KEN Anderson reckons he struck the best deal to land free agents Stephen Ireland and Lloyd Dyer.

Wanderers have added two experienced heads to Phil Parkinson’s squad in the last few weeks to give the manager more tactical flexibility and selection options at a traditionally busy time of year.

Both players had previously trialled with the club but had been unable to agree a deal – and Anderson believes the club has benefited from sticking to their guns when discussing player contracts.

“The manager identified the two players but once I know he likes the players, I deal with the agents and representatives involved,” he explained.

“On both occasions we have had to so some haggling before we got to the stage where the deal was beneficial to the club.

“A couple of weeks ago we brought Lloyd Dyer back and then last weekend Lee (Anderson) spoke to Stephen and his agent, we did a bit of bartering and then the deal was agreed on Monday.”

Pawel Olkoswki revealed in an interview with the Polish press that he nearly rejected a move to Bolton after negotiations with the club

And Anderson admits it has been a common theme among the signings Wanderers have made since the summer.

“I’d say 90 per cent of the deals we have done, what the player has asked for and what he got in the end was different,” he said.

“It’s quite unique at Bolton because I am the only person who does the financials, nobody else is involved in it.”

Parkinson was adamant during an at-times difficult summer Wanderers needed to inject more creativity into the squad.

However, he remains realistic about the club’s potential targets, and told The Bolton News: “We understand where we are in terms of the players we can go for and at what level but it is about getting one over the line.

“We start summer with several lists and there are a few we haven’t been able to get in and some we have.

“So that’s really what happens, that’s what we’re competing with in terms of other teams’ spending power.”