes of the ones who are ‘available’ there are clearly players who are playing with ‘knocks’, players who are unable to play a full 90 mins and players who are simply physically and mentally tired and need a rest/break.

But it is what it is. Des has to balance and manage the players that are ‘available‘in a way that makes us competitive. That will continue for the Charlton match. It’s far from ideal that we appear to be starting players who can’t last 90 mins or possibly shouldn’t be starting at all.

I expect (on paper at least) much weaker starting XI’s for cup games at Coventry and Wimbledon. Those games/competitions will now be ‘sacrificed’ for the good of future League games and the need to rest players.

Thereafter, fingers crossed we can only hope that players returning from injury and January signings will make a positive difference.

January may not the ideal time to get players in and out, but if we are serious about a playoff push than this is the time the recruitment team and those responsible for ‘off loading’ earn their corn.

 

[Bornyellow]

Stephen Humphrys apparently attracting interest from several L1 clubs. Not got the best goal scoring record but one I wouldn’t be against.

 

[Shosho]

If we’ve learnt anything, it’s that Murphy will most probably be longer than 3 weeks.

 

[Hook]

If we’ve learnt anything, it’s that Murphy will most probably be longer than 3 weeks.

Yes, what I have come to realise with Des is that he is very optimistic with the timelines for injuries. Normally, if a player is having a late fitness test would suggest that he isn't far away, not 3-4 weeks! Be up front and honest, unless he's being fed crap from medical.

 

[Shosho]

Yes, what I have come to realise with Des is that he is very optimistic with the timelines for injuries. Normally, if a player is having a late fitness test would suggest that he isn't far away, not 3-4 weeks! Be up front and honest, unless he's being fed crap from medical.

Suspect it’s just a case of not giving too much information to the opposition.

None the less, relying on Murphy and Browne to contribute consistent minutes is a fools game. Imagine they’re swallowing a decent bit of the budget for limited play time.

Best ability is availability, and all that.

 

[Jakehodgson51]

Yes, what I have come to realise with Des is that he is very optimistic with the timelines for injuries. Normally, if a player is having a late fitness test would suggest that he isn't far away, not 3-4 weeks! Be up front and honest, unless he's being fed crap from medical.

Spot on. I wanna know how long the others are out. If we wont see edwards or browne much again. We need to go in for 2/3 wingers in Jan. Id be tempted to get rid of browne always injured. I want us to invest in players for next season with a couple loans. Need a midfielder to challenge at CM and definitely need 2 strikers.

 

[Jakehodgson51]

Having been thinking about it today, I'm not convinced we need a huge amount. Certainly not the 5 or 6 some are saying.

I would say 3.

Striker. Not a forward player who can play anywhere across the front line, not a punt, not a winger/attacker, a proper, experienced striker. Go all out for JCH, Marriott, Eisa, Langstaff. We create enough for any of these to thrive.

Winger. A must. You see what someone like Edwards brought to the team in terms of creating space, running at people and putting in chances. We need another experienced good one.

A strong midfielder - this is a nice to have, something we have needed for ages. That player who can stop others playing. A Digby at Cambridge.

Having Leigh back is massive, it's mad what a huge difference he made, and I feel he will create chances and add height and pace.

We need Des to get a grip on tactics else we could have Haaland up front and we wouldn't score, but I honestly feel the above keeps us in a decent position.

Depends how long goodhram and mills are out for. Doubt it will be too serious. Definitely need 2 strikers though. Id probably use harris outwide looks more comfortable out there.
2 wingers
2 strikers
1 robust CM

 

[Foley]

You're wrong Kip.

Perkins going back to Leeds.

O'Donkor isn't good enough and will be going out on loan

Edwards is out for ages so will likely return to Ipswich

Browne likely to be out for a long time too.

Smyth isn't good enough and should go out on loan.

Henry isn't good enough but we can't get rid of him as of yet.

Gorrin isn't good enough and I believe he is only contracted until January so let him go.

Woltman also needs a loan .

So that means we need to sign

2 X strikers
2 x powerful midfielders ( 1 attacking willing to drive with the ball and the other a hard bastard to get stuck in and not be out muscled)
2 x wingers
Sign Bennett until the end of the season

Then hopefully Leigh, Long, Murphy, Bodin, Negru will all return sharpish.

There is no way that will happen in a January transfer window .
Kips list is far more likely

 

[OX14]

There is no way that will happen in a January transfer window .
Kips list is far more likely

Kips list doesn't counter our problems it only just papers over a few cracks.

There is no reason why we can't bring in 2 or 3 quality loan players and a couple of permanents in January.

 

[bazzer9461]

Having been thinking about it today, I'm not convinced we need a huge amount. Certainly not the 5 or 6 some are saying.

I would say 3.

Striker. Not a forward player who can play anywhere across the front line, not a punt, not a winger/attacker, a proper, experienced striker. Go all out for JCH, Marriott, Eisa, Langstaff. We create enough for any of these to thrive.

Winger. A must. You see what someone like Edwards brought to the team in terms of creating space, running at people and putting in chances. We need another experienced good one.

A strong midfielder - this is a nice to have, something we have needed for ages. That player who can stop others playing. A Digby at Cambridge.

Having Leigh back is massive, it's mad what a huge difference he made, and I feel he will create chances and add height and pace.

We need Des to get a grip on tactics else we could have Haaland up front and we wouldn't score, but I honestly feel the above keeps us in a decent position.

Not Marriot

 

[ZeroTheHero]

Based on what Jerome Sale said yesterday (can't remember his exact words) he said we are looking to bring in two strikers and earlier in the window rather than later. He is normally pretty well informed, although of course things don't always go to plan! (If we take that at face value, you would have to imagine that Perkins in going back and GoD is out on loan.) If we then have an effective striker, is there any mileage in using Harris out wide or even as a number 10?

I agree with others - if Edwards is likely to be out for anything longer than another three or four weeks then we have to send him back (much as I'd like him to be fit and playing for us). Whether we need a/some new winger(s) depends on how injured all of the existing ones are!

Gorrin is getting no game time even in situations where we are trying to be more solid, so if his contract is only until the end of January you cannot imagine that being extended. But we do need a 'Gorrinish' stopper in midfield. I think one new central midfielder in that mould would be enough - you've then got McEachran to back him up.

So I would say (at a bare minimum)
2 strikers
1 midfielder
1 winger (depending on injuries and if we can use Harris there)