Cox patient as Stags’ transfer frustration drags on

Stags have two crucial home games in four days this week, starting with Saturday’s visit of fellow strugglers Wycombe Wanderers, but time is running out on being able to close a deal with one of several strikers he has spoken to, including Crawley Town’s Emile Sinclair.

“Emile is one of a number of players we have actually spoken to,” said Cox. “We are quite close on a number of them in a way, but there are still things that need ironing out and sorting out.

“I have been in the game long enough to know the bigger transfers always take time and there are always complications at some point.

“We have run into a few brick walls, but that is expected. We are now ironing things out and see if we can do something with one of the players for Saturday.

“A lot of the things you come up against are uncontrollables. They are frustrating, but I tend not to worry about them. Sometimes you have to down tools on a deal and move on.

“I am feeling quite positive. If we can’t get one for Saturday there is no panic as these things can be drawn out.”

He added: “I don’t know why they brought in a transfer window. I think one group of people who make money out of it are agents. That’s not having a go at them as we need agents in the game and we have to work with them. But come February I can still bring someone in on an emergency loan.

“We have done well in past windows. We have brought in the likes of Gary Roberts, Adam Chapman, James Jennings and John Dempster. It is a time when a squad that have got to know each other needs freshening up with a fresh person and a fresh voice.

“It’s not rocket science to know we need a goalscorer, but the whole league is looking for a goalscorer as it is fine lines between a draw and a win and a loss and a draw.

“You look at your points haul and it’s what ifs and maybes. I don’t want to look back at the end of the season and think we have missed out because of all that. We need adding to. But we have to be patient and pick the right player to come in.”