Date of Birth: 10 05 1977
Place of Birth: Dakar, Senegal
Position: Forward
Nationality: Senegal
International Caps 39
International Goals 9
Henri Camara Rumours and Transfers
17 08 2007
Wigan manager Chris Hutchings thinks in-form forward Antoine Sibierski has brought a new dimension to the Latics' attack.
Sibierski has made a superb start to his Wigan career with 2 goals in 2 appearances since joining the club on a free transfer from Newcastle in the summer.
And as stated by Hutchings, it is the manner as much as the number of goals which bodes well for the season ahead.
"The 2 goals he got were in the six-yard box and we have not really had that before," mentioned Hutchings.
"So long could he continue getting in that six-yard box and picking the bits up and sticking it in the back of the net. 2 in 2 is a fantastic start for a striker. When you are a new player coming to a club and you are a forward you always desired to get yourself off to a goalscoring start. He's done that and long could it continue."
Sibierski managed only 3 Premier League goals for Newcastle in 12 months on Tyneside following a 3 year spell at Manchester City.
But the 32 year old Frenchman did contribute 5 goals in cup competitions in a troubled year at St James' Park.
Sibierski could have stayed on at Newcastle however the lure of a 2 year deal at Wigan had taken him to the JJB Stadium, where he has quickly become a favourite.
"He was a player that we monitored and as soon as we saw he was available then we acted very quickly, as we did with Titus (Bramble)," Hutchings added.
"We got those players in very early on, which was good for myself, the club and the fans to put it in the minds of other players that this club is going places and that is what we would like to do."
After scoring the mid week winner against Boro, Sibierski is again set to partner Emile Heskey in attack against unbeaten Sunderland at the JJB Stadium on Saturday.
But Hutchings, who also has a fit-again Henri Camara pushing for a return, would like the goal scoring burden to be shared around in an attack minded team as Wigan look to build on their opening triumph of the campaign.
"It is always nice to win your 1st game and the sooner it comes the better. Everyone thinks relieved and it breeds confidence," mentioned the Latics boss.
"There might be times when we must change and change the personnel however we would like to be positive and we would like to get at teams. It is important your forwards get double figures and obviously you require your midfield and widemen and centre-backs to weigh in with several as well. I am not looking for one person to score all the goals. It is got to be spread around however the more they (the strikers) get the better it will be for the team."
08 07 2007
Fulham have made a £4 million bid for Wigan forward Henri Camara, as stated by Sky Sports News.
Lawrie Sanchez is keen to increase his attacking options for next season and was linked with a number of strikers.
Fulham have made bids for West Brom's Diomansy Kamara and Blackburn's Jason Roberts, however were frustrated in their attempts to sign the pair.
The West London club are now thought to have turned their attentions to Wigan's Camara as they look to bring in a new front-man.
Camara's future at Wigan was the subject of speculation all summer with a number of clubs credited with an interest in his services.
Fulham are now waiting to see if Wigan will be willing to accept their offer for the Senegalese star.
13 06 2007
Former Wigan manager Paul Jewell fears the club will continue to struggle to attract "top players" to the JJB Stadium because they are still perceived as an unfashionable club.
Jewell experienced difficulty strengthening the Latics' team during 2 Premier League pre season recruitment campaigns, with only the likes of Henri Camara and Denny Landzaat representing real coups in the transfer market.
Jewell stepped down as Wigan chief after steering them away from relegation last month and admitted that the strains of the transfer market played a part in his decision.
He informed the League Managers' Association website, "It was really very testing and I had some supporters saying 'why do not we sign this player, or why do not we sign that player.' We even tried to sign Michael Owen the season before last and that is the type of ambition I have got and the type of ambition the chairman (Dave Whelan) has got. It is coming up to the 3rd season that the club's been in the Premier League however unfortunately top players do not perceive Wigan at the moment as a club to go to and there is no dressing that up, that is a fact."
Former assistant manager Chris Hutchings was installed as new manager on Jewell's recommendation and his predecessor has called for his former number 2 to be given time in the job.
Jewell added, "He has to prove that he is a Premier League Manager however I think he has got all the tools to do it; he's got good knowledge of football, he's a really good coach, he's not frightened to make a decision. It is going to be difficult, there is no doubt about that and I hope people are patient with him because it will be a new era for Wigan and things do take time. Chris will do certain things differently to the way I did and he will require time to stamp his style on the players."
08 06 2007
Portsmouth have dropped out of the race for McDonald Mariga after manager Harry Redknapp found out it could be tough to obtain a British work permit for the £1.7 million rated striker.
The Kenyan international is available for transfer at Swedish club Helsingborg.
However, British Home Office rules state an overseas player wishing to sign for a Premier League club must play for a country in the top 70 of the FIFA rankings, and Kenya are currently 124th.
The Pompey manager admitted, "I do not think I'll be going for him. We would not be able to get a permit."
Having signed centre-backs Sylvain Distin and Hermann Hreidarsson on free transfers and splashing a club record £7 million on midfielder Sulley Muntari, Redknapp is now focused on more firepower.
After missing out on Mark Viduka, Redknapp was linked with likes of Nicolas Anelka, who he tried to sign last summer, Henri Camara and QPR's Lee Cook.
Now Toulouse winger Fode Mansare was added to the list however Redknapp will not confirm his targets, or a report that he has bid £2 million for Rangers winger Cook.
