RANKED: Every League One club’s January business

Deadline Day is behind us and now the dust is beginning to settle it is an interesting time to look back on the business done by each club based against their particular goals.

All fans will have had their own expectations about the business they felt their club should do during January and a lot of this will be based on the needs of the team and relative league position.

With that in mind, starting with the team we feel has come off worst, D3D4 has ranked every League One club based on the business they conducted during the winter window.

Read on to see if you agree with our findings:

24.Coventry City

Ins: Conor Chaplin – Portsmouth – Und, Declan Drysdale – Tranmere Rovers – Compensation agreed, Bright Enobakhare – Wolverhampton Wanderers – Loan, Michael Rose – Ayr – F (to be completed in summer), Charlie Wakefield – Chelsea – F, David Meyler – Reading – Loan

Outs: Tony Andreu – Hamilton – Loan, Abu Ogogo – Bristol Rovers – F, Michael Doyle – Notts County – F, Jonson Clarke-Harris – Bristol Rovers – Und

Coventry have created more chances in League One than any other side yet have failed to convert them. So what should they have done…bingo, signed a striker. With their current injury problems in that department a new addition was a must but what did they do? They sold one and brought in the square root of fudge-all. Can’t see that chances conversion rate improving any time soon.

23.Fleetwood

Ins: Harvey Saunders – Darlington – Und, Harry Souttar – Stoke – Loan

Outs: Kyle Dempsey – Peterborough – Loan, Chris Long – Blackpool – F, Conor McAleny – Kilmarnock – Loan, Cian Bolger – Lincoln – F, Gethin Jones – Mansfield – Loan

For an inconsistent team to get better quality signings are required. This simply didn’t happen at Highbury. Joey Barton did clear house with some talented players leaving but with only two additions, both who are untested at this level, it appears to have been a poor window for the Cods. Keeping Ched Evans is a plus but that was a decision out of the club’s hands.

22.Plymouth Argyle

Ins: Oscar Threlkeld – Beveren – Loan, Lloyd Jones – Luton – Loan

Outs: Peter Grant – Carlisle – F, Gregg Wilde – Livingston – F, Calum Dyson – Stevenage – Loan

Argyle are in the middle of a relegation battle and did well to keep hold of Freddie Ladapo but they didn’t build on that by bringing in another striker. They were linked with Sam Surridge, as were Sunderland, but Bournemouth made the bizarre decision not to allow him to leave on loan. Not much to shout about in this window for the Home Park faithful in as the side more or less stood still.

21.Accrington

Ins: Liam Gibson – Newcastle United – Loan, Luke Armstrong – Middlesbrough – Loan, Janoi Donacien – Ipswich – Loan, Paul Smyth – QPR – Loan, Okera Simmonds – Blackburn – F

Outs: Janoi Donacien – Ipswich Town – Und

It may not appear to have been a bad window for Stanley based on the list above but John Coleman admitted himself that it was ‘a tough window’ for the club. Six players left after their loan deals expired including Conor Ripley who has since moved to Preston on a permanent deal. The players they brought in will need to get used to the rigours of League One pretty quickly if Accrington are not to continue to fade during that last months of the campaign.

20.Rochdale

Ins: Rory Holden – Bristol City – Loan, Ethan Hamilton – Manchester United – Loan, Ethan Ebanks-Landell – Wolverhampton Wanderers – Loan, Ryan McLaughlin – Blackpool – Und, Rekeil Pyke – Huddersfield – Loan, Joe Bunney – Blackpool – Loan, Zach Clough – Nottm Forest – Loan, Jimmy Keohane – Unattached – F

Outs: Andy Cannon – Portsmouth – Und, Harrison McGahey – Scunthorpe United – Und, David Perkins – Tranmere Rovers – Und, Joe Rafferty – Preston – Und

Rochdale needed a big window and it wasn’t necessarily too bad except that they lost two key players in Andy Cannon and Joe Rafferty to Portsmouth and Preston respectively. The addition of Ethan Hamilton looks interesting and Zach Clough and Ryan McLaughlin should be good, just don’t glance at their injury records, but you feel this may not be enough to see the club keep clear of relegation. Kieth Hill will need all of his experience to lead Dale away from trouble you feel.

19.AFC Wimbledon

Ins: Dylan Connolly – Dundalk – Und, Aaron Ramsdale – Bournemouth – Loan, Steve Seddon – Birmingham City – Loan, Shane McLaughlin – Ipswich – F, Michael Folivi – Watford – Loan

Outs: None

It was always going to be a tough window for AFC Wimbledon. They club really need someone who can put the ball in the net if they are to move towards the mid-table position the data suggests they should be in. Seddon is an excellent capture but the left-back may not be able to affect the area where the Dons really need to improve.

18.Oxford

Ins: Jordan Graham – Wolverhampton Wanderers – Loan, Mark Sykes – Glenavon – Und, Ahmed Kashi – Troyes – Loan, Jerome Sinclair – Watford – Loan, Jonte Smith – Lewes – F

Outs: Tony McMahon – Scunthorpe United – Loan, Charlie Raglan – Cheltenham Town – Loan, Cameron Norman – Walsall – Und, Tsun Dai – Utrecht – Loan

Oxford really needed a striker with some pedigree to help them in their fight against relegation and they got one but I doubt very much if he was their first choice or second or third come to that. They better hope Sinclair, who hasn’t played a lot of football, can stay healthy or the Yellows will be back up a certain creek without a shovel.

17.Burton

Ins: Josh Clarke – Brentford – Loan, Colin Daniel – Peterborough – F, Alex Bradley – West Brom – Loan

Outs: Marvin Sordell – Northampton – Loan

Burton look like they will finish around the mid-table mark and their business in January has done nothing to suggest that won’t be the case. Alex Bradley is an interesting signing having been capped at youth level with Finland but has been on loan at Havent & Waterlooville during the first half of the season meaning the step up could be tough. Colin Daniel is a good capture but this window could have been better for the Brewers.

16.Charlton

Ins: Jonny Williams – Crystal Palace – Und, Chris Maxwell – Preston North End – Loan, Ben Purrington – Rotherham United – Loan, Josh Parker – Gillingham – Und

Outs: Nicky Ajose – Mansfield Town – Loan, Karlan Grant – Huddersfield – Und, Billy Clarke – Bradford – F

There was so much hope that the Addicks would get Mo Eisa in on loan on deadline day but in the end they had to settle with Josh Parker. The former Gills man is a good player but it is going to be tough for him to fill the shoes of Karlan Grant. Grant’s departure was a major blow during this window for Lee Bowyer’s promotion battlers. It remains to be seen whether they can continue to be so prolific without him. Jonny Williams is an excellent capture though and Purrington should add something to the talent already at the Valley.

15.Bradford

Ins: Paudie O’Connor – Leeds United – Loan, Jermaine Anderson – Peterborough – F, Callum Woods – Preston – F, Jacob Butterfield – Derby – Loan, George Miller – Barnsley – Loan

Outs: Jim O’Brien – Notts County – F, Kai Brunker – Sonnenhof Grobaspach – F, Alex Jones – Cambridge – Loan, Ryan McGowan – Dundee – Loan

The Bantams had a decent window but they didn’t get all the positions they needed covered. No wingers came in which is a concern but the signing of Jacob Butterfield is a great capture for David Hopkin’s side. If Jermaine Anderson can get motivated then he could also add something but the Bantams could have done with a couple more.

14.Southend

Ins: Sam Hart – Blackburn Rovers – Loan, Stephen Humphrys – Fulham – Und

Outs: Taylor Curran – Swindon – Und, Theo Robinson – Swindon – Loan

Much like their league position the Shrimpers stood still during this window. They didn’t do enough to majorly improve but they certainly didn’t get worse. Stephen Humphrys could end up being an excellent bit of business yet the window felt like it just slipped by in this part of Essex.

13.Bristol Rovers

Ins: Gabriel Osho – Reading – Loan, Abu Ogogo – Coventry – F, Jonson Clarke-Harris – Coventry – Und

Outs: Tom Broadbent – Swindon – Und, Stefan Payne – Shrewsbury – Loan, Kyle Bennett – Swindon – Loan

Rovers needed a striker and they got one but they had to ship one out in order to make it happen. Ellis Harrison was a target which they couldn’t get over the line and Jonson Clarke-Harris has not always been prolific. Abu Ogogo is an interesting pick up. Rovers will be hoping they can get him back to his Salopian best which will make this signing the best of the window for the Gas.

12.Doncaster

Ins: Aaron Lewis – Swansea – Loan, Rian McLean – Enfield – Und, Paul Downing – Blackburn – Loan

Outs: None

It was more of a case of ‘if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it’ for Donny during this window. The biggest bit of business they got done was rejected Sunderland’s offer for John Marquis which was reportedly around £2m. If Grant McCann can continue the good work he has done so far then this will be seen as a nice solid window for the former Peterborough boss.

11.Walsall

Ins: Matt Jarvis – Norwich – Loan, Omar Mussa – KV Mechelen – Und, Cameron Norman – Oxford – Und, Scott Laird – Forest Green – Loan, Dan Scarr – Birmingham – Und, Aramide Oteh – QPR – Loan, Corey Blackett-Taylor – Aston Villa – Loan, Jack Fitzwater – WBA – Loan

Outs: Josh Ginnelly – Preston North End – Und, Kieron Morris – Tranmere – Loan, Russell Martin – MK Dons – F

Walsall certainly brought in enough players to suggest this window has been a success but is it a case of quantity over quality? Time will tell on that one but Dean Keates can be pleased with the return of Jack Fitzwater and the addition of Cameron Norman from Oxford. Matt Jarvis could well be the best of the bunch as the wide man was excellent in the 3-0 win against Gillingham and adds much needed experience to the Saddlers line up.

10.Blackpool

Ins: Chris Long – Fleetwood Town – F, Nya Kirby – Crystal Palace – Loan, Elias Sorensen – Newcastle – Loan, Matty Virtue – Liverpool – Loan, Anthony Evans – Everton – Loan

Outs: Ryan McLaughlin – Rochdale – Und, Mark Cullen – Carlisle – Loan, Joe Bunney – Rochdale – Loan, John O’Sullivan – Dundee – Loan

Blackpool kept hold of most of their talented players whilst adding quality and exciting young talent. Terry McPhillips has done a miraculous job keeping the Tangerines close to a play-off berth given the challenges he faces. Chris Long looks a smart pick-up while Sorensen, Virtue and Evans all have promise – whether the coaching team can extract all that potential will decide how good a window this really was for the Seasiders.

9.Barnsley

Ins: Cauley Woodrow – Fulham – Und, Jordan Green – Yeovil – Und, Elliott Simoes – FC United of Manchester – Und, George Miller – Middlesbrough – Und

Outs: Tom Bradshaw – Millwall – Und, Brad Potts – Preston North End – Und, George Moncur – Luton – Und, Lloyd Isgrove – Portsmouth – Loan, George Miller – Bradford – Loan

The Tykes had to contend with a number of clubs trying to sign their players during the window. Kieffer Moore staying is a big deal and Jordan Green could be a player well suited to the style of play at Oakwell. Cauley Woodrow is the stand-out addition with the striker making the move from Fulham permanent. Losing Brad Potts was a shame as the midfielder has produced some excellent displays this season but the fact that Mowatt and McGeehan are still there to call upon certainly softens that blow. A solid window for the Tykes.

8.Wycombe Wanderers

Ins: Luke Bolton – Manchester City – Loan, Charlie Owen – QPR – Loan

Outs: Craig Mackail-Smith – Notts County – Loan, Sam Saunders – Released

The main goal of the Chairboys in this window was to get younger and they smashed that objective while keeping the core of a side that have more character than a peperoni sausage in an advert. Gareth Ainsworth has yet again been entrusted to nature some top young talent and this window see the Buckinghamshire outfit continue to compete on a small budget – good work.

7.Peterborough United

Ins: Daniel Lafferty – Sheffield United – Loan, Ben White – Brighton & Hove Albion – Loan, Kyle Dempsey – Peterborough – Loan, Lee Tomlin – Cardiff City – Loan, Josh Knight – Leicester – Loan

Outs: Idris Kanu – Boreham Wood – Loan, Jermaine Anderson – Bradford – F, Mark O’Hara – Lincoln – Loan, Colin Daniel – Burton – F

The best departure during this transfer window could well be that of Steve Evans. He had completely failed to win the hearts and minds of the fans with home performances that we awful to watch and touchline pantomime which got old very fast. The players to come in should improve the squad with Lee Tomlin adding much needed creativity and Kyle Dempsey giving more options in midfield. Keep an eye on how Josh Knight gets on, a highly rated defender who joined on deadline day.

6.Shrewsbury Town

Ins: Dave Edwards – Reading – F, Brad Walker – Crewe Alexandra – Und, Riece Charles-Cook – Sonderjyske – F, Sam Smith – Reading – Loan, Romain Vincelot – Crawley – F, Scott Golbourne – Unattached – F, Ro Shaun-Williams – Manchester Utd – F, Stefan Payne – Bristol Rovers – Loan, Jonathan Mitchell – Derby – Loan, Tyrese Campbell – Stoke – Loan

Outs: Brad Walker – Wrexham – Loan, Bryn Morris – Portsmouth – Und, Arthur Gnahoua – Carlisle – F, Zak Jules – Macclesfield – F, Abo Eisa – Colchester – Loan, Lee Angol – Lincoln – Loan

If it wasn’t for deadline day the Shrews would have been some way down this list but in the end they pulled a couple of irons out of the fire that could be the spark their season requires. Stefan Payne was excellent last season and Tyrese Campbell looks and great addition. Sam Smith may not play much, which is no bad thing, and Jonathan Mitchell should provide competition in net. Of course a fit Dave Edwards may be the best of the lot but some fine work late in the window put Salop right up there.

5.Scunthorpe United

Ins: Kevin van Veen – Northampton – Und, Tony McMahon – Oxford United – Loan, Adam Hammill – St Mirren – F, Harrison McGahey – Rochdale – Und, Byron Webster – Millwall – F, Jordan Hallam – Sheff Utd – Loan, Jacob Bedeau – Aston Villa – Loan, Tom Pearce – Leeds – Loan

Outs: Andy Dales – Dundee – Loan, James Horsfield – Dundee – Loan, Charlie Goode – Northampton – Loan, Matt Gilks – Lincoln – F

When you are staring relegation in the face what you really need is decisive action from the board. Boom – the Iron got that and more. Business was predominantly done early in the window and the fresh faces clearly played their part in turning Scunthorpe’s season around. Massive credit to Stuart McCall for the work he has done and to his chairman, Peter Swann, for backing him. Adam Hammill is probably the pick of the signings but there is a nice mix of youth and experience to pull the Iron up the table.

4.Sunderland

Ins: Max Power – Wigan – Und, Jimmy Dunne – Burnley – Loan, Grant Leadbitter – Middlesbrough – F, Lewis Morgan – Celtic – Loan, Kaziah Sterling – Tottenham – Loan, Will Grigg – Wigan – £4m

Outs: Andrew Nelson – Dundee – Und, Josh Maja – Bordeaux – Und, Ethan Robson – Dundee – Loan

When you sign a striker for £4million in League One there is no way you can call it a bad window but they left it right until the last minute to get the deal done. The Black Cats were hunting high and low for a striker and finally got their man at the eleventh hour. Will Grigg is proven at this level even if they have had to pay over the odds to bring him to the Stadium of Light. That said I think Lewis Morgan will end up being the best addition with the midfielder coming in with gushing reviews from north of the border. Will it be enough to seal a top two finish? Let the excitement begin.

3.Gillingham

Ins: Conor Ogilvie – Tottenham Hotspur – Loan, Billy King – Dundee United – Loan, Graham Burke – Preston – Loan, Ricky Holmes – Sheff Utd – Loan, Tahvon Campbell – Forest Green – Loan, Leonardo Da Silva – Wigan – Loan

Outs: Navid Nasseri – Released, Josh Parker – Charlton – Und, Conor Wilkinson – Dagenham & Redbridge – F

When you are in the middle of a relegation battle it might be considered enough just to keep hold of your top scorer but the Gills did a lot more than that. They appear to have used their slim budget intelligently to give the squad a lift ahead of the run-in. Ricky Holmes is a fantastic player but his fitness will be a massive factor in seeing him make an impact. Tahvon Campbell is an exciting player as is Leonardo Da Silva even if the later still need to convince many that he can reach his potential. Graham Burke is the forward option that Steve Lovell needed and even sacrificing Josh Parker could prove worth it in the bigger scheme of things.

2.Portsmouth

Ins: Andy Cannon – Rochdale – Und, Bryn Morris – Shrewsbury Town – Und, Omar Bogle – Cardiff – Loan, Lloyd Isgrove – Barnsley – Loan, James Vaughan – Wigan – Loan, Viv Solomon-Otabor – Birmingham – Loan

Outs: Conor Chaplin – Coventry City – Und, Danny Rose – Swindon – F

The south coast club needed a boost following a slide in league form and they certainly should get that. It hardly seems fair that they get to sign players like Omar Bogle and James Vaughan while also keeping Oliver Hawkins and Brett Pitman yet that is what they have done. Lloyd Isgrove will be hungry to kick-start his career after an injury plagued spell at Barnsley and Viv Solomon-Otabor adds even more pace on the wing. It could be a very good end to the season at Fratton Park.

1.Luton Town

Ins: George Thorne – Derby County – Loan, George Moncur – Barnsley – Und, Aaron Connolly – Brighton – Loan, Alex Baptiste – QPR – Loan, Jason Cummings – Nottm Forest – Loan

Outs: Akin Famewo – Norwich – Und, Llody Jones – Plymouth Argyle – Loan

Lose your manager and how should you react? By not panicking and bossing the transfer window that’s how. The Hatters excelled again bringing in quality while keeping hold of all their key players despite rumour circulating that some would leave. George Moncur looks an excellent addition and Alex Baptiste, Aaron Connolly and Jason Cummings will all compete for a place. Hard to see any downside to this window for the league leaders – top work again.

words James Richards, D3D4 Football