There are several explanations for this. One, the gate receipts from the sell-out Man Utd game, secondly, offers which undervalued our players and, finally, recognition that the club cannot afford to weaken any further given our league position.
Liptak at 6'4 will add height and competition for places in the central defensive positions. Centre back has been a problem position for Saints all season and with Svensson unlikely to play again, three centre backs are not enough cover, particularly with Saeijs and Perry the wrong side of thirty and Lancashire still learning the game.
At 24, Liptak is still learning the game and has a less than stellar CV outside of the Hungarian top flight, having had a spell at League One Southend where he was loaned out to Conference side Stevenage. He also has 15 Hungary U21 caps, but has yet to make the breakthrough into the full national side.
Not exactly inspiring, but with finances so tight, he may have been the only viable option available and could surprise all of us and turn out to be a decent loan signing.
The real positives in the transfer window though are those that remain at the club. Lallana, Surman and Schneiderlin are all still here and Saganowski is back. Saeijs has also looked a very good signing, even if Ryan Smith is yet to convince despite flashes of potential. Rudi Skacel is also still here despite his best efforts and if he can get his head sorted, will provide welcome quality on the left flank.
It was of course a shame to see the likeable Jan Poortvliet depart, but it was long overdue and gives Saints a chance to turn things around after his attempt at delivering Total Football ended in failure. A proven Championship manager to replace him would have been even better, but Mark Wotte has at least shown signs of a more pragmatic approach.
It still looks a battle for Saints to stay up and it hardly helps having Rasiak on loan to one of our key relegation rivals, Watford. He would be an excellent foil to Saganowski's quality, but unless Saints can clear the overdraft we will just have to hope that he fails to shine in front of goal.