The Transfer Rumours Thread

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Actually

"How do you replace somebody like Paul Scholes? It's very difficult," said Ferguson of a player who is set to join his coaching staff.

"If you bracket four of the best midfield players in the world he'd be alongside Xavi and Iniesta and then you take your pick. In my mind he's one of the top four players in the world. How will we overcome it? Maybe the next few weeks will help us overcome it. Maybe somebody will emerge out of the youth team or one of the young players ermerge, and then we carry on."

Bosh, fuck nasri and sneijder, step forward Ravel and Pogba :cool:

[Simon]

We've officially signed that Cristian Ceballos now.

[Simon]

Corinthians have bid £35m for Tevez :eek:

[Simon]

Lass Diarra has been left out of Madrid's squad for their pre-season tour. Come on Harry he's one of your faves.

[MMH]

Negotiations have fell through between Everton and Fernerbahce over Joseph Yobo which means we are now stuck with him and Yakubu even though neither wants to play for us anymore and we cant afford to buy anybody until they fuck off.

Its gonna be a long summer, sod it im going to support someone else.

The annoying thing is some of these teams who needs centre backs could do far worse than signing Yobo for 5M.

On a plus side I was listening to a wrestling podcast with Gangrel on the way to work and found out he was a big Everton fan which is a bit random.

[Beefy]

Rohan Ricketts is getting another game on trial for us tonight. Hopefully he impresses and something can be worked out. He's got to be too good for League Two.

[turdpower]

Nar, MMH. Gangrel supports United. Keep up.

[Simon]

Rohan Ricketts is getting another game on trial for us tonight. Hopefully he impresses and something can be worked out. He's got to be too good for League Two.

Whenever I see him now I'm reminded of that story someone on here told about Heinze cunting him off at a Spurs/United game a few years ago. Might have been the one with the phantom Mendes goal.

[Gangers]

Gangrel does a podcast? I want it.

And at least he doesn't support Liverpool. Everton are a team I like.

[MMH]

Gangrel does a podcast? I want it.

And at least he doesn't support Liverpool. Everton are a team I like.

Nah he was a guest on the Right after Wrestling podcasts (which are pretty good actually)

[Red Dog]

Negotiations have fell through between Everton and Fernerbahce over Joseph Yobo which means we are now stuck with him and Yakubu even though neither wants to play for us anymore and we cant afford to buy anybody until they fuck off.

Its gonna be a long summer, sod it im going to support someone else.

The annoying thing is some of these teams who needs centre backs could do far worse than signing Yobo for 5M.

On a plus side I was listening to a wrestling podcast with Gangrel on the way to work and found out he was a big Everton fan which is a bit random.
I'd be interested to know if any club has had a worse summer than us so far. It is heartwarming to know that other clubs are in the shit too, no offence.

Our manager is not even going on our trip to Portugal so he can stay behind and get players in. And is starting to sound frighteningly like Billy Davies.

[MMH]

I'd be interested to know if any club has had a worse summer than us so far. It is heartwarming to know that other clubs are in the shit too, no offence.

Our manager is not even going on our trip to Portugal so he can stay behind and get players in. And is starting to sound frighteningly like Billy Davies.

Well other than a 900k outlay for Magaye Gueye last season I dont even think we have spent any cash in the five past transfer windows.

I think the problem with us that i am feeling right now is not that we have had a "bad" summer per se (ie nobody has gone or asked to leave) but its just so fucking boring and pointless. Nobody in, nobody out, same old shite and its getting incredibly boring.

[turdpower]

Corinthians have bid £35m for Tevez :eek:

Seems mad that it has been rejected.

[Beefy]

Rohan Ricketts is getting another game on trial for us tonight. Hopefully he impresses and something can be worked out. He's got to be too good for League Two.

Netted a first half hat-trick. Sign him up, Sturrock!

[son_of_foley]

Blackpool in acting like grubby dickheads shocker after this and Bradley wright Phillips to dickhead talking about our negotiations with varney.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_7033593,00.html

Fuck them

[Peter Griffin]

whats this whole bradley wright phillips dealio? ive heard nothing about it!

[connorboy]

Dont worry you wont get BWP he's going nowhere.

[son_of_foley]

They are believed to have offered Plymouth 85k for him when they were in big.money troubles. It was exploitative and shitty

[Beefy]

I thought Sawyer played on the wing? I just looked at your squad and it is big but a few of them are youth players. I guess Sturrock will be preparing Sturrock jr. and the other young forwards to play wide of a front three.

Matt Paterson is going with Oxford on their pre-season tour of America. That's a good indication that they're going to sign him.

Just remembered that I didn't respond to this. Sawyer is a central midfielder in the Steven Gerrard mould. He's played wide-right for Southend and for Wycombe but I don't think he'd be suited to play wide in a 4-3-3 really.

Hopefully Paterson goes but he's on big money with us which is why we've not been able to get rid yet. If he doesn't blow Oxford away I'd expect him to still be at Southend at the start of the season.

Incidentally, anyone who watched SSN during the day today will have seen another triallist of ours, a right-back named Ryan Leonard scored a beautiful 30 yard drive into the top corner last night in our friendly. In our friendly tonight he scored from the halfway line.

[Bluemoon]

Seems mad that it has been rejected.

Probably because were hoping Real Madrid come in for £50m.

[RuneEdge]

So does he want to go back home or just leave England?

[RFF Champ]

He thinks that if he moved to another country then his wife and child may want to move there because as it stands they don't want to live in England.

[Bluemoon]

Yeah I think he just wants to fuck off from England and break my heart.

[RuneEdge]

He's still a cunt. Just thought I'd throw that in there.

[Bluemoon]

I agree with that.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Corinthians have bid £35m for Tevez :eek:

Kia Joobcharian, Tevez's agent, effectively owns Corinthians. Hence why Tevez played there before. Probably not even a remotely serious bid.

[RFF Champ]

The local paper is saying that Chelsea have enquired about Tiote. The Times are saying that they are just looking at Parker on loan.

I don't think I could handle Tiote leaving.

[RFF Champ]

Just remembered that I didn't respond to this. Sawyer is a central midfielder in the Steven Gerrard mould. He's played wide-right for Southend and for Wycombe but I don't think he'd be suited to play wide in a 4-3-3 really.

Hopefully Paterson goes but he's on big money with us which is why we've not been able to get rid yet. If he doesn't blow Oxford away I'd expect him to still be at Southend at the start of the season.

Incidentally, anyone who watched SSN during the day today will have seen another triallist of ours, a right-back named Ryan Leonard scored a beautiful 30 yard drive into the top corner last night in our friendly. In our friendly tonight he scored from the halfway line.

If you play 4-4-2 then it might be necessary to have Sawyer on a wing. From the couple of times I've seen Hall play he likes to stay on his touchline. If both he and Johnson did that then I think you'd be vulnerable.

How did you end up with Paterson on big wages? He'd only been a youth player at Southampton hadn't he? I think Oxford could afford him and I don't think they'd have gone to the effort and expense of taking him to USA if they weren't very interested. They signed Peter Leven from MK Dons the other day which I think is a real steal.

[Simon]

The local paper is saying that Chelsea have enquired about Tiote. The Times are saying that they are just looking at Parker on loan.

I don't think I could handle Tiote leaving.

I bloody could :happysad:

Essien's injury (six months in case anyone hasn't heard the latest) does probably mean they need another box-to-box midfielder, with only Ramires really offering that sort of energy - Tiote has the energy but he's on a far lower level technically than Essien obviously. Parker would be a good short-term move for both I guess. Or maybe Palacios and leave lovely Luka alone :(

[Simon]

Kia Joobcharian, Tevez's agent, effectively owns Corinthians. Hence why Tevez played there before. Probably not even a remotely serious bid.

Some journo on Twitter was comparing it to the Newcastle bid for Rooney, pure showmanship to give the illusion of being prepared to spunk big money on top players, knowing full well that the deal won't happen.

[Beefy]

How did you end up with Paterson on big wages? He'd only been a youth player at Southampton hadn't he? I think Oxford could afford him and I don't think they'd have gone to the effort and expense of taking him to USA if they weren't very interested. They signed Peter Leven from MK Dons the other day which I think is a real steal.

Because our wagebill was out of control a couple of years ago with players routinely signed to £2.5k per week (+ bonus) three or four (or five in AB's case) year contracts. Paterson is believed to be on £1.8k per week which is big money for that level.

[RFF Champ]

Because our wagebill was out of control a couple of years ago with players routinely signed to £2.5k per week (+ bonus) three or four (or five in AB's case) year contracts. Paterson is believed to be on £1.8k per week which is big money for that level.

That's crazy considering he'd played less than 20 times in his career according to wiki.

[Simon]

Modric has gone on our tour of South Africa. Yay.

[MikeHunt]

and the transfer window stays open till the end of august.

miller linked with rangers for a 3rd spell, jesus christ.

[Chris Scott]

Not go well in Turkey then.

[MikeHunt]

doesn't seem so, never settled over there. i hope to fuck he doesn't come back.

[Simon]

A Scottish guy in Turkey, he probably missed six months of the season with third degree sunburn.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Really looks like United are going to sign Sneijder.

[son_of_foley]

Didnt Buraspor just sign Carson? They also want Stephen Pearson I guess to cheer Miller up. If Rangers sign Miller then legally they should have to take Pearson as well so as not to upset me

[turdpower]

Really looks like United are going to sign Sneijder.

The only place I keep hearing about it is THE SUN.

Which leads me to believe it's not going to happen.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

got a good feeling about this one, turd. It's definitely on, he'll be a United player by the end of the week

[Simon]

And a City player by this time next year.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Is this your new go at winding me up? Claiming each and every one of our targets is joining those blue cunts?

City have an FA Cup, a third place finish and have signed Clichy and suddenly they're the bollocks? City are shit, they need to sell to buy, their initial gung-ho approach in the transfer market is over.

[Simon]

Your lot will probably fold next year, City will own Manchester soon. United will have to relocate to London, which will suit every United fan except you :D

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Simon, what do you make of these horribly contrived Redknapp interviews on sky sports news? Honestly, I can't even remember what he looks like outside of a car.. his big fat, melted welly of a face

[RuneEdge]

Is this your new go at winding me up?...

...City have an FA Cup, a third place finish and have signed Clichy and suddenly they're the bollocks? City are shit, they need to sell to buy, their initial gung-ho approach in the transfer market is over.

Sounds like it's working.

[Simon]

I honestly don't even watch SSN any more. Not in a contrived, "hey everybody look at the stance I am taking" way, it just annoys me too much because so much of it is transparent rubbish designed purely to eat up the 24 hours of news they have to supply. It's basically Talksport for TV nowadays. Although of course I will still tune in on transfer deadline days, both of which should be bank holidays IMO. No work from 12pm on transfer deadline day until 12pm the next day, just enough time to enjoy the meat of the excitement and take in all the post-midnight moves the next day.

What has Redknapp been daying? I know he likes to update the cameras with any news he can give, whether it's true or not.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

I honestly don't even watch SSN any more. Not in a contrived, "hey everybody look at the stance I am taking" way, it just annoys me too much because so much of it is transparent rubbish designed purely to eat up the 24 hours of news they have to supply. It's basically Talksport for TV nowadays. Although of course I will still tune in on transfer deadline days, both of which should be bank holidays IMO. No work from 12pm on transfer deadline day until 12pm the next day, just enough time to enjoy the meat of the excitement and take in all the post-midnight moves the next day.

What has Redknapp been daying? I know he likes to update the cameras with any news he can give, whether it's true or not.

He drives his car up real slow to where a reporter is waiting, he rolls down his window and makes it sound like he's shocked to see his old pal.. 'alright mate' he says, 'yeah, harry, what's the latest on modric?' .. 'well, he's definitely not for sale, we'd love to keep him here. he's a great boy, he's definitely not for sale.......... for £27m'

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Sounds like it's working.

It'll always work.

[Red Dog]

He drives his car up real slow to where a reporter is waiting, he rolls down his window and makes it sound like he's shocked to see his old pal.. 'alright mate' he says, 'yeah, harry, what's the latest on modric?' .. 'well, he's definitely not for sale, we'd love to keep him here. he's a great boy, he's definitely not for sale.......... for £27m'
Don't forget "fantastic player".

[Simon]

Don't really have much of an opinion on it one way or the other tbh, everyone knows what Redknapp is like and his comments are always taken with that in mind. Whether he says Modric is staying, leaving or subverting reality and stuffing the entire concept of league football up his own arse, it doesn't really matter because Redknapp saying it doesn't have any direct relevance to reality.

[turdpower]

got a good feeling about this one, turd. It's definitely on, he'll be a United player by the end of the week

I heard about Gill going out to Milan APPAZ.

This could be madness if we get him. Are we going to play some weird diamond formation with 5 attackers?

[Simon]

Don't forget "fantastic player".

"I like the boy. He's a talented boy. Any manager would love to have him in his side. I don't know if they want to sell him but I like the boy. We have to get rid of some of our players first though, because we've got a big squad. I don't want to get rid of any of our players, but of course we're down to the bare bones and we need some top, top players in. The chairman's got the money, we've got the money, we don't need any money, but we've got too many players and unfortunately we need to get some of them off the wage bill to free up some money. I don't want to get rid of any players but they want to play football because they're top class players and that's why I want to keep them :zzz:...."

[turdpower]

"I like the boy. Any manager would love to have him in his side. I don't want to get rid of any of our players, but of course we're down to the bare bones and we need some top, top players in. The chairman's got the money, we've got the money, we don't need any money, but we've got too many players and unfortunately we need to get some of them off the wage bill to free up some money. I don't want to get rid of any players but they want to play football because they're top class players and that's why I want to keep them :zzz:...."

That second sentence reminds me of THIS CLASSIC:

I'll never understand women. Some of them don't even bother with the golf.

I've got up this morning and her indoors has left a note saying she's gone up the shops and I'd better have made the lunch by the time she gets back or else. She says she wants spaghetti bolognaise.

Opened up the fridge. Jesus Christ, have you seen what she's left me with? I'm down to the bare bones and no mistake.

There's spaghetti, a tub of pasta sauce, some minced beef, fresh herbs, some parmesan cheese, a bottle of Baron Philippe de Rothschild Opus One Napa Valley 1987 red wine and Claudia Roden's 'Simple Mediterranean Cookery' book! Bloody amateur hour, I'm telling you. How the hell am I supposed to make spaghetti bolognaise with that little lot? I thought there'd be some top, top ingredients in there.

Whoever's bought that from the supermarket should be ashamed of themself. It's a mish-mash of lopsided ingredients. The whole recipe has been badly constructed. It's scary, I'm telling you.

I'm just standing there swearing and muttering to meself when the phone rings. It's Jeff Powell phoning up to say how brilliant I am and that I'm one of the best cooks of my time and that I could have cooked for England. I have to cut him off though because I've got Brian Woolnough on the other line saying I'm one of the kitchen's great characters and it's a bloody miracle how many meals I've made out of literally nothing. They're saying I'm like a Cockney Jesus, the way I've managed to feed the five thousand with the tiny amount I've had to spend in the supermarket and just my wheeler-dealer know-how.

I need some better ingredients and fast. When I saw the wife come home from the shops yesterday with some spaghetti, a tub of pasta sauce, some minced beef, fresh herbs, some parmesan cheese, a bottle of Baron Philippe de Rothschild Opus One Napa Valley 1987 red wine and Claudia Roden's 'Simple Mediterranean Cookery' book, I had no idea that's what would be in the fridge when she asked me to make spaghetti bolognaise.

It's a hard job I've got on here this lunchtime believe me. If I can even get anything into a pan it'll be a massive achievement and I know Jeff and Woolly would agree with me. Trouble is the wife can't take criticism. Too precious these days, women. That's the trouble. I'm short of people with the right character in this house.

When you're as stretched as I am, a lunch is a massive distraction from the really important meal: dinner. I think I'm just going to have to serve up the pot of pasta sauce with some tap water and just hope for the best. If I can pull this mess round it'll be amazing really.

[Simon]

He lives in his own world. I honestly think if it was up to him he would never sell anyone and just keep relentlessly buying players. The most annoying thing is, he loves to have a huge squad, but he doesn't even rotate really. Only seventeen of our players played 10 or more games last season including sub appearances, yet he complains about a squad of 25 being down to the bare bones.

Also, did you know we only had two points from eight games when he took over? I do, because he's said it so often it's now burned into my ear drums permanently.

[MACE]

"Triffic".

[Keano's Magic Hat]

David Gill is in Milan :hyper:

[MACE]

£35m (if true) for a 27 year old, when they could've got him on the cheap from Madrid when they were wanting to offload all their Dutch players.

I'm not moaning though, he's a quality player.

[Bad Collin]

I hope this means that United won't be buying a proper centre mid.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Our central midfield last season was Carrick and a 37 year old Giggs. Sneijder will be fine in a 4-4-2 for our home games, and 75% of aways.. We'll probably switch to a 4-2-3-1 for tough away games and he'll play a similar role to Scholesy in 2007/2008.

I really want this deal to happen. Superb passer, great shot, proven himself as a genuinely world class player, good age, fit missus and fluent in English. Perfect :yes:

[Murphy]

Would love to see him in the PL.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Xavi from the main story on the official FC Barcelona website

"I spoke to Cesc in Ibiza and he said he was suffering, because he really wants to come. It’s what he most wants, he’s done everything he can to come and wants Arsenal to let him go"


Fuck sake.. barcelona really are a bunch of cunts

[Bad Collin]

Giggs isn't getting any better and you will miss Scholes. Where will he play? Advanced center mid? Right wing instead of Nani? Second striker?

It seems like an odd use of £35 million for a 27 year old, I hope it goes through too.

[Bad Collin]

Xavi from the main story on the official FC Barcelona website

"I spoke to Cesc in Ibiza and he said he was suffering, because he really wants to come. It’s what he most wants, he’s done everything he can to come and wants Arsenal to let him go"


Fuck sake.. barcelona really are a bunch of cunts

:yes:

He is suffering so much that he won't hand in a transfer request.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

It seems like an odd use of £35 million for a 27 year old, I hope it goes through too.

27 is nothing. He doesn't rely on his pace and we'll get the best years of his career. We're not buying to sell.

He'll play where Scholes has played. Scholes wasn't known for his defensive work, or ability to get about the field. was he? Sneijder created more chances last season than Nasri and Modric in half as many games.. if he signs for United he'll add some much needed creativity to our central midfield.

[Andy]

How they haven't been done for tapping up yet I don't know.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

:yes:

He is suffering so much that he won't hand in a transfer request.

It's ridiculous.

Wenger said in an interview a couple of days ago that Cesc was happy to stay as he loved the club. Could be Xavi stirring shit.

Barcelona are undoubtedly the best football team I've ever seen, but the way they do their transfer business is Man City-esque in its small time cuntishness

[Bad Collin]

27 is nothing. He doesn't rely on his pace and we'll get the best years of his career. We're not buying to sell.

He'll play where Scholes has played. Scholes wasn't known for his defensive work, or ability to get about the field. was he? Sneijder created more chances last season than Nasri and Modric in half as many games.. if he signs for United he'll add some much needed creativity to our central midfield.

You might be right, to be honest I have only seen Sneijder play in Holland games and big European games. To me he doesn't seem to be the sort of player who can play the deeper role that Scholes mastered. It will be interesting to see how you line up this season.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

You might be right, to be honest I have only seen Sneijder play in Holland games and big European games. To me he doesn't seem to be the sort of player who can play the deeper role that Scholes mastered. It will be interesting to see how you line up this season.

a good indicator tonight, actually. first pre season game, and the formation will be quite telling

[Bad Collin]

I just really want footy to come back...

[Keano's Magic Hat]

I just really want a player at United who can beat the first man with a corner

[Bad Collin]

You should have bought Adam then

[Keano's Magic Hat]

superb :lol::yes:

[Alf]

Si might have posted this. But appaz we are close to signing a FM cheat player...

Souleymane Coulibaly

[Ringo]

Was a cheat player at the Under 17s as well. Looked class. NEW DROGZ.

[Andy]

I didn't realise these latest quotes from Xavi are actually on the Barcelona website. Unbelievable.

[Simon]

Modric has submitted a transfer request :(

[BBF]

SOURCE?

[Simon]

"Roger Morgan". Bet you're glad you know that.

[BBF]

FFS I wanted to take the piss out of a mate.

Fucking "ROGER MORGAN"

[Ringo]

Bet we end up paying about £45m + Drogba, Anelka and Kalou for Modric. Let's have Montolivio instead. He's in the last year of his contract appaz. Somebody should buy him.

[Chris Scott]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/reds-agree-downing-fee

FUCK ME £20M

[Beefy]

Ridiculous.

[Chris Scott]

That is not even the word.

[Bad Collin]

Where does it say £20 Million?

[Chris Scott]

Actually I was going to say the site doesn't say anything, sky bollocks is saying £20M.

I'm going for £18M

[Bad Collin]

Fuck it, we have the money, what difference is a few million going to make? I think this will be a really good signing for us.

[Bad Collin]

135 - Stewart Downing has completed more crosses in open play than any other player in the Premier League over the last three seasons. Whip.'

Then later...

'34.4 - Stewart Downing has averaged 34.4 appearances over the past five Premier League seasons. Reliable.'

http://static.givemefootball.com/gmf/files/9e/9e6ff6fa-1795-45f3-9865-b4f35a5dfbe9.634346601980503750.jpg

[Chris Scott]

Fuck it, we have the money, what difference is a few million going to make? I think this will be a really good signing for us.

Aye true, I think he will improve us.

[Simon]

£20m for Downing hahaha

[BBF]

I reckon that is a good signing for Liverpool. They need a winger, they won't get Mata so why not? He's a good crosser of the ball (CARROLLS massive forehead) he's got a decent enough level of pace and link up play (SUAREZ) and he can play either side if needs be.

[Chris Scott]

a proper winger, we got a proper winger.

[RFF Champ]

I agree with BBF.

His crossing is obviously his biggest asset but he's also a handful when running at defenders and he's perfect to provide width for a team that has an awful lot of players who play centrally. He has a decent goalscoring record and a good injury record too.

[Simon]

Where does this leave Gerrard in the side? As one of the deep-lying midfielders? On the right ahead of Kuyt? He won't play instead of Suarez :dunno:

[Bad Collin]

I'm excited about this signing lads.

[Chris Scott]

Villa have lots of money now. Did they really spend any of the Barry and Jimmy money?

[Simon]

How do you keep Gerrard, Carroll, Kuyt, Downing, Suarez, Henderson, Meireles, Lucas and Adam happy without European football offering an extra ten games or so per year? That's before you take into account the likes of Cole, Maxi, Jovanovic, Poulsen and N'Gog who are all still there costing you serious wages.

[RFF Champ]

Alan Smith is in talks with Leeds appaz. This is great news because it takes a high earner of the wage bill and means we can sign another player (Erdinc?).

Neil Taylor has decided to stay at Swansea as they've offered him an extra 12k a week, according to BBC Wales.

[Bad Collin]

Where does this leave Gerrard in the side? As one of the deep-lying midfielders? On the right ahead of Kuyt? He won't play instead of Suarez :dunno:



Carroll

Suarez

Downing - Lucas - Gerrard - Kuyt

Insua - Agger - Skrtel - Johnson

Reina

or


Carroll - Suarez

Gerrard

Downing - Lucas - Merieles

Insua - Agger - Skrtel - Johnson

Reina

or


Carroll

Downing Adam Gerrard Merieles Suarez

Insua - Agger - Skrtel - Johnson

Reina


So many options, we finally have some squad depth.

[MACE]

Look at BC. Like a pig in shit.

[Bad Collin]

Can we start the season tomorrow? :)

[Hlebsfall]

Except in defence, where you look terrible.

[Bad Collin]

Except in defence, where you look terrible.

Only at left back, we have Kelly/Carra/Agger/Skrtel who are decent at centre back and Kelly and Johnson who play right back.

We only conceded one more league goal than Arsenal last year.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

Villa have lots of money now. Did they really spend any of the Barry and Jimmy money?

Bent and Makoun cost about £24m between them last January.

Before that we definitely spent the Barry money. Our net spend over the last 2 years was huge before you factor in the cash from Young and Downing.

[Hlebsfall]

And that says something, because Arsenal's defence is shit

[Bad Collin]

And that says something, because Arsenal's defence is shit

Only 17 of those were in Dalglish's 13 league games in charge.

[Hlebsfall]

Oh, and speaking of Arsenal's shit defence, have you seen what Wenger has said about getting in a left back. Apparently they don't need one because they have Gibbs, Traore and Vermaelen. That's right, a guy who can't play more than 4 games a season, a player that they have been trying to get shot of for about 5 years, and a centre back. Wenger is a dickhead sometimes.

[Chris Scott]

Bent and Makoun cost about £24m between them last January.

Before that we definitely spent the Barry money. Our net spend over the last 2 years was huge before you factor in the cash from Young and Downing.

Yes Bent and Makoun, my bad.

What now then, who you think you will go after?

[Chris Scott]

Only at left back, we have Kelly/Carra/Agger/Skrtel who are decent at centre back and Kelly and Johnson who play right back.

We only conceded one more league goal than Arsenal last year.

Jack Robinson at left back too, Conor Coady (who scored today) another cm, also Spearing another cm and the beast Andre Wisdom will all step up me thinks.

EDIT: Flanagan and Pacheco too.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

Yes Bent and Makoun, my bad.

What now then, who you think you will go after?

N'zogbia hopefully, or someone fantastic from abroad that I've never heard of.

If we buy Aiden McGeady I will shoot myself.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Why?

[1_Pablo_Angel]

I don't think he's very good, obviously.

[Andy]

I don't think there's much difference between him and Downing.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

He's a couple of years younger, quicker, can use both feet and has much, much more skill on the ball. Downing beats him on reliability of delivery. Anyway, Spartak paid a big fee for McGeady and he seems to be doing well out there according to reports, so it seems unlikely Villa would be able to sign him at the moment.

[Winkle van Tinkle]

£20m for Downing is superb business for Villa. Anything over £10m is too much.

[Andy]

Liverpool are in a strange situation now. Either the players they've spunked humongous money on like Henderson, Carroll, Adam and Downing will be found out to be the average players everyone thinks they are...or they'll fit the system down to the ground and they'll be pushing us for fourth.

[The Rosk]

20 fddssdfthkoioogasjsaaj

[Ringo]

If you told me two years ago that Liverpool would spend £75m on Carroll, Henderson and Downing I would laugh in your face and still be laughing now.

I'm laughing right now anyway btw.

[Bad Collin]

Luckily we got £50 million from selling a crock to some mugs

[Keano's Magic Hat]

£50m of it is covered by the ludicrous fee your club paid for a shitty version of the once decent Fernando Torres

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Luckily we got £50 million from selling a crock to some mugs

:mad:

[Ringo]

And I'm still laughing at that as well. At no point have I supported the £50m purchase of Torres.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

ashley young's looked decent first five minutes

http://magictv.co/

[BBF]

APPAZ Liverpool are going balls out for Dann next.

[Bad Collin]

Is Young so much better than Downing that £17 million for Young with a year left on his contract is fine but £20 Million (if that is the figure) for Downing is ridiculous?

[Keano's Magic Hat]

did we pay £17m for Young, or are you making stuff up? :wtf:

[The Rosk]

Yes, Young is miles better. Miles.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

this is absurd. none of the balls have been pumped up properly.. three of them kicked out of play already and all the replacements are shite :lol:

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Yes, Young is miles better. Miles.

all these people talking about Downing being the solution to Liverpool's wing problems; hasn't his best form at Villa come from playing central midfield?

[UK Blue]

Liverpool are building a team of benders.

[Bluemoon]

All this money Liverpool are spending yet were the ones killing football :rolleyes:

[Simon]

Modric has been told to fuck off by Levy AGAIN. Loving our hardline stance against the ugly little lesbian cunt.

[Bluemoon]

Have Spurs signed anyone yet?

[son_of_foley]

Hope Modric breaks Bales legs in training

[Simon]

Have Spurs signed anyone yet?

A couple of kids and Brad Friedel :happysad:

[Beefy]

Modric has been told to fuck off by Levy AGAIN. Loving our hardline stance against the ugly little lesbian cunt.

I'm not sure why. Levy seems to be making Spurs a less and less attractive destination for any decent player with every passing day. You were never big wage payers but now players know that the Chairman can't be trusted and the Club will stop them from moving to bigger teams if they do well.

He's handed in a transfer request. That should be respected and a deal negotiated with Chelsea..

[Simon]

I'm not sure why. Levy seems to be making Spurs a less and less attractive destination for any decent player with every passing day. You were never big wage payers but now players know that the Chairman can't be trusted and the Club will stop them from moving to bigger teams if they do well.

He's handed in a transfer request. That should be respected and a deal negotiated with Chelsea..

Why does a transfer request have to be respected or accepted? He signed a six year contract one year ago. If we wanted him to leave we couldn't force him out, and equally if we want him to stay he can't force himself out. Sadly you're probably right that players will see this whole thing as reflecting badly on Tottenham rather than Modric and it might affect us slightly in the future but it's worth it to make a point IMO.

You'll have to clarify "players know that the chairman can't be trusted", if you're talking about the moaning Modric has done about us rejecting Chelsea's first offer I don't see how Levy has done anything wrong. IF there was an agreement that Modric could leave if a big enough club came in for him, it was hardly as simple as just taking any offer that comes in from any club higher in the table than us. A £22m offer from a club we consider rivals is not satisfactory, and Modric will know that as well as anyone - he just doesn't want to accept it because he wants to move. He can fuck off, basically.

Sadly all this bluster is pissing in the wind, he'll almost certainly go before the transfer window shuts. But if there's even the slightest hope that we can stick to our guns and keep him at the club I hope we do - not for the sake of keeping a good player at the club, but for the sake of making little cunts like him realise that contracts are a one-way street, and if you want to be allowed to leave a club, you don't sign a six-year contract on huge wages that ties you to the club. You can't have it both ways.

The ONLY respectable element of this from Modric is that he's at least had the decency to put in a transfer request and not force through the deal without giving up the laughably-named loyalty bonus, which will save us a good few million if and when he does go.

[RFF Champ]

He signed that contract on the provision that if a bigger club came in then they would sit down and discuss how to get the best deal for the club and player. Instead Modric got a stern telling off and told to get fucked. Not exactly an attractive advert for players.

[Beefy]

Because he wants to leave and you are not going to be able to keep him. All this does is make Levy look like a prick. Had Modric not handed in a transfer request then fair enough - players engineering a move without handing in a transfer request is a pet peeve of probably most of us - but he's shown his hand now. You're not living in 2011 if you think that a Club can keep someone who doesn't want to be there, particularly if Levy had verbally agreed when the new contract was signed to sell him if an offer came in.

Set a price for him. Tell Chelsea what that price is. If no one meets that price then fair enough. Acting like you are doing at the moment can only be massively counter-productive for Spurs in the short term and the long term.

[Simon]

Because he wants to leave and you are not going to be able to keep him. All this does is make Levy look like a prick. Had Modric not handed in a transfer request then fair enough - players engineering a move without handing in a transfer request is a pet peeve of probably most of us - but he's shown his hand now. You're not living in 2011 if you think that a Club can keep someone who doesn't want to be there, particularly if Levy had verbally agreed when the new contract was signed to sell him if an offer came in.
We most certainly are able to keep him. He has five years left on his contract - if we told him he's staying regardless of what offer comes in, his value isn't going to decrease much by this time next year when he has four years on his contract.

I don't buy this talk of a verbal agreement, it's so vague as to be pointless even paying attention to. Modric doesn't even seem to know what the supposed agreement was. If it was Barcelona offering £50m we'd probably be more willing to talk. A local rival offering a derisory fee was always going to be dismissed out of hand, and if Modric can't accept that then he can trot on.



Set a price for him. Tell Chelsea what that price is. If no one meets that price then fair enough. Acting like you are doing at the moment can only be massively counter-productive for Spurs in the short term and the long term.
Well of course there is a price, as there is for anyone. The problem is, Modric, with the input of his agents and obviously Chelsea's tap-up team, will claim that whatever we demand is 'prohibitively high' in order to force through the move at as low a price as possible.

Do you think if we came out and said "he can go for £40m", any of the other parties would consider that a step forward, or would they be complaining about stopping him pursuing his dreams and all that bollocks? We aren't saying he's not for sale at any price because it's literally true, we're saying it because we want to keep him OR get the highest price possible if he goes. The difference between saying he's not for sale and saying you can have him for a certain price amount to the same thing - either way we'd be willing to do business at the right price, as ANY team would be for ANY player.

[RFF Champ]

It's gone beyond getting the highest price possible for Levy, I feel. I'd love for you to be able to keep hold of him for the sake of Spurs being able to compete. Levy is using Modric as something of a posterboy for your ambition and the fact you want to avoid becoming a selling club but it's a mistake in the fact that he doesn't look like he's going to let up on his desire to leave. Levy has put his reputation on the line really.

When you bought Modric he had longer on his contract with Zagreb that he does with you now. If like Beefy said you set a price and shift him on then it gives plenty of time to find a suitable replacement.

[Beefy]

But you aren't going to keep him. He will move to another Club. All this attitude does is put other players off from signing for you.

[Simon]

But you aren't going to keep him. He will move to another Club. All this attitude does is put other players off from signing for you.

It will squeeze the most money out of the situation as well, which is at least partly what Levy's stance is about.

Sadly you're probably right that it won't help us as a club, but from a personal point of view I hope we nail the cunt to the wall and send out a message to other clubs to do the same. Whether that is the right thing to do as a business decision is a different issue, it probably (definitely?) isn't.

For the good of football and for the dignity of our club I honestly hope we tell him to shut his noise off, accept our decision and get on with his job, or go and have a knockabout at 6pm every Tuesday evening for the next twelve months with Ben Alnwick and the rest of the stiffs, and see how many scouts bother their arses to come and look at him then.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

He can cancel his contract if he is dropped from the first team. See Goran Pandev.

[Beefy]

It will squeeze the most money out of the situation as well, which is at least partly what Levy's stance is about.

Sadly you're probably right that it won't help us as a club, but from a personal point of view I hope we nail the cunt to the wall and send out a message to other clubs to do the same. Whether that is the right thing to do as a business decision is a different issue, it probably (definitely?) isn't.

For the good of football and for the dignity of our club I honestly hope we tell him to shut his noise off, accept our decision and get on with his job, or go and have a knockabout at 6pm every Tuesday evening for the next twelve months with Ben Alnwick and the rest of the stiffs, and see how many scouts bother their arses to come and look at him then.

Stop being so melodramatic. Selling Carrick & Berbatov to Man United was probably the best thing Spurs could have done because it gave them a lot of money to reinvest and when they did so they were able to tell the players that they wanted to that they were coming to a Club who were pushing for trophies but also one who could raise a player's profile and help them move onto bigger Clubs if the right offer came in. It's the football foodchain and Spurs do it to other sides as well.

How can you expect to sign the sort of strikers who you're continually linking yourself with if you
a) Don't pay what they could earn elsewhere
b) Can't offer Champions League football
c) Have been shown to be willing to force players to stay when Elite clubs have come in for them and you won't even negotiate?

[Alf]

I think Levy just finds the "You broke our gentleman's agreement to break my official agreement" thing a bit fucking rich.

We'll sell him, I'm sure, but I hope it isn't to a prem club.

It's all swings and roundabouts. I'm sure we've sold players in the past that don't want to leave, yet when a player wants to leave we are beating our chest about making him stay...

After the Carrick and Berbatov situations it's all a bit too familiar. I'd be surprised if Modric is still here come September.

[Simon]

I had a look at that comparison when Andy brought it up the other day, my understanding is that the issue there was that the chairman, just to be snide to Pandev, made him train alone which breached his contractual rights. Unless Modric has a clause in his contract saying he has to be included in the first team, as long as Levy extended him the basic courtesies extended to Tottenham players he wouldn't have to let him play or train with the first team.

[Simon]

Stop being so melodramatic. Selling Carrick & Berbatov to Man United was probably the best thing Spurs could have done because it gave them a lot of money to reinvest and when they did so they were able to tell the players that they wanted to that they were coming to a Club who were pushing for trophies but also one who could raise a player's profile and help them move onto bigger Clubs if the right offer came in. It's the football foodchain and Spurs do it to other sides as well.

How can you expect to sign the sort of strikers who you're continually linking yourself with if you
a) Don't pay what they could earn elsewhere
b) Can't offer Champions League football
c) Have been shown to be willing to force players to stay when Elite clubs have come in for them and you won't even negotiate?

Like I said, I'm NOT saying it is necessarily a good business decision for Spurs. I just think it is an opportunity to lead the way in telling players who are happy to sign fat contracts on huge wages that it works both ways, so they can fuck off and do their job until the club says differently. It would almost certainly be a poor move for Spurs, but sometimes I think it's worth taking a stand against this sort of shit, and I don't see how that outlook is melodramatic at all.

[son_of_foley]

Is there not a 'sporting chance' thing in play now as well it was mentioned when Bellamy was leaving something about being involved in X games a year or the like. If you're not included in the prem squad or the european squad for example you can cancel the contract?

[Simon]

It's all swings and roundabouts. I'm sure we've sold players in the past that don't want to leave, yet when a player wants to leave we are beating our chest about making him stay...


But the players we have are entitled to stay if they want to, we can't force them out because they have a contract. Just like Modric does.

[Simon]

Is there not a 'sporting chance' thing in play now as well

I'm hoping it won't get to the point where he needs counselling for alcohol addiction if that's what you mean?

[turdpower]

How many times has a club successfully made a player sit in the stands and play with the reserves? Bogarde. That's about it, isn't it?

[Simon]

How many times has a club successfully made a player sit in the stands and play with the reserves? Bogarde. That's about it, isn't it?

Can't think of any, and Bogarde isn't even an example - it was the opposite. Chelsea signed him on £2m a year, decided they didn't want him and tried to force him out, he was happy to play with the reserves and take the money.


After playing as a substitute against Ipswich Town on Boxing Day in 2000,[9] Bogarde only made one more appearance for Chelsea's first team before his contract expired in July 2004; it was also made from the bench, against Gillingham for the League Cup, on 6 November 2002.[10]

During his period at Chelsea, the club repeatedly tried to offload Bogarde because of his inflated wages. When there were no takers, Chelsea demoted him to the reserve and youth teams in an effort to force Bogarde to leave. He also became a figure of ridicule in the English press for his alleged selfishness.[11] Of the derision he received at the hands of the press, Bogarde responded, 'This world is about money, so when you are offered those millions you take them. Few people will ever earn so many. I am one of the few fortunates who do. I may be one of the worst buys in the history of the Premiership but I don't care.'

[El Capitano Gatisto]

If he was being frozen out of the first team squad over a transfer dispute, he could take Spurs to court and probably win. I can't find the exact reference now but there is a measure in place whereby footballers can cancel their contracts if they are marginalised by the club for a certain period of time, as Pandev did.

It's a stupid situation to me, Spurs should just tell Modric he can go as soon as they get a fair offer for him. That was the agreement as stated by Modric, after all. £27 million is not enough. They should name a prohibitive but realistic price and milk Chelsea for it. We talked about all of this about 6 weeks ago and Spurs fans were adamant Modric would not agitate for a move if a bid came in, but also agreed that pointlessly dragging it out until September 1st would not do the club any good.

[turdpower]

Well it IS an example of making a player play with the reserves and sitting in the stands.

[turdpower]

Bogarde also has the greatest autobiography title ever:

This negro/nigger bows to no one

[MMH]

But you aren't going to keep him. He will move to another Club. All this attitude does is put other players off from signing for you.

He signed a six year contract last year. Thats a pretty sizable deal for which he more than likely got a hefty signing on fee. If he wanted to move to a "bigger club" then he shouldnt have signed the deal.

Fuck these footballers thinking they can do what they want, I support Spurs stance and for once agree with Simon heartily.

[son_of_foley]

Signing on fees are normally paid over the course of the contract are they not? I thought they were a large part of the much fathomed loyalty bonus

[turdpower]

It probably depends from contract to contract. I bet Modric does have one of those contracts due to Levy forcing him to hand in a transfer request. He's not daft.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jul/14/alex-ferguson-manchester-united-wesley-sneijder

So after Inter confirming they don't want to sell, Sneijder confirming repeatedly that he does not want to leave and now Ferguson saying that United aren't interested, where is all of this stuff coming from? It seems unlikely the level of reporting going on about this is coming from absolutely no where but it also seems unlikely a transfer can actually happen when all 3 parties are addressing it publically with a denial.

[Andy]

So it turns out Modric IS just like all the rest of them? Unbelievable.

[Simon]

Incidentally, we're still awaiting confirmation that he has actually submitted a request. The BBC is only reporting Redknapp's reaction to 'reports' that he has, there's nothing solid yet. I imagine he has done but it's odd that we're still waiting for confirmation a day later.

EDIT: Guardian is quoting Redknapp as confirming it, ignore me.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

all these people talking about Downing being the solution to Liverpool's wing problems; hasn't his best form at Villa come from playing central midfield?

:wtf:

No.

He's played wide right and wide right in 95% of games.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

What about the other 5%? Wide right maybe?

[turdpower]

and don't forget wide right!

[Simon]

19 out of the 20 women he's slept with are black. The other 5%, he decided to ride white.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

:dead:

[1_Pablo_Angel]

We must be loaded now. Hopefully Mcleish doesn't waste it!

[Alf]

But the players we have are entitled to stay if they want to, we can't force them out because they have a contract. Just like Modric does.

It's the same situation though. Would you want to stay knowing you weren't wanted and weren't going to play (i.e. if your club touted you around and someone bid, the bid was accepted, and the club made it clear you had no place there)? And visa-versa, should we keep a player against his will when it's clear he wants to leave?

[Alf]

Has this been posted yet?

http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg738/scaled.php?tn=0&server=738&filename=m19qg.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640

[Simon]

The situation isn't the same though - if a player is not wanted at the club, then there's no reason for him to want to stay. Whereas with a player wanting to leave a club, there's still a reason for the club to want to keep him.

MMH made my point a lot more succintly and got to the nub of the point - Modric was happy to take the improved money and security of the new contract, why shouldn't we expect him to keep up his end of the bargain by honouring the contract? Clubs have to honour contracts, so do players. If we'd decided this summer that we didn't want Luka any more we couldn't release him, stop paying his wages and then express 'disappointment that we were unable to part on good terms' when he refused to accept it.

[Simon]

Has this been posted yet?

http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg738/scaled.php?tn=0&server=738&filename=m19qg.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640

ahahahahahahhaahahah that is fandabidozie.

[Alf]

The situation isn't the same though - if a player is not wanted at the club, then there's no reason for him to want to stay. Whereas with a player wanting to leave a club, there's still a reason for the club to want to keep him.

Yeah, one way suits the club, the other doesn't.

We can't on one hand be cynical with buying and selling, and then on the other complain when the cynical players decide to move on.


MMH made my point a lot more succintly and got to the nub of the point - Modric was happy to take the improved money and security of the new contract, why shouldn't we expect him to keep up his end of the bargain by honouring the contract? Clubs have to honour contracts, so do players. If we'd decided this summer that we didn't want Luka any more we couldn't release him, stop paying his wages and then express 'disappointment that we were unable to part on good terms' when he refused to accept it.

This is a good point.

[son_of_foley]

No its not. Hes not leaving on a free. If you really wanted to you could pay up his contract and fuck him onto the street. Yes you would have to pay money but you could. Chelsea are offering money in the situation.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

I think it should have sunk in with everyone by now that the main point of football player contracts is to protect their transfer value. It's increasingly likely that players will sign longer term deals under the knowledge from both parties that they can go if the offer is right. Which is why I think Spurs should just tell Modric he can go if they get a suitable bid. That is a reasonable stance.

Further, if I was Modric, I would feel immensely let down by Spurs for failing to build on the squad's efforts to get into the CL. Football players have short careers and I can understand fully why a player of Modric's age, at this point in his career, would feel the rug pulled from under him after seeing Spurs progress year after year only to blow it when they should have kicked on.

Modric can look Daniel Levy in the eye and say he has done everything in his power to get Spurs into the top 4 and keep them there. I'm not sure Levy can say the same thing after last season's distastrous failure to build on the squad.

[MMH]

I think it should have sunk in with everyone by now that the main point of football player contracts is to protect their transfer value. It's increasingly likely that players will sign longer term deals under the knowledge from both parties that they can go if the offer is right. Which is why I think Spurs should just tell Modric he can go if they get a suitable bid. That is a reasonable stance.

Further, if I was Modric, I would feel immensely let down by Spurs for failing to build on the squad's efforts to get into the CL. Football players have short careers and I can understand fully why a player of Modric's age, at this point in his career, would feel the rug pulled from under him after seeing Spurs progress year after year only to blow it when they should have kicked on.

Modric can look Daniel Levy in the eye and say he has done everything in his power to get Spurs into the top 4 and keep them there. I'm not sure Levy can say the same thing after last season's distastrous failure to build on the squad.

They dont want to sell him though do they? (they may have to now obviously)

Maybe Spurs decided to stick with the players who got them there in the first place and showed a little faith in them.

Immensly let down by Spurs? Seriously?

[El Capitano Gatisto]

They dont want to sell him though do they? (they may have to now obviously)

Maybe Spurs decided to stuck with the players who got them there in the first place and showed a little faith in them.

Immensly let down by Spurs? Seriously?

Yes? It doesn't matter if they don't want to sell him, he's a human being and he wants to leave. We're not living in the 19th century.

Since Spurs are a club run by ENIC, an investment company, with the aim to make a profit, I highly doubt they show much sentimentality when it comes to their players: that includes giving substandard footballers a right good go at maintaining a level of performance in the face of other sides improving the standard of their players. The reality is that Spurs took a calculated gamble in not spending big to improve the squad, in the hope that they would eke out an extra year in the CL. It didn't work.

Luka Modric was Spurs' best player last season and did his best to get the club back up there, to see his efforts largely go to waste because the club did not invest in a better standard of player to ensure they progressed is a let-down. Why wouldn't he feel let down by the club if he felt they shared a certain level of ambition? It does go both ways, you know. If a player signs for a club under the belief that they are striving to go in a certain direction, and the club fails to demonstrate that, why wouldn't they feel let down?

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Ferguson didn't deny interest in Sneijder, he denied that the transfer was as advanced as some of the press were reporting. When Ferguson publicly talks about a transfer and denies interest, it usually mean we'll end up signing the player.. it'll be Nasri or Sneijder.

[MMH]

Yes? It doesn't matter if they don't want to sell him, he's a human being and he wants to leave. We're not living in the 19th century.

Since Spurs are a club run by ENIC, an investment company, with the aim to make a profit, I highly doubt they show much sentimentality when it comes to their players: that includes giving substandard footballers a right good go at maintaining a level of performance in the face of other sides improving the standard of their players. The reality is that Spurs took a calculated gamble in not spending big to improve the squad, in the hope that they would eke out an extra year in the CL. It didn't work.

Luka Modric was Spurs' best player last season and did his best to get the club back up there, to see his efforts largely go to waste because the club did not invest in a better standard of player to ensure they progressed is a let-down. Why wouldn't he feel let down by the club if he felt they shared a certain level of ambition? It does go both ways, you know. If a player signs for a club under the belief that they are striving to go in a certain direction, and the club fails to demonstrate that, why wouldn't they feel let down?

Then he shouldnt have signed a six year contract then should he? He is a human being you are correct obviously, and as a human being he didnt have to commit to for such a long time.

It goes both ways, Spurs owe absolutely nothing to Modric, they pay him to do a job, thats it. If he doesnt want to do that job then thats fine but Spurs can demand whatever amount they want for him as he is under contract to them. They are not treating him as a slave or anything, he is still getting paid isnt he?

Spurs board is there to look after the club, not just one player. Im not even sure how Spurs didnt show ambition really? Maybe Redknapp didnt find anyone he truely wanted to improve the squad, maybe other clubs outbid them for certain players, maybe these players didnt want to play for Spurs. They are free to make that decision because they are not contracted to them...

I do agree with you about contracts basically being meaningless. But to me it feels like Modric has thought "Yeah I will stay at Spurs for 6 years but if they dont look brilliant next season then im off." I personally feel thats bullshit and synonymous with the modern footballer.

Im no fan of Spurs, not by a long way, but I do admire their stance when it comes to transfers, they very rarely get fucked over by transfer deals or players, the more clubs who acted like that the better in my eyes. Give a bit of power back to the clubs as opposed to the players.

If Modric really wants out then lets face it he will get his wish sooner or later. But Spurs shouldnt just bend over and give him whatever he wants either. They will do a deal thats good for Spurs, not for Luka Modric, and thats what they are supposed to do in their role.

[RFF Champ]

It's all going off today.

- Pardew has taken a pop at Erdinc for not wanting to come to Newcastle (?)
-He said the chase for Zog ended weeks ago and he's got an imminent move.
-More comments about how most of the Carroll money has been spent (???)
-Enrique is fixed on another club but can't work out a deal
-Shola's contract is up next year and isn't getting offered what he wants.

It's only selling from here :( Pardew did say there has been no official approach for Tiote yet, which is a positive. A lot of negativity going around.

[Simon]

I bet when Pardew said that Ashley had done £30m on a black number 10 you didn't think it was on a roulette table.

[turdpower]

Gudjohnsen having medical at West Ham appaz

[Simon]

Beautiful, beautiful man. God we were good looking in our CL-qualifying year. Niko, Eidur, Carlo...the dream team.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Then he shouldnt have signed a six year contract then should he? He is a human being you are correct obviously, and as a human being he didnt have to commit to for such a long time.

It goes both ways, Spurs owe absolutely nothing to Modric, they pay him to do a job, thats it. If he doesnt want to do that job then thats fine but Spurs can demand whatever amount they want for him as he is under contract to them. They are not treating him as a slave or anything, he is still getting paid isnt he?

Spurs board is there to look after the club, not just one player. Im not even sure how Spurs didnt show ambition really? Maybe Redknapp didnt find anyone he truely wanted to improve the squad, maybe other clubs outbid them for certain players, maybe these players didnt want to play for Spurs. They are free to make that decision because they are not contracted to them...

I do agree with you about contracts basically being meaningless. But to me it feels like Modric has thought "Yeah I will stay at Spurs for 6 years but if they dont look brilliant next season then im off." I personally feel thats bullshit and synonymous with the modern footballer.

Im no fan of Spurs, not by a long way, but I do admire their stance when it comes to transfers, they very rarely get fucked over by transfer deals or players, the more clubs who acted like that the better in my eyes. Give a bit of power back to the clubs as opposed to the players.

If Modric really wants out then lets face it he will get his wish sooner or later. But Spurs shouldnt just bend over and give him whatever he wants either. They will do a deal thats good for Spurs, not for Luka Modric, and thats what they are supposed to do in their role.

I can understand him committing to that contract in the context of how it appeared last summer: he was doing the club a favour by protecting his value, he was being rewarded with a wage increase for his performances, he signed it under the understanding that if a big bid came in from a successful club then the club would talk it over. I think all of these things are fair enough if true and that seems to be the player's argument.

Modern players are a product of the modern game of football, not the other way around. Luka Modric is 26 years old, he has 4-5 years left in his physical peak as a footballer, he wants to be playing as many of those as possible in the CL to make his mark on the game because that is the reality of modern football, that's where the top players are. If he stays at Spurs, he has at least one of those years outside of the CL, and looking at the strength of Spurs' squad compared to those of their rivals, it's possible Spurs won't be in the CL in the next 5 years.

Do you think Modric would have left Dinamo Zagreb if it was possible in modern football to be at the top of the game there? He stayed there until he was 23 years old and he left because Spurs have the financial clout and the profile to offer him a higher standard. We all know it's unrealistic that Modric would ever have been challenging for European honours or playing with the best players if he had stayed in Croatia. Spurs took advantage of their place in the football food chain to sign him and now it's happening again. We all know this is how it works now, blaming an individual player for accounting for the structures in place and looking out for his own career is not the right angle, in my opinion.

I never said Spurs should bend over backwards, but it appears they have taken a hard line with Modric and put him more offside than he already was. I have said they should have told Modric that he has a price (say £50 million, since he is at least a good a midfielder as Torres is a striker) and if he wants to leave then a club has to pay that. If Spurs get a huge fee, then the club and player can get a deal that largely suits them both.

[MMH]

I can understand him committing to that contract in the context of how it appeared last summer: he was doing the club a favour by protecting his value, he was being rewarded with a wage increase for his performances, he signed it under the understanding that if a big bid came in from a successful club then the club would talk it over. I think all of these things are fair enough if true and that seems to be the player's argument.

Modern players are a product of the modern game of football, not the other way around. Luka Modric is 26 years old, he has 4-5 years left in his physical peak as a footballer, he wants to be playing as many of those as possible in the CL to make his mark on the game because that is the reality of modern football, that's where the top players are. If he stays at Spurs, he has at least one of those years outside of the CL, and looking at the strength of Spurs' squad compared to those of their rivals, it's possible Spurs won't be in the CL in the next 5 years.

Do you think Modric would have left Dinamo Zagreb if it was possible in modern football to be at the top of the game there? He stayed there until he was 23 years old and he left because Spurs have the financial clout and the profile to offer him a higher standard. We all know it's unrealistic that Modric would ever have been challenging for European honours or playing with the best players if he had stayed in Croatia. Spurs took advantage of their place in the football food chain to sign him and now it's happening again. We all know this is how it works now, blaming an individual player for accounting for the structures in place and looking out for his own career is not the right angle, in my opinion.

I never said Spurs should bend over backwards, but it appears they have taken a hard line with Modric and put him more offside than he already was. I have said they should have told Modric that he has a price (say £50 million, since he is at least a good a midfielder as Torres is a striker) and if he wants to leave then a club has to pay that. If Spurs get a huge fee, then the club and player can get a deal that largely suits them both.

Yeah that last bit is fair enough, its been handled quite badly by both sides I guess. I do think Spurs were hoping that he wouldnt want to leave so soon though. I dont agree that he is doing the club a favour though at all. Although lets say he is, havnt Spurs done him just as much a favour by thrusting him more into the spotlight? For that I think they deserve better than what he has done personally.

I think the problem I have is how are clubs at the level of a spurs going to improve if their best players bugger off pretty much as soon as a better offer comes along. We had a similar instance with Lescott and that got messy which was a shame but the fact was we didnt want to sell him at all, it got to a point where we named a stupid price and we got the cash. Was it good for us though? No not really as we would still have prefered the player who at the end of the day had agreed to play for us for x amount of years. They were happy to play for their team when they were the small player coming to a bigger club. There is just zero loyalty these days and i find it quite sad myself. Of course the likes of Wolves and Dynamo probably think the same about Everton and Spurs...

I think the main stumbling block in this for me is not the fact that he wants to further his career, I can understand that, but why sign such a big contract? Of course they mean nothing these days but it still annoys me. To sign a 3 year deal would have made more sense, in this day and age to sign a 6 year deal you would assume that it means he is committed to the club and wants to take them to the next level. If he thought that would happen overnight then hes an idiot.

To be honest I think im just sick of the whole thing, the big clubs will continue to get bigger, the rest of us can fuck off the way things are going. I know its the nature of the beast and all that but I miss the days when every club had a big name player who was synonymous with the club. Nowadays as soon as a player has a good season he is demanding moves to the big boys and throwing a tantrum if he doesnt get his way. To be fair to Modric at least he has gone on pre season with his club. Some dont even bother to do that.

[Bad Collin]

It looks like the Doni signing is happening any day now. I have no idea why he would move to England to be a back up but it is good to have a reliable keeper on the bench.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Yeah that last bit is fair enough, its been handled quite badly by both sides I guess. I do think Spurs were hoping that he wouldnt want to leave so soon though. I dont agree that he is doing the club a favour though at all. Although lets say he is, havnt Spurs done him just as much a favour by thrusting him more into the spotlight? For that I think they deserve better than what he has done personally.

I think the problem I have is how are clubs at the level of a spurs going to improve if their best players bugger off pretty much as soon as a better offer comes along. We had a similar instance with Lescott and that got messy which was a shame but the fact was we didnt want to sell him at all, it got to a point where we named a stupid price and we got the cash. Was it good for us though? No not really as we would still have prefered the player who at the end of the day had agreed to play for us for x amount of years. They were happy to play for their team when they were the small player coming to a bigger club. There is just zero loyalty these days and i find it quite sad myself. Of course the likes of Wolves and Dynamo probably think the same about Everton and Spurs...

I think the main stumbling block in this for me is not the fact that he wants to further his career, I can understand that, but why sign such a big contract? Of course they mean nothing these days but it still annoys me. To sign a 3 year deal would have made more sense, in this day and age to sign a 6 year deal you would assume that it means he is committed to the club and wants to take them to the next level. If he thought that would happen overnight then hes an idiot.

To be honest I think im just sick of the whole thing, the big clubs will continue to get bigger, the rest of us can fuck off the wamiss y things are going. I know its the nature of the beast and all that but I the days when every club had a big name player who was synonymous with the club. Nowadays as soon as a player has a good season he is demanding moves to the big boys and throwing a tantrum if he doesnt get his way. To be fair to Modric at least he has gone on pre season with his club. Some dont even bother to do that.

It annoys me too that clubs lose their best players when they get some measure of success, I'd love to see Borussia Dortmund and Napoli hold on to their squad and improve through the CL. I think the problem for Spurs is that they are in danger of becoming less competitive in their league, rather than improving further. The way the Premier League is now, there's realistically one place up for grabs (4th) as United, Chelsea and City are pulling well away from everyone else. No other club has a chance of making it to their level unless they secure 4th year after year.

I dislike when a player leaves a club where they are fighting for something to go elsewhere purely for a bigger wage, although the financial realities of that are something which simply have to be accepted. I just put myself in the position of Modric and how it would feel to know you have 4-5 prime years left in your career to make your mark, I can't say I'd be any less eager to get moving on if it looked like it wasn't happening at my current position.

[Beefy]

Let's not forget that long contracts aren't a one way thing. Did Modric push for the renewal or did the Club in order to maximise his value?

[Keano's Magic Hat]

strong rumours that United's summer business is done.. this means our central midfielders next year will be

Carrick- quality player but his form has been patchy last couple of seasons
Giggs- 37 years old, and can't do more than a game a week
Fletcher- Lost two stone last season from his already rake-like frame. He's ill again and it's doubtful that he'll be fit this season

and

Anderson- Fergie quote from tuesday "players these days return to pre season training fit and don't put on weight whilst on their break, except Anderson".. fat fucker with a terrible attitude


http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmc0wbkKcS1qbfjcz.gif

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Falcao signs new contract at Porto

[da_man]

Phil Jones should start in midfield ahead of all of those guys.

[UK Blue]

Lassana Diarra would be absolutely perfect for them. The ultimate 'no brainer' signing.

[Chris Scott]

It looks like the Doni signing is happening any day now. I have no idea why he would move to England to be a back up but it is good to have a reliable keeper on the bench.

Is he any good then?

Kenny obviously convinced him.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

only time i've seen him play United put seven past him

[Chris Scott]

Oh so he was the Roma keeper then, yeah I remember that game.

[left_wing_miller]

Apparently, tomorrow's edtion of the Daily Record (:rolleyes:) is claiming that Rangers have had a £2 million bid for Carlos Cuellar accepted.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Lassana Diarra would be absolutely perfect for them. The ultimate 'no brainer' signing.

I don't think he's the kind of player Fergie wants. With Scholes retiring we need a creative midfielder first and foremost, though I do agree that Diarra would be a very good signing.

From Fergie's press conf


"Time and time again we've faced this problem when we've lost great players. Eventually something turns up, either through our youth system or we identify someone.

"We're also analysing the young players in the youth team – what their capabilites will be, and we'll give them that opportunity.

Looks like we're going with youth. A lot of pressure on them.

[Andy]

Loads of journos reckon Sneijder to United is at least 50/50 to happen.

Sneijder, Young, De Gea and Jones in, that's a hell of a statement of intent. :(

[MACE]

Ozil would've been an awesome signing for United.

[Gangers]

If we get that Sneijder or Nasri deal done, I'll be very optimistic about next season. Chelsea are yet to kick on and make any real signings, though I expect they're mostly looking for more from Torres who they still regard as a new player. Arsenal are obviously a mess, and City will probably do their usual bit of signing several players who don't really suit their system and aren't really of the level required. It's all coming up United.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

Apparently, tomorrow's edtion of the Daily Record (:rolleyes:) is claiming that Rangers have had a £2 million bid for Carlos Cuellar accepted.

I really hope this is bollocks :(

[turdpower]

Apart from Modric, have Chelsea gone after anyone at all? I know they "enquired" about Nasri appaz.

[turdpower]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/alex-ferguson-denies-manchester-united-have-agreed-deal-for-david-de-gea-2267110.html

Gives hope for Sneijder.

[Ringo]

Apart from Modric, have Chelsea gone after anyone at all? I know they "enquired" about Nasri appaz.

Only young players really. Deals for Lukaku, Courtois and De Bruyne have all been "close to completion" at one point or another but something ends up delaying them. Hopefully at the least the first two will finally be tied up soon.

The likes of Neymar, Aguero and Pastore are constantly being linked but all three will probably end up elsewhere by the looks of things.

[Simon]

This has been a really odd window so far. With so much emphasis on the Fabregas, Nasri and Modric sagas, it's kind of flown under the radar that United have signed Young, Arsenal have signed Gervinho etc. Watching the highlights of that United/Malaysia game yesterday, I was genuinely a bit "fuck yeah, forgot Young had gone there". Looking forward to the season starting and enjoying a few players at new clubs that I'm not already bored of from seeing it in the papers every day.

[RFF Champ]

Jol did a Redknapp style 'big fan but we've got strikers but I'm a big fan' interview last night about Robbie Keane. Doing his massive grin everytime he said he was a big fan.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/alex-ferguson-denies-manchester-united-have-agreed-deal-for-david-de-gea-2267110.html

Gives hope for Sneijder.

Even those who seem optimistic about the transfer are pretty certain that Sneijder would have to agree to quite a hefty pay cut for the deal to go through, with our wage structure and the high tax system here that would be something like a £50k-80k a week drop.. I can't see him doing that. he's already at a big club, he lives in Milan (which in my experience is overrated and barring gay fashion spots, no better than Manchester, but hey), is settled at his club, is Dutch and has no real affinity to United and/or the English league, plays for his club in a position where all he has to do is attack with no defensive duties etc etc

perhaps i'm cynical, but it just screams of a ronaldinho, benzema, ozil like saga

[Beefy]

Milan is a shithole.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

glad you agree. incredibly overrated place

[Keano's Magic Hat]

his missus probably loves it, though

[RuneEdge]

I'll be quite pissed off if no one else comes in. I'd gladly trade in all our summer transfers in for a midfielder right now. Maybe even De Gea too considering we do have Lindegaard.

[RuneEdge]

DOUBLE POST

[Keano's Magic Hat]

are you insane? and then what have Phil Jones, one of the most promising centre halves in the country, end up at Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal? Vidic and Rio aren't getting any younger.. it's what we should have done with Scholesy, brought in his replacement a couple of years ago.

I'm sure the goalkeeping coaches at the club, who work with him on a daily basis, would have advised against signing De Gea if Lindegaard was of the required quality.

No need for Ashley Young, though. I agree.

[Simon]

De Gea is gonna be the nuts. He's another one I kind of forgot had been signed in all the Fabs/Nasri/Modric hype. Clichy as well.

[Andy]

It'll be interesting to see De Gea and Szcz next season. I might even remember how to spell his name at some point.

[BBF]

CHESNEY

[Simon]

I really do not see the hype around Chesney at all. He looks alright but no better than plenty of other young keepers. Krul at Newcastle has impressed me more for example.

Maybe he'll turn out great, I dunno, but I do wonder if maybe it's a mixture of Arsenal fans wanting to believe they have a good keeper after so long, and him looking good amongst a particularly poor group of keepers there. He makes a lot of rash decisions. He does seem to have that arrogance that the top keepers tend to have, but I'm not sure he's backed it up with performances the way, say, Joe Hart was doing at the same age.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

I think Ashley Young will be an excellent signing if he can get back to his form of a couple of seasons ago. He has great pace with the ball at his feet and he's comfortable on the left side of the pitch, which will be perfect for getting the best out of Patrice Evra. United need a player comfortable coming in on his right foot, they've tried Nani there but it's clear he's not nearly as effective there as on the right for some weird reason, even though he cuts inside fairly often onto his weaker foot when playing there. That's been Park in the big games but now I see it being Ashley Young and he offers much more than Park in terms of running at defenders and delivery.

[turdpower]

I have a feeling Ashley Young will play alot this season. During the first pre season game it was nice to see our corners go past the first man.

[Beefy]

Szcesney (?) looks a great keeper. I'm not sure what you're not seeing in him.

[Simon]

Did you see Park's goal against Malaysia the other day? Genuinely did not know he had that in him, even against terrible opposition. It was the opposite of what I expect Park to do. Great first touch, lovely thought and a nice finish.

[Simon]

Szcesney (?) looks a great keeper. I'm not sure what you're not seeing in him.

Maybe I just see him on bad days I dunno. The Spurs/Arsenal 3-3 had a couple of notable blunders for example, he was arguably at fault for two if not three of the goals, especially for the penalty.

[Andy]

I really do not see the hype around Chesney at all. He looks alright but no better than plenty of other young keepers. Krul at Newcastle has impressed me more for example.

Maybe he'll turn out great, I dunno, but I do wonder if maybe it's a mixture of Arsenal fans wanting to believe they have a good keeper after so long, and him looking good amongst a particularly poor group of keepers there. He makes a lot of rash decisions. He does seem to have that arrogance that the top keepers tend to have, but I'm not sure he's backed it up with performances the way, say, Joe Hart was doing at the same age.

De Gea makes rash decisions too, it's to be expected at that age. Having said that, I don't think Chesney makes too many. He's an outstanding shot stopper and communicates well. He's also far more dominant than anyone we've had since Lehmann. I think he could be the real deal.

[Beefy]

Maybe I just see him on bad days I dunno. The Spurs/Arsenal 3-3 had a couple of notable blunders for example, he was arguably at fault for two if not three of the goals, especially for the penalty.

I'd only have blamed him for the penalty myself (and even then he was left very exposed by his defence, but granted the challenge was very rash). He's going to make mistakes. All young players do, especially goalkeepers.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Did you see Park's goal against Malaysia the other day? Genuinely did not know he had that in him, even against terrible opposition. It was the opposite of what I expect Park to do. Great first touch, lovely thought and a nice finish.

Park has improved immeasurably over the past year. His first touch, passing, finishing and dribbling have come on considerably.

Not sure why it's taken him 'til 30 to look like a real footballer.. but he's looked the business recently.

[Andy]

Also I'm kind of the opposite with Krul. I can see why he's highly rated because he does pull off some great athletic saves, but looks extremely dodgy at set pieces.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

I'd only have blamed him for the penalty myself (and even then he was left very exposed by his defence, but granted the challenge was very rash). He's going to make mistakes. All young players do, especially goalkeepers.


That's what worries me about De Gea, he's going to make some big mistakes, and the press here will destroy him for them. Some superb 'keepers have failed to cope with the pressure at United.. there was an interview with Ben Foster a few months back where he basically admitted that he is a mental midget and that the burden of responsibility at United was too great for his feeble mind.

By all accounts, De Gea does have a strong character, so we'll see.

[RuneEdge]

are you insane?
The way I personally see it, if our midfield is shit, everything else wont matter.
I'm really hoping midfield we have right now and keep up with the rest of the team, or else we're fucked.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

The way I personally see it, if our midfield is shit, everything else wont matter.
I'm really hoping midfield we have right now and keep up with the rest of the team, or else we're fucked.

Ferguson isn't an idiot. We're not going to go into the season with three central midfielders + Giggs. If we don't sign anybody else, and I don't expect us to, it'll be because he thinks members of our youth team are ready. And to be honest, I'd rather give them a chance then panic buy and end up with someone who is no better then what we already have.

[RuneEdge]

I know he's not an idiot. But you're assuming everything's going according to plan. But chances are he did want a midfielder really badly but hasnt been able to get one, which still means we're fucked.

[Torn]

I will not have a bad word said against my boy Chesney. Incredible talent.

[Simon]

If Villa sign N'Zogbia that will have been a great couple of days of business, signing a superior player for half the money they got for Downing. I actually rate Downing but N'Zogbia is a real talent IMO. Everyone's happy - Liverpool get a player that fits their system, Villa get a superior player and Wigan get £10m.

I saw a Wigan fan on a forum earlier moan about them selling N'Zogbia to a club that are 'no bigger than we are', just thought I'd bring that across to annoy the Villa fans :D

[RFF Champ]

Also I'm kind of the opposite with Krul. I can see why he's highly rated because he does pull off some great athletic saves, but looks extremely dodgy at set pieces.

I think you're spot on. He struggles with crosses in general and is susceptible to cost us points but he could be a great goalkeeper and I hope we let him and Forster slug it out for our goalkeeping spot next year.

[Torn]

Chesney and Forster had a GOALKEEPERS DUEL when they were with us and Norwich in League One. Both making ridiculous saves until finally Norwich scored :( No idea how he's done since but Forster looked a very good goalkeeper that year.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

If Villa sign N'Zogbia that will have been a great couple of days of business, signing a superior player for half the money they got for Downing. I actually rate Downing but N'Zogbia is a real talent IMO. Everyone's happy - Liverpool get a player that fits their system, Villa get a superior player and Wigan get £10m.

I saw a Wigan fan on a forum earlier moan about them selling N'Zogbia to a club that are 'no bigger than we are', just thought I'd bring that across to annoy the Villa fans :D

All clubs have fans with delusions of grandeur...

[Simon]

I thought Celtic were going to sign Forster on a perm?

[RFF Champ]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_7038137,00.html

Blackburn are trying to sign Honda. Do me a favour.

Italian media are reporting that Fulham are in talks with Christian Zaccardo

PSG have bid 30milEUR for Ganso. It would be a chance for him to get used to Europe like Ronaldinho did. I think it'd be pretty cool.

[Bad Collin]

MADRID, July 15 (Reuters) - The situation Cesc Fabregas finds himself in at Arsenal is akin to a "kidnapping" and the English club should allow him to return to Barcelona, the mayor of his home town was quoted as saying on Friday.
Fabregas, 24, has made no secret of his wish to return one day to the club he left as a 16-year-old in 2003 but has stopped short of publicly demanding a transfer.
"We want him to come right away, he is experiencing a kidnapping," Estanislau Fors i Garcia, the mayor of Catalan town Arenys de Mar where Fabregas grew up, was quoted as saying in Barcelona-based daily Sport.
"If the English are so honourable they should behave properly," he added.
"He [Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger] has to stop clowning around because it's disorienting for all of us."

These Spaniards really can sod off.

[RFF Champ]

Chesney and Forster had a GOALKEEPERS DUEL when they were with us and Norwich in League One. Both making ridiculous saves until finally Norwich scored :( No idea how he's done since but Forster looked a very good goalkeeper that year.

Good to know. I've only ever seen bits and pieces of him but Celtic fans seem to speak highly of him. I'd love if we had another situation like we had with Given/Harper or Srnicek/Hislop with two quality keepers battling it out.

[Beefy]

I thought Celtic were going to sign Forster on a perm?

I don't think that was ever on the cards. Celtic wanted him on loan again this season but Pardew said that wasn't going to happen as the standard in the SPL is too low.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

urgh. I heard Graham Hunter the other day, who always has a boner for Barca, talking about Xavi and how he has done nowt wrong and Arsenal should be blamed as, and this is his exact quote, "he just wants to leave Arsenal, he'd be willing to go to Manchester City or any other big club such is his desire to get away"

he then went on to talk about Fabregas' desire to leave possibly being due to his belief that the medical staff at Arsenal haven't managed his injury correctly, lack of faith in the manager and the players.

Wenger should just get rid of both Fabregas and Nasri if the stories are true. Better to have slightly inferior players who actually want to play for the club instead of technically gifted players who seemingly no longer care.

[Simon]

You're only saying that so you can say the same thing to justify United going for Modric, I'm on to you you piss hat.

[Bad Collin]

Wenger needs to give Cesc an ultimatum; hand in a transfer request or say he is happy to stay at Arsenal.

[Red Dog]

Ferguson isn't an idiot. We're not going to go into the season with three central midfielders + Giggs. If we don't sign anybody else, and I don't expect us to, it'll be because he thinks members of our youth team are ready. And to be honest, I'd rather give them a chance then panic buy and end up with someone who is no better then what we already have.
Jones will play holding midfield. I keep telling you this!!!

[Andy]

I heard that Graham Hunter thing the other day KMH, it made me want to punch a hole in the wall. So desperate to get out of Arsenal that he'd sign for man City...but hasn't handed in a transfer request to go to Barcelona. Give me a fucking break.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Jones will play holding midfield. I keep telling you this!!!

Possibly. In his interview the other day Sir Alex did say that in Jones, Smalling and Evans, United now have the the best three young 'central defenders' in England. I think he'll only play midfield if we're really short on numbers.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

I heard that Graham Hunter thing the other day KMH, it made me want to punch a hole in the wall. So desperate to get out of Arsenal that he'd sign for man City...but hasn't handed in a transfer request to go to Barcelona. Give me a fucking break.

do you think it's true?

[Andy]

No. Absolutely no chance.

[turdpower]

Possibly. In his interview the other day Sir Alex did say that in Jones, Smalling and Evans, United now have the the best three young 'central defenders' in England. I think he'll only play midfield if we're really short on numbers.

Aye, I remember Ferdinand having to play central midfield with Giggs in 05/06 because Keane went AWOL, Scholes was blind and I think Fletcher was injured.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

No. Absolutely no chance.

Wouldn't be too shocked if it emerged that Hunter is being used by Barca to stir shit. The whole Fabregas going on strike business came from that clown too, didn't it?