Page says current transfer window has been the '˜hardest' of his career

Cobblers boss Rob Page has admitted the current transfer window is the most challenging he has faced as a manager in terms of bringing in new players.
Cobblers boss Rob PageCobblers boss Rob Page
Cobblers boss Rob Page

Since taking over as Town boss from Chris Wilder in May, Page has signed 12 new players for the club, but admits he is still looking to add extra bodies before the transfer window closes on Wednesay, August 31.

A new striker is still very much top of the wanted list, as well as a winger, but Page says he has been left frustrated after missing out on ‘numerous targets’ for various reasons, although he says he is still confident a new player will be signed by the end of this week.

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The reason for being frustrated and missing out on targeted players has been the change in the loan rules, as there are now no longer going to be short-term or emergency loans allowed through the season.

That means if clubs are going to loan players out, they have to commit to six months or the whole season, and that has led to some managers being unwilling to do so in case they leave themselves short.

“It has probably been the hardest window I have had as a manager,” said Page.

“The ruling change hasn’t helped, because one minute you get a yes from clubs, saying ‘it will happen within 48 hours’.

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“Then the next minute you get another call saying ‘we are going delay it for another week, because we want to get through our games first before the deadline window closes, to make sure we’re not leaving ourselves short on numbers’.

“So it has been frustrating, but we are hopeful something will happen soon.

“We have had numerous targets, and we have been let down for one reason or another, but hopefully within the next 48 hours, and certainly before Friday, we will have news.”

It is understood Page is hopeful of landing at least two more players before the window closes, and both are set to be loans rather than permanent deals.

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