Football Corner

High flying Premiership side Wigan have had a busy day in the market today with the loan signings of both David Thompson and Neil Mellor. Thompson, 28, has struggled to keep a first team place at Blackburn since recovering from a knee injury earlier this season. Thompson has suffered a host of injury problems over the last few years. The difficulties started in 2003 when a knee ligament problem kept him out for nine months.

He broke two bones in his foot after just 17 minutes of his comeback game against Manchester United in August 2004 which forced him to spend three months on the sidelines. Further surgery to finally correct the injury followed last summer. Complications with his knee then arose on a pre-season tour of Germany and he has been restricted to just three starts this season. "David has shown a real hunger to be involved with the Wigan project," said Jewell. "He's a talented lad who can play in a number of positions and he also has an eye for goal.

Mellor, 23, has also struggled to gain a first team place at Anfield with Liverpool due to the form of the likes of Crouch, Cisse and Morientes. The 23-year-old hit-man has found first team opportunities scarce at Anfield this term and has now moved to rejuvenate his somewhat stagnated career at The JJB. Jewell is confident Mellor has all the attributes to help Wigan sustain their fine start to life in The Premiership between now and the campaign's close.

"He will bring us a new dimension, and add competition to the squad which we need at the present time,'' Jewell told the club's official website. ''Neil is a good young striker who is looking for a chance to prove himself again at this level. ''He is strong and skilful with an eye for goal. I'm delighted to have both on board."

Two very good players and I think that they will both benifit from these loan deals that will last up until the end of the season. Out of the two I would have to say, Thompson is the better player because he's involved in everything in every match and he gives it all he's got in every game. It isn't that I think Mellor's a bad player, far from it, he is but he just needs a bit more experience and that is why I think it's a good move for him.

Charlton have completely the signing of former Ipswich striker Marcus Bent for a initial fee of £2million and the deal could rise to as far as £2.5million. The 27-year-old striker put pen-to-paper on a three-and-a-half year deal at The Valley. Bent said: "Charlton are a team I've always looked at with high regard. I can't wait to get started and am really looking forward to it. "They always produce strong teams down here and it's nice to get a chance to play for Alan Curbishley."

Curbishley is a long-term admirer of Bent and moved for him after agreeing to sell Jason Euell to Birmingham. "There were rumours in the summer and I think it's been ongoing," Bent told the Charlton website. "Coming up to the transfer window I know Everton have been looking to bring another striker in. That didn't mean I had to go but I felt it was better for me as I wasn't playing. "I was happy at the club but not playing means that I'm not happy in football terms." Bent made 42 appearances for the Toffees last season and his seven goals helped the Goodison Park club to Champions League qualification.

Although I think Bent is a decent player I certainly don't think he is worth the money that Charlton are paying for him. I know I am usually nice to clubs buying new players but I'm afraid this time I am going to have to critisce Alan Curbishley, although I think he is a great manager and a great man.

I was at the Manchester Derby yesterday and I have to say it was one of the most enjoyable days of my life. Just to tell you I'm a City fan. The day started when I woke up at around 4:30 a.m. I was so tired because I only went to bed at about 11:30 then night before. So I went to the airport with my mam, dad and my brother Kevin. We got the 6:25 flight to manchester on a Aerlingus plane. I slept the whole way.

When we arrived in Manchester it was still pitch black and we headed for Manchester airport train station. We arrived in Manchester Piccadily at about 8:00a.m. and we went to get some breakfast, but most shops and stuff were closed so we the Adidas shop which was open and I bought new shorts and a jersey thingy.

When we got breakfast I think it was in Debenhams and it was quite nice except for the tea. We then headed for The City Of Manchester Stadium. We got a bus their and it was packed with City fans. When we got to the Stadium itself the place was buzzing with excitement. We only got to see Vassell coming into the ground in his stylish car.

We went into the stadium and some of the players were warming up including Edwin Van Der Sar and David James. Then all of the outfield players started comimg out. It was great to see them and the City players escpecially looked up for it. When 12:45 came the atmosphere was building.

As you probably know the match finished 3-1 to City and it was brilliant. It seemed as though the match didn't go on for very long because it was just so enjoyable. We left the stadium and went to Pizza Hut and I had a lovely Margerita pizza. We then went to the Airport and loads of City supporters were their and there were also a few Liverpool fans because their team were playing and they won 1-0.

In the airport I saw Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan who is a Liverpool fan. We were talking to some City fan and he said that he saw Cristiano Ronaldo in Dixons and if you didn't know Ronaldo was sent off in the game. It was a great day and by the way my mam is a United fan and she had to sit with me, my dad and my brother, we are all City fans.

If you want to you can read the match report if you want on the match, it's a good one.

Arsenal have signed out of favour Monaco striker Emmanuel Adebayor. The player had fallen out of favour at Monaco after missing training several times and he had been warned he would never play for the French club again. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had confirmed his interest in a deal for the 21-year-old, who is due to play for Togo at the African Cup of Nations. "He has qualities that we don't have in the side. He is tall, good in the air and makes good runs," Wenger said.

"He is a bit of a Kanu type but he goes in more behind the defenders." Adebayor becomes Arsenal's second capture in the current transfer window after Arsene Wenger also completed the signing of Vasiriki Abou Diaby. The Gunners will pay an undisclosed fee to the Principality club after signing the African on a "long-term contract".

Arsenal have also signed Auxerre's 19 year old midfielder Abou Diaby on a four year deal. Diaby rejected Chelsea in favour of a move to Highbury. Auxerre vice-president Gerard Bourgoin said Diaby met officials from both clubs in London on Wednesday and said: "The choice belonged to Diaby. "But Arsene Wenger was better than Jose Mourinho, that's all."

Arsenal boss Wenger said: "He is a strong midfielder and has shown huge potential during his time at Auxerre. "He will be a tremendous addition to our squad." And Diaby added: "I am so happy to have signed for Arsenal.

Two very decent players for Arsenal and I have a feeling both will do well in the Premiership. The two players are both very young so they have most of their carrers ahead of them and Arsenal will hope that if they do well they will stay for a lengthy spell.