New signings fully tuned in

JON STEAD will prove a great signing, says Charlie MacDonald.

The Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport


SIX points out of a possible nine from our last three league fixtures is a fantastic return considering the calibre of our opposition.

On the back of some poor results, not many people outside our own dressing room would have given us a chance. Winning at Swindon last week was a tremendous result. To keep a clean sheet against an in-form side deserves a lot of credit.

Unfortunately I was sent home that morning because I was ill, so I didn’t have the pleasure of seeing the performance live. I travelled with the squad on the Friday and though I felt worse overnight, I was pleased I went - since we had made some new signings before the deadline.

That meant we had an initiation dinner, at which each new member stood up to introduce himself before belting out a song! There has been something similar at each club I’ve joined, but this was special: we heard about six songs and it was like a mini concert, great for team spirit and to integrate the new players instantly.

The performance that stood out for me was John Paul Kissock’s rendition of Oasis’s “Wonderwall”.

He held his breath for so long in between verses that I thought he was going to pass out! It was great entertainment.

All the new faces will add something different, but we have also lost a big player in James Tarkowski, who was sold to Brentford. Though he will be rejoining us on loan, it’s a blow longer-term.

I was surprised at the move, because I was sure he was destined for a top championship club.

That said, Brentford have made huge strides in the last couple of years, are top of our division and will be moving into a new stadium in the near future so they are a club with great ambition.

I can understand why he wants to be a part of it and I wish him every success.