SWINDON TOWN: Macca wanted exit - Wilson (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON TOWN: Macca wanted exit - Wilson

7:10am Saturday 28th November 2009

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TOWN chief Danny Wilson has admitted it would have been a “pointless exercise” to attempt to keep departed winger Anthony McNamee.

The tricky wide man has moved to League One rivals Norwich on loan until the beginning of January, when he is expected to sign permanently at Carrow Road.

And Wilson feels that making a concerted effort to hang onto the 26-year-old, pictured left, would not have been worth it, as the player already had his heart set on a move to East Anglia.

“Anthony from his own admission wanted to go, so in that respect that made our decision,” Wilson told the Advertiser.

“If a player makes a decision that he’d like to move on, that makes it very difficult for the club to keep hold of him and keep him happy.

“He wanted a crack at Norwich which is understandable. The 25,000 that they get every week is a bit of a temptation for him.

“In that respect we couldn’t really stand in his way. If he wants to leave the club and is not going to be happy here, it seems a pointless exercise to try to make it happen.”

Wilson snapped up left-sided Leeds player Alan Sheehan on a month-long loan deal on Thursday, but was quick to point out that though the player had played as a left-midfielder in the past, he was not a direct replacement for McNamee.

Instead, he revealed that he was hoping for Alan O’Brien or Lloyd Macklin, both on their way back to fitness, to fill the void vacated by the former Watford man.

Wilson, though, was more than happy to praise Sheehan, and even admitted he would like to thrash out a permanent deal for the Irishman in January.

“I think we’ve got a fairly experienced player for such a young age,” he said.

“A left-sided player was exactly what we were looking for and he has played at a higher level as well.

“We think we’ve got a very good player on our books, who will give us that depth that we’re looking for over this period of time.

“We’d love to (sign him) but I suppose it depends how he settles in.”

Bolton man Danny Ward, newly-signed on loan until January, also came in for similar praise from Wilson.

“He’s very, very highly thought of and has already played in the Premiership this season,” said the Swindon boss.

“We’ve monitored him for quite a while, in fact we tried to get him before. As a player he’s got very good pace, is very direct, strong and gets hold of the ball, and he’s got a good eye for goal.”

Town take on Blue Square Premier side Wrexham in north Wales this afternoon for the right to make the third round of the FA Cup, and a possible draw against a Premier League club.

“I think everyone can see that golden egg at the end of the second round,” said Wilson.

“It will be a very tight game but I’m hoping we’ve got enough about ourselves to get through it.”

Town will be without loan signing Ward due to a minor injury, while Charlie Austin is cup-tied and Alex Revell is unable to play due to the conditions of his loan.

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