Norwich City sporting director Ben Knapper described the situation as "chaos", "unnecessary pressure", and "logistical challenges". He told the BBC's 72+ EFL podcast that it added another dimension to the day, affecting not just him but also players, head coaches, and everyone involved. Knapper also expressed his gratitude to Stoke City for providing a room for him to work out of at the bet365 Stadium.
Colchester United manager Danny Cowley was more critical, calling the situation "crazy" and questioning how the decisions were made. He highlighted the impact on League Two clubs, which had a full schedule of fixtures on the same day. Cowley suggested that the EFL should have communicated with clubs to ask for their preferences and avoid scheduling matches on transfer deadline day.
The EFL has several issues that have reduced the number of available fixture dates and limited the flexibility of the season. These include an already congested football calendar, changes to the international match calendar, and the growth of Uefa club competitions. The transfer window dates are decided in conjunction with the Football Association and Premier League, and consideration is given to the dates adopted by leagues on the continent.
The EFL is set to discuss the scheduling of transfer deadline day with clubs in the coming weeks, with a view to finding a solution to the problems faced by clubs.