The January 2026 Transfer Window

[...]

We're going to get left behind again aren't we.... 

[chaddyrovers]

3 hours ago, neophox said:

Derby acting quick. Sanderson joins on a permanent deal.

the 6th time Eustace has signed Sanderson in the 9 transfer window 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

Nixon record is more than good enough. Who else cover Rovers with transfer stories? Without his stories this thread would be dead. 

Not as long as you and Roversfan99 are still going at it.

[chaddyrovers]

56 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I am not contesting that we have bid for Cleary. I will assume that we did. But we havent signed him, the bid was not at an acceptable amount so it doesnt mean anything. Until if and when we sign him or indeed anyone, I am not convinced that we are all ready and well prepared. Similar guff comes out of the club before every window, we want to get players in early, players get linked etc. It doesnt mean anything.

So you have no info on transfers? ok then. 

Why do you have to convince that Ismael and the staff aren't ready and well prepared? Ismael has told you we are, so until you have info to prove that wrong, its just more pointless comments by yourself

56 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I cant say that I have ever seen Cleary play so I dont know. Seems to have impressed at Barnsley for half a season which is all there is to go on. Young and fairly untested, but seemingly quick and likes to do something alien to the rest of our squad and run with the ball. But big question marks around his position as I have touched on. I couldnt possibly say if he would be good or bad, and until he actually signs its an irrelevance.

so you said you haven't seen him but can tell he isn't a striker somehow? Barnsley's head coach has said he can play anyone in the front line and he also started at West Brom as a striker. I mentioned someone like Thomas Asante who started wide of a 3 before moving more centre as his game develop at Salford, then West Brom and now at Coventry. 

[bluebruce]

23 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

 

Miller is poor on the ball and at crossing, more suited to playing where he is playing. Litherland isnt a natural wing back. Alebiosu is away.

 

 

For 3 more weeks. His absence doesn't constitute a need for a signing, especially given how long it takes for us to get our ducks in a row in the market. Probably be a week before he's back at best by the time we signed someone, if not him returning first.

Your other points are fairer. Though it should be remembered we can't afford/attract a genuinely good RWB to mostly be Alebiousu's understudy, the backup is always going to be flawed. I'm more bothered about improving the first 11, and getting another goalscorer in.

I'd be leaving any decision on getting another RWB when we have got other ducks in a row (striker, centre half, future Tronstad replacement to settle in for the summer, if we've managed to find one who is good enough that we can afford). By the time we have done that, we'd know more about our remaining budget, and more about whether Litherland is adequate filling in there if Alebiousu gets injured. Because an adequate backup is about all we can expect at present. If he keeps performing as he has, I think Litherland qualifies for that for now, and can also be backup for a back three spot if his form or injuries warrant, meaning he should get a reasonable amount of development time if he's up to it.

[Angry_Pirate]

Didn't realise my "O'Riordan better than Miller" musing would cause a 4 page debate...

To clarify my opinion.

Miller is a liability when dribbling. If feels like 10% of his dribbles lead to tackles that are borderline lunges. He takes FAR too long to play/clear the ball down the sidelines, with I'd bet 1 in 3 being blocked - occasionally causing danger.

His passing in general is easily his poorest trait. He makes the odd good forward pass (Ohashi scores the odd wonderful goal), but many are simply passed to an opponent in the middle of the pitch.

Overall I think he is an okay RCB. Championship level. But anyone who tries to defend his passing, dribbling and all round urgency are not seeing the same guy as me.

I hope O'Riordan is better. Otherwise, what is the point.

[TugaysMarlboro]

3 hours ago, Ricky said:

You don’t help yourself Chaddy mate. 

All the evidence points to us being pretty abysmal when it comes to January windows, so much so that it’s basically led to our last two managers leaving. Yet because Nicko has said we’re getting a bid in for a winger (a position which we don’t actually use) you think it’s all roses.

I do wonder if VI is using the media to push the board a bit. He’s aware that he is trying to compete with a bang average squad and knows he needs more quality. He’s playing a dangerous game trying to push this lot into actually signing someone decent. He’ll be out of the door by mid February. 

VI has a short memory. 

All the transfer budgets gone on improving the pitch, with his blessing. 😂

[roversfan99]

6 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

For 3 more weeks. His absence doesn't constitute a need for a signing, especially given how long it takes for us to get our ducks in a row in the market. Probably be a week before he's back at best by the time we signed someone, if not him returning first.

Your other points are fairer. Though it should be remembered we can't afford/attract a genuinely good RWB to mostly be Alebiousu's understudy, the backup is always going to be flawed. I'm more bothered about improving the first 11, and getting another goalscorer in.

I'd be leaving any decision on getting another RWB when we have got other ducks in a row (striker, centre half, future Tronstad replacement to settle in for the summer, if we've managed to find one who is good enough that we can afford). By the time we have done that, we'd know more about our remaining budget, and more about whether Litherland is adequate filling in there if Alebiousu gets injured. Because an adequate backup is about all we can expect at present. If he keeps performing as he has, I think Litherland qualifies for that for now, and can also be backup for a back three spot if his form or injuries warrant, meaning he should get a reasonable amount of development time if he's up to it.

We also could do with more natural cover for Alebiosu for when he comes back, just because he is so important. I would rather see Litherland play at centre back. You can tell he isnt a wing back.

I appreciate on the cheap that its hard especially as its essentially back up but I think we need to take a look.

[roversfan99]

32 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

So you have no info on transfers? ok then. 

Why do you have to convince that Ismael and the staff aren't ready and well prepared? Ismael has told you we are, so until you have info to prove that wrong, its just more pointless comments by yourself

so you said you haven't seen him but can tell he isn't a striker somehow? Barnsley's head coach has said he can play anyone in the front line and he also started at West Brom as a striker. I mentioned someone like Thomas Asante who started wide of a 3 before moving more centre as his game develop at Salford, then West Brom and now at Coventry. 

Why would I have info on transfers?

Ismael might be prepared and have agreed to sign x, y and z. So were previous managers. He isnt the reason many fear a slow and/or poor window.

[Exiled_Rover]

3 hours ago, simongarnerisgod said:

danish midfielder fraulo also joins from borussia muenchengladbach,eustace not hanging around

He's spent an absolute fortune. Playoffs or he'll be looking over his shoulder I think.

[Exiled_Rover]

3 hours ago, JHRover said:

So Nixon says 'substantial' six figure bid rejected for the Barnsley lad.

I know he's partly employed to put a shine on all things Rovers under the rotten regime but is there such thing as a a 'substantial' six figure bid in modern day Championship terms? 

The most it could possibly be is £999,999 which would not be a substantial sum for a Championship football club, especially not one used to selling players for 10x that amount every transfer window. 

As always, playing silly buggers.

Desperately need a CF with Gudjohnsen out for a month. You've apparently identified one (sat next to his agent at the recent Barnsley game - or so they tell us). Stop fannying about with lowball bids.

Whoever we sign at CF needs to be in tomorrow.

[Exiled_Rover]

7 hours ago, MarkBRFC said:

That happens everywhere and would be naive to suggest it doesn't.

If Rovers were as ready as they claimed, then they would know if the player wanted to join, and what the fee would be for him.

If they have had a bid rejected, it shows they haven't really done any planning at all.

You've got people on the Barnsley board saying he can probably be had for £1.5m, whereas other Barnsley fans think £4m, especially considering his age and the interest in him.

Clearly we've not done our homework, again.

[simongarnerisgod]

22 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

He's spent an absolute fortune. Playoffs or he'll be looking over his shoulder I think.

he`s spent a fortune by rovers standards😁