No, it isn't Michael Jackson, it's Conor Sammon
Latics fans everywhere hope they will be cracking out the fish-based puns for months to come with the arrival of Ireland Under-21 striker Conor Sammon on a reported 3 and a half year deal just minutes before the close of last night’s transfer deadline. The spiritual –perhaps eventual– successor to Ten Million Dollar Man Mauro Boselli, I should think this arrangement would carry a more sensible price tag, but he looks a bit grumpy in his Official Latics snapshot so you can bet he didn’t get quite as much as he wanted.
Scottish Premier League watchers will be familiar with Sammon, who has 15 goals in 20 league games for Kilmarnock this season. I should think Roberto, who has strong links to Scottish football, has had his eye on the man for a while now and simply kept the thing under wraps until the last minute to avoid rival bids. Or maybe not, with Derby also putting their hat into the ring for the striker. Anyways, we’ve snaffled him now so let’s hope he gets a few more than Boselli or Scotland. I think it’s fair to say Bob hasn’t had much luck in signing attackers, but hopefully all this will change and Sammon leaps at this chance. Ooh, sorry about that, it just came out.
In other transfer deadline day news, young keeper Lee Nicholls has gone out on loan to Shrewsbury Town. Looks like Mike Pollitt is well and truly the #2 keeper at the DW again, and thank goodness he signed for another year at the end of last season. Al Habsi, meanwhile, is certainly one of, if not the, best signing Martinez has made in his time at the club. Seems we have the goalie situation well under wraps, and with our goal difference not looking too healthy, thank goodness for that.
According to Sky Sports News, Newcastle put in a last-minute £10million bid for Charles N’Zogbia, which was promptly rejected. Somewhat surprising that this was the only approach we received for the man during the transfer window considering how many teams were keen on him before the start of the season proper, but you won’t find us complaining.
Sammon won’t be available for tonight’s showdown with West Brom, but should be in contention for a start against Blackburn at the weekend. In fact, barring a fantastic Franco Di Santo performance this evening, I reckon he’ll go straight into the team alongside Hugo. We need the goals, people, and strikers who can finish!
Oh, and if you want some more fish puns, check out this Cockney Latic forum topic.
