Hope Ayew (and Schlupp) will be used as 20-minutes-left substitutes when we need a certain result. Chasing a win (Schlupp on), keep a lead (Ayew on).

Ebiowei has come in and played like he expects to be part of the first team, whereas the U23s have largely looked a bit tentative (which is to be expected). The big question is end product. The world is full of tricky, fast wingers but only a small number of them are capable of delivering an end product at the highest level. A different sort of player but I was also impressed by Plange, although of the two I think he might be the more likely to go out on loan.

Ayew cut a frustrated figure on our world tour constantly getting involved in niggly incidences and flash points. Hopefully that'll go by the weekend as seeing both him and Wilf acting like that would be embarrassing. He certainly has a role to play though as he is really hard to get the ball off which against the bigger teams is actually really important as it takes some pressure off the defence.

Story of how we ripped Derby off.

[Link]

Red and Blue Army!

Well there's nothing direct from Derby themselves so I'll treat it with a pinch of salt... if it is true that's an incredibly small amount we offered... I can't see it being true myself.

Don't waste your time with jealousy. Sometimes your ahead, sometimes your behind, the race is long. But in the end it's only with yourself!!

As a young player out of contract Derby are entitled to compensation which is largely based on their investment in training him as a youth player.

As I understand it he was only at the club for 1 year and his youth career was mainly with Arsenal and Chelsea.

I guess that is why the figure is so low, no doubt the tribunal will up it a bit.

One more point

So much of progress at work (your job and mine, not just football) is finding a mentor; having a boss who likes and believes in you. I get the distinct impression that for whatever reason, Vieira has gone all-in on Ebiowei; Malcolm's "his guy". I have no doubt Patrick will develop his career at the right place but if I'm correct, there's also no doubt he's going to more chances and better chances than a few others. That's just the way the world works; when you're the boss' man it helps. Whether or not Ebiowei is good enough to take those chances only time will tell but though I don't think we'll see him in the starting line-up in the short term, I do think he'll be given every opportunity to make an impact.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.