Manager Keith Curle spoke more this weekend about ongoing work to secure new signings as he looks to bolster his squad before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Wednesday 31 January.
When asked where he feels the priority lies, he said: “We’re looking to improve in all departments. It’s nice to have a starting point, whereby we’re looking at the top end of the pitch rather than the defence, because we’re creating a level of solidity at the back.
“The focus has got to be on quality, not quantity. It can’t just be a case of getting bodies in to create a buzz. They’ve got to be the right players.”
“Within the January window, players can be selective and play the game,” he told us. “Some players and representatives take their time answering calls, which is their prerogative. We’ve got money available and we know the minimums and maximums we’re working to.
“We can still be creative within the squad if I deem it necessary, and if that meets with the wishes of the player. If players have got the opportunity to go and further their career elsewhere, and it suits me and the football club, then there is room for me to be creative.”
As to whether he’s closer to making something happen this week, he told us: “I’ve had good conversations with a player and his agent yesterday [Friday] and I’m hoping to get a positive answer on that.
“We know there’s still room for improvement, not just on the pitch, but as an organisation. We’re striving to improve and be better in all departments of the football club.
“We do need the addition of a few new faces, which can help to make us into more of an attacking threat. There is quality within the squad, but we want to add to that as quickly as we can.”
On the natural frustration felt by fans who are still waiting for United to make a move in this current transfer window, he said: “They’ve got to trust me, and they have to trust the processes we have in place.
“I know the football club trusts me with their finances, because they know I’m not going to try to spend what I haven’t got. By the beginning part of this week we’ll know exactly what the figures are from the FA Cup games, so we should be able to move margins for the maximum that’s available to spend.
“But, being honest, that doesn’t make any difference to what we’re trying to do right now. Lines of communication are open and we’re actively trying to secure players who we think will make us better.
“I obviously won’t divulge names because, as we’ve seen in the past, as soon as we do that other clubs come in and declare their interest. The ideal scenario will be to do our business and then we’ll be able to let everyone know. That’s what we’re working on right now.”
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