SuperSAINT

With Ridsdale running that club, the fact that they are on the brink of financial collapse is irrelevant!

Am I excited by the news? Nope. But useful squad player, none-the-less. Plus, he's played in this league for 6 months. I'm still hoping we've got another striker deal in the works, but I perhaps doubt it now.

Whilst i've been firmly in the Simeon Jackson fan-club, I've got to say that with Gillingham wanting more than £1.5 million for him, coupled with Barnard's 250k potential asking price, I wouldn't have any complaints if we landed Barnard instead. He's 3rd top scorer in the league, and is only 1 goal behind Beckford.

I was shocked at that price, when i saw it! - I think he's having contract probs ala Beckford. That price is INSANE!! The only official link we have with him was the Echo throwing his name out, casually. Pretty much the recent history of him is here:- http://www.southlondon-today.co.uk/tn/Sport.cfm?id=50162&headline=Southend%20asking%20for%20up%20to%20%C2%A3250,000%20for%20Lee%20Barnard http://www.pinkun.com/content/pinkun/norwich-city/story.aspx?brand=PINKUNOnline&category=Norwich&tBrand=PINKUNOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED01%20Jan%202010%2013%3A16%3A38%3A903 http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11719_5823492,00.html

Agreed. I can see him fitting into a 4-5-1 system. Like you say, neither Morgan or Hammond really run at players. So this guy offers another option for us, and a different threat to the opposition. Not to mention, the fact that he's 6'2", which fits in with our newly formed team of giants!

Ward is certainly possible (hopefully) I'm hoping the other is Jackson. A few teams will be looking at him for certain, so an early bid wouldn't be the worst idea.

Was looking for good centre-backs on FM (as you do) earlier today, and scouts came up with Dorian Dervite at Spurs. Thought I'd look him up on wiki. He's 6 ft 3", can't get anywhere near the spurs team, and went on loan to Southend last season and by all accounts, did really well for himself. Wonder if he's worth a punt, should we be looking for anyone there.

Elliott Ward (Championship Quality centreback, who Pards has worked with before) Jason Puncheon (If he's NOT on a season long loan at MK Dons) Simeon Jackson (Would give opposition defenders something totally different to think about)

Thought he did well. Involved in Wolves' best move of the night with a couple of lovely 1st time passes. Love to see him back here some day.

Agreed. The 18 man squad needs strengthening. We've still got lots to work on - I don't think we've beaten any of the top six in the league this season have we?

Think I heard Colchester have only lost 2 games in their last 18. This is going to be an incredibly difficult game. I’d take a draw. A win would probably be our best result of the season.

I'd keep Trots too, but it was always the plan for Preston to have him back in January, i believe. I'm massively greatfull for having him here. He really started to make a difference for us when he joined. Just what we needed after that Swindon game! One would hope that Pards has a replacment lined up. I feel Chelsea may take Mellis back - He's not really played enough. He's very good attacking cover from midfield though. (I wonder if Rooney Jnr is the potential replacement for Mellis?) And as for Antonio? If he goes, we'll be badly lacking in the right-wing department.

Pards issued a 'no comment' yesterday regarding the loan status of Trotman, Antonio & Mellis after the game.

I just feel with Pitman that we need to look at players who can play at this level, and the one above. I'm not convinced Pitman is a better choice than Jackson/Barnard. They're both proven at this level.

Fabian Delph - Formally of Leeds, once a shining light of a midfielder in this league, now a regular in the Villa reserves. Great move for all parties. (Except Leeds, Delph, and Villa )

Very good point. I honestly think Leeds would laugh at us if we bid 2 million for Beckford. 1.5 million would probably be enough to land Jackson.

Simon Grayson's take on the Beckford scenario:-

Only if we offer silly money in January. It would be the biggest statement of intent we could possibly make, though! Wouldn't suprise me to see Leeds look at signing Jackson as a straight replacement for him.

He'd be great in this league. He's started today for them though. Think the transfer listing was due to a bust-up with Magilton, so I guess he's staying with them, for now.

God, I wanted an early night tonight. Then THAT happened! I was jumping around the house like a un-tamed baboon!! SUPERB SAINTS. SUPERB!

Pards said after the game on saturday, that Rickie has just about the hardest of shot of anyone he's ever seen.

I can't actually believe that Nicholls is still at Luton! - He was a TOP player a couple of years ago. Speaking of top players, did anyone catch Simeone Jackson's goal against Huddersfield on saturday? Top finish. Sign him up.

S-Clarke's scouting of Racon has not gone un-noticed by the big-boys.... http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_5764417,00.html