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Owls beat Reds to midfield ace
Barnsley FC
BARNSLEY boss Keith Hill has revealed he tried to capture Sheffield Wednesday’s new signing Mike Jones.
Hill and assistant manager David Flitcroft were both keen to bring the former Bury midfielder to Oakwell knowing his contract was due to expire in the summer. But Owls’ boss Gary Megson beat them to the 24-year-old’s signature, with Jones having made his debut for the club in last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic.
“We wanted to sign Jones, but unfortunately we didn’t manage to get out of the starting blocks,” admitted Hill.
“Sheffield Wednesday are going for promotion and they’ve done well to sign him; we were very interested but they got their first.
“It’s nobody’s fault we missed out on him, we knew he was out of contract in the summer, but they’ve obviously offered him some good money.
“Unfortunately we weren’t close at all in getting him, the deal was signed and done before we could get a chance to try and getting him to sign.
“He’s a very good player and the right calibre of player we believe we should be attracting to the club.
“Mike was one of a number of players we’ve been looking at, so we’ll have to see what happens before the transfer window shuts.”
Despite the disappointment of missing out on Jones’ signature, Hill told The Star that he has a “number” of transfer targets and would ideally like to strengthen his squad by “one, if not two players”.
Hill said: “I’d love to get the opportunity to sign some more players, but they have to be the right players.
“We’ve got a list of players we’d like to sign and we’ll continue to look at them to see if they’re going to be available.
“But I’m in no rush. I’m really pleased with the squad we’ve got at the moment and the way we’re progressing.
“I’m not going to be concerned if we don’t get anyone because the loan market will re-open again and that gives us options.”
Hill swooped to sign Scunthorpe striker Chris Dagnall earlier this month and offloaded striker Danny Haynes and defender Kern Miller, the latter on loan until the end of the season.
And ideally he’d love to add to his loan signings of midfielders Danny Drinkwater, from Manchester United, and Miles Addison, from Derby County.
“It was great to get Chris in, he’s fitted in really well, and to also extend deals for Danny and Miles,” said Hill. “All three of them are important members of our squad.
“But no one else will be leaving now before the window shuts apart from possibly Nathan Doyle, we’d be happy for him to leave.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 11 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Eileen mac
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 08:14 PMThe reason that Jonah decided that he didn't want to sign for Chop is simple.No right thinking self respectful player who's played for Bury fc would want to play for an ex fail boss.In anycase he's goign to be playing Championship football in August so he won't have long to wait will he?.I have to admit though that Megson's recent signings might make him think how far these players can take him and where he wants the club to go.Barnsley fc on the other hand were extremely naive not to include a no release clause when they took Drinkwater from Man Utd on a season's long loan.It was obvious that the parent club would sell the player if the right club came in with the right offer.It's like building a house on sand,without foundations the success of any club will flounder.
The Dukeries Owl
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 05:13 PMWho'd want to go to Barnsley, it's grim, no GRIM with bells on. I had the misfortune to work there a couple of decades ago. I'll tell you about Barnsley: the sandwich shop near the place I worked closed for an hour at lunchtime.
Dingle Dickie
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 01:21 PMHoney Lulu - Nowt wrong with a few extra toes. But now he's at Swilly, he'll have to grow an extra large HOOOOOOOOFFFFF!!!!! on each foot....
Donny Blades
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 11:51 AMwell said at @5! No point signing a midfielder at wednesday the ball gets hoofed from defence!!
Donny Blades
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 11:49 AM@6 blue n white tinted specs me thinks!! Typical pig fan still thinking your a big club!! When are you going to realise your not a big club anymore
kojam
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 11:11 AMWell, Barnsley are the top team in south Yorkshire and credit to them! But even if the offers for jones were on the table like for like, anyone with half a brain would sign for Wednesday and play the league below for a while just, knowing that it's a proper club on the way up!
Barnsley Chop
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 09:46 AMWell he'd be playing in the league above the Fowls and not playing hoofball.
Honolulu Wednesday 1867
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 09:13 AMWhy would anybody want to sign for the Dingles,and risk growing extra toes
Strigidae
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 09:13 AMIf Hill wanted him then I see that as an endorsement that we got a reasonable player
Honolulu Wednesday 1867
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 09:06 AMWhy would anybody want to sign for the Dingles and risk growing extra toes
(0v0)
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 08:39 AMHill does have a good eye for a player. He has brought some good players to Barnsley
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