posted Jan 11, 2008

"Mr Bruce will have to watch how many non EU players he has if he goes on signing African and South American players."

Why? Do any English Wigan players make the national side apart from Heskey? Nah.

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posted Jan 11, 2008

from what i understand, theres no limit to how many non-EU players you can field at any one time in the UK, so shouldnt be a problem, especially as south american matches tend not to interfere with european club football schedules too much. so long as their south american instead of africans international duties shouldnt be a problem.
and besides khalilis not either! iranian, not african or south american. good on steve bruce for looking far afield, if your a club like wigan your more likely to find players willing to come to you from obscurer parts of the football world, so asia is a good place to start looking for new additions to your team, just as palacios was originally plying his trade in the honduras

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posted Jan 11, 2008

I think that not only is it a positive move for Wigan, its also a boost to the Asian Footballing Community, especially if Khalilis impresses while at Wigan.

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posted Jan 11, 2008

From what I know, and I admit I could be wrong, the Non-EU criteria applies to clubs going into UEFA organised competitions, where they may not number more than 3.

Of course being Non-EU imposes criteria for permit approval, not needed by EU players, but if they do qualify, I don't see what the issue is.

Not aware of any other criteria by FAEPL for example, that seeks to control Non-EU players.

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posted Jan 11, 2008

Without the amount non-EU players this team and this league have it honestly wouldn't have the reputation that it does. It shouldn't be much of a problem for this team though.

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posted Jan 12, 2008

as a fellow iranian this guy is gonna be fantastic for you wigan fans.

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posted Jan 12, 2008

actually shetland_james, you'd be surprised at how many middle eastern players turn down moves to english clubs (even clubs in the prem). You see they get paid equal or sometimes even more to play in the micky mouse arab leagues in places like Dubai with old veterans who arent cut out for topflight footy anymore. There they are closer to their family, in a more familiar culture and dont have to work as hard to prove themselves to earn first team football. And there have been occasions where some of our players have reject the chance to go on trial, because their egos got the best of them and they felt that trials were below them. Thankfully it only happens every now and then, but it does get on my nerves as all of this holds back the countries development potential (afterall its on of the top 20 largest populated countries in the world) and the attitude tends to resonate with the youth players coming through. It's a sad state of affairs that we international team fans (not just iranian) have to deal with.

As for Kahlili, I've never seen Kahlili play. All i know is that he's the IPL (Iran's topflight league) top scorer... but the IPL is pretty much league 1 standard footy. Nevertheless, if he goes on trial... I'd respect Bruce for giving him the chance, whatever his decision!

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posted Jan 12, 2008

Actully Shetland_James Wigan have sevral international players and hre they r -

Andreas Granqvist - Sweeden
Henri Camara - Senegal (on loan at whfc)
Kevin Kilbane - Ireland
Emile Heskey - England
Denny Landzaat - Holland
Julius Agahowa - Nigeria
Luis Antonio Valencia - Equador
Salomon Olembe - Cameroon
David Cotterill - Wales
Josip Skoko - Australia
Rachid Bouaouzan - Holland
Andy Webster - Scotland (0n loan to Rangers)
and Wilson Placias - Houndoras

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posted Jan 12, 2008

Palacios looked very impressive today against Derby.

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posted Jan 13, 2008

i hope we don;t buy loads of midfielders and stop playing koumas :/

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