Bolton’s pursuit of Kyle Dempsey finished off Bolton’s incomings for the January window, and it has capped off another productive mid-season recruitment drive.
We needed at least two central midfielders, we got three. We needed a striker, we got two. A wing back came in and a goalkeeper, who I had my doubts about but has started off next to perfectly.
Dempsey’s signing took it’s time, which looking back is completely understandable. Gillingham are in trouble and were probably hoping to keep hold of their star man for as long as possible. The managerial situation at Priestfield would have muddied the waters too, but come deadline day Neil Harris was brought in, then it was a case of taking our offer or not. Dempsey was announced after 11pm.
He’s a dynamic and physical player who should be able to go straight into starting contention once he’s available – he can’t play tonight but will be available for Morecambe.
Meanwhile Nathan Delfouenso has been loaned out to Bradford. The right move, Delfouneso was great in the first six months but was the big loser in the move to a 4-2-3-1 which belatedly kick-started last season. League Two is, to be blunt, his level now but it doesn’t excuse some of the comments seen elsewhere. He should be useful at Valley Parade.
Ronan Darcy should movc to Queen’s Park on loan. The Spiders are fourth in Scotland’s League One, and while not really safe just yet from relegation in a ten-team league, are actually also in play-off contention. Darcy would link up with Luca Connell, who has spent the last 12 months or so there on loan from Celtic. It’s a shame Darcy hasn’t been loaned out to a higher level than that but it all depends on what was on the table.