Football Food For Thought / Alsy / 07 January 2008 /

Morgan in the Driving Seat: Alister Morgan tells us about the origins of the January transfer window and which managers will have their cheque books out

The January transfer window is an annual pilgrimage - whatever your team's affliction a cure is just around the corner. Need a striker who can shoot straight or a defender who can head the ball? No problem... the January window is a window of opportunity for clubs in every league.

Steve Bruce suggests the transfer window only helps big clubs but his purchases in Jan '03 (Dugarry on loan, Clemence, Clapham and Upson on permanent deals) kept Birmingham in the top flight with Dugarry scoring five in four games.

Other successes include Bullard at £3.5m to Wigan, Richardson on loan to West Brom, Arteta £2m to Everton and Evra £5.5m to Manchester United but there were many who failed. The roll call of shame includes Samaras at £6m to Man City, Reyes £10.5m to Arsenal, Beattie £6m to Everton and Boumsong £8m to Newcastle.

The problem is that January purchases have a distinctly desperate feel to them. Prices are inflated, players are thrown into the fray and managers cross their fingers. January's transfer window resembles Bond Street's January sales. Most can't resist the idea of a bargain but when the frenzy dies down you realise that your impulse buys weren't essential and were probably not worth the money.

It's ironic that managers make such purchases when the very existence of the January window reduces their job security. When teams under-perform impatient Chairmen can attract a new manager with the promise that funds can be spent on players of their choosing in January.

The transfer window means coaches have less time to turn things around and in the Premiership, if the team is failing, you're out by Christmas. Bah Humbug!

The window was introduced to limit transfer speculation and help teams find stability. Teams with multiple injuries could buy in January if necessary but the formidable purchasing power of Premiership clubs means that many clubs are happy to throw money looking for short-term fixes to long term problems. Unfortunately for English players this often means cheaper foreign imports.

Portsmouth loses five players during the African Cup of Nations so expect Harry Redknapp to bring in new faces. Redknapp used the window to glorious effect in '06 bringing in Mwaruwari, Kiely, d'Alessandro, Davis, Pamarot and Mendes. Portsmouth only lost two of their last ten games maintaining Premiership status by two points.

Alan Curbishley attempted a similar trick last year in a desperate orgy of spending that brought in Boa Morte, Quashie, Davenport, Blanco, Neill and Upson to West Ham. They we're all fair-to-disappointing but Tevez was talented enough to paper over any cracks behind him.

Every club facing relegation will look to strengthen (Birmingham, Wigan, Fulham and Derby all have new managers) but you sense Roy Keane will have the funds and inclination to bring in a handful of new players.

Arsenal and Manchester will feel they have plenty in reserve. Spurs will spend because they only have 10 centre midfielders while Chelsea will buy to protect their policy of having two separate teams capable of winning the Premiership.

Despite public complaints to the contrary Benitez does not need any more players. He clearly has enough to keep his rotation policy moving but is still likely to spend this month. If Liverpool's form doesn't improve Benitez could be looking for new employment.

Similarly, Allardyce will bring in more new faces but will have to get Newcastle performing less like Billy Smart's Circus to keep his job next season. Managers and players arrive and leave St James Park as fast as Big Brother contestants - how has the window ever helped Newcastle?

All-in-all the risks are very high for mangers but so are the rewards. The benefits associated with Premiership status will guarantee plenty of January transfer activity but is it good for the English game and what are the real costs of unchecked spending and imported players? Let me know your thoughts.

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