Pen to paper

By Ken Jones
February 1 2024

It's about 7 hours until the transfer window closes. It seems that very little is happening at the club, nobody in and nobody out. Whilst there is still time for stuff to happen, the sense around the club is that not much will change. If this is the case where will it leave us?

The current squad have improved over time, but it still has weaknesses. Whilst the return of Rob Apter is welcome, our defence looks vulnerable, particularly when people like Lee O'Connor are unavailable. Midfield is also an area where we lack a ball winner. Teams have found it easy to play against us because of this. Up front the absence of Norris, and the failure of Dennis to have much of an impact, means that we still lack a natural finisher. Put slightly differently, this is a squad that is getting by, but not one that convinces us that mid table is the place where we should be.

There are strong arguments in favour of leaving things as they are. Nigel Adkins has been able to gradually improve our play, even allowing for the lack of quality. The end of the season might be a good time for a clear out and the summer could give Nigel the chance to bring in players he really rates. 

Against this there is the impact on season ticket sales of a less inspiring finish to the season. Supporters already hard pressed by a cost of living crises may be reluctant to shell out for renewals. However, I think the club know that at the moment that there is a loyal base of season ticket holders who will renew, particularly given the ability to spread costs over a 10 payments. Much will depend on whether the club hike the cost of the tickets. 

As things stand the rest of the season offers plenty of interesting encounters. I'm looking forward to Crewe on Saturday and hope the home supporters give Eliot Nevit a positive reception.  We've also got our other Cheshire rivals, Stockport, due this month. Yet there are only 9 home matches left. I am left wondering where did this season go to?

Ah well, a few more hours. Enough time to be left with egg on my face predicting no new arrivals and no significant departures. Time will tell.

Looking through the quiet window

Discussion started by Total Tranmere (IP Logged), 01/02/2024 15:46

Total Tranmere
01/02/2024 15:46

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ALOTBSOL
01/02/2024 16:23

December / January
Played 9
Goals for 18 - (with 4 against Notts - 5 away at Salford)
Goals Against 9 with 4 of those coming in the 2 games against high fliers

So the defence isn't too shabby - especially when the team has been sharing the goal load.
Won 3 out of last 4 away games
Started to win games after conceding first goal.

Norris will also be back

So given that Tranmere have 30 players or so, I don't see the need to bring more in unless any are to be offloaded. And whoever comes in would need to be way above average. And if that is the case, they would go to a higher level than Tranmere.

I think that now there is a manager who clearly develops players and teams rather than having the 'deadwood to make up the numbers' whilst relying on one or two scorers approach, the defenders will learn and improve.

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AJ_TRFC
01/02/2024 16:39

We are 4th in the form table over the last 10 matches, so we are not doing too bad for “a squad that’s getting by” as you put it. There’s no panic to just get someone in unless they are a level above what we have already got, which is hard to find in the January window. If we do get someone in its happy days, if we don’t I trust Nigel to keep us moving up that table with the squad we have

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hong kong rover
01/02/2024 16:48

Still hoping there will be a faint chance that we can bring in a striker...doesn't matter if he isn't that prolific, it would just be nice to have some presence up front..we have been lacking all season..Norris is a write-off, Dennis has been a let down and Jolley ain't up to it..

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Bored rover
01/02/2024 17:08

We dont need any players , success in the league isnt about your individuals its about the sum total. Sides with worse players than ours have gone up over the years. We need to start to build a team not just keep signing individuals

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DevonExile
01/02/2024 20:48

You are correct and it is about getting players that fit the system on That said the quality of each of those players does matter. We have the makings of a core unit but we do have five or six players who could well be moved on

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Loyden1
01/02/2024 21:11

Any lights on at solar campus🤣

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hong kong rover
01/02/2024 21:27

Quote:

Loyden1
Any lights on at solar campus🤣

All Quiet on the Leasowe Front, it seems Loyden!

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Loyden1
02/02/2024 10:27

Quote:

hong kong rover

Quote:

Loyden1
Any lights on at solar campus🤣

All Quiet on the Leasowe Front, it seems Loyden!

yep ,the only in and out was the tide🙈

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sparky100
02/02/2024 12:26

Very little has happened at any club across the four leagues. It is apparantly the quietest January transfer window for many a year.

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ALOTBSOL
02/02/2024 12:51

Well, if Nigel sorts out Hawkes, it will be like a new signing. And same goes for Taylor.

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CleeHillRoadROAR
02/02/2024 14:02

Quote:

Loyden1

Quote:

hong kong rover

Quote:

Loyden1
Any lights on at solar campus🤣

All Quiet on the Leasowe Front, it seems Loyden!

yep ,the only in and out was the tide🙈

Must have been a BAY window ?

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