Atkins told the Bristol Evening Post, “Lawrie Dudfield is a player we have an interest in. He is the type who could bring that bit of quality to the squad which would enable us to move on another notch. He could make a difference in turning the type of games we drew last season into wins next time around.”
The 25-year-old, who netted seven goals last term for Blues from 21 League and Cup starts, has a history of moving on when he feels that chances are restricted, and his crown as TLG reserve team player-of-the-year for 2004/5 indicates that he played much of his football for the second-string last time out.
Indeed, the former Leicester City man switched from play-off rivals Northampton Town to the Seasiders just before deadline day 2004 after he felt that his opportunities at Sixfields were less than desirable. Previously, he left Hull City for the Cobblers having been ostracised on the right flank instead of his favoured centre forward position.
In reply, the Evening Post speculates that Steve Tilson may become interested in Junior Agogo, the 23-year-old ex-Barnet front man who missed a vital penalty in the first leg of the LDV Vans Trophy area final last season. Agogo would be unlikely to move without a transfer fee, and so a swap deal including Dudfield would soften the blow of losing the likable forward.
Earlier in the day, the Western Daily Press indicated that the Pirates may also be interested in snapping up energetic midfielder Jay Smith. The one-time Aston Villa trainee, who missed the whole of last season with a leg injury after working his way back into contention during October, had looked likely to sign a year-long contract with United.
However, despite Southend’s loyalty towards the injury-prone youngster, his agent Richard Cody has talked up the possibility of a move west. The middle man, who also represents Darryl Flahavan, another stalling on a new deal in southeast Essex, said, “Ian Atkins is determined to have a successful season and bring different types of player into the club. Lawrie is only going to be interested in a club with potential and quality, and when Ian Atkins talks about his aims, that sort of interest excites us. He is also monitoring Jay Smith very, very closely.”
It appears that Cody is attempting to negotiate a better deal for two players not guaranteed a starting berth, and in the case of Smith, a move would be a severe kick in the teeth for John Stannard and his physiotherapy staff, who have worked endlessly to get the playmaker back to full fitness.
Cody’s claims of Atkins’ ambition should also fall on deaf ears. The manager walked out on Oxford United for the struggling Pirates with the U’s in a promotion spot, having claimed after a festive 2-0 victory at Roots Hall, which moved his side onto 51 points before the New Year, that their job was done for the season and that anything else was a bonus. They eventually missed out on the play-offs after a miserable run. The Pirates have fared little better, despite a large squad, and the board were also dissatisfied with his efforts at Northampton.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com