If proved right, I'll demand everyone calls me Sir SOS due to my superior knowledge on Spurs transfers and demand to be a mod just so I can feel God-Like! Haha.
Yeah, i read something about gardening leave for AVB too. Its not inconceivable for that to be true, in fact i imagine its quite likely. You'd be a bit miffed if you just paid him off to the tune of £15m (or whatever it was) for him to take another job the week after. If VDV is replaced by Sig then we DEFINITELY need a prolific striker. I like Sig, but i don't think he is gonna chip in with as many goals as Rafa.
In fairness I think goal-wise, Sig could do a decent job at replacing Rafa, his record not just at Swansea suggests he's always had an eye for goal if Wikipedia was anything to go by. It'd be the other aspects I'd be more concerned at, Rafa can play Modric-eqsue at times and play some delightful passes that get the moves going which could lead to a goal, I've not seen enough of Sig to know if he's an accomplished passer like Rafa, though one things for sure, the boy has a mean free kick which will definitely come in handy (though Bale and Rafa did before joining us, now they can't hit a barn door! ). Regardless of whether Sig is a replacement for Rafa or not though, we still, like you say, need to a top class finisher, that goes without saying.
Rafa is a world class player who can change a game in seconds with something magical. Sig might also be great for scoring goals and free kicks, but he's still young and has a lot to learn. We mustn't lose Rafa, he's a very intelligent footballer who we'd severely miss. he could also teach Sig a lot and make him a better player.
I agree with all that, but, it has to be said, Rafa was cack for the last several games of the season. His lack of fitness/form were probably a big part of our decline last year (which also pays testimony to how important he has been at other times)
Back to AVB. Apparently he's turned down Sao Paolo and it's all getting a bit ominous so I'd like to announce my U-turn and total support for AVB's regime of terror before it gets officially announced. (Where's the salute smilie, by the way?) Anyway, hear's to NEW MANAGER AVB, NEW STRIKER Helder Postiga and NEW MENU Nando's chicken pies at half time
yep, there's negatives with every player. even if we only keep Rafa for 1 more season, it's another year that the youngsters get with someone who's has so much experience. Just tuned into SSN, YV. The reporters at WHL seem to think it is incredibly likely to be AVB now, although spurs wont comment until there is official news. SSN also said that their sources in italy are saying don't rule out capello.
Judging by Sky's sources, looks like AVB will likely be announced over the weekend - My tip off was correct and luckily got £30 on him at 5/4 (not that it's amazing odds but you know...) on Paddy Power before the odds were slashed - when it last checked it was something crazy like 1/14. One player now linked to us due to the AVB connection is Joao Moutinho... Anyone have any thoughts on the lad? Can't say he blew me away from his performances in the Euro's but he wasn't awful either. Football Manager has always rated him a decent player through out the years though personally I can't say I've seen enough to judge whether I think he'd be an improvement to the team/ squad.
I've not seen enough of him SOS, but over 2 seasons at Porto he's managed a total of 3 goals and 13 assists in 56 games. Not brilliant IMO, especially as alot of us feel that modric doesn't score enough goals, and he is supposed to be his replacement. At a rumoured 32m, I think that's a big risk for us and a potential waste of money. But others seem to rave about him. I just dont want us to pick up a "miereles". He's ****ing dog ****.
Great signing to get AVB in as he's a top manager. Chelsea were all wrong for him but at Spurs, it'll allow him time to get his team together without too much interference. Lastest gossip is you getting Moutinho as a replacement for Modric. If true, this would be a great replacement as he's had an impressive Euros. Was one of the outstanding players in the tournament. ANDRE VILLA-BOAS WANTS £32M JOAO MOUTINHO AS LUKA MODRIC REPLACEMENT http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football...32m-Joao-Moutinho-as-Luka-Modric-replacement/ - read the full report ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS wants to make £32m Joao Moutinho his first signing at Tottenham. Porto and Portugal central midfielder Moutinho – who missed one of the penalties in the Euro 2012 shootout defeat by Spain on Wednesday night – is seen by the coach as a replacement for playmaker Luka Modric. The Croatian ace looks *certain to quit Spurs this summer, with Real Madrid *favourites to land him for £40m. And Villas-Boas – whose appointment as Spurs manager is expected to be *confirmed by *Monday – has told chairman Daniel Levy that 25-year-old Moutinho is the ideal replacement.
Spurs at 33:1 to win the league (WilliamHill) which is bound to fall once the manager is announced. It might be worth putting any winnings on that. The goons are currently at 12:1 (Paddy Power), we should be closer to those odds based on last seasons finish. City are 11/8 to retain thier title. The Chavs are 9:2, crazy odds, all their OAP's will be knackered by Christmas.
Agreed Roo, £32m on him is a huge risk mate, one I hope we don't take in all honesty for that price. With all due respect if he was worth that much, we wouldn't be the only team to have been linked with him. I'd say £15m-£20m tops judging from the few games I've seen him play, the stats you've put have backed that up too really as the Portuguese Prem is nowhere near the standard of the EPL and in my eyes he should be doubling the assists and goals to warrant such a high fee, it's not like he's a wonderkid either with plenty of years to improve, at 25, he's surely reaching his prime years... At 33/1 it's always worth sticking a cheeky fiver on anyway. By the end of the season you'd have forgotten about it and if the un-imaginable happens - RESULT!
and 15 mill or so is what I'd be expecting us to pay, for a replacement similar to Modric (4 years ago), so 23 years old, or so. Like i've said in the Alan Brazil thread, that sort of money is only possible if the news to "blow your socks off" is a takeover. I just cannot see levy spending that sort of money on a player. some reports suggest as low as 28m, some up to 35mill. regardless, it's just not like us to do so, regardless of how much we get for Modric. -we're more likely to use those funds to strengthen in multiple areas. (or perhaps put them in a savings account
I said around 15-20m is more realistic yesterday on that Alan Brazil thread, his record isn't great - especially for the rumoured 32m they want.
apparently that's the buy out clause, wigger. I was really expecting to see some fantastic stats on his profile, but I'm yet to see anything that could indicate why we should spend any where near that sort of money. yet others say he's the perfect replacement. I'm really interested to know why, as I know very little about him and am just basing my opinion on raw facts. you guys are being linked with a £6 mill swoop for Mark Davies of Bolton today, BTW.
Daily fail .. So I won't go in to that Strong rumours are that we've agreed a price which is said to be around 16m for Gaston Ramirez .. Rumours ATM though. Talksport (I know! ) have also reported that ourselves and you guys are both interested in Ibrahim Affelay from Barcelona .. I'd love to have him at Anfield - depending on the price of course! You'd expect to see a lot better stats if that is his buy out clause wouldn't you. It's a lot of money to pay for someone who doesn't have great stats. But I wouldn't listen to me though - we seem to like paying over inflated prices for average players
based on sir_red's comments which indicate that your owners aren't going to spend, don't you think that Ramirez and affelay are incredibly unlikely?I know affelay is supposed to be relatively cheap (according to reports), but what do liverpool have at the moment to attract those sorts of names? I hope that doesn't come across as wummy, as it's not supposed to be. But if you guys aren't going to pay the wages either... Brendan Rogers' hands are going to be tied. some new creativity is needed urgently for you guys. anyhoo... back to AVB...
I totally understand where you're coming from, althought I don't think there's been any real concrete proof that I've seen about our owners not giving Rodgers anything to spend. You're probably right about Ramirez and the fact that he'd cost a lot but like you've said Affelay according to reports should be quite cheap. I just can't see our owners not giving our NEW manager money to spend during the transfer window. Especially as the rumours around are more the type of players we'd need to fit in with the new style of football that Rodgers wants to inject back into Liverpool. But like I've said they're all rumours. Anyway - sorry to go off topic
