United boss Keith Millen admitted this week that the false market created by the January transfer window can be a source of frustration as he continues to look to add ‘one or two more’ to the current squad.
“It is frustrating, but you try not to let it get to you too much,” he said. “The hardest bit about it is trying to do all of this, and in the mean-time you’re trying to prepare and look after the squad.
“There are games coming up that you’ve got to be ready for, so it isn’t great. There’s also the unrest it can cause within the group you’ve already got, so it’s a case of trying to maintain the focus as you have the transfer window stuff going on in the background.
“I don’t think it’s a good way of doing business, but it is what it is and we’ve got to try to add one or two more to make us better.”
“We’re really trying, and if you could see the lists of players we’ve tried to get, it’s unbelievable actually,” he continued. “We’re just in a meeting now, so we’re looking.
“We haven’t finalised things for different reasons, but I’m sure there’ll be a lot more movement in the next four days or so. We’ll keep working away.
“I would definitely like one or two more. We’re busy today trying to get one or two more done. I find it amazing how many players move on and clubs all of a sudden panic and need more and more players.
“It’s not a sensible market for me. I want to get the balance right of believing and trusting in the group we’ve got, because they’ve done well for me. I’m not just going to bring in a couple of players for the sake of it. They need to come in and try and help us get better.”
On the obvious area to be looking at, he commented: “If we can add something a little bit attacking wise that would be good.
“We’re still not creating enough chances or scoring goals, so if there’s someone there that can help with that we’ll definitely look to make it happen. We are trying, but I keep reminding people that I don’t just want numbers, it has to be the right player.
“We all know that creating and scoring goals has been the concern from day one. We’ve not solved that yet.
“I think we’re better, but it’s not just about the forwards. As a team, it’s being more creative and scoring more goals. We know what we need, we’ve known all along, we’ve been close quite a few times and for different reasons they’ve not quite come off.
“The window closes at 11pm on Monday, and I’ll be here until then. We’ll keep looking until the last minute if needs be.
“The club are being very supportive financially, they haven’t said no to anything, it’s been more a case of players not coming for other reasons.
“Obviously we’re not going to go and blow our budget but there have been no issues from that point of view.”
And has there been any interest externally in any players heading out the other way?
“No, I haven’t had to turn any offers down or anything like that,” he confirmed. “Obviously Tristan Abrahams has gone to Grimsby to play, I couldn’t guarantee him game time which is what he wants, and I totally understand that.
“Hopefully he goes there and scores loads of goals. He’s still got a year left on his contract so we hope he’ll come back in the summer feeling better about himself and hopefully be closer to being our main striker.
“On other loans, we’re maybe looking at one or two of the younger lads going out if we can get people in.
“They need to play first-team games so we will look at that. I’ve not got anything on the go, but if something comes up we’ll look at it.
“I’m happy with the squad we’ve got, we just want to try and bring one or two more in to improve it.”
