The thing about Whickham is that for the money that's being touted about that he want's in wages we could be paying big money for a 5-10 goal a season striker. I say cash in and get Soriano. Soriano scored 54 in 79 for Barcelona B and then 60 in 72 for red bull salzburg. Last season 11 goals in 9 in the europa cup. In the austrian league 31goals in 28 (plus 17 assists!!)
My take on Connor is still that he clearly has big potential, but is still largely unproven. His run of form coincided with the rest of the team playing well and that makes life easier for any striker. Pay rise; yes. Squeezing the club by the balls; no.
Don't forget the lad is still young. He showed tremendous potential at the back end of last season, keep improving on that form he could be a 25/30million pound striker, especially as he's English. I would give him a 30/35k per week deal and chuck in a 5k goal bonus. By doing that your saying to the lad if you want more money go out and do it on the pitch.
I'm trying to be more optimistic than pessimistic though Bri - I have watched Wickham and have often said how good a player I think he will be - still think the same. He could also be a very cheap acquisition for the £10m ish as he could score us 10-15 goals over the next 2 seasons then have the big boys offering silly money for him - either could happen and I prefer optimism to pessimism - although I personally wouldn't give him £50k per week. More £30-35k and add on's for goals. It would be less risky IMO than bringing in someone who has never played in the PL
Well Scocco's departure should be confirmed this week, then we need to get shot of Greaham, get a feeling it will be a loan but if it gets his wages off the books for a season that'll do. Then we can make some moves. there's generally one in every post mate. That's impressive mate I got the impression from his holiday snaps he's setting his sights higher then that. I dare bet that the contract offer he's turned down is bigger than that. 35kpw+ extras would be my best offer. If I was the club I'd be trying to weigh up what we'd get more for, cut price sale this summer or hold out for the tribunral. If we could get a good loan fee for Connor it could help us to manipulate the tribunral fee and push it up, so sell him now or loan him out and take the compo at the end of the season. We're going to need two strikers at this rate, like we don't have enough areas already that need addressing. I'm pinning my hopes that all this has been bollocks and Connor is going to be reasonable and we can tie him up to a sensible contract that will reward good form should he deliver goods.
There's one important thing worth remembering, if you don't pay him that money, chances are a Stoke or a West Ham or a QPR will. The thing your FD is going to be weighing up is weather it will hurt more to pay him £40k a week for a few years, or watch him go to Stoke for a few million then make a £20m move to Spurs or a £60m move to Liverpool in a couple of years.
It's not about being optimistic or pessimistic to me though fella. It's about the club protecting itself. I've been extremely hurt by the way players have treated this club on and off the pitch in recent times. we've pissed money on fees, on generous wages and what have we had in return, Judus jumping ship in a ****s fashion, Gyan selling us out for a big wage to play **** football, Players slagging us off on social networks (bardo), players running down contracts despite demands being met and not informing the club of his intentions(Colback), we got a player who signed for the club and made no effort at all despite big wages(Graham) and on top that we've got a squad where 90% of them have consistently under performed whilst wearing a Sunderland shirt. Even as far back Keano we gave Noza and Ringo long lucrative contracts which were glued to the books for 4 years and we got very little in return. I'm tired of this, I'm tired of the club being run by the player and the agent, we've done nowt but bend over and take it up the arse since Drumaville took over, enough is enough. I don't care how much of a talent Conner is. If he is ****ing us about then I want our club to start standing up for itself. I want this to mark the change. A few of us seem to think that 35k plus extras is what he's worth pw, if he's demanding more I hope the club drop the axe in brutal fashion
At the end of last season Wickham hit a purple patch at exactly the right time. It happens. What if, at the beginning of next season the goals dry up? That also happens. Seems to me young Wickham is starting to believe his own hype and, imo, still has plenty to prove.
Well if we refuse to sell him unless there's a future fee percentage then it will soften the blow considerably. If don't like it they don't him, we've still got compo in a years time. He could also use 6 months to prove he's worth his demands. We're in a stronger position than what meets the eye, so long as we stand up and be strong.
Agree totally mate - but, as you say - if the revenue is now in excess of £100m - where is the money going?
He's an asset mate, completely. So long as you don't get mugged off in the end by him then I can't see it being a big deal if he left. Having said that, it would be great if he stayed and scored a lot, for England's sake as well as your own. It's **** watching so much talent fall victim to the lure of a Bentley and an 'Iced Up' Rolex.
