BARNSLEY are hoping for a ‘calm’ January transfer window with Michael Duff saying: 'we don't want more chaos.'
Cardiff City striker Max Watters joined on loan for the remainder of the season, five days into the window which opened on Sunday and will be live throughout the month.
The Reds went into it looking for at least one striker as well as cover at right wing-back, with head coach Duff saying they want ‘two or three’ new players.
Duff has said he is ‘confident’ no first team players will be sold in this window, although interest is expected in captain Mads Andersen and others.
The Reds are sixth in League One, 12 points behind the two automatic promotion positions and two clear in the play-off places.
They fell down two places after a 3-0 loss at home to Bolton Wanderers on Monday – which ended a seven-game unbeaten league run including six wins – and are due to visit Derby County in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Duff told the Chronicle yesterday morning: “We’re conscious that there has been that much upheaval at the football club that we want it to be as calm as a January transfer window can be.
“We don’t want it to be volatile, up and down and never knowing where we stand. Coming in in the morning and being told ‘he’s been sold, he’s been sold, he’s coming in’ is never ideal.
“We have targets. Hopefully we can get them done as early as possible like every club wants to.
“We’re being proactive.
“We don’t want more chaos.
“It’s taken a little bit of time to try to settle the summer. And it hasn’t completely settled because there are still rumblings going on and there are still financial holes to fill.”
The Reds have been linked with Crystal Palace pair Luke Plange and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi with Duff admitting he was aware of both of them.
They have also been linked with West Brom’s Jovan Malcolm.
Duff is part of the recruitment process along with James Cryne’s data-led recruitment department and chief executive Khaled El-Ahmad.
The head coach says there is ‘joined up thinking.’ He added: “It’s not like they are looking for left wingers and I am saying: ‘I don’t play wingers.’
“I don’t make all the decisions but I am not walking in the building and there are four new players and I don’t know who they are or what position they play.
“It’s a cumulative effort.
“I am allowed to add players to the list which is generated by data.”
Duff admits January is a difficult window to recruit in.
He said: “Generally you are taking people who haven’t played or you’re paying a premium for people who are doing really well.
“There is a lot more time in the summer to thrash out a deal.”
Clarke Oduor has been back training with the Reds this week.
The 23-year-old played for Barnsley early in the season then was sent on loan to League Two Hartlepool, playing 14 games before the deal was ended.
He cannot be loaned out again this season as he has already played for two clubs, and his contract is due to expire in the summer.
Duff said: “Clarke is with us now.
“We’ll bring him into the fold.
“I will have a conversation with him and we’ll leave it open.
“He will notice it’s a different building now. He’s a nice kid who definitely has talent.
“It’s the same as everyone else – if we think he can add something, we will play him, but we won’t if we don’t think he’s doing enough.
“We’ll welcome him back in with open arms.”
Could other players not playing regularly be loaned out later in the window?
Duff said: “There is always that chance.
“We won’t force anyone out but, if there is a lack of opportunity and minutes, we will be open to conversations.
“If we think it’s right by them and the club, we will do something.
“But I don’t see that happening in the next week or two.”
