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Dundee United Eyeing Blues Duo
Monday, 3rd Aug 2020 10:23

TWTD understands Dundee United boss Micky Mellon is weighing-up moves for both Blues striker James Norwood, who played under him at Tranmere, and centre-half Toto Nsiala.

Mellon took charge at Tannadice Park in July after leaving Prenton Park and is keen for Norwood, whose goals helped fire his Rovers side to successive promotions from the National League to League One prior to his move to the Blues last summer, join him in the Scottish Premiership.

The Terrors face losing Scotland international Lawrence Shankland to Rangers this summer.

It’s also reported that Fleetwood Town are keen on Norwood, 29, with manager Joey Barton having previously targeted him last summer.

However, there seems little chance the Lancastrians would be able to match the former Exeter, Forest Green Rovers and Eastbourne frontman’s wages even if they were able to offer the Blues a fee which was deemed acceptable.

Norwood, who is contracted to Town until the summer of 2022 with the club having an option for a further season, netted 11 times in 2019/20, despite being hampered by a groin injury for much of the campaign.

The Blues are not believed to be looking to offload Norwood but Nsiala’s departure this summer appears much more likely after a frustrating 2019/20.

The DR Congo international suffered a hamstring injury during the pre-season tour of Germany and after recovering struggled to secure a regular place in the side and eventually joined Bolton Wanderers on loan in January.

Nsiala, 28, appears set to move on on a permanent basis ahead of 2020/21 and a switch to Dundee United may well appeal.

The former Shrewsbury man has another year left to run with the club having an option for an additional campaign.

Meanwhile, former Blues striker Brett Pitman is looking for another club following his departure from Portsmouth and we understand the 32-year-old is keen on a potential return to Portman Road.

Town are very much in the market for another frontman this summer but Pitman’s return seems unlikely with the Blues understood to be looking for a big target man.

Elsewhere, ex-Town striker Daryl Murphy, 37, has completed his return to his hometown club Waterford.

Another one-time Blues forward, Jon Stead, also 37, came on as a sub as his side Harrogate Town beat Notts County 3-1 in the Vanarama National League play-off final yesterday.


Photos: TWTD/Werner Scholz



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Monkey_Blue added 16:29 - Aug 3
My problem with Norwood is I'm not sure he'd be close to good enough in the championship and I'm not sure Nsiala is good enough at this level to get us to the championship. Also blaming Evans for buying the players his manager wanted is the level of idiocy I've come to expect from some on here. Are people suggesting Evans should pick the players we buy? Not back his managers judgement?
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Linkboy13 added 18:19 - Aug 3
It's pretty obvious Norwood's not going to be good enough for the championship he's 29yrs old if he was good enough he'd be playing there now. Apart from lacking skill pace and technical ability he's not bad. Mind you there's probably only 2 or 3 players at the most in our squad who might be good enough . The way we were out classed by the likes of Rotherham and Peterborough last season shows how far we are off the championship. In my opinion there's only one player who really excites me and that's KVY. Lots of players with so called potential who don't deliver.
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Cakeman added 19:53 - Aug 3
Interesting that Pitman would consider a return to Portman Road.
This could be a decent move as he still has plenty to offer and I don't think he was given a fair run of games when he was with us before. He is a natural goal scorer who thrives on good service from the flanks. I think we now have that potential particularly if Vincent-Young is fit and back to his excellent form. When he was with us before we didn't have the good service from wide positions.
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Linkboy13 added 21:57 - Aug 3
Pitman is ok but is not the type of player we need and is now 32yrs old . We need a big physical presence up front in the Dayral Murphy mould. As for good service from the flanks apart from KVY there is very little else unless you include Dobra and Lankcester both with potential but inexperienced. And if Jackson and Norwood get service from the flanks they will score more than the 11 goals each they scored last season which in respect is not a bad return.
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Blue041273 added 22:29 - Aug 3
I would say it's too soon to panic! We have a playing staff who, IMO, apart from an obvious few, have limited futures in football even at League 1 level. The fallout from the pandemic around the whole Football League will see many exciting young players cast into the twilight zone! We are told that we already have a core of good young players who have the wherewithal to claim a future in the game. What we need now is a visionary manager who can inspire these young players to bridge the gap to League Football as well as bringing in and integrating other hungry ambitious players desperate to prove themselves in the game. IMO we have too many people at the club who are not really committed to improving. When a manager can no longer improve performance of a player it is time for either the player or the manager to move on!
PL should note that there will be a massive need to improve and his performance in ensuring that players follow a development process is a key objective!
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Ipswichbusiness added 10:16 - Aug 4
According to The Daily Telegraph today (4 August), Crystal Palace have made an £8 million bid for Eze of QPR. Hopefully that means that they have lost interest in Flynn Downes.
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KiwiBlue2 added 00:27 - Aug 5
Tractorblue - Tommy was training with the club a while ago. If he is fit/injury free we should definitely sign him again. Would be a great partner for Woolfie being an experienced natural left side cb and has been a highly committed servant of the club previously........
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Linkboy13 added 12:02 - Aug 5
People should stop reminiscing Tommy Smith's obviously not the player he was. The coaching staff have seen him first hand and know how fit he is. Saying we should sign him when we haven't seen him play for three years is ridiculous. We all have our favourite players i know but we mustn't let it cloud our judgement .
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