Advertisement
United striker in Latics link
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 01/02/2010
ATHLETIC will resume attempts to nail down a deal for a striker today, having been defeated in their bid to sign Liverpool teenager Nathan Eccleston.
The 19-year-old former Failsworth School pupil, who has played twice for the first team at Anfield this season, instead joined Coca-Cola League One rivals Huddersfield Town on a month’s loan and scored on debut as his new team defeated Yeovil 1-0 on Saturday.
The disappointment leaves Athletic boss Dave Penney frustrated in the long-running search for a new frontman, but there could be light at the end of the tunnel.
A mystery Premier League forward has been targeted and though he initially told Athletic officials he doesn’t want to go out on loan at the moment, there are hopes that he will have a change of heart today.
One man who could be on Athletic’s hit-list is Manchester United striker Febian Brandy.
The lively 20-year-old, who won a match-winning penalty for Gillingham against Penney’s side earlier this season, has been given the green light by his parent club to join another side for the rest of the season and he has already turned down the chance to return to the Gills.
The deadline for permanent signings expires at 5pm today, though clubs can still bring players in on loan after that.
One man who is set to commit his immediate future to Athletic is Jim Goodwin. The midfielder or right-back, on loan from Huddersfield, will extend his loan spell to a second month ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with his old club Stockport County.
That clash at Edgeley Park (7.45pm kick-off) is one of two vital games in a week for Athletic, with a visit to fellow strugglers Tranmere Rovers in store on Saturday.
The game at home to Brentford which was scheduled to take place at Boundary Park at the weekend was called off by referee Tony Bates as a result of a frozen playing surface.
The frost covers had been laid down by ground staff on Friday lunchtime when conditions were perfect. But subzero temperatures, which lasted until Saturday lunchtime, left the section of the pitch in front of the main stand rock hard and unplayable.
Have Your Say
Jason Price - unbelieveable yet again !.. at least 10 years later than he could have been at B.P. now well and truly past it and a warning should be issued to all spectators for the next home match.
To fans either side of the goalposts - Beware wild shots !
this should also be extended to row "Z"
jason who price we are a joke club any oap sign here
Watching the latics for 30 years. This is the first season that I have lost the faith and stopped going.
The football is dire the signings a joke as is the manager.
Dave has not got a clue and signing jason price reinforces this. Why can't we look at lower league proven strikers, we never sign man utd strikers on loan and then watch them go to dvi 1 teams outside the northwest and see them perform. The top conference strikers can't be worse than what we have?
Its funny how often we a linked or pipped at the post to strikers who join other clubs in our division. I for one are not convinced that we target players early enough.
How about a list from DP of players we have tried to sign plus there reasons for not doing so. We seem to have a lot of championship and prem teams locally but only seem to sign the poor ones and then watch other teams in our division sign the decent ones usually outside the northwest. Are we just slower to ask than other teams?
Not impressed with goodwin, all he ever seems to do is hoof the ball as high as he can, Rubbish
jokers you lot!the guys not even played a game yet hes to old or wateva!how olds sean gregan?the guys a good player at this level and i will guarantee he scores for us.All going on about how bad this season is yet if we win our 2 games in hand we go into top half. Bare in mind pennys had pennys to work with in contrast to shez.doing a decent job if you ask me we just lack goals!
Scott, do you actually understand football or do you just have an axe to grind against a manager who has been given very little backing by the owners.
I'd be amazed if Penney hasn't looked at 'lower league proven strikers', like O'Grady for instance? and I agree there are some good strikers in the Conference, slight problem is we'd have to pay money for them and I don't know if you've noticed but the board refuse to do that, despite all the money we've raked in from transfers.
jason price 70 plus goals in 350 appearences mostly lower league.
1 in 5 lets hope he scores tonight i dont fancy waiting 5 more games before he scores
I hope Dave Penney gets the player(s) he wants and a bit of luck with injuries, then hopefully we can kick on. Seen a few comments in the Chron lately though, about preferring to watch City or Rochdale. My response is go then. You were probably City or Rochdale fans originally anyway, and jumped onboard in our glory days. Now there's a bit of potential success to be had elsewhere, you've had your heads turned. Bye then.
By FanWith7yrOldSon @ 01/02/2010 12:36:18
Report this comment (20607)