United close in on new left-back as Nolan's future remains uncertain
SCUNTHORPE United are on the verge of completing the signing of a new left-back.
And though manager Ian Baraclough insists he still doesn't know whether Eddie Nolan will stay on at Glanford Park, he accepts that is a scenario which is looking increasingly unlikely.
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Eddie Nolan
The identity of the Iron's new signing is unknown, but the Telegraph understands United have been in close contact with Premier League champions Chelsea about taking players on loan.
Speaking after his side's poor 3-0 reverse at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, Baraclough confirmed the Iron were close to a signing.
But when asked whether it was fair to say the player in question was coming from a Premier League club, he responded with: "You can say what you want."
Baraclough insists signing a left-back was always a priority during January, even if Nolan agreed to join the Iron from Preston full-time.
As it stands though, today's match with Watford is almost certain to be his last appearance for the club.
"There are things in place that will come out in the next few days," said the Iron boss.
"I'm not going to give out names, but I've been preparing all along for if Eddie Nolan was to go.
"We're very close to doing something, but the lad in question hasn't signed his contract yet, so I'm not saying anything.
"I've been stung before in my short time as a manager."
Nolan, also linked with Sheffield Wednesday, where his former Preston boss Alan Irvine is in charge, admitted after defeat at the Keepmoat Stadium that he has still not made a decision on his future.
Clouding the situation further has been the sacking of Darren Ferguson at Deepdale, meaning he may now consider seeing the season out at bottom-of-the-table North End.
"Things have changed at Preston now so I'm not sure what's going on," said the Irishman, whose club currently have David Unsworth in caretaker charge.
"I was getting closer to making a decision, then this came along so I've had to rethink it and evaluate everything again.
"I haven't made up my mind because if things change (at Preston) I'll have to make a totally different decision again.
"I'm going to have to think about everything again.
"I hadn't made a decision but was getting closer – I don't really want to say what that was.
"I've still got today's game and am just concentrating on that."
7 Comments
by Iron Mighty, Goole
Tuesday, January 04 2011, 5:14PM
“Sadly, our biggest problem is Baracloughs inexperience in this side of club management. He will rise in my estimation if he pulls of a couple of decent loans and a signing - one of which must be an strong striker.
No strong frontman equals relegation.”
by skint, scunny
Monday, January 03 2011, 2:07PM
“I`m going to hazard a guess as to the way January is going to pan out regards signings.
Two young players in on loan, one of whom will be a decent prospect we`d have no chance of signing permanently while the other will be a disappointment and or injury prone. This to be followed up by more disappointment in that a permanent signing has opted to sign for someone else at the last minute or we end up with another Geoff Horsfield or Tommy Johnson type signing.
We`ll then get the usual suspects trotting out that old chestnut that little old scunny are punching above their weight in this division and should be grateful just to be in it for another season.
I hope I`m proved wrong.”
by John, Silica Lodge
Monday, January 03 2011, 1:33PM
“Thought signings were to be done early Jan not LOAN signings. May I suggest there is NO mention of signings until they are completed as we are used to being let down.Only Nolan knows what he is doing so dont think his heart is with the club so I thank him for his efforts but dont thin other clubs will be taken up by his attitude.COME ON THE IRON LETS GET STUCK IN
by Steve, At Home
Monday, January 03 2011, 1:09PM
“>1500
Where do you thing the money has gone?
Just about makes up for the loss last season.
Not even necessarily received the cash from celtic yet, these fees are often paid on credit terms.
Then we have to set aside money for adding seats (minimum) let alone developing the ground, and don't presume that players who left after having signed league 1 contracts are getting paid more than the newcomers on Championship contracts whatever you consider their relative qualities are.”
by 1500lub, Lincs
Monday, January 03 2011, 12:55PM
“Halmosi would be a great signing - he was mint for Plymouth at this level but only started a handful at Hull.
Nolan would be a great signing but we cant afford him (or Halmosi)....what about that player Laws kept resigning from Scotland?
It's rubbish being an Iron fan-it dont mater what league we are in miss out on decent speculation for signings...I want to read about big money signings who I have heard of, based on Hoopers transfer fee alone...something to ignite some interest - not trialists and loans.
Where has the Hooper money gone? Last sumer Whartonwas saying he wasnt even for sale - this year we must have saved a fortune on wages with Maccan, Sparrow, Hayes, Hooper and Williams replaced by Forte, Dagnall, Grant and Collins...no where near like-for-like.
This is how we are run - LIKE WATCHING A NIL NIL DRAW ON CEEFAX IN 1992.
Up the Iron!”
by Busta, Werkenbach
Monday, January 03 2011, 12:29PM
“**Breaking News** I've heard a rumour that Peter Halmosi has asked to have his contract cancelled at H*ll, to sign a short term contract with us, as he doesn't want to move from the area until the summer.”
by Busta, Werkenbach
Monday, January 03 2011, 12:25PM
“as exclusively revealed on Iron-Bru to be young Chelsea left back Ben Gordon.”