SO the transfer window has now slammed shut and Graeme Souness believes he has assembled a squad capable of keeping Blackburn Rovers in the Premiership.

Considering the current lack of finances at Ewood, Rovers were not expected to be one of the biggest movers and shakers in January.

But seven players have still come and gone through the revolving doors at Brockhall, which made Souness one of the busiest managers during a frantic month of transfer dealing.

He had to scour Europe for bargains, knowing that his scope for bringing players in would largely depend on his ability to get people out.

Deals to off-load both Ciccio Grabbi and Dino Baggio were hastily arranged to free up space on the wage-bill, and Rovers also reluctantly accepted an offer from Birmingham City for Martin Taylor.

Souness then strengthened the four key areas he had identified at the beginning of the month - namely a new keeper, a left-sided midfielder, a central midfield player and a new striker.

So step forward Peter Enckelman, Michael Gray, Martin Andresen and Jonathan Stead, all purchased at a combined cost of just more than £1 million.

Opinion on the terraces currently appears to be divided. I met one cynic earlier this week who was far from impressed with the new quartet.

"We've signed a keeper who was third choice at Aston Villa, a bloke who failed to make it in English football last time he was here, a guy who went down with Sunderland last season, and a 20-year-old striker who's had one decent season in the Third Division."

But I'm more of a 'glass is half full' than a 'glass is half empty' person and I'm ready to give the new arrivals the benefit of the doubt.

Peter Enckelman was keeping Peter Schmeichel out of the Aston Villa team at one point and he had proved himself to be a more than capable Premiership keeper until he made one high-profile mistake in a Midlands derby against Birmingham. He will provide adequate cover for Brad Friedel between now and May

Michael Gray showed what he is all about with an encouraging debut against Chelsea on Sunday. His versatility and the fact he is naturally left-footed will give the squad more balance.

Martin Andresen is perhaps the wild card of the four but you don't get voted the Norwegian Player of the Year if you haven't got something about you and the fact he has lived in England before should mean he will have no problems settling in.

And finally, we come to Jonathan Stead. It's asking a lot to expect someone to make the step up from the Third Division to the Premiership but from what I've seen of him, he looks like a natural goalscorer with exceptionally good feet for a big man. The fact he has already scored 18 goals this season means he will be brimming with confidence.