Wigan Athletic, Newcastle United comparison made after signing news - he's a "lower league Joelinton" | OneFootball

FLW's Wigan Athletic fan pundit has given his reaction to the signing of Portsmouth striker Christian Saydee.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Wigan Athletic will be hoping to challenge for promotion from League One next season under the guidance of Ryan Lowe.

It was another disappointing season for Wigan last term as they finished in 15th place, but an eight-game unbeaten run at the end of the campaign moved the club clear of any relegation danger and offered hope to supporters heading into the summer.

Midfielder Fraser Murray became the Latics' first signing of the summer when he made the move from Kilmarnock earlier this month, and Lowe completed his second new addition on Thursday as forward Christian Saydee arrived from Portsmouth.

It was revealed earlier this week that Wigan were battling League One rivals Plymouth Argyle for Saydee's signature, but the Lancashire outfit have won the race for the 23-year-old, who has signed a three-year contract at the Brick Community Stadium.

Saydee spent the last two years at Pompey after joining the club from Bournemouth in the summer of 2023, and he scored three goals in 31 appearances for John Mousinho's side last season, but only 12 of those came from the start as his game time became increasingly limited in the second half of the campaign.

Christian Saydee backed for Wigan Athletic success amid Newcastle United comparison

When asked for his reaction to the signing of Saydee, FLW's Wigan Athletic fan pundit Corey Bissell admitted that his poor goalscoring record at Portsmouth has caused some concern among Latics supporters, but he believes he could be more effective in a deeper role, just like Joelinton has after being moved into midfield at Newcastle United.

"I wouldn't say that Saydee's signing is underwhelming at all," Corey told FLW.

"I've seen a lot of people on X that are up in the air about it because of his goalscoring record.

"In theory, he's down as a forward, but I don't agree that is his best position.

"I think a lot of his career he's been played out wide, I don't think playing as a number nine suits him.

"When he's played in midfield, the physicality he has is his greatest asset.

"He reminds me a little bit of a lower league Joelinton in that, when you take the goalscoring burden off him, he tends to perform a bit better.

"I could maybe see him working in a Ryan Lowe system in a front two playing as the second striker, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him pop up as an attacking midfielder.

"I think the physicality he possesses to hit teams on the transition is brilliant.

"I quite like Christian Saydee, and I'm happy to see him come through the door.

"He's only 23 as well, and being that much of a physical phenomenon at that age, he's only going to develop further.

"His time at Shrewsbury was really good, so I quite like Christian Saydee."

Christian Saydee arrival may not solve big Wigan Athletic problem

Wigan scored just 40 goals in League One last season, with no team in the division finding the back of the net on fewer occasions than them, but there are big question marks over whether Saydee can be the prolific front man that Lowe desperately needs.

Saydee scored just three goals for Portsmouth in the Championship last season, and he actually fared even worse in League One the previous year, netting only two league goals in 36 appearances during his side's title-winning campaign, so his underwhelming goalscoring record will no doubt alarm some Latics supporters.

However, as Corey says, Saydee brings more to the team than just goals, and if Lowe can find a way to get the best out of him playing in a deeper midfield position, then he may prove to be a shrewd addition for Wigan, but the fact he has been handed the number nine shirt suggests that the club see him as an out-and-out striker.