August 31 1999
Platt Looks To Stern: The rumours linking Nottingham Forest with Trinidad and Tobago striker Stern John seem to be picking up pace again.
It is thought that Platt will look to sign the striker at the end of the American Major League Soccer season, in October. Platt has been linked with the striker since he went to watch him in action against the Tampa Bay Rowdies last Sunday, and it is now thought that he may have convinced the player to move within the next two months.
If he does move it will cost Forest somewhere in the region of �1.5million, but Columbus are thought to be stalling on the deal as they are keen to keep him at the club. At the right price, however, the striker could soon be on his way to England, and hopefully, The City Ground.
August 30 1999
Wright Could Face FA Rap: It is thought that Ian Wright may have to face yet another FA disciplinary hearing after allegedly making obscene gestures at the QPR fans during yesterday's match at The City Ground.
Referee Mark Cowburn makes no mention of the alleged incident in his match report but the FA are believed to have received a complaint.
August 29 1999
What's This All About Alfie: This mornings Sunday Mirror carries a report that David O'Leary is to resist attempts by David Platt to bring back midfielder Alf Inge Haaland.
They believe that Platt is keen to recruit Alfie, who is not getting regular football at Leeds, to strengthen his injury hit midfield.
August 27 1999
Palmer To Step In: Carlton Palmer is expected to make his first start for Forest this season, when they take on Q.P.R. in tomorrow's Nationwide League Division One game at The City Ground.
Palmer now looks the first choice for a place in midfield after results of Chris Bart-Williams scan revealed he has indeed torn his calf muscle.
Forest have hopefully solved their striker shortage with the inspired signing of Ian Wright, but Platt faces a midfield shortage due to injury problems with Bart-Williams, David Platt and Andy Johnson.
August 23 1999
Chance For Doig: Young defender Chris Doig looks like he may get the chance to prove himself in tomorrow's game against Mansfield Town. The youngster could be given his chance because Moreno Mannini injured his hamstring in Friday night's clash with West Brom at the Hawthornes.
Mannini was taken off at half-time after suffering a tight hamstring, the injury is not too serious, but Platt is thought to be planning to rest him for tomorrow night's game in the hope he will be fit for Saturdays game against Q.P.R.
Platt Speaks to Crew: The Internet is currently alive again with rumour that David Platt has been speaking to Columbus Crew about their striker Stern John.
The rumours have surfaced after people on the mailing list watched the Columbus Crew V Tampa Bay Rowdies match at the weekend. During the match the commentators told the viewers they had spoken to David Platt at the hotel in Columbus Ohio before the game.
August 19 1999
Louis-Jean Returns For W.B.A.: Defender Matthieu Louis-Jean is looking to return to first team action in tomorrow night's game at The Hawthornes. The Frenchman was on the bench last weekend after injuring his knee in the clash against Mansfield Town. He has now returned to full training and is looking to reclaim his place.
Platt steps up striker search: David Platt is rumoured to have extended his search for a new striker to Europe after failing to land Sheffield Wednesday's Andy Booth.
August 17 1999
Platt Won't Go Higher: Sky Sports News are reporting today that the bid for Andy Booth is now over, saying that Platt has indicated he will not increase his bid for the player.
August 16 1999
Nixon and Akinbiyi Linked: After having the �2.5m bid for Andy Booth turned down by Sheffield Wednesday, David Platt is now said to be looking at Trinidad and Tobago striker Jerren Nixon and Bristol City striker Ade Akinbiyi.
August 15 1999
Perm One From Two: Forest look set to decide on one of two strikers they appear to be chasing.
David Platt is rumoured to have bid �2.5 for Sheffield Wednesday's Andy Booth, but Wednesday are believed to want double that for the striker, who is also linked with Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers.
If Platt fails in his bid to land Booth it is thought that he will turn his attention to Bristol City's Ade Akinbiyi, also the subject of interest from Fulham, Wolves and Birmingham City.
August 14 1999
Platt Won't Pick Himself: It is understood that David Platt has recovered from his niggling groin injury but is planning to lead his side from the touchline in today's game against Grimsby.
August 13 1999
Platt Selection Headache: David Platt faces his first selection headache for tomorrow's Nationwide Division One clash against Grimsby.
Platt has to decide whether or not to restore Mannini to the side after 'resting' him for Wednesday's game against the Stags, or whether to Stick with Steve Chettle, who was suspended for the Ipswich game, but helped his side to their first clean sheet this season on Wednesday.
Louis-Jean injured his knee in the game against the Stags and is almost certain to miss tomorrows game against The Mariners. Bonalair, who came on as a sub for Louis-Jean looks set for a recall for this game.
August 11 1999
Olive Branch For Palmer: It is understood that David Platt has extended an Olive branch to Carlton Palmer after their bust-up. Palmer and Platt have had talks this week to try and clear the air.
Platt said: "We have spoken about the situation and if nothing has happened by the weekend we will welcome him back into the fold.
"We are in a situation where we have not got a great number of players at the club so losing players is not ideal. This will be mutually beneficial.
"I have told Carlton that I cannot guarantee him a definite place in the team but any squad player who is playing well enough will get his chance."
Hjelde, Quick Return: Jon Olav Hjelde, sidelined for the last couple of weeks with a groin injury could make his return tonight against the Stags.
August 9 1999
Chettle Back For Stags: David Platt is expected to ring the changes for Forest's first home game of the season against the Stags on Wednesday night.
Chettle is available for selection after serving a one match ban for his sending off against Blackburn at the end of last season.
Platt said "On Wednesday we have Chettle back and he will definitely play."
"Mannini won't because he is that much further behind everybody else in his preparations."
August 8 1999
Palmer For St. Andrews: The News of The World is reporting today that Carlton Palmer could be on his way to Birmingham City in a �1m move.
The move could be done this week after talks between Trevor Francis and David Platt.
August 7 1999
Stern For Forest: Rumours abound on the Internet today that Forest are interested in Trinidad and Tobago striker Stern John. Forest are also rumoured to be interested in John's Trinidad and Tobago team mate, Switzerland based Jerren Nixon.
Platt is thought to have become interested in the pair after discussing them with his old Aston Villa team mate Dwight Yorke.
Stern John is currently playing in America's Major League Soccer, for The Columbus Crew and they have slapped a US$2m price tag on him.
Sources close to the player said it was true, but the US$2m price tag is a starting price and whoever does buy him is more likely to pay around US$3m for him.
August 4 1999
Carlton Out of the Picture: The Nottingham evening Post reports today that Carlton Palmer is looking more and more likely to be on his way out of the club after refusing to take part in the official team photo yesterday.
Palmer is rumoured as having been at loggerheads with new boss Platt since he arrived at the City Ground last month. He is quoted as saying: "The manager has told me that I do not feature in his plans so I did not want to be in the photograph. He said I am not good enough to be in his side and at the end of the day I just want to play football.
"I have not asked for a transfer but it looks like I will be available."
August 3 1999
Forest Target Mark Arthur: With the news that Philip Soar is to step down from his post as Chief Executive, it is rumoured that Forest are interested in Mark Arthur as his replacement. Mark Arthur is currently Chief Executive of Notts County Cricket Club.
August 2 1999
The Italian Job Parts 2, 3 and 4: Having secured the transfer of Moreno Mannini from Sampdoria, David Platt is looking to strengthen the squad with further Italian signings.
The latest players in his transfer spree are all at the same club, Perugia, they are: defender Salvatore Matrecano, 29; midfielder Gianluca Petrachi, 30, and forward Alessandro Melli, 29.
Melli has already had one short spell at the City Ground when Ron Atkinson bought him over on trial. However, the player failed to prove his fitness and went back to Italy. Atkinson said at the time "If it was pre-season and time was on our side, it might be different."
Efan Linked: Football 365 appear to be putting two and two together and getting five. They speculate on the as yet un-named players (see above) and come up with the following:
"The unnamed players will cost �2.5m in total. The cagey City Ground boss would only say that one is a striker who can play anywhere across the front line - believed to be Wimbledon's Efan Ekoku - and the other is a defender, possibly someone from next Saturday's opening day opponents Ipswich Town.
Still, you never know, stranger things have happened.
August 1 1999
Three for Platt: According to an article in today's News Of The World, David Platt has three players lined up to join Forest.
They quote him as saying: "New faces will be in by the beginning of next week. Things are not cut and dried but I have three players words that they will be here."
So, we know that Goldbaek and Mannini are two, who's the third?