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Dickov in double swoop
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 31 January 2013
CHRIS Iwelumo tied up formalities to become an Athletic player today, in place of injured Matt Smith.
The two-goal hero against Liverpool damaged his shoulder late in the game and will be out for several weeks.
And this afternoon athletic further strengthened their squad with the capture of young Reading midfielder Jordan Obita.
The 19-year-old¹s emergency youth loan is one for one month and subject to
Premier League and Football League approval.
The teenager has represented England at under-18s and 19s level.
While only making a couple of appearances for Reading in the Carling Cup, he
has had loan spells at Barnet, Gillingham and more recently Portsmouth in
the last two seasons.
Obita is also eligible for Athletic¹s fifth-round FA Cup tie against Everton
on February 16.
Manager Paul Dickov had earlier moved quickly to sign Iwelumo (34), a four-times international for Scotland, on loan from Watford until the end of the season. It was hoped other signings would be completed by tonight’s 11pm transfer deadline.
Out of favour at Vicarage Road, Iwelumo was on loan at Notts County until the end of December.
The 6ft3in muscular forward has consistently found the net in a career at Stoke, Colchester, Wolves, Bristol City and Burnley.
He and fellow newcomer Paul Murray will add experience to Dickov’s young squad.
With Athletic’s cash situation boosted by progress to the FA Cup fifth round and another televised clash, with Everton, the manager has been given money to add to the squad.
Youssouf Mchangama is out for the season with a knee injury; and Robbie Simpson limped off the field towards the end of the Liverpool game, so further arrivals are likely.
A strike partner for Iwelumo and a winger are priorities
ATHLETIC are still receiving a huge number of media requests following the historic victory over Liverpool.
This week a news organisation from France has been talking to French-speaking duo Jean-Yves Mvoto and Youssouf Mchangama.
Several players have appeared on television and radio: Lee Croft was a studio guest on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Matt Smith was on Granada Reports and Robbie Simpson was interviewed on TalkSport, as was Chronicle reporter Matthew Chambers.
Chairman Simon Corney appeared in the BBC’s Breakfast News on Monday morning to discuss the epic victory.
Boundary Park can only hold 45 seated reporters, but 80 have asked for passes.
AT its peak, 7.09 million viewers watched the Liverpool game. The average was 4.5m (33-per-cent).
Comments
Smith will likely miss Everton game even if his shoulder heals his match fitness will suffer.
Hope Iwelumo is as big an influence as one of our previous Watford signing (Ricky Holden)
TV audience 7 million ..... I think they all sent me texts of congratulations!
Hopefully the club will save some of the extra money to install the scoreboard they bought but have not installed.
Let's not fritter it all away on player / agents demands.
Yes, because a scoreboard will get us the necessary points to stay in League 1 this season :-/
even though his hand may have been forced somewhat and having said no money was available SC has once again dug deep to allow PD bolster the squad. Really hope they do the business and with Iwelumo and Murray looks like we could have the basis of a new backroom staff if you look and listen to the reports.Do feel sorry for Matt Smith though, just establishing himself and making a nuisance of himself, also youseff who was playing well, hope he has a speedy recovery KTF
Good to see that we are signing a player with some physique for up front. Some players do well while on loan but once signing on longer contracts their performances flatline.If we get a good month out of him it may change our season.
why dont they get that laeking guttering fixed, what a shack of a ground.
I hope they haven't bought a scoreboard.... completing the paint job on the Chaddy End roof and fixing the mainstand and RRE roof leaks would be a better start....!
Iwelumo has 4 caps for Scotland and missed from 2 yards against Norway - I'm sure you'll remember it - go to Youtube - very, very funny
Tragic if Matt Smith is out for weeks just at the point when he has proved what a massive (literally) asset he is
So SC professes his admiration of PD but also says that if the league performances don't improve, starting at Walsall, then there will be consequences. Why is it that SC felt the need to address the Oldham fans in the ..... Manchester Evening News? Is this a slur against the Chronicle or are most Latics fans MEN readers?
3 great signings in one day well done simon for investing some of the money on new additions. will be like a new team if all 4 play. esp like bernard was very impressed of his record at southend and championship goals for the saints.
its all rosey at the present. i agree about wasting money on scoreboards not needed though that chaddy roof surely a lick of paint please simon
Can't say I'm excited about Murray and Iwelumo, but Obita and Barnard could be interesting. Four new faces will make some supporters hopeful, but they were hopeful at the start of the season as well. Flooding the team with loanees hasn't worked in the past, will it work this time? Well, we'll have to wait and see.
Ammypam may I ask ? is there anything at all about Latics that excites you..?
Lee Barnard is a proper goal scorer and Murray was great 1st time around. We have lacked leaders all season so Iwelumo and Murray will bring some experienced leadership qualities. Thanks Simon Corney after so much bad news for a few years we have a great cup run and shock followed by some decent signings. We still need a winger and a defender but I am being greedy!
'Flooding' Ammy? Baxter is signed... Croft is now signed... Murray isn't a loanee...! Basically, we've got only 3 loanee's in the squad for Saturday, out of 19.... hardly a flood...!?!?!
Have Your Say
hope he scores vital goals for us.
By Ibby786 @ 31/01/2013 13:42:30