Transfer deadline day proved deeply frustrating for Kevin Nolan after one of Northampton Town’s attacking targets failed to complete his move due to an administrative lapse.
The club successfully secured midfielder Kyle McAdam and defender Ben Hammond on loan from Nottingham Forest, but two forward deals collapsed late in the day. One fell through when a Premier League side opted to keep their player, while the other broke down when the striker did not return his digital paperwork in time.
Nolan described the situation as “hugely frustrating” after Northampton were unable to secure an extension to the 19:00 deadline.
Nolan, however, was quick to stress that the disappointment of missing out on two forwards has not shaken his confidence in the squad.
He highlighted the importance of shared responsibility in front of goal, pointing to Tuesday’s draw at Barnsley where a full‑back and a centre‑half found the net.
For Nolan, that balance is essential in a relegation fight, and he believes the group already contains enough character and quality to compete.
Northampton now face a demanding run of fixtures. Stevenage visit Sixfields on Saturday before a sequence of three consecutive away matches: an EFL Trophy quarter‑final at AFC Wimbledon, followed by league trips to Exeter City and promotion‑chasing Lincoln City.
Elliott Moore, young Leicester striker Jake Evans, and Forest duo Kyle McAdam and Ben Hammond; Nolan views the latter pair as particularly significant.
He described the signings of McAdam and Hammond as a major success for the club, noting that both players arrive with the hunger to prove themselves and the potential to make an immediate impact.
Nolan has followed their development closely due to his links with the Nottingham area, and he believes their arrival strengthens the squad at a crucial stage of the season.
