Shrewsbury Town boss Gareth Ainsworth has admitted that the club missed out on two potential signings on deadline day, despite working until the final moments of the transfer window.
The Shrews managed to secure the loan signing of striker Vadaine Oliver from Bradford City, but Ainsworth revealed that the club were hoping to add more reinforcements before the 11pm deadline.
Missed Opportunities in the Market
Ainsworth expressed his frustration at the challenges of recruitment, stating that inflated transfer fees played a key role in Shrewsbury’s inability to land their targets.
“Believe me… we have tried. We tried to get two more names in. It has been really tough. First of all, some of the money that has been spent is crackers. We will not put this club in jeopardy by getting involved in some crazy spending at this time of year, it is just not the right thing.”
He added that once one club starts spending big, others can get “sucked into” the same pattern, but he remained calm and pragmatic about the situation.
Ainsworth’s First Deadline Day in Charge
The January transfer window saw significant squad turnover for Shrewsbury, with seven players departing and five new faces arriving. Ainsworth, experiencing his first deadline day as Shrewsbury boss, remained positive about the club’s dealings.
“It has been my first deadline day, and we have got one in. Really pleased we have got Vadaine Oliver in from Bradford. I think he is going to be great. He is all action, the way we play getting that ball forward, I think Vadaine is going to be a real threat. It offloads the forwards who have been doing so well lately.”
Building for a Survival Push
With Shrewsbury battling to secure their League One status, Ainsworth remains optimistic about his squad. While missing out on further additions was disappointing, the addition of Oliver is expected to bolster the team’s attacking options.
Writer’s View
Despite missing out on last-minute signings, Ainsworth’s approach reflects a long-term vision rather than short-term panic. The refusal to overspend aligns with Shrewsbury’s sustainable approach, though the coming months will determine whether their deadline day business was enough to secure League One survival.