The January 2026 Transfer Window

[wilsdenrover]

8 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Devil's advocate mode:

Is that one we'd be that bothered about?

We should always be bothered by an outgoing because any replacement is likely to be worse. 

[bigbrandjohn]

After tonight’s performance our transfer window has been double glazed with no latches.

Nobody is going to want to come to us to get involved in a relegation battle. 

[Bbrovers2288]

Not that we will get it but this is what I see as urgently needing addressed 

experienced centre back- to lose both hyam and batth the same window is criminal, especially when you consider the replacement was McLaughlin who is ok-ish but not adequate. He is on par with Paul downing for me. We really need somebody back there that can organise the whole back line. 
 

centre mid- we need an engine in there beside tronstadt that can make a difference both ends of the pitch and can get us on the ball. Look at all our last games and we have lost the midfield , there is no connection with the midfield to up top, ball isn’t sticking and it’s causing major problems. When we have Hickman in there then we are in trouble. Said after a few games he wasn’t fit for the jersey. 
 

lwb- if this is the formation we are going to play we need somebody to compliment alebiousu on the left. This has to be an immediate starter , we can get rid of Pickering and Riberio as they are clearly not fancied here. 
 

striker- I would still get an experienced champ head in there so we can change things up, ohashi has shown to be poor this season so we need a better option than him. I still think Jorgensen will be better suited on the flanks running the channels so we need a target man that’s better than gueye was. 
 

so that’s at least 4 key signings away, yet I feel we may only get another 1 in. Worrying times 

[Ricky]

I feel that winning the battle in the middle of the park can help set the tone for the whole team. We can’t do that with the current players. Baraji looks skillful on the ball but doesn’t have any fight at all. Loses the ball and watches the player run away from him, Cantwell does exactly the same. 

We probably have the weakest squad in the league. Our best 11 is lower mid table but the overall squad is weak. That weak squad has led to us having to try to play the best 11 every game with no rest, shock horror we then end up with injuries. I’m also convinced our training and rehab is nowhere near what it’s been in the past so the injuries are more common.

in short a couple of signings may cover the cracks but we all know the problems are running deeper. If we keep signing average players then the starting 11 are still under pressure to start every game. Cashin doesn’t start for me when our CBs are fit so it’s a pointless signing, O’Riordan was pulled back from loan and again is probably only on the bench if all are fit. Jorgensen probably doesn’t start if Gudjonssen and Ohashi are both fit (maybe ahead of Ohashi at a push).

Last season I’m not sure we signed a single player who was better than what we already had in that position. Some would save Alibiousi, but we had Brittain who was one of the best in the RB position we actually signed the player to play in. Change in formation has been good for Ryan but as a RB I think Brittain has the edge.

There are no quick wins, a couple of signings will not get us out of this mess.

[Ricky]

It’s also an indication of how bad our transfer policy is when a team with a transfer embargo can do considerably better business than us. Hull are 4th and 3 points off the automatic places and weren’t allowed to pay a fee for anyone, they also had the wages capped but still did better than us in the window. 

[TheKitGuy]

5 hours ago, Bbrovers2288 said:

Not that we will get it but this is what I see as urgently needing addressed 

experienced centre back- to lose both hyam and batth the same window is criminal, especially when you consider the replacement was McLaughlin who is ok-ish but not adequate. He is on par with Paul downing for me. We really need somebody back there that can organise the whole back line. 
 

centre mid- we need an engine in there beside tronstadt that can make a difference both ends of the pitch and can get us on the ball. Look at all our last games and we have lost the midfield , there is no connection with the midfield to up top, ball isn’t sticking and it’s causing major problems. When we have Hickman in there then we are in trouble. Said after a few games he wasn’t fit for the jersey. 
 

lwb- if this is the formation we are going to play we need somebody to compliment alebiousu on the left. This has to be an immediate starter , we can get rid of Pickering and Riberio as they are clearly not fancied here. 
 

striker- I would still get an experienced champ head in there so we can change things up, ohashi has shown to be poor this season so we need a better option than him. I still think Jorgensen will be better suited on the flanks running the channels so we need a target man that’s better than gueye was. 
 

so that’s at least 4 key signings away, yet I feel we may only get another 1 in. Worrying times 

We knew 90% of this in July.

[JHRover]

35 minutes ago, Ricky said:

It’s also an indication of how bad our transfer policy is when a team with a transfer embargo can do considerably better business than us. Hull are 4th and 3 points off the automatic places and weren’t allowed to pay a fee for anyone, they also had the wages capped but still did better than us in the window. 

The Hull one is proof that even with significant restrictions imposed it is still possible to recruit well and compete in this league.

The difference of course is that the restrictions imposed on Hull were caused by their owners' ambition and spending and he is doing his best to overcome/get around those and still compete.

Our owners have used FFP rules and restrictions as a perfect excuse to cover for their own cutbacks and have never had a shred of ambition. 

If they, or anyone else, had ambition here much much more could be done.

[MarkBRFC]

9 hours ago, RoversClitheroe said:

Seen a rumour on facebook Hayden Carter was at the Wrexham Leicester game, anyone able to confirm?

Feels like bullshit but you never know

He was, posted it on his instagram.

[Staffordshire Rover]

Not a good look this

 

 

[rog of the rovers]

If you're not going to sack him, he needs reinforcements and rapid.

Clear the spots on the registration 

De Neve - sold, released, deregistered - no future in English football

Yuri Ribeiro and/or Pickering - sold, released - pointless him being here with the 3-5-2

Taylor Gardner-Hickman - loan termination - just a dreadful player

Ryan Hedges - Injury too severe

Henriksson - loan out

 

Sign

Left back/wing back - Cashin could fill in there I'm sure

Centre forward - no.9

Centre midfielder - Experience at Championship/Premier League level, even if its an older body like Forshaw 2.0

Centre Back/Right back cover - Someone who can play in front of Alebiosu or cover for him.

 

4-4-1-1 or 4-3-3 pack the midfield again, too easy to play against the two in there. Be difficult to break down, start with clean sheets.

[Ricky]

23 minutes ago, Staffordshire Rover said:

Not a good look this

 

 

I’m ok with it. He wasn’t in the squad and had played for the 21s the day before. He’s made the short trip to watch a friend play. 

[Ghost7]

If they had anything about them at the club, Gestede would be asked to desperately move on De Neve, Henriksson and Tavares now. Then bring in 3 replacements that can play at this level, along with a LWB.

The other option is you tell all 3 they won't be registered and bring in the players who can play anyway.

Either way it's been made clear that signing players should not be Gestede's responsibility.

[...]

32 minutes ago, Staffordshire Rover said:

Not a good look this

 

 

As said i can't see anything wrong with it. What's he meant to do?

[allanncd]

16 minutes ago, Ghost7 said:

If they had anything about them at the club, Gestede would be asked to desperately move on De Neve, Henriksson and Tavares now. Then bring in 3 replacements that can play at this level, along with a LWB.

The other option is you tell all 3 they won't be registered and bring in the players who can play anyway.

Either way it's been made clear that signing players should not be Gestede's responsibility.

No way should DeNeve be included in the 25 squad. The tea lady would do better (if she hasn't already been sacked).

[allanncd]

As it stands, if Tronstad becomes unavailable the centre midfield first choices are Forshaw and T G-H. Has there ever been a worse midfield in the club's history? And when Forshaw breaks down (as always) the back up is Montgomery (out till March) and Tavares (out till March at earliest and completely useless).

[rovers11]

53 minutes ago, Staffordshire Rover said:

Not a good look this

 

 

You shouldn't be watching another team when your own team - the one that pays your wages - is playing. 

We were playing on Sky+ so why was he not at home watching that? Clearly has no interest.

[Browjd]

What would be the comp on sacking VI now? Interested to know...

[TheKitGuy]

30 minutes ago, Browjd said:

What would be the comp on sacking VI now? Interested to know...

We would need the ins and outs of the contract to even hazard a guess. I'd avoid saying any figures as I know people from the club will read this board not worth running the risk! 

[Tom]

Personally I think Carter is a dick for that; an absolute sick note paid by the club for very little and can’t even pretend to care enough to watch us in a big game. 
 

Screw them all 

[Tomphil2]

Personally i don't care where Carter is unless he's actually on the pitch doing it for Rovers it's not like we were at home or anything.

Most of them don't give a toss a few years back i was on an Xmas do to Manchester. At the very same time Rovers were at Deepdale and we were keeping tabs on it on the train as it unfolded.

Sat in front of us was Adam Hanley and his mates off around Manchester and paying no attention whatsoever to the game seemingly.

 

[Tim Southampton Rover]

You're all just jealous because Hayden missed the dire Rovers game and you had to put up with watching it 🤣

Personally, I'd make him captain. He's clearly smart. 

[MarkBRFC]

I think we have a few bigger problems than where Hayden Carter decides to spend his evening to be honest.

Edited 45 minutes ago by MarkBRFC

[RTM08]

34 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

I think we have a few bigger problems than where Hayden Carter decides to spend his evening to be honest.

And let's be honest if he was actually fit (big if I know but still) we'd be begging to have him back in the first 11.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

36 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

I think we have a few bigger problems than where Hayden Carter decides to spend his evening to be honest.

We do but his absence is a symptom of the overall problem/culture at the club from boardroom to seemingly players now Which is lack of respect or care for the club

that’s an academy player been at the club from 14/15 years of age. We’re in a dogfight and he’s at some other game on the same night we’re playing it’s a terrible look

[rovers11]

39 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

I think we have a few bigger problems than where Hayden Carter decides to spend his evening to be honest.

But doesn't it just symbolise the state of the club? No one from top to bottom cares a jot about the club, aside from the fans.

Our own players would rather watch another team (and their FORMER teammate) rather than being interested in how their current teammates are getting on. That is appalling behaviour from Carter.