Spring in our step Game on tomorrow as the pitch passed the referee's inspection this afternoon, although it's pretty cold I understand around The Valley tonight and the game could yet fall to the freezing temperatures.

Parky continued to sculpture his own team at the end of this week with the introduction of Graeme Murty and then late today Matthew Spring. I used to like this lad when he was at Luton and Watford, he was certainly instrumental in Watford's promotion under Bothroyd, but he was a Luton man at heart and went back to Kenilworth Road and stayed loyal to them last season despite their off-field problems.

He actually scored against us in the Carling Cup, when we embarrassed ourselves there in September 2007. He was one of a number of players shipped out of Kenilworth Road in the summer to save wages, and was loaned to Sheffield United to team up again with Kevin Blackwell, who had signed him originally from Luton.

Like Bouazza that season-long loan didn't mean much as he went back to Luton and was signed permanently by Parkinson today on a 18-month contract. The amount was undisclosed.

Parkinson remember has been around these divisions for a while and hopefully will be more adept at picking players with the right mentality. Spring's loyalty to Luton says a lot about him and he can nick goals from midfield, something Bailey aside, none of our other midfielders can do. I would expect him to play left side midfield tomorrow.

As for Hameur Bouazza, well I think the team lacks pace and he was one of the few who was quick. He offered a good threat getting in behind defences, although mostly his finishing failed him, which would explain his absence from the Premiership. However he's gone now, was never one of ours in the first place, so no tears here. I don't imagine for a minute he cared an awful lot about our fate, even though we were reportedly paying all of his wages.

What is required is battle weary pros, who want to get stuck in and are prepared to fight for the shirt. I didn't have Bouazza in that camp. Spring and Murty and rumoured signing #4 Wayne Brown's resumé certainly lists loyalty and balls in their previous experience and character.

Dean Sinclair, poor bloke (although's he's probably actually not very poor) has been packed off again, this time to Grimsby. Was there ever a signing that was more of a waste of time and money. Ok, I give you Martin Christensen. What's that at the back? Oh Stuart Fleetwood, yep agreed and he has another month at Brighton. There's definitely a theme developing here isn't there?

Whilst I haven't got off my high horse about the state we find the club in, and we as supporters and stakeholders have a damn right to know what the bloody hell has happened, tonight I feel drawn to think only about tomorrow's game with Forest. I have kind of warmed to Parky, I think he is trying to do right for the club but endeavour won't be enough and we all know what we really desperately need.

"This a big club and people have got to be ready for the 20 cup finals ahead of us." That's right Phil. Come on make us proud, come on you reds.  ¶ 18:33