Winter-January 2026 Transfer Window Rumours ...

Chunes said:

Sage said:

Callumcafc said:

It’s a team game. What was having a striker who can put the ball in the net going to do for us on Boxing Day when we have so few touches of the ball in the final third anyway?

The lack of defensive solidity caused by not having the right players to play the system that has meant more “negative” tactics and less goals scored in the last 11 vs the previous 11.

Get the back five sorted and we can be more aggressive in the midfield again and more chances will come as a result.

Ideally we get both the defensive reinforcements and a forward - it was clear Nathan wanted one in August when we almost sealed Fofana.

Because where Leaburn runs so hot and cold, if we had a striker who, as I’ve said in recent posts, can be physical and hold up the ball effectively , we automatically get higher up the pitch and aren’t so open and don’t need to press like mad men just to try and get into decent positions.

It’s why when we have games in quick succession, we aren’t able to sustain any kind of consistent levels because we simply can’t play at that intensity all the time without the ball being able to stick up top.

We all see the game differently, and personally I don't see that our problem is lack of territory. We can have all the territory in the world (like today) and we don't have the quality to show composure and create clear cut chances. 

Scoham said:

Chunes said:

Sage said:

Callumcafc said:

It’s a team game. What was having a striker who can put the ball in the net going to do for us on Boxing Day when we have so few touches of the ball in the final third anyway?

The lack of defensive solidity caused by not having the right players to play the system that has meant more “negative” tactics and less goals scored in the last 11 vs the previous 11.

Get the back five sorted and we can be more aggressive in the midfield again and more chances will come as a result.

Ideally we get both the defensive reinforcements and a forward - it was clear Nathan wanted one in August when we almost sealed Fofana.

Because where Leaburn runs so hot and cold, if we had a striker who, as I’ve said in recent posts, can be physical and hold up the ball effectively , we automatically get higher up the pitch and aren’t so open and don’t need to press like mad men just to try and get into decent positions.

It’s why when we have games in quick succession, we aren’t able to sustain any kind of consistent levels because we simply can’t play at that intensity all the time without the ball being able to stick up top.

We all see the game differently, and personally I don't see that our problem is lack of territory. We can have all the territory in the world (like today) and we don't have the quality to show composure and create clear cut chances. 

Which I think is a problem across the pitch - more pace and quality out wide, better hold up play up front, more creative passing and ability on the ball in the midfield, more composure at the back (what a difference Bell makes vs Gillesphey when he has the ball).

MarcusH26 said:

ForeverAddickted said:

For all the wishlists and the spending thats going to be required to keep us up... I'll be very surprised if its no more than a number of loan players (we've still got four we can bring in and add to a Match Day squad, and will be five if we sign Bree on a permanent deal).

I think people are setting their expectations for the window too high, and will be disappointed / pissed off when they dont see the right sort of money thrown around - Just look at last year with Gilbett / McIntyre brought in... January is a horrible Transfer Window, I hate it so much, and more often than not, you'll waste money bring in over priced / average players.

Absolutely agree on the last paragraph. January is a horrible window to need what we need in terms of re-enforcements. 

ForeverAddickted said:

MarcusH26 said:

ForeverAddickted said:

For all the wishlists and the spending thats going to be required to keep us up... I'll be very surprised if its no more than a number of loan players (we've still got four we can bring in and add to a Match Day squad, and will be five if we sign Bree on a permanent deal).

I think people are setting their expectations for the window too high, and will be disappointed / pissed off when they dont see the right sort of money thrown around - Just look at last year with Gilbett / McIntyre brought in... January is a horrible Transfer Window, I hate it so much, and more often than not, you'll waste money bring in over priced / average players.

Absolutely agree on the last paragraph. January is a horrible window to need what we need in terms of re-enforcements. 

Trouble is its always the domino effect... No team is going to sell its starting players, unless they're offered silly money, as they'll have limited time to replace themselves... It means that we're going to have to target either ageing individuals, or unproven youngsters who aren't already getting into Premier League / Championship squads at the moment and want the game time.

The former you risk signing them when they're best years are behind them, the latter you risk signing someone who isn't ready for Senior Football, or is doomed to a long career in Non-League Football. The alternative is we look at players at the likes of Cardiff / Luton / Plymouth who are playing in League One now, but have Championship experience and weren't individually at fault for the relegation; Perry Ng for example wouldn't have been a bad Full-Back option a few years ago

MarcusH26 said:

I do wonder how we're viewed by Prem clubs when young loan players come up. Avoid us because NJ would rather play our own academy players and our style of play won't help anyone? 

Just a musing really.