Hmm, not 100% sure of that. The club, be it FSG, Hughes, Edwards, or whoever, has allowed our 3 most important plays excluding Ally to all come to the end of their contracts at the same time. One could be an oversight, two could be unfortunate, but three is a ****ing monumental example of staggering incompetence, and it threatens to derail what could be our best season for 5 years. I've heard all the rumours of Trent's brother (his agent) being a bit of a ****, and Trent's head being turned Gerrard-like when on England duties, and all of this could be true. It could well be that Trent has set his stall out like McManaman did all those years ago, and there's nothing we can do about it. I certainly have doubts that we could ever match Madrid's promises of over £350k+ per week (or that, in his case, we ever should do). Events have put him in the same bracket as Mo and Virgil, but let's be clear here - he absolutely is not. Both Mo and Virgil should have won Balon D'ors in their careers: Trent? Oh, come on. All said and done though, it's crushingly disappointing for me as a fellow West Derby lad not to see a kid from down the road become our permanent captain in the manner of Gerrard. Can't see that now. I'd be staggered now if the next captain of our club after Virgil steps down wasn't Macca - depending, of course, Madrid doesn't offer him £300k a week.
My opinion, £240pw max. If he wants more than that, good bye Trent, I'll miss you, send me a postcard from Spain please! Don't want to set a precedent of players holding out too far above market value for wages on what they're worth.
There’s a fundamental difference between allowing it to happen and having little choice in the whole affair. If it is the former, I completely agree with you. If it’s the latter, you could possibly argue that the club should have staggered contracts or added optional years……but it would be harsh. If they have purposely run their contracts down in order to maximise their value, it makes no difference what we would have done. It’s a a valid tactic by agents and players, more so with huge money touted by the Saudi’s. The problem is, assuming that this is the case (we’re all assuming something), we will never compete and are destined to lose more players to this tactic in the future, as will many clubs. It actually makes Chelsea 8 year contracts make perfect sense!
The Utd game has brought this all to the very front and center of the media and UK football scene. Whereas things were fairly quiet despite Salah's best efforts there's no avoiding it now. Clarity is needed from behind the scenes, are we working on contracts for all 3 or are we sticking with 2 are too old for the clubs/owners philosophy and then looking at the 3rd as someone who wants to leave? If all 3 go it's going to take massive investment to replace VVD and Salah (and cover for Bradley) but at least we're not having to do that then we realise that they can't cut it anymore. If we're not giving them contracts there had better be something big ready to go.
I said yesterday that I don't see that as a valid excuse, and I'm still of the same opinion. Why should uncertainty over the future - uncertainty of your own making - make you play badly? Like I said, when you're in performance mode everything else goes to the back of your mind and you concentrate on what you're doing. I do agree that this needs to be put to bed until the end of the season, but I'm past hoping he signs. I really don't care if he stays or goes tbh.
I agree totally. I think he believes his own myth and thinks he's rather special. He may well be amongst the people he grew up with but he's in a team with several players easily his equal and a profession that has many more worldwide every bit as good. I said in another post that the only thing I can't accept in a pro footballer is lack of effort, but I should add over-inflated egos to that.
I'm sure people remember waiting for sterling. sterling's debut where the crowd rose to their feet in anticipation every time he touched it. Sterling 2013/14 Sterling stinking the place out deliberately in 2014/15 to get his move. Sterling being called lil rim on line and being booed relentlessly for the rest of his career by lfc fans. There were people in the crowd getting on trents case apparently in the crowd already. If he wants to assure he will be considered a total rat there is no better way than not trying and costing lfc trophies.
Tbh, I don't want to see Trent as captain. Not because of what's going off currently, but because he doesn't have leadership qualities. However, I said the exact same thing when Gerrard was given the armband (although I still maintain to this day that Carra was the true leader during that time)
Not really. It doesn't matter what the fans, general public or media think atm. Keep it behind closed doors until there is something to announce. As long as the club and players are aware and doing the best they can, all is good.
You are completely discounting the fans. There were banners at the utd game already. If the fans turn on fsg the atmosphere dies and the club struggles. It's that simple. Look at the europa qf v Atlantic last year. Some fans decided thst was the day to have a protest about tickets and killed the atmosphere It was the worst atmosphere for an anfield European night i can recall and within 25mins we were out of the competition. Now I am not saying tsimikas wouldn't stink the place out and I am not saying klopp got his team selection right on the night but the crowd is a major part of lfc success and you cannot take them for granted. The "fans" matter. Old armchair warriors don't, fair enough
Would you expect the club to conduct negotiations openly and inform the the fans of every move? That's would just be silly. I'm a strong supporter of fans' voices being heard generally, but in this case we have to accept that it's correct that we have no knowledge of proceedings until they are done - it's the only practical way.
No, but when it goes past the point where you have control of the situation you have to address it. End of the transfer window was one such point where the power switched to the player. As I recall there was some fluff about being comfortable Passing jan 1 is a major milestone. Now the club has zero control and is on the back foot The fans know it. The media will not stop asking. Now you are playing the damage control game. No fans do not need to know once you are actually doing the job they don't care. But the second they think their club aka themselves are getting shafted they will want something the blame. Nobody wants fans (not old Internet warriors or armchair viewers) on their back. It's getting to the point very soon that there will be a big protest and a nasty atmosphere, especially if results go south
When did I say the fans don't matter? We were talking about contract negotiations and the need for clarity mate, fans have literally no input into this #context
He will do well at Madrid They spend most games attacking In bigger games he will be targetted and he has had games where he has defended well all the game did for me is confirm in my head his choice has been made In fact atm the only one I think may stay is VVD Both sides are playing games - crazy really but it is what it is. The Everton games will be a similar pattern too let’s hope we can turn up for them. Forest games is now the focal point - fairly confident Jones will be dropped not sure on Trent
People need to have actual offers to stay. 100% jones must be dropped for forest. He has a lot to do to get back in my good books as well as I felts he bottled the physical challenge Sunday. Trent wouldn't play on big game this season if I had my way. People forget he had a hamstring injury and simply wasn't missed at all.
