January Transfer Window - The Verdict.

[paul_e]

Not as good as we hoped but nowhere near as bad as some are suggesting.

The only outgoing that has weakened us is Ings, Bert coming back has fixed the lack of options for Baileys spot and Duran looks like a good option to cover Watkins.

Overall I'd say the squad is slightly stronger than the start of the window and not bloated with players who weren't playing.

I do think we're a couple of players light of where we want to be but I don't think that's due to a lack of backing but rather Emery deciding to wait on players. I think we'll be back in for Williams and Guendouzi in the summer.

[Clampy]

I'm sure Emery will reveal a bit more of what didn't come off in his presser this week.

[JD]

Not as good as we hoped but nowhere near as bad as some are suggesting.

The only outgoing that has weakened us is Ings, Bert coming back has fixed the lack of options for Baileys spot and Duran looks like a good option to cover Watkins.

Overall I'd say the squad is slightly stronger than the start of the window and not bloated with players who weren't playing.

I do think we're a couple of players light of where we want to be but I don't think that's due to a lack of backing but rather Emery deciding to wait on players. I think we'll be back in for Williams and Guendouzi in the summer.

Totally agree Paul. I think this window was more about Emery trying to sign who he wants to improve the first 11 but not panic buying.

[Clampy]

I wonder if the lack of winger coming in means someone like Zaha has agreed to come in once he's contract is up? Just a thought.

[Ian.]

Excellent post Boozey.

Although we may be disappointed I have feeling our manager does have a master plan and will certainly be backed.

[Baldy]

Spot on Boozey

[JD]

Excellent post Boozey.

Although we may be disappointed I have feeling our manager does have a master plan and will certainly be backed.

Totally agree, great post Boozey.

[simboy]

I’m neither in the pearl clutching “we’re relegation fodder now” camp nor the Church of Emery.

It appeared to me to be a good window for clearing the decks of players who don’t make the Unai grade. That bodes well for a long term view and vision of the club. It means the board want UE long term, he’s got a plan and we are implementing it. He wants the all around improvement and for the future we have places and cash available.

However, what I didn’t get was with the sale of Ings why Archer was shipped out. It may be that Archer is not in UE’s long term plans, but if Watkins gets injured and Duran is really “one for the future” (at £18 million - jeez) then the short term plan doesn’t work.

As for the rest that left … meh. None of them were first team regulars. We didn’t have the saga of a “last minute bid” like Arsenal did for Luiz in the summer.

We are out of both cups and not in Europe so have 18 games to go. I’d hope with the squad we have we can improve, finishing above Fulham and Brentford I’d hope.

I am glad we didn’t “panic buy” and that there are clearly specific targets we want. The overhyped January window is a time to pay very big money for pretty average players. it appeared to be teams that are struggling (and Chelsea) that buy “big”.

6/10 for me.

[Jon Crofts]

6/10 See me.

[Hillbilly]

10/10 I’m just ecstatic there’s a chance of Bertball again.

[Ger Regan]

Not as good as we hoped but nowhere near as bad as some are suggesting.

The only outgoing that has weakened us is Ings, Bert coming back has fixed the lack of options for Baileys spot and Duran looks like a good option to cover Watkins.

Overall I'd say the squad is slightly stronger than the start of the window and not bloated with players who weren't playing.

I do think we're a couple of players light of where we want to be but I don't think that's due to a lack of backing but rather Emery deciding to wait on players. I think we'll be back in for Williams and Guendouzi in the summer.

I hope this is right, but i'll be less patient in the next window.

[stubbsyandy]

I think it’s been handled well, business done early on the players we could get, not got carried away buying second and third choices for inflated prices on the last day or two. Also trimmed down to those players who will evidently part of match day. Hoping summer brings our preferred signings, and an opportunity to look at the progress of our loaned out younger players.

[Scott Nielsen]

He is very selective about who he wants to work with. I've seen a couple of people suggest that he has been the one to reject certain deals

That's something I have missed. Can you elaborate?

[Drummond]

The difference we'll notice in matches is that Moreno plays (potentially LM or LB and that Dhuran or Traore may get a run out instead of Ings/Bailey.

It's hardly a 1/10 window on that basis especially since most voices were saying they didn't rate Ings and weren't sure that Digne was an upgrade.

[pauliewalnuts]

Best to defer any judgement until summer. I will be happy with 55 points which I believe we can achieve. Any thoughts of a push for Europe this season were gone after the first 12 games. If we don't push on in summer then the manager has been duped but I don't believe that will happen. Pleased to see deadwood being jettisoned.

We are 3 points off a European place with half of the season to play.