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

[GhostoftheBok]

We SHOULD have the money for it though, shouldn't we?

I agree that we need numbers in to help us, but no point in them not being as good as anybody else. We need Improvements. Players who will improve the XI, not just beef up the bench.

We probably do have some cash available if the right deal is there, but we're in a tricky spot as regards permanent deals - especially up top.

If we add another permanent signing in attack then that's your lot for next season, so you're not just saying "Will this guy have an impact in the next 6 months?", you're asking whether they'll do it a division up. You've just sacrificed your chance to make a signing in the summer, when freebies (or foreign types) can see they're signing for a Championship side.

Sam Smith's name just cropped up on Twitter. That's the sort of permanent signing a team like Charlton or Pompey might turn to for squad depth, so in that sense it'd probably look a good deal. Would we salivate over signing Sam Smith if we'd just been promoted? Probably not. He's a good player at this level, no doubt. If the coaches feel he can hit another level (he has a diverse set of skills) it might be worth taking the hit on possible summer deals to boost our chances of actually going up.

Quality loans are great, if you can get them. But as Insane says there are lots of issues with getting those at this point. Any permanent deal we do has to be good enough to impact our Championship survival chances (positively). Same view has to taken as regards overspending to make those loans happen. We then don't have that money in the summer, which could be fatal if we don't go up.

It's easy to sit on the side lines and say "We have to risk it", but it's their job not to. As Evatt said the other day, the squad is built to a plan and design. They're not going to deviate to the extent that it could ruin the next window.

There're a limited number of slots in this group to improve for next season. We'll be incredibly careful with them.

[The_Gun]

Unless we're looking at players on expiring contracts, it's hard to see us stumping up the cash for players who could immediately improve us.

The loan market I assume is the pool in which we're fishing, and I would imagine that there are plenty of clubs, given our recent successes with loanees, who would be happy to send their youngsters to us. I think the proposition of getting regular minutes off the bench, as a starting point, should be attractive for plenty.

Clubs higher up the pyramid than Blackburn are also less likely to demand the same wage coverage.

[officer_dibble]

Jerome and Bodvarson out of contract in the summer so that should help? Signing someone different (quicker) than them?

[GhostoftheBok]

Unless we're looking at players on expiring contracts, it's hard to see us stumping up the cash for players who could immediately improve us.

The loan market I assume is the pool in which we're fishing, and I would imagine that there are plenty of clubs, given our recent successes with loanees, who would be happy to send their youngsters to us. I think the proposition of getting regular minutes off the bench, as a starting point, should be attractive for plenty.

Clubs higher up the pyramid than Blackburn are also less likely to demand the same wage coverage.

Different kind of risk.

Shoretire is undoubtedly talented, but he didn't have the impact Evatt expected. Most lads who have had a loan to acclimatise to men's footy in a previous season are already on loan. So that leaves you with trying to take over a loan, like with out link to the Luton kid, or picking up a lad fresh off the production line.

It's getting late in the window to transfer a loan over even if there's the chance of a summer payday (Dan) or the current loan is failing (Traf). Traf was done by the 13th and Dan by the 8th. We understood what we needed and got it done. This is clearly proving far more challenging.

There will be options, because there always are. We'll see how we do.

[GhostoftheBok]

Jerome and Bodvarson out of contract in the summer so that should help? Signing someone different (quicker) than them?

Aye, but that's really one slot - with Jerome intended as mostly an Owen Coyle "Good lad to have around the place" sort with one eye on coaching.

We have three strikers contracted past the summer for 4 spots. If we get a lad in now we're unlikely to spend big in that area again in the summer, so they need to be seriously good.

Plenty of people (on here and elsewhere) doubt whether Dion, Vic or Dan can step up a level. So how good a player would we have to add in the next week and a bit? Would be a massive ask to get someone clearly better than Dion, for example.

[officer_dibble]

Totally agree - that’s not happening. Just thought we might have some flex for a 4/5 choice striker. Dan stepping up would be a gamble anyway but I get it’s one we’ve taken.

For me we are a striker light. We have no/one off the bench who is coming on and scoring goals. Even Mendes Gomes hasn’t given us that.

[GhostoftheBok]

Totally agree - that’s not happening. Just thought we might have some flex for a 4/5 choice striker. Dan stepping up would be a gamble anyway but I get it’s one we’ve taken.

For me we are a striker light. We have no/one off the bench who is coming on and scoring goals. Even Mendes Gomes hasn’t given us that.

We're 100% a striker light.

Not only that, we're currently well short of attacking impact players generally.

CMG will hopefully change that, but as yet we can't assume that. We have nothing off the bench to impact the wings. The strikers offer precious little off the bench.

It's not a bad group of players by any means, but we need to add more than one payer who can come off the bench and potentially win us a game.

If we can add a wingback and a striker who both offer pace and menace then with CMG back that should hopefully be enough to change games that are getting away from us. Without those options Evatt will struggle to change games from the bench.

If we could do all that and get Bod scoring that's promotion.

[Worthy4England]

Agree - as it stands, whilst we can talk about the respective merits of what Dan, Cam and Bod bring to us, goals isn't really anywhere near that list in respect of the league, as it stands at the moment. Do they still have 1 between them, in the league?

[GhostoftheBok]

Agree - as it stands, whilst we can talk about the respective merits of what Dan, Cam and Bod bring to us, goals isn't really anywhere near that list in respect of the league, as it stands at the moment. Do they still have 1 between them, in the league?

Big Dan has one between him, yes

[BWFC_Insane]

Unless we're looking at players on expiring contracts, it's hard to see us stumping up the cash for players who could immediately improve us.

The loan market I assume is the pool in which we're fishing, and I would imagine that there are plenty of clubs, given our recent successes with loanees, who would be happy to send their youngsters to us. I think the proposition of getting regular minutes off the bench, as a starting point, should be attractive for plenty.

Clubs higher up the pyramid than Blackburn are also less likely to demand the same wage coverage.

I can see that argument for kids who have never played any football. But those aren't the sorts of loans we need. We need players ready to step in and deliver. And the issue is that clubs won't be keen to send them here without some sort of sense they will be playing. They might like our development but half a season of 'bench appearances' will I suspect in many cases be a blocker.

I'm sure we can sign someone like Mbete but the issue there is he's just a body and one that is as likely to lose you points as to gain them. Its a different place where we are now and I think maybe we're facing up to the reality of transfer windows. There are always exceptions to any rule but generally clubs flying high in the premiership don't do much in January as the value isn't there - at least that is how I perceive it. Its clubs in trouble doing it.

We left ourselves a couple short in the summer and that has been exacerbated by call ups and injuries. However, I guess we might have believed the plan was to have one or two lined up for January - given that doesn't appear the case - we just have left ourselves short.

[The_Gun]

Unless we're looking at players on expiring contracts, it's hard to see us stumping up the cash for players who could immediately improve us.

The loan market I assume is the pool in which we're fishing, and I would imagine that there are plenty of clubs, given our recent successes with loanees, who would be happy to send their youngsters to us. I think the proposition of getting regular minutes off the bench, as a starting point, should be attractive for plenty.

Clubs higher up the pyramid than Blackburn are also less likely to demand the same wage coverage.

I can see that argument for kids who have never played any football. But those aren't the sorts of loans we need. We need players ready to step in and deliver. And the issue is that clubs won't be keen to send them here without some sort of sense they will be playing. They might like our development but half a season of 'bench appearances' will I suspect in many cases be a blocker.

I'm sure we can sign someone like Mbete but the issue there is he's just a body and one that is as likely to lose you points as to gain them. Its a different place where we are now and I think maybe we're facing up to the reality of transfer windows. There are always exceptions to any rule but generally clubs flying high in the premiership don't do much in January as the value isn't there - at least that is how I perceive it. Its clubs in trouble doing it.

We left ourselves a couple short in the summer and that has been exacerbated by call ups and injuries. However, I guess we might have believed the plan was to have one or two lined up for January - given that doesn't appear the case - we just have left ourselves short.

Wasn't last year's player of the season that sort of loan?

[BWFC_Insane]

Unless we're looking at players on expiring contracts, it's hard to see us stumping up the cash for players who could immediately improve us.

The loan market I assume is the pool in which we're fishing, and I would imagine that there are plenty of clubs, given our recent successes with loanees, who would be happy to send their youngsters to us. I think the proposition of getting regular minutes off the bench, as a starting point, should be attractive for plenty.

Clubs higher up the pyramid than Blackburn are also less likely to demand the same wage coverage.

I can see that argument for kids who have never played any football. But those aren't the sorts of loans we need. We need players ready to step in and deliver. And the issue is that clubs won't be keen to send them here without some sort of sense they will be playing. They might like our development but half a season of 'bench appearances' will I suspect in many cases be a blocker.

I'm sure we can sign someone like Mbete but the issue there is he's just a body and one that is as likely to lose you points as to gain them. Its a different place where we are now and I think maybe we're facing up to the reality of transfer windows. There are always exceptions to any rule but generally clubs flying high in the premiership don't do much in January as the value isn't there - at least that is how I perceive it. Its clubs in trouble doing it.

We left ourselves a couple short in the summer and that has been exacerbated by call ups and injuries. However, I guess we might have believed the plan was to have one or two lined up for January - given that doesn't appear the case - we just have left ourselves short.

Wasn't last year's player of the season that sort of loan?

I think its development stage though.

Bradley and Trafford probably a stage on from players who maybe just come out of the U23's for their first league games.

Traf already had that at Accrington - so maybe first loan learning the ropes of the mens game was out his system.

Bradley had made an appearance for Liverpool and was a full international....

There are a similar list of players from top flight who I'm sure we'd jump at signing but again the issue is - can we offer them the time their clubs would want and whether they are actually available.

Picking a lad from an U23's who further behind in development is probably not going to be a huge help for us if we want to add the quality to help get us across and over the line.

[GhostoftheBok]

Pompey have taken Myles Peart-Harris on loan from Brentford.

One of the few bright spots in FGR's campaign last term. Huge, athletic and a genuine goal threat from midfield.

Presumably he's their replacement from the crocked Socceroo.

Looks an excellent piece of business.

[Worthy4England]

I think there was a significant difference between Traff/Bradley and Shortire/Beck/Mbete...

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I think there was a significant difference between Traff/Bradley and Shortire/Beck/Mbete...

There was for us - and yet Klopp played both Bradley and Beck this weekend. It’s an inexact science.

[GhostoftheBok]

I think there was a significant difference between Traff/Bradley and Shortire/Beck/Mbete...

Mbete was the exception that proves the rule.

Bradders had some proper experienced at international level. Traf got his rickets dropped at Accy. Beck came to us to learn how not to do it and then went off like a firework in Scotland. All three are now getting Premier League minutes. They got a bit of experience and then they were ready to kick on in men's footy.

Mbete is clearly a talented lad, but he's just struggling badly. I saw something recently with Kaczmarek saying something like "He needs be believe he's the player he is." Which presumably means he's also struggling for confidence over in Holland.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Shoretire once he's fully fit again.

[GhostoftheBok]

The Reading fire sale may have started.

Femi Azeez, anyone?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

The Reading fire sale may have started.

Femi Azeez, anyone?

Anyone. (Sort of)

Azeez does sound like he could offer potential solutions to WB, sub forward and could be a doable deal - if I remember correctly is he out of contract soon? I did a Reading dive last week…
viewtopic.php?p=1169409#p1169409

Last on the list but very far from least is Femi Azeez. Ghost has mentioned him favourably and (IIRC) as a possible wingback. Appearing in every League One game (22 out of the 25 as a starter), he's left-footed but has played on the right(ish) for Selles - either as one of the "10s" in the 4-2-2-2 or on the outside of the more recent 4-1-4-1. Has also been pushed up front in a 2, although they now have less call for that. Like many of his teammates he's had better returns in the new formation, scoring 4 (some of them proper belters) and assisting 4 in 9 games since late November. Presses well, too. You can imagine him as an "attacking wingback" to rival Randell, and possibly JDC on the other side. Seems his contract's up in summer so we could expedite a bid. The Londoner joined from local non-leaguers and has never played for a team far from the M25/M4 junction - but his Nigerian father and Spanish mother might tell him a bit about following the career wherever it's needed.

[GhostoftheBok]

Anyone. (Sort of)

Azeez does sound like he could offer potential solutions to WB, sub forward and could be a doable deal - if I remember correctly is he out of contract soon? I did a Reading dive last week…
viewtopic.php?p=1169409#p1169409

Contract expires in the summer. Relegation removed Reading's option to extend.

He'd be a massive statement signing.

Not sure what there is in this link to Sam Smith, but both together would do nicely. Azeez and Ennis would probably do more nicely.

It's been a total non-event of a window thus far, right down to the rumour mill. Heard nary a peep about a centre back. I was hoping we might have a crack at Diabate, but given our depth there beyond the summer a loan is probably the sane pick.

[Worthy4England]

I think there was a significant difference between Traff/Bradley and Shortire/Beck/Mbete...

Mbete was the exception that proves the rule.

Bradders had some proper experienced at international level. Traf got his rickets dropped at Accy. Beck came to us to learn how not to do it and then went off like a firework in Scotland. All three are now getting Premier League minutes. They got a bit of experience and then they were ready to kick on in men's footy.

Mbete is clearly a talented lad, but he's just struggling badly. I saw something recently with Kaczmarek saying something like "He needs be believe he's the player he is." Which presumably means he's also struggling for confidence over in Holland.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Shoretire once he's fully fit again.

Aye - I doubt most folks were sat there thinking they were all a "talentless bunch" - just maybe that they were at different levels at the point in time they came to us. So to Insano's point, I doubt many would grumble at a young loanee if they were at the Traff/Bradley level, probably a few more tuts if they were at the Shortire/Mbete/Beck level, in terms of their performance levels at the time, for us.