GARY O’Neil reflected on his own January transfer window dealings as a player, admitting: “Every individual will deal with it differently.”
Today marks the final chance for players to find a new club for the second half of the season, with the window slamming shut at 11pm.
O’Neil himself made just one move during the month of January, swapping Middlesbrough for West Ham United in 2011.
- AFC Bournemouth Transfer Deadline Day 2022 - live updates
Asked what it was like as a player, featuring for one club knowing a move to another could be on the cards, O’Neil said: “I think every individual will deal with it differently.
“I was always okay with just focusing on the next game, so that game at Preston I would’ve been fully focused on, for Middlesbrough.
“And then as soon as I put the West Ham shirt on, I was fully focused and fully committed to giving everything for West Ham.
“That’s only me speaking from my experience, but I was fine with being able to block out noise and things that were going on outside and fully focussed on the job in hand and making sure I was always ready to perform.
“So January, or the summer, didn’t really feel any different to me. Every time you go out, you’re being judged by the world, or whoever is watching, so make sure you’re ready.”
Asked how he is finding his first transfer window as a head coach, O’Neil added: “It’s fine. I’m fortunate to have the support of the club and the recruitment team.
“I’m busy prepping for games, of course, but then making sure I know enough about the players that we’re looking to sign and where we are on certain things.
“Obviously things are always moving fast, because sometimes you suffer injuries and sometimes deals look likely and then unlikely and things move around, but it’s pretty much as I expected.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel