Text at top (next game etc)

Next Game: Rushall At Home In The League On Saturday 30th November At 3.00pm

Friday, January 06, 2006

Transfer Window Real Handicap says Turner

During part of an interview with Trevor Owens of BBC Hereford and Worcester, Graham Turner spoke about the January transfer window. Below is an edited version of some of his comments.

"I think it is going to be a real handicap to clubs at Conference level. I'm talking to managers all the time and they're finding it the same. It's almost like the transfer deadline where players, if somebody comes in for them, are in a hell of a strong position to make demands on the club as with the transfer window now.

"I think players and agents realise that it becomes, not a desparate situation but not far off. The clubs have got a month to get things sorted out, so agents and players know that they are in a very strong position to make that extra demand on a club. And I think that clubs, because of this, will suffer financially from it.

"Sometimes, if it is just a loan it is the player himself but very often it is agents and you're normally talking to agents in this country, you're having to talk to agents throughout Europe to talk about player operating in the Football League.

"It does become a crazy situation for smaller clubs. It doesn't help with the telephone bill when you're phoning throughout Europe to talk to agents. But you have to accept it. There's nothing we can do about it. You've just got to get on with it.

"A lot of agents are despised in football, but there are also some very good ones, some quite honest ones. You just have to deal with them."

Turner spoke about the possibilty of bringing in new players during the window.

"I think there are a number of areas we are looking at. If we can bring two or three in during this January window then we'll be pleased provided they are of the right quality."

He also spoke of his hope that the Hereford United squad will improve its form in the second half of the season.

"There's a lot of room for improvement in the side and we've been bitterly disappointed with the first half of the season.

"Yet when you look at the sides above us who, the perception is that they have had good starts to the season, we are not far behing them."