Badger

Pieters was linked with Newcastle. I think its unlikely we could prise him away. PSV, can you recommend a good centre back ? A couple have been mentioned on here, Vlaar - although he might be going to Villa ,and Gouweleeuw . I was hoping we might bring a Dutch goalkeeper in as you seem to produce some good ones, but think we've got that covered. Thanks for your comments and insight regarding both Lens & Buttner by the way,

The last one to have a run in the side was probably Steve Middleton in the mid 1970's. He may even have had a call up to England U21's, but was displaced by Ian Turner. Grainger and Blayney were after him but played 2 and 1 game(s). Kite was a £50,000 buy from Bristol Rovers.

Who was our spa player today ?

and when he hasn't started or in the first five or six games will he remain motivated or sulk ? Simple answer - offload as soon as possible,preferably,trade in for Phillips or Ince at Blackpool, or whoever.

It really was the 'JFK' moment wasn't it ? For me,I was in 'A'level year,decided to spend a day at home on'studyleave' (more productive than a wasted Monday with some guff lessons etc), at 2pm my mother called out to me " did you hear that, on the radio they've just said Kevin Keegan is to sign for Saints ?". No I had not heard it,but that was the end of the studying as I then listened to every Sports News that afternoon just to make sure there was no mistake.

A highly rated prospect as I recall

add Colin Boulton to the list of loanees

Most unlikely that we would buy two up and coming keepers both aged 20, with only 40 league games between them.

It certainly took Alan Pardew by surprise when it happened as I recall.

Sad but true. Bridge is a classic example, preferring to be a reserve at Chelsea and spare part elsewhere on loan than move to protect his career.

I don't think that is either fair or accurate. Keegan and family were happy in Hampshire,it was not a 'game plan' to go to Newcastle, he left following a rift with Laurie. We were top of the league in March 1981/2, KK pestered Laurie to improve the squad, which did not happen to Keegan's expectation. It was later revealed that Saints had set up a deal for Trevor Francis who was unsettled at Man City but it fell through. LM had agreed it with John Bond the City manager, but the City board pulled the plug fearing fan revolt.(How times have changed regarding transfers , now the manager's input seems minimal).Keegan thought the club unambitous. After a deadful 3-0 defeat at home to Villa, LM accused Keegan of just going through the motions with one eye on the World Cup. That was it, KK wanted out. There were rumours that Keegan had a £100,000 buy out clause entitling him to talk to Man Utd which is where we expected him to go. Newcastle had backing from Scottish & Newcastle Breweries, and they put a mega deal together by 'then standards' to get him talking.

First item on the 6 O'Clock news on tv as well.

Very funny - but he is not fit to wipe Keegan's arse

The signing of KK is out on its own. I can't think of a player now who would have the same impact, KK was still in his prime. Before KK the one that shocked us was Peter Osgood, £275,000 was an unprecedented sum for us to spend and elevated us in to the big time under our new manager and era. But instead we spiralled to relegation. The signing of Shilton was really tempered by the rumour and expectation that KK had a rift and was off. I could never get excited about Shilton's arrival to be honest.

You may very well be proven right, and like you I was hoping we'd sign him. Whatever happens though, I hope the "we should have signed Butland" issue does not become a stick to beat Gazziniga with.

Does he use a stage name of Tommy Foreskin ?

But Steve De Nofingers, or Steve De Foreskin don't have the same ring to them do they ?

I see it didn't take you long to rework the old Pulis or Forecast joke.

Here's a song for him: Superb. We have a winner. Post 134 from yesterday.

Interesting that "he can also play leftback". Think I've seen his name on here before.

I know you have some connections in the GK world, so wheres your "clever money" going, for who or what we might end up with ? Apart from our 'known' or at least publicised interest in Butland, and Gazzaniga, we have been rumoured with Dutch & German keepers, so the net is spread fairly wide. Possibly.

Just trawling some Gills' boards for anything new. Nothing particularly new, but Patred is certainly doing his best to get a response from them: http://fansonline.net/gillingham/mb/view.php?id=167021 £2.5m seems too high in my book. On another of their forums though it is suggested he is off to West Ham for £600,000. Conclusion - their fans know as much or as little as we do.

Is noted as manager of non-league Wakefield as recently as 2011: http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/all-change-at-wakefield-8625/ Wakefield, and Huddersfield connections worry me. I don't think he's a jap at all, his real name is probably Arkwright, he who pigeons and drinks at The Three Ferrets nr Tadcaster. He's really here as a translator for Billy Sharp.

The only Japanese connection with initials TT was something like 'Tiger Tanaka' or similar. This however was James Bond's contact in You Only Live Twice. But with the power of Google : it brings up a geezer by the name of Tsuyoshi Takano. Is it he perhaps ? http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/tsuyoshi-takano/23/a00/19b

Not odd at all, Butland has been selected for a full international squad and is widely recognised as an outstanding prospect. No one had previously heard of the Gillingham gk. Presumably with additions and top ups etc.