Transfer window analysis: Covid forces clubs to stick with what they have

In the summer, England’s top-flight clubs spent money as if no one had told them there was a global pandemic on, parting with an estimated £1.2bn in transfer fees. This window has been far more restrained with very few permanent, paid-for deals. It is emblematic that the biggest story was centre-back Ben Davies joining Liverpool for £500,000 up front. The £75m signing of Virgil van Dijk feels a lot longer than three years ago.

Even so there was a need for most to shuffle their packs and many in the Football League, more adept at shoestring shopping, did. Between them, League Two Bradford City and Harrogate Town signed an astonishing 16 new players.

Yet in the Yorkshire city where the need was greatest, Sheffield, there was little activity.

Adrift at the bottom of the Premier League table, United had neither the pulling power nor financial clout to revitalise their squad. They decided before the window opened to limit themselves to two loans but could not manage even that.

Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard was an early target to replace the goals which have deserted John Fleck and John Lundstram, but he got a better offer, and joined West Ham.

The left-sided centre-back berth Chris Wilder was unable to fill after Jack O’Connell’s knee injury shortly before the last window shut remains empty. Davies topped his October shopping list, but Preston North End priced him at £10m. With Davies’s contract in its final months, the price plummeted, but a loan was of no use to them.

Now Wilder must convince those asked to fill O’Connell’s boots – Jack Robinson, Kean Bryan, Phil Jagielka, Enda Stevens and Ethan Ampadu have had a go so far – he really does believe they can do a job for him.

BLOG – How Yorkshire’s Transfer Deadline Day played out across the county

Wednesday’s Championship survival prospects are better, but have not moved on as they might have liked. Exacerbated by Covid-19, the problems come right from the top.

Tony Pulis was appointed in November to carry out a root-and-branch assessment but before the year was out, he was. By accident or design, caretaker-manager Neil Thompson remains in control.

That made recruitment harder – though it certainly did not stop Bradford. Wednesday spent yesterday scrambling to add a left-back and centre-forward to free agents Andre Green and Sam Hutchinson, and failed.

In owner Dejphon Chansiri’s defence, he could not spend money he did not have. For a third time in the pandemic, Owls players were not paid in full and on time, although January’s pay was provided quickly enough to allow deadline-day transfers.

Perhaps a manager, director of football or even a chief executive could have moved a few out to bring a few in, as rivals such as Rotherham United have. The Millers got Jamie Proctor, Adam Thompson, Curtis Tilt, Billy Jones, Mickel Miller and Kyle Vassell off the wage bill – all but Tilt temporarily – to allow Lewis Wing and Ryan Giles to freshen things up on loan.

Attracting a manager without significant signings will be harder for the Owls, just as making significant signings was tougher without a manager.

Huddersfield Town are trying to build a “project” and had the cushion of a start which exceeded expectations, but were forced to be reactive by injuries down the spine of the side – to striker Danny Ward (often), midfielder Carel Eiting and centre-backs Richard Stearman and Christopher Schindler. The deeper gaps were plugged, the planned-for October transfer of Rolando Aarons pushed through and Jonathan Hogg got a new contract, but could not sign a much-needed striker beyond “project” – ie cheap – additions Sorba Thomas and Danny Grant.

Barnsley did show uncharacteristic transfer ambition, not only adding the forwards Valerien Ismael demanded in Carlton Morris and Daryl Dike, but jettisoning only those who did not meet his high standards. It was backing he earned after putting them in sight of the play-offs and going on a lucrative FA Cup run.

Middlesbrough’s play-off ambitions are stronger, and there seemed little question they would back a Neil Warnock rejig inevitably completed late with Nathaniel Mendez-Laings’ loan. Darnell Fisher’s debut suggested he can improve them, and Yannick Bolasie showed huge quality in the Premier League before his cruciate knee injury.

In League One, Doncaster Rovers and Hull City added depth, although Rovers had to lose Ben Whiteman to do it. Both clubs’ additions look exciting, but Hull’s most significant signing was keeping Kean Lewis-Potter. Finding the competition for places tough, Dan Batty left the KCom Stadium.

Bradford’s 15 transfers, nine in – easily Yorkshire’s most – was a real show of faith in what are only interim managers in Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars, as was Harrogate’s recognition of the gap between the Conference and League Two. At least those that got them there got their chance.

Leeds quietly took a back seat, only sending youngsters out on loan. Their start to the season did not require the emergency option of January signings – not with a coach who takes pride in improving what he already has.

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