Who opened the door? My money is on Janus! 2024 January transfer thread.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Ilesy is running the Joe Taylor story fairly straight - neither denying nor confirming. "Have been linked with," "Though Wanderers have hinted at it being a relatively quiet January transfer window they have ample space in the squad to bring in new players, if needed, and also have room on their loan quota."

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... oe-taylor/

His tweet says "Lots to like about Taylor - and ticks a couple of boxes for Wanderers. One to watch, methinks."

From a Bolton point of view it makes sense. Nlundulu out for effectively rest of the season. Loan a young striker in who maybe is different to what we have and also potentially less likely to put noses out of joint. Young player who could develop here if that was the chosen course but could contribute this season and offer something different to what we’ve got.

Whether Luton would see it like that or not I don’t know but he’d develop here even if maybe not getting the same game time he would at other places.

What I’d say is that I don’t think Bod and Vic are a natural pairing and Jerome also feels like he needs to play with a runner….so it’s always felt slightly imbalanced to me that Charles is the only one different.

If they want proof of player development, Luton could look at Trafford and Bradley. True, not everybody we've borrowed has similarly leapt and bounded, but such is development.

We also have a very strong dataset to show that we use four strikers in almost every game, and Taylor would very likely be one of those four for two reasons. Firstly, Jerome in his anecdotage. Secondly, as you say, Taylor (from the admittedly small sample I've seen) seems to have something of the Dion about him in his pace, closing down and shooting. I can see the youngster replacing Dion for the last 20/30 minutes every game, with possible longer runs in cup games if he shows up well.

Meanwhile, which of the other potential destinations play two up front? If it's just one, is he really likely to start? Is his skillset wide enough? Or will he be shoved on the flank, like say Adam Armstrong was for us?

And which manager does Edwards trust most to develop Taylor into the sort of player Luton could use?

[GhostoftheBok]

Ian will have known where we stand with "Luton" for a while.

If we are in for the kid we will be 100% the club will back it. Player is the variable. He will have a big say in where he goes.

[Prufrock]

Presumably he'll know Jerome and CMG which might help.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

He joined Luton four days after Jerome came to us.

Amused to read that Cameron left Luton after finding the commute from the north-west difficult (Arthur!). Intriguing that it wasn't a problem while playing for previous clubs Norwich (2014-2018), Derby (2018), Goztepe (2018) and MK Dons (2020-21)

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Norwich seek loan home for 21-yr-old centre-back Jaden Warner. Notts County very interested but the Canaries want him to play at the highest level possible. Former academy-mate of Nelson Khumbeni. Although centre-back isn't a priority for us...

https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/24023159. ... loan-exit/

[GhostoftheBok]

He joined Luton four days after Jerome came to us.

Amused to read that Cameron left Luton after finding the commute from the north-west difficult (Arthur!). Intriguing that it wasn't a problem while playing for previous clubs Norwich (2014-2018), Derby (2018), Goztepe (2018) and MK Dons (2020-21)

I think we can all empathise with changing priorities as you get older.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

He joined Luton four days after Jerome came to us.

Amused to read that Cameron left Luton after finding the commute from the north-west difficult (Arthur!). Intriguing that it wasn't a problem while playing for previous clubs Norwich (2014-2018), Derby (2018), Goztepe (2018) and MK Dons (2020-21)

I think we can all empathise with changing priorities as you get older.

Oh sure. And he may have fallen for a Wiganer or bought a taxing Grand Designs project in Bootle. It just amused me to read that and then look up his CV, thinking "I didn't realise he ws so NW-based... oh."

[GhostoftheBok]

I'm surprised some wag hasn't noted that Luton have sent us an OAP and a crock winger and asked why we've gone back for an "unproven kid."

"Do they see us coming or something?"
"Bloody hell, Evatt. Is your mate giving you kickbacks?"

You know, the usual.

[boltonboris]

In related Posh news, they seem to have a lot of suitors for Ronnie Edwards and are apparently asking for £10m. Not sure whether that's realistic, but if they were able to reinvest that kind of money during this window I'd be pretty worried.

They turned down 2 bids apparently from Palace - The latest being worth about £6m

[boltonboris]

After knocking back a £4.5m bid from West Ham last month

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Sounds like he'll leave a hole in their team

[The_Gun]

Sounds like he'll leave a hole in their team

Yes, and especially if they don’t have replacements lined up. However, that’s a tremendous amount of wonga at our level and would really set them up to kick on again.

Would be interesting to know the secrets behind Peterborough’s success at developing young talent.

[GhostoftheBok]

They turned down 2 bids apparently from Palace - The latest being worth about £6m

Ballsy, given he enters the final year of his contract in the summer.

That's Posh, though. For all the personal failings of some people involved they are a very, very well-run club. They almost always get these decisions right

I will laugh if he's being forced out on the cheap in a year's time, though - ala JCH.

[GhostoftheBok]

Theoretically, if we ended up with the kid from Luton and someone who could play wingback who would view that as job done for this window?

[BWFC_Insane]

Theoretically, if we ended up with the kid from Luton and someone who could play wingback who would view that as job done for this window?

I think it’s as much as we would do so probably yes.

[GhostoftheBok]

I think it’s as much as we would do so probably yes.

Were the wingback that kid from Spurs (just for argument's sake) would that satisfy you, or do you feel we need a more experienced league player?

[GhostoftheBok]

Carty departies to Doncaster.

Conor is carted off to Donny.

Goner Carty heads to Rovers.

Pick your own...he's off on loan.

[BWFC_Insane]

I think it’s as much as we would do so probably yes.

Were the wingback that kid from Spurs (just for argument's sake) would that satisfy you, or do you feel we need a more experienced league player?

I mean if money was not a factor we should go and find the best wing back (ideally a two footed one) we possibly could.

But I rather suspect that in January it’s borrowing other people’s players and that will probably be kids.

Taylor sounds about right for up front. Wing back I’d prefer someone ready to step in and play and who wouldn’t need too much adjustment. If it’s a kid who is good enough, and physically ready then that’s fine by me. If it’s one who isn’t then not much point in our position.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Wingback name - not a rumour, just one to watch: Joe Tomlinson, a wingback playing very well indeed for MK Dons. Two-footed enough to have regularly played on both sides for Mike WIlliamson's side this season. 23. Signed in summer from Posh, who didn't really use him, but showing his worth now. Contracted until 2025.

[Worthy4England]

We still feel light on goals from forwards, to me, in the event Dion got pranged. Obviously, 113 goals in a a year looks great, but Dion probably has nearly 50% of them. As has been previously discussed, losing your main scorer is going to leave a hole in a L1 team - get that. But after Dion, I start to worry about the quality we can bring to bear. Vic is doing OK as a "second" scorer, but then we'd be into Bod/Cameron, who have forgot where the L1 net resides - think they're both on nil in the League.

CMG might be a possibility, but he's not shown much yet...