Transfer Rumours & Play-Off Previews

First, word reaches me that Alan Pardew is keen to strike early in this Summer transfer window because the Board are keen to show their ambition to spur season-ticket sales and because he is cutting the Summer holiday short in order to teach the players a lesson and/or ensure we are raring to go come 9th August and he wants his new squad ready.

Whatever the reason, Norwich's Mark Fotheringham is being mentioned and he looks like he could fit the bill. A no-nonsense ball-winning midfielder, the Scot (with that name?) has travelled well, although, worryingly, never stayed anywhere for too long. A former Celtic youth player, he had a spell at Dundee and forays in Germany and Switzerland before Norwich picked him up. He's only 23 and whilst out of favour early season has played well since Glenn Roeder brought him into the team. A colleague from Carrow Road thinks this could be a decent signing if it comes to pass. I understand he's out of contract, so there is unlikely to be a fee if we land him.

From the same source, I am told that Norwich are keen on Plymouth right-back Paul Connolly (24) but they understand Charlton are also interested and that we are likely to present too big a challenge for them (you have to remind yourselves what has happened to our club as a result of seven seasons in the Premier League).

Anyway, on to the two big Championship matches of the weekend.....

Crystal Palace v Bristol City

Palace took four points off City this year, beating them 2-0 at Selhurst and gaining a draw at Ashton Gate. So they will not be short of confidence for the first leg on Saturday lunchtime. Ordinarily, I would go for Palace to repeat their home win and take an advanatge to City on Tuesday evening. However, we should not lose sight of the fact that City will feel hard-done by having been in automatic contention for so long in the closing stages. They will also have one eye on the return leg and will probably be over-cautious - a lot here could depend on the timing of the first goal. I will go for 0-0 at half-time and Palace to nick a lead but not be able to get a second.

Prediction; 1-0

Watford v Hull City

That Watford only managed to scrape into the play-offs on goal difference is amazing given their early season impregnibility and the massive lead they held at the top at one point. Their demise in the last few months probably trumps our own and they hardly arrive here full of beans. To make matters worse, they still look under all the pressure to ensure they come through the play-offs. They managed a 1-0 win over Hull at Vicarage Road earlier in the season but got humped 3-0 at the KC stadium. It really doesn't bode well and I can see Hull putting their first foot on a Wembley showdown.

Prediction: 1-2

Oh, and finally, surprised to hear that QPR have parted company (amicably) with Luigi Di Canio less than 12 months into a three year contract. There were rumblings that he hadn't settled well in London but I can't help thinking Rangers have a bigger fish lined-up to back their ambitious plans to attack the Championship next year...