Page will be satisfied with summer recruitment despite quiet deadline day

There were whispers, hopes and rumours throughout the day that manager Rob Page would add other players to his squad, with Leyton Orient’s Dean Cox the man strongly linked to a move to Sixfields.

Hopes were high that a striker could also be brought in, but apart from former Bradford, Ipswich and Nottingham Forest wide man Anderson, no other signings materialised.

That situation left many Cobblers supporters frustrated, with some pointing to the fact Page had said following Tuesday’s dismal 3-0 EFL Trophy defeat to Wycombe Wanderers that he wanted deadline day to be a busy one for the club.

It transpired that only one signing was made but it’s pretty obvious that wasn’t for the lack of trying by Page, who has constantly spoken since taking over the club about adding extra quality to the ranks.

He has made the point on several occasions that he wouldn’t just bring in bodies for the sake of it, and it appears he has stuck to his word, perhaps deciding to keep his powder dry, and money in the club’s coffers, until the opening of the January transfer window when reinforcements may be needed.

The fact also remains that even though deadline day proved to be a quiet one at Sixfields - nobody left the club either - the signing of Anderson was still Page’s 13th of the summer (15th if you include Paddy Kenny and Shaun McWilliams) which is a substantial number.

With nine of last season’s squad - Nicky Adams, Ricky Holmes, Josh Lelan, Ryan Cresswell, Danny Rose, Jason Taylor, Ryan Clarke, Evan Horwood and Chris Hackett - plus loan players James Collins, John Marquis and Luke Prosser being allowed to leave, that leaves the Cobblers with a 24-man group, 26 with Kenny and McWilliams, who is out on loan.

The men brought in on permanent deals were David Cornell, Aaron Phillips, Gaby Zakuani, Raheem Hanley, Harry Beautyman, Matt Taylor, Jak McCourt, Anderson, Emmanuel Sonupe and Alex Revell, while coming in on loan were Lewin Nyatanga, Kenji Gorre and JJ Hooper.

The recruitment has led to the cover of at least two players for every position on the pitch, and with emergency loans now no longer permitted, that was crucial.

He may not have quite got the extra deal in the attacking department he wanted to over the line on deadline day, and there will still be concerns over the Cobblers’ lack of goalscoring power, but Page will still feel he has done good business since taking over from Chris Wilder.

The Town boss will feel his squad is in decent shape for the next four months of the league one campaign and will be hoping Anderson, a player with proven pedigree, is the man to provide that extra attacking spark that has been missing so far this season.

Cobblers squad

Goalkeepers: Adam Smith, David Cornell, Paddy Kenny

Right-backs: Brendan Moloney, Aaron Phillips

Left-backs: David Buchanan, Raheem Hanley

Central defenders: Zander Diamond, Gaby Zakuani, Rod McDonald, Lewin Nyatanga

Central midfielders: John-Joe O’Toole, Matt Taylor, Joel Byrom, Jak McCourt, Harry Beautyman

Wide midfielders: Alfie Potter, Kenje Gorre, Lawson D’Ath, Paul Anderson, Emmanel Sonupe

Forwards: Alex Revell, Marc Richards, JJ Hooper, Sam Hoskins