Town Again Chasing Forest's Adebola
Wednesday, 13th Jan 2010 22:04

TWTD understands that Town are again looking to sign Nottingham Forest striker Dele Adebola. Chief scout Steve McCall and new coach Ian McParland were spotted watching the Nigerian in action at St Andrew’s on Tuesday as Forest were defeated 1-0 by Birmingham in the FA Cup.

The 34-year-old, previously tracked by Jim Magilton during his time as manager, joined Billy Davies’s club on a free transfer from Bristol City in the summer, having been named the Robins’ Player of the Year last season after scoring 10 goals. The 6ft 3in tall frontman turned down a new one-year deal at Ashton Gate to sign a two-year contract at the City Ground.

Since then the Lagos-born striker has been seen as a squad player, making nine starts and 16 sub appearances, scoring three goals. Forest currently have a surfeit of strikers and may well be willing to agree to either a permanent deal or a loan until the end of the season.

Adebola was brought up in Liverpool, having moved to England as a child, and as a youngster played in the same representative sides as Robbie Fowler.

A graduate of Crewe’s famous youth set-up, he made his senior debut for the Railwaymen in 1992/93 as a 17-year-old, subsequently spending time on loan at Bangor City and Northwich Victoria.

Birmingham ended Adebola’s stay at Gresty Road in 1998 when a £1 million fee took him to St Andrew’s. Having been on loan at Oldham during his time with the Midlanders, he joined Crystal Palace in 2002 on a free transfer.

After a year at Selhurst Park, Adebola moved on to Coventry on a free transfer, during which time Jim Magilton repeatedly attempted to bring him to Portman Road.

Spells on loan at Bradford and Burnley were followed by a permanent move to Bristol City in January 2008.

Adebola came close to winning caps with Nigeria earlier in his career having been named in their provisional squad for the African Nations Cup in 2000, but failing to make the cut.

Northern Ireland had previously been interested in recruiting him via the rule which allows players born outside the UK with British passports to play for any of the home nations, but Adebola declined the offer.

Meanwhile, defender Alex Bruce says he is disappointed that Bryan Klug is leaving the club, as revealed by TWTD last night: “We worked together for four years and had some great times. I owe a lot to him. You speak as you find and he was always very good to me."

Hungarian reports continue to link the Blues, Sheffield United, Coventry and Plymouth with left winger Peter Halmosi. The Hull midfielder was previously mentioned in connection with the Blues late last month.

Town are amongst a number of English clubs being linked with Republic of Ireland U16 international striker Michael Drennan. Aston Villa are said to be favourites to sign the Kilkenny-based youngster with the Blues, Manchester City and Sunderland also believed to be interested.

Elsewhere, former Blue Shefki Kuqi’s move from German side Koblenz to Swansea is reported to have broken down due to the Finnish international’s agent’s demands.

Swans chairman Huw Jenkins said: "[Manager] Paulo [Sousa] was keen on Kuqi, but I looked into that option and sometimes what is demanded comes nowhere near what we are prepared to offer. As things stand, the move is not going to happen."

Ex-Town boss George Burley is reported to have spoken to Kilmarnock regarding their manager’s job, but the role is said to have been offered to former Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood.

Photo: Action Images

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bostonusablue added 12:48 - Jan 14

Wickham was crap against Leicester and he does not score goals. Admit that he has promise, but I would rather have a journeyman in the team, who can score goals, than a young, promising upstart. We need goals to get out of this league.

Stern John won't be offered a deal and will go back to Palace; he was brought here on a temporary basis, which was a gamble, that did not pay off. Not Keane's fault.

dirtydingusmagee added 12:49 - Jan 14 jack ken ,you mean mc Anuff [prob wrong spelling] he is a good player, i think he would be good [not available though] Budgies Holt would be handy despite being scummer]but we wont be getting any one on form ,prob just has beens, in last minute scamble before window shuts .
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superblueflude added 12:57 - Jan 14

Surely the link is purely because the player is available, I May be wrong but take away the goalkeepers that means there's 20 outfield players on the field any one of these could have been watched by us, who even knows that we were there scouting? friends of a manager? friends of a coach etc - many other reasons why we could have been there.

But if the link is true and he does come, welcome him to the club, every person we've been linked with has got a NO! response, Hulse - NO! Adebola No!

John is still here as Stead got banned, and yes I believe counago can hold the ball up but he's small, slowing down, and defenders are easily picking him up now, unlike the first spell at the club.

For me Keane won't panic buy or Panic loan, so who ever he brings in i'm sure will be of good selection - either as a first teamer or a back up squad player to give a kick up the backside to the others.

samassiabou added 13:07 - Jan 14

you think you've got all the answers dont you superblueflude? You clearly know nothing about this club, the link to adebola is not "just because hes available" like you say. Hes a 27 year old striker with many years left and has all the assests of a top striker, he can shoot, pass, dribble and can read the game better than anyone. If there is a striker who can get us into the premierleague it is Dele Adebola. Get him on a 5 year contract whatever it takes!!

blue_floyd added 13:12 - Jan 14 No thank you. If a 34 year old has been is the best we can do as far as attracting a striker to Portman Road is concerned, then we really are in trouble.
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blue_em_away added 13:20 - Jan 14 WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joke, surely???????
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Surco72 added 13:25 - Jan 14 Samassiabou perhaps if you read the article before critiscizing others knowledge you would see Adebola is 34 and quite clearly does not have many years left and if he hasnt made " a top striker "by now ,its not going to happen
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maximoalex added 13:26 - Jan 14 samassiabou - Errrrr......27? How long ago did you post that?
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superblueflude added 13:26 - Jan 14 Samass - 27 What report are you reading? he's 34 and i have nothing against the guy - im just saying that the name is there and that he is available so of course the press would jump to a conclusion, however if the link is correct I would welcome him as i do with all signings.
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hampstead_blue added 13:29 - Jan 14 Just to change the tune....NO!
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TractorRoyNo1 added 13:32 - Jan 14 Thanks but no thanks
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TractorRoyNo1 added 13:33 - Jan 14 Marcus Stewart scored against the scum on Saturday, I'd rather have him back.
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DoobDude added 13:39 - Jan 14 Much better than the current crop of misfiring misfits. 18 month contract, job done. However the deluded fools would prefer Pablo because ... well I have absolutely no idea!
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Lightningboy added 13:45 - Jan 14 So has Keano given up on Priskin? Thought we could've done with Pablo up front on sunday to hold the ball up for a while and relieve some pressure on the defence but Pab's is out of favour. Stern John ain't the answer & neither is Adebola long term..i'd rather have Marcus Stewart or Kuqi back.
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cbower added 14:33 - Jan 14 Now there is a good question Lightningboy - does Priskin have a future at PR? Is Counago simply out of favour or is he finished for us? These are better issues than huffing and puffing over speculation (although i did have a go myself earlier today!!!!) Adebola is certainly a handful but would definitely be short term only imo.
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yorksblue added 14:41 - Jan 14 ITFC1985 You are havin a larf if you think Billy Sharp in the answer. I've seen him at Sheff Utd and he is about as much use as tits on a fish!
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pabloc added 14:46 - Jan 14 bring back mathie and marshall .
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yorksblue added 14:48 - Jan 14 Wak and Milton are still floating around, aren't they?
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MightyPaz added 15:10 - Jan 14 Er..
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dirtydingusmagee added 15:18 - Jan 14 sammassiabou,think you are getting confused with Dr Who ,he's a time lord !.
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blueblood66 added 15:25 - Jan 14 bring back lee
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:42 - Jan 14 not knocking Lee or any other past players mentioned,but i dont think players returning come up to what is expected of them useually.
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