A month or so ago, it looked like Jack Byrne's loan move to Oldham had resurrected his career. His performances and goals were earning him rave reviews.
Now though, as his loan deal from Wigan comes to an end, Oldham manager Richie Wellens has offered an incredibly harsh assessment of the 21-year-old Dubliner.
With Byrne reportedly in talks with Hearts, as well as some other clubs, about a permanent move away from Wigan, Wellens has hinted he won't be too sorry to see him go.
I've given Jack Byrne a free role for a number of games but I've been disappointed with Jack. 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.
It's hard to know if this is sour grapes at a player he is certain to lose in January, or something more honest. The truth is Byrne's goals and assists have trailed off, and though just 21, it does seem indicative of his stop-start career to this point.
Hopefully his time at Oldham with some first team football under his belt will hold him in good stead, especially with a possibility of a move to the Scottish Premier League in the offing.
Meanwhile, Wellens has completed the signing of Patrick McEleney from Dundalk on a two-and-a-half year deal.
