Window wonders!

ATHLETIC manager Lee Johnson has described the club’s work in the player market up to the transfer deadline as “fantastic”.

James Tarkowski left Boundary Park for Brentford, despite which the club’s deals and the run to the third round of the FA Cup didn’t cover the club’s losses for the season.

But losing star players is a fact of life for Athletic, Johnson argues. The trick is to use the finances at his disposal wisely.

With the squad now bolstered with experience, Johnson is pleased with events across January.

“I thought we had a fantastic window,” Johnson said. “We have to survive on the odd player going for a big fee — that’s not a secret. “Between Tarkowski, Jose Baxter and the cup run we still haven’t broken even.

“I can’t go into the wages people are on, but the value we’ve got for David Worrall, Gary Harkins, James Wilson and Jon Stead is unbelievable for their quality.

“We’ve got stronger. We have got Rhys Turner, who’s a hot young prospect. It didn’t quite work out with Edijs Joksts, but we have got a full Wales international in James Wilson.

“Adam Lockwood was bound to be a bit rusty but you saw on Saturday what he brings to the team and the organisation.

Two of the deadline-day arrivals, Wilson and Stead, used to play for Bristol City - who visit Boundary Park on Saturday.

“James Wilson in particular will have something to prove as he feels he didn’t get a fair crack of the whip there,” said Johnson, who also had over five years at Ashton Gate.

“Jon was their player of the year in 2012. I know a few people raised their eyebrows that we managed to get him, with Bristol City fans asking why they couldn’t.

“It was a good signing for us and again, a good bit of business.”