Stickied League 2 Transfer Rumours/Confirmed Transfers 2023/24

[Moomin]

Yes, getting Doyle back is important but put simply its out of our hands - same with Yates.

The club is actively looking at decent replacement though so if Doyle returns to Bradford I am confident he'll be properly replaced.

It can't be understated however just how good Anthony Grant has been since his loan spell, the best midfielder in a Swindon shirt for many a year, so to get him permanently is a real statement of intent.

Trouble is, replacing Doyle with someone of equal ability, or more to the point, with someone who fits into your system as well, is surely going to be nigh on impossible? The bloke has scored over 20 goals in half a season, which is really rare.

Last season we lost Stockley in January and it screwed us over. Bowman took a while to get going and we never recovered from that.

Admittedly, you probably have a very strong budget so that will help but there’s many more factors to consider other than being able to afford a player with a good pedigree.

 

[Indian Dan]

Tbh, Doyle isn’t going to carry on scoring at a goal a game rate. 10 goals between now and the end of the season would be good. I’d imagine either Pitman or McNulty could manage that just as easily.

 

[Agombar stool]

Trouble is, replacing Doyle with someone of equal ability, or more to the point, with someone who fits into your system as well, is surely going to be nigh on impossible? The bloke has scored over 20 goals in half a season, which is really rare.

Last season we lost Stockley in January and it screwed us over. Bowman took a while to get going and we never recovered from that.

Admittedly, you probably have a very strong budget so that will help but there’s many more factors to consider other than being able to afford a player with a good pedigree.

Don't disagree with anything you have said. We have a reasonable budget i think - names like Pitman and Hylton have been mooted.

Of course the best case scenario is Doyle staying but that might not happen so we are going to have to cross that bridge when it happens. Its interesting the parallel with Stockley and Exeter last season, which is a concern but hopefully we can do the best we can with whomever replaces Doyle.

Perhaps we'll know more today. Hoping so either way!

 

[Chris FGR]

Swindon being linked with Liam McAlinden. Would be an interesting Doyle replacement.

 

[Moomin]

Don't disagree with anything you have said. We have a reasonable budget i think - names like Pitman and Hylton have been mooted.

Of course the best case scenario is Doyle staying but that might not happen so we are going to have to cross that bridge when it happens. Its interesting the parallel with Stockley and Exeter last season, which is a concern but hopefully we can do the best we can with whomever replaces Doyle.

Perhaps we'll know more today. Hoping so either way!

To be fair, Pitman would be a classy replacement and Hylton, if fit, would also be quality. Also, if Yates stays then you also likely have another striker who’ll get 20 goals this season. I can’t see your boys not going up as your squad is very strong.

Our problem was that we relied completely on Stockley’s goals and we were never really likely to replace him with anyone as good. Bowman is handy but realistically is only a 15 goal a season striker.

Re Doyle, it’s clear he wants to stay at Swindon so I expect you’re very hopeful he stays. I just can’t believe Bradford let him go to a potential promotion rival in the first place...A bonkers decision, really.

 

[Indian Dan]

Think Doyle has been recalled

 

[Moomin]

Swindon being linked with Liam McAlinden. Would be an interesting Doyle replacement.

I talented player but really struggled in his second season with us. He just doesn’t seem to have the physical edge to go with his ability. That said, players improve so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he could realise his potential.

 

[Si Robin]

Was absolutely dreadful for us - but then Matt Green was and he went to Mansfield and turned his career around.

 

[LS Bantam]

I just can’t believe Bradford let him go to a potential promotion rival in the first place...A bonkers decision, really.

Too easy to say in hindsight, who could have imagined he’d do what he’s done. At the time it suited all parties and financially allowed us to bring in extra bodies which we were desperate for.
Anyway, WELCOME HOME EOIN.

 

[Posh Harry]

We have signed Anthony Glennon on loan until end of season. Burnley left back, captain of their u23 academy team

 

[SVH]

We let Rory Gaffney go on loan to Bristol Rovers a few years back and he started scoring goals. He wanted to stay, we recalled him and in the end we sold him back to Bristol Rovers for something like 50k.

My point being, will Doyle throw his toys out the pram like Gaffney which could force Bradfords hand? Obviously wasn't wanted in the summer as bradford had Vaughan and Donaldson coming in. I will keep an eye on developments with interest here.

 

[Moomin]

Too easy to say in hindsight, who could have imagined he’d do what he’s done. At the time it suited all parties and financially allowed us to bring in extra bodies which we were desperate for.
Anyway, WELCOME HOME EOIN.

Very true, with hindsight and all that. I certainly think it’s a wise move to recall him now and it will be interesting how he gets on

 

[Indian Dan]

Too easy to say in hindsight, who could have imagined he’d do what he’s done. At the time it suited all parties and financially allowed us to bring in extra bodies which we were desperate for.
Anyway, WELCOME HOME EOIN.

Not trying to be an arse here, but I’m not 100% sure this is the end of the saga. Doyle said a strange thing to the BBC

Asked about potentially being recalled, Doyle told BBC Points West: "Hopefully, come February, I will still be here."

Maybe you’re, understandably, recalling him for the month.

 

[SVH]

Bradford are setting up an auction by recalling him. Bigger clubs than Swindon will be circling I'm sure.

 

[Indian Dan]

But he can’t play for anyone other than us or Bradford this season.

 

[JJ1532]

Got to think Championship clubs are a little wary of big bids after his failed spells at Cardiff and Preston as well. Does selling him north of the border get round the 2 club rule? Could a return to Hibs be on the cards? Maybe Hearts or Aberdeen could come in for him?

The prospect of going back to Bradford seems like it'll upset their dressing room, got to imagine the conversation between Doyle and Bowyer will be an awkward one. Do they really want him back in the fold or are they doing it primarily to weaken a promotion rival?

 

[Big Bird]

I can see him being recalled and sold to us on deadline day. Disrupts us for a month and Bradford still get some money for him (believe his contract is up in the summer).

 

[JJ1532]

If Bradford wanted to be the ultimate shithouses, they'd dangle the idea that they will sell him to you in this window for the next few weeks, meaning you won't go into the market for another striker. Then, on deadline day, they mess you around all day and then at the final moment pull of negotiations.

Leaves you high and dry with no replacement and no Doyle, plus they can leave him on the bench and find a way to absorb the financial hit for 6 months whilst they get promoted, knowing if they don't, he'll be gone in the summer anyway.

 

[Big Bird]

If Bradford wanted to be the ultimate shithouses, they'd dangle the idea that they will sell him to you in this window for the next few weeks, meaning you won't go into the market for another striker. Then, on deadline day, they mess you around all day and then at the final moment pull of negotiations.

Leaves you high and dry with no replacement and no Doyle, plus they can leave him on the bench and find a way to absorb the financial hit for 6 months whilst they get promoted, knowing if they don't, he'll be gone in the summer anyway.

That's just naughty. I'd like to think we'd be too professional to let that happen but who knows. Paul Jewell will be doing the negotiating so let's hope he still has some mates at Bradford.

 

[Indian Dan]

I’d presume if this is, indeed, a month long recall we have an agreed pre contract in place to prevent any shenanigans.

 

[SVH]

Bradford will have their own agenda, no doubt about it but it's anyones guess what that is.

Sell him to the highest bidder and keep him for themselves for the remainder of the season is my guess.

 

[Indian Dan]

Who the hell is going to buy him, then leave him at Bradford when they can get him for nowt in June?

 

[SVH]

A club will invest 50-100k if it means they secure him after the summer. If he's a free for all auction in the summer it's less likely they could get him. It does happen.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I bet he goes straight into the Bradford team.

 

[Indian Dan]

Hope so!

 

[Indian Dan]

A club will invest 50-100k if it means they secure him after the summer. If he's a free for all auction in the summer it's less likely they could get him. It does happen.

Doyle wants to be free to negotiate a nice fat signing on fee.

 

[Agombar stool]

https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/crewe-alex-boss-david-artell-17525002

Dave Artell seems to know something, the cheeky scamp!

 

[Moomin]

Is Doyle allowed to join a club outside of England? I wonder if a Scottish Prem club would be a possibility?

 

[Indian Dan]

Nope

 

[GTFCfish]

I can see him being recalled and sold to us on deadline day. Disrupts us for a month and Bradford still get some money for him (believe his contract is up in the summer).

This reminds me of a similar situation we had with Bradford when in non league, we had Ross Hannah on loan until January and he was superb and looked way to good for non league and got us to the top of the league but went back to Bradford in Jan. We were all desperate to sign him so Fenty stumped up the cash for once after he’d been back on Bradford’s bench for a few weeks and when he came back he was absolute shite.