January Transfer Window Rumours

[NewClaret]

We still getting the Chinese sensation Fu kin Nowan?

Thinker we were linked with him under Dyche/Garlick

[Rileybobs]

Thinker we were linked with him under Dyche/Garlick

I think it’s fair to say that our more focussed approach to transfers under Dyche/Garlick had a higher success rate.

[karatekid]

When does the window slam shut?

[NewClaret]

I think it’s fair to say that our more focussed approach to transfers under Dyche/Garlick had a higher success rate.

More focussed Non existent for good periods, more like.

Depends on your view, really. Certainly in terms of premier league tenure, although let’s not forget Dyche was relegated in his first season too, so hard to compare. Financially I think we need to wait and see what we sell Esteve & Traff for before taking a view.

[NewClaret]

When does the window slam shut?

Monday 11pm I think

[Rileybobs]

More focussed Non existent for good periods, more like.

Depends on your view, really. Certainly in terms of premier league tenure, although let’s not forget Dyche was relegated in his first season too, so hard to compare. Financially I think we need to wait and see what we sell Esteve & Traff for before taking a view.

Almost non-existent towards the very end of Garlick’s tenure. But for the vast majority of that period we signed very smartly and made sure we retained our best players. We didn’t need to sign dozens of players every window as we had a core group of robust players who were rarely injured.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this window has been quieter with Parker at the helm. There’s obviously a realisation that the balance and harmony of a squad is significantly important.

Edit - I also don’t think we need to wait until we sell Esteve and Trafford to fund the now perilous running costs of the club because I judge the success of a football club on what it achieves on the pitch.

[123EasyasBFC]

Almost non-existent towards the very end of Garlick’s tenure. But for the vast majority of that period we signed very smartly and made sure we retained our best players. We didn’t need to sign dozens of players every window as we had a core group of robust players who were rarely injured.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this window has been quieter with Parker at the helm. There’s obviously a realisation that the balance and harmony of a squad is significantly important.

Edit - I also don’t think we need to wait until we sell Esteve and Trafford to fund the now perilous running costs of the club because I judge the success of a football club on what it achieves on the pitch.

I’ve enjoyed the quietness of this window, every window since Alan Pace flight to Croatia to try and convince orsic has been complete chaos

[NewClaret]

I’ve enjoyed the quietness of this window, every window since Alan Pace flight to Croatia to try and convince orsic has been complete chaos

I’d completely forgotten about that.

He has gone to some real lengths to sign players to be fair.

[NewClaret]

Almost non-existent towards the very end of Garlick’s tenure. But for the vast majority of that period we signed very smartly and made sure we retained our best players. We didn’t need to sign dozens of players every window as we had a core group of robust players who were rarely injured.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this window has been quieter with Parker at the helm. There’s obviously a realisation that the balance and harmony of a squad is significantly important.

Edit - I also don’t think we need to wait until we sell Esteve and Trafford to fund the now perilous running costs of the club because I judge the success of a football club on what it achieves on the pitch.

Agree on many points, but the core, robust squad ultimately wasn’t refreshed and improved when there were key opportunities to do it, sort of leading to this situation really.

I agree about Parker and think his, or the owners if you believe they now run recruitment, change in approach is wise. Although I’d caution we have a few days to go so a bit early to judge that

On your final point, I’m not sure what you mean about our perilous running costs. Our salary outgoings are certainly significantly lower than they were under Dyche/Garlick in their final years. Jay reported to be on £2m a year then, reported as £800k now and to take him to Wrexham, plus nearly all of our big earners off the books now.

[Wokingclaret]

I totally agree. Jay is, in my opinion, a far better footballer than Ash.

He's not, similar in quality but he's not

[Rileybobs]

Agree on many points, but the core, robust squad ultimately wasn’t refreshed and improved when there were key opportunities to do it, sort of leading to this situation really.

I agree about Parker and think his, or the owners if you believe they now run recruitment, change in approach is wise. Although I’d caution we have a few days to go so a bit early to judge that

On your final point, I’m not sure what you mean about our perilous running costs. Our salary outgoings are certainly significantly lower than they were under Dyche/Garlick in their final years. Jay reported to be on £2m a year then, reported as £800k now and to take him to Wrexham, plus nearly all of our big earners off the books now.

Yeah we definitely missed an opportunity to take a bit of a gamble, particularly when we qualified for the Europa League. But I think ultimately we knew our place wasn’t to compete with the top half of the PL. We could have cashed out on the likes of Tarkowski but that just as likely could have resulted in a weakened team and a speedier relegation. Overall we did superbly to have such a long stint in the top flight - and that is why I find criticism of our overarching transfer activity during that period to be misplaced.

I don’t think Parker ‘runs’ recruitment. I’m sure the same team is involved. But he’s obviously got a voice at the table, as Kompany did, and it’s clear that he places emphasis on different attributes and values which are more akin to those of Dyche’s.

By perilous running costs I’m referring to the ongoing costs required to service the level of debt the club is burdened with. Under Garlick we had cash in the bank and were profitable. The club now has to rely on a speedy return to the PL or hope to cash in on its biggest assets. Letting Jay leave is a smart move as we have far far too many players who aren’t making a contribution whilst costing the club a fortune - and that’s not a slight on Jay who has had a great career with BFC.

[CoolClaret]

I’ve enjoyed the quietness of this window, every window since Alan Pace flight to Croatia to try and convince orsic has been complete chaos

Same tbh. It has been madness at times but I do think Alan & the board have learnt a lot from last season... just a shame we didn't have any more senior football men at the club to rein it in a bit... but hey ho.

[BigBadBarnes]

It's also been a quiet window because the team generally doesn't need that much at this moment. We've got cover at right back, and cover in CM and short term 3rd choice cover at striker. If we are able to add genuine quality wide man and perhaps a striker too then we've certainly had a good window.

[mkmel]

A quite reliable source i've seen today has said we have a few potentials, with a couple awaiting terms
He's never been wrong with stuff yet - quite in with the club

I really hope one of them is Nathan Tella

[Passing Clouds]

He's not, similar in quality but he's not

Sorry, but Jay is an infinitely better player technically than Barnes. Surely anyone can see this.

Barnes is/was undoubtedly effective, but technically not comparable.

[Clive 1960]

I really do hope we will get a striker at least and maybe a winger or it could come back to bite us at the end of the season as we are in a good position to challenge for automatic promotion...

[CryerBFC]

Make an open offer to Luton for Morris/Adebayo.
They clearly want Kone so should be willing to let one go.
We’ve freed up a squad place in Jay and are still 1 striker worse off than the start of Jan.
I can’t see them being on mega money at Luton.
Both managed double figures in PL so it’s not untested if we get promoted.

If we could negotiate either of them for 5-7M we’d be sorted up front.

[Bangers&Mash]

It's not rocket science!

Jay wanted to leave for more football, Ash wanted to return up north to be with family. Like for like swap in being an old wise head and pretty useful back up, and despite not being born here there's no doubting that Ash gets the club and town.

Both different players with different qualities, but their place in the squad isn't really about that.

Highly likely that Ash has one eye on coaching now, where it looks like Jay wants to be on the pitch more

I don't think either of them are worse than Chris Wood so that just shows the value of having a couple of high quality players along side you and a decent injury free run

[Quicknick]

It's not rocket science!

Jay wanted to leave for more football, Ash wanted to return up north to be with family. Like for like swap in being an old wise head and pretty useful back up, and despite not being born here there's no doubting that Ash gets the club and town.

Both different players with different qualities, but their place in the squad isn't really about that.

Highly likely that Ash has one eye on coaching now, where it looks like Jay wants to be on the pitch more

I don't think either of them are worse than Chris Wood so that just shows the value of having a couple of high quality players along side you and a decent injury free run

When he was at Burnley, Wood said that Barnes was the best striker he had ever played with.

[BigGaz]

I don't know how anyone can sit through 9 0-0s, other games where we've had one shot on goal in 90 minutes, or fashioned 1 or 2 clear chances, where our main striker and of the 7 players still at the club that have played in behind him don't have as many goals combined as the championships top scorer, the manager finally admitting in his last post match interview that the lack of goals are a problem and still concluding that what we have is fine and nothing needs to change.

[ClaretOfMancunia]

I don't know how anyone can sit through 9 0-0s, other games where we've had one shot on goal in 90 minutes, or fashioned 1 or 2 clear chances, where our main striker and of the 7 players still at the club that have played in behind him don't have as many goals combined as the championships top scorer, the manager finally admitting in his last post match interview that the lack of goals are a problem and still concluding that what we have is fine and nothing needs to change.

Because the uber-defensive tactics could be the reason those we have are not scoring many...

[BigGaz]

Definitely that too. But if we assume he's going to carry on with that approach and there's nothing to suggest otherwise, he we need attacking players that are exponentially more clinical and decisive.

[Burnley1989]

He's not, similar in quality but he's not

Jay is a much better footballer, im sure even Barnes wouldnt disagree

[It Is What It Is]

We don't need to sign anybody else, we are solid at the back, a good controlling midfield.. just need SP to be more aggressive going forwards and the likes of Foster, Barnes and Flemming to do their jobs.

[PremierLeagueClass]

Sorry, but Jay is an infinitely better player technically than Barnes. Surely anyone can see this.

Barnes is/was undoubtedly effective, but technically not comparable.

It’s a good debate. Very little between them for me, if I had to pick one I’d probably go Barnes. Don’t be blinded by the Barnes stereotype, he was a very clever footballer in his prime.

[Quicknick]

We don't need to sign anybody else, we are solid at the back, a good controlling midfield.. just need SP to be more aggressive going forwards and the likes of Foster, Barnes and Flemming to do their jobs.

Assuming no one gets injured. Anyway, we'll get an attacker in before the deadline.

[ralph8]

Need a Busy 4th striker to unsettle defences who just sit back.

[colne-claret]

Make an open offer to Luton for Morris/Adebayo.
They clearly want Kone so should be willing to let one go.
We’ve freed up a squad place in Jay and are still 1 striker worse off than the start of Jan.
I can’t see them being on mega money at Luton.
Both managed double figures in PL so it’s not untested if we get promoted.

If we could negotiate either of them for 5-7M we’d be sorted up front.

Adebayo please. Not been great this season but looked a real handful the previous three seasons. Clearly a quality player there.

[Woodleyclaret]

It would have been ideal to put Ash on for the last 30mins v Leeds and to start with him today against a very inexperienced defence.

[CaptJohn]

It would have been ideal to put Ash on for the last 30mins v Leeds and to start with him today against a very inexperienced defence.

I would have started him against DL and depending on how it was going, changed him for Flemming at HT.

[colne-claret]

I would have started him against DL and depending on how it was going, changed him for Flemming at HT.

No way is a team that’s struggled scoring going to drop their most in form goalscorer against top of the league.

[randomclaret2]

It would have been ideal to put Ash on for the last 30mins v Leeds and to start with him today against a very inexperienced defence.

Perhaps SP isnt quite as impressed with Barnes' qualities as others at the club are.

[Murger]

IMG_2043.png (1.66 MiB) Viewed 2333 times

Is this the same Armstrong we’ve just been linked with? Just popped up on my timeline from 10 years ago.

[randomclaret2]

IMG_2043.png

Is this the same Armstrong we’ve just been linked with? Just popped up on my timeline from 10 years ago.

Thats him, now signed for Sheff Weds.

[Father Jack]

Just got to hope Spurs get their first choice CB targets over the line and don’t come in with a big offer for Steve.

[123EasyasBFC]

Same tbh. It has been madness at times but I do think Alan & the board have learnt a lot from last season... just a shame we didn't have any more senior football men at the club to rein it in a bit... but hey ho.

I think they also know that it’s going to be busy this coming summer regardless of what league we are in

[Colburn_Claret]

Definitely that too. But if we assume he's going to carry on with that approach and there's nothing to suggest otherwise, he we need attacking players that are exponentially more clinical and decisive.

If he carrys on with that approach, we we don't need new players, we need a new manager.
I sincerely hope he has learned the lessons of putting 11 men behind the ball, and protecting our stellar CHs as if they're straight from the U18s.
We attack from far too deep, which makes us slow at getting the ball forward/turning defences, and also runs the legs off our wingers and strkers.

[roperclaret]

Make an open offer to Luton for Morris/Adebayo.
They clearly want Kone so should be willing to let one go.
We’ve freed up a squad place in Jay and are still 1 striker worse off than the start of Jan.
I can’t see them being on mega money at Luton.
Both managed double figures in PL so it’s not untested if we get promoted.

If we could negotiate either of them for 5-7M we’d be sorted up front.

No thanks, neither are good enough.IMO

[Conroy92]

If he carrys on with that approach, we we don't need new players, we need a new manager.
I sincerely hope he has learned the lessons of putting 11 men behind the ball, and protecting our stellar CHs as if they're straight from the U18s.
We attack from far too deep, which makes us slow at getting the ball forward/turning defences, and also runs the legs off our wingers and strkers.

Madness.

In terms of expectations. I think 99 percent of the fan base would have expected the hunt for automatic promotion. I also think 99percent of the fan base would have expected Leeds and Sheffield United to be the two teams competing against us for this.

In terms of reality. We are in the hunt for automatic promotion while also having (on paper) gone through what looks to be out toughest run of fixtures.
Leeds and Sheff united are the only two teams above us within one result.

Parker certainly isn't under achieving.

Perhaps the unhappy ones need to remind themselves of there expectation at the start of this season and realign themselves.

[Passing Clouds]

It’s a good debate. Very little between them for me, if I had to pick one I’d probably go Barnes. Don’t be blinded by the Barnes stereotype, he was a very clever footballer in his prime.

I’m talking technically. Agree Barnes was clever and effective and definitely had quality as he bagged a few in the Prem. But come on …look at their skill sets and pure football ability. Jay is superior - natural ability vs endeavour in my opinion (and probably every other opinion from player, coach, manager that’s worked with them both … including Barnes)

Ha ha good debate though:-)

[Goliath]

I’m talking technically. Agree Barnes was clever and effective and definitely had quality as he bagged a few in the Prem. But come on …look at their skill sets and pure football ability. Jay is superior - natural ability vs endeavour in my opinion (and probably every other opinion from player, coach, manager that’s worked with them both … including Barnes)

Ha ha good debate though:-)

I agree, Jay has a better shot/finish, was quicker (probably not now) and had far superior touch. Barnes is more aggressive and probably has a stronger mentality and has made the most out of quite limited talent which is really impressive in itself.

[warksclaret]

Madness.

In terms of expectations. I think 99 percent of the fan base would have expected the hunt for automatic promotion. I also think 99percent of the fan base would have expected Leeds and Sheffield United to be the two teams competing against us for this.

In terms of reality. We are in the hunt for automatic promotion while also having (on paper) gone through what looks to be out toughest run of fixtures.
Leeds and Sheff united are the only two teams above us within one result.

Parker certainly isn't under achieving.

Perhaps the unhappy ones need to remind themselves of there expectation at the start of this season and realign themselves.

AGREED-and fans should also look at the table to see how Luton are doing. I genuinely thought in early August that Luton would be a top 6 side in the promotion chase. Personally, with 10 days to go in the last window I feared we could potentially be in a position Luton find themselves in currently. To be where we are with 17 games to go is unreal

[jdrobbo]

Make an open offer to Luton for Morris/Adebayo.
They clearly want Kone so should be willing to let one go.
We’ve freed up a squad place in Jay and are still 1 striker worse off than the start of Jan.
I can’t see them being on mega money at Luton.
Both managed double figures in PL so it’s not untested if we get promoted.

If we could negotiate either of them for 5-7M we’d be sorted up front.

I’d rather we went for Kone

[Murger]

Morris/Adebayo would be risk free signings IMO. We don’t have time to be experimenting with untested lower league players.

[boatshed bill]

Morris/Adebayo would be risk free signings IMO. We don’t have time to be experimenting with untested lower league players.

Both? Seems a bit over the top to me.

[Murger]

Both? Seems a bit over the top to me.

Either or, not both.

[boatshed bill]

Either or, not both.

OK. Sorry.

[billyhamilton82]

Morris/Adebayo would be risk free signings IMO. We don’t have time to be experimenting with untested lower league players.

Adebayo up top with Flemming in the 10 would be frightening at this level.

[Woodleyclaret]

The only Luton player worth having was Doherty
Those others aren't good enough.Luton are where they belong.Their brawler tactics have been sussed by opposition teams.

[randomclaret2]

Adebayo up top with Flemming in the 10 would be frightening at this level.

And yet Luton are in the relegation places