The transfer window for Premiership clubs closed…mmm about 56 mintues ago now. There was the usual frenzy of activity but not too much to cause Fantasy Managers to rethink their transfer strategy….O’Neil, Bouba Diop, Diarra, Rosenior…hardly Fantasy shortlist material. However, there are perhaps a few things to consider as a result of this evening’s activity. Here’s my take on the array of rather average movers and shakers…
Gary O’Neil moved from Pompey to Boro – a move which seems likely to see him get a stranglehold on the right-hand side of the Boro midfield. That should mean that Tuncay will now fight it out with Aliadiere for the place up front alongside Mido. Plenty of potential for rotation between those two then, striking them off most Fantasy Manager’s shortlists I would imagine. O’Neil himself is a steady player, who seems likely to chip in with occasional assists and goals without setting the world alight. His Portmsmouth price doesn’t make him anymore attractive so this isn’t a move to be particularly excited about.
Nobby Solano’s move to West Ham could be more fruitful, at least in the short term. Solano should oust Noble for control of set pieces, including penalties, and could rack up some assists over the coming weeks with Ashton returning to the starting lineup. The doubt here is how Curbishley will organise things when Ljungberg is fully fit.
Curbishley also swooped for Wigan’s Henri Camara on a one-year deal. Bit of surprise that Hutchings didn’t fancy this fella at Wigan as he can be brilliant on occaisions. Camara is very much in the Bellamy mould and seems likely to be an impact sub for the Hammers. Again, not too much business to be had here for Fantasy Managers.
Liam Rosenior’s swap deal with Seol Ki-Hyeon sees him arrive in Reading defence that has shown up well more than once this season. He does however, seem unlikely to succeed in displacing club skipper Murty for the right-back spot in the short term. Seol’s arrival at Fulham might be worth a look if he’s classed as a midfielder in your game. With regular starts he could register some decent points, again, it seems likely he’ll have to wait his turn to hold down that regular spot.
Bouba Diop’s move from Fulham to Pompey is another than offers little return for Fantasy Managers. Diop is hardly a heavy scorer, although his arrival could certainly provide another defensive barrier for the Portsmouth defence that already looks solid once the injuries clear.
Glen Johnsons’ arrival in that defence could be an interesting one. With O’Neil’s departure, it seems likely that Lauren will now be pushed into a midfield role. That could certainly make Lauren a more attractive proposition.
Kenny Miller will be kean to prove himself in the Premiership and he should be certain to get regular starts alongside Steve Howard. He’s could have an impact but the likes of Healy, Chopra and Forssell still look better bets.
Villa have signed a pair of new centre-backs in 24-hours and yet it was a right-back they really needed. Could it be then that O’Neil is set to spring his old 3-5-2 on the Villa side? Mellberg, Knight, Davies and Laursen would rotate for the 3 centre back positions. That could see Gardner hold down the right wing back role and then its a question of whether Bouma or Barry get the left wing back role. Worth considering if you’re tempted by Barry. He may well find himself in a deeper role in the coming weeks. This potential reshuffle could make signing Villa players a little hazardous at a time when they have a decent run of games. Bit of caution required here perhaps.
Arsenal have sealed a deal for Chelsea’s Lassana Diarra. Described by Wenger as a “multi-functional player” this looks very much like another “nothing” deal for Fantasy Managers. Diarra could slot in anywhere for Arsenal and, similarly to his plight at Chelsea, he seems set to warm the bench and fill in for injuries, more often than not.
Abdoulaye Faye has completed his move to Newcastle. Might be worth monitoring just what Big Sam has planned for his ex-Bolton player. The centre-back position already offers options for Allardyce considering he also pounced for Habib Beye tonight. Beye is a centre back who can also play at full-back, while Faye can of course play in midfield.

