I tend to agree with GPB's analysis. It must not have escaped Hoopers attention that he was our first choice in January and that we have maintained our interest now. With us he would get Premiership football in a World Cup year playing for an ambitious club. If you look at our signings from an outsiders perspective they are a pretty significant statement of intent - a couple of Dutch internationals plus a Swedish international and one of the best young English prospects. As a pro you would imagine that the chance of linking up with RvW would be an enticing prospect and here he would be a relatively big fish in a decent pond as opposed to one of many "stellar" names at QPR.
Does anyone feel that our transfers are starting to change other peoples perceptions of us - both the media and supporters of other clubs? Since Fer has signed I have seen articles and other fans take more notice of all our signings and that we have added some quality. I think if we added Hooper then we might see even more supporters/press stand up and pay attention to what we are try to do here as a club and the intent we have for next season. Most media outlets have been stating that we had a lack of fire power and that was an area we need to improve, if we add 1-2 good strikers expecially with a profile like Hooper then I think we will have surprised a lot of people in this window. I know we all know that we an ambitious club that was going to be more proactive in the market this year but its nice to see the club/board/CE get some positive publicity for the hard work they are undoubtedly doing behind the scenes. Very excited for next season now, hopefully theres no reason why we cant enjoy a more comfortable year in the top flight (no need to get carried away) and a good start to the season would be good.
I agree, look at QPR's up and coming Matches: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/fixtures Who would he rather be playing?, the Big clubs or teams like Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield?, I think it will be a no-brainer on his part but it's still down to Celtic accepting the bid!
Has anyone wondered whether any of our fringe players could be used as bait and help free-up some more of the wage bill? I am thinking of say Surman who I do rate but cant see getting much game time this year. I would be happy offering Surman plus £1-2m, I guess he probably isnt the type of player they would be after though. Another interesting week ahead, I think I would be happy with our business this window if we signed 2 strikers now. One I would expect to be Hooper or someone of a similar value (£4-6m) and then maybe a loan or a maybe Morris? I have seen that Everton have now been linked with Alderwerield now, I never honestlt thought we could bring him here but it is nice for us to be linked with up and coming european talent.
I don't know about a more comfortable year next season. Given the amount of changes to the squad we will do well to hit the ground running although credit to the board for getting the new signings in quickly enough to participate in pre-season. What we have to bear in mind that whilst we have a big pile of Sky cash to spend so does every other PL club and I reckon we'll see a lot of big money moves in the coming weeks. We have been shrewd and done some good early business but the likes of Swansea and Saints are throwing £12m at decent players and they are realistically who we compete with. Given the (relative) poverty of the Portuguese and Dutch leagues I can see a number of players from those clubs coming over to the Prem to enhance their earnings and help keep their clubs afloat. Yes we are strengthening but other clubs are as well so it is a question of who picks the best new recruits and integrates them into the team. I am thrilled at the quality of player we are bringing in and hope that we can get at least one more striker and ideally two but let's not kid ourselves that all those clubs around us won't be trying to do exactly the same thing. We do have some advantages in that we have no debt and so can afford to spend a bit more than some and that we are becoming an established PL club and I think we have a reputation as a decent club to play for and a good place to raise your family (although clearly not in Mrs Holts opinion). CH's reputation as a very decent person probably helps as well. Despite all of the above I am as confident about next season as I can remember being at any time as a City fan which can't be bad.
I had noticed this aswel, it seems as though over the weeekend we went from relegation candidates to pushing on into the top ten! What a difFERence a few days makes!
Yup, which tells you all you need to know about the widespread ignorance and lack of judgement among the press and rival supporters (whether overly negative or overly positive). Mind you, I imagine the same could be said for a few of our own supporters too ........
Not sure if anyone has posted this but might be true: Is this the plan of Beppe Marotta that by Thursday, he will meet representatives of Southampton and Norwich to speak to Fabio Quagliarella. Translated page: http://www.microsofttranslator.com/...mercato-quagliarella-incontro-col-southampton
if i can just build on norfolkbhoy's point earlier, he is right to say that in relation to similar clubs around us (swans/saints/villa) they too have all spent wisely so thoughts of pushing on towards the top 8 are certainly realistic but also tempered by the good signings of other clubs. where we are in good shape is that we have widened significantly the gap between ourselves and the quality amongst the newly promoted clubs, and that is the most important aspect of our spending so far as it should mean we aren't dragged into the relegation battle. as for the wee man hooper, you all know that i was informed way before the window opened that he would be our number one striker target and i've seen nothing in any of the games and goings-on between the clubs and from the bids from qpr and hull to suggest that we will not be his final destination. i don't know if the ultimatum story is true but i must admit i hope it is! it really has been a saga!! and he'll be a good signing, one for the next three or four years i hope
last time i checked we were 4th favourites for relegation with the bookies, odds weren't much shorter than stoke and sunderland though. that may have changed though
This article suggests we will be happy to pay up to £10 million for his services. I can't imagine us wanting to spend that much on him.
just a quick one on this supposed player swap to celtic. this is the first i've heard of this. surman would be the obvious candidate. he is probably worth £2-3m but he is on large wages and would be one of celtics top earners, so a lot would depend on the player if he were the one (not that i see any truth in the swap rumour). the other candidates in my head are leon barnett and david fox. barnett is probably worth sub £1m so could tie in to the £4m+ deal, whilst fox would only command a small fee, maybe £500k for his services and his wages are more manageable so i do see logic in those two. indeed, if true, my money would be on barnett
when the story first broke the juventus fan sites all stated the same figure of â¬7.5m (£6.47m). the above is the only source i've seen which has quoted a different fee to that.
Not sure, but there seem to be a few Italian sites stating 10/12M: http://www.microsofttranslator.com/...a-in-premier-per-puntare-ad-un-esterno-465784 I agree sounds too rich for our blood, would be a dream come true though if it happened. Mind you the signings so far have been pretty amazing.
