The Football League has argued that the introduction of transfer windows would put additional financial pressure on clubs that have historically sold players to avoid bankruptcy. However, after fighting the regulations for the past three seasons, FIFA has told them no exception will be made this time.
That is a bad - and potentially disastrous - ruling for clubs like Athletic. As Alan Hardy points out, "had the transfer window been in operation this season, we would not have been able to bring in Neil Kilkenny, Mark Hughes, Lee Croft and Alex Bruce when we did".
Oldham had only won once in ten league matches before Kilkenny, Hughes and Croft helped them to a 3-2 win over Barnsley. Now Athletic sit in relative safety in League One - and there is even hushed whispers of reaching the playoffs...
Mr. Hardy continued by stating that the number of loan moves may fall because Premiership clubs are happier to farm out players on a month-by-month basis rather than four or five months. That would make it harder for clubs like Athletic with smaller squads to cope with injuries and suspensions.
"How about signing new players?", I hear you cry. Wouldn't that help the situation? Well, yes, but with the 60% salary cap that will come into force next season, there will be less money to spend on wages, and so there is little chance of strengthening the squad.
"How about getting players to play for free?" Now you're just being silly...