Transfer Window overview
Incomings:
13th January, Sammy Silvera joins the pool on a loan from Middlesbrough till the end of the season after being recalled from Portsmouth after registering only 12 appearences not getting a goal or an assist but looked promising in the last two games registering a goal against Charlton in 2-2 comeback and a last minute assist for Albie Morgan against Burton Albion.
14th January, Tom “Blocko” Bloxham joins from Shrewsbury Town for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half deal and has been a breath of fresh air a big man with a touch of class (just watch the game against Exeter) which just shows his true quality in 4 appearences getting a goal and two assists but looks like quality consider what we lost this transfer window.
14th January, Josh Onomah signed a new contract till the end of the season, Josh has shown quality in some parts like his half-volley against Shrewsbury but other than that struggling to cement himself into a Steve Bruce side with the main rating him highly from his time at Aston Villa.
30th January, Niall Ennis joins from Stoke City for a loan till the end of the season, at first I didn’t have high hopes with him only registering on double digit season for goals espeically for a Plymouth side that got over a hundred points would expect him to score but at the moment i’ll hold my hands high and say I was wrong the goal and effort he put in against Charlton to win me over slightly and just hope for the best in the coming months and help us push for play-offs which seems like a longshot but I wouldn’t say it’s impossible.
Outgoings:
2nd January, Elliot Embleton to Carlisle United for an undisclosed fee, Embo’s return wasn’t as good as everyone hope for playing 23 times across all competitons registering a goal and three assists but personally wasn’t helped by losing a manger than has probably given you the best form of your life and didn’t see the same from the play-off winning season in 2021 but wish him best either way at relegation strugglers Carlisle United.
3rd January, Dom Ballard recalled by Southampton FC after struggling for form mostly featuring off the bench for Ash Fletcher or Kyle Joseph only registering a goal in the 22 appearences he played for the seasiders and after losing favour by Bruce presumed he was recalled due to a mixture of bad form and a need for different challenge that might re-alight a spark which he had shown the season beforehand at Reading.
16th January, Zac Ashworth joins Ross County on loan until the end of the season, Zac joined Blackpool as a wingback after having a decent loan spell at Bolton the year prior however the departure of Neil Critchley and his wingback system being changed to a Fullback system under Bruce has wiped Ashworth out the frame with him not looking to defensively solid for a fullback role.
17th January, Ollie Norburn joins Wigan Athletic on loan until the end of the season, which will probably be his next destination with his contract running out in the summer Norburn joined Pool for roughly £500,000 the summer before last and has been on and off with the fans with some weeks having blinders and others having stinkers and with Lee Evans joining in the summer and Albie Morgan becoming unplayable in recent months Norburn has struggled for game time but can’t say injuries have helped him either after getting back into the team when Richard Keogh was in charge he looked a different player until he did his hamstring against Blackburn keeping him out for a couple on months.
20th January, Kyle Joseph Joins Hull City for an undisclosed fee, but is rumoured to be around the £2.5 million mark maybe going up £3 million with bonuses and clauses, well what can I say a player that plays off passion and love by the fans similar to Jerry Yates just a loved member especially kicking a good start to the season after having a poor one last year due to injuries and the lack of game time rendering his goal tally to just 2 but this season he’s been something else with 8 goals and 3 assists made us love him even more but I understand him going football is a short career but wish him all the best.
24th January, Dom Thompson had his contract terminated by mutual consent don’t really have much to say apart from Michael Appleton being an absoloute clown saying this man would generate millions for this club and that is all I have to say.
3rd February, Jordan Rhodes joins Mansfield Town on loan until the end of the season, and with his contract being up in the summer this could be the last we see of him last season when he was on loan it was the Jordan Rhodes everyone remembers getting 15 goals in the first half of the season but then disaster struck getting injured in Janaury and getting injured again at Wigan after coming back the form hasn’t been the same since but wish him the best on his day a true professional but sadly coming to the end of his career.
Overall
I think this transfer window had it’s positives and negatives with getting rid of a lot of deadwood and as Bruce said he prefers a smaller group but do believe with getting rid of Norburn leaves us short in midfield with Evans and Morgan being starters with Carey and Onomah being cover isn’t very reassuring especially with Evans’ injury history and personally would of loved to use more of the Grimshaw and Joseph money but again that seems to dissapear like usual but overall think we had a fairly decent window.