Reading FC manager Noel Hunt says that the club attempted to bring some players in on transfer deadline day, but saw players opt for other teams in higher divisions.
The Royals were active throughout the summer as they brought in 12 new recruits in total, but were unable to add to their squad on the final day.
Speaking on Royals TV, Hunt was asked whether he understands the frustrations of some fans about the club’s inactivity on the final day.
He said: “Of course we do. We’ve had many chats where we’ve hit the crossbar where clubs have pulled out if they don’t want to sell or loan their players now.
“We tried to sign a few players today (Monday) who ended up going to Championship clubs. We don’t want to get somebody just in as a squad player, we want someone who comes in and improves the group and makes us stronger.”
Despite that, he is not ruling out the club making further additions in the free agents market, who are able to sign for the club outside of the transfer window.
He said: “It’s not over yet, but what we have right now is what we have.”
Hunt added: “We’re four unbeaten and it’s important we keep that going into tomorrow night and that’s what we’re focusing on.
“Matt Ritchie coming into the group, getting minutes and getting fit will make us stronger.
Then you look at the top end of the pitch we’ve got Jack (Marriott), Kelvin (Ehibhatiomhan) and Mark (O’Mahony) in the nine area. We’ve got Paddy Lane on one side who isn’t fit yet and has only come back with two or three days training and did great last Saturday. It’s important to get an ultra competitive team out on the pitch.
“We’re trying to get these boys up to speed with the intensity we work at and how we press and they’re working really hard to get there. We feel it’s going in the right direction.
Hunt also spoke about the importance of getting the right characters in at the club.
He added: It’s massive for me. When I came back to the club three and half years ago it wasn;t the club I left with the people around it and the bad actors around it.
“A lot of them have gone now, most of them are gone. I think all of them are gone if I’m being honest and we want people who want to come in work hard, be successful, not chase the money and the hype of the footballer lifestyle. People who are proud to come in and work hard and make sure we get better together as a team.”
