Looking through the quiet window

It's about 7 hours until the transfer window closes. It seems that very little is happening at the club, nobody in and nobody out. Whilst there is still time for stuff to happen, the sense around the club is that not much will change. If this is the case where will it leave us?

The current squad have improved over time, but it still has weaknesses. Whilst the return of Rob Apter is welcome, our defence looks vulnerable, particularly when people like Lee O'Connor are unavailable. Midfield is also an area where we lack a ball winner. Teams have found it easy to play against us because of this. Up front the absence of Norris, and the failure of Dennis to have much of an impact, means that we still lack a natural finisher. Put slightly differently, this is a squad that is getting by, but not one that convinces us that mid table is the place where we should be.

There are strong arguments in favour of leaving things as they are. Nigel Adkins has been able to gradually improve our play, even allowing for the lack of quality. The end of the season might be a good time for a clear out and the summer could give Nigel the chance to bring in players he really rates. 

Against this there is the impact on season ticket sales of a less inspiring finish to the season. Supporters already hard pressed by a cost of living crises may be reluctant to shell out for renewals. However, I think the club know that at the moment that there is a loyal base of season ticket holders who will renew, particularly given the ability to spread costs over a 10 payments. Much will depend on whether the club hike the cost of the tickets. 

As things stand the rest of the season offers plenty of interesting encounters. I'm looking forward to Crewe on Saturday and hope the home supporters give Eliot Nevit a positive reception.  We've also got our other Cheshire rivals, Stockport, due this month. Yet there are only 9 home matches left. I am left wondering where did this season go to?

Ah well, a few more hours. Enough time to be left with egg on my face predicting no new arrivals and no significant departures. Time will tell.