Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher was left with less than a month to prepare for the upcoming January transfer window when he was appointed earlier on in December, burdening him with the task of implementing his ideas on the pitch and creating a vision off it.

However, the one thing he does have in his favour is the fact he was working alongside predecessor Ryan Lowe throughout the entirety of the Preston North End manager's tenure at Home Park, so already knows the players inside out and will have an idea where the Pilgrims need to strengthen in their quest to remain in the promotion mix.

The winter window may not be an easy one for Schumacher though, who may have to look behind him at players who may want to leave the club as well as looking forward to potential additions that may help him to implement his philosophy.

 

 

Stamping his authority on the squad will be vital for the inexperienced manager who will be desperate to differentiate himself from Lowe and provide the third-tier outfit with a sense of unpredictability.

But it remains to be seen how much movement there will be because after such a promising first half of the 2021/22 campaign, the 37-year-old may be reluctant to rock the boat too much and risk sliding down the table after getting his side back on track against Charlton Athletic last weekend.

Ahead of this upcoming window, we take a look at two transfer decisions Schumacher may need to make in the coming weeks.

Worth forking out for Norwood

Football League World understands League One trio Plymouth, Portsmouth and Lincoln City are all weighing up a move for 31-year-old forward James Norwood ahead of the January transfer window.

The ex-Tranmere Rovers striker found himself below the likes of Macauley Bonne and Joe Pigott in the pecking order at Ipswich Town under former boss Paul Cook, but started under caretaker manager John McGreal alongside Bonne on Saturday afternoon and managed to get himself on the scoresheet in front of his new boss Kieran McKenna.

Previously being deemed surplus to requirements at Portman Road, it remains to be seen whether he's in McKenna's plans - but that goal against the Black Cats on the weekend may have increased his valuation every so slightly.

He is a proven goalscorer in the EFL, so it remains to be seen how high the Tractor Boys asking price may be, if he's for sale, and if the Pilgrims are willing to match that price.

Does Schumacher want to put other targets aside to make him his main signing of the January window? That's a question he will have to answer.

How to handle the Camara situation

Former Plymouth manager Lowe revealed last month that the club has the option of automatically triggering a contract extension for midfielder Panutche Camara, keeping him at Home Park beyond next summer.

This will come as a major relief to fans who were bracing themselves to lose the 24-year-old with his existing deal coming to a conclusion at the end of the campaign, in what would have been a crushing blow after seeing him establish himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet since his arrival in August 2020.

Recording two goals and three assists in 23 league appearances this term, already beating his third-tier goal contributions tally from last season, he is likely to be the subject of interest from other sides going into January.

Bearing the contract option they have at their disposal, the midfielder may effectively have 18 months left on his deal, so this upcoming window could potentially be the last chance to maximise their profit on the 24-year-old if they wish to do so. Lowe didn't disclose the length of this option they have, however.

Does Schumacher want to sell him and reinvest that money to stamp his authority on his squad? Or does he want to keep the 24-year-old as a crucial player and possibly risk losing him for less money in the future?

It will be a tricky one for him to weigh up.