In our most recent poll, we asked you if you were happy with BFC’s wheelings and dealings in the January transfer window, and the results are quite surprising – only 32% of you said ‘Yes’, whilst 68% voted ‘No’.
Avid readers of our forums will know that the topic of transfers has been debated quite frequently in recent weeks, and on the whole, there appears to be some consternation at both our incomings and outgoings in January.
Looking at the arrivals first, only really Jason Puncheon has established himself in the side with any aplomb.
The skilful winger was arguably man of the match last time out against Blackburn and seems to suit our system perfectly.
Indeed, although the Seasiders are believed to have agreed a fee with his parent club Southampton, we could face serious competition to sign him permanently in the summer, with Newcastle (who we pipped to sign him on deadline day) taking a very close interest in the player.
Of the others, Sergey Kornilenko has made two appearances; against Spurs and against Wolves.
Against Spurs he looked brilliant, but he was sacrificed against Wolves after less than half an hour.
With his lack of English (club director Normunds Malnacs has been helping him out of the training ground) and lack of fitness (when he joined us from his Russian club, they were in pre-season), Kornilenko has struggled to establish himself as many hoped he would (although there is still time for that to change, of course). Maybe Ian Holloway will think twice about signing a half-fit non-English speaking player for a relegation scrap next time?
Staying in attack, James Beattie’s goal drought continues. Although the experienced frontman has linked play quite well during his appearances to date, he’s shown none of the instincts infront of goal that he did when firing Stoke to Premier League safety not too long ago.
Ian Holloway is said to be a big fan of his, but he’s on big wages and unless he starts scoring soon, you’d have to say that that’s money wasted. Although it doesn’t help when Ollie plays him on the wing, of course…
Dropping back into midfield, and Andy Reid hasn’t impressed. One minute he looks a confident playmaker who will flourish in our system, the next he looks like a lazy so so incapable of passing a square ball.
With this being his ‘last chance saloon’ you’d suspect in terms of playing Premier League football, Reid will need to redouble his efforts in the coming weeks if he’s to earn a new contract.
In defence, Salaheddine Sbai has got nowhere near the first team, even when Stephen Crainey was injured.
He plays for the reserves every week (albeit it at centre half rather than left back), but has struggled to impress, even at that level.
Off the record it is believed that Ollie has admitted that he’s not as good as he thought he was – the perils of not having a proper scouting network and signing players off DVDs.
In terms of departures, Rob Edwards and Marlon Harewood leaving on loan have rankled.
Their departures left us short staffed at centre back (especially if you include Keinan’s departure) and up top, and Edwards’ loan has proved to be particularly pointless – he has made just one substitute appearance for Norwich.
Hopefully both will be recalled for the run-in; Harewood’s experience and goals could be vital.
There’s still time for the new signings to come good of course, and for Ollie to be proved right with those he let go, but you’d hope that valuable lessons have been learned for the summer transfer window, whichever division we find ourselves in.
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