With the Bulls about to enter trading on their third January transfer window, it has been a mixed bag for signings in the last two years.
In the first season the Bulls were subject to a transfer window, they made only one permanent signing with Stuart Fleetwood arriving in late January 2006 to bolster the forward line. His initial success, three goals in successive games once he had attainted match fitness, faded away and he increasingly became a bit-player with glimpses of brilliance before being released this summer.
Last season, the Bulls brought in Ben Smith and Danny Thomas on contract. Smith's arrival brough fresh optimism, and Graham Turner built the current side around the ball playing midfielder. Thomas was a hit and miss winger, with slightly more misses than hits. Early good performances were overtaken with poor ones, and the fans were still split on his talents when his release was announced.
Four loan signings were also agreed in the window. Last season Steve Guinan followed Ben Smith in a return to Edgar Street and instantly paid dividends. Steven Jennings also arrived from Tranmere, with fans content with his midfield performances.
The previous season, Nicky Nicolau and Daryl Taylor both arrived for the Conference push. Nicolau was solid but no better than those already at the club while Taylor, in his second spell at Edgar Street, was a pale imitation of the player that wowed the fans the season before before a crunching tackle ended his season.
As always Graham Turner will keep his dealings silent until the ink is dry, but movement has been promised and he will have been working on new faces for weeks already.