Jack Byrne's hellish time at Wigan is over. Oldham are set to announce later today that the Dubliner has moved to Boundary Park on a permanent deal.
Byrne joined Oldham on loan from Wigan at the end of August. In that time, which has seen the 21-year-old make 25 appearances for the club, he has found the net seven times and added five assists.
Considering what had come before - time on loan at Blackburn from Man City and then a permanent move to Wigan which saw him make just nine appearances between the two stints - it was certainly reason to be optimistic about a career which finally looked on the rise once again.
However, over Christmas Oldham manager Richie Wellens had some damning words for the midfielder. He felt Byrne was underachieving.
"I've given Jack Byrne a free role for a number of games but I've been disappointed with Jack," Wellens told the Manchester Evening News.
He looks good on the ball but his end product is no assists. He got two goals against Northampton and a goal at Crewe, but that's a long time since he's scored a goal.
For the position and the amount of freedom I give him in a game, I would expect more. That deal is down to whether we want to do it or not, so we'll make a decision. Jack is speaking to a couple of other clubs anyway, which is his right to do.
Given those comments, it does now appear curious that Oldham have handed Byrne a permanent deal.
It would undoubtedly be good for his career if he could settle down at a club for a decent period of time. Reading between the lines of Wellens's words to the Manchester Evening News about Byrne's signing, you would have to question how long his time at the club will last.
It's a permanent deal and that's because I feel we've developed the player over the last three months. Other clubs had come in snooping, and now if they want to come in and snoop it will obviously cost them money to get him.
Those are not comments which would make you believe Byrne will be at Oldham for a lengthy period. Instead, it sounds more like he will against be sold on during the summer with Oldham making a quick buck.
