Januray Transfer Window Review

A window which started out so brightly, with the signing of Danny Grant, who was then followed into Canalside by Rolando Aarons, Sorba Thomas, Richard Keogh, Duane Holmes and Jayson Leutwiler, but ultimately the failure to sign a striker overshadowed what was a very tidy window from Town up to that point.

The Departures

The departure of Ben Hamer was an interesting deal, a player who had performed well for the majority of the season until Ryan Schofield overtook him while he was out injured and ultimately spending £10-15k a week on a backup 'keeper is not true value for money. Leutwiler coming in as a backup which should in turn ease the pressure of Ryan. Obviously, there is going to be a downgrade in ability between Hamer and Jayson, but it Schofield was always going to be number 1 for the rest of the season even if Hamer stayed, then I don't think the change from Hamer to Leutwiler is a bad thing.
The most important deal in the window in my opinion was the departure of Adama Diakhaby. I think he is the worst signing we have ever made considering the amount we spent on him (which when you consider wages, transfer and agent fees comes close to £25 million.) He is the proof that when you throw money around like it is confetti, you have to live with those mistakes. Clearly, Town left it too late in the day to complete a reasonable deal for a striker and then panicked at the last minute and submitted a ludicrous £1 million deal for Kayden Jackson, but even that was too late. It may have been frustrating that Town failed to sign a striker late on last night, but at least they didn't sign one on a botched deal.

This Season

So far this season, Adebayo has scored 10 goals and 1 assist in 25 League 2 appearances, with him being involved in 34% of Walsall's goals. 6 of goals have come from his right foot, 2 from his left and 2 headed goals. Elijah currently sits joint 6th in the League 2 top scorer charts. He averages 3.5 aerials won per game, although he only wins 37% of aerials. When you compare this with Fraizer Campbell, Campbell only wins 1.2 aerials per game with a success rate of 31%. Although you should remember that Adebayo is playing in a less competitive league.

Players only leave if they meet our valuation

Karlan Grant's departure to West Brom for £16 million albeit split over 6 years, which although may have met our valuation and shows that we aren't one to cave into other teams demands, it cost us long term. Town missed out on Willock as they couldn't afford to sign him and with the possibility of Grant staying. When Town realised that Grant would definitely be going, it seemed that Rolando Aarons would be the man to replace him, but for a delay on the Newcastle end meant the deal couldn't be met in time for the deadline. In this deal, I think you could criticise Town for leaving it till the last minute to tie a replacement up, but ultimately it was out of their hands.
Going back to what I was saying before with certain first-team players, there was interest in them but ultimately no one met their valuation and that is fair.
It is reported that Town pulled out of the Adebayo bid due to being messed around by Walsall and if that is true then it is embarrassing. Town desperately needed a striker and they were not in a position to take the moral high ground and say 'we only complete deals that match our valuation'. Fair enough it is a deal totalling millions, but for £250,000 I think you can sit happily even if you may have overpaid slightly. Luton snuck that transfer away from Town and had agreed a lower fee, but for the sake of a few thousand quid I don't see the thinking behind pulling out the deal.
With the collapsing of the Aarons deal late on in deadline day in October, I had sympathy for the club, it was not their fault and it is just one of those things with football. What happened last night is inexcusable, it may not have been their fault, but its twice in two windows and shows a clear lack of planning that they are again trying to complete last-minute deals.