In the recent weeks and months, Dario Gradi, Neil Baker and their network of scouts have been busy looking for a centre-half. Their search has been worringly unproductive as yet with Dario stating that he does not believe there is anything better than what we have got in Leagues One, Two or the lower-leagues. This has meant the search has continued to Europe with various triallists attempting to earn a contract. A Frenchman, Yannick Zambernardi, formerly of Dundee, was invited over on a trial as was Finnish Under-21 defender Mathias Lindstrom but it was deemed that neither were either tall enough nor good enough for the job.
Such is Dario's desperation to find a dominating centre-back he resorted to asking agents to find them any players who might fit the bill. As no agents came up with a suitable candidate, the club have now appointed a new chief scout, Glyn Chamberlain, formerly a scout at Fulham and a manager at nearby Congleton Town. Chamberlain has already been busy and suggested out-of-contract Dutch defender Sven Bass. Bass had been on trial with Grimsby but failed to earn a deal and didn't impress sufficiently to earn a contract at the Alex either. Bass has now moved on to Tranmere in the hope of winning a deal.
Deadline day also came and went with no successes following numerous rejections from various clubs. The Alex enquired about a young defender from Arsenal, as well as two defenders from Tottenham, one of whom is believed to be Callum Davenport, according to various Tottenham Hotspur sources. Reading also failed with a bid to loan Davenport. Despite the transfer window being closed, Football League clubs are still allowed to make short term loans and Dario is believed to be on the look out for a possible loan target: "I'm confident that we will bring someone in over the next couple of weeks." Dario went on to say, "I can even bring in a player I want to buy on loan before purchasing him in the next transfer window."
Dario's latest trips to the non-league have caused him to be impressed by one young defender in particular. However, Dario stated that this particular defender was not yet adequately developed but could be a target in the future. Meanwhile, Crewe had also been linked with a loan move for former Alex man David Wright. Wright, who has been linked with Norwich, is not getting first team football at Premiership new-boys Wigan and his versatility would have been a great asset to Crewe. Another loan target in the shape of Derby's Mo Konjic was also mooted although there is nothing to confirm this although Oldham did fail with a bid to bring in the 6'3 defender on loan.
Konjic will be absent from today's game with an eye injury as will defender Richard Jackson and reserve keeper Lee Grant. Marc Edworthy may return from a head injury whilst Derby's assistant manager Dean Holdsworth is in contention to start having been registered as a player following the departure of Gregorz Rasiak. Seth Johnson will make his first return to the Alex since leaving for Derby in a £3m move in 1999 and is expected to get a rapturous reception.
Chris McCready, Mark Rivers and Gary Roberts are all back in contention for Crewe following injury. Roberts has recovered from a calf injury whilst Rivo has overcome whiplash following a car crash. McCready is expected to return following a long lay-off, despite sustaining a dislocated finger in the 2-0 win over Stockport. The game comes too soon for Luke Rodgers meanwhile Pavol Suhaj, who was all set for his first league start with the club, has disappointingly fallen ill. Adie Moses is still out with a shin injury.
Such is Dario's desperation to find a dominating centre-back he resorted to asking agents to find them any players who might fit the bill. As no agents came up with a suitable candidate, the club have now appointed a new chief scout, Glyn Chamberlain, formerly a scout at Fulham and a manager at nearby Congleton Town. Chamberlain has already been busy and suggested out-of-contract Dutch defender Sven Bass. Bass had been on trial with Grimsby but failed to earn a deal and didn't impress sufficiently to earn a contract at the Alex either. Bass has now moved on to Tranmere in the hope of winning a deal.
Deadline day also came and went with no successes following numerous rejections from various clubs. The Alex enquired about a young defender from Arsenal, as well as two defenders from Tottenham, one of whom is believed to be Callum Davenport, according to various Tottenham Hotspur sources. Reading also failed with a bid to loan Davenport. Despite the transfer window being closed, Football League clubs are still allowed to make short term loans and Dario is believed to be on the look out for a possible loan target: "I'm confident that we will bring someone in over the next couple of weeks." Dario went on to say, "I can even bring in a player I want to buy on loan before purchasing him in the next transfer window."
Dario's latest trips to the non-league have caused him to be impressed by one young defender in particular. However, Dario stated that this particular defender was not yet adequately developed but could be a target in the future. Meanwhile, Crewe had also been linked with a loan move for former Alex man David Wright. Wright, who has been linked with Norwich, is not getting first team football at Premiership new-boys Wigan and his versatility would have been a great asset to Crewe. Another loan target in the shape of Derby's Mo Konjic was also mooted although there is nothing to confirm this although Oldham did fail with a bid to bring in the 6'3 defender on loan.
Konjic will be absent from today's game with an eye injury as will defender Richard Jackson and reserve keeper Lee Grant. Marc Edworthy may return from a head injury whilst Derby's assistant manager Dean Holdsworth is in contention to start having been registered as a player following the departure of Gregorz Rasiak. Seth Johnson will make his first return to the Alex since leaving for Derby in a £3m move in 1999 and is expected to get a rapturous reception.
Chris McCready, Mark Rivers and Gary Roberts are all back in contention for Crewe following injury. Roberts has recovered from a calf injury whilst Rivo has overcome whiplash following a car crash. McCready is expected to return following a long lay-off, despite sustaining a dislocated finger in the 2-0 win over Stockport. The game comes too soon for Luke Rodgers meanwhile Pavol Suhaj, who was all set for his first league start with the club, has disappointingly fallen ill. Adie Moses is still out with a shin injury.