A Stockport punt, exotic Gas, a Coventry curveball, and Blues land a Spanish crosser – plus George Elek & LouOrns on two promotion-chasing Championship loanees
Every day from Tuesday to Saturday, NTT20.COM writes-up and rates every single signing in the Championship, League One, and League Two.
Contributors include: Ali Maxwell, George Elek, Sam Parry, Huw Davies, Riley Roberts, Matt Watts, Craig Bradley, Gab Sutton and Luke “LouOrns” McKenzie.
We’re at the business end of the window, and we’re being treated to Business Class on our journey from La Liga to the Swiss Super League, the Norwegian Eliteserien and the good old Scottish Champ...
🟢 Dan Neil (CM) - [Sunderland - Ipswich] - Loan
Not long ago, Jack Clarke left Sunderland to take his chance at Premier League Ipswich, but now his former captain turns up at Portman Road as he’s unable to get a kick for the top-flight Black Cats. It’s a reminder of how fast things can change in football, and why selling your best player can be a good thing.
Neil doesn’t get anywhere near enough credit for the part he played in Sunderland’s two promotions. Ipswich need a ball-progressor in the middle of the park – someone who can get the ball off the centre-backs (or Azor Matusiwa) and feed their absurdly talented roster of attacking players. This is what Neil does.
Ipswich have generally thrived against teams who are happy to have a go, but in games against a low block they’ve struggled to move the ball quickly into the final third. Neil should fix that almost immediately, and it can’t hurt that he already knows Clarke’s game inside out. Town will immediately look a far better side with him in the team.
🟢 Carlos Vicente (RW) - [Alaves - Birmingham] - Undisclosed (reported £6m)
At a similar outlay to the fee paid for August Priske, the signing of Carlos Vicente signals more than just another big spend. It underlines the scale of the owners’ ambition – but, crucially, it is ambition with a plan.
