January transfer window thread

In order of priority........

Centre Mid - Ideally a natural successor to Howson who we can bed in naturally while Jonny is still he to Rotate and also allow us to rotate HH out of the team if, as expected, he goes through a dip in form at any point.

A cover LB - I do like Giles there as he bombs on and that works perfectly with Mcgree playing left side of midfield and drifting in. Would like a specialist defensive left back though for those games, or moments in games, where we need to shut up shop

A Winger - Preferably one that can play both sides so they can be cover for Jones and also an option for Mcgree if we play a different style or are chasing the game.

Steffen & Giles - Get them in permanently IF the price is right so we aren't trying to fill key positions again in the summer.
 
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Good Afternoon Mooners,
Not long to go before the awful tedium of an international football festival makes way for Luton at home. We may see a typical England performance and bow out unceremoniously in the quarter finals (penalties anyone) should we make it to the semi’s or even make history and do what no English manager has done before and actually win the World Cup without cheating.. we’ll that will be alright I guess. Not half as interesting as what Kieron Scott has planned post Xmas tho.. probably.

Ins and outs, we all like a bit of it.. sometimes it happens twice a year, normally disappointing and often ending in tears. Sobbing and rubbing pictures of those we thought we could change. George Michael, Take That, Gloria Gaynor are coming off the playlist..
perhaps it’s time to settle down? no more back ally scuttles, dodgy deals in the pub toilets, no more hooking up with an ex now they have a wonky leg, no more big drinkers that soil the bed and leave are credit cards maxed out. The Flamingo tie is straightened and we’re moving with intention, getting in there early and selling our sausage. New year, new me..dlesbrough.

7 Ross Stewart - Sunderland
10 Dan Barlaser - Rotherham
11 Victor Gyokores - Coventry
12 Kai Wagner - Philadelphia

Rodrigo Muniz - Fulham
Alex Mowett - West Brom
Massimo Luongo - Sheff Wed
Darnell Fischer - Derby
 
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Surely Stewart doesn’t come to boro?

All Sunderland's best players aspire to playing for Boro. We've taken the likes of Arca, McNair and Watmore from them over the years, and even Kevin Phillips was quite open about wanting to join us. I'm not saying they're all good enough to play for Boro mind you, but I can't blame them for dreaming.

Sunderland fans can hardly object, since it's not a real derby.

However, I wouldn't object to us doing no business at all in January. We've tried to change too much too fast in the past and suffered as a result. I particularly hope we don't get any loaned wonderkids come to make their mistakes here.
 
Craig Johns wrote..

“In terms of how many signings in January and areas they want to strengthen, Kieran Scott wouldn't want to offer such information up for obvious reasons, but it's my understanding that they hope to make 2-3 signings (possibly a fourth, but not a priority or disaster if it doesn't happen). They want to sign a midfielder, a wide forward and a striker. As we say, that could mean players have to leave too and it will be interesting to see if there are any decisions made to end certain loans early such as Alex Mowatt's or Rodrigo Muniz who haven't played a lot lately. That's ultimately in the hands of the parent clubs, however. As we saw with Onel Hernandez last January, Boro ultimately had to help him find an alternative loan move or Norwich would have forced Boro to keep him for the season because he didn't feature in their plans at that time”

2-3 signings.. possible a 4th

a midfielder, a wide forward and a striker..

Midfielder and striker are pretty straight forward..
Alex Mowatt - Dan Barlaser
Rodrigo Muniz - Ross Stewart

a wide forward.. Victor Gykores?

and possibly fourth, but not a priority or a disaster.. that’s got to be Cody Drameh.. right?

Remaining available squad numbers.. shirt numbers..
7, 10, 11, 12

Stewart - number 7 - Slaven
Barlaser - number 10 - Juninho
Gykores - number 11 - Ravanelli
Drameh - number 12 - Fleming
 
Striker? Macauley Langstaff from Notts County. Cost them £50k, is a goal scoring machine - and a Boro fan!
3-4 players for every position

7 - Ross Stewart, Cameron Archer, Macauley Langstaff
10 - Dan Barlaser, Max Bird, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru,
11 - Victor Gykores, Ben Brereton, Antoine Semenyo
12 - ??????
 
With Muniz, Giles, Steffen, Mowatt, I think we only have one loan spot left in the squad don't we? I think there's a rule that only allows 5 loans in the match day squad.

Wouldn't be too surprised if we sent Mowatt back to WBA or we try to sign one of Giles/Steffen on a permanent if we can.

You'd think Luongo will be released once his contract expires in January.

I don't think we'll be too busy in terms of incomings to be honest, maybe the one additional loan, probably from United. Zidane Iqbal.

Phil Jones on a free if he agrees to a mutual termination of his contract though..
dont matter about limit of 5 loans as you can have more than 5 and just leave some out
 
dont matter about limit of 5 loans as you can have more than 5 and just leave some out
no point bringing a player in on loan and for them not to play..

I think Alex Mowett and Rodrigo Muniz will go to different clubs for more game time. We might try and do a deal for Zach Steffen if we can.

One loan space already available another two from Mowett and Muniz would leave three.. four if we managed to sign Steffen or Giles.

We're bringing in 3 or four players with permanent transfers preferred. I think Dan Barlaser will be pretty much a done deal.. Ross Stewart sounds likely.

Cameron Archer would be a solid loan if we cant manager to get Victor Gyokeres over the line..

I think we might try and go for another central defender in the window.. Kieron Scott mentioned something about a midfielder wanting to come an play for Michael Carrick and a defender wanting to come and play for Jonathan Woodgate... or words to that effect.

Maybe we go back in for Jacob Greaves? a bit left field (literally) Kai Wagner the left back from Philadelphia Union is out of contact in December and they are looking for a replacement.

Dan Barlaser
Ross Stewart
Victor Gyokeres or Cameron Archer
Plus one other.. maybe Kai Wagner

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That looks an incredibly expensive January? Not sure where the funds are coming from?

Barlaser would be within our range I think. I doubt very much we could afford (or need) Stewart and Gyokeres.

Stewart is a very different CF to Forss. I'm all for having options but it does feel like we've got a specific style in mind. Gyokeres is a better fit for that position but can we afford him?

The three AMs does need some work/options.

We've got no real replacement for Jones on the right. Or is it Willis?

Forss/Watmore could deputise for McGree but different players.

I guess Crooks backs up Akpom.
 
That looks an incredibly expensive January? Not sure where the funds are coming from?

Barlaser would be within our range I think. I doubt very much we could afford (or need) Stewart and Gyokeres.

Stewart is a very different CF to Forss. I'm all for having options but it does feel like we've got a specific style in mind. Gyokeres is a better fit for that position but can we afford him?

The three AMs does need some work/options.

We've got no real replacement for Jones on the right. Or is it Willis?

Forss/Watmore could deputise for McGree but different players.

I guess Crooks backs up Akpom.
Barlaser cost €275k in 20/21 season and he has 6 months left on his contract. I can see Mowett being returned and Luongo perhaps being let go.
Stewart cost €338k in 20/21 and he also only has 6 months left to run on his contract,, I can see Muniz being returned on this one.

Those two transfers I feel are well within our transfer budget. Duncan Watmore has 6 months left to run on his contract and there is talk of Fischer going to Derby in the transfer window.

We finished the summer window chasing strikers around the £8m to £10m mark and not bringing anyone in. I do think the situation at Coventry has changed with club being more motivated to cash in on an asset. The 8-10m figures were probably closer to 6m in truth.. it would be silly not to at least ask the question. Cameron Archer coming in on loan would make financial sense,. Kai Wagner.. out of contract in December

Lets say for arguments sake that the fees are much higher Barlaser and Stewart at £1m a pop and possibly Gyokeres for £8m? it's still in the range that we were talking about in the summer. "The Spence Money"

Lets not forget Patrick Bamford was only £5.5m in a much more buoyant market and to a prem club.

£2m for Barlaser & Stewart, Archer in on loan and Kai Wagner on a free? Mowett, Muniz, Luongo & Fischer making way?

I don't think were THAT far off it tbf. Then the job in the Summer becomes all that much easier.
 
7 Dan Barlaser - Rotherham - Done Deal (surely)
9 Ross Stewart - Sunderland - gotta be close, soon as they have his replacement* it'll be done imo
10 Victor Gykores - Coventry - they are motivated to sell and have enquired about Duncan Watmore
11 Cameron Archer - Aston Villa - he's joining a championship ream in january
12 Cody Drameh - Leeds - he's not joining PSV..
22 Kai Wagner - Philadelphia - he's definily leaving Philadelpia Union in January
24 Jan Paul van Hecke - Brighton - one cup appearance, out of contract in the summer.. played with Lenihan and Giles
 
Gykores is surely well beyond us Newy?
Archer ,you guessing here?
Barlaser probably agree
Stewart, not sure

Has Fisher gone? someone said he was heading to Derby
Aussie guy training at Ipswich
Certainly some changes to be made Newy. Hope your thoughts come to plan
 
Gykores is surely well beyond us Newy?
I do think he was somewhat of a Wilder pipedream.. but Coventry are motivated to sell. If Everton come in for him he'll be off.
Archer ,you guessing here?
He's defo moving to the Championship be it on loan or on a permanent move. most likely to be one or the other Stewart or Archer for us. Preston will be back in for him. If Duncan Watmore moves maybe we could bring in another striker.. but I don't think so tbh
Barlaser probably agree
Seems nailed on
Stewart, not sure
Mowbray isn't daft, if he sees a way to improve Sunderland in the window he will take it.
Has Fisher gone? someone said he was heading to Derby
Derby was the rumour, I think he's picked up a few niggles since coming back to training. Jason Knight moving seemed like a possibility with him out of contract in the summer.. probably not to us tho.
Aussie guy training at Ipswich
We missed out on a few targets and he was our best option at the time. Barlaser will be a better option for us.
Certainly some changes to be made Newy. Hope your thoughts come to plan
Midfielder, Striker.. that left side needs a bit of attention. it'll be interesting to see what we do about that. We've got a bit of room if the right player becomes available and I think we'll have targets for cover should any fringe players be moved on.

Whilst I think Carrick will be pragmatic with his approach, his pragmatism comes with winning games, he's not going to cut corners and will demand the highest standards from his players. Karanka with heart? Robson with tactical nous? Southgate with success? Everyone will have to up their game from Akpom and Hackney to Kieron Scott and Steve Gibson!
 
I do think he was somewhat of a Wilder pipedream.. but Coventry are motivated to sell. If Everton come in for him he'll be off.

He's defo moving to the Championship be it on loan or on a permanent move. most likely to be one or the other Stewart or Archer for us. Preston will be back in for him. If Duncan Watmore moves maybe we could bring in another striker.. but I don't think so tbh

We missed out on a few targets and he was our best option at the time. Barlaser will be a better option for us.
Archer and Stewart don't seem like either would fit the half number ten / half striker link role as well as Akpom is currently doing and neither seem like a natural little nippy closing down type striker that Forss is filling and Watmore is covering for. Unless Carrick wants to change things up and we are only setting up like this as he's utilising what he has available?

We have Forss, Watmore, Hoppe, Akpom, Muniz and seemingly Crooks to fill the two berths currently. Obviously the Teesside Haaland will be back for next season too.

I would say since Watmore's arrival we must have signed getting on for 8 strikers/forwards to replace him. It seems we are looking at a couple more, he must be moved on at some point you would think? Or is he seen as a 30 minute impact player and we're happy with that?

I will be a bit miffed if another pair of strikers are brought in after the recruitment team identified Forss and Hoppe as development strikers to bring on this season to be first team players (apparently much to our then managers chagrin), for both to be deemed not good enough five months later.

I think we probably have enough fire power if we get better supply. We have tons of competition for the the two in the middle. We have no competition at all for McGree and Jones and seemingly Giles is considered purely as a left-back now bizarrely.

I'd go all out for some athletic, pacy wide players with good assist numbers and an eye for goal. One of these can hopefully be a set-piece specialist too. Signings for the love of God, no more loans.

Muniz and Mowatt may as well be returned to their parent clubs if at all possible, but Mowatt will be extremely difficult to shift I fear. Lugouno is gone it seems, it also seems probable McNair would want first team football and Dijksteel and Bola aren't going to be first teamers either so may move on?

So Barlaser to compete with Hackney, and a couple of wingers would be sound. Then replacements for any of the above who move on.

I think we desperately need a replacement for Howson. He flatters to deceive for me, full of running, a great pro always a 6 out of ten or a bit better. But he has no pace, no goal threat, barely assists, isn't a leader or talker etc. I think he looks good in games and his performances seem of note as he is so fit, that in the latter stages of games he is still full of running and looks really involved without actually doing loads. He isn't going to go on for ever, if we can get a replacement bedded in now rotating with him he'll be fully integrated for our autos push next season 😉

I think a big part of our failures for the last few seasons are that we just aren't mentally or physically tough or committed enough to compete in harder games. When the chips are down we buckle, we seem to concede goals in flurries at times looking like rabbits in the headlights.

McNair, Fry, Howson, Bola and Dijksteel all fall in to the category of having the ability but maybe not the 100% commitment and leadership to maintain their concentration, boIIock a team mate, smash into a tackle to save conceding a goal, bust a gut to get on the end of a set piece to win a header etc.

I'd like a few of the incoming players to be more in the mould of the competitive/*********/leaders type players than those they replace.
 
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Archer and Stewart don't seem like either would fit the half number ten / half striker link role as well as Akpom is currently doing and neither seem like a natural little nippy closing down type striker that Forss is filling and Watmore is covering for. Unless Carrick wants to change things up and we are only setting up like this as he's utilising what he has available?

We have Forss, Watmore, Hoppe, Akpom, Muniz and seemingly Crooks to fill the two berths currently. Obviously the Teesside Haaland will be back for next season too.

I would say since Watmore's arrival we must have signed getting on for 8 strikers/forwards to replace him. It seems we are looking at a couple more, he must be moved on at some point you would think? Or is he seen as a 30 minute impact player and we're happy with that?

I will be a bit miffed if another pair of strikers are brought in after the recruitment team identified Forss and Hoppe as development strikers to bring on this season to be first team players (apparently much to our then managers chagrin), for both to be deemed not good enough five months later.

I think we probably have enough fire power if we get better supply. We have tons of competition for the the two in the middle. We have no competition at all for McGree and Jones and seemingly Giles is considered purely as a left-back now bizarrely.

I'd go all out for some athletic, pacy wide players with good assist numbers and an eye for goal. One of these can hopefully be a set-piece specialist too. Signings for the love of God, no more loans.

Muniz and Mowatt may as well be returned to their parent clubs if at all possible, but Mowatt will be extremely difficult to shift I fear. Lugouno is gone it seems, it also seems probable McNair would want first team football and Dijksteel and Bola aren't going to be first teamers either so may move on?

So Barlaser to compete with Hackney, and a couple of wingers would be sound. Then replacements for any of the above who move on.

I think we desperately need a replacement for Howson. He flatters to deceive for me, full of running, a great pro always a 6 out of ten or a bit better. But he has no pace, no goal threat, barely assists, isn't a leader or talker etc. I think he looks good in games and his performances seem of note as he is so fit, that in the latter stages of games he is still full of running and looks really involved without actually doing loads. He isn't going to go on for ever, if we can get a replacement bedded in now rotating with him he'll be fully integrated for our autos push next season 😉

I think a big part of our failures for the last few seasons are that we just aren't mentally or physically tough or committed enough to compete in harder games. When the chips are down we buckle, we seem to concede goals in flurries at times looking like rabbits in the headlights.

McNair, Fry, Howson, Bola and Dijksteel all fall in to the category of having the ability but maybe not the 100% commitment and leadership to maintain their concentration, boIIock a team mate, smash into a tackle to save conceding a goal, bust a gut to get on the end of a set piece to win a header etc.

I'd like a few of the incoming players to be more in the mould of the competitive/*********/leaders type players than those they replace.
Cameron Archer is through the doors (the striker from the midlands.

Sounds like Rodrigo Muniz maybe off to pastures new with Real Valladolid waiting to pounce.

Massimo Luongo made his was to Ipswich with a move for Dan Barlaser apparently agreed although dependant on Rotherham bringing in a replacement.

Matthew Hoppe is looking likely to be loaned out with a left sided attacker coming in.. I can’t see beyond Siriki Dembele from Bournemouth still but am happy to be told otherwise from som hot young ITK

A possible fourth signing I feel maybe linked to the rumours surrounding Paddy McNair. Again a replacement would be purely concocted from my own thoughts and speculation.. Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton is out of contract in the summer.

Still nothing linking us to Jason Knight at Derby which surprises me.. 👀
 
I've advocated sending Hoppe on loan in the past but I don't think he will now. Putting him on away at Norwich with scores level, while Muniz sat on bench was a big statement of confidence from Carrick. I think he'll get more minutes for us 2nd half of season.
I think both will probably be gone. Perhaps Hoppe stays until the summer but after that I think we’ll have to give him away.
 
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