Chesterfield chief Paul Cook praises staff but questions 'joke' of a Tuesday transfer deadline day
Chesterfield manager Paul Cook has paid tribute to staff for getting a transfer deal over the line with seconds to spare but talked about the “madness” of having a deadline on a busy matchday.
The necessaries for Joel Randall’s long-term loan from Bolton Wanderers went through less than a minute before Tuesday’s 11pm cut-off.
The deal was completed amidst all the distractions of the League Two fixture at home to Gillingham.
On a night when there was a full League Two programme, Chesterfield weren’t alone in trying to put the finishing touches to their squad when there were other things to think about, begging the question why such deadlines can’t be placed on quieter days.
"I think having a transfer window on a Tuesday is the biggest joke I have seen in my life,” he said. "It is absolutely crazy that we had some of the madness we had.
"Danny (Cowley, Colchester United’s manager) picked up on it and he was 100 per cent correct.
"But we have had a good transfer window and I am really pleased to get the players in and the calibre we have got.”
They included Randall, the 26-year-old play maker who has checked in on a season-long loan.
“I think the Randall one was done with eight seconds to go,” said Cook, “so Chantelle (Young), our football secretary, deserves a massive pat on the back, as well as (CEO) John Croot and all our support staff.
"These are players that over the next period of games are going to play a big part for this club.”
Randall was announced on Wednesday and it wasn’t long before the name of teenage Chelsea midfielder Kiano Dyer followed, also on a deal through to next May.
“Kiano is a player we have been after for months,” revealed Cook. “He’s a really talented young man who is going to sample first team football for the first time, which is great for him and we thank Chelsea for helping us with that.
"We also thank Bolton for helping us with Joel. He will prove to be a fans’ favourite without a shadow of a doubt. He’s a top, top player, someone I was tracking when I was at Ipswich and I tried to buy him off Exeter.
"We are delighted to get him because unfortunately for (Liam) Mandeville, (Dilan) Markanday and (Josh) Koroma there has been no break for them.”
Cook’s decision to keep faith with the starting XI who lost at Rotherham last Saturday for the Gillingham game was a surprise.
But speaking ahead of tomorrow’s match with Barnet, the manager said he now had more options and freedom to make changes in more advanced positions now that Dyer, Randall and Monday’s arrival, striker Louie Marsh from Sheffield United, are in the mix.
He added: "I think the fans are going to see more changes in the team, more rotation. We want to see these young players on the pitch and I want to put a team together that excites our supporters.”