Well - we're all familiar with the swirling rumours and "informed reports". We've had nothing but, ever since the last season ended. Now, for example, we're all discussing Gulasci and Ayala....Is it on or is it off? Will Gulasci be coming on loan? Will we be getting Ayala on a permanent signing? All we have had is a cryptic clue from Adam Pearson, regarding a player movement (but who? And which way?). Even so, I prefer this management's style - not announcing anything until it's cut and dried and SIGNED. How's anyone else feel?
Personally i love it, especially after the days of Brown and Duffen when they seemed to tell us before they told the player that we was after them. Just keep it in house til its signed, sealed and delivered and i am happy!
In Danns case,im not sure it really mattered that we let it be known,as everyman and his dog was aware he was going to be available.Its not as if we alerted others that a talented player was up for grabs on a free.
Im intrigued by this Liverpool thing - normally a prestigious friendly is only agreed when the big club (Liverpool) buy a talent from the small club (us). I cant think of a single case in history when a smaller club has agreed to sign someone from a bigger club and a friendly has been agreed as part of the deal. Either it's a very odd deal or Liverpool are picking someone up from us, although I really cant think of anyone they might want. Rosenior? I know Woy offered him a contract last summer and Liam turned it down.
Its superb I think, adds to the mystique. There's no benefit in being open about targets before the deal is done. Humberside were arguing fans should know the type of players we are looking at but they just hate being as in the dark as the fans.
Would you mind posting me the link to the quote from either Pearson saying Neil Danns was our main target? (Just to save you some time, Neil Danns being our top target was a claim made by the HDM, not by the club)
Unlikely to be Rosenior unless Liverpool want to watch how he goes on crutches at the game! So I agree, strange and exciting times we live in my crustacean friend.
I much prefer it, hated having my hopes raised by the old regime when they said we were in for someone, only for them to choose another club instead of us. Think Danns was an exceptional case were it was public knowledge that we were one of the many clubs in for him, and been one of many we can't really be accused of advertising his availability to other clubs.
I feel that, having this management regime, we now have two 'scenarios': 1/ The management, holding its cards close to its chest; 2/ The mass of fans (US) rabbiting, debating and fantasizing - lost in a world of rumour and speculation - until NP reveals his hand. Wouldn't swap it for the world!
Personally I think its great. Hated the "we will sign x,y, and z we had under the old regime. As OLM these grand statements like we will sign Danns/Kilkenny, have been spouted by media or agents. As for the criptic player signing, I think it is Ayala, with us having agreed a fee slightly higher then we want, but been compensated by the friendly. Cant see us aranging a friendly for a loan signing. I personally think that the Keeper may be part of the deal as in we pay x amount and can have the keeper providing he gets games. In regards as Liverpool signing one of our players and throwing in the friendly as a sweetner, cant see it. If they want Cairney as has been banded around, we would let him go for around £5mil, easily within there budget or for the young lad they would pay a low amount with further payments on things like apperances, success, sell on clauses ect
And the friendly is of virtually no value. £250k for a sell out of just adults, we'll be lucky if we get £100k from it, what kind of deal breaker is that when Liverpool come after a player? They'd probably just pay it and stick to their existing preseason campaign. In terms of us signing one of their's it's a bigger chunk of our transfer budget, and if you're talking about a loan fee for someone like Gulasci it could easily be the equivalent of 30% of out planned bid. Getting Liverpool the money without us having to spend more of the budget is a good deal to do.
Does anyone seriously value Cairney at anything over a mil? He had a couple of decent games in our 09-10 season (Chelsea\Man City) but has been mainly bit part this last season!
Shhhhh don't say that. Liverpool paid 20M for Henderson so they might believe Carney's value is 5 mil.
Aren't they bringing in rules that limit expenses against income. Perhaps we're helping Liverpool trial-run a loophole?