All over the country football "journalists" have made the most of a few days off and having recharged their batteries are now ploughing through the various lists of who wants to leave which club (or might want to) and linking them with other clubs. A list has been prepared of the apparent buying power of each Prem club. This is cross-referenced with a list of likely transfer costs of players and their apparent wage demands. Anyone who wants a move and appears at the top of the transfer/wages list is then automatically linked with man U, Man City, Arsenal, etc. Those further down the list are automatically linked with us. Anyone with previous connections with another club's manager (or manager's agent) is given better billing than others. So Hughes connection with Moses and Samba means that QPR usually feature first in any list of clubs that might be interested in the player. Players available on a free are listed as wanted by lots and lots of clubs (just to hedge the journos bets) unless their initials are J and B. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Journos are also looking for: Players looking for a move to release statements through third parties making all sorts of remarks to journos which get them back in the public eye and subsequent reports often contain the phrase "has only one year left on his contract". This shows that a club might be willing to deal to avoid getting caught out with a Bosman. All statements are subsequently denied ... just in case a move doesn't transpire and the player has to remain at his club and therefore doesn't want to upset the manager or the fans. Clubs also use this system when "talking to" someone they are trying to get to sign a contract, but are being stitched up by the player and his agents. They then leak rumours that they are interested in lots of others for that position ... ie Left Back. This is the classic "we won't be held over a barrell, sign a reasonable deal or **** off. There are plenty more fish in the sea" scenario. --------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, behind the scenes there are lots of talks going on with players that we have never heard of and that don't appear on the lists the journos have. Now the fun starts for real. Let's all play "Spot the real story". Remember. Only one story in a hundred has any foundation of truth whatsoever.
I think you have the scenarios pretty much nailed on Eamon. I don't mind all the tenuous links to possible signings though. As it was only a few short years ago that I used to view the back pages of the papers with envy and just dreamt of the day ( if ever ) that I would see us linked to anyone noteworthy. Our day has subsequently arrived ( Thanks Sir Neil ) and I love seeing us back as a player in the transfer market again. I do take a lot of potential signings posted on here with a pinch of salt. Mine included, but I still enjoy them. I remember in the last window we had the same kind of scenario, lots of false gossip. Then out of nowhere we had an unfamiliar poster come on to the board ( can't remember his name, or whether he has posted since. ) Predicting the signings of Taiwo and Diakite the next day. Just like that! Bang out of the blue, there had been no inkling on here before then, and I doubt that many, if any had heard of either of them. That's the bit I'm looking forward to.
Amen Nines! And you are dead right, this is a hell of a lot more pleasant than wondering who's out the door next!
