donaldstott

Echoes of a certain Andrew Cole who in 1993 brought characteristics to an already successful side which were evidently missing at the time (i.e. pace & clinical finishing). IIRC some questioned the signing of Cole saying it was a lot of money for a player who was largely unproven at our level and had failed at the level above us. Yet signing for us proved to be the making of him and suddenly the world sat up and took noticed agreeing we'd got him at a snip. Write off Beckford at your peril IMO. He'll either be in the Premiership next season or a top-end Championship club. And if he proves successful, we'll be absolutely kicking ourselves..... Cole was alot younger and inexperienced with the potential to develop into the player Keegan made him, and was playing in the same division as us. Beckford is much older and less likely to develop as much as Cole did, and is scoring goals a division below for a team that by and large are rolling people over making life easy for him. Not saying he definitely won't do the business in the prem, but i think at best he'll do ok there, but i'd be absolutely stunned if he came close to matching Coles goal scoring exploits! I'd not have been unhappy if we had got him this window mind as he would definitely have helped our promotion bid and if he wasn't too expensive it wouldn't have been a big gable if he didn't work out in the prem, but he isn't Andy Cole. More Norris Cole than Andy Cole.

this and if you are a good judge of a footballer like me it helps too. Stevie in the next post has a corker idea too, covering NUFC like John Gibson and getting presumably well paid for it too. Gibson will be on good wedge, as he's been there an eternity and comes from an age when journalists pay was not a joke. Anybody starting up in journalism should expect to struggle to make ends meet. The above is why I no longer have my dream job. Which opens up the debate, can it be a dream job if you are struggling to pay the bills?

Rio Ferdinand has denied the Violect Conduct charge and can play against City tonight. That's an appalling loop hole and one that the FA should extend his ban for trying to use it.

.com quite astutely have picked up that there is no mention if it is a permenant deal. No contract length mentioned, could be a loan. Not arsed if it is, but if it is then NUFC are doing their best to hide the fact.

When accountants and football collide!! With Forest sniffing, I would be breaking my neck to sign him if I were CH.

Do you ever listen to people on the radio and think I could do better than that? Anybody specifically? Adrian Lockwood, That Irish WP supporter on Radio Five, John Cairns, Janine Self etc... Justin Lockwood? Divin't worry though cos names are largely irrelevant in football commentary, just shout 'back of the net' and hope people don't want to know who scored the goal.

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-s...97319-25693500/ Alex McLeish has confirmed that Newcastle United have expressed their interest in Martin Taylor. But there was no move imminent, said the Blues boss. "Not at the moment. His agents are talking to a couple of clubs and I am just waiting. "Newcastle approached his people and said they would be interested in a loan deal. I don't know if that is the case still, but they have certainly declared an interest." As to whether he would prefer a loan or a permanent transfer, McLeish wouldn't say. "Tiny has got a contract to the end of the season and he is a great guy, great pro, he comes in, gets on with his job and was one of the stars of the Reading game at the end of last season which clinched promotion. "If Tiny is still here to the end of the season, that is fine by me." Meanwhile, David Murphy made his comeback from a fractured kneecap by playing a half of Blues reserves 1-1 draw against Hereford United at Wast Hills in a friendly. "He was blowing a bit after 45 minutes," said McLeish. "He felt his legs. They were almost jelly like but it is good progress because two months ago he was in despair after suffering a setback." Michel scored Blues goal and Marcus Bent also had a run-out in the behind closed doors match.

Do you ever listen to people on the radio and think I could do better than that? Anybody specifically?

At the rate Forest are going they'll win the league comfortably. 19 games unbeaten, 8 wins in last 10 games - during which time they've notched 25 times.

That's at work, my home connection is less than impressive.

agree 100%. just what we need at this level. we like a tricky winger at sjp. He's the new Franz Carr.

Perhaps CH has taken the decision to stick with what he's got striker wise. Buying a winger would free up either Pancrate or Nolan to play up top. The idea would be that we bombard crosses in to Stroller and Andy Caroll..

According to Skysports Boro were trying to sign him. I had completely forgotten that he played for Villa as well as Spurs (but no big clubs Stevie )

played 29 scored 6 this season..

Means Guthrie can play at right back tomorrow i suppose.

He should be able to, IIRC it's a midday cut off.

Preston have signed Danny Wellbeck on loan.. Good signing for them, can't imagine he'd have been allowed to go anywhere else like!!

Hughton I saw his son Cian playing for Ireland (might be U21) and he looked like a canny player. He's a fullback as well. On the books at Spurs IIRC.

Reet, who the hell is going to play at right back on Wed night?

Awful news if true and would explain the Williamson deal.

Joining Leicester according to SSN. Could well make his debut against us....

Assuming that clubs don't operate at a loss we should easily be able to spend the equivalent of Aston Villa, Everton etc as we well and truly dwarf their numbers in terms of attendance. Probably Everton but not necessarily Villa, they played 56 competitive games last season so their earnings in prize money, television money and extra ticket sales would probably outstrip our top line.

Wow. From cadbury's creme egg to burst starfish in 11 posts. Is nothing sacred?

He wouldn't be blameless but he would have every right to expect to be paid what was owed to him and the blame lies solely with any football club that is writing cheques they can't afford.