Page 35 - Marcus Evans News Today

General manager of football operations Lee O’Neill says manager Paul Lambert’s frustrated comments at his press conference last Friday weren’t anything he and owner Marcus Evans didn’t expect with the Blues having been unable to add to his squad in recent weeks.

Town owner Marcus Evans has written a column for Saturday’s match programme, which the club has given TWTD permission to reproduce in full.

Town target Steve Davies had been expected to make his first Derby appearance of pre-season this evening when a Rams reserves side faces Evo-Stik League side Belper Town at their Christchurch Meadow ground. However, the 24-year-old, who the Blues have been chasing all summer, has confirmed that he again wont be involved.

Manager Paul Cook says he had great support from the club’s owners, who he says couldn’t be more different from those who were in charge during his time at Wigan Athletic, and has no problem with them getting excited or that excitement overspilling every now and then.

The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) has issued a statement slamming the salary cap, on which League One clubs are set to vote on Friday, claiming it is “being rushed through, without proper consideration or consultation”.

Boss Roy Keane says the Blues are getting nearer to completing the signing of Sunderland keeper Márton Fülöp. Town are believed to have agreed a £750,000 fee with the Black Cats with negotiations regarding the player’s contract and settling his current Sunderland terms having continued throughout last week.

Town manager Roy Keane felt his side put in a performance which paid tribute to Sir Bobby Robson as they defeated Real Valladolid 3-1 at Portman Road.

Town fell to an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Belgian second division side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in their final pre-season friendly at Portman Road. The Blues had dominated but only went in front in the 61st minute through Daryl Murphy, but the Belgians hit back with two goals in three minutes on 72 and 75 via Mathias Fixelles and Nicolas Rajsel.

Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’s closer to making further additions to his squad with the Blues currently in “discussions with clubs”. Speaking on Tuesday at Colchester, the Blues boss expressed his frustrations regarding progress on bringing in further signings.

Blues boss Roy Keane has confirmed that Alex Bruce, Owen Garvan and Jon Stead missed last night’s game at Bury to continue talks with Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Blackpool respectively. The Town manager says he is hopeful he will complete the signing of Sunderland keeper Márton Fülöp.