derry

Brian isn't going to move and lose money. His contract is until July 2013 so unless we match that, it isn't going to happen.

Saints have been nibbling at him since last season. It is relative, he is a good player, at our level an outstanding player, better than any central midfielder available here, it is what he could do to improve us that I see. He directs and passes in midfield at the moment and for a long time we haven't had a leader in midfield. On Monday Brian thought it might happen but nothing happened.

Could somebody please point out the next Mick Channon in the youth team. Chamberlain is already doing that. It's a central midfield leader we need. Fonte might do it but it wouldn't be him more like one of the spare full backs. It's bad enough at the moment that we aren't playing that well but getting results scoring mostly from set pieces. If that dries up, we won't be promoted, playing stopgaps while our competitors are flying.

Unless we contact Reading again it isn't going to happen. Reading are playing two defensive midfielders, two quick wingers and employing route one pragmatism to get results. Playing Brian Howards brand of incisive passing and possession play isn't wanted. They bring him on when they are behind and can't get a goal and risk losing one of the defensive midfielders. It's our loss as we need a leader in the team and we don't have one, they don't come cheap. Brian is hardly the loser, he has a good contract until July 2013. I think we are pursuing a charity shop strategy with signings. Adkins did after all contact Reading last week and Brian's agent has spoken to Saints. Since then no contact. It wouldn't surprise me if we bring in a cheapie as cover but will that make us play better? because we are winning a lot of matches without playing well and relying on set pieces for goals.

There is no doubt he would come if asked. It depends I suppose on other options and whether other targets want to come. Noone else would have Brian's reasons, living here, supporter, and wanting to prove himself here. It's a shame, he could have improved us. Whoever we get in, he has to be better than those here already and a leader. Average backup doesn't cut it for me. If things don't work out on possibly cheaper options we might revisit.

It looks like it isn't going ahead.

You could well be right.

He is a good player, but my comment stands as more a criticism of the content of the Saints team of Indians but no Chiefs. We need on field direction and he would supply that. He could well get back into Reading's team and has already played 22 games but was out through injury and Reading are doing well.

You may be right Ron but as I said before Brian did say he would know more by the end of the week which didn't sound like anybody was in a rush. He did say that Saints knew his current contract and he wasn't looking for an increase. I think there is an urgency on here that isn't there in the real world. I think if it was over I would know pretty soon after, that it wasn't going to happen. Thursday is still a week away as you say.

I've taken a close interest in this lad as he and his girlfriend / were friends of my son while he was still at Saints. He could pick locks with his left foot and direction/tactical etc wise he is streets ahead of anybody else at Saints. We haven't had a player with his range of passing for years, probably since MLT. He would make an enormous difference to our team play especially to Chamberlain, Lallana, Lambert and Barnard/Guly. We have no leadership on the field and he would lead and direct.

I don't think Brian's contract is at a level which is any different to the likes of Fonte, Lambert, Lallana etc. Some of the figures being quoted on here are really a waste of a post, It remains whether the approach was made as a result of the committee including Cortese or just an enquiry that was leaked but isn't being pursued. Up to 10pm last night there had been no change.

I think maybe as there was an approach last week but after costs were looked at things didn't progress, although to be fair, Brian did say he would know more towards the end of this week which said to me that nobody was pushing at either end.

That's the problem with statistics they can't be extrapolated to work anything out as an end result. In our case Peterborough and Bournemouth away and only 3 home games.

I've not heard a thing today but I didn't really expect to, as my son is working and the loose arrangement was for sevenish this evening. I think Brian was going to contact him later on in the day. If anything is happening or either of them decide not to, it won't happen. My son isn't really that bothered about Saints or professional football, although he is sport minded. So he is not bothered either way as it makes no difference to him where Brian plays. Although if Brian joined Saints he would probably use my spare ST when he was available.

It's hypothetical but I would think that would be the strongest pairing defensively.

I could be wrong but I just can't see the club gambling on what could, if one of the central midfielders is long term injured, mean that a player that must play is in a recuperation phase. On the other hand I can't see Brian Howard being anything other than the first pick central midfielder.

It's got to be a gamble taking a player that is recuperating from a cruciate and playing his first games for a club in a crucial position. It's bad enough taking somebody who is fit and could get injured but knees need care not **** or bust situations.

The mail copying the echo and vice versa. Brian said on Monday that he would know more by the end of the week so it looks like nobody is in any rush except Saints fans. In any event he will be letting my son know as soon as it happens.

No, but my middle son is.

If there is truth in it, would any employee of Cortese's dare make a premature comment of any sort.

Hi Dave, unfortunately there has been no change. As you say he would be a great signing. I might be going to the driving range with my son and Brian tomorrow pm, so I might get a better idea always providing things haven't moved on and he would be otherwise engaged, hopefully.

He Hasn't.

I can't wait.

Quite! But up to now there has been little evidence of a change in attitude by either side. I wouldn't put it past the Echo to print this story to spite Cortese. I hope he sees through it if that is what it is and gets on and signs him.

The Echo is the problem Nick, a complete back page and banner headlines. I bet Cortese is unhappy about that being broken prematurely before there is agreement on anything.