The January 2026 Transfer Window Thread

[Smurph]

I wouldn’t say he has a natural position. He’s played RB almost more than any other position on the pitch in his career. There is about 10 appearances in it between RB and 8, so by the end of the season he would have played RB more than any other position in his pro career.

He’s not playing right back by design for us. I have no doubt he was signed with the promise of playing in the centre of midfield.

 

[magicdaps10]

Did we sign him to play right back or central midfield?
I would take a guess it was central midfield given he started the season there and only went into RB due to Key lack of form. I think a recent interview from him suggests he prefers CM.

 

[Smurph]

Did we sign him to play right back or central midfield?
I would take a guess it was central midfield given he started the season there and only went into RB due to Key lack of form. I think a recent interview from him suggests he prefers CM.

Absolutely, if was signed as a right back that’s where he would have started the season.

Only reason we’re seeing him at right back is due to Josh Keys form dropping off the side of a cliff.

 

[malc]

He is such an intelligent talented lad he can play anywhere.
Last season for Orient played all positions on the right side .
I see him as a midfielder who can play anywhere .
When he plays for Northern Ireland he's in midfield .

 

[JackSomething]

I think Galbraith is a better midfielder than right-back, but we don't have anyone else to play at RB given Key's regression. Plus the balance in midfield looks better at the moment (although I don't think Galbraith has played in midfield since Matos was appointed, so perhaps he'd get that working better than Sheehan did).

 

[magicdaps10]

Galbraith is an intelligent player, he can play RB but I think someone so gifted and technical is wasted at RB.
Let's play him in the position we signed him to play, get a RB in who isn't seen as a stop gap and push on.

 

[cmajack]

I think Galbraith is a better midfielder than right-back, but we don't have anyone else to play at RB given Key's regression. Plus the balance in midfield looks better at the moment (although I don't think Galbraith has played in midfield since Matos was appointed, so perhaps he'd get that working better than Sheehan did).

Really don't understand why Lissah wasn't recalled. We are struggling for a right back and he's having rave reviews up in Scotland. Loads of teams recall players back in this window. As others have said, Galbraith definitely needs a rest, unfortunately Key is having a woeful season. Hope , as a team, we don't run out of steam with 10 games left due to the high press tactics used by Matos. There's one or two already looking in need of a rest.

 

[TruckerJack]

Did we sign him to play right back or central midfield?
I would take a guess it was central midfield given he started the season there and only went into RB due to Key lack of form. I think a recent interview from him suggests he prefers CM.

Vitor played him at right back after his first game in charge.

 

[TruckerJack]

Galbraith is an intelligent player, he can play RB but I think someone so gifted and technical is wasted at RB.
Let's play him in the position we signed him to play, get a RB in who isn't seen as a stop gap and push on.

How do you know the intention behind his signing though?

 

[Smurph]

Really don't understand why Lissah wasn't recalled. We are struggling for a right back and he's having rave reviews up in Scotland. Loads of teams recall players back in this window. As others have said, Galbraith definitely needs a rest, unfortunately Key is having a woeful season. Hope , as a team, we don't run out of steam with 10 games left due to the high press tactics used by Matos. There's one or two already looking in need of a rest.

We have 4 players in the squad who can potentially play at right back. We really shouldn't need to rely on a young lad cutting his teeth in Scotland.

Recalling Lissah could stunt his development. I honestly feel it's best for the lad to join the squad in the summer and let Matos have a look at him and his ability to become a first team regular.

If we recall him and he has mare it could stall any progression. Imagine the outcry on here if he doesn't start putting ten out ten performances in each week.

 

[Smurph]

Vitor played him at right back after his first game in charge.

I'd suggest that wasn't through choice.

 

[TruckerJack]

I'd suggest that wasn't through choice.

Why wouldn’t he have a choice?

Galbraith is an 8 and a RB, he’s played both in equal measures. The midfield is better balanced when it’s Stamenic, Franco and Widell.

Sheehan couldn’t see it but that’s what makes Vitor a good manager. We have much better results when he’s played RB and drifts inside to play a supporting 6.

 

[malc]

I look at this different having your best players on the pitch is best for the team .
The midfield is probably our strongest part of the team .
If Galbraith plays in midfield who do you leave out , I like Stamenic with Franco , Widell further forward , Fulton & Yalcoure to come on after an hour .

 

[TruckerJack]

I look at this different having your best players on the pitch is best for the team .
The midfield is probably our strongest part of the team .
If Galbraith plays in midfield who do you leave out , I like Stamenic with Franco , Widell further forward , Fulton & Yalcoure to come on after an hour .

Exactly this.

We lose bite if he plays instead of Franco, we lose physicality if he plays instead of Stamenic and we lose energy if he plays instead of Melker.

Having him at RB allows us to keep those elements and still have him affect the game centrally when he drifts inside.

It’s a big part of why we are doing well under Matos.

 

[Smurph]

Why wouldn’t he have a choice?

Galbraith is an 8 and a RB, he’s played both in equal measures. The midfield is better balanced when it’s Stamenic, Franco and Widell.

Sheehan couldn’t see it but that’s what makes Vitor a good manager. We have much better results when he’s played RB and drifts inside to play a supporting 6.

It's fairly obvious to everyone that he was signed as a midfielder and is being used as a stop gap by Matos for now.

The fact he's been shifted in to midfield during some games should tel you that.