Day 184

Scout Ian Gardner’s report indicated that free agent Matteo Alberti is even better than my injured right winger Chris Shuker. And the Italian still has a few years of growth in him. Competition for the lad is heating up, however, with Perugia and Savona tabling offers today. I improved the terms of my offer, crossed my fingers, and hoped for the best.

If we don’t get Alberti, there are some other options. Gardner also reported on French winger Benjamin Laurant, who isn’t quite as good as Shuker but will likely become a special player. I offered Laurant a trial so that I can evaluate him myself.

There’s also Chris Birchall, a 27 year old central midfielder from Trinidad & Tobago. Birchall’s just arrived with us on trial, and he looks to be a great player. If he’s effective on the right—and I’m told he should be—he could fill in for Shuker.

Birchall can actually play just about anywhere. The staff tell me that he’s one of the most versatile players they’ve seen, capable of slotting into any position except central defence or goalkeeper—although he’s only considered to be a specialist in the centre or right side of midfield.

I decided to offer him a contract based on the glowing reports he got from the coaching staff after his first day at the club. Premature? Perhaps, but this seems too good an opportunity to let slip through my fingers—and I know he has interest from a bigger team (Bristol Rovers). I figure we can snap him up before they’re ready to make a move.