Monday Night Football: Transfer Review

Numerous names have be splashed about over the summer including Lee Miller, Shaun Goater, Rob Hulse and Scott Murray, however none have made the move to the JJB despite a number of bids.

Paul Jewell must be running out of patience more, so than the supporters. He must be constantly on the phone trying to get the right player to join the squad and I would not be suprised if we see a new face before long.

The Premeiership transfer window closes on the 31st August meaning that Premiership clubs cannot buy players any more until the window re-opens in January. Leaving just Nationwide League clubs able to wheel-and-deal.

Due to this enforced lack of Premiership activity, bidding wars for players like Jason Roberts and Leon McKenzie will have to take place very soon if a Premiership club is going to take them on.

If not that means the Latics move from being a small fish in a very large pong, to a large fish in an ever shrinking pond.

Financially now, most of the clubs in the first division have assembled their squads for an assault on the league this season. Meanwhile Jewell has been very wise and has waited until a point when clubs require the money to see them through the season, and they also wish to get players off their wage bills . Leaving them with just one option... to sell at a reduced rate to Wigan Athletic Football Club.

Jason Roberts

First up is the case of Jason Roberts. He is currently very unhappy at West Brom and is seeking a move elsewhere. Wigan have already made a bid of £1.5 million only to see this rejected as the Baggies hold out for a more lucrative offer from a host of hovering Premiership sides.

This offer has not arrived and in less than a fortnight they may be forced to sell to the Latics for the reduced rate, or keep the un-interested striker on their books until January, by which time they will have paid him six months wages and seen his transfer value decrease sharply.

Roberts would love a move to Wigan. He is good friends with Nathan Ellington after the pair formed a wonderful partnership at Bristol Rovers before they each left for pastures new, and they would love to re-unite at the JJB.

I would not rule out this transfer in early September.

Leon McKenzie

It is also a similar case with Leon McKenzie, the 25 year old Peterborough forward. We have already stolen Jimmy Bullard from the Posh for £300,000 and McKenzie could be the next bargain to be brought to the JJB for the same fee.

Barry Fry has been quoted as saying: "We have turned down a bid of £375,000 from Wigan Athletic for Leon. Paul Jewell spoke to me in the week and expressed an interest, but his bid the next day failed to meet our asking price of £750,000."

I feel that cashed strapped Posh may relucantly have to take the money and be happy soon. With Jewell sat, feeling pleased with himself, behind his desk, safe in the knowledge he has secured another bargain buy.

Tony Dinning meanwhile has been strongly linked with a move to Coventry City in recent weeks. I hope he does not leave because he is a very good player, and a very important one in the Latics team and would be missed.

He would surely command a fee similar to that which brought him to the club of around £1 million depending on apperances.

Matthew Spring

All is not lost in the midfield department however, because despite this possible departure, is seems likely that Matthew Spring from Luton Town may be coming inward to join up with Jimmy Bullard, Jason Jarrett and Paul Mitchell in the Wigan midfield engine room.

Luton Town, on the other hand do not require as much money as the other clubs and Spring is a regular in their first team. Despite this I am sure that if the Latics came knocking he would be very tempted by a move to the JJB and this unrest may force the Hatters to accept a bid of close to half a million.

Paul Jewell: Eye for a good player

A comforting point is that all these players below 25 years of age, are all very talented and are the type of players every club wants in their armoury. It was also good to hear Paul Jewell say: "I don't want to ruin the club by bringing in players and paying them what they want and paying whatever their club wants."

Finally, a manager who only buys the right players. I await early September eagerly, I just hope the Jewell does not disappoint. I draw confidence from his previous signings and how good value for money we have gained from them all.

John Filan (£600,000), Nicky Eaden (Free), Jason de Vos (£600,000), Ian Breckin (Free), Nathan Ellington (£1.2 million), Mike Flynn (£30,000), Jason Jarrett (£75,000), Jimmy Bullard (£300,000) and Gary Teale (£275,000).

Paul Farrington
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