Deal back on. Maybe.It was rumoured a few weeks back that Harewood was one of Hughton’s targets to beef up his injury-stricken strike force, but the deal was reputed to be off a few days ago amidst doubts about Harewood’s fitness.
However it now seems the deal might be back on again. Apparently Hughton has received reassurances from the Villa staff about Harewood’s foot injury and is happy to once again discuss a loan deal, hoping to complete the necessary arrangements in the next few days ahead of Sunday’s match at Cardiff City.
Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll are both injured and new striker Peter Lovenkrands is not match fit, so Hughton was expected to play a lone Ranger up front with someone like Nolan nudging forward from midfield to play Tonto and give him some backup. If Marlon Harewood is signed in time I guess that could all change. (more…)
Marlon King - latest targetIt’s handy this emergency loan system. I’m not sure exactly what we did to qualify, which is apparently dealt with on a case-by-case basis, but it seems we do. That means we can bring in any number of players on a maximum 93-day loan at any time from a week after the transfer window closes until the 4th Thursday of November.
The Mirror is reporting that our latest target is Wigan’s Marlon King. The striker was loaned out to Hull and Middlesbrough last season and doesn’t look like he’s going to command regular first team football under Roberto Martinez. King’s strike rate has been roughly a goal every 3 or 4 games in a career that has seen him signed by Barnet, Gillingham, Notts Forrest and Watford prior to his transfer to Wigan.
King is no stranger to controversy having spent 5 months in prison in 2002 for handling a stolen car and he allegedly nutted Dean Windass in a casino in November 2008. In fact he’s due in the Crown Court on October 26th this year on charges of sexual assault and ABH after he pleaded not guilty at a Magistrates Court in April. (more…)
Cathcart signed on loanToday is of course deadline day for the transfer window, so what can we expect?
Well I’m not convinced we’ll actually buy anyone but I would hope there’ll at least be one or two loan signings to strengthen the squad.
Hughton told The Journal:
“We have good players here and it’s only right the young lads are given an opportunity in this squad because they deserve it.
“But we need some players in before 5pm because we realise that the squad is not strong enough to compete for the whole season. The club are aware of that.
“Once we have injuries, the squad is going to be stretched. (Fabricio) Coloccini was missing against Leicester, Jonás (Gutiérrez) has a hamstring problem and will be out for four weeks and Shola Ameobi has a stress fracture in his foot which needs to be monitored.”
Hughton confident fire sale over. Very confident.Chris Hughton has told The Journal that he thinks the fire sale has ended and that no more players will leave before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
Hughton said:
“It would be wrong of me to say it would be an impossibility anybody could leave, but I would be very confident – very confident – of keeping what we have. Very confident.
“I certainly don’t think there have been the offers that have been put around (in the media), that’s for sure.”
Hughton has apparently pressed for more players. He said:
“I think my concerns are being heard.
“The club are aware of the position we’re in.
“I would be hopeful we can add to the squad as soon as possible.The decisions on who comes in and at what stage will be made by the club, we’re just hopeful that come 5pm on Tuesday we’ve brought in the players we need to bolster the squad. What you want is your ideal squad now, but there are other issues at this club (regarding its ownership) and arguably bigger issues.” (more…)
Not leaving, says HughtonThe takeover farce is, as usual, suffering from conflicting press opinions.
First we hear from newspapers like The Guardian, The Telegraph and The Journal that Ashley arrived at the training ground in his gunship to join Llambias and Moat in takeover talks. Then The Chronicle comes along and says Ashley isn’t there for takeover talks at all but is merely dealing with some ‘routine paperwork’. The Chronicle’s ‘United source’ said:
“It is nothing to get excited about, it was a routine visit, Mike was here to sign some paperwork relating to Damien Duff’s transfer and the launch of the third kit.
“It is not the first time he has been at the training ground recently, and it won’t be the last.”
And Chris Hughton said of the visit:
“He came in, wished everyone the best for the Sheffield Wednesday game, and just wanted to tell people he wouldn’t be at the match.”
So make of that what you will. I am however going to speculate. I think the reports about the takeover being sorted out by the end of this week are probably true. I would imagine that Ashley, if he stays, or any new owner would want at least a week to deal on the transfer market and I think if Ashley feels the bids are going nowhere by the end of this week he’ll pull the plug on the sale. So I’m thinking we’ll hear one way or the other by Monday at the latest. (more…)
