Has this January transfer window myth finally been dispelled?

The January transfer window has frequently been described as a potential banana skin for Premier League managers, who have been keen to delve into the winter sales in search of new players. More often than not fresh personnel arrive with inflated price tags, and fail to make a real impact with the season already past it midway point. However, this campaign has seen the window used to great effect by a handful of managers, who have succeeded in strengthening to their squads, boosting the quality of football produced on a weekly basis.

Perhaps the finest arrival has been is Papiss Cisse, who moved at Newcastle in a £10 million deal from German outfit Freiburg. The Senegalese forward has quickly adjusted to life with Newcastle, striking up a good understanding with fellow countryman Demba Ba, and the creative Hatem Ben Arfa. As a result of this Cisse has netted a staggering 13 goals in 12 appearances, including excellent finishes against the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool.

As well as Alan Pardew’s flurry into the market, Brendan Rodgers, Roberto Martinez and David Moyes, among others, have benefited from delving into what was a relatively quite January window.

After 2011’s antics with helicopters, last minute deals and vast quantities of Roman Abramovich’s cash exchanging hands, this winter’s exploits were fairly low key, with very few of the ‘elite’ clubs daring to enter the fray. As a result a relatively small amount of cash exchanged hands, with clubs looking at snapping up cost effective squad members for the Premier League’s run-in, thanks in part to the looming threat of Financial Fair Play. Due to this ‘panic buying’ has been kept to a minimum, preventing prices from becoming overly inflated.

Managers have moved away from big names, as a result of spending cut backs, instead looking at players with proven records abroad, or through the football league set-up. As well as Cisse, Pavel Pogrebnyak and Nikica Jelavic arrived, at Fulham and Everton respectively, with impressive tallies in front of goal during spells with their previous clubs. Jelavic in particular impressed in the SPL, becoming Rangers focal point, averaging better than a goal every other game. Moyes managed to snap up the Croatian for a fee of around £5 million, due to the Glasgow club’s much publicised financial issues, freeing the forward of the burden that comes with a large price tag.

Away from centre-forwards, Swansea bagged Gylfi Sigurdsson, on loan, which has proved to be a fine piece of business. The 22-year-old Icelandic midfielder has slotted seamlessly into the Swans midfield, adding a dynamic edge to a sometimes blunt second attacking line. His displays may have shocked some, but for those who witnessed his performances at Reading, prior to a move to Germany, would have been all too aware of the outstanding quality he possesses, which is testament to the South Wales club’s scouting network.

Wigan have also benefited from the signing of Jean Beausejour, whose energy and all-round ability have allowed the club to switch formations, and employ a 3-4-3 set-up. Allied to Emerson Boyce on the opposite flank, the Chilean has become an effective performer, since his move from Birmingham, revelling in an advance wing-back role.

The deals this winter have proved that with the application of some common sense and decent scouting, the January transfer window can be a useful tool. So often it has been used as an arena for panic, with managers hoping that copious amounts of cash can turn their season around. Although sometimes this works, the majority of the time the method fails, with players not fitting the system and becoming burdened by inflated price tags.

Newcastle, Swansea, Wigan and Fulham have proved that a little preparation can go a long way.

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