Deadline Day Dissected
After the transfer window closed at 11pm on Thursday night, Des Junior sent an email to some of his League Two chums
Friday 2 February 2024
NEXT HOME GAME: Harrogate – Saturday 3 February, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Grimsby – Saturday 10 February, 3pm
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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Friday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
Well, the transfer window is now closed. County seem to have had a very decent January, with some strong acquisitions in key areas. But what about the rest of League Two? I’ve had a chat with a number of different fans about their business this month, and their hopes for the rest of the campaign.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Malbern Solar. My thanks to Wayne and Vicki. If you’d like to save money on your energy bills, make sure you book your FREE survey, worth £150. Full details below.
Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.
Total distance so far: 46.68 miles
Total steps so far: 83,302
Total raised so far: £1,037
Total completed streets so far: 24 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)
Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.
Des Junior
🟡 Mansfield Town (3rd)
Craig Priest from Mansfield Matters
What’s your verdict on your club’s transfer business in January?
Disappointing. It’s easy to get caught in the moment but since we played you on New Year’s Day we’ve seen a real dip in form and lost twice. We also knew we needed a striker yet took forever to get one. Tom Nichols is a great addition to be fair but the way in which we do things, stubbornly chasing just one at a time, has meant it took until deadline day to get one in and we’ve definitely lost out on other players.
Other teams around us have really strengthened, whilst it feels like we’ve just had a spray of air freshener around a fusty room. There’s a real fear that won’t last and we’ll get left behind.
We’ve loaned out O’Toole which I understand; prior to the weekend he’d played one minute this season and was on big money. But with Flint possibly out for the season, he’d have been the perfect replacement in my eyes. I fully trust in Clough, though, and know that he’ll know that if we fail to get promoted, he’ll likely be gone in the summer himself.
Generally disappointing but I’m not getting swept away in keeping up with the Joneses – there’s a long way to go yet!
Where do you think Mansfield will finish this season?
I still think we’ll be up there, but it’ll all hinge now on how long Flint is out. If we get Hewitt back will he be the same player? Will Nichols fit straight in? And how will we cope with other suspensions etc?
There’s a long way to go and as I’ve said before, the only team to stop Mansfield Town from getting promotion, is Mansfield Town.
Where do you think County will finish this season?
I think you’ll win it to be fair. You’re a good side and momentum will take you up. We’ll be breathing down your neck, though!
What was the final thing you purchased yourself in January?
Hmm, tough one! Well I’ve just moved house so the last thing I purchased in January was a new wardrobe. Sadly it can’t play up front, though, so will be no use for our promotion bid.
⚫️ Notts County (7th)
Tom Wagstaff from Notts County Talk
What’s your verdict on your club’s transfer business in January?
We didn't seem to improve the position we needed to the most (defence), apart from the signing of Jaden Warner from Norwich. The signing of Jatta on deadline day came completely out of the blue too, and could be very interesting.
Where do you think Notts will finish this season?
I think we would do very well to finish top three now, so I would say 5th-7th is our realistic aim. I’d be very disappointed if we missed out on the play-offs after the start we had.
Where do you think County will finish this season?
You’ll win the league in my opinion.
What was the final thing you purchased yourself in January?
Petrol, ahead of our trip to Mansfield at the weekend.
🔵 Gillingham (10th)
Matt from Gills In The Blood
What’s your verdict on your club’s transfer business in January?
I feel the business we have done this month is solid and also slightly brave. We’ve upgraded in the form of Remeao Hutton and Josh Walker, Josh Andrews gives us another focal point, and Jorge Hurtado is a complete unknown quantity which is exciting. We haven’t scored enough goals so the revamping of the forward line makes sense, but whether the new boys are an upgrade on what we had remains to be seen.
Where do you think Gillingham will finish this season?
I said 6th at the start of the season, and have mentioned a few times that we aren’t a million miles away from being a very good side. If the new lads hit the ground running (especially the trio of new strikers) then we could have an exciting end to the campaign, so I’ll stick to my pre-season prediction of 6th.
Where do you think County will finish this season?
Similarly to us, I will stick to what I said before a ball was kicked, which was champions. You have a high class squad with a great depth of options, and the only side I see potentially giving you any issues is Wrexham, given their January business.
What was the final thing you purchased yourself in January?
A microwave jalfrezi from Aldi as I couldn’t be bothered to cook. Would recommend.
🟠 Newport County (16th)
Ed Bridges from 1912 Exiles
What’s your verdict on your club’s transfer business in January?
Just as we wanted it – quiet! We didn’t lose any of our prized assets (yer Will Evanses, yer Shane McLoughlins, yer Ryan Delaneys), and we added a striker (Luke Jephcott, formerly of Plymouth and Swindon amongst others), so that’s not bad. There’s no sense in splashing out in the rip-off window unless you have to.
Where do you think Newport will finish this season?
Back in August, we’d have settled for 22nd. In the event, we’ll be mid-table and have had a glorious cup run, so that’s fine. 13th.
Where do you think County will finish this season?
Hopefully top – partly because you’re a class team, but also because it’ll stop the insufferably smug six-fingered North Wales Hollywood franchise from getting what they so desperately crave.
What was the final thing you purchased yourself in January?
Lightbulbs and gaffa tape from B&Q – which feels like the most middle-aged dad thing I’ve ever written.
⚪️ Tranmere Rovers (17th)
Ethan Hoijord from Mere or Far
What’s your verdict on your club’s transfer business in January?
Quiet, to say the least. Nothing has happened. Well, apart from keeping our best player on loan until the end of the season. Winger Rob Apter has been a shining light this campaign thus it was very important to keep him.
However, it’d be nice if we could get rid of one or two for a bit of cash. Josh Hawkes has talent but isn’t getting any game time etc. I don’t mind it though in all honesty. The ship has been steadied with this group of players under Nigel Adkins since he was appointed as permanent manager. Just maybe an opportunity wasted to bring in some cash. Time will tell.
Where do you think Tranmere will finish this season?
Honestly, no idea. The league is tight and we’ve shown that we can pick up some very important points. For example, we beat promotion chasers Notts County with a spirited performance on New Year’s Day and we’ve sorted our away form out. So there’s still some (slight) talk that we could be in with a push for the play-offs. I think it’ll just be mid-table though, any position around there, and that’s a great positive when I was standing in the rain thinking of us getting relegated back to the National League not too long ago.
Where do you think County will finish this season?
I like County, good club. However, the ticket office manager wasn’t my biggest fan when I was asking her to let me into the ground as Tranmere had decided to stop selling tickets (on the day!). With Dave Challinor, and your affection for Connor Jennings, I’d like to see you go up and with experienced pros such as Paddy Madden it’s a real possibility.
What was the final thing you purchased yourself in January?
Some nice oranges and bananas from Tesco Express.
🟠 Bradford City (18th)
Mike Harrison from The City Gent
What’s your verdict on your club’s transfer business in January?
Bradford’s transfer business during January went pretty much as we were expecting. The over bloated squad needed trimming by recently-appointed manager Graham Alexander. Under used loan players such as Afoke and Tulloch returned to their parent clubs. Also leaving Valley Parade was Vadaine Oliver (loaned to Stevenage) and Manny Osadebe (sold to Forest Green Rovers) as both have been blighted by injuries and need game time elsewhere. Biggest surprise departure was the very likeable and capable goalkeeper Harry Lewis who was sold to Carlisle United for what we believe was a decent fee, certainly one that couldn’t be refused. Immediately, Sam Walker, a keeper at Charlton, was signed to replace Lewis.
An offer came in (from Carlisle again) for Jake Young, who returned to the club after his successful goalscoring spell at Swindon Town. Young returned with an injury, but of course some fans didn’t believe this and as the month went on, many were convinced that he wasn’t in the squad because he was going to be sold. Happily, once he made a substitute appearance, at the County Ground last Saturday, that argument was ended.
On transfer deadline day, striker Calum Kavanagh (son of Graham) was signed from Middlesbrough on a two and a half year deal. Overall a good month of business for the Bantams.
Where do you think Bradford will finish this season?
I want to say 7th, but there is so much catching up to do in the final 18 league games. We are gloriously and consistently inconsistent, but perhaps the slightly slimmer squad will be easier for Graham Alexander to manage and the return of Jake Young, when fully fit, might just give us the goals and the inspiration to make a good attempt at finishing higher than where we are now. A couple of years ago Bristol Rovers proved it can be done, so aiming for 7th has got to be the goal.
Where do you think County will finish this season?
If you can hold off Wrexham, you should finish as League Two champions.
What was the final thing you purchased yourself in January?
A “desiccant cartridge” for my recently purchased electric Smart car. It absorbs any water that gets close to the battery apparently.
🔴 Doncaster Rovers (22nd)
Jamie Wainman
What’s your verdict on your club’s transfer business in January?
Very disappointed. We have been crying out for experience, especially in midfield and central defence, but other than Billy Waters (29) we’ve signed 20 and 21-year-olds with little or no experience in the EFL
Where do you think Donny will finish this season?
I think if we beat Sutton tomorrow we should be safe but if we get beat we’re only four points clear of relegation so it's squeaky bum time.
Where do you think County will finish this season?
It's hard to think anything other than champions for me. I know Wrexham have a game in hand which will close the gap but I'd certainly like you to win the league over them anyway. I think I've got a bit of a soft spot for County given we've been through similar situations with dropping down to the Conference, and now you are on the way back just as we did under John Ryan.
What was the final thing you purchased yourself in January?
A hoodie from Vinted. Cheapskate, I know!
🟡 Sutton United (23rd)
Dan from Gandermonium
What’s your verdict on your club’s transfer business in January?
Not bad. We’ve addressed our issues at left-back and in midfield by adding fresh (and younger) legs there. We’ve also added some fresh blood in attacking areas too. So hopefully that can help us kick on a bit now. We’ve also retained the likes of Smith and Patrick, so there’s also hope that they can help us start picking up some points.
Where do you think Sutton will finish this season?
If we lose this weekend to Donny at home, we’re down to be honest. That would leave us 10 behind them (as well as god knows who else) and if you can’t beat sides like that at your own place, you deserve to go down to the National League anyway. If we win though, the picture changes and there’s more hope. I’d take 22nd in a heartbeat right now.
Where do you think County will finish this season?
If you finish outside the top two, I’d be very surprised. I think Wrexham are probably going to kick on a bit after the window, so it’ll certainly be interesting. But you should be thereabouts for the title. Autos bare minimum.
What was the final thing you purchased yourself in January?
A flight and hotel in Oslo for a work trip next week. Nothing actually for me as January was 153 weeks long and I needed the funds for that booking before claiming it back. So yeah, pretty boring really.
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Today in SK
🎬 Cinema
Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. The End We Start From (15) at 6pm, followed by Maestro (15) at 8.15pm. Click here for tickets.
💿 DJs
Stockport’s biggest party at the weekend is at Bask (SK1), with DJ Gareth Brooks playing till 3am. Last entry 1.30am.
The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have their resident DJ playing on a Friday night, with Dicko (Ian Dickinson) on from 8pm till 1am.
🌭 Food and drink
Treat yourself to the February special from Enigma (SK1). Just £5 for a hot dog with grilled onions, ketchup and mustard, skin-on fries, and any ground bean coffee. 12pm - 10pm.
🎤 Karaoke
Alexandra (SK3) with DJ Big Ace. 8pm.
🎸 Live music
The Sap Tap at The Petersgate Tap (SK1). Live original acoustic music. 8.30pm. Free entry.
Random County fan of the day #33 – Parker Cash!
One final thing before you go… if you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day gift this month, how about a painting, or a cake, or a bottle of gin, or anything else from our fantastic sponsors!
🎨 Art & Gifts: Kate O’Brien Art
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🐈⬛ Cat Sitting: The Crazy Cat Ladies Cheshire
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🍸 Gin: Hatters Gin
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☀️ Solar Panels: Malbern Solar Ltd
⚽️ Sports Coaching: UK Sports Coaching Ltd
🖊 Tattooist: Heatons Tattoo Club
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⚖️ Weight Loss: Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean
🪟 Window Cleaner: R ‘N’ B Window Cleaning
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