The Latics boss resisted the temptation to go crazy and instead added the right players to his squad at the right price. The close of the transfer window has signalled further the stability in order at the DW Stadium.
It was clear that the club needed to bring in at least one forward player and the supporters have been treated to two. Both Albert Crusat and Shaun Maloney were captured for a total fee of £3 million, a price that could well prove to be bargain for the club.
There was also the addition of Dutch under 21 international left back Patrick van Aanholt on loan with Martinez leaving the final loan spot for the January window if needed.
It was going to be a tough task for Martinez to replace Charles N’Zogbia and the additions of Maloney and Crusat certainly add further to the footballing ethic of the club.
Crusat would appear to be a signing in the N’Zogbia mould and he will be very much an unknown entity to most of the Premier League. The diminutive 29 year old is said to have explosive pace and the skill to match. If Youtube is anything to go by, he looks like an exciting addition.
Maloney meanwhile be looking to improve on his previous spell south of the border with Aston Villa. The Scotland international forward has arrived from Celtic in a very well priced deal. Maloney will offer a good option from set-plays and should settle quickly into the club.
Van Aanholt is of particular interest as the Latics profited a great deal from the loan market last season. Both Tom Cleverley and Ali Al-Habsi were superb moves for the club last term and Van Aanholt will hopefully prove to be another such addition.
Perhaps the biggest success for the Latics was holding on to established players. The new contracts signed by Ben Watson, James McCarthy and Emmerson Boyce over recent weeks will hopefully be the first in a string on new deals for established players.
Momo Diame and Hugo Rodallega are the two other big names that supporters are hoping to see sign up for the long term. In particular, Rodallega has the opportunity to take on a significant mantel at the club and really establish himself into folklore should be play a significant portion of his remaining career with the Latics.
With many clubs going a little crazy last week, it was good to see the Latics continue to strength in a consistent and orderly manner than added further to the stability of the club.
The players added tick all the right boxes and there is still the money spare to further develop the training ground. The seventh season in the top flight is hopefully going to be another exiting chapter in our fantastic club’s history.
