My reaction to today's statements and the future...

OK I know there are a few of these threads floating around the boards but I feel writing this post will at least help me get things straight in my head even if no one else shares my opinion.
This afternoon bought the stories we expected with Carroll claiming he was pushed and the board claiming he jumped and, now that the dust and anger at Carroll from yesterday has settled, I'm just not sure who to believe. At any other club I would just dismiss the player's comments as just another mercenary trying to cover his tracks as he moves from one pay packet to another, however, our club's owner and chairmen have done so much to lose the trust of the fans that it is just about believable that they tried to manufacture a situation where it looked like the player wanted to leave despite the best efforts of the club.
After Pardew's comments in the press conference this evening and after closely following the transfer window yesterday this would be my version of events...

Liverpool come in with the first offer which is rejected but gets everyones attention and follow it up with even more ludicrous money giving the club a dilema. Meanwhile Carroll's agent is on at him about the massive step u in wages he'd be getting from the move and he decides to ask for a change of contract here, so he can stay but without effectivly losing out on a fair bit of cash, a bit mercenary but not entirly unforgivable. At this point the board are given two options, sell the player for more than we would ever be offered for him again (probably) or accept his improved contract, have another 40/50000 added to our wage bill but keep our top goalscorer. Looking at this from a buisness point of view the board chose the first option but, so as not to appear like the money grabbing pie muchers we all expect them to be request a transfer request from the player and release a statement saying that it has been 'reluctantly accepted' in order to make it appear like it is the players choice he's leaving and to deflect the imminant rage from the fans onto him. Thus Carroll heads off to Liverpool and we're left with a, potential, massive warchest for summer. Some hopeless bids are then made for N'Zog in the hope that this will avoid fans accusing the club of not looking for a replacement should the worst happen and we are relegated.

What I can't understand is why the club couldn't have just come out and said, look this is the most we're gonna get for this player and, in our financial situation, £35 million towards our next transfer budget is more valuable than one, currently injured, player. But know we have to manufacture a situation where we don't know who to believe.

Another reason why I'm not entirely believing the Carroll demonisers in this situation is that Tottenham have been after him all window and he could have requested a transfer to them all this time. Given that Tottenham are currently a champions league side and not far off repeating this feat again this season I don't understand why he would ignore this yet swap to a, currently
unpredictable, Liverpool side who have no guarentee of qualifying for the Europa cup! It just doesn't quite make sense to me.

Finally I think we have to take heart from the Spurs squad and its achievements since they sold their star player for £31m a few years ago. Since then they've spent sensibly and developed a squad that has qualified for and is competing at champions league standard. If they can do it and are owners are true to their word (for once) then there is no reason why a decent manager like Pards can't build a competative squad starting in the summer. Lets not forget we could get 6 Jose Enriques with the money we got from this transfer!

 

I think i've just cum...

 

Difference is I don't believe Ashley will re-invest the money. How many times has he lied to us!

 

Carroll asked for the new improved contract (upon the advice of his agent) and the club refused because he had just signed a few months ago, it would be pointless, and they had arranged to improve it in summer. The agent then said to Carroll to ask if he can speak to Liverpool, then the club said we cant let you unless you submit a formal transfer request, so they wrote one up. Carroll wanted to stay, on his (and his agent's) terms. If 30k isnt enough for you when we were going to give you more in summer then **** off to Liverpool and try to replace Fernando Torres, and never again be welcome in your home town where you were fast becoming a hero/legend.

 

He hopefully gives Pards the money but pockets all the money coming in from Sky IF we stay in the premiership

 

That's the story I'm leaning towards too. I also agree that giving him 2 contracts in one season while players like Enrique and Barton still await an extension sets a bad precedent, and is a slap in the face to the rest of the team. Have any of the squad come out with comments yet? (just got home from class)