SILLY SEASON
Gillingham
Gillingham boss Justin Edinburgh believes the crazy finances at the top level are beginning to filter through.
Edinburgh was unable to add an additional striker to his squad before the window closed and was met with some “astronomical” wage demands.
Over £1 billion was spent by the top English clubs during the latest transfer window and even players on the fringes are being paid top money.
Edinburgh has three senior strikers in Jay Em ma n u e l - T h oma s , Cody McDonald and Rory Donnelly. The manager is confident he has enough but would still have liked more.
“You are always looking and you can never have enough strikers,” said Edinburgh.
“We made enquiries with one or two but wages of these Championship and Premier League players is quite astronomical, and it is as if League 1 and League 2 clubs are suffering because of money that is in the higher levels.
“Those clubs are paying them and they want to recoup 50- 60% of the wages and that is a huge amount.
“It is difficult to find that money to bring those players to the club. The money in the game does have a knock-on effect.”
Free agents can still be signed and the availability of former QPR and Nottingham Forest striker Dexter Blackstock caught the manager’s eye. But on Monday he signed a three-year deal for Championship side Rotherham.
Edinburgh said: “It is easy saying you need a player but getting the right player who is going to make you better is difficult.
“There is a lot of money being spent at this level, from every club and it is difficult to compete.”
Gills fans had been hoping that Edinburgh would be able to bring in another forward before the deadline closed last week.
But he said: “We have been on the lookout since the summer. We are always looking.
“I didn’t think there was the striker out there that we could bring in who was better than what we had. We are confident what we have here is going to be successful.”
But after making 12 signings in the window, Edinburgh added: “I have been absolutely delighted with our recruitment. We have a real good group and the players to win matches.
“It is the best squad I have had since I have been here.”
Scott Wagstaff is closing in on his Gillingham debut. The former Charlton and Bristol City midfielder has yet to play a competitive game for the Gills after picking up an injury in pre-season.
Wagstaff was signed on a free transfer following his summer release from Ashton Gate but suffered a calf injury in the game at Billericay.
Boss Justin Edinburgh could have Wagstaff available against Bradford tomorrow (Saturday).
Edinburgh said: “If things go to plan with his training programme and he continues to train well then it looks like we will be able to bring him into the squad on Saturday.”
Fellow midfielder Bradley Dack is still suffering with bruising to a knee and Edinburgh could pull him out for a week to ensure the problems goes for good.”