United boss Paul Simpson spoke more at his Thursday afternoon press conference about the arrival of experienced striker Joe Garner, with the forward adding more competition for places to an already competitive group.
“I’m really pleased and it’s one we’ve had to be really patient with,” he said. “It’s good news for us because we’ve got ourselves a strong, experienced addition to the group.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about him so let’s see how it goes for him. I think everybody knows what he brings to the party.
“He brings experience, nous, and a bit of nastiness. He scores goals, and I think he’s a really good character to have in the building.
“You have to have good people with you, and if you can surround yourself with them it can only do you good. I’m looking forward to getting him involved and he does go straight into the group for the weekend against Bradford.”
With the striker added to the group, it leaves the squad looking healthy and in a good place.
“I’m really pleased with the work we’ve done,” he confirmed. “As I look now, there just don’t appear to be any holes.
“I have to be pleased with the work that’s gone on leading up to this point because it means we aren’t thrashing around come the last minute.
“I’m really pleased with the backing the directors have given us to be able to do it. Now it’s up to us, as in the staff and the players, to make sure we keep going out and producing the right results.
“With what we’ve done up to now we’ve put ourselves in a good position. We’re aware of other players in different areas where we are considering that we might need to strengthen, but at this moment in time I’m probably going to say that I’m happy right now.
“We’re certainly feeling good going into this weekend and also, looking a little bit further ahead, I think this little run of five games will give us a really good idea of where we are and what we can start looking towards in terms of the rest of the season.
“As we go through the rest of the window we’ll continue to assess what we have, and hopefully we’ll have better luck with injuries. I am genuinely happy with the group, delighted with what they’ve done so far, and hopefully the new faces will add even more energy and competition for places.”
Expanding on that point, he added: “Greg came up and watched us train and when I was getting in the car after the session I asked him what he thought.
“All he said was that he’s glad he isn’t me, because there are some big decisions to make. I have to say, I like that to be the case. I want to have to make decisions, I want to have that choice.
“We’ve had situations this season where the team has picked itself due to availability. In fact, we’ve only had 13 and had to bolster it with youth players.
“I’m not being disrespectful to the YTS boys but it’s not quite the right time for them, it’s maybe a bit too early. I want these decisions, and the challenge as a manager is to get them right.”
As ever, one thing that could bring more transfer activity is if someone departs the building.
“We’re looking at something for Gabe Breeze, but that would have to be right for him and us,” he explained. “I need to be able to recall him if we have a problem with one of our two keepers, and I want to make sure it’s a move where he’s tested.
“He’s at an age where ideally he’ll be playing games, so we’ll see what comes of that.
“We have Lewis Bell, Sam Fishburn and Max Kilsby still out, and we’ll be talking to their loan clubs about them to see where that goes.
“I haven’t had any calls about any of our players, and I’m certainly not touting any of our players about. I don’t need to, and I don’t want anybody to go.
“If someone did come in again, it would have to be right for the club for us to do it. It would also need to be right for the player long term. That’s the only way I would consider any approach for any of our players. If an approach comes and it isn’t right, it won’t even be considered.”
And he also confirmed that the door might not be completely closed on more incoming action.
“The budget we have is one of the things I need to be aware of,” he said. “I need to know where we are and I’m just waiting for an update on what we’ve spent from it so far.
“I do have an idea, I don’t just go and splash money around, I do know where we are, but because of the bits of manoeuvring with Duncan Idehen, Sonny Hilton and the Fin Back situation, I know that we have some room to work.
“We’ll see, because I do also know that the directors are prepared to find something if we think we need it, or if we feel were really struggling or desperate. I have to say again that I don’t feel desperate as we’re talking right now, so we’re in a good place.”