DEADLINE DAY: A look back over previous Deadline Day signings

In an ideal world, managers would like to make all their signings the minute the transfer window opens, giving new players maximum time to gel and allowing the manager to spend more hours on the training ground, rather than on the phone.

But unfortunately this hypothetical world doesn’t exist, meaning the vast majority of gaffers will be spending today trying to grab a last minute bargain. It’s a game of poker..who will blink first? The buying club, who have chased a player but won’t go any higher with their price, or the seller, refusing to accept a low bid in the hope that others will panic in the last minute and pay over the odds?

During the Steve Evans era, the Millers have recruited a great number of players, while also cutting lose anyone not deemed of a high enough standard to wear the red shirt. Deadline Day is 24 hours of Sky Sports inspired mass-hysteria, and it’s a day when Evans has enjoyed doing business in the past.

Last August saw Evans make a double swoop, breaking Rotherham’s transfer record in the process. Jonson Clarke-Harris was signed for big bucks from League One side Oldham, while former Leeds striker Luciano Becchio arrived from fellow Championship side Norwich City.

On the signing of the Argentinian frontman, Evans stated: “I will wake up tomorrow and still ask myself just how we have beaten the deadline to secure this player to be a Miller.”

On Clarke-Harris’ move, he said: “It is no surprise that he has been subject to a deadline day move to play Championship football”.

On the way out that day was Michael Tidser, who joined the Millers the previous summer from Greenock Morton. He went to Oldham on loan, before being subject of a bid from Morton to take him back north. FIFA rules stating players cannot play for three teams in one season unfortunately put paid to that plan.

This time last year Evans was aiming for promotion from League One, and on Deadline Day in January 2014 he was successful in acquiring a long-term target from former club Crawley Town.

Nicky Adams was Evans' sixth January signing, signing a two-and-a-half year deal. He never came close to fulfilling that deal though, quickly leaving Rotherham the following summer for David Flitcroft’s Bury, making just 15 appearances for the Millers.

The only other business done last year was extending Tom Hitchcock’s loan from QPR, a good deal considering he netted five goals for Rotherham, including a superb hat-trick in the dramatic 4-3 win at Gillingham.

Though Evans will have wanted to conclude deals earlier, he will know sometimes the best deals are to be had in January. He will be aware however, that any team struggling against relegation will be viewed as prone to a panic-buy, paying over the odds in a desperate attempt to stay up.

Tony Stewart will be keen to avoid such measures, meaning it could be a tense day for all at New York Stadium.