Advertisement
Baxter signs Latics deal
Date published: 12 January 2013
ATHLETIC pulled off a huge coup after tying down star forward Jose Baxter to a two-and-a-half year contract.
The deal was announced minutes before kick-off against Brentford at Boundary Park, to the delight of the home contingent.
Athletic fans roared their approval and sang the name of the 11-goal man.
It ended weeks of speculation, during which former Everton striker Baxter was linked with a host of npower Championship clubs.
Meanwhile, team-mate Reece Wabara has extended his loan from Manchester City until January 27. and will be available to face Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round.
In other news from Boundary Park, the board of directors plan to either scrap the youth team or make it the heartbeat of the club - and that crucial decision will be made in the next six weeks.
However, they will not choose which path to go down until they have heard what the fans think.
After carrying out a 12-month review of all costs, director Barry Owen has concluded Athletic need to either follow the example of Crewe by ploughing money into youth development, or not do it at all, particularly in light of the Premier League's Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).
"If we are going to invest in youth development, there is an argument for doing it properly or not at all. Last season it cost us £437,000, of which £210,000 was paid for by the football authorities, leaving us to find roughly £20,000 per month.
"Do we do a Crewe by not signing established professionals on loan and cutting the first team wage bill in order to invest more in youth, or do we scrap the youth system and put more money into the first team budget?
"We need to decide in the next six weeks because senior youth team players' contracts are due to expire. We want to open it up for debate and hear what the supporters think."
Full story in Monday's Chronicle.
Comments
A decent signing but what swayed him? surely not any 'potential' at the club and after yet another abysmal home defeat in the league it's hard to see where the club goes from here. When the love affair with the cup is over will we see an improvement in terms of league results or is it a case of 'everything in the garden is rosy' (but only in cup games)?
a great signing never mind the doubters whatever is wrong with the club this is the best signing in years maybe a sign of things to come...
Deanmo... give it a rest man... he's signed because he sees us as an opportuinity to play every week as our star player... which will give him the opportunity to develop and therefore further this career. It's a fabulous signing for our club. It also shows that the club is a happy place... despite our present lowly league position... the last thing we want it to be is unhappy aswell, as this really would be the deathnail. Get behind them and stop being so dour... it doesn't help them!
Great signing - it shows great integrity on the part of the player, his agent and his parents. It's not often you see players willing to offer something back in exchange for the time, effort and money involved in bringing in a player who was unfit at the time and something of a gamble. Well done to PD who was a major factor in convincing Jose to stay. As to the Brentford game - we had little chance with 3 key midfielders missing - we must have a ballwinner - no Furman, no points! Keep the faith!
There is a serious lack of pace in the squad. Baxter could be devastating if he had a quick striker in front of him or out wide. Croft is slow and relies so much on wabara its ridiculas, montano has been a complete waste of time and smiths flick ons (smith does cause havoc in the air) are wasted with him on is own all the time. this aside i really dont think we are far away to be honest.
Undoubted talent and thanks for repaying the faith the club shown in you Jose - I agree with LATICS38, one of the best signings in years. KEEP THE FAITH all and let's not give Liverpool any respect, time on the ball or chance of ruining our day. COME ON OLDHAM
Outstanding news and its rare to see a player show loyalty to us.
The reality check is he can't do it on his own and most of the team are not good enough to play in div 1.The Baxter signing and the FA cup run are helping to cover up the need to replace our poor manager. Our legue position doen't lie and we need another 4 Baxters. Good news but more needed.
Jose Baxter will be sold at the end of the season, a great way for us to make some decent money two and a half year contract.
Have Your Say
Great signing, well done! However, today summed up all that's wrong with Dickov and Latics. Weak all over the pitch, and poor substitutions. If it's true Doncaster want him, I wouldn't lose any sleep as the cup is papering over the cracks. We have good players but we need steel in the team quick. Also, it was obvious crowd would be half decent yet the Chaddy End runs out of hot food. What a tip!
By Accrington Blue @ 12/01/2013 19:41:16