Midas Soccer ( A usually un-reliable source!) are reporting that we are trying to sign John Hartson on loan. The Dons may be willing to put him in the transfer window and indeed Bobby may even have a go at buying him.

Anyone would do at the moment and he has a bit of an attitude, which may not be a bad thing, given our lacklustre performances in front of goal. Another Wimbledon player though!

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

Answers

Wouldn't surprise me at all; I've been having nightmares about it for months. A definite Wadsworth signing.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

Do you not rate Wadsworth then Softie?

Bobby's Portugese coach friend is available having left Benfica!?

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

Dunno about Softie, DB, but the comments of the Col U fans about him said a lot - they hate him for buying crap, lazy players. They claim he resigned because the board wouldn't give him the money to sign Fumaca!

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

I just cannot see how a failed lower league coach has anything to offer a premiership side.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

At a coaching level, I can see that a failed manager might be OK. I mean, I can imagine Pedro being a good coach but a poor manager. The problem is that Bobby seems to trust him further than mere coaching/

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

As Ive said before, having seen Hartson twice playing at Selhurst Park this season, he looks a fantastic striker. Immense at holding the ball up and his passing/flick ons were superb. Great shame about his injury problems. At the time, he looked very fit, 110% effort and was well behaved. If we got him on loan i reckon it wud be great.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

Yea spud, but the same could be said for Collymore.

I thought his performance in his Bradford debut was one of the best displays by a CF this season.

But would I have him as our CF.................

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

Spud

I'd agree, with one proviso...it'd be great if he could stay fit. Seems a bit daft to bring someone in, loaned out or on a free, if their fitness is in doubt to cover an injury crisis!

Then again, this is NUFC. I also heard that we're taking a full time ward at the RVI and building an old crocks home.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

Beggars can't be choosers, and I'd far rather see Hartson playing CF for us on Saturday - but more especially against Leeds and manure - than ANY of the current alternatives at the Club.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

Certainly nothing to lose if he's on loan.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

The question is, wat wud be worth paying for him considering the full package. I think 3 million would be a worthwhile risk considering our predicament and his quality. As long as he was on no more than 25K per week. Wimbledon may accept as low as 3 mill cconsidering hes probably on a very high wage(which they cant afford) and the fact other clubs have pulled out at the last minute. I dont think hed be the same gamble Dunc was as he cudnt possibly be more injury prone, wudnt cost 8 mill and wudnt cost over 40K per week.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

And hed also NOT be a foreigner(no Welsh jokes please). The transfer system of UK players within the PL league will not be affected so theres no gamble from that point of view either. Seriously, him and Al wud terrify defences as much as with Dunc- only problem is theyd both have to do it over the PA system if lying on the treament table :-)

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

Good to get us out of a hole but longer term, I think we should be getting away from the big target man to send crosses into.

NUFC should look beyond Shearer now & get back to a passing & clever movement team.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

We cant really look beyond Shearer when hes going to be our main striker and captain for the next 4 years. What are we going to do? Put him on the transfer market? Unlikely since hes our best player by a mile even if he isnt 'world class' anymore. Just thinking back to when the team did actually play very well and got him more involved....last season at SJP vs ManUre, Sheff Wed, Southampton. Yep hes invaluable when the team play well.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

Thank you spud, thank you - I'm not the only one after all!

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

no. please no. have we truly sunk so low? it seems we have. Just what we need: another unfit, half-arsed striker to take the place of Ferguson. why did we sell him then? this just adds insult to injury.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000

I have never rated Hartson that highly, but needs must when the devil drives and beggars can't be choosers......and lets face it, after Saturday's woeful display we are begging big time.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if he is good enough for YBR then I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I would prefer a loan start at least, and then possibly sign him properly IF/WHEN he has proven himself.

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-- Anonymous, December 11, 2000