Friday 30 December 2005
Ashton & Marcus Bent head New Year shopping list
Hangover's on New Years Day morning will not only signify a late and expensive night out but also the beginning of the mid-season transfer window. It is notoriously hard to move players mid season and last January, despite a huge amount of rumour mongering, we added no one to the squad but in fact reduced the number by allowing Simon Royce, Graham Stuart and Neil McCafferty all to leave on loan. Neither of those three returned.
It was painful last year as we sat and watched hinted target's James Beattie sign for Everton, Dean Ashton sign for Norwich, Matt Dawson and Andy Reid for Spurs and Robbie Blake go to St Andrews.
I would have liked us to have taken the gamble on both Matt Dawson and Dean Ashton at the time but Curbishley clearly did not. Admittedly Spurs paid over the top for Dawson but Norwich's £3m scoop of Ashton from Crewe was nearly enough to keep them in the Premiership.
He scored 7 goals in the final half of the season, more than all of our forwards put together, and has hit 11 in the Championship in what has been an undistinguished season for the Canaries so far, despite high-hopes.
That £3m price tag has now inflated to nearer to £8m and according to reports it seems that Curbishley has now been impressed enough to bid. This could start a much-needed squad clear out, although I would be amazed if any of the players listed, Rommedahl aside, would be worth much more than a bean.
The chances of shifting 6 players in January are slim but Peter Varney said today that "we are looking to bring in players in the transfer window. I'm sure there will be some movement in and out." (more). We wait like expecting fathers.
Varney also thought it was a good time to give his manager a vote of confidence - always a nice Christmas present for any coach. "He has our total support. He's done a magnificent job and I'm sure he will continue to do so," he said.
He also talked about Curbishley's obvious liking for Marcus Bent. 1 goal in 15 games this season is Bartlett-esque and 8 clubs in 10 years does not bode well. However with rumours of Lisbie, Bartlett, Jeffers and JJ all on their way, don't be surprised to see us compete for both Ashton and Darren's namesake and ex-Ipswich teammate during the next 4 weeks. ¶ 10:43
It was painful last year as we sat and watched hinted target's James Beattie sign for Everton, Dean Ashton sign for Norwich, Matt Dawson and Andy Reid for Spurs and Robbie Blake go to St Andrews.
I would have liked us to have taken the gamble on both Matt Dawson and Dean Ashton at the time but Curbishley clearly did not. Admittedly Spurs paid over the top for Dawson but Norwich's £3m scoop of Ashton from Crewe was nearly enough to keep them in the Premiership.
He scored 7 goals in the final half of the season, more than all of our forwards put together, and has hit 11 in the Championship in what has been an undistinguished season for the Canaries so far, despite high-hopes.
That £3m price tag has now inflated to nearer to £8m and according to reports it seems that Curbishley has now been impressed enough to bid. This could start a much-needed squad clear out, although I would be amazed if any of the players listed, Rommedahl aside, would be worth much more than a bean.
The chances of shifting 6 players in January are slim but Peter Varney said today that "we are looking to bring in players in the transfer window. I'm sure there will be some movement in and out." (more). We wait like expecting fathers.
Varney also thought it was a good time to give his manager a vote of confidence - always a nice Christmas present for any coach. "He has our total support. He's done a magnificent job and I'm sure he will continue to do so," he said.
He also talked about Curbishley's obvious liking for Marcus Bent. 1 goal in 15 games this season is Bartlett-esque and 8 clubs in 10 years does not bode well. However with rumours of Lisbie, Bartlett, Jeffers and JJ all on their way, don't be surprised to see us compete for both Ashton and Darren's namesake and ex-Ipswich teammate during the next 4 weeks. ¶ 10:43
