January 2022 Transfer Thread

[TonyDomingos]

The dick move here from Gillingham would be to wait until after their last game of the month on the 29th before rejecting the bid we made and giving a possible relegation rival no time to sort a replacement.

Hopefully we get it over the line.

If I'm sat in Gillingham's seat at the table (and assuming I didn't need the wonga) that's precisely where I'd go. Not a dick move at all...

As I understand it, Gillingham need the money; they get around 4k supporters for a typical home game, so are running on empty. Plus they've made a formal approach for the Bromley manager, which, if successful, will cost them a few bob (no idea how much, but I'm guessing low tens of thousands). Their chairman, the aptly named Paul Scally, has been around the block (chair for 25 years) and will play a game, but, ultimately, will plump for the money. We just need to sit tight.

[GhostoftheBok]

Good spot from Lion of Vienna writer Matt Wood that Shrewsbury left-sider Nathanael (yes, that's how it's spelt) Ogbeta, who made a pest of himself running at us with and without the ball yesterday, is out of contract in summer.

Moreover, he's a local lad (to us), being Salford-born. Having played for England U17, U18 and U20, he was at Man City until 363 days ago, when he joined the Shrews on an 18-month deal. This, I would take it, means nobody would be owed much (if anything) in development fees: surely that would have been for City to claim from Shrews, who can hardly claim dominion after a year.

Played left-back for City and plays wing-back for Shrews, so there's good flexibility there. One more thing: he was born in 2001 so he will still be technically underage next season, thus not counting against the EFL limit. I don't know how good he's been generally - although I see some positive reports - but if he passes muster I wouldn't be upset to see him coming over in summer to replace Liam Gordon and challenge Declan John.

Agree with this.

If you look at the public-facing stats sites he scored quite poorly, but he's been superb - especially at wing back. I think there was some kind of falling out over the summer and he wasn't in the side early season, but has forced his way back in.

Biggest issue for him is that he's skinny, but at 20 you'd imagine he will bulk out in the next few years. Well worth an investment, in my view. He's the right sort, unless we are going to get someone in who is a big step up from John.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

As I understand it, Gillingham need the money; they get around 4k supporters for a typical home game, so are running on empty. Plus they've made a formal approach for the Bromley manager, which, if successful, will cost them a few bob (no idea how much, but I'm guessing low tens of thousands). Their chairman, the aptly named Paul Scally, has been around the block (chair for 25 years) and will play a game, but, ultimately, will plump for the money. We just need to sit tight.

Cheers, Tony. Interesting to compare/contrast with Peterborough, in the division above.

Bournemouth offered £1m for their striker Siriki Dembele, whose contract elapses in June; Posh turned it down. Bournemouth offered £1.5m; Posh turned it down. Dembele, by the way, has 5 goals and 2 assists in 24 tier-two games this season. In last year's promotion season he scored 11 and assisted 12, but before that he'd never scored much: 4 in 36 D4 games for Grimsby, then at Posh it was 5 in 38 then 5 in 25. There's some who'd say that's one good season, but they evidently figure he's worth more to them in the battle to avoid relegation – Posh are third-bottom, 3pts behind safe-spaced Reading but with two games in hand – than realising his resale potential. That seems to be a bit of a tune-change from Posh and their arrogant gobshite chairman: they'd previously made all players in their final contract year available for transfer. I guess they retain the right to choose a sale price.

By contrast, Gillingham are now bottom and 10pts from safety – more than half their total points so far this season - with no games in hand except on teams 12+ pts clear of them. And unlike Peterborough, who one suspects went into their first Champo season since 2012/13 (our first after dropping) half-expecting relegation, this is Gillingham's ninth successive season at this level. Scally will hope his new manager can turn it round, but I doubt there'll be much for him to spend; maybe the manager would rather raise funds by selling someone he'd lose for nowt in summer anyway?

[GhostoftheBok]

Gillingham has good offers on the table for Tucker in the summer and turned them down, didn't they?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Gillingham has good offers on the table for Tucker in the summer and turned them down, didn't they?

I wouldnae know, but any team facing relegation has to decide whether it's going to keep players or sell them. And as I say, after nine years mostly of relative safety – finishing 17th, 12th, 9th, 20th (that was close), 17th, 13th, 10th and 10th – I don't think Gills expected to go down this year. It sounds like Tucker wasn't itching to leave the club he's been at for 15 years, and may have been waiting one last year to give himself better options (Gills will be due development fees, but not a transfer fee).

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Been digging into Ogbeta.

He was with Man City from age 10 to 19. Shrews assistant manager Aaron Wilbraham:
“I spoke to Joleon Lescott about him, we did our homework, and everybody had positive things to say. Credit to Nathanael, to come in and keep churning out game after game, training session after training session, no moans and groans, just gets on with it.
"He’s always got a smile on his face and has been unbelievable. He’s such a laid-back kind of guy as well, but he’s learned the position really well. He’s settled in really well, he’s a likeable lad and all the lads want to see him doing well."

He’s living with his aunt and uncle, the latter a doctor at the local hospital, and one writer mentions the “humbleness and humility” of a lad who has “made it clear how grateful he is to be offered a chance”. But in summer, he was linked with Peterborough and chirpy Cotterill claimed Ogbeta’s agent was “ringing around everybody” for a move. Cotterill signed Bristol Rovers left-back Luke Leahy and Bristol City left-sider George Nurse and kept him out of the team, for which the lad was politely thankful:

“As young players and in general it’s so easy to get complacent, you think you’re going to play all of the time and your desire to improve can start to go. But me being out of the team was the best thing that’s happened to me going forward, because it’s made me see that every game and training session matters. No matter how good you think you may be, if you’re not pulling your weight the manager’s not going to pick you. So for me now, I want to go into every game and session with the desire to do my best because I know I can be out of the team like that if I don’t do the right things.”

Sounds to me like the lad had a positive first half-season – perhaps helped by kindly uncle Albi being the stand-in boss – but then his agent got busy, Cotterill returned and it all went a bit wobbly. Good on him for coming back.

Here's some stats from last season (far too much red on this design, particularly in the bits where Ogbeta is one of the best in the division):
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I also ran his numbers per WhoScored – for this season and last – and compared them to this season's stats for Declan John and Liam Gordon.
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Screenshot 2022-01-24 at 16.51.19.png (211.7 KiB) Viewed 884 times

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We can see he's more of a shooting threat than the other two – probably because he's usuaully further forward – but he also retains a high pass accuracy. Declan's average of 34.5 accurate short passes is the division's highest (left-backs, 15+ games) and he beats his two young pretenders in most categories, but it would be intriguing to see how Ogebta's stats stacked up in a less direct team. Nine years at City suggests he can pass, as does that pass accuracy – impressive in a direct team.

Certainly the lad likes a dribble, especially so last season under Wilbraham rather than Cotterill, and also doesn't seem shy of a tackle. Moreover, scouting reports seem to talk of his speed, recovery and stamina helping him to be aggressive in transitions from defence to attack and vice versa – which is pretty much exactly what Evatt has been seeking and, on the right, seems to have hopefully found in Fossey. Overall, Ogbeta seems that sort of player – academy-schooled, athletic and comfortable on the ball – while also appearing humble and ready to learn, but with an agent ready to make calls. Got his number, Ian?

[irie Cee Bee]

Declan is a safety first LWB. He slows our play a lot by stopping and passing backwards. Hence the reason why his short passes and accuracy are so high. Would love him to be more aggressive in an attacking sense. Look at his shots in box stats compared to even Gordon. He needs to drive forward like Fossey does and stop slowing down our game. He was much better last year attacking.

[GhostoftheBok]

Not entirely sure that's not tactical, with John. When we played this sort of system last season it was John who bombed on and Jones who sat a bit more.

When Fossey goes forward Jones shifts up, but John and Johnston on the other side sit more and allow us to retain our defensive shape. If Fossey gets caught right up the pitch we usually still have the ability to fall into a back four on the transition. That's done by either John or Williams dropping in, depending who far into the attacking move we've got.

[BWFC_Insane]

Not entirely sure that's not tactical, with John. When we played this sort of system last season it was John who bombed on and Jones who sat a bit more.

When Fossey goes forward Jones shifts up, but John and Johnston on the other side sit more and allow us to retain our defensive shape. If Fossey gets caught right up the pitch we usually still have the ability to fall into a back four on the transition. That's done by either John or Williams dropping in, depending who far into the attacking move we've got.

That’s how I see it. John is more than capable of playing the more attacking role. I think he’s just letting Fossey go more and then covering round the back when needs be.

[GhostoftheBok]

My own issues with John at the moment are mostly related to his ability to turn any 50/50 into a 90/10. Pulls out more often than a Catholic porn star, that lad.

[TANGODANCER]

When Fossey goes forward Jones shifts up, but John and Johnston on the other side sit more and allow us to retain our defensive shape. If Fossey gets caught right up the pitch we usually still have the ability to fall into a back four on the transition. That's done by either John or Williams dropping in, depending who far into the attacking move we've got.

A bonus is that Fossey is quick (and alert) enough to get back when our attack breaks down. His enthusiasm for the ball is also a plus and he doesn't waste time with throw ins. His ability to run at opposition defences and and get crosses in is a real plus.

Our fifth gear doesn't seem to have been quite activated yet. This division is definitely higher octane level than I (at least) expected. Sunderland will be a tough task to get anything from despite us at home. That said, ever hopeful and optimistic, Come on you Whites...

[GhostoftheBok]

Looks like we're trying to hurry Gills along by getting our favourite local press folk to write about our other targets.

[TANGODANCER]

On the subject of Marlon (can't just keep calling the lad by his surname, can we), In his interview I was distracted by the background shooting practise going on. A few are definitely in need of it.. (I shouldn't really be laughing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59ATdXJtEZs

[boltonboris]

Declan John does his best attacking work off the ball. He's a good runner and creates space for Dapo et al to come inside and get 1v1 with a defender

He's done it since he came here

[GhostoftheBok]

Declan John does his best attacking work off the ball. He's a good runner and creates space for Dapo et al to come inside and get 1v1 with a defender

He's done it since he came here

Also puts in some terrific crosses.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Hull have potted Grant McCann, with the new owner immediately parachuting in Shota Arveladze. Could be a hectic final few days of the window over there. Wouldn't astonish me to see a few players leave, especially on loan. Players mentioned in passing hereabouts have been their No.10 George Honeyman, our former loanee left-back Brandon Fleming, our former right-back Josh Emmanuel (though Fossey's arrival might rule that out), and the former Exeter RW/RB Randell Williams.

[BWFC_Insane]

Hull have potted Grant McCann, with the new owner immediately parachuting in Shota Arveladze. Could be a hectic final few days of the window over there. Wouldn't astonish me to see a few players leave, especially on loan. Players mentioned in passing hereabouts have been their No.10 George Honeyman, our former loanee left-back Brandon Fleming, our former right-back Josh Emmanuel (though Fossey's arrival might rule that out), and the former Exeter RW/RB Randell Williams.

Randell Williams caught my eye last season. I think he’d be excellent and also offer us cover should Fossey be out whilst potentially a long term solution for RWB.

Fleming would be good but not I think a LWB.

[truewhite15]

Honeyman would be a trenendous signing, but I can't see him walking away. Haven't they still got Huddlestone? He could be that combative DM we want as MJ cover.

Apropos of absolutely nothing, interesting to see ex-alumni Tom Eaves, and Danny Ward at Huddersfield, doing the business on a regular basis. I thought both had promise when they were with us, and was disappointed to see us let them both go for nowt.

[Harry Genshaw]

Did we not get £1m for Danny Ward? Not much in the scheme of things at the time I know

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Honeyman would be a trenendous signing, but I can't see him walking away. Haven't they still got Huddlestone? He could be that combative DM we want as MJ cover.

Honeyman is a very good player, one Ghost mentioned more as wishful thinking. Huddlestone is 35, has barely played for the last three years, and always struck me more as quarterback than destroyer. That'd worry me.

Randell Williams caught my eye last season. I think he’d be excellent and also offer us cover should Fossey be out whilst potentially a long term solution for RWB. Fleming would be good but not I think a LWB.

Williams hadn't played much when i checked out potential Hull signings in November, but he's been regular since and only signed a two-year deal last summer. Might now be one to reconsider in summer, depending on his new manager, the club's situation and whether we keep Fossey. I don't think the right side is a priority now, although a Fossey injury would mean redeploying Gethin there and rejigging the back three.

Fleming I liked under Hill and he played as LWB. He came on on Saturday for the minute and that's the sum total of his league appearances this year. As with any LB/LWB it would probably mean rehoming Liam Gordon, at least for now, and that might be it for good. Fleming also has 18 months on his contract (with a year's option for the club) so they'd have to decide they wanted shut - although a loan might suit all parties.