Oliver leaves to join PT at Wycombe

It is certainly one of the more stranger transfers that will happen this January, but Luke Oliver today completed a switch to League 2 leaders Wycombe Wanderers, the club he was released from 5 years ago. Oliver, who Graham Westley signed from Yeovil Town just under 3 years ago, has joined up again with ex Boro manager Peter Taylor as Mike Williamson’s replacement after he moved to Watford earlier in the week. Taylor is hoping Oliver can fill the void left by Williamson and help guide Wanderers to promotion.

“People know I had a short spell in charge at Stevenage and Luke was the centre back at the time. I knew he was out of contract this summer and I probably would of moved for him then, but because of Mike moving to Watford I decided to do it now. He is a big, commanding centre-half who can help us. He could turn into a very good centre-back.” Peter Taylor on Oliver

It’s an interesting move as Oliver never seemed to be a regular under Taylor when he was here with the ex England boss opting to use Westwood and Henry as his prefered defensive pairing for much of his tenure. I never rated Oliver when he was here. He was too mistake prone and it’s no coinicidence that our form has improved recently with him out of the side. We are much more secure defensively when Oliver doesn’t play and I can’t see the move doing Wycombe any favours as they push for promotion from League 2. I don’t get how a player who can’t get into a mid-table Blue Square Premier side can move to the leaders of League 2 as the replacement for their best defender?

What this transfer does do is release some money for Graham Westley to add to his squad and another defender now looks highly likely. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jon Ashton make the move to Broadhall Way from Grays in the next week or so. Westley is a keen admirer of the former Rushden man and Grays are known to be in a lot of financial problems. Ashton would be available at a small price and with Oliver now off the wage bill then a move could be imminent?

Check back here tomorrow for Lopo’s view and the review of the season so far…