With January now upon us, Paul Hurst wasted no time in making Aristote Nsiala his first signing as Town boss. Toto joined from Hartlepool United on New Year’s Day, but the paperwork wouldn’t go through in time to face Fleetwood the day after. With all the optimism of a new year, Town’s game with Fleetwood proved to be a disappointment as the side never really got going and Devante Cole scored the only goal of the game for the visitors.
With Fleetwood now out of the way for the final time, Paul made his second and third signings of the window as he brought in Winger Alex Rodman on an 18 month deal from Notts County and Striker Freddie Ladapo on loan from Crystal Palace. The new trio of Town signings made their debut’s against Swindon Town and it was a nightmare start for Toto who gave away a penalty and was sent off as Swindon took the lead. However, Town bounced back well and Mat Sadler scored a second half equaliser as Town took home a share of the spoils.
That game would be the start of a six match unbeaten run for Paul Hurst’s side. The home game against Bradford City saw Freddie Ladapo score his first goal for the club and he brought out an unorthodox dancing celebration which had everyone across the country talking about the young striker. He would be shaking his hips again next time out as he scored the goal in Town’s second consecutive 1-0 win, this time against Ladapo’s former club Oldham Athletic.
Town continued to be busy in the transfer market with Bryn Morris arriving from Middlesbrough, Tyler Roberts from West Brom and Stephen Humphrys from Fulham as Town looked to bring in bodies to replace the likes of George Waring, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Jim O’Brien, all of whom had left the club in January.
Town would draw one-all in their final game of the month as Alex Rodman scored his first Town goal against fellow relegation strugglers Gillingham. The good run in January had helped lift Town out of the relegation zone and with Stefan Payne and Ryan Yates arriving on the final two days of the transfer window, there was optimism around the Greenhous Meadow heading into February.