Unfortunately, the club is constrained in its options and flexibility to spend on incoming players under the current EFL regulations and limits. Significant funds were invested in 2025, pushing us right up to the maximum permitted expenditure. This does leave the door open to potential sales and, while there is currently no intention to offload a key player of real value to us, they are the only ones who also hold significant market appeal externally; therefore, it cannot be entirely dismissed given the precariousness of our immediate financial position.
There were numerous summer arrivals, with the expectation that they will step up after a six-month settling-in period, so there is no alarm about urgently requiring reinforcements - relegation is not viewed as an immediate threat. This might not be the most thrilling outlook for supporters, who naturally cling to hopes of fresh additions to fuel a late push for the play-offs, but it is simply the reality we face. Loans can make a substantial difference and, given how competitive the league invariably is, injecting some fresh attacking threat could prove transformative if existing squad members also raise their levels.
In the longer term, there are no underlying financial concerns: confidence exists that revenues will grow; several promising players have been recruited who should appreciate in value; and, with the exception of Santos, every acquisition was made with the future in mind and is expected to develop further. The obvious point of contention is the Adam Idah transfer, which dwarfed any other individual outlay and was sanctioned on the basis that he would deliver instant impact - with the clear understanding that it would restrict our spending capacity this January. It is widely known that Alan Sheehan and Darren O'Dea strongly advocated for the move, but shifting full responsibility onto them would be inaccurate, as it represented the collective conclusion of an extensive summer hunt for a first-choice striker by the club's leadership.
Everyone at the club fully appreciates the nature of the Joel Ward signing and harbours no illusions that it amounts to anything more than inexpensive depth. No supporter would argue otherwise, and it is hardly inspiring news for anyone, yet it is deemed essential - not only to provide competition for Key but also to prevent Galbraith from being shifted permanently out of position. If Ward starts many matches it would be surprising, and the deal ought to be viewed more akin to borrowing a young prospect from the Premier League than as a direct alternative to the established right-back upgrade we require for the seasons ahead.
