Speaking on Monday, Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane’s admission that he will be mighty glad when the winter window finally shuts on February 2 felt like a sentiment shared by just about every manager in the division.
January might be a lifeline for clubs who need reinforcements, but for those tasked with holding squads together, it is a month defined by uncertainty, distraction and disruption.
However, in contrast to several previous January’s, Barnsley have had a reasonably solid month so far by way of four new arrivals, accompanied by some squad player exits. And plenty can still happen.
On the incoming front, Eoghan O’Connell, Scott Banks, Owen Goodman and Charlie Lennon have all joined The Reds so far. Yet, speculation persists over the futures of star duo Reyes Cleary and Davis Keillor-Dunn.
Hourihane, speaking ahead of the trip to Cardiff City, said: “It’s challenging in January because you pay over the odds if you want to get a player who is high in form.
And (with) a lot of the players you may look at, it’s someone that hasn’t played as much in terms of fitness or form or whatever […] It’s a bit of a difficult month from that point of view.“
He also stated, “You try and do your homework really, really well and try and get the players in that you want.“
Late speaking on the summer windows, Hourihane admitted; “I think the summer market’s a lot more challenging and a lot more draining, whereas January is short and sharp and you get in there with a couple of players and (hopefully) keep your best players.”
The Reds will be hoping to welcome new winger Scott Banks into the fold over the coming days, with the wide man edging closer to making his first appearance in red.
His arrival has already lifted the mood around the camp, and there’s a quiet expectation that his creativity and direct running could give the side a fresh spark at a crucial point in the season.
