Every cloud . . .

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 19 December 2014


MICHAEL Tidser will leave Athletic early next month — but Lee Johnson believes that recent poor performances might have actually done the club a favour by putting buyers off making bids for the club’s star performers.

Johnson will let on-loan Rotherham midfield man Tidser, who has barely featured, return to his parent outfit after the game at Barnsley on Monday, December 29.

Athletic’s manager hopes to tie down three-goal midfield man Daniel Johnson and Jabo Ibehre for the longer term if possible. Both players reach the end of their loan terms from Aston Villa and Colchester respectively after the Oakwell clash, as does Bolton’s Paddy Kenny.

And as Athletic attempt to regain momentum at MK Dons tomorrow for their play-off push, Johnson confirmed that no serious enquiries have yet been fielded for players like Wales international centre-back James Wilson ahead of the transfer window reopening in the New Year.

“I do like Michael Tidser, but if I was him I’d be thinking why would I want to return, having only started two games in my time there?” Johnson said of a man whose starts have both come in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

“He is a good player and will no doubt get somewhere.

“Daniel Johnson is a different scenario. He has played and will probably have suitors out there. We will have to see whether we can do a deal there or not.

“And Jabo is another one we would like to retain if possible. But we haven’t entered any talks with Colchester.

“Paddy Kenny is a different situation as his contract with Bolton is up in January. I am sure Paddy is using it to put himself in the shop window and get himself hooked up with a Championship club.”

Johnson held informal discussions with Simon Corney this week at the staff Christmas party at the Village Hotel in Ashton, after the chairman jetted in from New York.

“We talked a bit of football as that’s the obsession we have both got,” said Johnson, who was quoted in the Racing Post yesterday that he retains some “fear” over events next month.

“I’ve had to rebuild this team four times because of what unfolds in these windows,” he stated in the article.

But as it stands, after consecutive losses to Doncaster and Yeovil, there have been no firm enquiries for any player.

“Interest has certainly cooled in the last couple of games, there is no doubting that,” Johnson said.

“At the moment, I haven’t had what I’d call serious conversations with any clubs.

“A lot of people ask others how players are doing and tell you what they need and ask whether a certain player could fit into their group.

“But then you get to a serious conversation which is, ‘look, how much do you want for him?’ And I have had none of those.”