Arjan De Zeeuw left us at the end of the 2001/02 season. He left for Portsmouth. No-one at the club quite understood this move and many critised him for it. Fair enough, Portsmouth were a First division club, but they had always been one fighting relegation.
This changed the season that 'Arry' was added to their ranks because players such as Paul Merson also joined. Their benefactor, Milan Mandaric had decided to put his hand in his pocket and have a shot at the Premiership. They succeeded.
However, I doubt that many Latics fans would have agreed that at the age of 33 Arjan De Zeeuw would be capable of making the step up to the Premiership. Of course he is a very good defender and has undoubtably looked after himself throughout his lifetime, but you just couldn't imagine him stopping Henry or Van Nistelrooij!
Despite all this, he has completed the first mission. Henry, although he scored against Portsmouth in the 1-1 draw. It was from 12 yards after Pires 'won' a penalty.
Anyway, after the signings of Boris Zivkovic and Dejan Stefanovic, all defenders I thought he may be on his way out. They already had Hayden Foxe and so this left them with three central defenders besides Arjan.
He started the first game of the season at left back against Aston Villa in the 2-1 win. He did more than prove his worth in this game though as he was centre back for the next game verses Man City and he has stayed their since.
Portsmouth faced Arsenal at highbury this weekend, possibly their biggest test of the season other than a trip to Old Trafford.
They came out of it very creditably, and although De Zeeuw made one mistake which forced a good save from Hislop after Bergkamp got in, he had a solid performance.
This is comforting news to myself though as a Latics fan, because in Jackson, De Vos and Breckin we have three centre backs who are as comfortable defending as the great De Zeeuw was at Wigan.
As for the two strikers, Mark Burchill has joined us on loan from Portsmouth. He has played just 45 minutes of first team football and was poor. His other apperaences have been for the reserves.
While Burchill has been on loan at the club, Portsmouth have been in a nicked Jason Roberts from West Brom on a season long loan.
Roberts cited his ambition to play in the Premiership as the reason and not the £200,000 his agent got for the deal.
Anyway, roberts made his debut after coming on as a sub against Arsenal. He did very little in the game. Since that game, he appeared for Portsmouth reserves against Coventry City reserves. He scored a late penalty in a 1-1 draw.
I'm sure that is the perfect start for Jason.
