Summer 2021 Transfer Thread.

[BWFC_Insane]

I mean we’ve just signed someone called George Johnston who was at Wigan on loan from Feyenoord last season. Yep me neither…..

Centre half so I’m told. Which is nice.

The Liverpool lad? That's a good signing, if so. Versatile. Used to play right across the back and in midfield at youth level.

Yeah former Liverpool youth product. Creating quite the buzz. Never heard of him before like. Have to bow down to those with better knowledge of these lower league lads.

[GhostoftheBok]

What do you know about Harry Anderson?

I know he was well-regarded at Posh but left under something of a cloud. Haven't really seen anything of him since then, aside from the odd game this season. I try to keep an eye on Posh as they produce far more league players than they should by rights, so if he has come through at Posh and is now doing things in league football I'd be keen to have a look at him.

[GhostoftheBok]

Yeah former Liverpool youth product. Creating quite the buzz. Never heard of him before like. Have to bow down to those with better knowledge of these lower league lads.

Can't say I know him from league level but he was impressive at youth level. Athletic and good on the ball. Time to watch some Wigan games from the end of last term, god help me.

[Prufrock]

Never heard of him but Wigan fans seem gutted. The natural order is restoring itself. 3 years, too. Him and Ricardo could be promising. John and Sheehan and it's a very good start.

[Worthy4England]

Fcuk me, we're clearly in more trouble than at any time in the last 10 years. Some pie chuckers think we're rivals. Sack the Board!

[GhostoftheBok]

Fcuk me, we're clearly in more trouble than at any time in the last 10 years. Some pie chuckers think we're rivals. Sack the Board!

My favourite part of this is getting texts from Wigan mates who thought he was moving to a Championship club and that's why they couldn't sign him. Even if he bombs here it's worth it for the banter.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I'm hoping to get part 5 out soon covering CBs but life is getting in the way currently. Shortlisted names currently include:
Lloyd Jones (Northampton)
Eoghan O'Connell (Rochdale)
Udoka Godwin-Malife (Forest Green)
Rhys Bennett - (Carlisle)
Niall Mason (Peterborough)
Akin Odimayo (Swindon)

Might wanna include George Johnston

[GhostoftheBok]

Might wanna include George Johnston

Old news. Who is next?

[nicholaldo]

If the quote tweets on our club's announcement tweet are anything to go by he might prove to be a real asset.

[brommers95]

I'm hoping to get part 5 out soon covering CBs but life is getting in the way currently. Shortlisted names currently include:
Lloyd Jones (Northampton)
Eoghan O'Connell (Rochdale)
Udoka Godwin-Malife (Forest Green)
Rhys Bennett - (Carlisle)
Niall Mason (Peterborough)
Akin Odimayo (Swindon)

Might wanna include George Johnston

I've clearly lost the touch

I'd be interested to know if we're still on the lookout for another starting-quality centre-back. Assuming Delaney re-signs our CB roster is:

Johnston
Santos
Baptiste
Delaney
Greenidge
Senior
Edwards

I expect Greenidge to be moved on and one of, or both, Senior and Edwards to be loaned out. That would leave four first team CBs - if I were Evatt I'd be looking for another to really challenge Santos and Johnston.

[GhostoftheBok]

I'd be interested to know if we're still on the lookout for another starting-quality centre-back.

Depends if he still wants to try out 3-at-the-back or if we are now firmly a 4. If a 4 then it's a waste of resources, assuming Delaney re-signs and we have full faith in Johnston. Williams and Brockbank can both provide emergency cover and, as you say, we have Senior emerging. If we want to be able to deploy a 3 then I'd say yeah, we need another.

It's not like we have been lumbered with Delaney and Baptiste. We have chosen to offer them deals and if we have done that then the manager needs to show faith that they can cut it in League One.

[brommers95]

I'd be interested to know if we're still on the lookout for another starting-quality centre-back.

Depends if he still wants to try out 3-at-the-back or if we are now firmly a 4. If a 4 then it's a waste of resources, assuming Delaney re-signs and we have full faith in Johnston. Williams and Brockbank can both provide emergency cover and, as you say, we have Senior emerging. If we want to be able to deploy a 3 then I'd say yeah, we need another.

It's not like we have been lumbered with Delaney and Baptiste. We have chosen to offer them deals and if we have done that then the manager needs to show faith that they can cut it in League One.

My problem is I'm not sure they can cut it in L1 - Baptiste obviously reads the game well but his lack of legs will be exposed by quicker attacking play from opponents next season and while Delaney is a perfectly able 'kick it and head it' defender, we've seen he doesn't really suit our new style of play. However, that might just be me being overly pessimistic and I'm happy to be proven wrong.

[GhostoftheBok]

My problem is I'm not sure they can cut it in L1

I think a lot of people share your concerns. I'd love to see more quality everywhere, obviously; but I do think there are limits to how much we can do in each area. I don't think Johnston is a player where we can all say, "Oh yeah, I've seen him loads and I know he'll be a massive player for us"....if he were then we'd probably be fine with the depth we have. Wigan fans being some of the least knowledgeable fans in the country doesn't help, so we get reports of everything from "Should going to the Championship" to "Not good enough for anything other than a League One relegation scrap." Like I say, if we are playing a 4 at the back next season I don't think it's an area we will plough much more money into - but I could be wrong. I'm not convinced that the plan isn't just to keep the Santos and Baptiste pairing as the mainstay and see how Johnston does over time. I think Baptiste, Delaney and Brockbank all being retained (or offered new deals) indicated one new centre half.

I'm going to watch Johnston's games for Wigan when I've finished watching a few more of Sheehan's games. Hopefully what I see is some kind of English Maldini.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I'm going to watch Johnston's games for Wigan when I've finished watching a few more of Sheehan's games. Hopefully what I see is some kind of English Maldini.

That rather depends how you cut it, considering he’s a Manc-born Scotland U21...

I quite liked the sound of Lloyd Jones, especially as he should dovetail with his old Liverpool academy mate MJ, but that would be two major new centre-backs and as noted, we won’t have given Delaney and HarryBro contracts just for the fun of it. (Delaney hasn’t signed yet though, has he? One-year deal, maybe?)

Edwards, Senior and Ohgodits Greenidge must surely be loaned out, for much-needed experience. But that would still leave Santos, Baps, Johnston, Brocky (utility? mascot?) and possibly Delaney. The mooted “22 overage outfielders” would give us slightly more flex than the old two-per-position, but not vastly more.

[GhostoftheBok]

That rather depends how you cut it, considering he’s a Manc-born Scotland U21...

I quite liked the sound of Lloyd Jones, especially as he should dovetail with his old Liverpool academy mate MJ, but that would be two major new centre-backs and as noted, we won’t have given Delaney and HarryBro contracts just for the fun of it. (Delaney hasn’t signed yet though, has he? One-year deal, maybe?)

Edwards, Senior and Ohgodits Greenidge must surely be loaned out, for much-needed experience. But that would still leave Santos, Baps, Johnston, Brocky (utility? mascot?) and possibly Delaney. The mooted “22 overage outfielders” would give us slightly more flex than the old two-per-position, but not vastly more.

I'll accept a Scottish Maldini...

I think I agree that we will look to shift Greenidge and Edwards, at least on loan. It could be that Senior stays on, given he is under the age registration so he would provide additional cover. Were we to sign another centre half then yeah, the kid would also need to go on loan.

I'd have been alright with Jones. He's basically a shorter version of Santos. He's looking for decent money, though, by the sounds of it. Again, if we do go out and get another centre back I won't complain - but if we are playing a 4 then there may be some unhappy campers at some stage. Evatt will know what he needs better than we do, so we'll have to wait and see who shows up.

[LeverEnd]

Only just caught up with this, but this Johnstone looks a real coup. Never heard of him obviously, but looking forward to seeing what he can do.

[TANGODANCER]

Only just caught up with this, but this Johnstone looks a real coup. Never heard of him obviously, but looking forward to seeing what he can do.

Ditto, but we seem to be putting together a real handy looking squad so far. Carry on I.E.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I quite liked the sound of Lloyd Jones, especially as he should dovetail with his old Liverpool academy mate MJ, but that would be two major new centre-backs and as noted, we won’t have given Delaney and HarryBro contracts just for the fun of it. (Delaney hasn’t signed yet though, has he? One-year deal, maybe?)

I'd have been alright with Jones. He's basically a shorter version of Santos. He's looking for decent money, though, by the sounds of it. Again, if we do go out and get another centre back I won't complain - but if we are playing a 4 then there may be some unhappy campers at some stage. Evatt will know what he needs better than we do, so we'll have to wait and see who shows up.

Of course, and it's nice to have trust not just in the manager but also in the board (and Chris Markham).

On Lloyd Jones, I like that he seems to have grown into an organisational role recently at Northampton, with various managers applauding his maturity, making him captain, etc. I love Reekz but I sense he'll always benefit from a calm head next door, and Baps won't last forever.

Anyway, twas just an idea. Jones hasn't signed for anyone yet (including Northampton) and the urgency of the need to strengthen that department has dropped with Johnston coming in. (I shall construe Evatt's “He’s a very talented player for the future" as delight at his value-boosting three-year contract and an acknowledgement of Baps' ageing, rather than a veiled threat of spending forever in the U23s.)

I'd like us to sign someone (else) in the front half soon, as well as tying down Declan John, but I'm well aware that these things don't always progress at the pace and in the order of the purchaser's choosing. Still only June 5.

[Worthy4England]

Fcuk me, we're clearly in more trouble than at any time in the last 10 years. Some pie chuckers think we're rivals. Sack the Board!

My favourite part of this is getting texts from Wigan mates who thought he was moving to a Championship club and that's why they couldn't sign him. Even if he bombs here it's worth it for the banter.

I particularly liked his comments about signing for a big club with ambition. Also seemed like this has been in the pipeline a while as the gaffer spoke to him weeks ago...

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

My favourite part of this is getting texts from Wigan mates who thought he was moving to a Championship club and that's why they couldn't sign him. Even if he bombs here it's worth it for the banter.

I particularly liked his comments about signing for a big club with ambition. Also seemed like this has been in the pipeline a while as the gaffer spoke to him weeks ago...

Jovial parochial joshing aside, it shows good awareness of what's going on and who's available – and furthermore a very impressive level of secrecy. A couple of weeks ago – I think when Andy Cannon was linked – Evatt chuckled that we didn't know his real targets and this one certainly landed with absolutely zero warning. That stealth might not be the greatest for a transfer-gossip thread but you can't help feel it's better for the club's transfer policy.