Pascal Nouma | Coppell on Lombardo
Here is an article that appeared in today's SUN newspaper... COPPELL IS KEEN ON BABB *********************** Crystal Palace boss Steve Coppell is chasing Liverpool's Phil Babb to replace injured David Tuttle. Centre-back Tuttle fractured a shin in the 1-0 win over Wimbledon trying to block a shot from Carl Cort. The former Spurs and Sheffield United defender had an operation to set the break and could be out for 6 months. Coppell is seriously short of cover in his inexperienced squad. More on Babb Another trialist....... **************** LUCA LUZARDI arrives today on trial from BRESCIA - but Coppell wants a top defender quickly. Babb cannot even get on the Sub's bench at Anfield and is desperate to get away. He would cost Palace around 2 million but the London club have the cash. Coppell has only Andy Linighan and Icelander Herman Hreidarsson as cover. **RB** They forgot we have Neil Emblen and Gareth Davies too !!! PASCAL NOUMA ************ I am very grateful to David Crosier in Strasbourg who sent me this appraisal of PASCAL NOUMA who, if you believe the press speculation, Palace are interested in signing........ I was very interested to see that Palace are apparently now interested in Pascal Nouma. Nouma has been at Strasbourg for one full season, coming from Paris Saint-Germain where he had difficulty maintaining a first team place. He made a very good impression during his first season here, and plays as a conventional target-man centre forward. He's big, strong and fairly skillful - a bit in the Mark Bright mould. He's also a player who gives everything he's got, and has therefore become quite a favourite with the Strasbourg faithful. Having said that, I wouldn't advise buying him. He's started off this season in fairly poor form, and is a player whose game changes considerably depending on the general level of confidence in the team. He also lacks pace and the guile to break down well-organised defences. To put it plainly, he probably wouldn't be up to the job in the Premier League. My advice to Palace would still be to try and capture David Zitelli. He's out of contract at the end of the season, and so I imagine that Strasbourg would rather sell him while they can get a fee. He's also a player with real quality who I'm sure would make an impression in the Premier League. David Crosier, Strasbourg. EARLY TEAM NEWS *************** With Dave Tuttle breaking his leg and Neil Emblen being unavailable due to a hamstring injury, Herman Hreidarsson, with a fine performance under his belt against Wimbledon, is like to partner Andy Linighan in the centre of the Palace defence against Coventry City on Wednesday night. Marc Edworthy is almost certain to revert back to his familiar sweeping role with Andy Roberts playing in midfield. PREMIER YOUTH TEAM ****************** Barnsley Youth 2 Palace Youth 2 (20/9/97) Palace scorers : Graham, Stevens. RESERVE TEAM FIXTURE ******************** If any UK based fans are considering going along to the reserve team match tomorrow (Tuesday), please be advised of the following change in venue : Palace Reserves v Portsmouth Reserves Venue : Crawley Town ground KO : 2.00pm 23/9/97 ----------------------------------------------------------- Now, let's catch up with some of the latest NEWSWIRE offerings courtsesy of Alan and Paul....... From SOCCERNET.. Bryan Robson should give Steve Coppell a call for some tips on how to pick up a decent foreigner. While Robson has had numerous problems with expensive imports at Middlesbrough, former England teammate Coppell has bought a gem for Crystal Palace in Italian Attilio Lombardo. The bald Eagle slid home the winner 10 minutes from time as Palace won 1-0 'away' to their Selhurst Park tenants Wimbledon on Saturday. And Coppell revealed afterwards that Lombardo's attitude towards his new club has been impeccable since his £1.5million summer transfer from Juventus. "At first we thought that we couldn't afford Attilio, but when we sold David Hopkin to Leeds, we knew we could manage it," he said. "We knew right from the start that we didn't have a prima donna on our hands. In the first game against Everton he ran 50 yards to make a tackle after losing the ball and that was in the baking heat," said Coppell. "He has never asked for any special favours from us and has committed himself to the club very well." Paul Rundle. ----------------------------------------------------------- Here's Teamtalk's latest set of Newswires.... Following Saturday's injury to David Tuttle, the Eagles have been linked with a move for Liverpool's Republic of Ireland international defender Phil Babb. Steve Coppell is reportedly ready to launch a bid for the unsettled Babb, who has been told that he can leave Liverpool as soon as the Reds receive a satisfactory bid for the Lambeth-born player. Palace will need to find in the region of £2.5 million for Babb, who knows that reserve team football at Anfield is harming his international chances, and that a move to a Premiership club would be an excellent opportunity. With Ian Pearce having opted to join West Ham last week, and Tuttle sidelined with a broken leg for several months, Coppell may be keen to tie up a deal for Babb as soon as possible. Alan Johnston. ----------------------------------------------------------
