02 Feb 2024 21:02:48
On reflection I'm fairly comfortable with the January window. Like most I think a goalscorer would have capped it off, the cherry on top, but overall I think it was a positive month for many reasons:

- We kept Butland
- We moved Lammers out. Could never be accused of not trying the big man which buys a lot of grace from me, but the move was best for everyone.
- We brought in a £30m player on loan who technically looks very good from what we've seen so far. I don't think he's a 9, personally, but any of the 3 positions behind 9 I think he could be a real threat and with Sima now out long term that may be crucial.
- We brought in a creative midfielder on paper in Diomande who looks very good. Time will tell, but it's at least the right type of player we should be looking at
- We brought in the sort of right winger we've been crying out for. We've not really had one since Candeais! McCausland the closest (who I actually think could do well off the left BTW) .
- We clarified we'd be happy to deal on guys like Cifuentes and Matondo who just aren't up to it for our football.

We didn't address our CB issue, but in order of priority I'm fine with that. What we have in Goldson, Souttar and Balogun between them is more than enough to win a league.

The only thing we needed but didn't get was the goalscoring 9, but they're not easy to come by. I'd have been happy with Shankland as I do think we should look more at the best players in our league, but not at the prices Hearts were quoting. £2 - £3 million max for me. So I'm glad we didn't push that one through as a panic buy and overspend.

So yeah, overall I think we're stronger after the window than before, we brought in some decent talent who can hopefully hit the ground running and we didn't lose anyone we wouldn't want to lose.

I do think we still have a big job in the summer with a number of players needing to move on, some of whom will naturally go on contract expiry, but in fairness to all involved this window definitely moved us a step forward, not a step backwards IMO.

1.) 02 Feb 2024
02 Feb 2024 22:26:51
Good post gdog.

2.) 03 Feb 2024
03 Feb 2024 01:16:07
Very well summarised Gdog.

3.) 03 Feb 2024
03 Feb 2024 01:54:10
Yes G dog a very realistic and positive take on things. Good post.

4.) 03 Feb 2024
03 Feb 2024 07:37:39
Nice summary G Dog - Am with you regarding concern of a back up No 9 - as all it takes is for an injury to Dessers (who would not be my ideal pick but is coming onto a game and basically we need him to stay on the scoring run) -and then where would we be? - asking Silva/ Lawrence to play up through middle for as long as required or waiting on Roofe to be back for his obligatory game or two? All we can do is win games and ramp up pressure across city and then the barriers will be out again soon! - as I see Brenda making negative comments regarding his signings from board - so things are not all rosy in the garden over there!

5.) 03 Feb 2024
03 Feb 2024 08:15:13
It would be nice to round things up with lundstrum signing a new dea.

6.) 03 Feb 2024
03 Feb 2024 11:40:10
Completely agree with your post gdog.

7.) 03 Feb 2024
03 Feb 2024 21:40:52
Best post I have seen on here for a long time GDog.
The summary of our business in the January transfer window was excellent.