Tekel Towers » Last 10 days of Winter Window

JerryDungle · 31/1/2025 12:19 am

Tek wrote:
redford_must_score wrote:
Where does Fiorini fit into all this? Is he more of a 10? Not seen anything of him other than his name on a Scotland U21 teamsheet so I have no clue.
Must admit that crossed my mind too.

A lot of Luton fans saying Campbell's best position was No.10, and if Babunski is still here that is also his best position.

I'm wondering why we needed Fiorini, but i'm not complaining if he ends up good.

Going by Goodwin’s interview, Campbell’s signing was more opportunistic than planned necessarily. Seems like his agent’s offered him to teams in Scotland and we’ve taken the opportunity to sign a player with a great pedigree to help push us on to secure 3rd.

Doubt we planned to sign 2 midfielders this window but the opportunity to sign Campbell was too good to turn down. Kind of a shame on Fiorini as I doubt he’ll get much more than the odd 15 minutes here and there but you never know.

We’re certainly stacked there now. Once everyone’s fit, I can see Stephenson going back to right back as Strain’s had a couple of meh games recently, most likely down to fatigue. Harder to pinpoint where Babunski and Fiorini fit in given we very rarely play with a number 10.

Last edited by JerryDungle (31/1/2025 12:20 am)

Slotbadger · 31/1/2025 7:21 am

Exactly what I was thinking. Maybe we signed Fiorini and then Campbell became available and was too good to turn down.

Should remember Sev was described as a defender when he signed and Luca was signed as a right back when Strain got injured. So both have done really well playing out of position.

Excited to see how this turns out and again - Jim does seem to see most of the things we all do. That’s not always the case with managers.

Finn Seemann · 31/1/2025 10:14 am

I'd prefer Stephenson at right back over Strain. Strain hasn't played badly, but I think Stephenson is more effective going forward and their defending is much of a muchness. Vicko has to be kept in the defensive mid role and then it is one or two from Campbell, Docherty, Sibbald, Fiorini and Babunski, depending on the formation. Certainly stacked if all fit.

Still missing pace upfront. Goodwin seems blind to that...

JerryDungle · 31/1/2025 10:26 am

Finn Seemann wrote:
I'd prefer Stephenson at right back over Strain. Strain hasn't played badly, but I think Stephenson is more effective going forward and their defending is much of a muchness. Vicko has to be kept in the defensive mid role and then it is one or two from Campbell, Docherty, Sibbald, Fiorini and Babunski, depending on the formation. Certainly stacked if all fit.

Still missing pace upfront. Goodwin seems blind to that...

He’s definitely not blind to it, he stated before the window opened that we were looking to get a pacy striker in. It’s just who do you get? Grieve was quick but with the added caveat that he was absolutely useless at football. I’d imagine strikers with pace and quality are pretty hard to come by, especially in January.

I hate to say it but the best option for that role that was available in the summer would’ve been Simon Murray. He was desperate to move back to the city full time, if we’d got in earlier before the Fun we could’ve got him.

Finn Seemann · 31/1/2025 11:06 am

JerryDungle wrote:
Finn Seemann wrote:
I'd prefer Stephenson at right back over Strain. Strain hasn't played badly, but I think Stephenson is more effective going forward and their defending is much of a muchness. Vicko has to be kept in the defensive mid role and then it is one or two from Campbell, Docherty, Sibbald, Fiorini and Babunski, depending on the formation. Certainly stacked if all fit.

Still missing pace upfront. Goodwin seems blind to that...

He’s definitely not blind to it, he stated before the window opened that we were looking to get a pacy striker in. It’s just who do you get? Grieve was quick but with the added caveat that he was absolutely useless at football. I’d imagine strikers with pace and quality are pretty hard to come by, especially in January.

I hate to say it but the best option for that role that was available in the summer would’ve been Simon Murray. He was desperate to move back to the city full time, if we’d got in earlier before the Fun we could’ve got him.

I would not have supported a Murray signing, but I can see how that might have worked. Murray is too much of a focal point. We already have that in Dalby. Basically we need a Moult/Paton type with pace. We can accept less footballing ability that those two have for more pace to get us that option. I'd have thought that there must be plenty of young strikers out there that have pace certainly ones that you might be able to get on loan from down south.

redford_must_score · 31/1/2025 11:58 am

Finn Seemann wrote:
JerryDungle wrote:
Finn Seemann wrote:
I'd prefer Stephenson at right back over Strain. Strain hasn't played badly, but I think Stephenson is more effective going forward and their defending is much of a muchness. Vicko has to be kept in the defensive mid role and then it is one or two from Campbell, Docherty, Sibbald, Fiorini and Babunski, depending on the formation. Certainly stacked if all fit.

Still missing pace upfront. Goodwin seems blind to that...

He’s definitely not blind to it, he stated before the window opened that we were looking to get a pacy striker in. It’s just who do you get? Grieve was quick but with the added caveat that he was absolutely useless at football. I’d imagine strikers with pace and quality are pretty hard to come by, especially in January.

I hate to say it but the best option for that role that was available in the summer would’ve been Simon Murray. He was desperate to move back to the city full time, if we’d got in earlier before the Fun we could’ve got him.
I would not have supported a Murray signing, but I can see how that might have worked. Murray is too much of a focal point. We already have that in Dalby. Basically we need a Moult/Paton type with pace. We can accept less footballing ability that those two have for more pace to get us that option. I'd have thought that there must be plenty of young strikers out there that have pace certainly ones that you might be able to get on loan from down south.

Motherwell County and St Mirren have all done it in recent seasons. At our cost at times too.

SuperMario · 31/1/2025 2:22 pm

Campbell signing essentially gives us cover in both full back positions, Vicko or Stephenson can be moved out there if needed.

Smart signing, we’ve been struggling in there last few weeks, I’d put him straight in to the starting lineup tomorrow

finn_dossing · 01/2/2025 1:31 pm

doesnt look like wrexham want dalby back anytime soon

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cly9dn91zrjo

Arabdownsouth · 01/2/2025 1:54 pm

finn_dossing wrote:
doesnt look like wrexham want dalby back anytime soon

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cly9dn91zrjo

They already confirmed he's staying with us anyway

Slotbadger · 01/2/2025 1:57 pm

Arabdownsouth wrote:
finn_dossing wrote:
doesnt look like wrexham want dalby back anytime soon

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cly9dn91zrjo

They already confirmed he's staying with us anyway

Is the point not that they are less likely to be pushing the boat out to keep him for next season? Guess Fletcher and Rodriguez are quite old and won’t last much longer.

Arabdownsouth · 01/2/2025 2:25 pm

Slotbadger wrote:
Arabdownsouth wrote:
finn_dossing wrote:
doesnt look like wrexham want dalby back anytime soon

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cly9dn91zrjo

They already confirmed he's staying with us anyway

Is the point not that they are less likely to be pushing the boat out to keep him for next season? Guess Fletcher and Rodriguez are quite old and won’t last much longer.

They have already offered him a new contract which he is yet to sign

CCX2 2010 · 02/2/2025 10:34 pm

Can't see anymore coming in however Odada, Fotheringham, Thompson never made the bench yesterday and thats before Sibbald makes his return.

It looks like Babunski and VDS will be bit part players, will that suit them or will they be looking at the exit door?

Window shuts tomorrow but the we can still loan players to Scottish championship and below until the end of Feb.

Last edited by CCX2 2010 (02/2/2025 10:35 pm)

Tek · 03/2/2025 4:13 am

So, only a few hours left of the Winter Window.

I don't think any of us are expecting any movement today, given the players who may end up going on loan can still go to Championship sides for another three weeks (i think both Odada and Thomson may eventually go to a Champ team).

As i said in the Killie match thread i am a little bewildered at our transfer business, been having a think about it today and my conclusions are.

Paton was a 'like for like' replacement for Dalby, who Goodwin thought would definitely be recalled and jumped at the chance of Paton before others could. I actually think if Wrexham announced Dalby stays with us a few days earlier than that signing possibly doesn't happen.

Fiorini. The strangest signing for me, but i'm thinking Goodwin has either had a falling-out with David Babunski or told him he we won't stand in his way if he finds a move (hasn't played one minute since the 1-0 vs Aberdeen on Dec 29th). Perhaps signed Fiorini as a direct replacement thinking Babunski will exit (and it hasn't transpired).

Campbell. Wasn't planned and the signing that i guess makes the most sense given the proclivity of our Captain to be injured, Sibbald just returning from long term injury and Sevelj and Stephenson having played week in week out (and out of position) for months.

Still feel that a pacey forward and a LB/LWB would have been two pieces of the jigsaw that complete us more.

BMT · 03/2/2025 8:30 am

I’m really hoping that there is a bigger picture going on within the recruiting department than signing loan players to replace the loan players that could have been recalled as a top 3 finish would be great but we need to make sure we are a premier league team.

Tangy · 03/2/2025 9:17 am

BMT wrote:
I’m really hoping that there is a bigger picture going on within the recruiting department than signing loan players to replace the loan players that could have been recalled as a top 3 finish would be great but we need to make sure we are a premier league team.

I'm hoping this is the case. We were heavily linked with campbell in the summer - now he's here - maybe there's things in the background. Goodwin also said last year that summer deals are being looked at, at this time of year - so perhaps he is getting through until he picks up some class players in summer?

David_Blunkett · 03/2/2025 1:26 pm

The laddie Morrison off to Linfield.

RogerTheAlien · 03/2/2025 9:43 pm

Falkirk in for Miller Thomson for a loan until the end of the season.

David_Blunkett · 03/2/2025 10:22 pm

I think Thomson is unfortunate that he's got decent ability, but doesn't have one position he's particularly strong in.

Beardy23 · 03/2/2025 10:36 pm

RogerTheAlien wrote:
Falkirk in for Miller Thomson for a loan until the end of the season.

confirmed.

Tek · 03/2/2025 10:49 pm

RogerTheAlien wrote:
Falkirk in for Miller Thomson for a loan until the end of the season.

Why are we once again helping those bastards after their vocal stance against us in 2020?

Fuck them.

Morphman · 03/2/2025 10:57 pm

Tek wrote:
RogerTheAlien wrote:
Falkirk in for Miller Thomson for a loan until the end of the season.
Why are we once again helping those bastards after their vocal stance against us in 2020?

Fuck them.

I actually came on here to say the same. Shouldn't be loaning them any cunt.

Always_United · 03/2/2025 11:46 pm

Tek wrote:
RogerTheAlien wrote:
Falkirk in for Miller Thomson for a loan until the end of the season.
Why are we once again helping those bastards after their vocal stance against us in 2020?

Fuck them.

It's a mutually beneficial arrangement for all three parties - both clubs and the player. If all goes to plan we'll get a better player back in the summer. Jim isn't just loaning Miller out to help them.

They did make an inflammatory tweet in 2020, no doubt. I imagine they felt hard done by with the season being curtailed when they were a point behind, and they were defending their club, just as you'd expect the United board to do. It was an absolutely toxic period in Scottish football all round, something I hope we never experience again.

It was nearly 5 years ago, and since then they have a completely new board of directors, CEO and manager. The teams have met a few times without incident since.

Time to move on?

Last edited by Always_United (03/2/2025 11:48 pm)

Beardy23 · 04/2/2025 12:04 am

and the windae SLAMS SHUT!

Tek · 04/2/2025 12:25 am

Always_United wrote:
Tek wrote:
RogerTheAlien wrote:
Falkirk in for Miller Thomson for a loan until the end of the season.
Why are we once again helping those bastards after their vocal stance against us in 2020?

Fuck them.

It's a mutually beneficial arrangement for all three parties - both clubs and the player. If all goes to plan we'll get a better player back in the summer. Jim isn't just loaning Miller out to help them.

They did make an inflammatory tweet in 2020, no doubt. I imagine they felt hard done by with the season being curtailed when they were a point behind, and they were defending their club, just as you'd expect the United board to do. It was an absolutely toxic period in Scottish football all round, something I hope we never experience again.

It was nearly 5 years ago, and since then they have a completely new board of directors, CEO and manager. The teams have met a few times without incident since.

Time to move on?

Nope.

Still have the same Chairman who was vocal against us.

Plenty of clubs we could have sent Miller too.

Fuck Falkirk FC. Horrible wee team in a horrible wee Hun toon.

Always_United · 04/2/2025 10:26 am

Falkirk Chairman in 2020 was Gary Deans, who resigned in 2021.

Pretty much their entire board stepped down in 2021. It's all different people now. It would be like a club refusing to do business with United because of something Stephen Thompson once said.

We poached their manager in 2003 and incited him to resign. Should they refuse to do business with United?

There may not have been any other interest from the Championship in Miller Thompson, we don't know, but he's unlikely to get a better club than Falkirk outside the Scottish Premiership.

I'm glad that Jim Goodwin can see beyond something that happened nearly 5 years ago.

Last edited by Always_United (04/2/2025 10:29 am)