January transfer Window

[brassmonkey]

With Futcher leaving plus Bulman, Deering, Creighton, Wotton Baker?? will that mean we will bring some more players in during January?

Or have Gaughan, Maclaren and potentally Mclean taken up all the budget

[bornyellow]

I think we may see Green go out on loan aswell, in a attempt to free up more wages.

[dabigfella]

I wouldn't be too sure that Creighton and Deering are going if I was you. Don't forget Midson was supposed to never play for the club again.

Add to that Franks and Futcher having gone that leaves only Worley, Wright and Gaughan (?) still here (where Rhys Day is I don't know) as centrebacks with the club and Creighton may make the fourth.

[OUFC Gav]

Jan 3, 2011 22:35:47 GMT dabigfella said:

I wouldn't be too sure that Creighton and Deering are going if I was you. Don't forget Midson was supposed to never play for the club again.

Add to that Franks and Futcher having gone that leaves only Worley, Wright and Gaughan (?) still here (where Rhys Day is I don't know) as centrebacks with the club and Creighton may make the fourth.

Day is at Mansfield

[SuperOx]

Creighton and Deering are now back at Oxford.

Creighton played for Wrexham yesterday as they beat Bath City 2-0 but it was reported that
he has 'other options' in the transfer window so he may go out gain shortly or will he play at Aldershot in another 'Midson like' renaissance?

[ekon]

Mitchell Cole..what do we do with him (and what could we do with his wages over the rest of a 2 year? contract)

[barryspang]

Id expect Day to sign for Mansfield. Id be suprised if Cole doesnt leave.

Has Leigh Franks officially gone back to Huddersfield? All I saw reported was that he was injured.

[ekon]

barry..if Cole is on decent wages why would he leave if the chance of getting similar money elsewhere has gone? (which given his lack of minutes on the park must be the case)

Hope something can be done to free up his wages..a loan to a Conference side perhaps?

[registrationerror]

Here's what's left going into January after the semi-cull:

Ryan Clarke
Simon Eastwood

Damian Batt
Ben Purkiss
Anthony Tonkin
Steve Kinniburgh
Jake Wright
Harry Worley
Mark Creighton
Lawrence Gaughan - Free Transfer In

Paul McLaren - Free Transfer In
Simon Clist
Simon Heslop
Asa Hall
Josh Payne - Free Transfer In
Alfie Potter
Sam Deering
Mitchell Cole

Matt Green
James Constable
Jack Midson
Tom Craddock
Steve MacLean - Loan
Aaron Woodley

Dannie Bulman >>> Crawley - Free
Richie Baker >>> Released
Leigh Franks >>> Loan Terminated
Ben Futcher >>> Loan Terminated
Rhys Day >>> Mansfield - Free

So there's 3 full-time wages and 2 loans off the wage bill, still, the squad seems pretty full as it is. If Mitchell Cole continues to be overlooked there's not much point keeping him, it's a shame because I thought he could have a decent impact for us this season - It was only last year he came off the bench for Boro and bagged a hatrick.
Also, I'd consider sending Green out on loan to get some minutes/goals and replace Creighton with a CB with more league experience.

A Few Observations...

• I reckon the defence has League One potential (ironically). Clarke and Wright are there already, Worley and Kinniburgh could do with another year and then Batt would do well if he maintained good form...I honestly think we've been unlucky defensively so far this season, had it not been for injuries/suspensions and we'd been able to stick with Batt-Worley-Wright-Tonkin I think we'd be solid. The first 10 or so games of the season we were, when partnerships had formed.
  
• Since then though, its been pretty woeful. I think Tonkin has been the biggest flop of the season. Whenever he plays you can tell he is very short of confidence. Its a shame because he was a top player in the BSP.
  
• I hope Wilder keeps the faith with Hall after the Torquay game. Although some don't rate him I think he performs consistently well, and is an untapped source of goals. I get the feeling he's just teetering near being more prolific in front of goal.
  
• We will do better post-Jan because the very good players of the league will probably move on - Le Fondre, Anthony Grant, Westwood and Miller etc. I dont think we've got anyone who will be snapped up by a bigger club tbh.
  
• I would rather not sign MacLean than change the wage structure around him and potentially unsettle the squad. He's good but not worth risking the finances of the club.
  
  

Are there any rumours doing the rounds about transfer targets? I assume some will be brought in because there's some wage budget knocking about.

[foghornleghorn]

Sam Deering and Mitchell Cole and the obvious ones to go but that leaves us light in midfield - not just in terms of headcount, but also options. 442 with wingers would be a complete no go.

[tomox]

I think we need a more direct winger. Potter flatters to decieve and goes on these mazy runs but there is rarely any end product. I would like a wingers who's first intention is to take his man on. Mark Marshall from Barnet ??

[tomox]

Ex scummer, maybe not !!

[bornyellow]

Jan 6, 2011 16:30:54 GMT tomox said:

Ex scummer, maybe not !!

He's still with the scum on loan?

[tomox]

No he signed for Barnet permanently.

[bornyellow]

Jan 6, 2011 19:01:10 GMT tomox said:

No he signed for Barnet permanently.

Ah my bad.

[yellowg]

I have no problem with the squad at this moment in time. I am glad that Deering, Midson and Beast are back as think they are better than what came in and went (Wotton / Futcher). The only thing I would do is get another quality centre back (loan maybe) and try and get maclean for the rest of the year (wages may be a prob?). Hopefully Midson will stay and have a real impact now, because I think he's a cracking player and brings alot to the table.

I have aot of time for our wide midfielders - Potter, Deering and Cole all have something to offer us and I would start using them at home in particular!!...I always find it strange that we water the pitch to give us a fast surface and then spend our time playing narrow and direct!!

I would like to see us play with proper wingers - not wide midfielders but wingers. I always feel that we don't play to the strengths in our squad, and sometimes I believe we wedge the best 11 into any formation that fits. I would be brave over the next few weeks if I was Wilder. Although things are not broke so to speak I think we have more to offer.

[Millman]

Great post registrationerror. There have been some good comments on this thread.

I have a question and that is have we run out of cash for any moves in this window?

The reason for thinking that is the return of the loanees and the fact we are now apparently happy with them, when a week ago they were apparently gone for good. Something indeed seems to have changed.

Another question is how long do we have Mcclean for is it still the 15th of the month?

Are we now planning to manage if or when he goes back?

As for the changes I would like to see (but I doubt some will happen). I say offload Cole, Green, Tonkin, Creighton, and Woodley. Then lets get in a new more mobile CB and a more mobile quicker LB. Also I would say we are center midfield heavy by one player. Get rid of one and bring in two wide players (the other to replace Cole). Maybe these changes are not for now but the end of the season, but these are what I would like to see (I doubt the wide players will happen it doesn't fit with the 433 mentality).

[SuperOx]

Mark Creighton has now left OUFC.

I would think Deering will be back out on loan during the window and I too, would not be at all surprised if Matt Green went out to get first team football.