Spot the Difference

Last updated : 02 October 2002 By Christian Kelly

Rupert Lowe and Gordon Strachan might want to get together and put a little spin on the Delgado situation.

While Lowe is super keen to make Delgado's injury problems seem slight and assure us that a first team appearance is just round the corner, Gordon Strachan has a more pragmatic approach.

The result is that the Chairman gives the idea that Delgado will start within the next couple of weeks, while Strachan seems not to care less and puts that date back a couple of months.

Lowe said: ''I saw Delgado at a reserve match the other day and he told me his injuries were clearing well and that he was ready to start training full time.'' This would ease the burden of having used a fair part of our transfer budget on a player who until now, has done nothing but cause trouble for the club. Lowe has to see Delgado succeed in order not to look a bit of a berk for setting the whole thing up.

Strachan, on the other hand, said: ''I have no idea when we shall see him playing again. Seeing is believing. There is no doubt he has tremendous ability but it is no good if he spends all his time being injured.

''I understand he is making progress but I am not counting on him being back for a while yet.''

Strachan is no doubt well aware that his transfer budget went on a player that he wouldn't have touched with a barge pole. Considering Gordon likes a certain determined attitude from his players, Delgado would be way down the pecking order for a starting place.

Fortunately for Agustin, the lack of goals from anywhere else may well mean he goes straight into contention up front anyway. Along with my Gran of course.