Transfer Window Shuts

Crewe fans are left feeling frustrated as the club fail to secure a new striker before the transfer window shuts.

It may not be so much that they failed to sign one, more the lack of effort that went into trying to sign one. At 12:00pm yesterday, a full 12 hours before the window shut, Dario had seemingly given up. The club were to make no more enquiries, instead they'd wait to hear from any club willing to offload their 20 goal a season player at half-price.

Dario told the Official Site: 'We did make that one enquiry but there are no other names on the agenda.'

That one enquiry was about Bury's Andy Bishop. A 6ft striker who scored 21 goals for Bury last season, and opened the season with two goals in one game.

Bury did offer the club the chance to make 'an offer they couldn't refuse', but Dario, never one to be dictated to, didn't take them up on it. What it would have taken to get Bishop, or someone of that calibre, is now not known - but it's likely we have the funds.

With over £2.5million in transfer fees coming into the club this summer alone, lack of money cannot be an excuse. Even when we deduct the £1million+ loss we supposedly lose every year, you are still left with a healthy bank balance.

Wages cannot be an issue neither, the likes of Bury and Stockport can only, at best, match what we offer. With smaller average gates in a lower league, I don't think their budget even stretches to that.

So, after whispers of a late call from Bury and late agent activity, nothing was to materialise before mid-night on Friday. Thursday's signing of Lee Barnard could spring a saviour, but huge doubts remain over his long term fitness.

Crewe will start with Tom Pope and Chris Dickson up front once again at Swindon this afternoon. A partnership that has created one worthwhile chance in the last 180 minutes of football.

Whether these two will 'eventually' come good is neither here nor there, if they can't produce within the next week then there will be a lot of unhappy fans.

Many fans feel that with the midfield and defence strengthened, now was a good time to push on for promotion. A lack of a goalscoring striker was a big worry, but a worry we left in the hands of Dario and Steve Holland.

Their faliure to bring in a new 'main' striker could prove costly. Much like when Dean Ashton went, we're relying on unproven youngsters who Dario insists will come good. Whilst no one disputes that the likes of Pope, Miller, Dickson and Farquharson have the potential, we need goals now.

Holland has told us to give Barnard time, saying he won't be a saviour. He, however, is possibly our only hope of promotion at this current time.

So, if he doesn't score the goals; it'll be a long, hard few months for Alex fans. Mostly spent longing for the return of Nicky Maynard.

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