Transfer window: How Yorkshire’s teams rated - Part 2

Continuing our look at how Yorkshire’s clubs fared in the summer transfer window, and what garde we give them.
Leeds manager Uwe Rosler enjoyed a structured window.Leeds manager Uwe Rosler enjoyed a structured window.
Leeds manager Uwe Rosler enjoyed a structured window.

Leeds United

In comparison to the scattergun approach of the previous summer transfer window, this year has been a breath of fresh air in comparison. Systematic and structured, with areas across the pitch targeted and players found with the work of head coach Uwe Rosler, owner Massimo Cellino, head of recruitment Martyn Glover and executive director Adam Pearson yielding a thoroughly decent window and to be commended.

A big predatory centre forward: Chris Wood: check. An energetic holding midfielder: Tom Adeyemi: check. A defensive leader: Sol Bamba: check. A pair of wingers: Jordan Botaka and Staurt Dallas: check.

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Perhaps just as importantly is that Leeds have kept hold of messrs Cook, Mowatt and Byram, with the wage bill also trimmed with the exits of Billy Sharp and Steve Morison.

Mark out of ten: A polished close-season at Leeds. Not many times that has been seen in recent years. 8.5/10

Middlesbrough

Spent over £15m on Stewart Downing, David Nugent, Carlos de Pena and Christian Stuani and brought in shrewd loan signings in Diege Fabbrini, Tomas Kalas and Jack Stephens. It all ranks as another accomplished summer window for Boro, following on from their work 12 months ago.

The only downer for Boro was their failure to land Jordan Rhodes, despite a big £14m bid, but Nugent is a proven operator at Championship level and should also bring a few goals.

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Lee Tomlin has been sold to Bournemouth, but Fabbrini’s skills compensate and while Albert Adomah’s future remains unclear after he tabled a transfer request, they have another winger in the building in Uruguayan de Pana, who arrived on deadline-day for £2.5m.

Boro also avoided any last-minute scrambles this year and it was another strong window for Aitor Karanka and Steve Gibson.

Mark out of ten: Another sturdy window of recruitment for Boro who look serious Championship players. 8/10

Rotherham United

Deals aplenty like last summer although not quite the spate that saw 11 arrive by the end of June 2014. This time around, the Millers have been a touch more circumspect, but it remains to be seen if their policy of signing proven Championship operators in the likes of Chris Maguire, Greg Halford, Lewis Buxton and Joe Mattock pays off. Early season results haven’t been great, with the Millers entering the loan market on deadline day, although the arrival of an experienced number one in Lee Camp should end a potential sticky situation in goal, which has seen under-fire loanee Kelle Roos see his season-long loan from Derby cut short.

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Mark out of ten: Plenty of numbers yes, but whether there is enough quality to make a strong Championship impact is a moot point as it stands. But early days. 6/10

Sheffield United

Failed to add to their numbers on deadline day, despite being linked to the likes of Fulham’s Dan Burn with their desire to get permanent signings and not loan ones failing to yield fruit. Co-chairman Jim Phipps did his best to spin matters by saying that regardless of not going any last-day business that it was a ‘we have had a good window with great additions’ - although some picky Unitedites may beg to differ.

But the signing of Billy Sharp was certainly greeted with fanfare and the fellow addition of Conor Sammon also looks good business, with the pair looking capable of making music at this level.

One thing is for sure, the Blades will have to resources to replenish their ranks in the emergency loan market if needs be. And there’s always January. Still in a good enough place.

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Mark out of ten. Quiet, unremarkable - but added to their striking department - and you sense there’s more to come elsewhere. 6.5/10

Sheffield Wednesday

A plethora of names, some known, some less so, have arrived at S6 under the brave new world of Carlos Carvalhal and Dephjon Chansiri - and it has been the most exciting at Hillsborough in a good number of years.

On the pitch, the Owls will need time to gel, with the cohesion not there yet. But given a fair wind, that understanding should grow in the coming weeks and months. The Owls have spent around £9m on the likes of Fernando Forestieri, Lucas Joao, Marco Matias and Lewis McGugan and brought in 15 players, with Chansiri determined to walk the walk at Championship level.

Given previous spending levels in windows, Wednesday’s investment has been significant and they are clearly not finished - expect another frontline predatory striker in the emergency loan window.

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Mark out of ten: Wednesday have certainly made a splash, that can’t be ignored. 8/10

York City

Russ Wilcox did a fair bit of business early on, bringing in the likes of Vadaine Oliver, George Swan, James Berrett and Eddie Nolan, alongside a new last line of defence in keeper Scott Flinders - with his additions being solid ones at this level.

Oliver has yet to find the net since arriving at the Minstermen from Crewe and getting off the mark sooner rather than later would aid his cause, you’d venture, with another in former Frickley player Reece Thompson getting off the mark last weekend. But some decent business, operating within remits, from Wilcox.

Verdict: York living in their means, but a solid enough window. 7/10