January transfer window.

[is4]

What is the forums feeling regarding possible approach to our players?

[nonsuch]

I move my answer here and just give the disclaimer that is only fan talking for the sake of discussion.
We desperately need another CB. The three we have are great but, as proved so far, not enough
Second position to be considered is of course central midfielder. I know Harry is coming back and I mean no criticism to anyone but I would like to see a creative midfielder... One that can run with the ball and hold on to it, give a great through pass, score from outside the area etc.Yeah I know how hard is to get that - probably as hard as finding a top striker. But this season has definetely raised our club profile and also maybe Matt still has more cards up his sleeve as were Wilson or Smith before...

[Del]

is4

Not really expecting any in the January window. As a supporter i don't feel its the right time for the club to entertain any offers unless it was too big to turn down. Our squad is stretched at the moment and nearly everyone is getting game time in a successful team.

[garethl]

I think we might lose at least 1 but hope we can retain everyone. As a fan I expect the club to do right by the player(s) as we always have, provided the transfer fee is adequate. We’ve never stood in the way of players moving upwards. Fingers crossed though.

If we’re going to add anywhere you’d think another centre half would be the place given the injuries we’ve had there. Not sure how far away Rowe is from fitness but it maybe something we’d consider. Kizzi may be able to provide some additional cover there so we might have ridden out the worst of it?

[Del]

Dec 19, 2021 7:11:04 GMT garethl said:

I think we might lose at least 1 but hope we can retain everyone. As a fan I expect the club to do right by the player(s) as we always have, provided the transfer fee is adequate. We’ve never stood in the way of players moving upwards. Fingers crossed though.

If we’re going to add anywhere you’d think another centre half would be the place given the injuries we’ve had there. Not sure how far away Rowe is from fitness but it maybe something we’d consider. Kizzi may be able to provide some additional cover there so we might have ridden out the worst of it?

Coby still walking around in his protective boot yesterday.

[is4]

Re Coby.
I spoke to him yesterday.
Seeing doctor tomorrow.
Still out for at least 2 weeks!!

[bucks]

A Centre Back is a must in my opinion. If the club signed one player in January that is where I would be looking most.

Possibly a keeper on loan if House can't stay fit. Last thing the team needs is Deano to also get injured at this stage and throwing in the young Polish lad for any extended period.

[waveywanderer]

I’d guess the most sellable assets at the club would be Ajiboye, Goodliffe and Smith.

On his day Ajiboye looks a class above but it’s just a question of performing consistently and I have doubts whether he can do that. At times he looks like a Championship winger but will then look like a competition winner struggling to get the ball under control.

Goodliffe is a proper no-nonsense centre back, committed, brave and looks to be a real leader which is unusual for such a young player. The main concerns with him would be his lack of mobility which would only be exacerbated at a higher level and whether he has the ball playing ability to play in more of a possession based system.

Smith is a raw prospect who is still getting used to this level, but coaches will love his physical traits and his energy to get up and down the pitch.

There’s also a risk that Millwall recall Olaofe and send him on loan to a L1 side for the second half of the season.

There’ll certainly be scouts from clubs higher up the pyramid keeping tabs on them, but I’m not sure there’ll be much movement in the January transfer window with the uncertainty around the season continuing and whether games will go behind closed doors again.

[nonsuch]

Dec 19, 2021 13:09:40 GMT waveywanderer said:

I’d guess the most sellable assets at the club would be Ajiboye, Goodliffe and Smith.

On his day Ajiboye looks a class above but it’s just a question of performing consistently and I have doubts whether he can do that. At times he looks like a Championship winger but will then look like a competition winner struggling to get the ball under control.

Goodliffe is a proper no-nonsense centre back, committed, brave and looks to be a real leader which is unusual for such a young player. The main concerns with him would be his lack of mobility which would only be exacerbated at a higher level and whether he has the ball playing ability to play in more of a possession based system.

Smith is a raw prospect who is still getting used to this level, but coaches will love his physical traits and his energy to get up and down the pitch.

There’s also a risk that Millwall recall Olaofe and send him on loan to a L1 side for the second half of the season.

There’ll certainly be scouts from clubs higher up the pyramid keeping tabs on them, but I’m not sure there’ll be much movement in the January transfer window with the uncertainty around the season continuing and whether games will go behind closed doors again.

Of course the younger are hot prospects and have the best chance to attract interest, but I would dare to add two other name to the “at risk” list: Louis John (not a perfect season, but still a solid, experienced defender with better ball control and offensive contribution then Ben) and … Bouzanis - a keeper who, after a rough start, has many games in which contributed greatly to team success. Hopefully none of them will go though and the team will keep up the performances of the first half of the season

[jencor]

Although I know things could change but if you were at the Q&A session in November Matt answered queries regarding transfers both in and out of the club. I don’t believe we should be worried.

[bucks]

"two other name to the “at risk” list: Louis John (not a perfect season, but still a solid, experienced defender with better ball control and offensive contribution then Ben) and … Bouzanis - a keeper who, after a rough start, has many games in which contributed greatly to team success."

Excuse me quoting like this, I hate the quote function on here, it confuses the Hell out of me.

I cannot see either John or Bouzanis being available for sale, that would be absolute suicide in two positions the team isn't exactly stacked with options.

[nonsuch]

Dec 19, 2021 20:51:12 GMT bucks said:

"two other name to the “at risk” list: Louis John (not a perfect season, but still a solid, experienced defender with better ball control and offensive contribution then Ben) and … Bouzanis - a keeper who, after a rough start, has many games in which contributed greatly to team success."

Excuse me quoting like this, I hate the quote function on here, it confuses the Hell out of me.

I cannot see either John or Bouzanis being available for sale, that would be absolute suicide in two positions the team isn't exactly stacked with options.

This is a speculation thread, of course the decision and all the info lie with the decision makers in the club. Of course the two above as well as the other three mentioned by someone else before me are under contract, the subject was who was “at risk” of receiving a transfer offer, that of course may very well be rejected by the player / the club

[paz]

As like most business's I'm sure if we get a big enough offer then it would be in the clubs interests to sell. It will be up to Matt and our DOF to have a list of replacement targets to sign or get in on load if needed so we are ready in case we lose someone.

All part and parcel of doing well

[Andy K]

We're in a position we've never been in before. A transfer window. There was one in the National League which I believe was dropped a season or two before we were promoted.

Bearing in mind we're 3rd in the league in terms of players coming in, I expect we will buy but I can't see any marquee signings, not only for financial reasons but more because Matt already has pretty much a squad he's really happy with. In that situation I except any signings we will get in will more than likely be from 1/2 levels below us, generally young and more squad players than going straight into the first team.

In terms of players going out, I've said this before and I'll say it again. The only player I think who could get a transfer and not end up playing in the reserves would be Ben Goodliffe. To me, there has been lots of talk of David Ajiboye, but there are parts of him game that he still needs to work on before he's ready for a step up, namely staying on his feet (far too often this season he's slipped over, often with no one near him) and his delivery. If you are a winger, you need to be able to put a good cross in, and 8 times out of 10 he doesn't sadly. He's a brilliant player but I think he's selling himself short not being able to do what is really a day to day task of someone in his position. Reminds me a lot of Tom Bolarinwa, who could skin any player he wanted, but his crossing was terrible. As soon as he improved that part of his game, Grimsby signed him.

I'm sure we'll get the usual "money talks" argument here, but one of the reasons this side has been a success and why Matt's recruitment has been the same is because mentality is as important as ability. There could be a number of L1 struggling sides who would want to buy some of our players and could offer big financial inducements to do that. But I get the feeling there are none of our players so mentally fragile to swap the atmosphere of being in a successful and positive club like ours to being in a club in decline with issues, regardless of the money.

My prediction - max of 1 player being sold to another league side. Possibly 1 or 2 "let go" but only of there are 2/3 signings coming in that Matt feels are more part of the current/future of the club. Even saying that I still think we won't lose any of our best players this season. I may end up having egg on my face, but by 31 Jan we will know.

[Amber Aleman]

I'm not comfortable speculating about who might leave next month. I'd prefer to wait and see what (if anything) actually happens.

As regards Ben Goodliffe, the way he plays as a centre back suits Sutton's style of play, i.e. he's very good at intercepting and clearing the ball from the danger zone. But most EFL managers seem to like their defenders to play out from the back, and that may be where Ben is found wanting.