Southampton of course chose a unique course in their attempts to ensure their return to the promised-land after a seven year absence isn’t kept to its minimum possible period. Nigel Adkins, the man who led the South Coast club back to the top, was sacked and replaced by Argentine, Mauricio Pochettino. The new man is yet to add to his squad, but, although Executive Chairman Nicola Cortese’s arrogance and liking of the limelight have been partly blamed, the change of boss speaks of a dead-eyed determination to avoid being condemned to life back among the also-rans.
Roberto Martinez perhaps pulled off one of the most impressive under the radar signings of last January’s window. With his Wigan Athletic side seemingly without hope at the bottom of the Premier League table, the Spaniard paid approximately £3.5m to sign the Chilean winger Jean Beausejour from Birmingham. Very few observers could envisage how this purchase would aid the Latics’ battle to survive. As it transpired, Martinez had identified the wide-man as being a perfect fit for his 3-4-3 formation, and Beausejour played a key part in Wigan’s dramatic late surge to maintain their precious top-flight spot.
Martinez has followed a similar strategy twelve months on. The Honduran international Roger Espinoza, signed from Sporting Kansas City, has shown early signs that he will be a success in England. The loan return of Paul Scharner for the climax of this term could prove inspired. The Austrian is far from the most high-profile mover on deadline day, yet his power, leadership, and decisiveness will all be welcome at the DW Stadium.
Reading – like their previously mentioned counterparts – haven’t sat on their hands, but have adopted a fourth different strategy in their transfer dealings. Brian McDermott’s policy has been to prioritise adding numbers to his squad, and recent results suggest the Royals, who until five weeks ago had won only one league match, are benefitting from their wily manager’s various acquisitions.
Hardened Premier League right-back Stephen Kelly has added some vital knowhow to the ranks, while versatile Portuguese Daniel Carrico could prove a particularly astute capture from Sporting Lisbon. The most exciting arrivals at the Madejski are potentially Hope Akpan and Nick Blackman, from Crawley Town and Sheffield United, respectively. Akpan, now 21, was unable to establish a career at Everton but his form in Sussex has secured a return to the Premier League. Blackman made similarly little impact at Blackburn Rovers, but eleven goals for the Blades in League One this season earned him his shot back at the top.
The plight of Sheffield United, who were playing Premier League football in 2007, offers further warning of what can happen once a club slips through the biggest trap-door. The Bramall Lane outfit is another Yorkshire football hotbed, whose followers must be looking on askance at seeing one of the key components of a promotion effort being lured away by the homely Royals.
The most concerned of all supporters among those teams occupying the bottom five will be the denizens of Villa Park. The Midlands side have endured a well documented torrid run of form, which has included humiliating cup defeats against Bradford City and Millwall, four consecutive home league losses, and a chastening 8-0 hammering at Chelsea. Regardless of that harrowing spell, there has been little movement towards allowing Paul Lambert to add to his startled squad. At the time of writing only Yacouba Sylla, a 22 year-old French defensive midfielder playing in the second-tier in his homeland, appears set to provide any additional help to a side so clearly in need.
A 2-1 defeat at home to Reading mid-way through this month was enough to bring back the stomach-churning memories of Newcastle United’s 2009 relegation for their unpopular owner Mike Ashley. In the long term that miserable afternoon may prove a blessing for Alan Pardew. He has since been allowed to recruit four men to his squad, having already sealed the arrival of France’s excellent right-back Mathieu Debuchy. Suddenly St James’ Park has a happier feel, and there was instant tangible reward in a critical 2-1 triumph at Villa on Tuesday. If the Magpies’ latest raft of exclusively French newcomers are as successful as others picked out by the keen-eye of head scout Graham Carr the Geordies will continue as a top-flight fixture.
Aside from Villa then, there has understandably been a great deal of activity among those terrified of finding themselves in Leeds’ current vicious circle whereby any progress can be halted at a moment’s notice by a star player deciding to pursue his dream elsewhere. Premier League status doesn’t preclude such a scenario, but it certainly helps. Furthermore, there will be oodles of cash in the bank to tempt a potential replacement if required, quite possibly the hottest property at Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town, Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, or Blackburn Rovers.
Messrs Martinez, McDermott, Lambert, Pochettino, and Redknapp, along with their trusting bosses, will be desperate to ensure they aren’t pushing against the tide a year from now in the way that Neil Warnock, despite the progress he has overseen at Leeds and now shorn of a man who has scored 15 Championship goals in 26 matches this season, is expected to.
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