Day 122

Bradshaw came back with his full report on Spanish striker Esteban Casagolda. He's a skillful player, no doubt about it. But it doesn't look like he has enough of an edge over my current crop to warrant a contract offer. He's travelled around a bit, and even played in Scotland for Motherwell last season. I asked him over for a trial, just in case he's a special catch.

I also got a report on central defender Conrad Balatoni, from scout Ian Gardner. Balatoni's already a decent player at age 20—slightly better than Kanouté, Gardner thinks. He has the potential to do well at League 1 level, and his wage demands are likely to be quite reasonable. But I'm not going to bother with even a trial. We're in good shape at the back, and I've turned down more talented players than he.