Stickied League 1 Transfer Rumours/Confirmed Transfers 2023/24

[Judge Dredd]

I'm not sure where we would even start with an external appointment. The squad has been built from the ground up in Jones' image (literally... only one player here that pre-dates him I believe?). Jones has a philosophy built around a narrow diamond, which isn't used by many managers. Our squad obviously reflects Jones' preferences and would be very unbalanced for other formations and philosophies.

If Jones takes his staff with him it will be a nightmare for us I think, an internal succession plan would be so much better than trying to bring someone in externally.

I know it's football and we shouldn't expect loyalty from anyone at this point (and whilst acknowledging that Stoke are a much bigger club etc), but given the comments Jones has repeatedly made as recently as a few days ago the timing of this is horrific and does feel like a proper stab in the back. If he'd waited until the summer and gone he'd have gone with everyone's best wishes I think but three days before Sunderland away, early in the January window with a not insignificant chance that this could lead to players wanting to leave etc... tough one to take with a stiff upper lip really.

 

[nelsonpfc]

We had this with Paul Cook. His "I would only leave Portsmouth for Liverpool" crap. It left us losing Enda Stevens for nothing, having to play catch up in terms of no pre season had been properly sorted, players came back unfit, the board had to try and sort out contracts with other players. KJ did amazing to get us 8th last season. Its no pleasant, but Stoke are a very well run club and there would be lots of other managers would love a go at getting them back into the prem. He will need time there, but fair play to them for no going for a Moyse or Alladyce type of manager.

 

[Judge Dredd]

And he's confirmed gone. Wonder who is taking training today...

 

[K-Win]

We had this with Paul Cook.

This is very different, Nelson. Luton are in the midst of a possibly season-defining month that could see them in a great position for promotion. As painful as it was, Cook left in the close season with job done.

Difficult to see how the timing of this could be much worse for Luton.

 

[SF_]

Sounds like we might be sending Michael Crowe, Accrington's way on loan.

After his performance in the cup... sorry lads.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Confirmed as having gone. Absolutely gutted about it really.

God knows who we bring in now as as JD says, the entire squad his built to his image and his style. Anyone who comes in will have to play a 442 diamond really.

Got to think this going to impact the thoughts of a number of players who were much sought after too - hes made strong statements and built a culture in the squad of this being the best place for them and their development. Kind of throws all that out the window now.

Ah well - good while it lasted.

 

[SoutheySWFC]

The only loyalty in football is to themselves, very few break that mould. Could create a siege mentality at Luton though and spur them on, hopefully after the replay mind.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Got to think this going to impact the thoughts of a number of players who were much sought after too - hes made strong statements and built a culture in the squad of this being the best place for them and their development. Kind of throws all that out the window.

This. It is setting a bad example and is proving he was a hypocrite all along.

 

[Bosox]

Don't hold with all the hypocrite nonsense. It's a massive job and a significant move up the professional ladder for Jones. He's not a Luton fan like us, he was an employee and now he's got a better job.

 

[ProfessorGreen]

Just seen Luton's coming fixtures. What a time to leave!

 

[Kenneth E End]

Don't hold with all the hypocrite nonsense. It's a massive job and a significant move up the professional ladder for Jones. He's not a Luton fan like us, he was an employee and now he's got a better job.

I try to agree, but his words may have held back more financially indusive approaches for his players...

 

[Kenneth E End]

Just seen Luton's coming fixtures. What a time to leave!

2 planning meetings in the next 3 weeks.

A possible 4th round match v Chelsea also potentially in the diary.

Oh and a transfer window where half our squad will now be courted. 30 scouts at every home game.

As I intimated at the start of the month - the biggest month in the history of Luton Town FC. And then this happens.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Don't hold with all the hypocrite nonsense. It's a massive job and a significant move up the professional ladder for Jones. He's not a Luton fan like us, he was an employee and now he's got a better job.

He did an interview like a week ago where he said he's a bigger Luton fan than anyone. His words.

It's a massive job and if he'd taken it in the summer he'd have left a legend. As it is he's stitched us right the fuck up and I don't see how else that could be interpreted.

 

[Craig]

Oh and a transfer window where half our squad will now be courted.

Any decent wingers?

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Any decent wingers?

Nope we dont play with any!

 

[Craig]

Damn it.

 

[Bosox]

He did an interview like a week ago where he said he's a bigger Luton fan than anyone. His words.

It's a massive job and if he'd taken it in the summer he'd have left a legend. As it is he's stitched us right the fuck up and I don't see how else that could be interpreted.

The Stoke job was available now, not next summer. Who's to say a job anywhere near this good would have been available then? Who's to say that Luton wouldn't have fallen away from promotion contention even if Jones had stayed? We have a terrible record against the top 7 as it is and so falling down the table in January was a reasonable bet anyway. Then he might not have been the hot candidate.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

2 planning meetings in the next 3 weeks.

A possible 4th round match v Chelsea also potentially in the diary.

Oh and a transfer window where half our squad will now be courted. 30 scouts at every home game.

As I intimated at the start of the month - the biggest month in the history of Luton Town FC. And then this happens.

At least Stoke will have saved money and not bothered sending a scout, Jones will know which ones he wants.

 

[nelsonpfc]

This is very different, Nelson. Luton are in the midst of a possibly season-defining month that could see them in a great position for promotion. As painful as it was, Cook left in the close season with job done.

Difficult to see how the timing of this could be much worse for Luton.

Different yes, but it was more the fact Cook mouthed off about staying and being loyal etc.. then buggered off. Never a good time to lose a manager.

 

[Bosox]

At least Stoke will have saved money and not bothered sending a scout, Jones will know which ones he wants.

Might be part of the agreement to let him leave that he can't come back for any players for a certain period.

To be honest the only one who I could see fitting straight in to a Championship team with Premier League ambitions would be James Justin.

 

[Kenneth E End]

The Stoke job was available now, not next summer. Who's to say a job anywhere near this good would have been available then? Who's to say that Luton wouldn't have fallen away from promotion contention even if Jones had stayed? We have a terrible record against the top 7 as it is and so falling down the table in January was a reasonable bet anyway. Then he might not have been the hot candidate.

This is a very negative response.
He would’ve been getting interest all over the place. It’s unlikely his stock would’ve dropped as considerably that it would prevent him getting the same level of interest.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Seen their fans saying they could do with a full back so could see that happening tbh.

 

[Judge Dredd]

The Stoke job was available now, not next summer. Who's to say a job anywhere near this good would have been available then? Who's to say that Luton wouldn't have fallen away from promotion contention even if Jones had stayed? We have a terrible record against the top 7 as it is and so falling down the table in January was a reasonable bet anyway. Then he might not have been the hot candidate.

I understand all of that of course and objectively it's a great (if risky) opportunity for him.

But don't come out nearly every fecking week talking about belief in and loyalty to the long-term project if you're going to jump ship at the first decent opportunity no matter how bad the timing for us. If he'd been honest and forthright about his ambitions to pursue opportunities as and when they arose that would have been easier to stomach. All the badge kissing, chest thumping and pledges of unwavering loyalty (and demanding his players do the same in this very January window) just leave a bad taste.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Might be part of the agreement to let him leave that he can't come back for any players for a certain period.

To be honest the only one who I could see fitting straight in to a Championship team with Premier League ambitions would be James Justin.

I think these clauses are pretty unenforceable. Stoke could easily “buyout” the clause.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Seen their fans saying they could do with a full back so could see that happening tbh.

If he tries to sign one of ours then hopefully JJ will remember that he was basically frozen out for 18 months under Jones and only got back in due to injury and then sustaining form that made him undroppable.

 

[Judge Dredd]

I think these clauses are pretty unenforceable. Stoke could easily “buyout” the clause.

If the rumours are to be believed then NJ had a release clause in his contract, which Stoke matched. If that is the case then they wouldn't need to negotiate any additional agreements with us.

 

[Craig]

I understand all of that of course and objectively it's a great (if risky) opportunity for him.

But don't come out nearly every fecking week talking about belief in and loyalty to the long-term project if you're going to jump ship at the first decent opportunity no matter how bad the timing for us. If he'd been honest and forthright about his ambitions to pursue opportunities as and when they arose that would have been easier to stomach. All the badge kissing, chest thumping and pledges of unwavering loyalty (and demanding his players do the same in this very January window) just leave a bad taste.

But no manager in their right mind is going to come out and say "yes I would jump at the chance to manage at a higher level" are they? It would decimate morale not just in the stands but throughout the squad. If anything his talent for making the players, staff and fans believe so wholeheartedly in his vision, whether he's as invested in it as he says or not, just adds to his talents as a manager.

 

[FarehamPompey]

Should do us a favour. Before that, I saw Luton chasing us all the way.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Dont really have a problem with him going from the fans point of view, you sort of expect it in that they are only there until a better offer comes along.

I think a number of the players are going to not take it well though. He has pretty much demanded that "loyalty" and espoused quite forcefully through the press as little as a few days ago that this is the place for them and their development etc, which to be fair a number seem to have bought into. Players like JJ have bided their time for an opportunity when he could have easily left after his first season in the 1st team, Stacey much the same, Potts this summer signed a new contract when I thought he was gone.

Definitely a bit of the kick in the teeth for those players if nothing else.

 

[Northern1]

Different yes, but it was more the fact Cook mouthed off about staying and being loyal etc.. then buggered off. Never a good time to lose a manager.

But that's what every manager says, and what you expect them to say. Least with Luton you could argue its a definite step up. Portsmouth to Wigan was only a step up financially, not in size of club and potential so I can see why you might be more miffed