Winter-January 2026 Transfer Window Rumours ...

NabySarr said:

cabbles said:

I think with Godden slowly making his way back, plus Leaburn, Tanto and Campbell that can fill the front two spots, we’re okay for forwards even with Kelman’s injury.  I also expect Tanto to be able to contribute more the longer he’s here.  I know he’s not had a proper run, and he didn’t do much against Wrexham, but he is one of a number of new players who have only participated in a total of 14 league games.  As time goes by, he and the likes of Knibbs will hopefully settle into the club and recognise that they’ve been on the fringes so far, and really wrap their hands around any opportunities they get.  

I would argue a left sided wing back makes sense given we don’t know how long Edwards will be out for and we’ve been caught out with his and Bell’s injuries.  They were both playing very well before they got injured.  

I still think we need an absolute tank in the midfield to help us soak up/break up the play given we allow teams a lot of the ball.  It’s worked so far, but watching the second half at Wrexham (albeit we had illness running through the team), you could see them tiring.  I know Coventry has the role of sitting the deepest of the three currently, and I’m not suggesting he’s not up for it, but we need a player with the energy of someone like Anderson, but with a solid amount of skill to be able to move the ball on quickly and start attacks 

I actually thought he was possibly our best player in the first half at Wrexham. Problem is he can’t do 90 minutes and looked absolutely knackered in the second half. Think this is the reason he hasn’t started much 

I don’t think he had a bad game, but felt he was really isolated as it looked to me like we went with 3 behind him as opposed to the usual of Campbell playing off of one from Kelman, Leaburn or Tanto.  

fenaddick said:

cabbles said:

NabySarr said:

cabbles said:

I think with Godden slowly making his way back, plus Leaburn, Tanto and Campbell that can fill the front two spots, we’re okay for forwards even with Kelman’s injury.  I also expect Tanto to be able to contribute more the longer he’s here.  I know he’s not had a proper run, and he didn’t do much against Wrexham, but he is one of a number of new players who have only participated in a total of 14 league games.  As time goes by, he and the likes of Knibbs will hopefully settle into the club and recognise that they’ve been on the fringes so far, and really wrap their hands around any opportunities they get.  

I would argue a left sided wing back makes sense given we don’t know how long Edwards will be out for and we’ve been caught out with his and Bell’s injuries.  They were both playing very well before they got injured.  

I still think we need an absolute tank in the midfield to help us soak up/break up the play given we allow teams a lot of the ball.  It’s worked so far, but watching the second half at Wrexham (albeit we had illness running through the team), you could see them tiring.  I know Coventry has the role of sitting the deepest of the three currently, and I’m not suggesting he’s not up for it, but we need a player with the energy of someone like Anderson, but with a solid amount of skill to be able to move the ball on quickly and start attacks 

I actually thought he was possibly our best player in the first half at Wrexham. Problem is he can’t do 90 minutes and looked absolutely knackered in the second half. Think this is the reason he hasn’t started much 

I don’t think he had a bad game, but felt he was really isolated as it looked to me like we went with 3 behind him as opposed to the usual of Campbell playing off of one from Kelman, Leaburn or Tanto.  

Be interesting to see what NJ opts for on Saturday.  I expect Hernandez will be dropped after the handball and Campbell will have to play wingback.  Not sure Fullah will (nor should) start again, so really hard to call

Off topic here but with no Bree available it's an even trickier conundrum 

Wouldn't be surprised if we started Gough, with Ramsay at Right-Back, or even Fijian Josh... otherwise whatever else we do, we've got no natural Wing-Back in Apter / Hernandez / Campbell

Although forgotten Costello could be an option. 

If all the defenders are out I would play Apter right wing back, he hasn’t done so badly there. Fullah left wing back. This gives us something going forward. I would not play Gough. I am a regular watching the U21s and he is good at that level but nowhere near Championship level.

fenaddick said:

ForeverAddickted said:

 fenaddick said:

cabbles said:

NabySarr said:

cabbles said:

I think with Godden slowly making his way back, plus Leaburn, Tanto and Campbell that can fill the front two spots, we’re okay for forwards even with Kelman’s injury.  I also expect Tanto to be able to contribute more the longer he’s here.  I know he’s not had a proper run, and he didn’t do much against Wrexham, but he is one of a number of new players who have only participated in a total of 14 league games.  As time goes by, he and the likes of Knibbs will hopefully settle into the club and recognise that they’ve been on the fringes so far, and really wrap their hands around any opportunities they get.  

I would argue a left sided wing back makes sense given we don’t know how long Edwards will be out for and we’ve been caught out with his and Bell’s injuries.  They were both playing very well before they got injured.  

I still think we need an absolute tank in the midfield to help us soak up/break up the play given we allow teams a lot of the ball.  It’s worked so far, but watching the second half at Wrexham (albeit we had illness running through the team), you could see them tiring.  I know Coventry has the role of sitting the deepest of the three currently, and I’m not suggesting he’s not up for it, but we need a player with the energy of someone like Anderson, but with a solid amount of skill to be able to move the ball on quickly and start attacks 

I actually thought he was possibly our best player in the first half at Wrexham. Problem is he can’t do 90 minutes and looked absolutely knackered in the second half. Think this is the reason he hasn’t started much 

I don’t think he had a bad game, but felt he was really isolated as it looked to me like we went with 3 behind him as opposed to the usual of Campbell playing off of one from Kelman, Leaburn or Tanto.  

Be interesting to see what NJ opts for on Saturday.  I expect Hernandez will be dropped after the handball and Campbell will have to play wingback.  Not sure Fullah will (nor should) start again, so really hard to call

Off topic here but with no Bree available it's an even trickier conundrum 

Wouldn't be surprised if we started Gough, with Ramsay at Right-Back, or even Fijian Josh... otherwise whatever else we do, we've got no natural Wing-Back in Apter / Hernandez / Campbell

Although forgotten Costello could be an option. 

Youth players would be BOLD. Anyway, this match preview discussion 😉 

How else am I supposed to put together a Match Preview, without pinching other people's line up ideas

golfaddick said:

Striker.......striker.....oh, and a striker.

Good old Golfie! We have an injury ravaged defence, and he wants us to sign strikers...

I genuinely think he'd be happier we lost 4-3 every game, and got relegated, than we won 1-0...

SteveACS said:

golfaddick said:

Striker.......striker.....oh, and a striker.

Good old Golfie! We have an injury ravaged defence, and he wants us to sign strikers...

I genuinely think he'd be happier we lost 4-3 every game, and got relegated, than we won 1-0...

In golfies defence, our top scoring forward has 1 league goal. 

wouldnt mind seeing a few players come in from abroad!

Fakuda, and a few other internationals or those fighting for a spot at WC would be ideal

SteveACS said:

golfaddick said:

Striker.......striker.....oh, and a striker.

I genuinely think he'd be happier we lost 4-3 every game, and got relegated, than we won 1-0...

Not really. Deep down under the lonely bitterness he does want us to win. He was just brought up on the Football Wisdom for Idiots catechism that was current pre-WWII.

Contained statements like:
1. The best method of defence is attack.
2. It is harder to play against 10 men than against 11.
3. The best ten English goalkeepers are the best ten in the world.
4. Football can be exciting, but no match is worth missing your traditional British Sunday Dinner for.
5. Foreign players can have great trickery, but they will never make reliable defenders.

I often heard these sorts of nuggets from my Dad and on the terraces when young. What others can be added?

I'm assuming we won't be spending much money in January, so won't be going for headline additions. 

Back in September I thought we were one defender short, especially in the back 3. It's a position where you do pick up injuries and suspensions, so one more body would be useful. Especially with Burke's injury record. At a minimum, that could be Zach returning from his failed loan in January which would improve the squad depth, as he's more ready to fill in than any of the other youngsters. 

The Bree situation needs resolving. With their lack of a permanent manager, it's hard to say whether they'll want him back in January or not, but even if they don't want him, they may want to make some money out of him while they can. Can we afford his desired wages?

NJ for whatever reason doesn't rate Rankin-Costello. He's been fit all season, yet has only come on for late cameos despite us regularly needing fresh legs in midfield and at right wing back. Another dependable midfield body would be an essential signing for me. Not a marquee signing, just a solid Championship level pro. Maybe even a loan.