Window winners? Forest and Villa...
AS THE transfer window shut last Tuesday night, my managerial counterparts no doubt had mixed feelings. Relief may have been one of them after a month on the telephone at all hours. I didn’t even have time for the regular managerial postmatch press conference after our game against Leyton Orient last Saturday – and we’d won! Some managers may have felt delighted at their transfer window work – and the backing they received from their chairmen. Others may have felt dejected at losing key players at a crucial time or not being able to bring in the players they wanted. And it’s important to remember that this transfer window was more vital than ever for EFL bosses. Why? Because this is the first season without the safety net of emergency short-term loans. You can’t go out in February or March and just sign a striker. You have to work with what you’ve got now, so it’s a great test for all of us managers to see if we got our business in January right.
Criticism
There is no doubt the media make transfer deadline day out to be more than it actually is. A lot of the business done will have been considered for weeks. But let me tell you who I think has done some good business in the window. Nottingham Forest owner Fawaz AI-Hasawi has come in for lots of criticism, but when you see the likes of Ross McCormack, Zach Clough and Joao Teixeira arrive at the City Ground, you realise they will only head one way in the league table – and that’s up. Those who think a relegation fight is ahead are wrong. The chairman must be congratulated. Steve Bruce, for me a genius as a manager, has brought some outstanding talent to Aston Villa, with the captures of the likes of Scott Hogan, Conor Hourihane and Birkir Bjarnason. Believe me, they will be in the mix at the end of the season, despite getting a severe beating at Brentford in midweek. Despite their shock FA Cup exit at Sutton, Garry Monk continues to do a wonderful job at my old club, Leeds United. They have added two quality wide additions in Mo Barrow and Alfonso Pedraza, but I cannot help but think he could have been supported even more at a time when it’s essential.
Attention
However, I’ve got to admit I never thought it would happen – I’ve been there! I look at Jordan Rhodes, his CV, his goals and cannot help but think ‘why is he not getting attention at Leeds United?’ although, in fairness, he has joined another giant in Sheffield Wednesday. For such a great club as Leeds and their Premiership challenge, it is of paramount importance that their top qual- ity players, like Chris Wood, Liam Bridcutt, Kyle Bartley, Pontus Jansson and Eunan O’Kane, stay fit. There wasn’t as much highprofile activity in Leagues One and Two but, as always, a couple of signings stick out. Bradford City’s capture of Charlie Wyke from Carlisle is a great bit of business and will pay dividends. He has shown what he can do in League Two and I’m confident he will perform a level higher. He’s a quality addition for the Bantams. Portsmouth have beaten Bolton Wanderers to land striker Eoin Doyle on loan from Preston. A quality player and a huge club in League Two is a wonderful recipe. Expect him to score goals.