Inevitably the Rio Ferdinand story has ended up with some hack deciding that Titus Bramble would make a perfect replacement. A national newspaper report this morning claims that Bramble is about to become a £4 million target of Harry Redknapp as soon as the Rio deal goes through.
The most startling aspect of the story, apart from the the fact that George Burley has said he isn't selling his best players so many times, is the valuation. If Ferdinand is worth £18 million, Bramble at just 19 must potentially be worth more and not a paltry £4 million. We may hear more on this story, but it is unlikely that much of it will have any basis in fact.
Sean Friars is once again the subject of loan specualtion. After Derry City sought to bring in the Town winger a couple of weeks ago it now appears that Colchester and Reading are chasing the Northern Irish U21. Friars had another quiet game last night and doesn't look to have much of a long-term Portman Road future. The Derry-born player said: "I'm happy with my form, so all I can do is keep playing well for the reserves and hopefully someone will take me on loan." He added that he has no problem with a spell playing in a lower division.
Town have received praise from the FA for their excellent disciplinary record. Town have had just nine Premier League bookings so far this year and FA chief Adam Crozier singled the Blues out for praise in a letter to the club. The Prmier League, the Football League, League Managers' Association and Players' Football Association met at an FA disciplinary hearing recently where the decision to write the latter was taken.
As well as the nine in the League Town also have had two players booked in the Worthington Cup, but still have had unparalled levels of good behaviour so far this season.