I've heard it said a few times recently that lots of players are interested in playing for us now that we're in the Premier League. And there have been lots of rumours flying around. But the reality seems to be a bit different. Pratley and De Vries have left, Taylor looks certain to go, and Rangel hasn't signed a new contract, even though his agent said he would decide by last weekend. So looks like he might be leaving as well. And Rodgers would have liked to have kept Borini, but he also left. We got Graham very soon after the play-off final and things then seemed to be moving along quickly. But now Senna has decided to stay in Spain and most of the others we have been linked with don't get a mention. Even the Polish keeper we supposedly made an offer for hasn't materialised. So I'm wondering if our wage structure is putting these players off? A younger player on his way up might not mind, as playing in the Premier League every week will get them noticed. But for more senior places there doesn't seem to be an incentive to play for us. Maybe I'm reading too much into this. But if we made a couple more signings it would put my mind at rest. I can't help but feel we're missing out because players are going elsewhere. What do others think?
Borini was not ours to start with. Graham was last season's joint top scorer in the Championship with 23 goals (Sinclair 2nd with 22 - so we have top two scorers playing for us next season) - quite a nice signing - he could have gone anywhere. Nothing has been announced on Senna by Villarreal as of yet. Pratley hasn't signed anywhere yet ... but is seeking a "challenge". De Vries also left for a "challenge". Taylor is being manipulated by his agent. If we're still without a goalkeeper in a couple of weeks we'll all be worried.
That was my point really. Players are leaving for more money. So I'm wondering how we can attract decent players if we don't pay as much as other teams. But that is partly answered by getting Sinclair and Graham. I think Brendan will persuade a few, but he's really going to have to earn his money, as it's a tough job. We're lucky to have him.
Conjecture on my part ... DeVries may have left for (1) money; (2) not willing to accept a two way contract. As for Pratley every report I have read indicates we matched all offers received (e.g. the Forest rumored offer last summer) and made him a decent offer. Taylor apparently is going into to the boot room at the Liberty.
Seems Taylor is going nowhere! Swans chairman Huw Jenkins said: "We recognise Neil as a young, talented Welsh player that has an important role to play at this club. "We brought him here from Wrexham and have helped nurture his development. He adjusted very well to the Championship last season and we look forward to seeing him play a big role as we enter the Premier League. "That is why we have rejected Newcastle's bid. I spoke to Neil's agent today and he understands the situation. "We have a big challenge ahead in the Premier League, but together we can maintain the progress made by this club over the last few years." Well that's that then, or is it!........................ please log in to view this image
Just my thoughts, 1. I think DDV went because he was a money grabbing bastard and HJ won't be bullied into wages. 2. I think Prats tried something similar and was told to wind his neck in so wouldn't have signed irrelevant of wages offered! 3. With HJ saying that we will spend to be competitive says a lot, but he won't have his pants pulled down. There are rumours of Middlesbrough having to have a 'fire sale' to get their wages bill down and HJ is too much an astute business man to **** this opportunity up. Trust in the board and BR
This speaks so eloquently to all of Pratley's acting out after scoring throughout the season. Nice one, MK.
Lots of rumours but very little concrete. Only Graham. Its only a couple of weeks to pre-season. I think things will start moving soon as most players come back from holiday.
Anyone who doesn't think Pratters loves the club is daft, look at the guy after he scores! He doesn't know what he's doing half the time. Still, for whatever the reason, he's moved on... and all the best to him. He deserves a shot at the highest level, he's worked hard enough for it, and sadly it looks like it's not going to be with us. Especially considering he went from being one of the first names on the team sheet to a substitute over the season, which can't have been easy to take, and then to score that goal in the semi-final... well! Darren Pratley, good luck dude!
wolves are paying less than we offered to dorus, however he has had a 3 year contract plus a substantial signing on fee, and why some are shocked that dorus and pratts have left when it was widely known that they would not sign another contract for the club after the contract fiasco is beyond me, unfortunately because of this we have lost a hell of a lot of money with dorus,pratley and britton going for sod all. i hope this will never happen again.....
Dai, The club tried to tie down an extension to the contracts last summer, now that is a year before the contract ended, its up to the player to accept or refuse, in Pratley's case he said that he wanted to discuss things at the end of the season, so the club did everything it could, they can't force these players to sign! And we get players on Bosman also, these things happen to all clubs! And we have gained at least 20 times more money by them helping us into the premier league, and of course Britton came back to us!
Back to the main post then the answer is yes i don't think there's a footballer in the country or any other country that wouldn't jump at the chance of playing at the highest levels in thier respective leagues.Our problem is getting the right player in at the right price but i think we will have the squad that will be competitive come the start of the season.
I think you are worried unduly. Look at who has left/might be leaving/might not sign and why: Pratley - Was always leaving, he has had a good 5 years with us and wants a new challenge/better contract plus he isnt a guaranteed starter for us. Dorus - 4 good years, moving on to a club he believes has a better chance of staying up and one where he has a good chance of making the first XI, bearing in mind the rumours of us going for keepers he may think he wont be first choice either. Taylor - It's Newcastle, one of the biggest of the mid-table clubs, anyone othr than a die-hard born and bred Swan would make the same choice. Rangel - Hasn't signed yet but hasn't said he is leaving either, I think he will sign on a 1 year deal. Senna - The guy wants £40k+ no doubt, wrong signing for us.
I happen think the critical point of the OP is a good question. Huw Jenkins has worked a minor miracle getting us into the Premier League in the financial position we're in. We've all looked at the things he's said about contracts and wage structure and said to ourselves, "Well done Huw. Stick to your guns and don't be held to Ransom". The question is; does his view on pay structure and contracts in the Championship translate to the Premiership? Signing Danny Graham for a record fee and pay scale says, "Yes". Losing DDV and Pratley says, "Maybe not". If we can't compete with the wages being offered by anyone in the Premiership, we are running the risk on only being able so sign from the lower divisions or the dregs of other PL teams. I want to reiterate, I'm not criticising Huw Jenkins. Just recognising that this question exists.
In reply to mustyfrog... Hmmm, more money than you, bigger stadium than you (even with the one stand currently flattened to build a bigger one) and bigger players than you, 2 years Premier League experience and bringing in players like O'Hara. While we may not set the League on fire this season, I am pretty sure that by the end of the season we will be sitting above you in the League.
Buck had better start to work his magic in persuading quality players to join us because besides Graham who is an unknown quantity in the premiership we have nobody, remember scotland he was good at championship level but could not step up to premiership level, i agree that we need to find a balance when it comes to wages, £40k/week is reported to be the wage that senna wants so to me in the premiership that would be the going rate for a top player coming to the end of his best playing days, £20k, £30k £40k is the max that we should be looking at depending on the quality of the player. unless we start to be realistic what these players command these days then we will have trouble attracting good players and we will have to look else where where the quality of player is lower and puts our stay in the premiership in jeopardy....come on swans get real with wages in the premiership if we dont want to do a derby......
