January 2023 Transfer Window

[officer_dibble]

Not transfer related but since this is a busy thread and this is worthy of listening to - (and covers a lot about his transfers) - this interview with Super John is brilliant - if you like these in depth sort of things. Hour and a half and there is a part 2 coming. But a fascinating insight into football back then and into SJ himself. Lots I didn't really know. Never knew he played in NZ for a year!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpFp9StUuEU

Great find thank you.

[GhostoftheBok]

Not BWFC, but generally on transfers and football these days - Anthony Gordon writing an open letter to fans that says "Stick by the team, they need you!", having just forced a move by refusing to play or train, is peak modern football. A social media team writing a message to do the "Nice lad in a tough spot" bit as imagine management, but actually it's about the £3m quid difference in money he'd make between going now or in the summer.

Glorious stuff.

Oh for more Assou-Ekotto's with their absolute honesty. "I'm here because they pay me millions to be here and for that money they get 100% of everything I can give. I don't even really like football anymore, but I can't make this much doing anything else."

[BWFC_Insane]

Not BWFC, but generally on transfers and football these days - Anthony Gordon writing an open letter to fans that says "Stick by the team, they need you!" having just forced a move by refusing to play or train is peak modern football. A social media team writing a message to do the "Nice lad in a tough spot" bit as imagine management, but actually it's about the £3m quid difference in money he'd make between going now or in the summer.

Glorious stuff.

Oh for more Assou-Ekotto's with their absolute honesty. "I'm here because they pay me millions to be here and for that money they get 100% of everything I can give. I don't even really like football anymore, but I can't make this much doing anything else."

Yeah but I'm not convinced it was all that different back in the day. Its just the amounts are way way more.

Who could blame Gordon for wanting out? And his personal view that the team needs backing and his love for Everton can be real at the same time his professional career needs to be looked after differently.

Listening to the McGinlay interview (so yes its relevant) he only went to Bury over Millwall initially cos Bury paid him a sackload (relatively) of cash. And he knew he'd made a mistake but had signed for the money. I think we probably delude ourselves into thinking that ultimately there is anyone in life who isn't making a decision that's best for them and their family. Sometimes thats more than money but still.

[GhostoftheBok]

Yeah but I'm not convinced it was all that different back in the day. Its just the amounts are way way more.

Who could blame Gordon for wanting out? And his personal view that the team needs backing and his love for Everton can be real at the same time his professional career needs to be looked after differently.

Listening to the McGinlay interview (so yes its relevant) he only went to Bury over Millwall initially cos Bury paid him a sackload (relatively) of cash. And he knew he'd made a mistake but had signed for the money. I think we probably delude ourselves into thinking that ultimately there is anyone in life who isn't making a decision that's best for them and their family. Sometimes thats more than money but still.

Sure. On the Gordon thing, that is a media team written statement if I ever saw one. They've leaned a bit too heavily into the grammatical errors and hit every "Oh, my boyhood club" cliche in the book. That's the "modern football" bit I was referring to. Everyone has to be "the good kid in a hard spot" and it gets tiresome.

Being a footballer is a job and most will follow the money. Not all, definitely not all; but most.

There's also nothing wrong with that. The worst money-grabbing in football clubs is behind the scenes anyway, not on the pitch. I've seen people make decisions that actively kill clubs just to protect their middle-paying job security. It's human nature.

I would love to see more like Benoit in the game, who just say, "Look, I will give everything to the game, because it makes me rich. I have a work ethic and enough integrity not to steal a living, but once my career is done I'm going to paint." That sort of thing.

I care a lot more that the people in the offices believe in protecting clubs as community assets than about whether players will "die for the badge."

[GhostoftheBok]

Iles seems to be saying we're now trying to loan a defender.

Oh, January. Never change.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

[GhostoftheBok]

Joao Cancelo has apparently had a huge bust-up with Pep and is on his way to Bayern Munich.

I suppose that explains why Dec didn't leave this window. Sure he would have liked Germany.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Joao Cancelo has apparently had a huge bust-up with Pep and is on his way to Bayern Munich.

I suppose that explains why Dec didn't leave this window. Sure he would have liked Germany.

JOHN GUARD: PEP TO SWOOP FOR WANDERERS' WELSH WONDER

[GhostoftheBok]

JOHN GUARD: PEP TO SWOOP FOR WANDERERS' WELSH WONDER

That's good. You should really get paid for that sort of thing

[BWFC_Insane]

Joao Cancelo has apparently had a huge bust-up with Pep and is on his way to Bayern Munich.

I suppose that explains why Dec didn't leave this window. Sure he would have liked Germany.

Selling your full back when you have a full back shortage - how very 'modern football rubbish' indeed!

[GhostoftheBok]

Well, if you will have a beautiful daughter whose bloke is away in Turkey then that's your own fault as a manager.

Or, you know, pick a kid over a world class fullback. Choose your own version of the story.

[BWFC_Insane]

Well, if you will have a beautiful daughter whose bloke is away in Turkey then that's your own fault as a manager.

Or, you know, pick a kid over a world class fullback. Choose your own version of the story.

Is that an actual thing? Not seen our heard a word of that.

But stuff happens. People fall out. I just think though that sometimes you have to put the club ahead of that.

Lewis looks an absolute star for the future but Ake playing full back is borderline criminal for a top club, especially one who play like Pep wants where full backs are crucial for that width.

[GhostoftheBok]

Is that an actual thing? Not seen our heard a word of that.

There's always gossip like that flying around, but it's the one that people are reaching for.

I think they've just had a football blow-up, but Pep referring to him as "Mr Cancelo" might point to something more personal. Won't even name him.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

So considering Evatt reintegrated Dec, are we saying Evatt >> Guardiola?

[BWFC_Insane]

So considering Evatt reintegrated Dec, are we saying Evatt >> Guardiola?

It marks an important touchpoint in Evatt's managerial development IMHO.

Allardyce went through the same thing - initially discarding players and only learning later it didn't help and bringing people back in successfully is part of it.

City can afford it but still - unless something really poor has happened I don't like it. Most workplaces you have to work hard with relationships even when strained!

[GhostoftheBok]

Dec being portrayed as Roberto Carlos by sections of the fan base will make it very popular too.

[GhostoftheBok]

Bolton News links us to Irish defender: https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... er-rumour/

[BWFC_Insane]

Bolton News links us to Irish defender: https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... er-rumour/

Smells like one for the B team, at least initially.

[GhostoftheBok]

Smells like one for the B team, at least initially.

You may know more than I do there. Started the season with their U19s and would be making a big step up.

He's one we've been working on for a while. We're also looking at another Irish player on the younger side, but pretty sure he would be for the senior side and the deal might be a bit more expensive.

[GhostoftheBok]

On a side note, I think this is one where the papers on both sides have done everyone a favour on and kept quiet.

So if it's out now we might expect it to be basically done.