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Taking a safety-first approach in the January window could still prove a gamble for Wanderers.
Maintaining a status quo appears to be the aim for Ken Anderson and Phil Parkinson next month, with both stating there is likely to be little business done in either direction at the Macron.
Anderson has made public assurances that unless a jaw-dropping offer comes in for an asset such as Zach Clough, Josh Vela or Mark Beevers, he intends to safeguard a squad which has kept itself in contention thus far.
It also seems doubtful Wanderers will look to invest in new signings, the chairman pointing out that “January is not a good time to do sensible business.”
A serious injury – like the ones which befell Darren Pratley or Mark Davies in August – could alter his philosophy but, in general, Parkinson has been told to work with the tools at his disposal and seems happy with his lot.
As Wanderers look to stick, some of their rivals at the top of the table have stated their intention to twist, adding to their squad next month as the scramble for promotion gets serious.
Leaders Scunthorpe and second-placed Sheffield United are both in the market for players, as are clubs with bigger budgets such as Charlton, who are unlikely to settle for mid-table.
Should the sides around them start spending – would Wanderers’ thoughts change? And with a transfer embargo still firmly in place, could they do anything about it even if they wanted to?
Anderson has ensured through careful negotiation with the Football League that the restrictions have not been quite as prohibitive as they may have felt last season. After 12 incoming deals over the summer the Whites have been left well-stocked in most positions.
Many supporters still feel the lack of a ‘goal-scorer’ could be a handicap to success.
Gary Madine would argue his scoring record at this level with Sheffield Wednesday and Carlisle United stands up to scrutiny, while Clough may point out that he has already matched his best-ever return, off the left wing, with half the season left to play.
Others maintain that by sharing the goals out, Wanderers have an advantage over their competitors. Anderson is among them, telling the recent fans’ Q&A at the Macron: “You look at other clubs around us in the table and the responsibility for scoring goals falls on the shoulders of one person,” he said. “You lose them, you are in trouble.
“If the goals are scored by three or four players then there is less pressure on that one person and you can adapt.”
The chairman’s words were aimed more at Scunthorpe and Sheffield United, who have Josh Morris and Billy Sharp featuring at the top of the scoring charts. Indeed, he could almost have been singing off the same hymn sheet as Bradford City boss Stuart McCall, who insists his own side’s success does not hinge on him finding a striker in January.
“It’s great to have this 20-goal striker everyone talks about,” he told the Telegraph and Argus. “But at the most successful clubs, the goals are shared around.”
Anderson even cited Chelsea’s success in the Premier League, and the fact Antonio Conte’s men are on course to win the title with the fewest goals scored.
Aiming to follow suit is a bold strategy, even with a manager as defensively well-versed as Parkinson.
It also remains to be seen what effect an expiring contract will have on some of the Whites’ key players. Jay Spearing, David Wheater, Gary Madine, Liam Trotter and Lewis Buxton are among those whose deal runs out next summer – and Anderson’s publicly-stated desire to create a clean financial slate will undoubtedly affect their chances of renegotiating. Perhaps they are the players most at risk of bids from elsewhere as clubs look to snap up a bargain?
Wanderers have laid their cards on the table early, probably in the hope of warding off any unwanted interest in their players. But does their stubborn stance take into consideration the fact League One environment will inevitably change around them in the next six weeks?
Source
Maintaining a status quo appears to be the aim for Ken Anderson and Phil Parkinson next month, with both stating there is likely to be little business done in either direction at the Macron.
Anderson has made public assurances that unless a jaw-dropping offer comes in for an asset such as Zach Clough, Josh Vela or Mark Beevers, he intends to safeguard a squad which has kept itself in contention thus far.
It also seems doubtful Wanderers will look to invest in new signings, the chairman pointing out that “January is not a good time to do sensible business.”
A serious injury – like the ones which befell Darren Pratley or Mark Davies in August – could alter his philosophy but, in general, Parkinson has been told to work with the tools at his disposal and seems happy with his lot.
As Wanderers look to stick, some of their rivals at the top of the table have stated their intention to twist, adding to their squad next month as the scramble for promotion gets serious.
Leaders Scunthorpe and second-placed Sheffield United are both in the market for players, as are clubs with bigger budgets such as Charlton, who are unlikely to settle for mid-table.
Should the sides around them start spending – would Wanderers’ thoughts change? And with a transfer embargo still firmly in place, could they do anything about it even if they wanted to?
Anderson has ensured through careful negotiation with the Football League that the restrictions have not been quite as prohibitive as they may have felt last season. After 12 incoming deals over the summer the Whites have been left well-stocked in most positions.
Many supporters still feel the lack of a ‘goal-scorer’ could be a handicap to success.
Gary Madine would argue his scoring record at this level with Sheffield Wednesday and Carlisle United stands up to scrutiny, while Clough may point out that he has already matched his best-ever return, off the left wing, with half the season left to play.
Others maintain that by sharing the goals out, Wanderers have an advantage over their competitors. Anderson is among them, telling the recent fans’ Q&A at the Macron: “You look at other clubs around us in the table and the responsibility for scoring goals falls on the shoulders of one person,” he said. “You lose them, you are in trouble.
“If the goals are scored by three or four players then there is less pressure on that one person and you can adapt.”
The chairman’s words were aimed more at Scunthorpe and Sheffield United, who have Josh Morris and Billy Sharp featuring at the top of the scoring charts. Indeed, he could almost have been singing off the same hymn sheet as Bradford City boss Stuart McCall, who insists his own side’s success does not hinge on him finding a striker in January.
“It’s great to have this 20-goal striker everyone talks about,” he told the Telegraph and Argus. “But at the most successful clubs, the goals are shared around.”
Anderson even cited Chelsea’s success in the Premier League, and the fact Antonio Conte’s men are on course to win the title with the fewest goals scored.
Aiming to follow suit is a bold strategy, even with a manager as defensively well-versed as Parkinson.
It also remains to be seen what effect an expiring contract will have on some of the Whites’ key players. Jay Spearing, David Wheater, Gary Madine, Liam Trotter and Lewis Buxton are among those whose deal runs out next summer – and Anderson’s publicly-stated desire to create a clean financial slate will undoubtedly affect their chances of renegotiating. Perhaps they are the players most at risk of bids from elsewhere as clubs look to snap up a bargain?
Wanderers have laid their cards on the table early, probably in the hope of warding off any unwanted interest in their players. But does their stubborn stance take into consideration the fact League One environment will inevitably change around them in the next six weeks?
Source