January Sales

January looks like it could be an interesting month. Rumours of players both inbound and outbound are flying about, but what will happen?

The first job for Holland and Dario will be to sort out the loanees. Some of this will even need to be sorted before the end of this month. Cedric Baseya is one player coming to the end of his stay here, but his lack of, well, ability makes it unlikely that stay will be extended.

David Gray, on loan from Man Utd, also looks set to go home before 2007 is out. His loan is up just before Christmas and after being confined to the bench for the last couple of games he may be surplus to requirements.

Lee Barnard, Elliott Bennett and Simon Church, our three ‘star loanees’ all have loan deals right into January. Barnard signed a six month deal when he arrive and whilst Holland hasn’t ruled out extending that deal a lot will depend on his return from injury. Barney looks likely to play a part over Christmas and New Year after six weeks on the sidelines; if he can stay fit and in form then there shouldn’t be too much of a problem extending the loan.

Elliott Bennett and Simon Church also look good to extend loans. Bennett has impressed in his recent stint as a starter and at 18 won’t quite be looking at Wolves’ first team just yet, whilst Simon Church is a long way from Reading’s first team and Reading manager Steve Coppell has already acknowledge his pleasure at letting Crewe take Church.

It then goes onto the serious business… does anyone come, and does anyone go?

One player who could be shown the door is Eugen Bopp. The former Bayern Munich midfielder has been out in the cold for much of the season. Regularly an unused sub and only three starts this season makes him a likely candidate to be at least loaned out. Rumours are also rife that the management at Gresty Road aren’t his biggest fans.

Bopp’s departure would also leave room and money for a fellow creative midfielder. Kenny Lunt looks likely to depart Sheff Wed in January and a return for the little magician would be more than welcomed by fans.

Another midfielder who may have sealed his own fate is Michael O’Connor. This week’s news will hardly have helped his future at Gresty Road, but reaction from the club hasn’t been forthcoming. It’ll be interesting to see if January reflects these past few days.

What about unforced departures? Rumours doing the rounds at the moment include Owain fon Williams to the Premiership, Danny Woodards to Sunderland and Nicky Maynard to anywhere.

Nicky is always being linked elsewhere but he’s only been in the first team for 18 months and the club have already reportedly turned down large offers for the goal scorer. Would the club not rather wait a few more months?

Danny Woodards has been the star of 2007 at Gresty Road and reports of Premiership interest surprise few, but he’s in a similar boat to Nicky. It’s his first full season at League level and there’s a large possibility he could improve with a few more League One games under his belt.

As for Owain Fon, well rumours of Premiership interest came out of the blue. Steve Holland says no-one’s been in contact but with Fon’s contract up in the summer any offer will have to be considered – especially if Williams can’t agree a new deal. It’s unlikely though that Williams will leave before next season.

So who would be coming in? It’d be a shock if there was no strengthening done in the transfer window. Kenny Lunt has already been mentioned but rumours of interest in Bury striker Andy Bishop may finally come to a head.

Dario recently hinted that interest may be ignited in the hit man after a summer of talks with Bury. Between £300k and £500k is expected to be what Bury will ask for but it’s down to whether we will stump up and who our main competition will be, with Blackpool and Ipswich also keeping an eye on him.

As well as that we can probably expect to see a non-league star or two arrive.

But, what would you like to happen? Realistically, who would you let go and who would you bring it? Check out the discussion on our forums.