[Albion] January Transfer Window

[Reddleman]

I’m surprised by the negativity on this thread as I think it’s been one of our better windows, especially for January.

- We added Gomez who is a top talent and a really good midfield option
- We added Centre half cover which was badly needed
- We rejected a HUGE offer for Mitoma
- we signed a striker most top six clubs were interested in
- we have cleared out some youngsters who let’s be honest never looked good enough. Peupion has been around first team for a couple of years and never looked up to it same with BBB especially when we have so many wingers. McConville wouldn’t sign a new deal so we made a couple of million.
- Enciso needs games, he’s too far down the pecking order and it’s a straight loan
- Same with Ferguson, he’s the only decision I question slightly but Welbeck, Pedro and Rutter are way ahead of him for the 9 position. He’s scored once in 15 months and without game time that trend will continue.

I am really unhappy with the manager at the moment but not the club for this transfer window. My only concern is the squad is too big with four first team loan players to return in the summer and most likely no European football. Not sure how we keep them all happy.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

The one think I struggle with is that we are stacked with attacking midfielders of all varieties and have two currently out on loan because we have too many. One of those I suspect will be sold (Enciso) and the other Bounanotte I sincerely hope we get to see in our squad next year.

But then we also have the Korean lad to come in (who to be fair will probably go out on loan to another European team immediately), Gomez (more of a number 6?), Yalcouye to integrate. I can't see anyone coming in for Pedro over the summer because he hasn't kicked on under FH, Rutter has only been here for a year. And will we go back in for Tommy Watson in the summer?

It just feels like we are going to be over encumbered with attacking midfielders again, an unworkable squad that will be impossible to keep happy, with not enough quality in defence. I'm starting to struggle to understand why a young player would join us, looking at past success I guess (Ali Mac in particular) but unless things change those successes will be soon forgotten.

It makes more sense if you view the club as a trading market for players rather than a sensible football team. Sometimes the players we are holding will click and we might have a purple season others we will just be flailing around with a mismatched squad. We are just going to have to accept that.

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

Tzimas should be good for the future and seems a decent signing. Hopefully will be in contention in a couple of years time after a loan or two I suspect.

Cashin was needed but I do worry about his lack of pace, but if he's another Duffy type (head it and boot it) then he should be good back up.

Gomez - seems a decent addition but not sure about his best position.

Now that Fergusson has got fit, I'd prefer to have him playing for us for the last 14 games of the season rather than West Ham but I do wonder if FH just doesn't fancy him.

My biggest issue is no new Full Backs. Other than that very so so.

Ferguson wouldn’t play 14 games as we know players coming back from long term injuries always pick up more injuries. In addition it takes games to get up and running which he wouldn’t get. A loan is the best solution.

 

[chickens]

A good window.

Ferguson out on loan (much needed - cameos from the bench in the last ten minutes weren’t enough to get him back into form)

Enciso out on loan to Ipswich where he can run about largely ineffectually in someone else’s squad, and we see if Hürzeler is the issue or he’s just resistant to taking instruction. He started giving me strong Maupay vibes toward the end of his time here, then had one good game where he scored.

We have Danny, Georginio, and João who are largely interchangeable in attack, with Gruda and Gomez able to step in at 10. We’re not short of attacking players.

If McConville wouldn’t sign a new contract, then we’re right to sell to Norwich and get a fee. Cashin may or may not be succession planning for Dunk, let’s see how he settles.

I don’t buy the argument that we’re weaker without Ferguson or Enciso. Neither are good enough in their current form, we’ve got them out on loan to try and help them recover (in Ferguson’s case) or find (in Enciso’s) some form.

A couple more for the future signed up too. Lovely.

 

[bbcgull]

Development is the club’s strategy. Player trading is a necessity. Pathway for young players is a key strategy which includes loans to other Premier League clubs (however mad that is for anyone of Goldstone/Priestfield vintage). Nothing has changed.

Spot on. And as Paul Barber has said, "it's the players out on loan that we are most excited about".

Ps. Goldstone vintage opinion.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

The one think I struggle with is that we are stacked with attacking midfielders of all varieties and have two currently out on loan because we have too many. One of those I suspect will be sold (Enciso) and the other Bounanotte I sincerely hope we get to see in our squad next year.

But then we also have the Korean lad to come in (who to be fair will probably go out on loan to another European team immediately), Gomez (more of a number 6?), Yalcouye to integrate. I can't see anyone coming in for Pedro over the summer because he hasn't kicked on under FH, Rutter has only been here for a year. And will we go back in for Tommy Watson in the summer?

It just feels like we are going to be over encumbered with attacking midfielders again, an unworkable squad that will be impossible to keep happy, with not enough quality in defence. I'm starting to struggle to understand why a young player would join us, looking at past success I guess (Ali Mac in particular) but unless things change those successes will be soon forgotten.

It makes more sense if you view the club as a trading market for players rather than a sensible football team. Sometimes the players we are holding will click and we might have a purple season others we will just be flailing around with a mismatched squad. We are just going to have to accept that.

Did we sign the Korean in the end?

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Did we sign the Korean in the end?

Various reports on social media that he has signed a pre contract.

 

[UnhingedSeagull94]

What are your thoughts on the Albions window?

Personally, extremely underwhelming and predictable. Sign players looking to the future and forget about the here and now.

We now have a weaker squad then when it started and in the midst of a confidence crisis.

A load of nonsense.

 

[One Love]

I’m surprised by the negativity on this thread as I think it’s been one of our better windows, especially for January.

- We added Gomez who is a top talent and a really good midfield option
- We added Centre half cover which was badly needed
- We rejected a HUGE offer for Mitoma
- we signed a striker most top six clubs were interested in
- we have cleared out some youngsters who let’s be honest never looked good enough. Peupion has been around first team for a couple of years and never looked up to it same with BBB especially when we have so many wingers. McConville wouldn’t sign a new deal so we made a couple of million.
- Enciso needs games, he’s too far down the pecking order and it’s a straight loan
- Same with Ferguson, he’s the only decision I question slightly but Welbeck, Pedro and Rutter are way ahead of him for the 9 position. He’s scored once in 15 months and without game time that trend will continue.

I am really unhappy with the manager at the moment but not the club for this transfer window. My only concern is the squad is too big with four first team loan players to return in the summer and most likely no European football. Not sure how we keep them all happy.

I would largely agree with you.

The major problem within the squad is at full back, left and right, though and that hasn't been addressed.

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Personally, extremely underwhelming and predictable.

You can work on that though.

 

[Poskettspurpose]

What are your thoughts on the Albions window?

Personally, extremely underwhelming and predictable. Sign players looking to the future and forget about the here and now.

We now have a weaker squad then when it started and in the midst of a confidence crisis.

I’m really happy with this window, far better than usual for Jan. disappointed to lose Ferguson but he’s only loaned. Great to bring in Cashin and Gomez plus other top rated youngsters. It’s all good…..

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

A good window.

Ferguson out on loan (much needed - cameos from the bench in the last ten minutes weren’t enough to get him back into form)

Enciso out on loan to Ipswich where he can run about largely ineffectually in someone else’s squad, and we see if Hürzeler is the issue or he’s just resistant to taking instruction. He started giving me strong Maupay vibes toward the end of his time here, then had one good game where he scored.

We have Danny, Georginio, and João who are largely interchangeable in attack, with Gruda and Gomez able to step in at 10. We’re not short of attacking players.

If McConville wouldn’t sign a new contract, then we’re right to sell to Norwich and get a fee. Cashin may or may not be succession planning for Dunk, let’s see how he settles.

I don’t buy the argument that we’re weaker without Ferguson or Enciso. Neither are good enough in their current form, we’ve got them out on loan to try and help them recover (in Ferguson’s case) or find (in Enciso’s) some form.

A couple more for the future signed up too. Lovely.

Yep, agree with all points.

Funnily enough, my Ipswich supporting mate said to me he likes Enciso so far as he seems enthusiastic, energetic and 'up for it' but does run around a bit like a headless chicken and shoots all the time!

 

[Jim in the West]

It makes more sense if you view the club as a trading market for players rather than a sensible football team. Sometimes the players we are holding will click and we might have a purple season others we will just be flailing around with a mismatched squad. We are just going to have to accept that.

I think the club tries to balance being BOTH a sensible football team AND a trading market. It's pretty clear that the only way we can compete in the top half of the EPL is making money on player sales. We haven't got the global reach of the big teams, or the 50k+ stadiums that most of the top teams have (even Everton will be joining that group soon). So we have to make our money with player sales. Hence the amazing infrastructure, the focus on coaching (eg: bringing in Niedskowski), the way we use the loan market, etc, etc. But your comment stands......every now and then we will have the good fortune to have two world class midfielders and finish 6th!!

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

If we get injuries to Veltman, Lamptey, Welbeck, Baleba it will look like a window where we have tossed a season on the bonfire. That's not a surprise to me, last season we went long term and were prepared to throw away our Europa knockouts and face down our manager.

On the plus side, there's every reason to believe that the young players we've bought in will develop in a couple of years. But will we also then buy someone expensive, but not that great to take their place, then send them on loan to a rival?

 

[Bold Seagull]

I kind of buy that Bold, but we are among the richest clubs in the world now. Okay, we’re not City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern, Real etc, but we are in amongst the richest. But you’re right. It means we can’t just go an buy any player.

That said, I think we were all a tad more excited following the splash of cash in the summer and have been surprised to see some players let go. I knew little about Rutter, Minteh etc in the summer (other than one was Championship and the other couldn’t break into the Newcastle team.) Whether they will cut it at this level remains to be seen.

I think RDZ was right to say, “raise your expectations”. Stop thinking like “little old Brighton.” And Tony wants top 6. With that in mind, I just don’t get the recruitment strategy. It feels like a club that’s happy with mid-table (and hey, given history, mid-table in the top flight is amazing.)

You’re right though. I think the message is clear. We write off this year and go again next season. Right now we just need to get the winning mentality and confidence back into the team we have.

PL revenue is an illusion of a wealth. We are a club that made a significant annual loss for each Championship season and without player sales would be making a loss now. We are wealthy in a sense the PL money clubs receive make them all wealthy, but global marketing reach, income streams beyond our PL payments, sponsorship and gates is no where near that of other clubs.

We tread a line of wealth through PL membership but of course that isn’t guaranteed.

The same applies to the £200m spend, some was on ready to play pros like Rutter and Minteh, but some was investment, bolstering our development of players - it really wasn’t an all-in transfer window to get top 7.

 

[7dialssouthpaw]

I think (as a club) you have to hedge on the likelihood of European football next season ie are you going to need 25 players or 30+ in the squad? - hence all the talent out on loan and a trimmed down squad for the next 18 games.
What we've seen in the last few weeks is an excess of players (thanks to all the newbies) which has resulted in a lot of noise (from agents particularly) reaching a bit of a frenzy during the transfer window.
Now that the dust is settled, we may see less moaning and more team-building round what we have left. FH is clearly very intelligent (an Ubermensch IMO) and has merited a second half of the season to coach them into shape.

 

[AZ Gull]

Connolly, Sturge, Baker-Boaitey and who is the other one ??

Zak Lovelace - spent a year in the academy at U-12 level after moving here from Palace; subsequently moved to Glebe for a season before joining Millwall (first time round) where he made his first team debut at the age of 15 years and 340 days. Subsequently signed by Rangers at scholarship level before returning to Millwall yesterday.

 

[Jim in the West]

That said, I think we were all a tad more excited following the splash of cash in the summer and have been surprised to see some players let go. I knew little about Rutter, Minteh etc in the summer (other than one was Championship and the other couldn’t break into the Newcastle team.) Whether they will cut it at this level remains to be seen.

I don't think that's a fair representation - Newcastle bought him, then loaned hm to Feyenoord for the season (23/24). That loan was a big success and the likes of Eddie Howe were very disappointed that he had to be sold so that NUFC could comply with PSR. It was an opportunistic purchase (as was Rutter, with the release clause).

 

[GT49er]

Zak Lovelace - spent a year in the academy at U-12 level after moving here from Palace; subsequently moved to Glebe for a season before joining Millwall (first time round) where he made his first team debut at the age of 15 years and 340 days. Subsequently signed by Rangers at scholarship level before returning to Millwall yesterday.

Proper little fidget, isn't he!