January window, 2026.

[swaledale]

Blackett-Taylor gone to Bolton, we really are clearing the decks, which is good to see, no use having players n the wage bill we don't use.

Will there be more incomings this week? I've heard a few names but nothing concrete enough to say atm.

[Ram Pant]

CBT. 11 starts in 2 years. That tells the story. There really is a player in there but not available often enough.

Jackson said to be on his way too. Szmodics and Bassi in is mooted in a lot of online places.

[Ramshank72]

The "not quites" seem to be up for moves. Hopefully we can bring in 1 or 2, as they were useful squad players and we'll struggle if we get a few injuries.

[swaledale]

As I posted earlier on in this thread, Derby linked with a swoop for Sammie Szmodics of Ipswich Town and its becoming a very strong rumour echoed online now.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Szmodics bid rejected per my tractor boy mate: but in any good transfer that happens a few times!

[ramAnag]

Szmodics bid rejected per my tractor boy mate: but in any good transfer that happens a few times!

See Sterling is available. Left Chelsea by mutual consent. Useful replacement for CBT and a mere 325K per week!

[Geoff Parkstone]

you dont get 325k a week when unemployed - wonder if he plans to sign on for JSA

[SithHappens]

you dont get 325k a week when unemployed - wonder if he plans to sign on for JSA

On JSA you have to take any job on offer and spend 30 hours a week searching for jobs.

Not sure i can see him putting himself out for 80 quid a week.

[Geoff Parkstone]

So the Rams should offer him ?100 a week - a 25% pay rise 😃

[SithHappens]

So the Rams should offer him ?100 a week - a 25% pay rise 😃

Throw in a company Raleigh Grifter too.

[Ram Pant]

Szmodics bid turned down. Several other Championship clubs said to be interested. He's 30. I hope we don't enter a bidding war for him as, IMO, ?5M or more for a 30 year old isn't only a bad idea, it's also against what Mr Clowes has said the plan is. He's had 3, maybe 4, good scoring seasons since his 2013 debut. I'd leave this one where it is.

[Ramshank72]

I don't know why we'd be chasing a striker, Morris and Big Pat are putting on a good show. Salvesen has been disappointing providing cover, but I don't see the benefit in spending our funds to replace the cover. I'm not sure when Max Johnson is back, but we seem weak at the back at the moment, along with some creativity in midfield/wide, is where I'd be looking.

[ramAnag]

Agreeing with the two posts above. All begs the question, what is our aim in the current window and between now and the end of this season?
Are we trying to strengthen now in order to make a late challenge for the playoffs and promotion, or are we just getting more foundations in place for a genuine attempt next time around?
Realistically I think we are way too far off thinking about promotion at present. Just look at the gulf in class between ourselves and the likes of Wolves or any of the lower Premier teams.
I’d be looking at consolidation over the next four months in preparation for a realistic target of promotion next season, but I dare say Sunderland supporters may have been saying the same thing this time last year.

[Ram Pant]

Problem with Salvesen, IMO, like so many players we've had through the years, we're asking him to play as a back to the goal target man when his forte is running the channels, chasing through balls and getting on the end of decent crosses. We aren't playing to his strengths.He has a footballing brain and the skill to match it, witness the recent game when he was brought on with about 10 to go and was brilliant working wit 2 or 3 others in running the clock down. Play to his skillset and we've got a good un. Ask him to play a game he's not suited to and they'd be better off playing me.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Jaydon replaces Kayden

Dutch winger / forward on loan from Burnley to end of season. Ajax provenance - know anything RP?

Guess that means we wont be pursuing Raheem Sterling after all