WATSON COMPLETES RG
THE ARRIVAL of striker Gordon
Watson, signed from Charlton for
£250,000, has completed Sheffield
Wednesday manager Ron Atkin-
son's rebuilding plans - for the time
being.
"Now I have my squad together, we are
devoting all our efforts into winning
promotion," said Atkinson.
Atkinson is still incensed at the way in
which Wednesday were relegated last
May. "It was all so unnecessary," he
says. "We were in no danger until the
last day of the season."
With three games to play, Wednesday
had looked to be secure. They were six
points ahead of third-trom-bottom
Luton. Even though Luton won their
next two games, Wednesday's 2-1 vic-
tory at Charlton in the penultimate
match had apparently taken them clear.
On the morning of the final day of the
season, Wednesday were three points
ahead of Luton and they also had a
better goal-difference by two.
But Luton achieved a shock 3-2 win at
Derby, whilst Wednesday crashed 0-3 at
home to Nottingham Forest. And that
sent Wednesday down.
"Since then, I have had only one objec-
tive in mind," confided Atkinson. "Pro-
motion back to the First Division is all I
am looking for at the moment."
Atkinson did have a welcome diversion
when Wednesday barnstormed their
way to the Final of the Rumbelows
League Cup. It is the first time the Owls
have been to Wembley since 1966, when
they lost 2-3 to Everton in the F.A. Cup
Final.
"I'm delighted forthe players," said the
Wednesday boss. "Of course, when
cup-ties have come along this season,
we have prepared carefully for each one.
When we have a cup-tie coming up, we
forget all about promotion.
OBJECTIVE
"But, at the same time; promotion
remains my objective. Getting back into
the First Divisio~ would be a better
reward for me than winning a Cup.
"Of course, If we can do both, then so
much the better!"
In just over two years as Wednesday's
manager, Atkinson has presided over a
turnover of around £8-million in the
transfer market. He has sold more
players than he has bought and comes
out more or less even on all those deals.
Of the squad he inherited in February,
1981, only Chris Turner, Nigel Pearson
and David Hirst remain in the side today.
Atkinson's aim has always been to
produce a Wednesday side that plays
16
KEVIN EDWARDS talks to Sheffield
Wednesday manager RON ATKINSON
about his promotion prospects and
his side's successful League Cup run
'Promotion back to
the First Division is
alii am looking for
at the moment'
attractive football - and achieves suc-
cess.
Watson's arrival took Atkinson's outlay
on transfer fees above the £4-million
mark.
He has, in fact, purchased almost a
complete new team - apart from a goal-
keeper.
Last summer, he signed midfielder
Danny Wilson from Luton for £200,000,
and striker Paul Williams, who came
from Charlton in exchange for £700,000.
Atkinson's earlier signings included
full-backs Roland Nilsson and Phil King,
who came from IFK Gothenburg and
Swindon, respectively.
John Harkes, who has been playing at
right-back, though he is usually a mid-
fielder, joined the club after his success-
ful summer with the U.S.A. team in the
World Cup finals.
Centre-back Peter Shirtliff, who started
his career at Hillsborough, re-joined the
club from Charlton.
In addition to Wilson, midfield men
John Sheridan (Nottingham Forest),
Carlton Palmer (W.B.A.) and Craig
Shakespeare (Walsall) have all been
bought, and Steve Mackenzie is with the
club, on loan from Charlton, for the
remainder of this season.
ATTACKING
Atkinson's attacking signings were
Trevor Francis (O.P.R.), Paul Williams
(Charlton), Steve Whitton (Birming-
ham), Dave Bennett' (Coventry) and
Watson. '.....
Three of those sign"ings have since
moved on - Shakespeare to W.B.A.,
Bennett to Swindon and Whitton to
Norwich.
Atkinson included a large proportion of
midfield players among his sales - Mark
Proctor
Megson
(to Middlesbrough),
(Manchester
Gary
City), David
Hodgson (Metz), Alan Harper (Man-
chester City), Siggi Jonnson (Arsenal).
Tony Gregory (Halifax) and Tony Galvin
(Swindon).
Defender Ian Cranson joined Stoke,
whilst striker Imre Varadi went to Leeds.
Forwards Colin West and David Reeves
signed for W.B.A. and Bolton, respec-
tively.
Atkinson's biggest sale raked in £1.7-
million when Dalian Atkinson moved on
to Real Sociedad last summer.
In creating his new squad, Atkinson
has hoped to make provision for any
injuries he may suffer as the club homes
in on its dual targets of promotion and
the Rumbelows Cup.
Until the end of February, he had been
lucky not to have suffered any really
serious injuries but, with the pressures
mounting, he wanted to be prepared.