According to newsnow thread, we are after a young Notts Forest sriker called Darcheville. The player himself confirms that he has spoken to us.

Anyone know anything about him?

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

Answers

It's not Jean-Claude Darcheville by any chance is it? He plays for Lorient (2nd last in Le Championnat), and spent half a season on loan at Forest in the 1998-99 season. He's currently the 2nd top scorer in France with 17 from 26 games, plus 4 goals in the cups. He's not exactly young though, at 26. His good points are that he's big, strong, fast, and has a shot like a rocket. Bad points are that he is a hot head, and is as subtle as a battering ram!

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

Oh, apparently he plays for Lorient, is worse than JDT was and it would be an insult to Chopra and Offiong to consider him.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

I caught the last train there once

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

No Gus, that was Clarksville

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

Surely the last tgrain was leaving Lorient for Clarkesville

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

Ah oui. That would be L'Orient Express.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

He claims that we "covet" him..

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

There's an interview with him in L'Equipe in which he claims to have been contacted by Inter Milan, Bordeaux, Monaco, and Newcastle. He's nowhere near as bad as JDT, Dougal, although the price of 4.5 million pounds is pretty steep. Apparently his preference is Newcastle as he wants to play in the Champions League.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

I recall seeing him play a few times for Forest - he was fast, but lightweight, and overall pretty cr@p.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

He must have been to the gym since then Clarky, as he looks like Frank Bruno nowadays!

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

I wouldn't have thought his physique is the issue here. Of far greater import is whether he is smelling himself well and if he can drive a station wagon.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

And that is surely dependant on whether we make a strapping man in the middle of field. Salut!

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

Kiwi - just seen a photo of Darcheville. You're quite correct, he does bear more than a passing resemblance to Frank Bruno.

Actually, the French guy I was thinking of is possibly still with Forest - a slightly-built pacy winger or WB: can't recall his name.

I do actually also recall seeing 'Bruno' play a couple of times when he was brought in on loan to help Forest stay in the PL - he failed, of course. He was a complete misfit, and largely confined to making appearances from the bench.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2002

Quote from Bobby Robson:

"I can't pronounce his name and have never seen him play."

Not entirely definitive seeing as how he can't pronounce most names!

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2002

I'm pretty sure my Forest supporting mates thought he was so bad he was funny during their relegation season.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2002