New signings: The Lowdown

First of all, EMILE HESKEY, personally I was rather gutted at the prospect of him leading our front line but he's one of these players that thrives on confidence, Jewell got the best out of the Duke so who knows what he's going to get out of big Emile! And lets face it, it'll be p*ss funny if he scores the winner at Anfield!!!

Jewell will get the best out of Heskey

He's been joined by his old teammate Chris Kirkland. Dubbed as the unluckiest footballer in the world, ‘Kirky' has suffered injury upon injury in a career that not even a slave would be jealous of. So it's time for a bit of luck to swing his way, he recently became the first Wigan player to pull on an England jersey. Another of England's best keepers between the sticks at the JJB, if Kirkland stays injury free (touch wood), we should have one of the best young keepers in the world on our hands at little Wigan, scary thought!

World Cup star Denny Landzaat is the replacement for our old friend Mr Bullard, Denny is another fantastic addition, has Jimmy's enthusiasm but also has that ability to take a corner and the odd free kick! Our set pieces have looked dodgy in the past, but is our problem solved??? You bet it is!

Next up is the young lad Thomasz Cwyka, another I was unsure of but after watching some of his performances in pre-season, he's an exciting prospect, maybe not this season but in the next couple of years, this guy could really make a name for himself. Quick to the ball and quick on the thing as well!

Now, we made that all important raid on Crystal Palace to fill our defensive gaps. From the start I have been happy with Fitz Hall. One size seems like one of these no nonsense defenders, just what we need and the perfect partner for Arjan! Much better than that ex-scouse, swiss, keeper lover we had last season!

Emmerson Boyce is the only one yet to impress me. I saw him at Halifax

Valencia: Exciting prospect

and since at Newcastle, whether it's me comparing him to Pascal Chim-bootsaretoobig-da or not, I'm not sure but I am a bit worried about that side this season, he doesn't seem as comfortable going forward as Pascal did. Mind you saying that, maybe it's a bit rash judging a player on 2 games so the lad deserves a bit of time.

My overall favourite though is Luis Antonio Valencia. He really impressed me in the World Cup and was one of the best young players. I really expected him to sign for a big club so seeing him jet in to Wigan was somewhat strange. He's not something you would usually expect with a winger. Don't get me wrong, he's fast and skilful like a winger should be but his height and strength give him that extra advantage, what a prospect!!! Let's just hope we snap him up permanently before the big boys come in!

Overall another good set of additions to our already talent packed squad! Good work Mr Jewell and also Mr Benson and Green! Shame ‘Benno' couldn't have done this job last time he was at the club, we may have gained promotion a lot earlier than we actually did, not that I'm one to hold grudges!

Up the tics!