Yeah true, but I had assumed he meant that the game tomorrow (which is behind closed doors) may be an easier run out for him that a more competitive fixture in front of the cameras and on the radio...who knows!

I think as a club, we would have been willing to accept offers for a while. I doubt we have suddenly just come out and said this to Beckford, particularly in this manner.

The strangest thing for me is that his agent came out a week or so ago stating he was definitely not leaving Leicester and was fully committed.

That's very true he did come out and say that! Let hope he was telling te truth!

I think we'll know either way by Wednesday if something is occuring.

The only way I can see a Beckford sale appeasing a high percentage of fans would be if the money was used to perhaps bring in Koren for example and a young winger (perhaps Alan Judge from Notts County who has just turned down a new contract there).

I think regardless of wether he leaves or not, a new winger is a must! I have heard him
Mentioned before, would be a good squad player but I feel we need a winger who is ready to jump straight in!

Fourth official reliable? Pfft, I've read a load of rubbish from them on twitter. Not saying the view on Beckford is right or wrong but I'd certainly take it with a pinch of salt. Certainly more credible sources.

Without Sven throwing money at new players, I think top Championship and Premiership players are perhaps out of reach.

Lower Championship/top of League 1 or youth player from Prem club is a more likely scenario in my opinion. I spoke to a County fan a few months ago (who admittedly would have been subjective) and he said that Judge was one of the best wingers he'd seen in a long time down there and he thought he would be capable in the Championship. I only mention him really because we sent scouts out to see him towards the end of last season.

I agree regarding the creativity in the midfield.

Take Beckford out and our front line is still easily strong enough.

The question remains, will we create enough chances for them?

We could play Messi up front but if we font Crete any chances, he won't score.

I would like to see 1 midfielder come in to boost my confidence. A left winger would be nice.

Take Beckford out and our front line is still easily strong enough.

Take Beckford out and our front line consists of Nugent plus three players who have very limited or indeed no experience at this level and have scored less than 20 championship goals between them. I think our respective definitions of 'strong' differ somewhat Mersey!

Can't wait for Foxello!!

Pearson said it in a radio Leicester interview

I know what you're saying This is Madness, and whilst I wouldn't say we had plenty of experience, I think Mersey's point is that with a creative midfield playing consistency well, it would be good enough. But to be honest, if Sven had played a consistent midfield and/or they had played to a good to very good standard, we probably would have finished in the top 6 IMO.

I have to say, whilst my expectations and perhaps excitment for this season is less than last year, I am really intrigued to see how the various partnerships and formations may pan out

That's very true ktf - we sorely miss a player like Muzzy who knew how to unlock defences. I'd love to see Marshall play a more central role because I think he has the potential to cause CBs real trouble and the quality to create chances - sometimes he felt a bit wasted out on the wing last season. If we're going to do that though, we realistically need to bring in two new wingers before the start of the season which I just can't see happening.

I really don't think this is the end of the world. As others have said I'd ne far more gutted if we were losing Nugent, Marshall, Danns or Schmeichel who I consider to be far more consistent performers.

I really don't think that Nugent and Beckford

* had much of a partnership going last season and I don't see many reasons why that would change during the coming season.

I don't want to judge anybody on one game but I have to say Vardy does look like he's got potential from what I saw at Hinckley.

If the beckford reports are true I'd expect him to start alongside Nugent and dare I say it I'm optimistic it'll be a fruitful partnership, certainly more effective than the Nugent - Beckford partnership.

Where's Foxello btw?

Must be on his 'olidays

Personally I'm more disappointed that we've, so far, failed to sign the required quality in other areas of the pitch and we still look 2 or 3 players short. We were a long way off the required quality in midfield last season and only very average defensively. It's pointless keeping a player like Beckford, who's instinctive game is reliant on quality service, if we're not going to bring those type of players (players capable of ball retention and good distribution) to the club.

I feel we still need a left sided midfielder and one (or maybe two) central midfielders. We also don't have much depth in defence.

I know people will point out that we've got quite a few central midfielders and centre backs, but my question would be are they players you'd expect to find in a promotion chasing team? Are they better than the other 10 teams that all have similar squads to ours?

I'm not being unrealistic. I realise that finding the right quality outside the Premier League is a hard job and there is a real bun fight for the few players that are available, have the required quality to make a difference and that will play in the Championship. I'm simply calling it how I see it that currently I don't see a squad that is very far ahead of any other teams. We'll be one of the middle ten that make the Championship so competitive rather than the one or two who occasionally run away with it - and that in my opinion is with or without Beckford.

"Where's Foxello btw?"
---------------------------------------------

He read this and was so indignant that he imploded!

I've offered to pay his train fare!!

On Foxy's behalf, I would just like to say that this is another example of Pearson's in-ability to manage players.

His good times with Leicester were in Division 1. Looks like he is keen to get back there!

Not saying whether the rumour is true or not, but I also remember fourth official saying that Bamba was definately 100% off to Blackburn for 2 million last Christmas...

I wouldnt get so irate about it until it actually happens or something official confirms this rumour to be true. There are also rumours flying round that we are looking at "someone" VERY good so it may be a swap for this mystery man...

Sorry to be negative but Mr Grumpy doesn't have a history of signing "VERY" good players. He signs POSSIBLY good players.

He clearly cannot handle players who have had the time to build up egos.

Prawn - Firstly, do we want players who have big egos and think they're better than they are. I don't necceserily feel big ego equals big talent.

You want players with the right kind of confidence. The Ben Marshall type confidence where he knows he's talented and what he can do but it isn't the Matt Mills type where he thinks he's bigger than the team.

Also, as I mentioned before, this is the same 'Mr Grumpy' who got players Svens big names like SSL, Beckford and Danns playing their best football of last season.

Pearson has stated that Beckford will 'definitely' play in the Burton game.

Greatness. I'm not saying I want players with big egos - but I do question how Pearson handles those that have.

Sure, he got players like SSL, Beckford and Danns playing in the right positions and well but (IMO) badly upset two of those three.

As has been mentioned before, some respond to tea-cups and others to an arm around the shoulder. It seems to me that Pearson is rather one dimensional.

You talk about confidence but I wonder how deeply this will spread through a relatively in-experienced side if the players see all stick and no carrot.

When has Pearson 'badly upset' Beckford? No speculation please.

Prawn: I get what you mean but I've always said his man management is a strength of his.

If you take someone like Beckford then he did take the hard line approach - leaving him out for Schlupp, putting him on the wing and showing that if he wanted to play up front he had to earn it. And it worked.

Jeff got his injury at Palace (?) and Beckford came back for the cup and scored a hat trick and went on a run of form.

Contrast this to Waghorn where he did take a softer approach and was complimenting him (that interview after the Leeds game) to give him confidence and in his first season he was excellent. I notice he's done the same with Vardy so we'll see how that turns out.

He's also got the bet out of players like Fryatt, Morrison, Weale, Berner and Hobbs when other managers failed.