Laudrup's point is that ALL PLAYERS (except one) are in Swansea's level in terms of transfer fee and salary. Couldn't be clearer. That being the case, he is entitled to feel disappointed that the only player thus far that we are likely to sign is Canas: and he (reportedly having turned down double wages from WBA) wouldn't dream of coming to us anyway if it were not for Laudrup being the manager. Seems to me that Laudrup is NOT being excessive in his demands, backed up by Jenkins' latest statement where he said that the quality of targets and the budget for them had been agreed by the Board with the manager. Let's get something straight here. The fact that we are where we are is credit to Jenkins and the Board. However, that does not make them infallible. They have made mistakes in the past and will continue to do so. Just because they say and do something doesn't make it right. There is still time, so no need to panic - providing Laudrup is staying. But given the early start to our season and the fact that it is likely to prove the toughest and most defining in our history, Michael Laudrup can be forgiven for chaffing at what, rightly or wrongly, he regards as a dangerous delay in securing the extra quality we will undoubtedly need. And whose experience in dealing with the multiple demands of European and league football are we to trust? Certainly not Jenkins' or the Board's. They have never been there. Laudrup has and knows what will be required, so he certainly cannot be blamed for trying to ensure that he is given what he needs to do the job.
Its not as though every one else in the Prem or the Championship, or in Europe is stealing a march on us in the transfer market is it? We currently have had the same transfer activity as most of the teams in these leagues, basically none, Canas accepted. I personally don't see any problem or understand ML's statement; unless its all a ruse to put off suiters of our potential targets. I am aware that Liverpool, Arsenal, Norwich, Sunderland, Hull and Villa have people who are doing nothing but following; 'tracking', our scouts in Europe, so its going to be very difficult for us to get any player at the price we want. We show up and a convoy follows, its going to be hard. We certainly are paying for our successes both on and off the pitch but I think well be OK. We need another three players, plus a couple of youngsters, we have, allegedly, Canas (the board must have agreed to the sweetener). As long as at least one of the three is a decent striker then we'll be ok. Lets not panic or look too deeply into things at this point, we are simply doing the same as everyone else.
I'm not blaming anyone yet, it's all a bit of a mess. As you've said they agreed on the players they wanted, and were looking to get them, but what I meant was it's all well and good agreeing a hypothetical list of targets who are supposedly in our price/wage range - however if a month later another club offers more money they suddenly become out of our price range. That's my theory anyway. Out of all the players we've heard rumoured to be joining in the last few weeks the only one you could say "we acted a bit slowly there" about is Aspas - apart from that? I don't see too much the Swans have done wrong. Obviously, we never really know what's going on behind close doores, but I don't see why he's so pissed off.
We have a need to do it quicker, though, Stumpy. We will be starting next season's gruelling campaign sooner than most clubs because of Europe. Other clubs in Europe, other than Wigan who are no longer competitors, have far stronger and better quality squads than us and are experienced in coping with the demands required. As you say, we might be witnessing an elaborate smokescreen. I certainly hope so. I had such hopes for next season. Quality signings, Europa football, a more experienced Laudrup taking us on after his debut season's learning curve. Then all this nonsense erupted and my dreams, although not shattered, have been dented. I can't wait for things to be resolved - a settled club, pulling together aiming to make next season the most memorable ever.
Dont you think he should be involved in any negotiating, not just the board. We know people have come here because he is the manager. Surely the signing or speaking to these players should be done by the money men and the manger.
Signing players in the summer is a lottery and but it takes time. Players meet with agents, agents meet clubs, clubs as stealthy as possible try not to 'tip off' the competition, then we're back to the agents who are always trying to spy out more lucrative opportunities for their clients so frequently blow the cover of clubs perusing their charges. On top of and because of this necessity for secrecy we have a press blackout from clubs and the media creates a carnival of miss quotes, innuendo and unsubstantiated reporting all designed to attack the perception of fans in order to sell print. In truth, no one really knows whats happening so I try to keep my heart rate even and not get involved in all the hysteria. Personally I lay my trust with our board of directors. They've safely and successfully guided our club to where it is today, in the Premiership, in Europe, with a pin-up manager. They are the ones who truly have our club at heart, not ML or any past or future managers; they only care about success during the run of their contracts. To be a successful club there needs to be a balance between the cost of short term success of any manager and the long term financial stability of the club. If the former risks the later then it must never be allowed to happen, even if it means losing our sexy manager.
Not really, Laudrup would have had the football conversation and put out his thoughts then the money men take over I do believe that's how 90% of clubs operate, managers don't get involved with the nitty gritty of the financial deals,they know the budget and know what kind of money is going to be involved but they wont be there when the fine details are ironed out, this is probably where all the **** is happening it gets agreed in principle but when the player demands an extra coat hanger huw starts telling then to go and **** em selves !! ....
Stumpy, it goes without saying that the club cannot be put in jeopardy, something, without exception, all fans are agreed upon. However, we are talking about Laudrup's concern about the "delay" in signing players within our agreed budget - one that will NOT put our club at risk. I also take your point about the Board having our best interests at heart but this does not necessarily mean they always make the correct decisions. They are not Gods; they do get things wrong and, in my opinion, they should heed Laudrup's advice about what is needed for the coming season. He is the one who knows what it takes, he is the one with the experience. Laudrup is paid to manage and the Board is there to assist him in doing that.
I'm actually quite reassured that he's attempted to rubbish these rumours. Laudrup (and the board for that matter) are clearly frustrated - but thats because they've been nipped to a few targets by other clubs, something beyond the control of the club as HJ said in his statement. I think Laudrup however understands this, and what he has said suggests that is the case. For one thing the BBC article quoting him implies that he hasn't fallen out with the board over the budget: "I had hoped for some signings at this stage but I think this is a question to ask to the chairman and the board. They have all the names of the possible players for our team and all the players, except one, are in Swansea's level when we talk about transfer and salary." If he is saying himself that the board have only ruled out one player on his shortlist (most likely Negredo), then how can they have possibly fallen out over the budget? We haven't signed anyone except for Canas yet, but its only been three weeks and its a LONG transfer window - there will be signings, the club have just been beaten to one of them - Aspas. Lukaku is staying at Chelsea because Mourinho is here which is beyond our control and the fate of Aubemyang is far from certain. The only reason that link has been dismissed by the media is because the name of Dortmund has come up, with no confirmation was to whether or not they are actually interested. The optimists amongst us will have been hoping for the last week or so that all of this speculation is just the media finding something to talk about, because its not unusual for them to be bloody lazy while reporting on us. And guess what ML has said... "It is almost three weeks since we played the last game and everyone is looking forward to receiving some news regarding new players. Instead people can read in different papers and media that there are bigger and bigger problems with me, the chairman, the board, my agent or players who will not join Swansea because they are not sure that I will stay." The fact that he has said this suggests that he wants to end the rumours of him leaving now so that he can go ahead with his signings. He's disappointed, and whats wrong with that? We are all disappointed that we haven't signed many players yet, and he is entitled to be so too. But given what he has said today, this board rift rumour seems very shaky. We are certainly not out of the woods, but we should give him time. If we haven't signed anyone by the end of the month, that would be more worrying. But then maybe because Swansea have always done transfer business early in the window, we all get a bit panicky when theres a bit of a wait? EDIT - Well said Stumpy and Ivor above this comment btw, got to stay sensible in silly season
As mentined, my take on this regarding Laudrups fustrations, is that our season will start earlier than most because of the European qualifiers. He probably wants all is signings lined up, for putting their names on the dotted lines in the first couple of weeks in July. If were all honest, so would we. I'd like them all sorted out sooner rather than later, Laudrup like us is probably impatient to get things resolved, but the board's wheels run slowly.
Am I right in thinking:- 1) the transfer window isn't open yet 2) a pre transfer has been agreed 3) ML wasn't happy when the board at a previous club bought without his approval 4) he's on holiday 5) his agent has been feeding the manure 6) the board, as usual have kept a professional silence. 7) ML owes Ajax 2.5 million 8) if he's sacked he doesn't gets compensation 9) ML failed to fire the team after the League Cup win 10) ML doesn't believe in his own ability to improve the team Thought so!
Would Fergie have come out with a statement like that? It's bollocks. Get off your ar.se Michael and get involved with the Club instead of sending a poxy agent to do your dirty work.
NB. I want Sir Michael to stay at the Club - but he has got to up his game. If anyone needs a bollocking at the Club he should be there delivering it - not mincing to the Press. He should be negotiating with Huw not blaming the Board.
1) True 2) True 3) True 4) True 5) True 6) Professional? Matter of opinion. 7) You have evidence? 8) Have you seen his contract? 9) Your opinion - not mine. 10) How on earth can you know this? You are not Michael Laudrup.
"They are not Gods;they do get things wrong". Meaning that "Gods" never get anything wrong??? Sorry,Ivor,I know some people don't like religion being discussed on here,but I couldn't resist my rhetorical question.
Got me, Vetch. Actually, if there is a God(s), he/she/it seems to get an awful lot wrong. I was just appealing to popular perception. That's my lot on religion. Can't stand the fcuking thing!
Is it not in a nutshell: Board: "We have the agreed targets and are working within our agreed budget to get these targets" ML: "I don't like protracted negotiations and would have liked us to have completed a few by now" As someone said earlier, storm in a teacup. All driven by the media I do believe that ML should be involved in the negotiations where players are interested in us purely because of him. Not the finances more the whispering sweet nothing's in the players ear
