State of the game hampers signings

Last updated : 18 January 2008 By Dave Moore

The state of the game is hampering Athletic's efforts to bring in new players. The problem is that players are paid ridiculous wages higher up the league structure and it becomes difficult for teams like Oldham to compete for their services.

Alan Hardy (pictured) has been scathing and admitted that one potential deal fell through because a Championship reserve striker was being paid £7,000 per week.

Hardy said, "It's a difficult situation because you ask about players in the Championship and some of them are on excessive wages. We are very keen to get people in, but first they have to be players who suit us and then they have to be within the right budget. If it's a loan signing, you can try to negotiate a wage-share with the other club and bring the money into line with what we can pay, but often they won't do that. I was working on one last night which, again, probably won't happen, although there is still an outside possibility."