In the summer of 2002, Andy Johnson was the makeweight in the £4m deal that took Clinton Morrison, left, from Crystal Palace to Birmingham City. So who got the better of that deal? The Irish striker has just 16 goals in 62 starts and 24 substitute appearances for City while Johnson has scored 62 times in 93 starts for Iain Dowie’s team. Even if a lot of the new England international’s tally came in the old Division One, the 17 Premiership goals he’s bagged so far in this campaign are still more than Morrison has managed in two and a half seasons in the top flight.
‘I need to be playing regular football and I’d like that to be at Birmingham,’ said Morrison last week in an obvious reaction to the arrival at St Andrews of Uruguayan international striker Walter Pandiani (two goals in three games and counting). ‘But I won’t sign a new contract until I know that I will get a certain amount of games. I’m not slagging off the manager because you need four good strikers in the Premiership. I just want to be playing.’
Morrison may not be slagging off Steve Bruce but plenty of Birmingham fans do every time they see Johnson scoring for Palace.
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Midfield congestion at Old Trafford
With Roy Keane so easily persuaded to postpone his retirement beyond next year, rumours abound about the destination of some other Manchester United midfielders. Unconfirmed reports suggest Liam Miller will be on his way to Newcastle United this summer in part exchange for Jermaine Jenas, although Corinthians of Brazil have failed to agree a fee with United to take Kleberson back to his homeland.
Following so quickly after the departure of Eric Djemba-Djemba to Aston Villa, it seems those burdened with the unfortunate tag of putative Keane successors are hoping to beat a path to pastures new. Well, what else are they supposed to do when the captain shows no sign of budging?
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Whitley plays to his strengths
Having inherited a club bloated by too many has-beens on lengthy contracts, Mick McCarthy has done an excellent job, not only cutting the flab from Sunderland’s balance sheet but keeping them in the running for promotion again. The secret may be in the type of incentive-laden deals he’s given his squad.
Northern Ireland midfielder Jeff Whitley received an automatic 12-month extension after playing his 26th game of this season.
‘There can be all sorts of stipulations in a contract and that one I put in and it’s worked well because he’s earned his contract,’ said McCarthy. ‘I know Jeff gets much maligned at times by some people but I think his contribution since he came to this club has been great. People with Jeff’s mentality — who work hard and want to win so badly — you absolutely need them at any club. He might not play brilliantly every week, but when there ’s a 50-50 ball there to be won, or you need someone to gee the rest of the side up, Jeff’s your man.’
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The good news for Lawrie Sanchez is that McCarthy has been linked with a move for Lincoln City’s Gareth McAuley. Formerly of Linfield, Ballyclare Comrades and Coleraine, McAuley has impressed in his first season at Sincil Bank and Lincoln feel the 25-year-old Northern Ireland B international defender is capable of playing at a higher level.
Coach stays on right track
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In the era of the pampered millionaire footballer, at least some professionals are retaining a sense of perspective. ‘There are too many people who are downbeat,’ said Kelham O’Hanlon, right, currently Bury assistant manager, briefly understudy to Packie Bonner with Ireland in the 1980s. ‘They don’t realise how lucky they are, they’re being paid to keep fit. People are dying all over the world and all we’re doing is playing a game of football.’
O’Hanlon’s attitude is especially commendable at this point in his career. Bury are in such dire financial straits he recently took part in an appeal asking 100 supporters to contribute £10 a week to help offset club debts.
Teenage keeper steps into the breach
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Goalkeeper Colin Doyle will be handed a golden opportunity to make a name for himself when he lines up for Nottingham Forest against Tottenham in the FA Cup fifth round tie today. First-choice Paul Gerrard has been ruled out after receiving a one-game suspension for five cautions, which means Doyle, 19, from Cork, will make only the second senior appearance of his career — the first was for Chester in the LDV Vans trophy in front of 1,419 spectators in November.
The 6ft 5in keeper, who is on loan from Birmingham, said: ‘I was quite nervous a couple of days ago but I’m feeling okay now. I’m sure there’ll be some butterflies in my stomach on Sunday but I can cope with that.’
Forest boss Gary Megson said: ‘It’ll be sink or swim. We just have to hope he’ll come through it but he’s a confident lad who’s got the build and the stature of a goalkeeper.’