Leeds United need another striker before transfer window closes '“ Ritchie

Mobiles will be going crackers and agents will be desperate to do some business before the window closes on Monday night – this winter window has really opened it up for them.

Things always used to be done back in the summer, but now this other window has opened and the agents’ will be firing off phone calls to everybody. I am surprised I haven’t had one!

I just think this window just adds to the stress of a manager’s role.

I have been wanting to get in touch with John Sheridan and was planning to go down and see him after he recently went back to manage Oldham. But I have just left it because I know what it is like in the transfer window. I will go and see him when it’s over.

When I was managing, I never really had the money to go for it in the transfer windows and didn’t have much scope, although I never really had it for long. I remember bringing in Danny Cadamarteri at Huddersfield once, but that was about all.

But it just seems to be getting crazy now and there’s so much going on and people working towards getting signings in.

For some teams who are in mid-table of their respective divisions, it can be a bit more of a non-event. But for those at the bottom and the top and one or two who have a hope of the play-offs, they really do get involved in it.

Some clubs can get away with it also as they haven’t got any money to do anything and there’s only limited resources at their disposal.

Even if you bring someone in on a free, you have to think of the wages.

But overall, it’s a hectic time. My son also hates this time of year as he’s a cameraman for Sky and he will be working 24-7 on deadline day outside someone’s training ground wherever that is!

Often for managers, you are just waiting on things and deals rest on other people and other teams often getting someone out or in first, before you are able to do something. If you want to get a striker in, you might have to get one out for instance. I know Steve Evans has done a few things at Leeds already in re-signing Liam Bridcutt and bringing in Toumani Diagouraga and Mustapha Carayol.

Will he be able to do much else? I don’t know, he will certainly want another striker and they have obviously seen a £300,000 bid rejected for Barnsley’s Sam Winnall this week.

Looking at Barnsley, they are on a good run and they might be thinking that they might be able to get in the play-offs in League One if he keeps scoring. I’d say it would have to be a big bid for him to go and for someone maybe higher up the Championship to have a punt on him.

In terms of Leeds getting Diagouraga from Brentford late last week, I am a little bit surprised that they have got him because he’s been a virtual ever-present for them this season.

For him to be surplus to requirements and allowed to leave is a bit of a strange one. Although maybe they thought it was money they couldn’t refuse.

I do like him as a player. He is strong, quick and aggressive in the middle of the park and is tall and has a physical presence as well and is a good player in this league.

Carayol too looks like he’s got a bit of something as well and is doing the business, scoring the equaliser in the week at Brentford to follow on from his goal against Rotherham and he has made a bit of an impact already.

But what is pleasing me as much as anything is that Souleymane Doukara – someone who have mentioned a bit previously – is showing signs of being more consistent, which is good to see and that’s like getting a new player for me and will add to Steve’s resources up front.

With the injury situation with Chris Wood, who went off with a hamstring strain at Brentford, that’s important. Although Steve is obviously wanting another striker to come in to add to his numbers.