The mid-season transfer deadline is one of the most exciting and unpredictable days of the season and with all of our local clubs still in the market for players, the end of this window is set to be no different.
All deals must be struck by 11pm on Monday night, before the window slams shut again until the end of the season.
We’ll bring you a live blog on nottstv.com on the day as well as extensive coverage across our television bulletins from 5.30 and don’t forget to follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook.
But there are vastly different priorities for Nottingham Forest, Notts County and Mansfield Town on the day. Here we pick through the key points at each club.
Nottingham Forest
The last transfer deadline day was a hectic one for the Reds as Michail Antonio left for West Ham and Forest brought in four loan signings: Nelson Oliveira, Ryan Mendes, Chris O’Grady and Jonny Williams.
Forest fans should not hold their breath for similiar antics this season as the transfer embargo bites.
It is well known that Freedman is looking for a striker to help bolster their play-off push but he is struggling to find a player of suitable quality on a free or loan. He is currently scouring the Premier League for young talent and the name of Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi keeps cropping up on the grapevine.
Due financial fair play restrictions Forest can have a maximum squad of 24 players, meaning they only have one squad place available.
They may try and move players on to create more space. Chris Burke has been linked with Rotherham, Danny Fox to Blackburn and Henri Lansbury to Burnley.
Analysis from Notts TV Sport presenter Christian Hewgill: “Dougie Freedman has made it quite clear he’d like to bring in a striker to bolster his attacking options.
“But the conditions he’s working under with the embargo are making things really difficult.
“He’s openly admitted he might have to rely on overseas talent as fees are cheaper, or players that have fallen out with other managers and want to get first-team football.
“He’s said he’ll bring a striker in if it will definitely benefit the squad. But equally he won’t sign just for the sake of it.”
Notts County
New manager Jamie Fullarton to an extent has his hands tied after former manager Ricardo Moniz brought in just shy of 20 players in the summer.
County fans should not be expecting any blockbuster signings but Fullarton could be in the market for a reasonably-priced defender to shore up their leaky defence.
County will be hoping to keep hold of Liam Noble, however may be swayed if a big offer comes in for a player that will be out of contract in the summer.
Noble has attracted interest from the likes of Portsmouth, Cambridge and AFC Wimbledon and it wouldn’t be a great surprise to see him leave the club.
However Alan Smith will be staying put after reports linking him with Plymouth.
Several players could be moved out before the end of the transfer window as the manager tries to reduce the bloated squad.
Analysis from Notts TV Sport presenter Christian Hewgill: “The key issue for County is their absolutely massive squad.
“But Jamie Fullarton stated when he came in every player who is a Notts County player will get their chance.
“However they are a League Two club and their budget isn’t infinite. The manager and board will be looking to reduce the playing staff if possible. This means ‘outs’ are more likely than ‘ins’ at Meadow Lane, Jimmy Spencer being the first of these on Friday – although Fullarton hasn’t completely ruled out bringing in new faces.”
Mansfield Town
Mansfield are lurking just outside of the play-offs, where an astute signing could propel them into the top six. As always Mansfield have a limited budget but the chairman is prepared to spend money on the right player.
Mansfield will be hoping they can make a deal with rivals County for 24 year old Blair Adams. The left-back impressed at the Stags during his loan spell winning the Supporters’ Player of the Month for December. It seems unlikely that County will let Adams move to a rival however with the player out of contract it in the summer they may want to cash in. Adams has been vocal about how much he enjoyed his time at the stags so don’t be surprised to see in amber and blue sooner rather than later.
Analysis from Notts TV Sport presenter Christian Hewgill: “If he was being honest, manager Adam Murray probably didn’t expect a play-off push this season. He’s done a fantastic job, and their squad are over-achieving. If he does bring in any new players he’ll be keen not to disrupt what’s clearly a very tight-knit group.”
