A late foray into the transfer market gave Millwall fans some much needed deadline day drama, as Gary Rowett left it late to bring attacking reinforcements to The Den.
Given their significant summer outlay, it was important the Lions spent money wisely and recruited in the right places during this month’s window.
Rowett’s early season shift to a 4-2-3-1 had exposed a lack of depth in the wide positions and, coupled with Benik Afobe’s departure, made bolstering the attacking line the main priority.
The early January signing of Aidomo Emakhu from Shamrock Rovers looks like good forward planning with the 19-year-old prospect unlikely to move the needle for the Lions here and now.
However, Millwall made a bold move in the last week of the window as a club record bid of around £2.5m for Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet was accepted.
It was another sign of the ambition the club have shown in the market this season with Nisbet’s age, profile and goalscoring record making the Scottish forward appear to be a gem of a signing.
Unfortunately, at the eleventh hour an apparent change of heart saw the 25-year-old fly back to Scotland and call the deal off, appearing to leave Millwall struggling to make any significant additions in such a short space of time.
So Lions fans will have been surprised at news of two arrivals just a day before the window closed – the return of Oliver Burke on loan from Werder Bremen and Duncan Watmore for an undisclosed fee.
Burke impressed Rowett during a loan spell from Sheffield United in the second-half of last season and looked certain to move permanently in the summer before an offer to join the Bundesliga side appeared too good to turn down.
Time in Germany hasn’t quite gone to plan for the 25-year-old though, and with just one start this season, he’s back in Bermondsey to re-introduce his much-needed direct pace and ball carrying ability to the side.
While he arguably didn’t set the world alight in his first spell, the forward grew in confidence to add depth across the frontline by being utilised both as an out-and-out striker and wideman.
A winger who can drive at players and progress the side up the pitch can be a great asset and should Burke be able to get up to speed quickly, he will offer a dimension that is seriously lacking from Millwall’s current wide options.
In comparison, the signing of 28-year-old Duncan Watmore may have raised a few eyebrows amongst Millwall and Middlesbrough fans but could turn out to be a shrewd piece of business.
Like Burke, Watmore is a ball carrier who can progress play up the field through dribbling and passing and also chips in with goals – his five so far this season already more than all four of Millwall’s wide options combined.
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If he can replicate that form for Millwall, then he will prove to be a crucial addition for the run-in and a massive blow to a direct Play-Off rival in the form of Middlesbrough.
Millwall may have missed out on their big money target this window, but big moves in January often go awry while ready-made Championship attackers who should be able to make an instant impact can prove more valuable.
It may not be splashing the cash as much as fans would have hoped, but for now, Millwall have strengthened their weakest area, added variety to the attack and may well have set themselves up for a strong end to the season.