As in, Rafa knows football, and Ashley respects Rafa's opinion over that of Llambias or Penfold. That's the first time we've had that situation under Ashley, right from the very beginning.
While I agree with this I think it is obvious that there has been an agreement to get high earners off the wage bill and try to not to make a loss this season. So Rafa has probably been told/agreed to live within a certain budget in terms of overall spend on wages.
Absolutely - that's good business! But he isn't constrained to only buy foreign players under 25 or some such arbitrary rule. If Rafa wants to spend £3m on a 33 year old, he can. And whether or not it works out, it's good news that our manager has that freedom.
An unbiased view on two of our former players. Make of it what you will. It's a while back since Murphy played for us and he might have added strings to his bow in the meanwhile. However, for what it's worth he was dreadful in front of goal. Give him an open goal from a yard and he could miss, easily. On the other had he had a knack of scoring crackers, particularly from impossibly tight angles. Could be an interesting one to watch. Yedlin was rubbish when he first arrived. Then Sam got his hands on him and he improved beyond recognition. While he still wasn't perfect, I expect that he will do a good job for you in The Ch/Sp.
Fair enough. Both are good enough for the Championship. Murphy probably won't play much to be honest; subs and cup games I should imagine. Yedlin is certainly not assured of walking into the side at all either. He'll have Anita, Gamez and Ritchie to oust first and if he plays a lot it will mean he will be performing well. With competition in all positions it means players will have earned their places and will need to be playing well to get in the side regularly.
As underwhelmed as I am with this, I'll get behind the lad. Anyone in a black and white shirt should have our unconditional support in my view.
Recent history suggests it might be the other way around - ie Murphy's scoring record was very poor with you, but he seems like he has evolved into a very solid championship level striker - top scorer in the champ in 14-15 with 27 and double figures for last 3 seasons, very much suggests with purchased a reliable source of goals. Yedlin is young and not totally proven, decent last season, but unlikely to be a starter unless he takes off quickly.
Not a bad Murphy summary. ..I doubt he will play much....still it is a toss up as to who is worse DM or Anchovy
Shola is statistically more prolific for club and country than Anichebe so I'd agree that Murphy is too. And Riviere.
We were jammy and O'Shea at fault for equaliser but good point all the same http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soc...-murphy-rescues-a-point-in-belgrade-1.2780693
Both of them were all over the place. Also Mitrovic was largely at fault for Ireland's first goal. Fluffed at the ball when it fell to him to clear his lines. It broke to Hendrick and his deflected shot went in.
Sorry, it was sarcasm aimed at the mackems after their anti Murphy comments recently. Though perhaps a bit too subtle? Seen the goals, bit seen the game, but his news for our new striker.
