They left it late, but Joey Barton and Bristol Rovers found defensive reinforcements in the final minutes of the January transfer window. Deals were announced for Aston Villa prospect Lamare Bogarde and Stockport County defender Calum Macdonald as the 11pm deadline struck.
The pair increased Rovers' January incomings to five, joining Jarell Quansah, Ellery Balcombe and Grant Ward. Meanwhile, five players exited the club across the month, with Bobby Thomas being the only true surprise departure, heading elsewhere alongside Harvey Saunders, Trevor Clarke, Alfie Kilgour and Zain Westbrooke.
So five in and five out for the Gas, and Barton hopes that will equate to a strengthened squad over the final 17 games of the season for the Gas, who hold aspirations of challenging for a top-six place despite successive league defeats.
