THE January transfer window brought both joy and frustration for Bury head coach Chris Brass.

The winter window shut on Tuesday with the Shakers adding 10 new faces over the month, while five players also left Gigg Lane.

However, Brass claims mistakes made in the summer transfer window, when David Flitcroft was manager, forced him into making wholesale changes.

“When we looked at the whole picture we are happy with the business we have done,” Brass told Bury Times.

“But the harsh reality is this type of business should be done in the summer. We should have just been fine-tuning in January, but unfortunately it was not done in the summer.”

The Shakers now have a 33-man squad – including seven loanees, of which only five can be included in any match-day squad. Only time will tell if the latest additions enhance the quality of the team, but they have given Brass more options.

“The deals were not rushed,” Brass explained. “It was important we tied up Jacob (Bedeau) first. We had to be comfortable with everything and make sure it was rubber stamped.

“We had been working on them for a while and we appreciate the help we have been given.

“We have plenty of cover now and should never be in the position like we were at Fleetwood when we couldn’t fill the bench.

“Players will be fighting for a place on the bench as well as a starting spot now, which is what I wanted. There needs to be competition for places.”

Meanwhile, Bury’s deadline-day sale of long-serving midfielder Tom Soares to AFC Wimbledon caused some upset among Shakers supporters.

The 30-year-old scored the promotion-clinching goal against Tranmere to take Bury into League One two years ago.

But Brass said the offer received suited every party and he wished Soares the very best as he moved closer to his family.

Brass said: “Tom’s contract was up in the summer. He is based in the south and he is at that age now where he has been away from his family for a number of years.

“Fair play to Wimbledon, they offered a decent fee, which you don’t normally get for someone of Tom’s age.”