GettyimagesAn interesting theory behind Manchester United's confusing transfer policy
Meanwhile Sheffield United show they can sing when they’re winning
Another week of football and the close of the January transfer window has meant there was plenty of drama to talk about over the last few days.
Let’s take a look at what people have been saying.
1) Liverpool proving a point (or a hundred)
Liverpool can pretty much start planning their victory parade for the Premier League title as they moved 22 points clear at the top of the table with just 13 games to go thanks to a 4-0 win over Southampton.
Sure, they’re the best team in the league this year, but how do they stack up against the historically great teams of the past?
Eh, pretty well, it turns out.
2) Sing when you’re winning
Having been backed for the drop by many back in August, Sheffield United have quickly become the neutrals’ favourite team in the Premier League this season as they find themselves in sixth place, ahead of Manchester United and Arsenal.
And it seems that their transfer announcements are just as creative as Chris Wilder’s formations as they confirmed the club record signing of Sander Berge from Genk.
3) An offer you can’t refuse
A few eyebrows were raised when Manchester United completed a move for former Watford striker Odion Ighalo on transfer deadline day.
After being linked with Edinson Cavani during the January window, it was a bit of a shock to see the Red Devils sign Ighalo, but sometimes there’s an opportunity you just can’t say no to.
While many claim there is no strategy behind Manchester United’s activity in the transfer market, it’s clear to those in the know that a plan is taking shape.
4) Water park
If you’ve got to call off yet another game to extend your run without a match to more than three months, you might as well have a bit of fun with it.
Unfortunately, the weather has really taken its toll on the women’s game over the past few months, with Liverpool another club who have been forced to rearrange some fixtures because of waterlogged pitches.
5) Number seven
On the scale of “game’s gone” nonsense, Dundee handing centre-back Christophe Berra the number seven shirt is right there at the top.
History lesson #1022: Back in the 2000-01, Chelsea signed Dutch central defender Winston Bogarde and gave him the number seven shirt. In 2006, they also broke form by handing the number nine shirt to another Dutch defender, Khalid Boulahrouz. Absolute chaos.
6) Coach’s bench
Fair play to Bedford FC, we’re not sure it gets any more non-league than this.
7) Seeing yellow
Rhian Brewster is showing he is a man of many talents during his loan spell at Swansea City. The Liverpool youngster bagged an equaliser for the Swans in their draw with Preston North End and seamlessly slid into an entirely new role.
History lesson #1023: Paul Gascoigne once attempted the same joke, playing for Rangers back in 1995. It didn't go down quite as well on that occasion - after brandishing the yellow that referee Dougie Smith had dropped, Gazza was duly booked. Where's the consistency hey? That's all we ask for!
8) The West Ham way
Despite spending roughly £100million on new players this season, West Ham currently find themselves in the relegation zone and facing the very real threat of dropping down to the Championship.
Perhaps a re-think of how the club is run is in order.
9) Calendar boys
Making an official club calendar is always a tricky piece of business. With players given the chance to move on every six months, you’re taking a gamble by including anyone in the second half of the year but those first few months should be safe.
Or maybe not, as Partick Thistle and Wolves fans have quickly discovered after Kenny Miller and Gary Harkins left the Jags while Ryan Bennett joined Leicester on loan.
10) Deadline day drama
It’s rare that transfer deadline day ever lives up to the hype. Every year it just feels as if we’re chasing the high of that one ridiculous day in 2008 when Manchester City changed English football forever, buying Robinho for around £32.5m.
Friday saw the lowest-spending Premier League January transfer deadline day since 2010, but if we’re being totally honest with ourselves, the magic died long before then.
11) Tweet from the Hearts
In a world of misinformation, it’s vitally important that we own up to our mistakes and correct them when we’re wrong, so hats off to Hearts for making it very clear who bagged their stoppage time equaliser against St Johnstone at the weekend.
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