Phil SumblerThe transfer window will shut tonight at 11pm by which time it is anticipated that at least two new signings will have joined up with Russell Martin’s squad who are targeting both a left wing back and a striker before the day is out.
Four new deals have been secured already this month with the permanent addition of Andy Fisher and the loan deals that have seen Cyrus Christie, Hannes Wolf and yesterday Finley Burns added to the squad. Add to that the recall of Kyle Joseph from Cheltenham and you have the equivalent of a fifth signing in what has been a busy January.
But Russell Martin wants more to be added to his squad and is on the hunt for that left wing back to replace Bidwell together with a striker to give him more options up front.
There have been plenty of links this month in both positions but as yet nothing has come to fruition especially as the message has been clear all month that we need to see exits from the club before we can consider too much on the permanent front hence why we have had three loan signings already this month.
Martin missed out on Matt O’Riley after we failed to meet his release clause at £1.5m with the player ready to move to SA1 had we managed to reach that level. We didn’t, Celtic did and the rest is history. The same appears to be said for Harry Darling who was another key target but again the fee is likely to be the stumbling block unless we see a significant departure today.
There is also the small matter of the unanswered questions around Jamie Paterson who is already the subject of a couple of bids from QPR and there could be more to come on this deadline day. If we do reach a deal to let Paterson go then expect to see some late flurries of potential activity from Landore as the club look to execute any plans that they have made for a Paterson transfer fee.
Deadline day in January does tend to create some more unexpected decisions than its equivalent in August so don’t rule out a complete surprise coming your way this time but, buckle up, keep tuned and let’s see what the day brings and who will be seen outside Rossis next!
Whoever comes in we won’t be parting with cash.
Most probably martins friends from MKD
We are falling behind other clubs, quite simply we will not buy and the players we sign are either on loan or free transfers. Unless the owners speculate we will end up in League 1 soon, we just cannot carry on like this. The last home game against Preston was so poor, I left the ground with ten minutes left to play – I just could not take anymore.