Rumour Mill - Sibon, Cureton, Etherington, Moss

Last updated : 29 August 2002 By Christian Kelly
Gordon Strachan on any late transfers:

"We've tried to get new players and we've gone through six or seven players, but we are running out of time now.

"It wouldn't really be fair on the players or the fans to start trying to bring in the person that was eighth or ninth on the list."


After Strachan's trip to Reading a few weeks ago and later speculation regarding a new striker, the hacks have got their brain cell together and come up with Jamie Cureton. Cureton has been an impressive goalscorer since way back in his Norwich days. However, Saints have Brett Ormerod on their books and to bring in Cureton would be fairly pointless. If give the choice before Strachan signed Brett, I would have opted for Cureton, but now that Ormerod is here he deserves his chance for regular first team football.

The Gerald Sibone rumour has made one last appearance. With Sheffield Wednesday desperately trying to offload this huge burden on their wage bill, I'm surprised he hasn't been linked with more clubs. This one's only resurfaced due to the rumour that Strachan wants another striker. At £1.5 million and a hefty wage Saints could do a lot better elsewhere.

Matthew Etherington is still up for grabs. A £2 million swoop before the deadline could see the former Spurs player line up against his old side at the weekend. Ah well, I can hope anyway. A midfield of  Etherington, Marsden, Svensson and Fernandes with competition from Delap and Oakley would be superb. Plenty of pace, a good battling midfield general in Marsden and a more creative option in Svensson.

Luton are still keen to land 'keeper Neil Moss. Joe Kinnear said: "That could make it easier for us. I went to look at Moss and maybe there will be something done there. They were waiting to get a keeper."

The chances of Moss now getting first team football at St. Mary's are zero now that Niemi has arrived. Hopefully Saints won't stick too much to their £400 000 valuation and enable Moss to finally get some first team football under his belt. He's a good 'keeper and deserves more than sitting in the reserves for the rest of the season.