Time will tell if it’s a decision that comes off or one that backfires badly.
Here’s what the top 10 promotion contenders in League One were up to in January.
Every other club made at least one new signing.
Completed deals as at 11.30pm, February 1.
5.
PORTSMOUTH: Current League One position: 5th. Ins: George Byers (Swansea, loan, pictured), Lewis Ward (Exeter, loan), Harvey White (Spurs, loan), Outs: Reeco Hackett-Fairchild (Southend, loan), Bryn Morris (Northampton, loan). Not a lot to excite Pompey fans here unless the two loanees turn out to be good. January business rating 5/10. Photo: Stu Forster Getty Images. Photo: Getty Images Europe
6.
SUNDERLAND: Current League One position: 6th. Ins: Carl Winchester (Forest Green, undisclosed), Jake Vokins (Southampton, loan, pictured), Jordan Jones (Rangers, loan), Ross Stewart (Ross County, undisclosed). Outs: George Dobson (AFC Wimbledon, loan), Elliott Embleton (Blackpool, loan), Morgan Feeney (Carlisle, free), Danny Graham (released), Will Grigg (MK Dons, loan). Stewart was apparently Sunderland's number one transfer target and if he can bridge the step up in standard he could be a shrewd signing as top scorer Charlie Wyke needs support. January business rating 7/10. Photo: Getty Images. Photo: Getty Images Europe
7.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC: Current League One position: 6th. Ins: Liam Miller (LIverpool, loan), Ronnie Schwartz (FC Midtjylland, undisclosed), Matt Smith (Arsenal, loan), Jayden Stockley (Preston, loan, pictured), Outs: Omar Bogle (Doncaster, free), Josh Davison (Forest Green, loan), Alfie Doughty (Stoke, undisclosed), George Lapslie (Mansfield, undisclosed), Marcus Maddison (Bolton, loan), Paul Smyth (returned to QPR, now Accrington), Jonny Williams (Cardiff, undisclosed). Manager Lee Bowyer has gone for the mid-season rebuild which includes the departure of temperamental Maddison and goalshy Bogle. Smith, who spent the first-half of the season loan at Swindon, and Stockley should be decent signings. January business rating 8/10. Photo: Alex Davidson Getty Images. Photo: Getty Images Europe
8.
OXFORD UNITED: Current League One position: 8th. Ins: Brandon Barker (Rangers, loan), Joe Grayson (Blackburn, loan), Elliott Lee (Luton, loan), Luke McNally (St Pat's Athletic, undisclosed). Outs: Sean Clare (Burton, loan), Jordan Obita (Wycombe, undisclosed, pictured, yellow shirt), Derick Osei Yaw (Walsall, loan). Three in on deadline day for the team in terrific form (McNally arrived last week). Lee was a star at this level for Luton. January business rating 7/10. Photo: Getty Images. Photo: Getty Images Europe