another left winger???

[GresleyRam©®™]

Just read this:


Rams check on young Gunner

By Steve Nicholson

Derby County have checked on Arsenal's young midfielder Ryan Smith as they look to further strengthen their squad.


Billy Davies has confirmed that the 19-year-old is one of many players they have inquired about.

"I know about him and he is a player I admire," said the Rams manager who made his first signing for the club at the weekend by bringing in £1m striker Steve Howard from Luton Town.

Smith is a versatile left-sided player, who usually operates in a wide midfield role.

He has progressed through the system at Arsenal but has yet to make a League appearance for the Gunners.

He has played six times in the Carling Cup and made his debut against Rotherham United in October 2003 at the age of 16.

Last season he spent six months on loan at Leicester City, making 19 appearances and scoring once. Seventeen of those games came in the Championship, including 10 starts.

Smith played twice against the Rams, both times as a substitute. He figured in the 1-1 draw at Pride Park - his lively display catching the eye - and the 2-2 draw at the Walkers Stadium.

He is an England Youth international and was a part of the Under-19 squad which reached the final of the European championships last summer, only to lose to France.

Davies is keen to strengthen the left side of his squad.

Derby have a £600,000 offer on the table for Celtic's Stephen Pearson, a player Davies worked with when he was manager of Motherwell.

The Scottish international was an unused substitute in the weekend friendly against Everton but Celtic are still stalling on Derby's bid.

Asked if the Pearson deal was still alive, Davies said: "In football, you never close the door but as each day goes by we have to move on and look at our other options."

I know a few leicester fans who rated him last season - but it seems like Davies wants another left winger!! Hope he doesnt plan on selling Tommy, or maybe he wants him to go up front and play with Howard! Doesnt look good for Holmes if that is the case!

[derbydude]

id rather get ryan smith than pearson, to much to spend on an area that has quilty.

[leicesterlass]

This lad isn't really all he's cracked up to be but on his day is frightening! I'm sure if you saw his debut for us against you at PP last season you'll be pleased with the signing, he was fantastic.

[GresleyRam©®™]

leicesterlass said:

This lad isn't really all he's cracked up to be but on his day is frightening! I'm sure if you saw his debut for us against you at PP last season you'll be pleased with the signing, he was fantastic.

well....its a done deal, just a case of agreeing personal terms etc!! The fee is undisclosed, but i wouldnt have thought it would be a massive fee - plus he's only 19, bags of pace and could be a decent addition! We could shift tommy to the right, or play him off Howard??!!

Looks like the end of lee Holmes though!!

[derbydude]

awell we havae always needed pace, now we got some!

[CHOPPER READ]

Another striker wouldn't go amiss!

[GresleyRam©®™]

markbrandonread said:

Another striker wouldn't go amiss!

Davies is hoping that a deal can be done for Lupoli from Arsenal (poss on loan for the season!!)

[GresleyRam©®™]

well...Ryan Smith hasnt signed yet, but Lee Holmes (and Nathan Doyle) has gone to Bradford on loan - so Ryan must be coming in!!

We only have Tommy left who can play left wing - so i would have though Ryan Smith is a done deal!

[ESR]

I heard Smith is having trouble with his old agent, thats why he hasnt moved yet. Apparantly his old agent wants paying off as his new agent is his dad, but maybe its just a rumour?

[GresleyRam©®™]

now this really is confusing me - have read this today, and cannot believe we are going to spend £600K on another left winger - we have Tommy and Ryan Smith!!!

Rams closing in on Pearson

By Steve Nicholson

Derby County could be boosted by another new signing ahead of tomorrow's Champion-ship clash at Stoke.

They are close to landing 23-year-old midfielder Stephen Pearson from Celtic.

This was confirmed by Rams manager Billy Davies after yesterday's 2-2 home draw against Southampton in the opening fixture of the season.

Derby tabled a bid of £600,000 for the Scottish international a few weeks ago and his arrival would take the club's spending to more than £2m so far this summer following the capture of Steve Howard (£1m) and Ryan Smith (£500,000).

"We've virtually agreed a fee with Celtic and hopefully the deal can be done over the next two days," said Davies.

And Pearson, who played under Davies at Motherwell, may not be the only new face this week.

"We've got to bring in players - we need more of a threat up front and more competition in defence," added Davies.

Pearson, who went on as a substitute for Celtic yesterday in their 2-1 defeat at Hearts, would increase the competition for midfield places, as will Matt Oakley who was an unused substitute against Southampton after signing on a free last Friday.

"Matt's just not had enough football and needs a bit more training, but he will certainly come into consideration for the next two games against Stoke and Hull," said Davies.

Substitute Paul Peschisolido struck a last-gasp equaliser to earn a point against George Burley's

Southampton.

Seth Johnson had given the Rams a half-time lead but the Saints went ahead through Gareth Bale and Bradley Wright-Phillips before Peschisolido pounced.

Asked to sum up in one word his first game in charge, Davies used two:

"Not bad."

He praised his players for their performance up to the hour mark but was critical of their display in the final 30 minutes.

"There were lots of positives and we had lot of good play against a team who are fancied for promotion but we didn't sustain the tempo and dropped too deep," said Davies.

"It could have been fear or nerves and we have to build the confidence in this group of players so that they can go from 1-0 leaders to 3-0 winners.

"Southampton are further down the road in their development than us.

"We are only starting off and there is plenty of work to do and a lot of standards to be raised.

"It's a decent point. It could and should have been so much more, but it is always important to get on the board."

Davies also had words of praise for Peschisolido after his late equaliser.

"That is what Pesch does, he's a good finisher and he still works his backside off which is what we need at this football club," said Davies


Well BILLY, put the £600K towards another fuckin striker then!!