Gifton Noel-Williams (argus)

[Edward Scissorhands]

Albion face battle for Gifton

by Andy Naylor

ALBION transfer target Gifton Noel-Williams revealed today the Seagulls are one of his "main options" but admits their relegation from the Championship could cost them his signature.

Manager Mark McGhee wants to bring the striker back to Withdean on a permanent basis following his spell on loan from Burnley at the end of last season.

Burnley have transfer-listed Noel-Williams since then and the former Watford and Stoke target man, just back from holiday in Grenada, is currently weighing up his options.

"I've been out of the country for a couple of weeks so I don't know what has been happening while I've been away," he said. "I'm waiting to speak to my agent.

"I enjoyed my time down at Brighton and I liked the people and the whole set-up. As for signing on a full-time basis I don't really know.

"That is one of my main options right now. If they were in the Championship still it wouldn't even be an issue.

"Career wise, you want to play at the highest level possible for as long as possible, so I don't really want to go into the lower leagues.

"I would prefer to stay in the Championship. Whether that will be a deciding factor I don't know."

Albion's cause has been helped by events at two other clubs interested in Noel-Williams.

He could have been reunited with his former Stoke manager Tony Pulis at Plymouth but Pulis is poised to return to the Potteries now that Bet 365 owner and ex-chairman Peter Coates has bought the club back from its Icelandic owners.

Swansea, who are keen on Noel-Williams as well, missed out on promotion to the Championship in last month's League One play-off final against Barnsley.

Meanwhile, Stoke have been lined up for a pre-season friendly at Withdean. Albion are also in talks with Greek giants Panathinaikos to provide the opposition for Kerry Mayo's testimonial.

 

[Icy Gull]

Quote: Meanwhile, Stoke have been lined up for a pre-season friendly at Withdean. Albion are also in talks with Greek giants Panathinaikos to provide the opposition for Kerry Mayo's testimonial. Quote


So much for our special relationship with Arsenal, 6 years on no players from them except a 150k flop recommended by Brady, and now the rumoured match with them for kerry's testimonial not looking likely

 

[JJ McClure]

So much for our special relationship with Arsenal, 6 years on no players from them except a 150k flop recommended by Brady, and now the rumoured match with them for kerry's testimonial not looking likely

I was speaking to someone at the weekend who reckoned that Arsenal would only commit to the game if they won the champions league. Not sure why that makes a difference

 

[Gwylan]

I was speaking to someone at the weekend who reckoned that Arsenal would only commit to the game if they won the champions league. Not sure why that makes a difference

Is it because Arsenal have to play a qualifying game before the main draw for the CL is made and would have been exempt if they'd won it?

 

[Deleted member 2719]

So much for our special relationship with Arsenal, 6 years on no players from them except a 150k flop recommended by Brady, and now the rumoured match with them for kerry's testimonial not looking likely

Didn't Sidwell come through Brady?

 

[JJ McClure]

Is it because Arsenal have to play a qualifying game before the main draw for the CL is made and would have been exempt if they'd won it?

That makes sense.

 

[Gwylan]

I think the rules were changed after Liverpool played a couple of noddy teams last season.

Mind you, if Arsenal had to play a qualifier against a team from Albania or Bosnia or somewhere, you'd think that Withdean would be ideal preparation.

 

[Icy Gull]

Didn't Sidwell come through Brady?

Nope he was at Brentford with Coppell, so I'd suggest it was Coppell's previous association with him rather than Brady, who must be in the position to loan us a glut of players....if he could be arsed. Then again maybe he has absolutely no say in anything??

 

[Deleted member 2719]

Nope he was at Brentford with Coppell, so I'd suggest it was Coppell's previous association with him rather than Brady, who must be in the position to loan us a glut of players....if he could be arsed. Then again maybe he has absolutely no say in anything??

If that's the case maybe Brady doesn't trust McGhee to introduce them to first team football with no team spirit and a inconsistent manager that always has an excuse up his sleeve.



Seriously maybe Brady doesn't have enough clout to let them play for us.

 

[The Clown of Pevensey Bay]

Maybe Arsenal prefer bunging their Belgian feeder club.

 

[B.W.]

Back to the main story... I have to say that we are evidently beggars, and not choosers, when it comes to acquiring strikers... so... I would be concerned if we can't land GNW, even if he has got dodgy knees... liked the idea of the return of Wayne Gray tho'...

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

GNW could go one of two ways if he signs.

1. Scores a fair amount of goals and becomes a very good signing

2. He plays about 3 games due to injury and is the new Kitson/Dodd

Is it worth the risk?

Would the club be able to insure him?

 

[blockhseagull]

If we can afford two strikers i would sign Noel-Williams, however if we can only afford one with his injury problems i would be a bit worried if we signed him

 

[B.W.]

GNW could go one of two ways if he signs.

1. Scores a fair amount of goals and becomes a very good signing

2. He plays about 3 games due to injury and is the new Kitson/Dodd

Is it worth the risk?

Would the club be able to insure him?

My guess would be he is uninsurable... his knees are clearly fcuked...

 

[B.W.]

If we can afford two strikers i would sign Noel-Williams, however if we can only afford one with his injury problems i would be a bit worried if we signed him

I agree with that... the club has said we are targetting 2 strikers, but I will believe it when I see it, based on their repeated cycle of claims that we will sign player X, then nothing coming to fruition... and they are trying to flog season tix this time of year...

 

[Da Man Clay]

Back to the main story... I have to say that we are evidently beggars, and not choosers, when it comes to acquiring strikers... so... I would be concerned if we can't land GNW, even if he has got dodgy knees... liked the idea of the return of Wayne Gray tho'...

The article says that Swansea are intrested, in that case I would imagine he would play for them over us next season.

Wayne Gray on the other hand could well end up here.

 

[blockhseagull]

For me Gray and GNW if we can sign both would be ok, ideally we'd all love something better but lets face it we have to take what we can get and those two would add something to what we have.

 

[Parson Henry]

GNW could go one of two ways if he signs.

1. Scores a fair amount of goals and becomes a very good signing

2. He plays about 3 games due to injury and is the new Kitson/Dodd

Is it worth the risk?

Would the club be able to insure him?

Sensible points - not worth the risk.

 

[blockhseagull]

My real worry is that as other clubs are interested we do something stupid like offer him a three year contract in order to secure his services.

No disrespect to him but that would be too much of a risk to take with his injury problems

 

[B.W.]

The article says that Swansea are intrested, in that case I would imagine he would play for them over us next season.

Wayne Gray on the other hand could well end up here.

Although we have the advantage that GNW played on loan here and liked the club, so... who knows?...