derbydan Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 NIGEL Clough has refused to be drawn on speculation linking Derby County with Premier League duo Kevin Phillips and Lee Bowyer, insisting that the club need to make sure they avoid relegation first. The Rams are nine points clear of the Championship drop zone with eight games to play, but Clough wants them to be mathematically safe before he starts looking at targets for next season. That has not stopped the transfer rumour mill, however, which this week linked the Birmingham City veterans with a summer move to Pride Park. Clough said: “We’ve got to get safe first. “We think we’re okay, but thinking is not enough and we’ve got to get to where noone can catch us.†Clough stressed the club would be looking to strengthen over the summer and make a push for the play-offs next season. He said: “The intention is to let the supporters know that we are going to try and assemble a squad we want to challenge for the top six. “We need strikers who can get us a couple of goals and we need to stop conceding late goals, but we think we can sort that out in the summer. “We will invest in the summer, but let’s get safe first. “We want to try and do the deals without too much speculation.†One player Clough did admit an interest in signing was triallist Saul Halpin. The teenage striker, currently with League Two side Torquay United, netted a hat-trick for Derby County reserves in Tuesday’s 7-1 win over Nottingham Forest. Fellow Gull Lathaniel Rowe-Thomas was also in the team, but it was Halpin who caught the eye. Clough said: “We were as impressed with his goals as the one he set up. “We’ll be in touch with (Torquay boss) Paul Buckle, and we are going to have a chat with them and see how things go.†Meanwhile, Clough has revealed his frustration with the goalkeeping situation at Derby this season. Brad Jones has joined the club on loan from Liverpool after Hull City recalled former Burton Albion custodian Matt Duke. Clough reiterated his desire to make England Under-21 international Frank Fielding, who is ineligible for the rest of the season, the regular number one, with the gloves having also been worn by Stephen Bywater — now on loan at Cardiff City — and James Severn. The Rams have also recalled Ross Atkins from his loan at Tamworth, and Clough said: “It’s been unbelievable, and it’s one position where you want stability. “We’ve used far too many (keepers) and that’s one of the reasons we’ve been unsettled defensively. “Matt Duke was more disappointed than anyone that he had to go back, as he wanted to play games until the end of the season. “We’ve still got the option to recall Stephen Bywater, but I think he wants to stay at Cardiff. “We’ve made no secret of the fact that Frank is the one we want for the next couple of seasons, and discussions are ongoing.†Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hartley Hare Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Shouldn't that read "Transfer TALK ruled out by Clough..... for now" ? As per this article in the Burton Mail? http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Sport/Transfer-talk-ruled-out-by-Clough-for-now.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnClement Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Where on earth are we going to get another ex Burton Albion keeper from at this stage of the season. What a worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derbydan Posted March 31, 2011 Author Share Posted March 31, 2011 Shouldn't that read "Transfer TALK ruled out by Clough..... for now" ? As per this article in the Burton Mail? http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Sport/Transfer-talk-ruled-out-by-Clough-for-now.htm I appologise mr hare missed that bit i think you get the jist though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RotherhamRam Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Where on earth are we going to get another ex Burton Albion keeper from at this stage of the season. What a worry. Why does someone always have to chuck this line in. I will say it again, Duke played at championship level for number of years, played in premiership since leaving Burton therefore had the experience and quality to help us out. Yes the Burton link helped to get him here as number 2, what is the big problem? why keep chucking this boring line out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G STAR RAM Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Why does someone always have to chuck this line in. I will say it again, Duke played at championship level for number of years, played in premiership since leaving Burton therefore had the experience and quality to help us out. Yes the Burton link helped to get him here as number 2, what is the big problem? why keep chucking this boring line out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hartley Hare Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I appologise mr hare missed that bit i think you get the jist though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnClement Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 The point is that whether a player is brilliant or useless, Nigels scouting scope and contacts seems to be somewhat restricted to players who have a Non League connection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hucknall Ram Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 So he hasn't used his contacts at Liverpool then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GboroRam Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I'll fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ambitious Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 I think once we're definitely safe we are in a position to ask for whoever we want, if we are intent on spending money. The championship is a friendly division if you've just come off a bad season because players don't remember that ****, you offer any player more money and he'll come running, especially with the more established older players. Frank Fielding, Lee Bowyer and Glenn Murray as our first 3 signings then there will be a buzz around the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boycie Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Nah not Murray, rather take ALF from Rotherham. Least he's had a couple of good seasons, maybe lower league of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANGERMAN1 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Nah not Murray, rather take ALF from Rotherham. Least he's had a couple of good seasons, maybe lower league of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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