True Blue, Open Your Heart and Holiday
HI, MY NAME IS
The name game continued at Goodison Park today when Walter Smith completed his ninth transfer transaction of the summer with the 2.2m signing of Niclas Alexandersson from Sheffield Wednesday. Alexandersson joins Alessandro Watson, Steve Pistone, Don Nyarko, John Hutchison, Alex Collins, Mitch Barmby, Black Prada Doctor Bag Nick Ward and Paul Gascoigne (let’s face it, you’re not going to confuse him with anyone else) in moving either in or out of Goodison Park.
After Alexandersson has been fitted with a sign saying ‚My name is Niclas – please pass to me‘, he will fly out to Tuscany to join his new team-mates for pre-season training. Announcing the arrival of the 28-year-old Swedish international, Walter Smith said this afternoon: „Niclas will give us the width we have lacked in recent seasons. He is an international and has plenty of experience of the Authentic Prada Americas Cup Sneakers Premiership.“ And with that he was off – Kris Akabusi later confirming that it was the shortest press conference on record.
With Slobodan Komljenovic and Dzoni Novak currently unavailable, and having already gone down the Ibrahima Bakayoko road, Smith is now left with very few confusingly-titled transfer possibilities. That being said, Everton still look likely to sign scary-name Dane Thomas Gravesen from FC Hamburg before the end of the week, and are looking out for cover for Kevin Campbell. Cover for Kevin Campbell – who would have thought it?
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TAYLOR’S TEMPERATURE TALES
Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Dr Fiver. Normally I wouldn’t allow you to read any of the confidential Bicester Village Prada Opening notes I make Authentic Prada Bag For Sale Philippines on my patients, but I’m about to be struck off after an unfortunate incident with a young blonde and a warm stethoscope, so what the hell. Let’s have a look at the notes I’ve made on Leicester boss Peter Taylor (who’s not technically registered at my practice, so I’ve had to stalk him).
17 July (pm): It’s late. A tired-looking patient makes a 5m bid for Wolves striker Ade Akinbiyi, after his initial Authentic Prada Fairy Bag For Sale 4m offer was turned down last week. Patient seems a bit agitated about paying the higher price. Sleep-depravation and anxiety… hmm… a douche should do the trick.
18 July (am): Patient’s temperature rises after he spots quote from Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey in the papers. „This is a significant sum of money replica prada messenger bags,“ says Moxey, with wanton disregard for patient’s well-being. „We have told officials at Filbert Street that we will give it the serious consideration it merits.“ I prescribe some pills.
18 July (am): Pills have had no effect on patient’s high blood pressure, and now he is ranting incoherently. „We are very disappointed that Moxey has seen fit to make public Authentic Prada Handbags For Cheap details of a transfer offer,“ says patient. „With that in mind, we have given Wolves until 12 noon today to agree to the offer or it will be withdrawn with immediate effect.“ I suggest freebasing some ginseng.
18 July (pm): Patient seems calm again. Wolves have accepted the bid and given patient permission to speak to Akinbiyi. „I will speak to Leicester and see what happens. I think anyone would be mad if they were not after Premiership football,“ says Akinbiyi.
18 Ju… Hold on…is that bloke from the British Medical Association? I’m taking no chances… I’m off!
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
„Over the last six months, my sons have been developing some ideas. Some are in football, but I am finished with management and coaching, that is without question“ – The Imperial Lord Ferg confirms his retirement in 2002. But what have his kids come up with? Ideas to the.boss@theguardian.com
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AND THEY’RE OFF!
There’s nothing the Fiver likes better than a bit of holiday. The warmth, the smells, the thriving cultures: yes, staying in bed for a fortnight really does have its benefits. But not everybody enjoys skulking under the covers Authentic Prada Bags Outlet Online like the Fiver, and only today the manager of Newcastle, the venerable Robert Robson esq., went on record to extol the virtues of a pre-season sunshine break. In his own inimitable way, of course.
„I always like to get away for a few days because I just think it bonds people together. You’re living together for a while and as long as it’s not too long it’s perfect,“ said Mr Robert who is taking his Toon Army Stateside Authentic Prada Leather Handbags for ten days. „For the two Argentinians and Carl Cort, it’s a way of getting to know the players much quicker because ten days away together really represents a month in another way.“ In a way that is almost certainly mad, that is.
Robert, who’s obviously never been on an 18-30 holiday (there’s a reason for that – Fiver geriatric spokesman) is not just taking his players on an extended layabout in the sun. No, there’ll be football too, with matches against top rank MLS opposition including Washington DC Wonderbra and Columbus Codpiece. „We wanted two decent matches without it being over-competitive,“ Mr Robert explained. „We’re going to America Agatha Ruiz Dela Prada Sale Uk to play, we’re not going to the heart of Spain, so it’s a very attractive trip in that sense.“ Could residents of the heart of Spain please address their complaint to Mr Robert, not us (we’ll be in bed).
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THE RUMOUR MILL
Everton are considering re-signing Duncan Ferguson from Newcastle. Walter Smith is playing his cards close to his chest, however: „That is down to the realms of speculation, there’s all sorts of stuff going round. I read recently that Bobby Robson wasn’t prepared to let him go, anyway, so, for me, that is entirely speculative.“
Manchester United have joined Chelsea in a 5m chase for Barcelona defender Winston Bogarde.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa are all interested in Newcastle defender Steve Howey.
West Ham, Everton and Leicester are tracking Newcastle supersub Temuri Ketsbaia, who is out of favour at St James Park.
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NEWS IN BRIEF
Mark Draper has completed his 1.25m transfer from Aston Villa to Southampton after passing a medical at the Dell. The 29-year-old midfielder has signed a four-year contract in a deal which could rise to 1.5m depending on appearances.
Newcastle have signed Maritimo midfielder Bruno on loan with a view to a 2m permanent move.
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley has joined Middlesbrough on a free transfer.
Johan Cruyff will return to Barcelona as an unpaid vice-president should Lluis Bassat win the race to succeed Josep Lluis Nunez as club president.
Mark Delaney has been given a new four-year contract by Aston Villa.
Blackburn captain Lee Carsley has handed in a transfer request.
Oliver Bierhoff has been confirmed as captain of Germany until the 2002 World Cup.
Gianluigi Lentini, once the most expensive footballer in Authentic Prada Bags Uk the world when he moved from Torino to Milan for 13m in 1992, has been released from his contract at Torino. Atalanta and Fiorentina are interested in the player.
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TONIGHT’S TV AND RADIO
Channel 4: Football Stories – Bad Boys (10pm) Don Mackay. Norman Hunter. Chopper Harris. Graeme Souness. Everybody loves a wild-eyed lunatic, don’t they?