Director of Football George Friend speaks to BRTV about the January transfer window.
So, George, it’s great to sit down with you around a week after the transfer window closed, but let's start before everything. What was the planning like before the January transfer window?
"January is notoriously a pretty tough window in general, and we planned as much as we could for it. So, myself and the recruitment department were looking at different targets, speaking to agents, speaking to clubs, and we had targets all lined up. Thankfully, we brought some of those in, and we had to be slightly more reactive, as I’m sure people were aware of, in terms of the last 24 hours of the window as well."
You mentioned that reactive side. Let's look at the goalkeeping department. How did that change?
"It’s the biggest topic of the window for obvious reasons. It was disappointing to lose Josh Griffiths, but we understood that was always a possibility. Thankfully, we had some contingencies in place and succession planning. We always wanted to have three goalkeepers in that department, and with Josh and Matt Hall and Jed Ward being out on loan, we did in terms of Jed having a 24-hour recall.
"To lose Josh, we knew Jed could come back and then to bring in the extra goalkeeper as well in Myles Roberts, who is an excellent young goalkeeper as well. We fulfilled that to have good choices in that department for training and matches and good competition."
What about the defence?
"Losing Michael Forbes to injury, thankfully, he has gone back out on loan because, first of all, I would like to say he’s a fantastic character and he’s an excellent player. I didn’t want to see him leave, but an injury forced that, and I felt like he got into a position where he was becoming a regular starter for us, and I think he’ll have a really great career.
"But we lost a left sider and a natural left footer, so the head coach, myself and the recruitment department were keen to bring in someone who could naturally play on that side in the centre of the defence. Sil Swinkels had been on the bench in the Champions League and in the Premier League prior to coming to us. He trained every day with Unai Emery at Aston Villa, and he came in and made a pretty good impact the other night. I have to say that, in general, the fans support right from the off for all the new signings and, of course, our existing players, but in particular, the new signings, they really good behind them, and I think they saw them settling quite quickly in that first game, and I hope that continues."
In the midfield, there were a couple of incomings and outgoings as well...
"Romaine Sawyers came in earlier. He's almost forgotten about in terms of a January move because he came in so early, but he was someone we were looking at. I think it’s important to note that with a team, you’re looking to keep the spine of the team really strong, and unfortunately, with Kamil Conteh’s injury, Promise Omochere down the middle of the pitch being injured and then Josh leaving, we were hit a bit there.
"But again, through great work from the recruitment department, different networking and having a finger on the pulse, we saw Romaine had a short-term contract. He’s someone who can play in that sixth position and has a wealth of experience. He’s someone that can help on and off the field, and we’re really pleased to get him in and to have his character as much as his footballing ability in there.
"Another player in midfield that we really wanted to bring in previously in previous windows as well was Matt Butcher. To get him across the line was a real coup for us because he was high in demand in the window, and we’re very thankful. I think the fans can see what he’s brought already, with two assists in his first two games. Again, the character as well must be noted. The fans might not see that as much, but what he’s like around the training ground, they probably see a little bit on the pitch, the way he talks, and I think that’s been a real plus for us."
I’m guessing that’s a big part of recruiting players, not just their attributes on the pitch but off it as well...
"Of course. You’re not going to get 25 angels or however many you want in the squad, and you actually don’t want 25 angels because you want a bit of bite in certain areas. You want a balance in technique, physicality, but also character, and it’s difficult to get the right characters, but it’s certainly something we’re looking more and more into."
There was an attacking addition as well...
"Michael Reindorf was again someone we’ve been tracking. He first caught my eye in our Carabao Cup game when we played Cardiff earlier this season. He came on and really shone in that game for Cardiff. We’ve been watching him since, whether that’s his appearances for Cardiff in the Championship or the U21s. We’re really pleased to get him in.
"Unfortunately, Gatlin O’Donkor getting injured, we were another striker down. So, Michael’s a really good addition, and he’s slightly versatile as well. You may have seen a glimpse of that in his cameo appearance, but he can play on the left as well. So, that gives us another option as a winger."
January is a much shorter transfer window, and you mentioned a couple of the injuries there and Josh being recalled. Is it about needing to be more reactive?
"I’m still learning. That was my first January. I was talking to my counterparts and people in other roles at different levels and at different clubs, and they said it is a tricky window, whatever the level and whatever your squad.
"The Josh one did test us, but I think through planning, I think we were able to react quickly, and it wasn’t complete panic stations because we had Jed lined up and we also had other options. I’m pleased with how that department looks in particular."
The last transfer window has only just closed but I’m guessing you’re already planning for the summer window as well.
"You always try to plan for however many windows in advance, hopefully two windows in advance. I’m hoping the turnover won’t be as big in the summer, but again, we’re planning and hoping to explore our potential wildcard options where we get two where we can take two players from abroad. That’s something the board have been keen and looking to do, and we will expand in terms of our recruitment in that sense.
"Without holding me to it, that’s something we’re looking to do. Whether that’s the summer or beyond, we’re hopeful we can really add to the squad. Just to revisit the part about the fans, I do feel like they are really connecting with the new signings but also some of the players that have been here a bit longer. The atmosphere of the last few games, especially at home, has been fantastic, and we want to take that into the new few home games we have as well. So, I thank them for that and thank the players for all their efforts. We’ve got a good group, and they’ve welcomed the new ones in, as well."
