Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Albion signing striker Nouble on loan
Monday 8th February 2010, 12:00PM GMT.
Albion are poised to sign West Ham teenager Frank Nouble on a month’s loan.
The Baggies will tie up the signing of the tall striker in the next 24 hours when the loan window opens, in time for him to join the squad to face Scunthorpe at the Hawthorns tomorrow night.
Boss Roberto Di Matteo has moved quickly to strengthen his squad, after learning that Ishmael Miller will miss at least three weeks with the ankle injury suffered at Blackpool last Wednesday.
In repsonse, the head coach has gone to West Ham, managed by his former Chelsea team-mate Gianfranco Zola, to land the highly-rated Nouble.
The striker is a former trainee at Chelsea, crossing paths with Albion assistant head coach Eddie Newton during his spell at the Stamford Bridge Academy. Nouble started several matches in the Premier League for the Hammers before Christmas, in the absence of the injured Carlton Cole.
But the teenager has slipped down the pecking order at Upton Park following Cole’s return to fitness and the deadline day signings of Benni McCarthy, Mido and Ilan.
The highly-rated England Under-19 international joined the Hammers in the summer from Chelsea, after snubbing the chance to sign a professional deal with the Blues.
After making his debut against Wolves on the opening day of the campaign, Nouble has gone on to make 10 appearances for Gianfranco Zola’s men this term – eight of them in the Premier League.
While still waiting to get off the mark for the Premier League strugglers, the teenage starlet has come in for widespread praise for his displays for the East London club.
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I hope we get this lad.He left Chelsea because there’s little chance of pushing out Drogba and Anelka (really??),and several clubs were chasing him,including Arsenal.He’s 6′ 3”,strong,aggressive,and plays left wing or central up front.It sound a case of pure quality,probably gonna be worth millions when he’s older.
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Blimey – if he didn’t score against the dingles how will he score against Scunny ??(lol)
Looks ideal cover for Ish – and who knows.. he may just bang a few in (if he gets a game).
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H B post 2.
He didn’t score against the dingles because
they would have put a bid in for him.
J1-0 post 3
T.V.states:Loan one month initialy.
Word of warning for the Championship.
Nouble means trouble.
~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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this chaps one hell of a unit. seen him a few times on MOTD. very, very powerful. good close control, but tended to be a little over elaborate at times. he’ll frighten the fizzy league defenders to death though. it maybe only a month,but once again another good bit of work done.
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Great move by RDM , lets hope we can keep him for the season. Our squad gets better and better. Happy baggie should know that only Super Kev scores regularly against our friends from up the road.
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Good move this as he provides cover for Miller. The lad’s 6′ 3”, young and hungry. He’s got Premiership experience and will terrify defenders in the Championship when he’s running at them at full speed.
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look at him on youtube.
ENOUGH SAID!!!
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i watched him the other week against villa on sky and he put himself about
looks a decent kid and im sure he will do us a good job
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Nice to see RDM using his contact’s to bring this lad in…well done.
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He has signed for us, its on the official website!!! yay
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lets put it this way,,id rather nouble sign for us than newcastle or forest,,he could be a very usefull player while we have big ish out…tough game 2mora with thomas out i reckon a hard 2-o win,,,GOING UP THE DI MATTEO WAY,,IN STYLE OF COURSE,,OOOOOOOOOOOH YES….UP WE GO.
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good signing watched him on the box the other week,he’s quick strong and holds the ball up well and likes to run at defenders,come on you baggies
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