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Didn't Johnson (I am sick of "LJ" already!) suggest he wanted a player more able to hold up play and bring others in? Or is that MacDonald? I don't know enough about many of the players on that list to speculate on who might fit that description, anyone?

Craig Dudley's "I can't throw it that far" playing on a constant loop over the PA.

He's been injured.

Signed Tom Heaton from Bristol City. Likely #1 I think.

Dayton & Schmeltz are both 24 - relatively experienced compared to signings in previous seasons. Aside from that we've brought in one other so far, and LJ has made it clear he wants a proven striker and is prepared to wait it out. M'voto leaving will free up some budget to bring in good replacements (experience here is contained within the word 'good'), and I wouldn't expect both of the potentially incoming loanees to be complete novices. Budget cut or not, there is money still available: Croft, Furman & Simpson were definitely not on pennies!

Fishul: http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/article/20130612-newsigning-861133.aspx

Well you would hope so. He's 24 now.

I think the quote should be "back to the civilised world". What lies have we told him?

And it was never going to be.

No deal - Chron http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/10/oldham-athletic-news/80677/vigurous-pursuit-was-all-in-vain

Could it be club and not player stalling on this one? Perhaps there have been unexpected developments with another deal (Korey Smith?)..

19th.

Steady now! Furman and Wesolowski were the best centre midfield pairing in the league on this forum not so long ago! Cisak & Bouzanis the best keeper pairing too!

Yeah I've heard similar. Presume if they don't pay their wages, players would be free to walk. But I think the club (despite recent controversies) still has a good relationship with Bury that they'd look to maintain. I'd be surprised if that was compromised by taking a player for free when they really need the cash. But then if we didn't, somebody else would I suppose.

Would require a drastic change of circumstances in terms of the transfer fee. Heard Arfield mentioned more than once. I don't really remember him playing against us, but has a decent amount of experience for somebody of 24.

Lee Camp released also. Decent keeper as I recall? Presume he'll be snapped up by a championship side though.

Perhaps fewer than I thought - doesn't really alter my point. Which club will spend £££ on him?

No release clause according to Mike Keegan on twitter earlier.

I did think about the Ritchie transfer, but I think it was something of an anomaly at a time where Bournemouth were spending silly money. I think Baxter as a player is perfectly comparable with Ritchie. But will any clubs be spending like Bournemouth were this summer?

15 goals - How many of them penalties? I'm certainly not knocking him, but there are players with better records about. I am not denying the boy has a lot of talent, but to get the best use out of him requires building a team around him. I don't really see any top league one, or championship side (presuming they're the calibre of teams that would attract him) willing to take a chance on that with a large transfer fee involved. If the chairman wants to cash in, then I believe he will. Nevertheless, I expect to see Baxter in a Latics shirt come August.

Of course you and I would, but the track record of our chairman and recent assets (Stephens) gives me little confidence in the transfer fee we could realistically obtain. Besides, I don't think clubs with the financial backing would necessarily make Baxter the top priority - more likely Premier League and Championship fall out. Could perhaps see the likes of Wolves or Sheff Utd making a bid, but any sign of resistance at our end would probably send them on to other targets.

Definitely. Who will pay an extortionate fee when there are others available for free?

You think the club will hold out for more than 250k? With so many players out of contract this summer it's probably the maximum we can expect.

According to Mike Keegan on Twitter - Led to believe there is no minimum fee release clause in Jose Baxter's contract. #oafc

That's more what I was inferring. i.e. the literal interpretation of 'director of football' - as opposed to somebody who sort of deals with transfers, sometimes, isn't really sure - but still receives a salary