The January 2025 Transfer Thread

[prawnking]

I think it was a pretty good one, considering the low expectations.

The club/Vitor obviously wanted to add some physicality to the backline to compensate for the likes of Doc and Bueno having to play there. When you consider how we've shipped goals for much of the season, that was and should have been priority. Probably missed out on one or more of our top targets, but Agbadou and Djiga look worth a shot.

Glad to see Lemina go, and Marshall is a total wildcard for me, but an intriguing one

 

[sycophantia]

Agree about Danso.
Overall not a bad window imo.
We got Agbadou who so far has been exactly what we needed.
Djiga looks to have all the tools, is young and could prove to be a snip (a risk obviously as all this type of transfer is)
Not so convinced about Munetsi, he's the big, athletic CM Pereira wanted but we'll have to see if he's up to the job.

 

[Tredman]

Really interested to see Djiga, don't know anything about him but seems exactly the sort of player we should be signing.

 

[Wilf Wolf]

Aaaaaanyway. What’s everyone’s analysis of the window then?

Obviously judgement is reserved until we’ve seen the new lads play. We ended up getting numbers through the door, but very obviously missed out on our top targets again.

I think we could have done with another wide/forward - and have a slight fear that we’ll see JRB shoved out there on occasions when he’s clearly better utilised in the middle.

Definitely dodged a bullet with Danso.

I’d give it a B. The main need was two big, strong(!) centre halves and we’ve got them. The first one looks to be just what we needed and hopefully the other will too. I know nothing about Munetsi so can’t judge but he’ll definitely offer more physicality than Doyle which will be useful in some games.

I presume JSL only has a minor injury which is only explanation for not getting another forward in. Had we got another forward I’d have gone to A- as it is the only position in which we have little adequate cover.

 

[Kenny]

Vitor wanted 2 defenders and a midfielder.

He got them. (GO is currently sat at home grumbling in a sarcastic manner "oh you got what you wanted then")

On that front, it's a good window. We tried very hard indeed.

Agbadou looks like a good signing but the other 2 we will see.

It's a spend of around £40m? With a few million recouped from Lemina and Cundle.
We bounced back from a very late rejection from a key target, we are used to used waving the white flag in such situations.

 

[Carrotdude]

It’s very hard to judge on the face of it but I’ve seen one Red Star fan say Djiga is very good plus he only needs to be an improvement on Doherty to be a success so I’m hopeful.

Munetsi at the very least should be good at winning headers in both boxes which will be beneficial. Hopefully he’s a lot more than that of course but time will tell.

 

[prawnking]

As I said yesterday, the key to Munetsi working for me, is how much Vitor was involved in his acquisition.

If he's just been dumped with a big CM that was the easiest to get out of our targets, then I can see it flopping.

If Vitor is fully aware of Marshall's skillset and playing style (which frankly looks a weird one) and has a plan as to how to use him, could be a decent option

 

[Carsy]

I mean I’m not shocked.

Whatever the unintended racial implications, I hope it’s true. It’s such a lovely change to have Toti and Agbadou be so proactive in their defending after so long watching Kilman practically hide from danger.

I look forward to your response if he turns like Craig Dawson

Said in jest of course, you’d hope a sporting director could identify if someone was quick. In saying that, we are talking about Mr Hobbs

 

[Carsy]

But what if those players are “quick & strong”? Why should people have to walk on eggshells or second guess what’s going to be jumped on?

I think in this instance it’s very much an example of attacking the poster not the post. Even Matt Hobbs described him as “quick and strong” ffs - is he a racist twat?!

This micro analysis of hidden meaning while actively looking to get offended is tiresome at best. Would appreciate it if it could just get dropped because it makes the forum unreadable at times.

If someone’s blatantly racist then sure, call them out.

End of the day, only the poster will know what they meant. If for example someone said ‘he’s black and therefore must be quick’ then yes, that’s stereotyping and piss poor. But if he is genuinely quick, then what’s the issue.

I personally no nothing about this player, he could be rapid or turn like a tugboat, not a clue.

 

[C.L.D]

I'm not quite sure how Muntesi fits in our best choice midfield two is Andre and Gomes. Fit will always be the question with the CBs too.

But given Hobbs and Shi could have gone full Nico Harrison and we wouldn't be surprised, I guess they get a pass.

 

[Tredman]

Not sure on Muntesi but Saturday showed that Gomes & Andre might not always be the best pairing - Bellegod running past the defence really made a difference, not sure either of the normal 2 can do that.

 

[Carsy]

Aaaaaanyway. What’s everyone’s analysis of the window then?

Obviously judgement is reserved until we’ve seen the new lads play. We ended up getting numbers through the door, but very obviously missed out on our top targets again.

I think we could have done with another wide/forward - and have a slight fear that we’ll see JRB shoved out there on occasions when he’s clearly better utilised in the middle.

Definitely dodged a bullet with Danso.

I think getting 2 competent centre halves will be a big changer for us. Should’ve been done in the summer ofcourse, but could have a huge impact on the team.

Hopefully the added stability at the back will improve RAN as well.

That being said, no idea on whether they’re any goods, so I’m putting blind faith in the clubs competency here, which could be very foolish.

Exited the see Munetsi. Just because it feels like he’s been plucked from nowhere. Best Zimbabwean on fifa, except the lad at AFC Richmond afterall

 

[prawnking]

If the CMs can all offer something different, that's a decent toolkit for VP

 

[Carsy]

Not sure on Muntesi but Saturday showed that Gomes & Andre might not always be the best pairing - Bellegod running past the defence really made a difference, not sure either of the normal 2 can do that.

A good point.

I mean, a competent club should always be future planning as well. Getting Munetsi could well be part of future planning when one of Andre or Gomes go in summer as has been predicted. Gets 6 months to settle in as well

 

[Wilf Wolf]

I'm not quite sure how Muntesi fits in our best choice midfield two is Andre and Gomes. Fit will always be the question with the CBs too.

But given Hobbs and Shi could have gone full Nico Harrison and we wouldn't be surprised, I guess they get a pass.

I think the idea is that now we have a decent option to replace either of Andre or Gomes so they don’t always have to pace themselves for 90 minutes. If there is a plan to sub one they can put more effort into say an hour knowing they’ll be replaced. Currently if we’re playing a midfield two the drop off when either of the starters goes off is huge, Bellegarde being the exception on Saturday.

 

[Jinky]

End of the day, only the poster will know what they meant. If for example someone said ‘he’s black and therefore must be quick’ then yes, that’s stereotyping and piss poor. But if he is genuinely quick, then what’s the issue.

I personally no nothing about this player, he could be rapid or turn like a tugboat, not a clue.

Reading through this thread, it appears a high % of the forum are “sub-consciously racist”, which of course is nonsense.

Let’s be honest. People are commenting on it because it’s GW. Someone else posts similar and it doesn’t get mentioned.

It reminds me of this -

 

[Tredman]

Reading through this thread, it appears a high % of the forum are “sub-consciously racist”, which of course is nonsense.

Let’s be honest. People are commenting on it because it’s GW. Someone else posts similar and it doesn’t get mentioned.

It reminds me of this -

I didn’t see the original post so not sure what you mean about ‘GW’.

Also Gervais is a wanker who enjoys laughing at people less fortunate than himself so not sure how he backs your point up.

 

[YoungWolf]

I don’t see the original post so not sure what you mean about ‘GW’.

Also Gervais is a wanker who enjoys laughing at people less fortunate than himself so not sure how he backs your point up.

Yeah what a person to pick

Del made the point well I thought. If people want to get defensive about it, well that’s on them

 

[Del Woppio]

Bullshit,
John Barnes, was always talked about in skill, as was many Black players.

Something being true ie a player being strong, athletic, quick has nothing to with race, and everything to do with his skill set.

I had a beer with Dave Bennett on Saturday in my bar, quick very skillfull winger MOTM in the 87 Cup Final was never describes as such, neither was Walters.

In todays game players are bigger, Stronger, Faster than ever before the skillfull players like Bennett, Walters, Barnes, Le Tisier, Bowles, Curry, Hoddle.

May not even have made it in todays game

I love the way you have to go back 30 years for the first example that pops into your head.

Look, it's clearly not bullshit. It happens, there have been multiple studies confirming this. You not liking it, not understanding it, or not agreeing with it doesn't make it any less true. As I said, obviously there are many black players that you can describe as skillfull and intelligent - but it is a fact that physical attributes are talked about more often with black players than white players, often ahead of the other things that they bring to the table.

Saying Marco Guehi is quick and strong isn't racist. But race does contribute to the fact that Guehi will be described is quick and strong, whereas John Stones is classy and intelligent

 

[Londonwolf]

Munetsi certainly sounds like he at least has the skills to be an effective impact player for us this season - able to chip in with goals, particularly when we are attacking down the flanks, and strong at defending leads when up against set pieces and balls into the box.

That said, I can already imagine him frustrating the fan base through his apparent deficiencies in negative/ineffective build up play and giving the ball away cheaply, losing runners and getting beaten for pace etc.

Essentially, great as an impact sub and in some of our more “agricultural” games of football, but probably not a starter in games where we need to build through possession and stay defensively disciplined for 90 minutes.

All speculation of course, wish him all the best and hope to be pleasantly surprised!