January 2022 Transfer Thread

[cumbrian-white]

A real shame about Beesley. There was a good few weeks of forum nonsense in that one.

On Dempsey, that's the kind of signing I was expecting this January - as with Charles. Prime age, known to have a bit of an attitude, good off both feet and a bit of a terrier. The "right kind of leader" Evatt was on about before the window. I get Insane's issue about his goal record, but I'm a bit surprised everyone wouldn't drive down to Gillingham to get him. He played a bit more of an advanced role for them last season and scored 8. He'd have more licence to attack the box in our system, so you'd think he'd have a chance to grab a few. His work rate and bite makes so much more sense with having Morley deeper in midfield picking out runners than a more flighty 10.

I would sign Dempsey in a heartbeat. He's scoring record at Carlisle was pretty good for a midfielder and it hasn't been too shabby at Gillingham either. He was a really good rugby league player when he was younger and could have easily played professionally, so don't think for one minute he's a soft lad, quite the opposite I would say and he would certainly add steel to our midfield

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I swear I saw a quote saying Evatt wanted to sign a keeper this window from earlier…am I going daft?

You're not going mad Dibble, it's mentioned in this article (https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2022/januar ... e-captain/) from the official website about Jones becoming the new vice-captain following Doyle's departure:

“Luke will come back and compete with Joel and, also, we’ll be looking to strengthen that department in this window – as well as all other areas of the squad.”

Good spot. More from Iles:

Matt [Gilks] initially came in as goalkeeper coach and because of what happened, he had to play. He did very well for us. But he isn’t getting any younger and his appetite is for coaching now, so that’s the route we feel best serves him. He is a huge asset for the club in that department and will help all of our goalkeepers. We have some very good young ones like Luke Hutchinson, and Joel has improvement in him as well. We always want competition and we feel like another goalkeeper would help us in terms of competition for places.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/1 ... ian-evatt/

[Prufrock]

A real shame about Beesley. There was a good few weeks of forum nonsense in that one.

On Dempsey, that's the kind of signing I was expecting this January - as with Charles. Prime age, known to have a bit of an attitude, good off both feet and a bit of a terrier. The "right kind of leader" Evatt was on about before the window. I get Insane's issue about his goal record, but I'm a bit surprised everyone wouldn't drive down to Gillingham to get him. He played a bit more of an advanced role for them last season and scored 8. He'd have more licence to attack the box in our system, so you'd think he'd have a chance to grab a few. His work rate and bite makes so much more sense with having Morley deeper in midfield picking out runners than a more flighty 10.

I would sign Dempsey in a heartbeat. He's scoring record at Carlisle was pretty good for a midfielder and it hasn't been too shabby at Gillingham either. He was a really good rugby league player when he was younger and could have easily played professionally, so don't think for one minute he's a soft lad, quite the opposite I would say and he would certainly add steel to our midfield

He's one I've both heard of *and* think is good. Yes from me!

[Prufrock]

Obviously hope Hutchinson does well, but an 18yo with no league experience as back up to a not good enough worries me a lot. We're paying 5 and 6 figure sums for players so there is budget. Screams blind spot to me.

I am glad that Evatt seems to have read this post.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I would sign Dempsey in a heartbeat. He's scoring record at Carlisle was pretty good for a midfielder and it hasn't been too shabby at Gillingham either. He was a really good rugby league player when he was younger and could have easily played professionally, so don't think for one minute he's a soft lad, quite the opposite I would say and he would certainly add steel to our midfield

Cheers, Cumbrian (and welcome). Just having a look at him now and I like what I'm finding.

He was, as noted, a junior rugby league player for Wigan Warriors and England – “I played alongside the likes of George Williams, Joe Burgess and Oliver Gildart who have become top Super League and international players."

Carlisle's player of the year 2014/15 (when still a teenager) after scoring 10 in 43 L2 games for a team who finished 20th.

That earned him a move to Champo Huddersfield, where in 2015/16 he filled in at right-back and left-back as well as on the right of a front three. Barely 20, he was nonetheless wise beyond his years about this flexibility: “I’ll play in a wide variety of positions, I’m that sort of player. It helps me in some situations but in others it doesn’t. Sometimes I can be used as an impact player because I can play in numerous positions, whereas if I was playing in just one solid position I might get more chances in the side. I suppose it’s swings and roundabouts.”

In summer 2016, Huddersfield made more signings (including Elias Kachunga) who would help them sneak in the the Premier League. So Dempsey went on a season-long loan to third-tier Fleetwood – who had a Sarge-shaped hole in their squad – and played 38 times as he helped them into the play-offs.

Signing a three-year permanent contract with Fleetwood, he played 45 of their 46 third-tier games in 2017/18, but 2018/19 was a relative disappointment: Joey Barton picked him 14 times in the first half of the season then loaned him to Peterborough – but Steve Evans promptly left, and new boss Darren Ferguson only gave him 11 games as Posh finished 7th in L1.

Back at Fleetwood for 2019/20, he suffered a grade-two tear in his quad on the opening day of pre-season training, and after coming back from that he suffered a back stress fracture. Didn't get down, though – “I used to let my football do the talking but now I realise how much sports psychologists can help you. I’ll continue to use them for the rest of my career” – and still clocked up 28 games as they reached the play-offs.

Out of contract in summer 2020, he was offered an extension and linked with Hull and Sunderland but signed for Steve Evans' Gillingham, where he was promptly made captain. (Evans: "I met his parents and, believe me, the family are salt of the earth, really genuine people. He is simply a superb signing.") He'd scored five goals by late January, and was chased by "three or four Championship clubs" (Evans).

In August, Charlton tried to sign him, enraging Evans. “That [Charlton’s bid] was insulting, it was £100,000. Even with £200,000 they'd get laughed out... Come on Charlton, behave yourselves. Nonsense."

Gills have struggled more this season, and Dempsey missed the last six weeks of 2020 after a cartilage tear required surgery. Evans wasn't worried – "he has a heart of the size of Big Ben" - but with Dempsey suffering hamstring soreness in the warm-up of his supposed comeback, it turns out he's played his last game for the plus-size manager. With Evans gone, will Dempsey be up for the move?

One scout report has Dempsey as "keen to get on to the ball and is comfortable in carrying it and his team forward. A real eye for a pass, he is able to unlock a defence [with] pin-point precision, an attribute which is invaluable." Let's see how valuable Gills's unpopular chairman Paul Scally thinks he is.

[Worthy4England]

That sounds a bit more like it

[GhostoftheBok]

Dempsey would a number of key issues for Evatt if he also adds Morley. We signed Sheehan because it's vital we have that range of passing and control in midfield, but even with a Sheehan replacement in the side we need to be able to carry the ball through a dense midfield and we also need bite and work rate. That's all stuff Dempsey can give us that will sort systemic issues. Throw in on top of that that he also fills the "character" void we've spoken about and can probably score a few and he looks a top shout.

[GhostoftheBok]

Also, whilst the taxi is there to pick up Dempsey, can we also have Jack Tucker?

[The_Gun]

Was thinking about Kyle Dempsey yesterday (not in a weird way) and thought he might be somebody we'd be interested in as his contract is up this summer.

I was surprised when he signed for Gillingham as I thought he was a lot better than playing in a direct Steve Evans side.

Only 26 so still relatively young but seems to be a real leader evidenced by the fact he's currently Gills captain.

Can play as a 10 or an 8. Works really hard on and off the ball and would add some 'bite' to the midfield.

Apparently Gillingham have knocked back bids for him:

“Since the transfer window has been opened managers have been asking about Kyle Dempsey and clubs have been bidding our chairman for him...our chairman has asked me for valuations which I have given him. None of the (offers) have come near the valuations.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/spo ... io-260315/

Always liked Dempsey. Caught the eye at Fleetwood during that season.

However there is one substantial problem and on this basis I’d not sign him. The lad is an industrious attacking midfield player yet doesn’t score goals. One in ten at best and often not even that. Loads of ability. But enough evidence to suggest we’d be adding another player who cannot find the back of the net in a role we desperately need a player to score in.

So it’s a reluctant no from me. I’d say his goal scoring is why he has never made it. In difference circumstances we could go for him. But we cannot afford to fill the side with lads who simply can’t score and won’t score the goals.

I think you’re right about us needing more goals, but how much would we have to pay for a player with this lad’s attributes plus loads of goals? I’d suggest more than we have available to us at present.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

One other thing about the goalscorers, or lack thereof:

Evattball is supposed to be about the system, about getting numbers forward, about finding holes in defences. He has pledged with his "Wanderers 2.0" to get more men higher up the pitch.

And last season's run was built on a variety of goalscorers. From February onwards, 11 different Wanderers scored (plus a couple of oggies to make a dozen goal contributors). Doyler got 7, Miller and Sarce 3 each, but we also got 2 each from John and Jones - full-backs, mark you - plus Isgrove and Lee. We also had single but vital goals from Delf (equaliser at Bradford), Dapo (at Crawley), Jackson (winner at Morecambe) and King Arthur (winner at Mansfield).

When it works, it works. The point of the system is to overload and find a weak spot. We don't need eight outfielders reaching double figures, but they all need to help out along the way.

[BWFC_Insane]

Was thinking about Kyle Dempsey yesterday (not in a weird way) and thought he might be somebody we'd be interested in as his contract is up this summer.

I was surprised when he signed for Gillingham as I thought he was a lot better than playing in a direct Steve Evans side.

Only 26 so still relatively young but seems to be a real leader evidenced by the fact he's currently Gills captain.

Can play as a 10 or an 8. Works really hard on and off the ball and would add some 'bite' to the midfield.

Apparently Gillingham have knocked back bids for him:

“Since the transfer window has been opened managers have been asking about Kyle Dempsey and clubs have been bidding our chairman for him...our chairman has asked me for valuations which I have given him. None of the (offers) have come near the valuations.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/spo ... io-260315/

Always liked Dempsey. Caught the eye at Fleetwood during that season.

However there is one substantial problem and on this basis I’d not sign him. The lad is an industrious attacking midfield player yet doesn’t score goals. One in ten at best and often not even that. Loads of ability. But enough evidence to suggest we’d be adding another player who cannot find the back of the net in a role we desperately need a player to score in.

So it’s a reluctant no from me. I’d say his goal scoring is why he has never made it. In difference circumstances we could go for him. But we cannot afford to fill the side with lads who simply can’t score and won’t score the goals.

I think you’re right about us needing more goals, but how much would we have to pay for a player with this lad’s attributes plus loads of goals? I’d suggest more than we have available to us at present.

We are at a dangerous point where we build a good team between both boxes but not good enough in them. Those teams go down.

I’d rather have a lump who gets double figures than a great player who gets 3. Because goals win games and I think we have and will have enough ‘footballers’ really. But not enough blokes who put it in the net.

[BWFC_Insane]

One other thing about the goalscorers, or lack thereof:

Evattball is supposed to be about the system, about getting numbers forward, about finding holes in defences. He has pledged with his "Wanderers 2.0" to get more men higher up the pitch.

And last season's run was built on a variety of goalscorers. From February onwards, 11 different Wanderers scored (plus a couple of oggies to make a dozen goal contributors). Doyler got 7, Miller and Sarce 3 each, but we also got 2 each from John and Jones - full-backs, mark you - plus Isgrove and Lee. We also had single but vital goals from Delf (equaliser at Bradford), Dapo (at Crawley), Jackson (winner at Morecambe) and King Arthur (winner at Mansfield).

When it works, it works. The point of the system is to overload and find a weak spot. We don't need eight outfielders reaching double figures, but they all need to help out along the way.

I’m not looking for unrealistic 30 goal a season men. But if you even want to hit party’s 68 goals a season you need higher goals than we have within the squad at present. If you divide that across 9 outfield players that’s nearly 8 goals a piece. And given our centre halves barely score from set pieces you can probably say it’s z6 or 7 scoring close to double figures each and that wasn’t a high scoring side.

I don’t know about signing attacking mids who average less than 1 in 10. Because where do the goals come from? If you are saying your midfield three contribute 7 or 8 per season on average between them. And Dapo is say good for 15. You need to find 40 something from the rest. I don’t think that’s realistic and frankly Doyle’s issues this season, yet still second highest scorer (penalties are still goals if we can score 40 pens who cares?) highlights we are very light on goals as it is.

[sonicthewhite]

Have we actually been linked with Dempsey or is it rumour?

[GhostoftheBok]

That's a much more energetic, physically capable and exciting line up than we went into the window with, if those two come in.

Screenshot 2022-01-10 184049.png (180.8 KiB) Viewed 893 times

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

One other thing about the goalscorers, or lack thereof:

Evattball is supposed to be about the system, about getting numbers forward, about finding holes in defences. He has pledged with his "Wanderers 2.0" to get more men higher up the pitch.

And last season's run was built on a variety of goalscorers. From February onwards, 11 different Wanderers scored (plus a couple of oggies to make a dozen goal contributors). Doyler got 7, Miller and Sarce 3 each, but we also got 2 each from John and Jones - full-backs, mark you - plus Isgrove and Lee. We also had single but vital goals from Delf (equaliser at Bradford), Dapo (at Crawley), Jackson (winner at Morecambe) and King Arthur (winner at Mansfield).

When it works, it works. The point of the system is to overload and find a weak spot. We don't need eight outfielders reaching double figures, but they all need to help out along the way.

I’m not looking for unrealistic 30 goal a season men. But if you even want to hit party’s 68 goals a season you need higher goals than we have within the squad at present. If you divide that across 9 outfield players that’s nearly 8 goals a piece. And given our centre halves barely score from set pieces you can probably say it’s z6 or 7 scoring close to double figures each and that wasn’t a high scoring side.

I don’t know about signing attacking mids who average less than 1 in 10. Because where do the goals come from? If you are saying your midfield three contribute 7 or 8 per season on average between them. And Dapo is say good for 15. You need to find 40 something from the rest. I don’t think that’s realistic and frankly Doyle’s issues this season, yet still second highest scorer (penalties are still goals if we can score 40 pens who cares?) highlights we are very light on goals as it is.

I mean, it's almost like you didn't read my post at all.

We scored 59 last season and got promoted. Those 59 goals came from 15 players, of which one was a centre-back (Delaney, 1 goal). 59/15 = less than four each.

We're probably not getting promoted this season. Even so, halfway through it we've scored 30 goals, so let's say for argument's sake we need to score another 30 (thus outscoring not just last season's promotion-winners, but nine League One sides). Given we're aiming to improve the squad and thus likely to play around 15 outfield players regularly, that's an enormous two each.

It'll be reet, mate. Stop torturing yourself. xxx

[GhostoftheBok]

Generally speaking, you need around 70 goals to finish in the top 3 in this division, with the top sides getting 80+. So we need about a 20% increase in goals and to sort out the defending. Given our chance creation, the latter seems the more challenging issue.

[Prufrock]

One other thing about the goalscorers, or lack thereof:

Evattball is supposed to be about the system, about getting numbers forward, about finding holes in defences. He has pledged with his "Wanderers 2.0" to get more men higher up the pitch.

And last season's run was built on a variety of goalscorers. From February onwards, 11 different Wanderers scored (plus a couple of oggies to make a dozen goal contributors). Doyler got 7, Miller and Sarce 3 each, but we also got 2 each from John and Jones - full-backs, mark you - plus Isgrove and Lee. We also had single but vital goals from Delf (equaliser at Bradford), Dapo (at Crawley), Jackson (winner at Morecambe) and King Arthur (winner at Mansfield).

When it works, it works. The point of the system is to overload and find a weak spot. We don't need eight outfielders reaching double figures, but they all need to help out along the way.

I’m not looking for unrealistic 30 goal a season men. But if you even want to hit party’s 68 goals a season you need higher goals than we have within the squad at present. If you divide that across 9 outfield players that’s nearly 8 goals a piece. And given our centre halves barely score from set pieces you can probably say it’s z6 or 7 scoring close to double figures each and that wasn’t a high scoring side.

I don’t know about signing attacking mids who average less than 1 in 10. Because where do the goals come from? If you are saying your midfield three contribute 7 or 8 per season on average between them. And Dapo is say good for 15. You need to find 40 something from the rest. I don’t think that’s realistic and frankly Doyle’s issues this season, yet still second highest scorer (penalties are still goals if we can score 40 pens who cares?) highlights we are very light on goals as it is.

Those calculations always end up short though. All teams pick up more goals along the way that get lost. I mean if I told you our top scorers were Dapo with 7, and Doyle with 5 I think your estimate would be less than 30.

And it's not just the goals players bring themselves. We've played a quarter of the season with no right back and various issues in central midfield, and yet we're only 4 goals off your 68 a season target.

If I had to guess how many goals Charles over Doyle, two decent midfielders over the GT/Delf/GJ shitshow, and an actual RB are, it would be a *lot* more than 4.

Assuming Charles is about par, I'm not particularly worried about goals. Dapo, Charles and Kach all worth about 10-15. Add in backup forwards, midfielders and the others that accumulate and I think we'll be fine.

[BWFC_Insane]

One other thing about the goalscorers, or lack thereof:

Evattball is supposed to be about the system, about getting numbers forward, about finding holes in defences. He has pledged with his "Wanderers 2.0" to get more men higher up the pitch.

And last season's run was built on a variety of goalscorers. From February onwards, 11 different Wanderers scored (plus a couple of oggies to make a dozen goal contributors). Doyler got 7, Miller and Sarce 3 each, but we also got 2 each from John and Jones - full-backs, mark you - plus Isgrove and Lee. We also had single but vital goals from Delf (equaliser at Bradford), Dapo (at Crawley), Jackson (winner at Morecambe) and King Arthur (winner at Mansfield).

When it works, it works. The point of the system is to overload and find a weak spot. We don't need eight outfielders reaching double figures, but they all need to help out along the way.

I’m not looking for unrealistic 30 goal a season men. But if you even want to hit party’s 68 goals a season you need higher goals than we have within the squad at present. If you divide that across 9 outfield players that’s nearly 8 goals a piece. And given our centre halves barely score from set pieces you can probably say it’s z6 or 7 scoring close to double figures each and that wasn’t a high scoring side.

I don’t know about signing attacking mids who average less than 1 in 10. Because where do the goals come from? If you are saying your midfield three contribute 7 or 8 per season on average between them. And Dapo is say good for 15. You need to find 40 something from the rest. I don’t think that’s realistic and frankly Doyle’s issues this season, yet still second highest scorer (penalties are still goals if we can score 40 pens who cares?) highlights we are very light on goals as it is.

I mean, it's almost like you didn't read my post at all.

We scored 59 last season and got promoted. Those 59 goals came from 15 players. Of those, one came from centre-backs (Delaney). 59/15 = less than four each.

We're probably not getting promoted this season. Even so, halfway through it we've scored 30 goals, so let's say for argument's sake we need to score another 30 (thus outscoring not just last season's promotion-winners, but nine League One sides). Given we're aiming to improve the squad and thus likely to play around 15 outfield players regularly, that's an enormous two each.

It'll be reet, mate. Stop torturing yourself. xxx

We’ve scored 30 yet our second highest scorer has gone as has our attacking midfield player. You’ve also spent all season telling us we aren’t scoring enough goals.

Last year we did get 59.

If you take Doyle and Sarce out the rest managed 33 between them.

Of the players left in the squad they scored 16 between them last season. 6 from Delf who I doubt is featuring much nor scoring 6.

I’m not seeing 30 goals bar Dapo maintaining form and Charles hitting the ground running. So I’d say attacking additions will need to be able to score more than 1 in 10. Football is ultimately scoring more goals than the other lot.

[Worthy4England]

Generally speaking, you need around 70 goals to finish in the top 3 in this division, with the top sides getting 80+. So we need about a 20% increase in goals and to sort out the defending. Given our chance creation, the latter seems the more challenging issue.

Aye, this...our defence in second half of last season was pretty tight too.

I'm not putting money on big Ric to get 2 from here...

[GhostoftheBok]

Sarce and Doyle's combined non-penalty goals this season is 6 in 33 games, isn't it?

I agree that if the attacking lads we bring in can't improve on that we'll be in serious bother.