[Stairs]

I still don't think people realise how very difficult it is for any club, let alone one at the lower end of the Premiership to secure a deal in a transfer window.

If you are a player looking for a change you will naturally not jump at the first offer that comes your way (unless its one of the big 4). You will assume that if one club is interested then so might others and you will wait to see what unfolds. Things only become clear once we get to the final days of the transfer window as clubs make decisions, move on other players in order to buy replacements etc.

I have no doubt that we enquired on over 40+ players during the window and I have no doubt many of those enquiries have been active throughout December as well. It just does not happen, very often, just like that.

The Carlton Cole example is a perfect example: He was not our first choice striker, he probably wasn't even our fifth. But he turned out to be available, IF his current club transacted their business.

I 100% agree that it is hugely frustrating that we failed to refresh the squad and we only got a couple of players. But I blame the system not the club.

This summer it will be just the same. We all know major changes have to happen. We will be linked to 40+ players again. We will complain at the lack of movement all summer and then there will be a flurry of activity in the last week before the season commences after a player has realised we offer them the best chance of Premiership football from those making offers.