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So, the transfer deadline bell rang at 11pm last night to bring to a close a fairly uneventful window for the Bees – although in Lewis McLeod, Jack O’Connell, Chris Long we have fresh faces in all three out-field departments – which should bring added competition and energy in the important weeks ahead. Although there is already talk of O’Connell heading straight back up the M6 to Rochdale on loan for the remainder of the season.

I’m sure I wasn’t alone in hoping for a big-name striker to come in at last orders, but to be honest, I’ve become more accustomed to looking on in horror as other clubs come in to plunder our best players at this stage of the season – rather than for our club to go out and make marquee signings – so to escape with the likes of Jota, Dallas, Gray, Odubajo and Button not being airlifted out of GP and into the Premiership came as a slight relief.

Whether or not Mark Warburton and his team of coaches have their sights set on any loanees to help out with the Bees’ goal tally, or are intent on giving Andre Gray their full backing this season whilst Scott Hogan recovers, only time will tell… We’ll have to see what transpires when the loan window opens.

Of the sides around us in the Championship play-off positions, Derby County were undoubtedly the headline grabbers and have certainly not hidden their intent on making amends for last season’s disappointment not to have reached the Premier League. In addition to Darren Bent, the formidable Rams brought in Thomas Ince and Jesse Lingard, whilst on the flip side, top dogs Bournemouth were left frustrated when a £5m bid for Birmingham City’s Demarai Gray was rejected.

Meanwhile at Leeds United, who the Bees face this weekend at Elland Road, 6ft 4” Albanian striker Edgar Cani joined from Italian Serie B side Catania, who United have already bought two players from this season and is expected to make his debut this Saturday.

Dave Lane