Bugger. - I wasn't the only one, either. The twitter link headline said that too. So that person has misread it, and created a false headline as a result.
I think that the club are playing little semantic word games here, from what I can discern from various reports. We haven't spoken to de Boer or his agent, but we've asked Ajax about his contract situation via Overmars, who's their DoF. I'm sure that there's been some sort of unofficial approach after we worked out what it would take to release him from his current contract. That's completely deniable though, so all of the current stories would still be consistent or at least appear to be to anyone on the outside.
I hear on the grapevine we are also looking at the spanish waiter,and AVB has won the first 6 games in russia,the first Manager ever to do it!!
The Benitez link keeps resurfacing. I'm not sure why. He's done well at Napoli and is extremely unlikely to leave.
I reckon there's been discussions, But De Boer's dropped a clanger by speaking to the press. He's probably had a call from Levy saying "Oi, button it". - And in true levy fashion, we've released a statement to deny it, as levy doesn't like anything out in the open. Not to mention the anger amongst fans that LVG wasn't tied up after all the talk during the winter period, which appeared to have some weight behind it. - And now it looks like LVG is going elsewhere. Levy is under pressure and he doesn't want any more negativity. Edit: just seen some interesting tweets. a few people think the statement of denial over De Boer could be down to legal reasons regarding Sherwood and the fact he's still our boss. <shudder> I don't know anything when it comes to legalities, but could that have something to do with it?
Knowing nothing (which never stops me from mouthing off...) I read de Boer's public announcement as a way of pressuring Levy to give him more money and/or better terms, and Spurs denial as an effort to refuse to be pressured. The little "we regret we had to do this," may be a sweet way of saying **** you and the horse you rode in on, though. I figure we're linked with Benitez since he's another Chelsea cast-off, just as we were linked to Moyes since he's another big club cast-off.
Sherwood's summary of the de Boer situation: “Somewhere along the line someone is telling porkies." I completely agree with him, for once.
Only in the highly unlikely event that Sherwood attempted to sue the club for constructive dismissal.
Bargain Basement Levy will struggle to justify to himself getting De Boer in, especially when Moyes can be had for free. The only thing that would make Levy hesitate is the fact that even he with his rhino-hide, must know that the appointment of Moyes will lead to a large segment of our fans demonstrating for his head.
I can't say that I'd be surprised if he did. However, it would not be one of his better ideas ( does he have any good ideas?) he would only get himself a reputation amongst other Chairmen as a potential troublemaker, and would probably be shunned accordingly.
Adebayor performs because he's a better player than Saldado, Sherwood could see that AVB couldn't. I don't agree I think its one of the worse squads we've had in the last 10 years, better than anything upto 2005 but probably on a par with the late Jol/Ramos squads, not even close to any of Redknapps squads. Last seasons AVB squad was decent but take Bale out and it was pretty average
Yesterday's Standard said he wanted to have full reign on the first team and the U18s, having them all play the same system to aid their transition into the first team. I recall that was the original plan under AVB, although somebody in the line of command forgot that.
It was probably more the case that AVB didn't have the bottle to force the issue early on enough in his tenancy.
"Yesterday's Standard said he wanted to have full reign on the first team and the U18s, having them all play the same system to aid their transition into the first team. I recall that was the original plan under AVB, although somebody in the line of command forgot that." And this is my primary example of the bollox laid bare. Who takes responsibility for the U21s 4-3-3 / "high line" last season ?? Ramsey under the edicts of AVB, or Timmy ?? If Timmy, then why have you been an utter plank playing it with the U21s this season, when the proper MF/CB personnel have not been available (the 0-5 mauling against the Poool U21s etc) ?? If AVB, then why play the high line in the SENIORS, months after AVB got sacked ?? Other ITKs have been saying that the Timmy involvement in the Academy regime prior to the AVB sacking amounts to popping out of the office for 10 mins a day and wandering over to the training pitches. Go figure.
I agree, our squad isn't as good as a lot of our fans seems to think. Naughton & Rose as full backs is outrageous for a club with top 4 aspirations. Yeah we have had injuries but thats the whole point of a squad, if our squad was that strong then these two wouldn't even be 2nd choice. Other than the best keeper we have had in 20 years, each position is weaker than it was in 2010 imo.
