OLDHAM Athletic have used the transfer window to address the main reason why they continue to languish in the lower reaches of Sky Bet League Two – a chronic lack of firepower.
Who knows whether it is owner Abdallah Lemsagam or head coach Dino Maamria who has made the captures, but Latics have taken decisive action as three of the five new arrivals are strikers.
And in Danny Rowe, signed from AFC Fylde for an undisclosed sum, they have one of the most prolific marksmen in non-league football.
In his six years with the Coasters, Rowe scored a remarkable 192 goals in 293 appearances.
The question remains whether Rowe, who has also played for Stockport County and Lincoln City, can re-produce that form at a higher level in the EFL (English Football League).
Rowe has been joined by Mani Dieseruvwe, a 6ft 5in front man, signed on loan from Salford City until the end of the season, and free agent Zak Dearnley.
Dieseruvwe, who netted the first two goals Salford scored on their EFL debut when they beat Stevenage on the opening day of the season, sadly injured his ankle on debut for Latics at Macclesfield and has missed the last two matches.
Dearnley, meanwhile, had a loan spell with Latics last season from Manchester United who released him in the summer. He has since been without a club.
Latics have also added Christian N’Guessan, an attacking midfielder, to their squad as he arrives on loan from Premier League club Burnley.
If you count N’Guessan as a forward and also wingers Johan Branger-Engone and Jonny Smith, who can also play up top, Latics have a remarkable 11 front men on their books.
However, the whereabouts of Urko Vera are unknown – rumours are he is in Spain looking for a club – and Kielan Adams has been loaned to National League club Chorley.
And there was even one further striker on their books as Jean-Louis Akpo Akpra had a short-term contract until January, but that has not been renewed.
Latics’ other January arrival has been centre-back Carl Piergianni on loan from Salford for the remainder of the season.
Piergianni will help plug the defensive gap created by the loss of Jamie Stott through a serious hamstring injury.
Latics remain in the lower reaches of League Two but are not in any immediate danger as they are seven points clear of bottom club Morecambe, who occupy the one relegation place.
While they have drawn each of their last three games against Macclesfield, Stevenage and Carlisle – all teams below them in the league – they have a worrying haul of only three points from a possible 18.
And with four of their next six league fixtures against promotion chasing Bradford City, Crewe, Exeter and Forest Green Rovers, there is still no room for complacency.
Even next opponents Salford on Saturday (Jan 25) still haven’t given up hope of challenging for promotion in their debut campaign in the EFL.