Mathias Lindstrom

[Dazzza]

Remember him?

U21 Finnish International captain we were close to signing a couple of years back.

His club has just qualified for the UEFA cup and he is once again looking for a move to old Blighty.  Had a trial with Crewe the other week but they declined his services.

What's happened to all of the Scandinavians in this country?

A few years back Norway decided to base their World Cup squad camp here as nearly all of the team were plying their trade over here.

They usually lend themselves well to the English game and usually come a lot cheaper than home grown talent.

After the success of Jan aage Fjortoft I thought we may have seen one or two more players from that neck of the woods.

[Spud]

Ive got a few in my FM5 team, id like to think they've adapted extremely well.

[Reg Smeeton]

I saw him play in a reserves match for us.....thought he looked a calm, composed ball playing defender, which is probably why King didn't want him.......

[Dazzza]

I saw him play in a reserves match for us.....thought he looked a calm, composed ball playing defender, which is probably why King didn't want him.......

I thought we had actually entered negotiations with the lad but then he seemed to get dropped like a hot potato.

If I recall reports from a couple of people in Finland said he was a very bright prospect indeed and built for the English game.

 Surprising we don’t look abroad more often for talent.  Aside from the anual ill fated imports Eric Sabin’s agent brings over on trial King doesn’t seem to poke his nose further than the Black Country unless it’s on specific recommendation or to scout opposition.  

Mark Devlin had promised King a full time scout years back , however nothing ever came of it.

[Reg Smeeton]

i wouldn't criticise King too much for the lack of foreign players.....we had a bit of that under T*dd and it was a bit dodgy......my main concern at the moment is that when Crosby was here, then to a lesser extent Walsh, and certainly Harford, King delegated the coaching to them......I now believe King sees himself as the head coach as well as manager.......one can sympathise to an extent, he'd like to get in a decent coach but can't because of finance......but its a recipe for disaster.

[Dazzza]

Very true, I think Todd's foreign legion probably put more than few at the club off anyone from the Continent.

Mind you Todd with the exception of Van Der Linden picked up all of the crap other English clubs had discarded.

I believe King took the decision to promote Reeves/Woan/Iffy to coaches rather than bring in another assistant manager.  It is a concern as I’m not sure if any of them have even done their coaching badges.  I know King did a short course during the summer a few years back and possibly Iffy from his time as Walsall assistant but aside from that they’re all as qualified as Giles Brandrith.

Lord knows what King’s like on the training ground but he’s never come across as the most organised or patient of people.  Reading the comments from Saturday even the Barnsley quarter admitted the difference between the sides came down to fitness, organisation and concentration.  All traits that should be honed on the training ground.

Mind you after such a sloppy pre-season I’ll give it some time before making any judgements.  Tuesday night-time should just about do it.

[sonicyouth]

To the best of my knowledge Iffy is a qualifed coach and Woan is working on it. I still think we miss Crosby though.

[Dazzza]

Crosby was a top bloke, always had time for a chat.

Shame we let him go as and this is just my opinion he was a far better qualified and experienced manager than King is still to this day.

[sonicyouth]

I wouldn't go that far but I'd say it's pretty clear he had a positive effect as assistant manager.

[larwood]

I have to say that Iffy impresses me,when he played he always struck me as a bit of a donkey,and only scored because of the superb ability of ndah.But in the interviews i've heard him give he speaks a good game and i think he has the potential to be a good coach.