I've worked at Sky Sports for over five years so I never escape the hype of a Transfer Window and the much-anticipated Deadline Day. As a Live Producer I co-ordinate the live crosses with reporters across the country, so those two days a year are undoubtedly the busiest of the calendar for me.
But this window, and yesterday's Deadline Day held an added significance as it was probably one of the most crucial for Wigan Athletic.
In seasons gone by transfer windows have been mostly been about 'will they stay?', 'can we keep hold of our stars?' and waiting for Jim White and the Big Ben bongs to breathe a sigh of relief as players have remained with us.
But this window was a mass exodus like we've never known. The exits of Shaun Maloney, Callum McManaman and Ben Watson struck a chord that the FA Cup win is becoming more and more of a distant memory.
Added to that, Roger Espinoza and Fraser Fyvie had their contracts terminated by mutual consent at the end of December and beginning of February respectively. That teamsheet from Wembley is increasingly unrecognisable.
And the fans, myself included, have great frustrations with Malky Mackay for coming in and ripping up the squads around him. The squads built by Roberto Martinez in part, then Owen Coyle, then largely by Uwe Rosler, are being stripped to their bare bones. But for the first time I am starting to see some logic.
Jonathan Jackson's interview in the Wigan Evening Post last week struck a chord that relegation is a realistic option for Latics and the club don't want to go into the prospect of League One looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
Dave Whelan's ban has meant his grandson David Sharpe and Jackson have been responsible for off-the-field business and they've had a tough task this last month of shifting the big wage earners in preparation for the drop in parachute payments and a possible drop down a division.
Whelan our guardian angel is no more. Never before have we let players go so easily but Jackson's words showed us fans that perhaps the club had no choice. There has been no room for sentiment this January.
And so to Mackay's signings. What do we know about them? There isn't a name that stands out as such but Malky is no mug, despite his off-the-pitch alleged failings.
Billy Mckay is the exact opposite of Oriel Riera and Andy Delort. Instead of the imports who come with continental flair, Malky has opted for someone who knows where the goal is and might not be so glamorous (or take as many selfies). I've seen a fair bit of criticism for Mckay's signing before he's even kicked a ball for us, but to those doubters I say this: what did we know about James McCarthy and James McArthur when they moved from Hamilton?
Jason Pearce hadn't been playing much at Leeds, but should steady a fastly-sinking ship at Wigan as he comes with a point to prove.
The move that should excite Wigan fans most is Sheyi Ojo on loan from Liverpool. We'll be doing Brendan Rodgers a favour by giving him first-team football and those that have seen him in action rave about him.
Chris Herd, Leon Clarke and Gaetan Bong have also come in, so all-in-all this Saturday's starting eleven against Bournemouth will start to look like the team that Malky built. No excuses anymore - this is the team he wants - for now.
Mackay's comments about only needing players who want to play for the club speak volumes for Mackay's management style and his intentions at Wigan. Brian Clough or Sir Alex Ferguson he is not, but he doesn't seem to be tolerate attitude problems or lack of effort.
So for now Malky needs to show his own effort and determined attitude, starting at home to Bournemouth.
It's not going to be easy, and he'll most definitely be dipping into the emergency loan window when it opens, but now is the official 'business-end' of the season. It's win or bust.
And just remember, Uncle Dave might not be around now, but he'll be back soon and he doesn't suffer fools gladly...
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