Sinclair signs just in time!

All through deadline day the tumbleweed that was whistling across Sixfields during the great manager hunt of January 2014 seemed to make its way back around Upton Way. Despite plenty of rumours, red herrings and internet chatter there was nothing firm and it seemed like we would have to settle for the three signings from Thursday. But then, news filtered through of a player who was inside Sixfields and taking part in a medical.

Suddenly all was not lost as the finer parts of the deal were ironed out. But boy did we leave it late! At 10:30pm, the medical was complete and by 10:40pm the paperwork seemed to be done. It wasn’t until five minutes before the end of the window, though, that the deal was complete and announced and it was a good one. Emile Sinclair joins the club initially on loan until the end of the season but with a view to a permanent, two year deal in the summer.

Sinclair, who started his career with stints with the Bradford City and Nottingham Forest youth outfits, made his name with Macclesfield Town before signing for Peterborough United in 2011. After a year and a half he fell out of favour at London Road and spent time on loan at Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers before joining Crawley Town last summer for £100,000. He’s scored twice in nine appearances so far this season.

The interesting part of this one is the clever terms that Sinclair is on loan with a view to a permanent summer move. It works for both parties with presumably the player free to leave if we’re relegated but with the Cobblers first in line to get in there with a fully-fledged two year contract in the summer when he may well have regained the sort of form that attracted Peterborough a couple of years ago. He’s definitely going to cause defences problems with his pace and power and seems a good foil for the man likely to be partnering him up front, Alan Connell.

It brings to an end an excellent couple of days for Chris Wilder with four very good (and not short term loans!) signings in and other departing including Ishmel Demontagnac’s exit earlier today.

Now that the window is closed we go full steam ahead for the great escape attempt, starting tomorrow at Cheltenham Town. I’m off to get some sleep!