david in sweden

RE can of sardines for Pompey's office cat.. LATEST; Cat doesn't like sardines (only eats mice) ..sardines will be on menu for players lunch instead !

My Goodness ! ..is it really 40 years ago...she must be a pensioner by now !

Thakns fro piontnig that uot, I dn'tn nomallay hav truobel speling.

I really think Tony Book deserves more than one line, Duncan. He played almost 400 games with non-league Bath City, before beginning League football with Plymouth (aged 30) in 1964, though it was rumoured he lied about his age. After two years, he moved to First Div. Man City (with Malcolm Allison as his coach) and played 8 years at Maine Road, and along the way won; The European Cup Winners Cup, FA Cup, League Cup, First Division title and Charity Shield medals in City's most successful period ever....and was still playing for Man.City aged 40. He stayed with the club in various capacities and took over as caretaker manager on several occasions. He was also voted Footballer of the Year (1969) aged 35, and still has some Honourary status with Man.City today. and of course ..there was " Big Ron " Atkinson. Played for Headington United (before they became Oxford United) right through the 1960's and was their captain from Non-League days and up 3 divisions into the " old Div.2." in the space of 5-6 years, I think . However, a little closer to home, let's not forget that Alan Pardew played c. 200 games as an amateur in various London clubs before joining Crystal Palace (aged 26).. and then went onto play around 300 League games with Palace, Charlton and later Barnet before retiring.

that means NO !

.... then there's that other guy (what's his name?)..spent 6 seasons in L2 clubs...and then scored 30 odd goals in L1. oh yes Ricky Lambert ! Is he a good example?

OK . didn't see that.... but even at that level, he's already scored 21 goals this season and he's a better bet than dishing out on million-quoted players who only score 10 goals a season !

prior to his current run, he'd only played about 20-odd games since he arrived. Now he's had 5 games on the trot, and there is a decided improvement. Of course he has a lot to learn still, but I don't think he's been a bad bet at all. He's likley to be on the team sheet for a while yet, and with Jaidi on the bench, and Fonte on the mend, we'll have some back-up as it may be some weeks before Jos is back on fit again.

If we dont sign Hooper (not so likely) or do sign Sharp (more likely) we won't be short of strikers, and the fee for a Conference player can't be that much...£250-500K ? Fleetwood will (hopefully for them) win promotion ..and then have some capital to buy in some players for a new life in L2, meanwhile if he continues to score he's a good bet forus next season....and if he isn't, we'll get our money back by re-selling to a CC /L1 side...... win-win!

same thought I had Dr.Who...(my post #45) ..I wonder what Dalek thinks about it ..(oops!... maybe I shouldn't have said that !)

MAYBE ? ..but it would be nice to know for certain - don't you think?. Where are all those " barrack-room lawyers " when you need one .? Nice... if it's OK, otherwise you stand the chance of signing a player you can't legally play this season, or playing him... in ignorance... and getting a points penalty !!!!!

anyway, back to Hooper. Unless this is an old story that The People just woken up to ..? We can see what team Celtic will field today ? It's a SF in the Scottish League Cup...IF.. Celtic aren't even considering a late offer, they won't play Hooper and risk an injury to him...so we can wait and see.....

we've had such players several times in the past. Pace isn't so important as having a good " football brain" - and knowing how to use it. Sounds Ok to me

I wrote about this before ...When JP was still "persona non grata " a few weeks back, NA said we couldn't play JP and then loan him /sell him to a THIRD club in the same season. According to Wikipedia , Danny Collins has already played ONE European game this season with his own club STOKE... and another when on loan to IPSWICH quite recently. If we become his THIRD club this season ..can we sign and legally play him?... and if so might we be fined if we field an ineligible player...?? What are the rules..anyone ?

There is a time frame for "loans" after the window closes, but I think emergency loans onlt applied to the " injured goalie" situation! As that is a very specific role in the team. Otherwise you have to use the players you have. I still think it's a question that needs to be addressed...Nigel !

I don't know the finer points of the rules BUT; He has played ONE European game for his club side Stoke this season AND... one League game for Ipswich ON LOAN... Isn't there some rule about NOT playing for more than TWO clubs in the same season ? . I recall the discussions about JP not being playing for us earlier this month ... because he couldn't be transferred /loaned out afterwards ?

yes but that was after a promotion and a good pre-season...with his injuries and the long recovery time he's lucky to be able to kick a ball ..let alone head one !

...you didn't really expect him to NAME a player .... and the fee we'd offered - did you ?

Don't concern yourself, KPT...if we haven't signed Hooper by Tuesday midnight.....this thread will die a natural death....unfortunately Dalek won't !

oh ....so does that mean that after you vaporise...you will be re-instated... as (dare I say it)... Dalek 2012........that will disappoint a lot of people ..

that sounds delighfully tempting, ART...was there mention of specific clubs ? ....or players ? Which " unsettled " Swiss players are we likly to hear about ?

I don't think the NC/NA combination will buy someone "for the sake of it " - even though they obviously realise that Hooper would be a huge asset, and would pay big money for him.....Maybe not a striker, but as of today, we def. need another CB for extra cover. if ..we end up going up to the Prem.... because our squad is large enough to last the 46 games ....then we don't have to bother. Adkins can praise his "strong squad principle" but, if we hit another batch of big injuries, we struggle...and those early season efforts will have gone to waste.

.....he was probably more concerned with getting back (in one piece...)