WINDOW DRESSING
JOHN LYONS LOOKS AT THE IMPORTANCE OFTHE JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW…
The importance of January
THE busy festive period is long since over, the big boys have, somewhat reluctantly, entered the FA Cup – and the transfer window is well and truly open for business.
Yes, the wheeling and dealing is in full swing. Clubs at the top end of the table are looking for those one or two extra pieces to complete the jigsaw and guarantee promotion.
Those at the bottom, meanwhile, may be looking for a bunch of pieces to help put their season back together again and break away from the threat of relegation.
It can be a make-or-break time for many, and means that January is a vital month for clubs up and down the land. Get their recruitment right in that month-long period and their chances of success – whatever that means – are greatly enhanced.
Get it wrong, and the consequences could be serious. It may lead to a club being relegated, losing their best players and staff losing their jobs.
It’s approaching 20 years now since the present transfer window system began. It was introduced as part of a compromise agreement with the European Commission about how the whole transfer system should work.
It looked to preserve contractual stability for both the player and the club while allowing movement at prescribed times during the year - the summer and winter transfer windows.
Those of us with longer memories will remember the days before the transfer windows came into effect. Players could be traded throughout the season until the end of March.
There was always transfer news in the papers and you never knew whether your club would lose one of their best players at the drop of a hat – or buy one if their star striker got injured. It meant there was a lack of continuity and it favoured the big clubs. If they had problems, they could go out and make signings to try to turn things around.
Whatever you think of the current system, and many argue that it is a restraint of trade on players, at least there is stability.
Once those windows are out of the way, a manager, the board of directors, the fans all know what there is to work with. The boss has to use the players at his disposal (unless he can snap up some free agents) and get the best out of them.
If experienced players are injured, then youngsters may get their opportunity.
You can’t just go out and buy a ready-made replacement.
Of course, it can mean that clubs panic in January and pay over the odds for players, as they know it’s their last realistic chance to strengthen.
It’s a time for cool heads, rational decisions and calculated gambles. Will your club get it right?