Gaffer reflects on deadline day and January window

The manager answers a few questions following the closure of the transfer window.

Q: Reflecting on Deadline Day, just talk us through how the day unfolded. We got one deal concluded; were you close to any others?

A1: There was a number of things on the go, involving one other player out and two in, but sadly we couldn’t do the numbers involved to add to the group.
 
A hectic day at times but ended with no late drama.
 
 
Q: You were pleased to get James Morton over the line. What will he bring to the side?
 
A2: He has a brilliant left foot, a superb passer of the ball and can be assertive in that area of the pitch.
 
 
Q: Jacob Mellis left for Southend. I'm sure you will wish him well; was it simply a question of allowing him to get regular games?
 
A3: Jacob is a quality player and a wonderful person so it goes without saying we all wish him every success.
 
He joins a very good club in Southend, one fighting for their EFL survival and he will help them.
 
 
Q: There were rumours that Jordan Graham and John Akinde attracted interest. Is there anything you can tell us?
 
A4: There was considerable interest in five of our squad and I am obviously pleased the Chairman turned those offers down. Paul Scally should be applauded as with most clubs these are tough and unique times.
 
January is a difficult time to get good value and sign only players that improve us as a group so we had our targets and stopped ourselves from signing players who ultimately won’t help us.
 
We have the lowest resources in League 1 so we must all ensure we spend them as wisely as we can.
 
 
Q: Free agents can still be signed. Is there a chance you might dive into that market?
 
A5: Yes, for sure.
 
Our talks with a couple of players, and their agents, will continue but again we can only pay what we can afford and that was demonstrated to a couple of agents yesterday.
 
 
Q: Reflecting on the window as a whole, do we finish it stronger than we started?
 
A6: There is no doubt we are much stronger.
 
Callum Slattery and Ollie Lee are quality additions and James Morton is at that level so we have had an excellent window.
 
Young Tyreke also looks to have settled now and he made a positive influence up at Sunderland so we are looking forward positively.
 
 
Q: Lincoln at home on Friday night, on Sky. How are we shaping up?
 
A8: We have injury concerns with some players but we will keep that internally.

Lincoln Manager Michael Appleton said his team made Doncaster Rovers look “very ordinary” and I think they are a superb team so it demonstrates the size of our task against Lincoln on Friday night.