It was a busy January transfer window for football clubs in Notts with a whopping 11 signings made on deadline day alone. So who did the best business this window? Liam Hunt sifts through the wreckage of January 31.
A hectic deadline day yesterday saw 14 players move in and out of Nottingham Forest, Notts County and Mansfield Town.
Heading into deadline Nottingham Forest still had money to spend and Reds owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi seemed determined to deliver on his promises to supporters.
And despite leaving it to the final hours of the window, Forest managed to land four players on the day.
Joao Teixeira signed on loan from Benfica and was later joined by a flurry of late signings as Zach Clough, Ross McCormack and Gboly Ariyibi were all confirmed by the club just after midnight.
McCormack joins fellow Aston Villa loanee Aaron Tshibola at the City Ground.
Best Nottingham Forest Transfer: Ross McCormack
Experienced striker Ross McCormack signed for Forest on a loan deal from Aston Villa until the end of the season. The Scottish international had fallen out with Villa boss Steve Bruce over a disagreement about his gate, which is being labelled as gate-gate. The Reds have taken advantage of this situation and swooped in to secure the services of the £12 million player. With 156 career goals in 458 appearences McCormack could provide Forest with the firepower they need to escape their current plight.
Video: Forest’s new finisher Ross McCormack in action
Former Forest captain Henri Lansbury headed the opposite way as a £2.75m deal saw him sign for Villa on a four-and-a-half year contract.
The Magpies breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday (January 28) as their transfer embargo was finally lifted.
This paved the way for a wave of signings at Meadow Lane with winger Mark Yeates the first, joining from Blackpool on Monday evening.
Deadline day for Notts saw Kevin Nolan sign Kevin Nolan – the manager, 33, registered himself as a player bringing with him 18 years of playing experience.
Best Notts County Transfer: Kevin Nolan
The Magpies boss deadline day deals including himself as the transfer embargo looming over Meadow Lane was finally lifted. Playing as a midfielder Nolan racked up a career total of 607 appearances, scoring on 111 occasions. In his career Nolan captained sides such as Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and West Ham. And with experience as a player-manager at Leyton Orient Nolan will provide County with an experienced leader both on and off the field.
Video: Player-manager Nolan in action for West Ham only four years ago.
Forest’s Jorge Grant crossed the Trent, joining County on loan after impressing in an under-23s fixture between the two sides on the same day.
The attacking midfielder is joined by three other loanees; Tahvon Campbell, Josh Clackstone and Arsenal’s Marc Bola.
Stags boss Steve Evans delivered on his promise of deadline day signings as a duo joined Mansfield’s pair of Peterborough loanees Hayden White and Shaquile Coulthirst.
Two players who tasted promotion last season arrived at the One Call Stadium, winger Alex MacDonald joins from Oxford United and midfielder Alfie Potter from Northampton Town.
Best Mansfield Town Transfer: Alex MacDonald
Winger Alex MacDonald joined the Stags on a permanent deal from Oxford United. MacDonald achieved promotion to League One last season playing 40 times and scoring five in their successful campaign. This season the Burnley academy graduate has made 30 appearances for the U’s grabbing three goals.
Video: New Stag Alex MacDonald showcases his ability for the U’s.
