Rotherham's early business in productive January window ensures quiet deadline day

A lack of transfer deadline day action, while other sides around them were strengthening, had some fans reaching for the panic button, but Rotherham got their business done early in the January window.

Perhaps that’s one legacy left by Steve Evans, who used to relish the drama and thrill of transfer deadline days, even playing up to it, and as a result it was a frantic affair with signings often arriving throughout the day.

It’s quite possible that some Millers fans expect that to be the norm now, after all they were subjected to it for three years.

But things are different now and instead of a scattergun last-day approach, which had mixed results under Evans – for every Lee Camp and Luciano Becchio there was a Jordan Slew – Neil Redfearn wasn’t going to sign anyone just for the sake of it.

Those clenching their fists in anger at no arrivals would presumably have been jumping for joy if the likes of Andrew Shinnie and Becchio had signed on Monday.

But they didn’t need to as those deals and four others were done and dusted long before Jim White whipped himself up into an unnecessary frenzy and Big Ben chimed 11.

Redfearn got to work early and after taking a long look at him beforehand got Shay Facey in for the first game of the new year, though after some up and down performances in recent weeks, the jury remains out with him.

Centre-half Aimen Belaid would also have been in place for the Preston game had international clearance not delayed his move from Levski Sofia, but the four games he has played have shown that he undoubtedly strengthens the Millers’ back line.

Becchio was also one that had planning behind and when he is up and running and fully fit, he surely will provide some goals which will help the cause.

Chris Burke, a seasoned Championship professional, already has two games under his belt and showcased what he can do while the biggest coup of the month was perhaps the capture of Shinnie from Birmingham. A highly-rated creative player, Shinnie is yet to show what he can do for the Millers, but he is part of a much stronger spine of the team than was present at the back end of last year.

The January recruitment was completed by the arrivals of Alex Cairns and Chris Dawson, both former Leeds youngsters, who are unlikely to have a massive say on the outcome of Rotherham's season.

Yes, the Millers are still light in certain areas. Redfearn tried his best to get another central midfielder in on loan on Monday while another striker probably would not go amiss.

But with the loan window opening next week, it’s hardly crisis time, and even without any further additions, the Millers are undoubtedly stronger than they were before they came into the window.

Of course now Redfearn can no longer say these aren’t his players.

Rotherham's January ins and outs

Ins

Shay Facey (Manchester City, loan), Aimen Belaid (Levski Sofia, free), Alex Cairns (free), Luciano Becchio (free), Chris Burke (Nottingham Forest, loan), Andrew Shinnie (Birmingham, loan), Chris Dawson (free).

Outs
Aidy White (Barnsley, free), Jordan Bowery (Oxford, free), Chris Maguire (Oxford, free), Adam Collin (Aberdeen, loan).

Poll time!