01-13-2008, 12:14 AM
United boss Dennis Wise is delighted with his business so far during the January transfer window.
In the space of just 10 days, Wisey snapped up midfield quartet Neil Kilkenny, Seb Sorsa, Bradley Johnson, and Peter Sweeney, and also brought in centre-back Darren Kenton on loan from Leicester City.
The boss had identified his targets - and after suffering back-to-back league defeats for the first time over the Christmas period says he wanted his business done as quickly as possible in readiness for the next push.
"I wanted to do it early, and I have been realistic," he explained.
"You can wait and there's a big scramble at the end of the month. I don't want to be in that. We'd earmarked the players we wanted to bring in and got them.
"There were other teams interested, but you look at Leeds and other teams. Who do you choose? Leeds. A Championship side or Leeds? You choose Leeds.
"Where's the club going? How many fans have you got? They come here and they love it.
"I've done a fair bulk of it now. I'm still looking at Lubo - whether that happens, we'll wait and see - and then it's a loan striker.
"After that the shopping could be finished."
Kenton and Sweeney both finalised their moves on Thursday - and the boss knows both players well.
"It''s good when you work with them and know what they're like," he explained. "It's a big insight. You know their thoughts and their attitudes. They're two good players who have played in the Championship for a long time.
"Kents worked with me a bit at Southampton. I was temporary manager for three games and he was out in the cold, but I played him and he did well.
"I had Peter at Millwall. He's got a lot of talent. He's not progressed as much as I thought he would with the ability he's got. I hope I can push him on."
Kilkenny went straight into the side against Northampton last weekend, winning the man of the match award, and the boss says Kenton is battling with Matt Heath for the right to partner Paul Huntington at the back at Crewe on Monday.
Dennis says there's a "possibility" his new new signings could feature in the televised clash.