Between The Lines: Monk’s hardball stance on January transfers is bad news for Leeds

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Birmingham City manager Garry Monk recently issued a ‘hands off’ warning to any managers who might be interested in any of his players during the January transfer window, but this could be devastating news for goalkeeper David Stockdale.

What did he say?

“I am not fearful because none of our players are for sale and we can’t afford to lose any players. Everyone is committed here, you can see from their attitude.

“That is something I am not even thinking about, we can’t afford to lose anyone. We don’t have the squad to lose anyone, I think everyone knows that.”

What did he really mean?

The Blues have had a seriously impressive start to the season given that during the summer they were placed under a transfer embargo and were then only allowed to sign five players, none of which could be for a fee.

Monk has got his side to ninth in the table though, when many expected them to be fighting relegation.

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The former Leeds and Swansea boss is relying on a core group of players though, and he knows he cannot afford to lose those such as Che Adams, who was recently linked with a £5m move to link up with former Birmingham manager Gary Rowett at Stoke.

Side-effects

It’s no surprise that there has been rumoured interest in Adams and that Monk is desperate to keep the striker. However, the Blues boss has frozen out goalkeeper David Stockdale this season, and if he really does mean that no players are for sale then this could be awful news for the 33-year-old stopper.

This could also be a blow for Leeds United, who were linked with a January move for the Englishman after loanee and substitute goalkeeper Jamal Blackman suffered a broken leg in an U23’s game.

In the past two months, Stockdale has spent two emergency loan spells away from St Andrew’s with Wycombe Wanderers and Southend United, but it would surely make sense for Monk to move him on and get him off the wage bill in the winter transfer window, especially if he is not in the manager’s plans.

If Monk plays hardball though it could be bad news for Leeds, who will have to look elsewhere in their search.

So, Birmingham fans, do you think Monk should sell Stockdale in January even if it is to a league rival? Have your say by voting in the poll below.