George Burley has confirmed that Town will not take any part in the Intertoto Cup if they don't qualify for Europe the traditional channels. The Town manager said as much in his webcast a couple of weeks back and it seems now a formal decision has been made.
Town feel that the Premiership is the priority and that the Intertoto, which starts in June, might adversely affect the season ahead. The Town manager said: "The League is the most important thing for us and it is vital to have the right pre-season preparation in readiness to challenge for the Premiership again."
Town will be hopeful that the season will see no need for them to enter the Intertoto anyway with a European place the target as the season grinds into the final third.
George Burley has said that Richard Logan might be allowed a second month at Cambridge United, but only if Town have secured a loan striker. Many fans are calling for the likes of Logan and Neil Midgley to be given a go at the weekend with Marcus Stewart suspended and Alun Armstrong (back)and Richard Naylor (knee) possible absentees through injury.
Cambridge are very keen to keep him on and Loganhas become a bit of a hero at the Abbey Stadium. He is currently suffering with a virus and looks likely to miss their game with Port Vale this evening.
His loan is up at the end of the week and George Burley looks likely to decide the next move then. There is no word as yet on the identity of the loan striker being brought in. Plenty of names are being suggested many of whom could not come to Town die to them being Premiership players. Premiership clubs are not allowed to take players on loan from other Premiership clubs (except goalkeepers in severe circumstances).
George Burley has spoken about the youngsters sent by Neil Thompson to train with the Blues for a few days. David Pounder and Ashley Lyth will train with Town before returning to the Seadogs for their game at the weekend.
Burley said: "David Pounder is a 19-year-old midfield player who has picked up a few goals in the conference this season."
As for Lyth: "Ashley Lyth is only 17, but has just won his place in the Scarborough first team as sweeper because Neil is on the injury list."
It also turns out that Lyth is a bit of an all-rounder. He plays club cricket for Scarborough CC who are apparently no slouches and if a reference to him we found on the net yesterday is corrent seems to be a rugby player of county standing too. Bet all the girls loved him at school as well.
George Burley has said that a number of players are likely to be sent to Giffarna Sundsvall at the end of the season in order to get competitive League experience. Earlier this month it was suggested a formal deal had been set up between the clubs but this proved not to be the case, Town are just sending a few youngsters there.
Justin Miller, Neil Midgley and Sean Friars have been held up as players who might be the ones to go to Giffarna, although the suggestions we have are that even younger players might be the ones involved.