The January 2026 Transfer Window Thread

[Smurph]

100% agree with your assessment.

Their goal yesterday as well was not great from him.

Can't knock any striker who has scored 11 goals at the half way stage in a season for a team that has created very little to date.

We do need a striker who scores all types of goals though. In Adam Idah we have a different type of player with better movement. I know its unfashionable these days, I'd like see the two of them in the same starting line up,

 

[Gors Buster]

Can't knock any striker who has scored 11 goals at the half way stage in a season for a team that has created very little to date.

We do need a striker who scores all types of goals though. In Adam Idah we have a different type of player with better movement. I know its unfashionable these days, I'd like see the two of them in the same starting line up,

Could Idah play the number 10 role and fill the gigantic void that’s been there since Pato left? He’s got a good touch on him and he can move a bit

 

[Smurph]

Could Idah play the number 10 role and fill the gigantic void that’s been there since Pato left? He’s good a good touch on him and he can move a bit

Definitely a way of getting both of them in the same team. I think they'd compliment each other.

 

[magicdaps10]

Could Idah play the number 10 role and fill the gigantic void that’s been there since Pato left? He’s got a good touch on him and he can move a bit

I would like to see him on the right instead of Ronald.
He certainly seems to like the ball at feet, likes to face the opposition goal, can shift and has decent awareness.
Sorry but he's not a lone striker(no response please Mr Sharpe )

 

[NWJack]

None of the players you mention have held down their place or made the jersey their own. Inoussa, Ronald and Eom are decent back ups, nothing more. Widell or Yalcouye I can accept but, again, one needs to make that jersey theirs when they get the opportunities.

 

[Menston4128]

Could Idah play the number 10 role and fill the gigantic void that’s been there since Pato left? He’s got a good touch on him and he can move a bit

absolutely not (IMO)

The No 10 is an attacking midfielder who has to get involved in midfield, dropping back and making it a 3 in the middle, Widdell or Yalcouye are suited for this, Idah isn't (neither is Cullen).

Personally for me Idah is a centre forward and needs to battle for that position in the team, which I don't think he is good enough for he just won't score the goals and it's not just his start with Swansea i'm basing that on it is his 1 in 10 record (based on league games) for Norwich that gives me zero confindence, funny that we are supposed to be using stats to identify players.

I would rather see Jerry Yates than Adam Idah and that's saying something as I was Mr Yates's biggest critic

 

[JA News]

A few people have suggested Oliver Sonne - a right back from Burnley is a loan target for us when Benson goes back

 

[cadleigh]

Can't knock any striker who has scored 11 goals at the half way stage in a season for a team that has created very little to date.

We do need a striker who scores all types of goals though. In Adam Idah we have a different type of player with better movement. I know its unfashionable these days, I'd like see the two of them in the same starting line up,

I still think my idea has legs. Three CBs (Cabango, Burgess, Casey), Tymon at left WB and Galbraith at right, Stamenich and Franco in central MF, and play around with combinations of Widell, Eom, Ronald, Inoussa, Yalcouye, Idah, Cullen, Vipotnik and Wales in the remaining three places. Not necessarily in that order...

I know that Tymon and Galbraith don't have the pace you'd traditionally want from WBs but it would give Glabraith licence to be more creative in MF than a traditional RB role does.

 

[DZJJack]

The club told Matos that it was a formality his assistants and required staff would be able to work in the UK - they've now had to inform him this may not be the case - so now have to figure out an alternative plan.

Understandably this has not gone down well, especially as these staff may now find themselves unemployed by Maritimo and to make matters worse, the compensation fee was based on multiple staff - but not contingent on them legally being able to work in the UK.

The January window is too close to be impacted but the club are actively discussing hiring a Director of Football or somebody to fulfil a similar role and give Matos more support as currently Gorringe is the only member of the leadership structure on the ground on a day to day basis.

Further to this, as the plan to make a Director of Football appointment has become common knowledge since I made the original post. The only update I have been given that feels worth sharing, is that Matos has been a breath of fresh air at Fairwood. He is very enthusiastic, personable and the staff who have come in with him have only added to this. They all work long hours and make all of the staff, no matter the size of their job, feel like they are key to the side heading in the right direction again.

Just so there is no unfair narrative concluded from this, it is not a poor reflection on Sheehan. Sheehan's departure was not celebrated internally, he was also an incredibly popular person at the training ground and staff and players alike were very sad to see him go and maintain a lot of respect and goodwill towards him. Unfortunately morale had dropped due to results and the writing was on the wall for Sheehan and his staff, which had gradually chipped away at the mood around Fairwood by the end. You do not need to be a saint to be a football manager but there is a sense that getting the little things right, such as being popular and making it an enjoyable place to work are easy wins to help give you the chance to push the whole club in the right direction.

A few January targets have been mentioned but I have no interest in sharing that sort of information as it feels like the transfer market can be very chaotic and clubs look at and discuss hundreds of players to end up signing two.

 

[Smurph]

Further to this, as the plan to make a Director of Football appointment has become common knowledge since I made the original post. The only update I have been given that feels worth sharing, is that Matos has been a breath of fresh air at Fairwood. He is very enthusiastic, personable and the staff who have come in with him have only added to this. They all work long hours and make all of the staff, no matter the size of their job, feel like they are key to the side heading in the right direction again.

Just so there is no unfair narrative concluded from this, it is not a poor reflection on Sheehan. Sheehan's departure was not celebrated internally, he was also an incredibly popular person at the training ground and staff and players alike were very sad to see him go and maintain a lot of respect and goodwill towards him. Unfortunately morale had dropped due to results and the writing was on the wall for Sheehan and his staff, which had gradually chipped away at the mood around Fairwood by the end. You do not need to be a saint to be a football manager but there is a sense that getting the little things right, such as being popular and making it an enjoyable place to work are easy wins to help give you the chance to push the whole club in the right direction.

A few January targets have been mentioned but I have no interest in sharing that sort of information as it feels like the transfer market can be very chaotic and clubs look at and discuss hundreds of players to end up signing two.

Cheers, Adam

 

[Smurph]

I still think my idea has legs. Three CBs (Cabango, Burgess, Casey), Tymon at left WB and Galbraith at right, Stamenich and Franco in central MF, and play around with combinations of Widell, Eom, Ronald, Inoussa, Yalcouye, Idah, Cullen, Vipotnik and Wales in the remaining three places. Not necessarily in that order...

I know that Tymon and Galbraith don't have the pace you'd traditionally want from WBs but it would give Glabraith licence to be more creative in MF than a traditional RB role does.

I'd love us to go old school and play 4-4-2

 

[cadleigh]

I'd love us to go old school and play 4-4-2

I'd love to see Idah and Vipotnik play alongside each other, and the back four pick themselves. Who would you have in MF?

 

[Smurph]

I'd love to see Idah and Vipotnik play alongside each other, and the back four pick themselves. Who would you have in MF?

That's the million dollar question.

I feel Widdell has to be one in the centre (he's probably our most creative player) and them either Galbraith or Stemenic.

Once concern of having Widdell and Galbraith in the centre is their size. Unless we played Widdell out wide on the left and Inoussa on the right.