English Football League / Alan Dudman / 07 July 2009 / Leave a Comment

Ince returns to Dons, good news for Saints as corporate giant considers pruchase and why you should lay teams who loan players. Alan Dudman reports...

Swiss Family Liebherr

At last! Some positive news for Southampton fans, and boy do they need some as it has been a wretched summer for the former-Premier League outfit. The latest reports suggest that the club are on the verge of being taken over by a member of one of Europe's biggest business dynasties.

Speculation has pointed to a member of the Swiss-based Liebherr Holdings Group, who are said to be closing in on a purchase. Although quite a few details are to be ironed out - including the period of due diligence (I learned of this by watching Dragons Den), it seems there is hope at the end of the Toblerone.

Having peaked at a high of [37.00] on the outright League One winner market, the news has caused a minor ripple, and the Saints are now available at [22.00]. Amazing to think they reached the FA Cup a few years ago.

And of Switzerland? Very green I recall, lovely smelling air, and good quality C'aran D'Ache pencils.

What is happening at Stockport?

No manager, no money, no points, and a pitch last season which had no grass on it (they should get some from Switzerland, there is loads there). Anyway, it's more doom and gloom in League One - step forward Stockport County.

It seems only a matter of days ago that former Hatters boss Jim Gannon was named as the new Motherwell manager - indeed it was - only seven days in fact. And he left a club behind deep in turmoil, and turmoil with a capital 'T'.

The anticipated takeover of the Hatters appears to be closer however, and the consortium led by Jim Melrose is reportedly on the verge of 'doing the deal'. If the meeting of the creditors and administrators goes well, we could see County come out of this bleak period and move forward.

And here is what they have to look forward to:

Reported debts of over £7million
Facing a 15 point deduction next season.

On the transfer front there are very few players coming in, departures are plentiful though. Youngsters James Tunnicliffe and Gary Dicker have gone to Brighton, whilst
Peterborough have tabled a substantial bid for 17-year-old centre-back Josh Thomson -
rated the best young defender in the country.

You can back Stockport at [160.00] in the winners market. Good luck with that project. They are favourties to go down unfortunately, and you won't get bigger than [1.46] at the moment.

The Guv'nor returns

Paul Ince has agreed to return as manager of MK Dons, and has penned a two-year deal at Stadium MK.

The self-styled Guv'nor (who probably wasn't called that at Blackburn), has replaced
Roberto Di Matteo - who left for West Bromwich Albion last week.

Ince, who won the League Two title and Johnstone Paint Trophy with MK Dons said
of his return: "You can never regret leaving any team to go and manage in the Premier
League. In hindsight after what happened, maybe I should have stayed."

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. So are Marks and Spencers luxury sherry trifles. MK Dons
trading at [13.50] to win the title is tempting. So is that trifle.

You've Lost That Loving Feeney

Ante-post favourites Leeds United (who trade at [4.3] to win the title), have been really quiet in the transfer market over the summer weeks, but I expect a stack of
signings and we could see some movement in that price too.

The Whites were reportedly close to signing Cardiff forward Warren Feeney recently, but the deal fell through, even though the player travelled to Elland Road for discussions. Instead Leeds moved to sign goalkeeper Shane Higgs, who was a free agent. The only other signing has been Jason Crowe from Northampton - and he's a very decent full-back.

If you are looking to lay Leeds, wait a bit as they'll be buying a stack of players before the start of the season, and I think they'll trade a bit shorter. One thing we learned last season was that backers were always happy to take a price on Leeds that was too short, and many markets were always an over-reaction.

Looking a million Llera

The once mighty-ish Charlton, have been busy in the transfer market. Mostly outgoings. Their price is going out too.

Centre-back Mark Hudson has gone to Cardiff, whilst Darren Ambrose has moved on up to fierce neighbours Crystal Palace. Both not surprising.

The Addicks have signed former MK Dons central defender Miguel Angel Llera. It reminds me of the time I told a girl she looked a 'million dollars', she wasn't interested and I was left with her friend who looked like a 'million lira'. About £257.65p.

Charlton are [9.80] to be crowned champions and [3.50] to go up.

Would anyone remember Vincent Furnier?

Aviva, the insurance people, have signed up to be Norwich City's shirt sponsors for the new season, and will hold that position until 2011-12.

Aviva were Norwich Union weren't they? Alice Cooper was Vincent Furnier, and Bruce Willis was Walter Willis. I have always been Alan Dudman, although I did once want to be Oliver Tobias from 'The Stud', a marvellous film that included the enchanting pensioner Joan Collins.

Meanwhile, Norwich defender Gary Doherty has been lamenting the loans the club were so obsessed with last season: "It was a really hard season with players coming for a month or so."

Hmm yes, and a reminder to something I have always stressed in League One.... Short term loan deals rarely work. Look to lay teams who are keen on loans. Hereford was a goldmine early last season, loads of temp deals, loads of laying.

Norwich are around third favs to be crowned champions at [8.00]. A triple helping of signings with Matt Gill (from Exeter), Owain Tudor Jones (from Swansea), and Michael Nelson (from Hartlepool) hardly excites.

But at least they are not loans!

Wotte on Earth?

Mark Wotte has agreed to stay on at Southampton as manager, with the Dutchman citing the reason it would be too difficult to leave the club in the current situation. Wotte also has very nice hair, I would love to know what products he uses, as the one I am currently working with is rubbish.

Oliver Tobias had very thick hair too.....

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