25/26 January Transfer Window (14 Viewers)

A-Lighter-Shade-Of-Blue · Jan 7, 2026

I think the issues are structural, not necessarily requiring loads of new players. The wingers will help, as we need to be able to rotate those areas, but it won't change how we play. Torp is key to turning our form around, and Lampard needs to buy/loan someone to compete and rotate with him at number 8. With Rudoni at 10, our play is slower, everything goes through one area, and even when we dominate possession. Without Torp (or a fully fit/healthy Torp, which we haven't had for several weeks we don’t have a true box-to-box number 8 – our play and form suffer. Having a proper number 8 creates space, prevents the striker from being isolated, makes the wingers more dangerous earlier, and reduces counterattacks against us. I would be going all out for Leo Castledine.

Chris1987 · Jan 7, 2026

skybluecam said:
So what's the state of play then

Official: Min-Hyeok

All but official: Esse

ITKs claim in talks: O'Nien, Wilson

Rumours: Neil

Suggestions: Amass, Castledine

Anything else?

Cirkin in suggestions. Would be a great addition

Ccfcisparks · Jan 7, 2026

JSL said:
Regarding O'Nien. It wasn't so long back that many of us were calling for an older more experienced CB to shore up the back line. Wouldn't he therefore contribute to this? If he does the job, being likable isn't really a problem once he plays for us is it?

i like my CB’s taller than my wingers

Ccfcisparks · Jan 7, 2026

skybluecam said:
So what's the state of play then

Official: Min-Hyeok

All but official: Esse

ITKs claim in talks: O'Nien, Wilson

Rumours: Neil

Suggestions: Amass, Castledine

Anything else?

abada?

skybluecam · Jan 7, 2026

Chris1987 said:
Cirkin in suggestions. Would be a great addition

He would be but started Sunderland's last 2, so don't see why they'd loan him out.

A-Lighter-Shade-Of-Blue · Jan 7, 2026

Dan Neil is your classic number 8. If we don't go for Castledine, then I would be happy with him.

Chris1987 · Jan 7, 2026

skybluecam said:
He would be but started Sunderland's last 2, so don't see why they'd loan him out.

Because the 2 ahead of him in the pecking order have been at AFCON

PVA · Jan 7, 2026

Has Dan Neil actually been rumoured or is it just a suggestion that has snowballed into a rumour?

shepardo01 · Jan 7, 2026

O'Nien had the season of his life last year.
Over performed - that won't happen again.
He's barely had a kick this year ( been injured I think) but came on recently and got sent off.
Pretty sure he treated his appearance as his dream, sounding like he'd be lucky to make many appearances in the Premier League.
He's rusty, and I do not believe up to the level of player that we should be looking at to get us over the line.
I'd be concerned if we did sign him.

Andy123456 · Jan 7, 2026

I don't know why we don't go after someone like Harrison Burrows, surely he wants more minutes playing.

Winny the Bish · Jan 7, 2026

On my hands and knees, begging Doug and Dean to snipe this deal from the Yanks.

skybluecam · Jan 7, 2026

Andy123456 said:
I don't know why we don't go after someone like Harrison Burrows, surely he wants more minutes playing.

Playing regularly for sheff utd isn't he?

skybluecam · Jan 7, 2026

Chris1987 said:
Because the 2 ahead of him in the pecking order have been at AFCON

ah. Maybe then, but would probably be done near the end of the window I guess

Chris1987 · Jan 7, 2026

Andy123456 said:
I don't know why we don't go after someone like Harrison Burrows, surely he wants more minutes playing.

Good going forward but not that good defensively.

A-Lighter-Shade-Of-Blue · Jan 7, 2026

shepardo01 said:
O'Nien had the season of his life last year.
Over performed - that won't happen again.
He's barely had a kick this year ( been injured I think) but came on recently and got sent off.
Pretty sure he treated his appearance as his dream, sounding like he'd be lucky to make many appearances in the Premier League.
He's rusty, and I do not believe up to the level of player that we should be looking at to get us over the line.
I'd be concerned if we did sign him.

O'Nien is talked about as he is a utility payer and adds depth - can play centre back, right back, defensive midfield and left back if needed.

Chris1987 · Jan 7, 2026

skybluecam said:
ah. Maybe then, but would probably be done near the end of the window I guess

Would guess so although after the PL games midweek it's 10 days until the next ones

skybluecam · Jan 7, 2026

Ccfcisparks said:
abada?

Any genuine links or is that just a rumour

CovLis86 · Jan 7, 2026

I don't like or rate O'Nien, but he's better than Lati. So if it was sell Lati and bring him in that's fine. But don't see how he would accept 4th choice CB. And I don't see him as better than Woolfenden.

Ccfcisparks · Jan 7, 2026

skybluecam said:
Any genuine links or is that just a rumour

We've been linked in the press.

Its more of a solid rumour than the likes of Cirkin, Wilson and Neil

skybluecam · Jan 7, 2026

Ccfcisparks said:
We've been linked in the press.

Its more of a solid rumour than the likes of Cirkin, Wilson and Neil

but saddle said we're in talks with Wilson

Ccfcisparks · Jan 7, 2026

skybluecam said:
but saddle said we're in talks with Wilson

The adjective SOLID being key there

TomRad85 · Jan 7, 2026

shepardo01 said:
O'Nien had the season of his life last year.
Over performed - that won't happen again.
He's barely had a kick this year ( been injured I think) but came on recently and got sent off.
Pretty sure he treated his appearance as his dream, sounding like he'd be lucky to make many appearances in the Premier League.
He's rusty, and I do not believe up to the level of player that we should be looking at to get us over the line.
I'd be concerned if we did sign him.

Concerned is a huge overreaction. We are already making good moves. I wouldn't really see the point as i don't think he'd see the pitch much but i wouldn't be concerned.

SleepyGinger · Jan 7, 2026

I’m expecting a statement signing midfielder to come in. Esse and Yang are good additions in a position of need but they don’t scream ‘going for it’.

Jamesimus · Jan 7, 2026

I’d accept O’Nien despite him not being my favourite player.

It would be an upgrade on Lati imo and an extra CB / midfield option for when we’re trying to defend a lead. I think his season last year at mainly CB I think was massively helped by playing next to Ballard.

He is a prick on the pitch, but off it seems a nice lad and hardworking professional

TomRad85 · Jan 7, 2026

Jamesimus said:
I’d accept O’Nien despite him not being my favourite player.

It would be an upgrade on Lati imo and an extra CB / midfield option for when we’re trying to defend a lead. I think his season last year at mainly CB I think was massively helped by playing next to Ballard.

He is a prick on the pitch, but off it seems a nice lad and hardworking professional

If Lati leaves its the only reason i see. To be a 4th choice CB and perhaps occasionally give Grimes 10 minutes off here and there.

shepardo01 · Jan 7, 2026

TomRad85 said:
Concerned is a huge overreaction. We are already making good moves. I wouldn't really see the point as i don't think he'd see the pitch much but i wouldn't be concerned.

Concerned that we'd be using a squad place and wages that could be used on someone that may see more of the pitch.

CovRes · Jan 7, 2026

Mucca Mad Boys said:
His goals have been v important and it’s something he’d not really done under Robins. I can’t recall him scoring outside of the box in 22/23 or 23/24 (maybe Birmingham at home in 22/23) but under Lampard he’s kicked on.

I do think Torp and Rudoni are better players, but it’s a squad game and whenever Eccles has played, there’s been no marked downgrade.

On Eccles, without wanting to start another run of Sheaf criticism, Eccles has benefited from no longer being his junior partner. He was always better offensively than Sheaf, but it used to look like Sheaf was the one allowed to "step out" more. Especially under Robins.

skybluecam · Jan 7, 2026

shepardo01 said:
Concerned that we'd be using a squad place and wages that could be used on someone that may see more of the pitch.

I don't get the concerns about squad spaces. We have a small squad. Who's taking them up? We could easily cut the likes of Bell, Andrews, one of Bidwell/Brau if we need to make spaces.

SBT · Jan 7, 2026

A-Lighter-Shade-Of-Blue said:
O'Nien is talked about as he is a utility payer and adds depth - can play centre back, right back, defensive midfield and left back if needed.

I still don’t see how he starts 10 games for us this season, even if he signed tomorrow.

Marty · Jan 7, 2026

CovveeBreak said:
He’s an absolute shit house - but off the pitch he’s supposed to be an incredibly nice humble dude in contrast.

I don’t rate him one bit as a player though.

He loves kissing dogs on roker beach iirc.

Ccfcisparks · Jan 7, 2026

skybluecam said:
I don't get the concerns about squad spaces. We have a small squad. Who's taking them up? We could easily cut the likes of Bell, Andrews, one of Bidwell/Brau if we need to make spaces.

Exactly. We have lots of filler in the squad. Rumours are Bidwell might be off.

We could easily free up 5 spaces.

AFCCOVENTRY · Jan 7, 2026

Ccfcisparks · Jan 7, 2026

SBT said:
I still don’t see how he starts 10 games for us this season, even if he signed tomorrow.

Doesn't need to start. Could come on 10 games to help see out wins.

I still dont want to sign him.

Jamesimus · Jan 7, 2026

SBT said:
I still don’t see how he starts 10 games for us this season, even if he signed tomorrow.

He doesn’t, he would get more minutes here than he will at the Mackems though.

TomRad85 · Jan 7, 2026

shepardo01 said:
Concerned that we'd be using a squad place and wages that could be used on someone that may see more of the pitch.

I don't understand the concern still. Again i'm not advocating the signing of O'Nien but we might want a player who is versatile, can cover CB and can occasionally cover a few minutes for a Matt Grimes who plays almost always but may benefit from 10 mins off here and there, as well as being someone who has already experienced promotion. We all want a 'marquee' signing and we may well still get one, but we have no idea what else Frank is asking for.

25/26 January Transfer Window (14 Viewers)

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