Quote Originally Posted by swaledale View Post
Paying a transfer fee to release a player from his contract or paying compensation to release a manager from a contract, not sure there is a difference in that the amounts can be very similar at this level. Its still an outgoing and the EFL could have said you have Rosenior as manager, if you want to replace him there are plenty who are out of contract.

My understanding of the Rosenior appointment is that at the time of the takeover, the club were not in a financial position to appoint another manager and there wasn't the time with less than 5 weeks to get a team together before the start of the season, so appointing Rosenior on a temporary basis was the only option - he could have been appointed permanently, but then that wouldn't make much sense given Clowes had just taken over the club.

How is there pressure for Lampard to recall Dobbin? There has been paper talk, but even that has said what you have said, it would not help Everton to recall him. He is getting game time and so don't see him going back.

Roberts has had not had a look in lately because Sibley has played well and why change a team that's defending well and is unbeaten? Theres no mystery there. Again can't see the logic of a premier league club recalling a player who is playing in league 1 to play for them in the prem. They might want to send him elsewhere on loan for more game time, but there has been no hint of that.

Osula has had less game time, so again any recall would be to send him elsewhere, but no mention of that.

Warne has given no indication that he thinks any of the 3 loanees will be recalled, and whilst the window is open there is always a possibility it doesn't seem a major one to me.

In any case Warne has already said that wages aren't an issue, there is a budget which enables him to strengthen the squad, but under current business plan Derby can't pay a transfer fee.

Bielik's wages are another matter, if he came back to play for Derby that would impact the wage budget significantly, so he either stays on loan or gets sold.

In terms of players coming in, the current position has been explained by Warne, the club cannot pay a transfer fee, unless the EFL agree to vary the business plan, there is no mystery or unknown there it has been made quite clear.

What was talked about was being able to acquire a player whose contract finished at the end of the season, sometimes these can command a transfer fee, but if the club concerned sees not paying that players wages until June as a bonus then probably no fee - but as has been said, no club around the top 8 in league 1 would release a player to a rival club. But it may be possible to pick up a player from the championship in those circumstances.

The other option is more loans - only 5 loans can be in the match day squad, but I think the max at a club is 8?

The unknown is what the club can do IF, and its a big IF at the moment, Bielik or other player is sold for a significant fee, say £2 - 4 million?

Can Derby then use that money to pay a transfer fee? At the moment they can't, but its possible the EFL would approve a proposal to buy a player if its funded from externally generated revenue such as the sale of a player. Warne has said the EFL may vary the restrictions if requested to do so. But that really is the unknown issue.

Otherwise its either a free transfer or another couple of loans - I'd be surprised if we see any player other than Bielik go, odds are he will stay on loan at Birmingham (but it's possible of course). As for incomings, I'd say 3 players if we are lucky.

I have no expectations of a busy January, on the contrary basically it will be a quiet window, with lots of rumours and then 2 or 3 players nobody has forecast, will be signed.
Everton fans appear to be clamouring for Dobbin to be recalled. Personally I think it’d be better for both clubs if he stayed with us. Lots of promise but way off the top level at present...imo.

My point about Roberts is that he ISN’T playing, even at League one level, and that’s no use to Brighton...or us.

Your point about the number of loans we can ha be is a good one and one I admit I’d forgotten.

We’ll see.