OMFG

I was just googling Martin Cranie for this here blog when these two astonishing pictures turned up. The latter involves  David Nugent apparently...

Meet the gang 'cos the boys are here the boys to entertain you. Pt 4 - Lukas Jutkiewicz

Surely this one isn't Irish too?

No. He's from Southampton.

What is he like? What's he like anway?

Well he wasn't born when Neneh Cherry sang that line in Buffalo Stance. He's a welcome return to the young player recruitment policy that landed us Danny Fox and Scott Dann...

He says he's not a traditional goalscorer - any evidence?

And what does the online oracle have to say?

"Lukas Isaac Paul Jutkiewicz (born 28 March 1989 in Southampton) is an English football player who plays for Championship side Coventry City after signing from Everton for a undisclosed fee rumoured to be in the region of £200,000 on 26 July 2010.

Club career

Swindon Town

Jutkiewicz made his Swindon Town debut at the age of 17, as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat at Swansea's Liberty Stadium in April 2006. A week later, he had his first start in a 2–1 win at Scunthorpe United. Jutkiewicz signed a three year contract in July 2006. He was patient for his introduction to the first team in 2006–07, but finally made his first league start of the season in Swindon's 2–0 defeat to Mansfield. The next game, against top of the table Walsall, saw Jutkiewicz score his first senior goal in Swindon's victory. He went on to score four more goals during the 2006–07 season to help the club gain promotion to League One.

Everton

On 17 March 2007, Jutkiewicz joined Everton for a £1m fee.He joined up with the club for pre-season training in July 2007, and was handed the number 27 shirt – previously worn by Andy van der Meyde.

In January 2008, Plymouth Argyle signed Jutkiewicz on loan until the end of the 2007–08 season. Here he worked under his former boss at Swindon, Paul Sturrock.He made his debut for the Pilgrims three days later in their 3–2 FA Cup victory over Hull City, coming on as an 85th minute substitute.

The 2008–09 season saw Jutkiewicz make his Everton debut, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 victory over Sunderland in December 2008. The following month he was again sent out on loan, to Huddersfield Town, until the end of the season.He made his first start for Huddersfield in a 1–0 win over Leeds United in February 2009 but made little impression overall, failing to find the net in his loan spell.

Motherwell

In August 2009, Jutkiewicz joined Scottish Premier League side Motherwell on loan until January 2010. Jutkiewicz scored his first goal for the Fir Park outfit against St. Mirren. In January 2010, his Motherwell loan period to was extended to the end of the season.^[6] On 5 May, he won the man-of-the-match award in the highest-scoring match in SPL history against Hibernian^[7] He scored an outstanding injury-time goal from a tight angle to make it 6–6 and keep alive his team's hopes of a Europa League spot.He had been playing through a knee injury incurred three months earlier and was praised for his determination by manager Craig Brown who also described the goal as "van Basten-like". However, it was not considered for goal-of-the-season because the award had already been presented to Anthony Stokes a month before the end of the season.On 9 May 2010, just four days after that memorable game, Jutkiewicz converted a penalty in injury time to get a 3–3 draw against Rangers at Ibrox. He netted a total of 11 goals during his time with Motherwell.

Coventry City

In mid-July 2010 Coventry City tried to sign Jutkiewicz on loan but the bid was rejected by Everton as they were looking to offload him on a permanent basis. Aidy Boothroyd came back in with an offer to buy Jutkiewicz on a permanent basis a week later, The bid was accepted and Jutkiewicz moved to Coventry City for an undiclosed fee, signing a three year deal.

International career

In addition to his country of birth, England, Jutkiewicz is also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland through his mother, and Poland by way of his Polish grandfather, however, the player has made no decision."

And does he look silly in our wretched home kit? Sadly yes...

Meet the gang 'cos the boys are here the boys to entertain you. Pt 3 - Roy O'Donovan

Ok - what does this one look like? A million different people from one day to the next to be honest...

Has he played against Chelsea at Zero gravity?

Did we have to beat teams off with a stick to get him?

"Southampton linked with Sunderland's Roy O'Donovan

1:27pm Tuesday 4th May 2010

SAINTS have been linked with Sunderland striker Roy O’Donovan.Alan Pardew  revealed after the weekend defeat at Gillingham that he would be stepping up his efforts to sign a new striker in the summer.....Colchester boss Aidy Boothroyd has already confirmed his interest in signing O’Donovan, who is currently on loan at Saints’ League One rivals Hartlepool.The 24-year-old has netted nine times in 14 league games for Pools, including two in a 3-1 win against Colchester last month."

Was he alive when Killer went up to lift the FA Cup? He was indeed almost 2 years old. From wikipedia:

"Roy Simon O'Donovan (born 10 August 1985) is an Irish footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Coventry City. He has been capped for his country at Under-19, Under-21 and B level.

Club career

O'Donovan played schoolboy football for Leeds A.F.C. Cork, and Blarney Street in Cork. In 2001 he signed for English club Coventry City as a trainee, before being released in December 2004 without making a first team appearance for the club.

Cork City

O'Donovan moved back to Ireland and joined his hometown club Cork City in early 2005. In his first season at Cork City they captured the League of Irelandstriker, becoming the top goalscorer in the League of Ireland. He was named the eircom/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland (SWAI) Player of the Month for November 2005 and won the award again in November 2006 after being switched to centre forward from midfield, he was also a nominee for the Soccer Writers Association of Ireland (SWAI) player of the year the same season.

On 21 November it was reported that Wolverhampton Wanderers were interested in signing O'Donovan, but that they were denied permission to speak to him about a move by Cork City. On 7 July 2007, he scored as Cork City drew 1–1 with Swedish Allsvenskan club Hammarby in the second round of the 2007 Intertoto Cup.He scored a total of 31 league goals in 74 league appearances for the club, as well as 2 goals in European competitions

Sunderland

In July 2007, Fulham agreed a fee with Cork City to sign O'Donovan,however, Roy Keane signed him for Sunderland on 7 August for an League of Ireland record transfer fee of €500,000, with O'Donovan saying, "I had a choice between Fulham and Sunderland but when I spoke to the gaffer [Roy Keane] my mind was made up." The fee can increase to €1 million depending on appearances for club and country. He signed a three-year contract,reportedly worth €8,000 a week. He made his Premier League debut for Sunderland as a 70th minute substitute in the 2–2 draw with Birmingham City at St Andrew's on 15 August.His first start of the season came on 21 October in the 3–1 defeat to West Ham United at Upton Park, although he was substituted in the 46th minute. O'Donovan made seventeen appearances for the Black Cats in the 2007–08 season, starting just four times. His first goal for Sunderland came in a pre-season against Portuguese Liga club Sporting Clube de Portugal on 20 July 2008.

Dundee United

On 8 August 2008, he signed a one-year loan deal with Dundee United. He made his debut for the Tangerines on 11 August in a 3–1 defeat to Hamilton Academical at New Douglas Park.He scored his first goal in a 2–0 home win over St Mirren on 25 October, after coming on as a 67th minute substitute: the goal was a memorable one, coming in front of a full stadium of supporters who had turned up to commemorate the passing  of the popular club chairman Eddie Thompson.On 1 November, he was sent off in the 57th minute of the 0–0 draw against Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium. However, he failed to win back his place in the side following suspension and in late December he was one of three players along with Michael Chopra and Anthony Stokes recalled by Sunderland who were struggling with injuries.

Blackpool

On 9 January 2009, he signed for Championship club Blackpool on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut for the Seasiders in the 2–1 defeat to Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena on 17 January. What had been a successful loan spell up to this point took a turn for the worse when on 10 March, he was taken to hospital after being taken ill with suspected appendicitis before Blackpool's game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Two days later he had keyhole surgery to remove his appendix. He returned to action on 11 April in Blackpool's 1–0 West Lancashire Derby win over Preston North End at Deepdale. He retained his place in the side for the following game a 2 – 2 draw against play – off hopefuls Reading F.C.

Southend United

On 16 September 2009, O'Donovan joined Southend United on an one month loan deal. He scored on his debut against Brighton & Hove Albion, in the 3–2 win. O'Donovan made a further two league appearances plus one in the Football League Trophy before returning to Sunderland once the loan was completed.

Hartlepool United

On 23 February 2010, he joined Hartlepool United on loan until the end of the 2009–10 season. He made his debut for Hartlepool in their 4–1 home win over Carlisle United on 23 February 2010. On 6 March 2010, he scored his first goals for Hartlepool, a hat-trick against Southend, who he was with at the beginning of the season.O'Donovan went on to make 15 appearance scoring 9 goals before returning to parent club Sunderland at the end of the season.

Coventry City

O'Donovan signed a three–year deal with Coventry City on 25 June 2010 becoming new manager Aidy Boothroyd's third signing of the close season. He officially transferred to Coventry on 1 July 2010, five years after leaving them as an academy youth player.

Does he look ridiculous in our absurdly ill-fitting home kit? Youbetchya...

Consistency

Just updating the goals per game panel (now on your left hand side) and noticed the following horrifying stats:

1.0217 CCFC 08/09 (17th)
1.0217 CCFC 06/07 (17th)
1.0217 CCFC 09/10 (19th)
1.0000 CCFC 07/08 (21st)

In other words in 3 out of the last 4 seasons we have scored 47 goals in our 46 games - and in the other season we managed 46. Without Morrison and Best and on the basis of the scoring form so far in the pre-season perhaps we should  be begging Marlon King to join.

Meet the gang 'cos the boys are here the boys to entertain you. Pt 2 - Richard Keogh

First off what does he look like? Slightly terrifying might be the best description...

 

Is he really our player? Sky don't seem to think so...

Carlisle United	Unassigned Players	1 Jul 2010	Contract Ended
Bristol City	Carlisle United	20 Aug 2008	Undisclosed
Bristol City	Cheltenham Town	10 Mar 2008	Loan : Expired
Bristol City	Carlisle United	21 Nov 2007	Loan : Expired
Bristol City	Huddersfield Town	31 Aug 2007	Loan : Expired
Bristol City	Wycombe Wanderers	9 Nov 2005	On Loan
Stoke City	Bristol City	22 Jul 2005	Free Transfer

Was he alive when we last won something? He was indeed! From Wikipedia:

Richard John Keogh (born August 11, 1986 in Harlow) is an Irish footballerdefender who plays for Football League Championship side Coventry City.

Club career 
Bristol City

Having been a schoolboy in Ipswich Town's academy and a ballboy at Portman Road, Keogh moved on to the Stoke City youth set-up but was released and joined up with Bristol City before the start of the 2005/2006 campaign. He also rejected a move to Burnley. In his first season, Brian Tinnion, who had signed Keogh, left the club. He was replaced by Gary Johnson who loaned him to Wycombe Wanderers. He then began to establish himself in city's first team plans and scored against Walsall. He began the 2006-2007 season with the same form as the previous season, and replaced Bradley Orr after his red card against Northampton Town and later imprisonment. He scored his second City goal against Gillingham. He later captained the Republic Of Ireland Under 21's in October 2006 and was voted Bristol City's "Young Player of the Year" for the 2006-07 season.

Huddersfield Town

On August 31, 2007, he joined Huddersfield Town on loan and made his debut on 1 September 2007 against Millwall. On September 15, he scored his first goal for Huddersfield in a 3-2 defeat at home to Cheltenham Town at the Galpharm Stadium. He returned to Bristol City on 29 October following Huddersfield's decision not to extend his loan.

Carlisle United

On November 19, 2007 he joined Carlisle United on loan. The loan lasted until January 1, 2008, with a recall option after 28 days of the loan period. On January 4, 2008 he returned to Bristol City after negotiations to extend / make permanent his loan collapsed.

Cheltenham Town

On March 10, 2008, he joined League One side Cheltenham Town on loan and made his debut in their 2-1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road the following day.

Carlisle United

On August 20, 2008 Keogh returned to Carlisle United on a permanent transfer from Bristol City for an undisclosed sum. Keogh became somewhat of a cult hero at Brunton Park, with one group of supporters carrying a giant 'In Keogh We Trust' banner across the country in support of Carlisle United.

Coventry City

Keogh signed a three–year deal with Coventry City on 29 June 2010 becoming the fourth close season signing for new manager Aidy Boothroyd. He officially transferred to Coventry on 1 July 2010 after his contract with Carlisle United had expired, because Keogh was under the age of 24 compensation was to be paid for the transfer, however, this was to remain undisclosed. 
External links Richard Keogh's career stats at Soccerbase

And does he look daft in the flowered-collared kit? But of course...

And finally is there a really really scary picture of him being signed by Ray Ranson?  You might very well think that...

Meet the gang 'cos the boys are here the boys to entertain you. Pt 1 - Stephen O'Halloran

 First off -what does he look like?

And was he alive when we last won anything? Computer says no. From that Wikipedia:

Stephen O'Halloran (born 29 November 1987) is an Irish defender who plays for Football League Championship side Coventry City.

Club career

Aston Villa 

O'Halloran signed for Aston Villa from Cork-based team Springfield in July 2003. The Cobh native then broke into the Villa squad for their 2006–2007 pre-season friendlies but he has not made any first team appearances for Aston Villa. In 2007 O'Halloran signed a new contract with Aston Villa, keeping him at the club until 2009. However, following his return from a loan move to Swansea City, he has not made any appearances for Villa. At the beginning of the 2009–10 season O'Halloran was omitted from the press release announcing Villa's squad numbers. O'Halloran's number 29 shirt was given to WelshJames Collins upon his signing for the club. O'Halloran returned for the reserves, in the national play off final against Manchester United.[1] international defender

Wycombe Wanderers 

The young left-sided defender was loaned out to Wycombe Wanderers in October 2006, and played a pivotal role in guiding them to the semi-finals of the Football League Cup.However, his loan spell ran out before the second-leg, and Wycombe eventually lost 5-1 to Chelsea.

Southampton

On 16 January 2008, he signed for Southampton on loan until February 2008, making only one substitute appearance.

Leeds United

On 28 February he signed for Leeds United on an initial one month loan deal. In the warm up for what would have been his debut for Leeds against Swindon Town at the County Ground, he suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament He was replaced in the starting lineup by Frazer Richardson. After suffering the injury he returned to Aston Villa for treatment. injury which kept him out for up to a year.

Swansea City

On 5 November O'Halloran signed for Swansea City on an initial 3 month loan deal as competition to Argentinian-born left back Federico Bessone. The 21 year old was signed to fill the gap left by fellow Irish defender Marcos Painter, who was out for the majority of the season through injury. O'Halloran was the victim of yet another cruciate ligament injury in his spell at Swansea, which caused him to terminate his loan on 25 December 2008. O'Halloran did not rule out a future spell at Swansea, claiming that he "may return one day to have another crack".

Coventry City

O'Halloran signed a one year deal with the Sky Blues on 23rd June 2010 becoming new manager Aidy Boothroyd's second signing of the close season.

International career

On 16 May 2007, O'Halloran was named in Steve Staunton's Republic of IrelandEcuador and Bolivia, despite not having played a single first team game for Aston Villa. O'Halloran has also represented his country at U15, U16, U17 and U21 level. squad and played in the friendlies against

Honours

BBC Radio WM Young Player of the Month Winner: January 2008 

Irish U-21 Player of the Year 2007

External links  

Stephen O'Halloran career stats at Soccerbase  

Republic of Ireland profile

Description above from the Wikipedia article Stephen O'Halloran, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors here. Down at the Ricoh is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.

And finally does he look daft in the new flower-collared kit? Oh yes...

Pre-season begins

It's July 21st, so it must be Northampton away. A chance to see our all new shiny team, packed full of exciting new talent.

Or a chance to see Marcus playing against us, and the Chef maybe playing for us. Back to 2003 anyone?

Well, to be fair, back to 1983 if it's Northampton.

Either way, first game of the season awaits.