O.K... Time to come clean! I've seen a lot of this guy. I started him off by recruiting and coaching him for his first ever team!

He used to play for me when I was coaching a boy’s team in Oxfordshire some years ago. He was an immense talent even back then. Very quick, incredible shot, smart and versatile. A quiet lad who let his feet do the talking.

He obviously attracted the pros attention and has been with Oxford United since he was about 10, I believe. He's done well for himself over the last few years, breaking in to the 1st team, playing a variety of positions inc. forward, centre mid and out on the flanks. He's scored a few corking goals as well, none more impressive than his stunning free-kick vs Chelsea in pre-season two seasons ago. He has the knack in a dead-ball situation.

Last season he won Young Player of the Year. This season, off the back of a more regular run in the side he won HANDS-DOWN the Player of the Season award! He stormed it!

Based on his development and wanting to help a lad I knew and liked, I called Ian Storey-Moore (Forests Head Scout) a couple of months back and tipped him off to Deano. I S-M said he hadn't heard of Deano but would certainly check him out; and looks like he's good to his word.

Dean kind of reminds me of Andy Reid, not quite as flash, a bit grittier. He might start on Forests bench but, take it from me as a man who knows what this lad is made of and the drive he has to succeed, he won't be there long. He's Forest 1st team material - 100%

RLP

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