january The January 2023 transfer window.

[TheDarkBlues]

We are now just a couple of months before the start of the January 2023 transfer window. Normally these windows have not been good for us, we tend to bring in a few players who warm the bench and never see again.

Bowyer has stated in the press that the January window is key to promotion and will be crucial to promotion for a few clubs in this league.

Quote

 

“Last week Queen’s Park went and won convincingly against the league leaders at that time,” the Dundee boss said.

“It looks like the league leaders will be continually changing.

“But there is a hell of a lot of football to be played. We’ve just completed the first third of the season, I don’t think anybody who hits the top right now will be getting carried away.

“The league is mad, you look at how tight it is. I think January will be big for everybody.

“It looks like if you can deal in January, get the right ones in and, in some cases, get the right ones moved on it will play a big part.”

 

The last line speaks volumes. We might see a lot of movement during this window, but considering the last window, I will not hold my breath.

Possibly, the same old lines will be trotted out? We were so close, can't pay the wage demands, or can't get players moved on to free up space for new players.

We really need to strengthen this window, as I am sure those clubs around us will, and we could be left wanting in the final third when it matters.

[BCram]

Telling the existing squad that they are going to get moved on if they don't improve seems to me to be a difficult message to motivate any squad, imo. The example shown of the contribution made by Charlie Adam, a player with genuine class seems to me to be much more likely to bring success. It's the model used by our neighbours when the took on Charlie Mulgrew, and I think we need to add top quality rather than just get more of the same.

[Ludo*1]

I'm feeling really sorry for Bowyer. If that isn't yet more evidence that he doesn't think our squad is up to much then I don't know what is.

I know people are saying he should be doing better with the squad he has, but it's a squad steeped in failure, clearly over the past few seasons has shown it has a mentality problem and seems imbalanced. He should be doing better, but taking on the very same squad that hasn't had a decent run of form in about 3 seasons except from when Charlie Adam pretty much dragged the squad kicking and screaming and expecting them to stroll the league is a hard ask. Regardless of what one thinks of Bowyer's managerial ability, much, much better managers than him would find that a hard ask!

Osei seems like an absolute desperate punt type signing and whilst he might turn out great, I hope Bowyer doesn't just panic buy like that in January.

January will be crucial. Get the likes of Byrne, McGinn and the likes off the books and replace them with quality more like French than like Williamson (although I do think ultimately he'll have a decent career tbh) and we will be in a much stronger place!

 

[Wattie Rojas]

1 hour ago, Ludo*1 said:

I'm feeling really sorry for Bowyer. If that isn't yet more evidence that he doesn't think our squad is up to much then I don't know what is.

I know people are saying he should be doing better with the squad he has, but it's a squad steeped in failure, clearly over the past few seasons has shown it has a mentality problem and seems imbalanced. He should be doing better, but taking on the very same squad that hasn't had a decent run of form in about 3 seasons except from when Charlie Adam pretty much dragged the squad kicking and screaming and expecting them to stroll the league is a hard ask. Regardless of what one thinks of Bowyer's managerial ability, much, much better managers than him would find that a hard ask!

Osei seems like an absolute desperate punt type signing and whilst he might turn out great, I hope Bowyer doesn't just panic buy like that in January.

January will be crucial. Get the likes of Byrne, McGinn and the likes off the books and replace them with quality more like French than like Williamson (although I do think ultimately he'll have a decent career tbh) and we will be in a much stronger place!

 

I wonder who'll he'll try to move on. Obviously he isn't a fan of Byrne and McGinn but neither appear keen to leave. I don't think we'd miss a few of our current squad and the boy Osei doesn't look great although I missed his ibrox cameo. Robinson looks the part but the other strikers have struggled for various reasons. 

[Reverend Lovejoy]

2 hours ago, BCram said:

Telling the existing squad that they are going to get moved on if they don't improve seems to me to be a difficult message to motivate any squad, imo. The example shown of the contribution made by Charlie Adam, a player with genuine class seems to me to be much more likely to bring success. It's the model used by our neighbours when the took on Charlie Mulgrew, and I think we need to add top quality rather than just get more of the same.

Imo we won't sign players of much greater quality than we have over the last few seasons. Players of genuine class cost money. I think what we can do though is look for players who have greater physical assets. The big lad up front at Ayr isn't overly talented but he's he's big and strong and a bully for central defenders, in this division sometimes that's enough. This division is littered with hard working, experienced units who sometimes scare the opposition into submission.

[Sebastiano Nela]

It's clear Bowyer wants bigger, more physical players. He'll be used to that from down south.

I hope he is backed in January. I can see him walking away if he isn't. 

[Davedee77]

Players under contract don’t need to leave so would need to be the correct move player to leave. I wouldn’t be confident bowyer can bring in players much better than we have. 

[BCram]

1 hour ago, Reverend Lovejoy said:

Imo we won't sign players of much greater quality than we have over the last few seasons. Players of genuine class cost money. I think what we can do though is look for players who have greater physical assets. The big lad up front at Ayr isn't overly talented but he's he's big and strong and a bully for central defenders, in this division sometimes that's enough. This division is littered with hard working, experienced units who sometimes scare the opposition into submission.

A good point of view, and perhaps much more practical than my hope for a top quality player or two.

[dblair]

Jeezo @TheDarkBlues! I just gave the wife an earful for mentioning Christmas so early and your already onto the January sales!

[TheDarkBlues]

6 minutes ago, dblair said:

Jeezo @TheDarkBlues! I just gave the wife an earful for mentioning Christmas so early and your already onto the January sales!

The early bird and all that, mate!

[CammiesTash]

I believe Byrne and McGinn will be gone after January. Bowyer has made it clear they're not wanted.

[Prince Buster]

13 minutes ago, CammiesTash said:

I believe Byrne and McGinn will be gone after January. Bowyer has made it clear they're not wanted.

I think they'll sit and see out their contracts because they're unlikely to get the same wages anywhere else.

Why should they move for less money when they can sit tight on their inflated wages and are guaranteed a decent job at the end of their current contracts?