12/21/24
May 24, 2006
Wigan Grabs Johnson.: Just had to post that title. EPL surprise team Wigan Athletic agreed to purchase Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson for BP8.5m.
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 02:22 PM - 18 comments
Uhhhhh, Crystal Palace weren't relegated last season. They finished fifth in the First Division, er, Championship. He was the sixth most prolific scorer in the Championship last year, though, so point taken...
posted by Toxteth O'Grady at 02:29 PM on May 24, 2006
I meant 2004-05 as "last season", seeing as 2005-06 just finished. And Johnson was second only to Henry in 2004-05, with 21 goals to Henry's 25. Amazing that Palace kept him for that long after getting relegated.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:31 PM on May 24, 2006
Actually he still has to agree terms with Wigan, but I can see how you couldn't avoid the headline. Johnson is a great little player, a poor mans Michael Owen if you like. He would enrich nearly any squad in the premier league in my opinion. £8.5M is probably a fair bit more than he's worth however, but the market has been insane post-Abramovich. One thing about those 21 goals though ... weren't something like ten of them from penalties?
posted by walrus at 02:37 PM on May 24, 2006
I meant 2004-05 as "last season", seeing as 2005-06 just finished. Ahhh, gotcha. It's definitely a good pickup - I hope Wigan can stay in the top half of the table again next season, they were a great team to watch this season...
posted by Toxteth O'Grady at 02:42 PM on May 24, 2006
walrus: Given that Wigan's got their own "Abramovich", who's willing to pay, and has, so far, seen good return on his investment, I say good on them, and good to Crystal Palace - hope it'll help them fund some good purchases to bring them back up. And yeah, I remember reading that AJ has a bit of a rep as a "diver"... which should make him perfect for some Euro competition. Wigan for the Champs League! Haha.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:42 PM on May 24, 2006
"hope it'll help them fund some good purchases to bring them back up" Starting with a new manager I should think. Dowie might be a hard act to follow.
posted by walrus at 02:47 PM on May 24, 2006
walrus: Starting with a new manager I should think. Dowie might be a hard act to follow. How you mean? His ability to bring them up and then right back down the next season? Hey, I hear Mick McCarthy might be available.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:56 PM on May 24, 2006
Heh. No I just think he over-acheived by getting them up in the first place.
posted by walrus at 03:03 PM on May 24, 2006
AJ wasn't that successful when he played for us. Living proof that the Blues can throttle the talent out of any striker. Having said that his incredible scoring record with Palace in the Premiership was largely based on his ability to win penalties and then score them. I doubt he'll get the same amount next season, seeing as refs seem to have realised he does plummet to the ground in the penalty area at the slightest hint of contact. Still, I wish him well as he's a genuine, dedicated, down-to-earth lad by all accounts, who has developed his somewhat limited talents (ie he can run very quickly and fall over convincingly) to their full potential. Also, he's a willing worker and used to run his little socks off for the full 90-minutes when he was at the Blues, if to little effect. Apparently, he still comes up regularly from London to watch his old mates in our reserves play and is always happy to chat with the fans. Which is nice.
posted by squealy at 03:45 PM on May 24, 2006
Wigan Grabs Johnson. No I just think he over-acheived by getting them up in the first place. Ok maybe its too many groin joke/articles on FPP's or perhapes my mind is just gutter digging but I found this comdination rather funny. Not getting to see many EPL or Champions league games I have to get my info from the papers and fine folk like you chaps. Thanks for the continued posts on European football.
posted by Folkways at 06:31 PM on May 24, 2006
Wigan have apparently also had a £5.5M bid accepted for Robert Huth from Chelsea, although there is increasing speculation that both players will turn them down [source].
posted by walrus at 04:43 AM on May 25, 2006
Bolton match Wigan's Johnson bid, Johnson "will now hold talks with both Lancashire clubs."
posted by billsaysthis at 10:21 AM on May 25, 2006
So now Johnson's being pulled in tug-of-war???
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 11:01 AM on May 25, 2006
Let's hope it doesn't get messy if either of them pull it off ...
posted by walrus at 11:02 AM on May 25, 2006
... you mean ... ... Johnson Jerk-Off?!
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:04 PM on May 25, 2006
What's the take here on Reading's chances to be another Wigan next season?
posted by rcade at 05:46 PM on May 25, 2006
"What's the take here on Reading's chances to be another Wigan next season?" Very good, I think. The key will be adding quality without disrupting the team spirit. If they get that right, then I don't see why not. And both have a decent scouse manager after all ;-)
posted by walrus at 07:55 PM on May 25, 2006
As a fan of the brave boys of Wigan who surprised everyone with their 10th-place finish in their first EPL season ever, this is surely exciting news. Johnson was one of the top league scorers last season even as Crystal Palace was relegated from the EPL.