Crusoe

Oh, and no 21 or 23, possible room for loans or signings?

No massive surprises. Still no number 3, Kalala has number 4 but I assume that'll free up in time. Thompson and Stam look like the first choice centre backs, a little odd. Does anyone know how long a contract Josh Bell signed?

Spent some time at Port Vale. Was also at Ipswich and Brighton. Don't know how good.

I don't think retiring the number 4 jersey is the right gesture (we've had a lot of number 4s) but - and I don't want to be inappropriately premature at such a tragic time - I'd like to see the club do something like a sale of replica Ernie no.4 shirts with all proceeds to suitable charities. I'd buy one. Anyway, I don't want to be critical, I know everyone posting here is equally saddened and my thoughts go out to his family and friends. Absolutely terrible, moreso for his age.

Exactly what goods am I supposed to deliver? I posted a rumour I heard, but withheld the name. Is there a problem with that? You know, next time I'll not bother, the amount of whining it's caused.

Would he need a work permit?

And here he is: Alright, alright, I know I should just shut up, but since there's bugger all else real news I couldn't resist. Anyone who's getting annoyed can feel free to ignore this thread - I won't be spamming other threads about this. And, as has been pointed out to me, it's been long enough since I heard the rumour that it may not be happening at all now.

Nope. Can't give clues about where he is now really, it'd be a giveaway.

Nope. Either English, Welsh, Scottish or Northern Irish. That should help narrow it down

One message was all I got. I've scoured the net and this chap is still with his club (the tenth club of his career, there you go, another clue). But, just to caveat yet again: I wasn't told he was signing, I was told we wanted him but it looked like he might go to a Championship club (which he hasn't, so maybe we're still in the running...).

Bob, look at the date of the first post. The signing was O'Grady. The thread has been resurrected.

Nope. Not Speed. In one way you're close though. And while it's a friend of a friend, I did get it (and keep it) in writing, and I have good reason to believe it was from someone in the know.

nope. the person who told me is a friend of a friend, not someone I know directly. I've not heard anything since. as I said, as soon as I hear if this player does sign elsewhere I'll post, or if he signs here I'll wait and see if it's the same person.

I don't think he's out of contract (I know he's still with a club) but I don't know if they would want a fee for him. He has enough experience at a good enough level that he should be quality, but although he's playing regularly (a regular starter in both of the last couple of seasons) he's towards the end of his career so would not be someone we would make a profit on, for example. And it's not Okocha, Wallwork or anyone under thirty.

Nope. The player I had in mind is definitely still with his current club. And he's older than Wellens.

The five most played on my ipod right now - Veridis Quo - Daft Punk Phantom, Part 1 - Justice How It Ends - DeVotchKa I Get Around (Midnight Juggernauts mix) - Dragonette Don't Stop Till You Get Enough - Derrick Laro & Trinity

It's not Mulryne. And just to be clear, I didn't say he'd played for Man U, just that he'd played at Old T. Don't know about fees - he's under contract at his current club but I don't know if they'd want a fee. Am pretty sure he's a central mid only.

It is not Wallwork. I will honestly share once we're either close to signing, assuming we get to hear, or if he signs elsewhere. He's an experienced thirtysomething with bags of Championship experience, but as we're competing for him I don't want to be blamed if it leaks out and someone else moves in.

Nope. Vaguely similar ballpark though (not the same age, but similar experience).

Please. That Linfield kit looks bobbins. Like Rotherham blended with Ipswich. Stick it on a (slightly skeletal) attractive woman and people think it's quality...

feel free not to read, ed. I gave my reasons for not naming, I've not posted any more other than to correct comments where people are barking up the wrong alley.

I didn't say an ex-MU player, actually. I said a player who'd played at Old Trafford. And I said experienced. Read into that what you will

To clarify once again on this midfielder - I was told we were after him but he may choose to sign for a Championship club. My source was keen but not massively hopeful, so don't expect too much. If he does sign elsewhere I'll post on here to confirm who it was (if I remember).

The O'Grady fee is less than £65,000 (per the same person who told me about the signing). As for the contract, I have no inside knowledge but the fee and the contract are separately negotiated (since one is payable to the club for the player's registration and one is agreed with the player). You'd be foolish to spend a lot on a fee for a player and then only agree a short contract, but you can back out of a deal if you can't agree terms. I assume that TTA are comfortable with both the fee and contract length.

I'm saying nothing about O'Grady (although a quick bit of research just now suggests not every Rotherham review is a bad one - I've also been told he's reasonably talented and has a good work rate, a bit like Paul Warne but with more goals). As for the midfielder, he's certainly more well-known but I have my doubts that he'll wow everyone.