January 2023 Transfer Window

[GhostoftheBok]

His agent (dunno about his intermediary, but the guy calling the shots) is James Featherstone. If you want a move forced against the will of a club, James is your guy.

[The_Gun]

I bow to those with superior knowledge of Adeboyejo, but on paper he doesn't look amazing. Not tall, not that young and historically terrible goalscoring record.

Edit: DSB and Insano think the same.

[GhostoftheBok]

Well, also whether we want to pay a significant slice of the Dapo fee - even if we got a million, it's nearly half - on a 25-year-old who'd scored 12 in 139 league games before this season, including 3 in 100 at this level or higher.

As we know, stats can be misleading, and coaches will see 'headroom' in players, but it's perhaps not the most tantalising bit of player trading I've heard. And his agent sounds a right type.

Ade's played wide quite a bit in his career, but yeah. I'm one of those who is less fussed by records and more by what I can see. Charles and Dad Bod had fairly dull records in league footy. Charles had one explosive season before he came here, similar to Ade. He'd scored some in non-league, but I'd view them as fairly similar signings.

Whether he'd score a hatful for us I dunno (I don't even know if we're really after him), but he would fit what I'd say we need up front - or part of what we need. On top of that he appears to be able to finish (1 goal per 3.2 shots vs Charles at about 1 per 5.4 shots, from memory).

I'd be in favour of it.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Nlundulu is a good example. He's probably an upgrade on Baka but at the time common sentiment (including on here) was 'good move to upgrade our 4th placed striker'. Yet now he's not really fit yet is first choice.

I think, with respect, that this is slightly distorting what I've read from people on here, or at last how I've understood it.

Last season Baka was arguably our best finisher but this season he'd pretty definitively sunk to our 4th best forward, in terms of goalscoring potential, behind Dion, Bod and Dapo. (Your mate Kacha is, evidently, 5th.)

Baka went, to well wishes but no great tears, and at the same time Dan came in. For those believing in Dan's potential, it was a good swap. Indeed, while none of us knew what to expect, I daresay none of us expected him to be nothing more than fourth-choice striker. He was just an upgrade (hopefully) on the man whose shirt number he took.

Then Dapo went, leaving us needing a replacement, both in terms of numbers and theoretical threat (let's not forget you said you hadn't noticed Dapo playing for three months, so either he was useless, you were blind or you were hysterically overstating an argument). Shoretire is a short-term solution; the long-term needs sorting out, but you've many times said the short term is the one to observe most keenly.

Also, Bod got injured. This was a blow to morale, adding to an already delicate and complicated rebuilding job. (Thought: would it have been better or worse if he pulled up lame on Feb 2nd?) Bod is now the face to replace, perhaps short-term, as the player - more 'forward' than 'striker', slightly more '10' than '9', if you like – who comes short and links play but is also a potential aerial target.

That said, Bodvarsson is hardly a target man: this season he's won an average 1.1 aerial duels per 90 minutes, which is less than Dempsey's 1.5 per 90. Big Dan, in his two partial appearances so far, is averaging 4 per 90 – more than any Wanderer except George Johnston – but it's a very small sample.

Whatever, at base, we've still got to get one in to level up numerically. For the sake of positional discussion, I'm ignoring Randy Williams, but the accountants won't. And that's another problem - given the protracted negotiations last January, Bod is presumably on one of our higher wages, and that's still got to be paid. And still we have depth problems elsewhere.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

On Adeboyejo - I have to admit I wouldn't know him if we were in a lift together, so I'll always take on board the thoughts of those who've seen him. And of course if he signs I'll be a huge fan until his output decrees otherwise.

But I do wonder - is he worth paying 4/5ths of a Dapo? (Usual caveats about whether we're actually spending that money or not.) Is he worth more than a Dion, whose £300,000 fee hasn't *always* looked a steal?

[GhostoftheBok]

On Adeboyejo - I have to admit I wouldn't know him if we were in a lift together, so I'll always take on board the thoughts of those who've seen him. And of course if he signs I'll be a huge fan until his output decrees otherwise.

But I do wonder - is he worth paying 4/5ths of a Dapo? (Usual caveats about whether we're actually spending that money or not.) Is he worth more than a Dion, whose £300,000 fee hasn't *always* looked a steal?

I think Dion has looked a good buy at 300k. I think we overpaid by about 1/3 or so, but at the time we were desperate.

His work rate has proven fundamental to what we do, even when the goals have dropped off. He's scoring this season, pressing and generally being a pest. I like him and think he's currently well worth his fee.

Whether Ade would be worth a Dapo is up to you. I don't think you'd swap Dapo for Ade if you played a system with a left winger, but we don't. My guess (and unless he's at your club, you can never know) is that Ade in our current system is more valuable *to us* than Dapo.

Even were I right about that, would it be a good trade? I dunno. What I will say is I don't think the two fees are as close as that, because I understand we got more for Dapo than the advertised half a million - but I think Ade would improve our options.

[jmjhb]

Dion has 20 in 52 from what I can tell, for 300k that's absolutely fine and that's not mentioning all the pressing and being a nuisance for the opposition defenders. If we were to pay more for Ade then I would expect a better output.

If he was on a free, I would be fine with it. For 400k, hmm, possibly not so keen.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Dapo v Ade - all guesswork and supposition, of course. And it ignores human motivation. Dapo wanted to move up from us; Ade wants to move up to us (perhaps). No point having the aptitude without the attitude. And as you say, when you think of Dapo as dazzling, it's mostly in his 2021 position.

[GhostoftheBok]

Dapo v Ade - all guesswork and supposition, of course. And it ignores human motivation. Dapo wanted to move up from us; Ade wants to move up to us (perhaps). No point having the aptitude without the attitude. And as you say, when you think of Dapo as dazzling, it's mostly in his 2021 position.

You can add in that any dribbly flair player always looks more valuable to fans, because they pay their ticket money to be entertained.

Iles is essentially confirming the Ade and Hoskins links.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Dion has 20 in 52 from what I can tell, for 300k that's absolutely fine. If we were to pay more for Ade then I would expect a better output.

If he was on a free, I would be fine with it. For 400k, hmm, possibly not so keen.

Quick rehash of what I've already banged on about: I like Dion a lot, he brings plenty of non-goal stuff (work, attitude, energy) and he scores reasonably reliably against teams below the glass ceiling. But barring the Barnsley pengy, he's only scored in one game against any top-10 team. Is that because we struggle, or do we struggle because he does?

Either way I'm glad he's around – put it this way, we would have to do a lot of trading to make him our 5th-best striker – but we do need someone (anyone!) who can win those key games. Maybe it's Ade, or Dan, or Shoretire, or someone we don't yet know. All will be revealed in upcoming episodes.

[The_Gun]

The Hoskins link is...baffling.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Iles is essentially confirming the Ade and Hoskins links.

Two names now appear to be out in the open for Wanderers - Burton's Victor Adeboyejo and Northampton Town's Sam Hoskins.
IE has talked this morning about adding more experience and know-how to his front line. Makes sense.

As you say, "out in the open" implies Marc knew and either couldn't stand up the story or was keeping quiet for the club's sake (always a difficult balance for a local club journalist).

Meanwhile his sidekick Dan Barnes has put together a piece from Nixon's Patreon link.

Wigan have reportedly been trying to sign Adeboyejo over the past couple of weeks... but Wanderers have now joined the race for the 25-year-old forward, according to a Patreon report by Alan Nixon. The report also claims that Adeboyejo has a buy-out clause in his contract, which the Whites "plan to meet".

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

The Hoskins link is...baffling.

You'd have to assume they see him as either a 10 or a Dion front-runner. because a target man he is not, at a reported height anywhere between 5'8" and 5' 6.5".

Again, I wouldn't know him if I loomed over him in a lift. And I'm only 5'10".

[GhostoftheBok]

The Hoskins link is...baffling.

Not sure it is, to be honest.

Firstly, we've all basically assumed that the hybrid squad project is dead and it might not be. Ian might think his tactical flexibility has been hampered by the available players, not because of anything he's got wrong.

Secondly, we'd be targeting one target man type and one little goal scorer...which is basically what we expected.

He could potentially play striker or 10 in the current system or off either wing in a 4-3-3.

Hoskins would not be a player I'd target in this window; but he looks a very us style signing.

What both of them do is work very hard off the ball (Ade doing the chase anything type stuff and Hoskins being more of an attacking, move for the ball worker). Both should be able to press effectively, if they've got it between the ears.

[GhostoftheBok]

I believe Brommers has kept at least as much of an eye on Northampton as I have, so I'd value his input on this one. League 2 Jarrod Bowen, Brommers?

[The_Gun]

The Hoskins link is...baffling.

Not sure it is, to be honest.

Firstly, we've all basically assumed that the hybrid squad project is dead and it might not be. Ian might think his tactical flexibility has been hampered by the available players, not because of anything he's got wrong.

Secondly, we'd be targeting one target man type and one little goal scorer...which is basically what we expected.

He could potentially play striker or 10 in the current system or off either wing in a 4-3-3.

Hoskins would not be a player I'd target in this window; but he looks a very us style signing.

What both of them do is work very hard off the ball (Ade doing the chase anything type stuff and Hoskins being more of an attacking, move for the ball worker). Both should be able to press effectively, if they've got it between the ears.

A 30 year old only played in League Two Jarrod Bowen? Not particularly aligned with our 'moneyball' (sorry, I hate that term) philosophy.

[GhostoftheBok]

A 30 year old only played in League Two Jarrod Bowen? Not particularly aligned with our 'moneyball' (sorry, I hate that term) philosophy.

No, in that regard very much not and one of the reasons I haven't bothered talking about him regarding potential transfers.

Too old and too expensive.

However, Iles stressed the idea of adding more experience to the attack (presumably in light of adding players like Shola and Dan) and as such the moneyball aspect takes a back seat, I suppose.

Genuinely no idea how he'd do here and if it's genuinely in the works I'll wait and see. I'd view him as a risky one, but then aren't they all. He'd need to work out, because this is absolutely the last time he'll ever be worth any real money; so he has got to provide goals.

Just asking around, the general feeling is that the price tags being advertised are bullshit and Northampton will agree to a lower fee with add-ons if pressed by the player; but with them chasing promotion and him their top scorer he will cost a fair whack.

What I will say is that if the price tags were taken out of the conversation I think both the players mentioned improve the squad in key areas.

[GhostoftheBok]

MK Dons picked up Paris Maghoma, which is a superb get for them.

Whilst we're after Ade can we also pick up Oshilaja? Given that we're after experienced players, he's ridiculously good as box-to-box and a very solid centre back in a 3.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

"Bolton seem very keen" on Ade, quoth Nixon, FWIW

[BWFC_Insane]

"Bolton seem very keen" on Ade, quoth Nixon, FWIW

He also thinks we are winning tomorrow AT forest green rovers….even though we aren’t that good away from home…

FWIW!