Our lad in Turku

By: timmyg | August 4th, 2009

Seems the TPS fans in Turku, Finland have taken warmly to Wayne Brown, and are sad to see him leave on August 16.

More (great) info from Nordic Football, replete with gushing quotes from the loanee about his stay:

“Please don’t take my Wayne Brown away” is the last line of a TPS supporters’ chant composed to honour one of their campaign’s heroes. But talking to NFN minutes after he coolly netted a last-second penalty to give TPS a vital set of points against Tampere United, he revealed that as much as he appreciates his fans’ prayers, they are to no avail.

“I am going to play against VPS in Vaasa (on August 16th). Then that’s it for me, I’ll be going back home.”

…

“This has been exactly what I needed, the very reason I came here was playing games. This has been great for my experience as a player. It was a great decision from me to come here.

“Everyone has been great to me – the club, the players and the fans. I’m delighted that we are doing so well in the league,” enthused Brown, whose penalty meant TPS reduced the gap to HJK to just one point at the top of the table.

Four goals and four assists in 17 matches for TPS are not bad statistics for the player that surely should be a fixture on the reserves. And perhaps Brown will see some minutes for the first team in some cup competitions, domestic or otherwise. Although I haven’t seen him play very much, reliable sources see a tremendous upside. Which is always a good thing. Just imagine if he, Smalling, Milsom, Saunders, and Briggs can compete seemlessly in the top flight in the seasons to come. Wishful thinking, but the thought forces me to smile.

More transfer drama, as Bafana Bafana midfielder Kagiso Digacoi (can someone PLEASE spell that phonetically??) is telling the media he signed with Fulham. After the he said/she said that he, his agent, and Roy got into before, I’m holding my breath until I see it on the offal.

But the transfer we should be watching is Xabi Alonso’s move to Real Madrid. Why? Because now there’s no way Christian Poulsen is coming to Craven Cottage, but headed to the Kop. Rats.

Rich at CCN has some sublime insight into team’s composition, particularly in midfield. I agree with him, but still maintain the defense needs a body or two. Am I wrong?