James

BLAH BLAH BLAH FINGERS IN MY EARS I CANT HEAR YOU

I had to miss Holland vs Italy last night, but I saw the controversial goal last night and felt it should have stood and have no problem with the rules. Otherwise, when the ball is in the other half, three defenders could stand on the halfway line, while a sweeper could stand behind the goal line waiting to deal with any instances of the offside trap being broken.

If true, interesting that Ashley, Wise, Jimenez and Keegan were all involved in the deal at some point, and that it was Keegan pushing for the transfer. Confirms what was said though that Modric didn't choose Spurs over us, rather the Mamic's chose for him.

Do you think that based on this one euro 2008 game or is it that you have seen him play alot and if you have please say why you think that because I have no idea on this guy. Looks to be quite tall and unlike Crouch, has some physical power as well. Decent looking shot - wouldn't be surprised to see him making a name for himself in the future. Aye, and his performances against England were top notch also.

Pavluchenko has what it takes to be a very good PL striker as well I think.

David Villa anyone?

Towelie has a very British name iirc. Forgive my ignorance btw, but I once read somewhere that in Sweden, children take their surnames from their fathers, so Anders son is called Andersson etc. So if Towelie has a child in Sweden would he be called Towelieson, or is there a work around these days?

we just buy players from other clubs like anybody else ffs What a bloody thread. Yes, but you can buy the right players and you can buy the wrong players, and the personnel at the club affect the club's reputation on the outside. Since 2004 we have had more bad buys than good buys and this has given us a bad reputation. This is no dig at anyone in particular, but our transfer policy in recent years has been unsuccessful and this is reflected in the league tables.

Can't really argue that past events post-2004 may have created this reputation from the outside, whether it is us killing the player, or by us just signing players that didn't have the proper motivation. Recently, we've signed the likes of Beye and Enrique who have tried to suceed here, and have a good chance of doing so. Even players like Rozehnal who didn't settle have escaped mostly undamaged. We just need to progress like this for a couple of years, and people will forget about all that and remember Robson and Keegan Mk I (and hopefully Mk II)

Parker, Dyer, and even Shola have had decent bids. Clearly we have better negotiators when selling than in the past. I think people would take advantage of Shepherd's "I'll carry him there for you" attitude towards less popular players.

I feel bad for enjoying all of these pieces on World. Habib Beye's daughter is his "sunshine". Fantastic man. Good idea, but I don't think Craig Hope is subtle enough when he asks the questions, while the post production is horrible.

Played really well in the friendlies didn't he?

I think a big problem is that modern day football has become awash with a few talented kids, probably only just as much as before, but improved scouting, coaching and television gives these young players far more exposure and brings them to the top teams at a much earlier age. Hence I think an expectation amongst some people that if a player isn't a world beater at 22/23, they aren't worth getting. However, many players need longer to fully mature, especially in defence and central midfield, and don't look like top players until later in their careers. Examples would be Barry and Engelaar. Compare their 22 year old selves to their current selves. I'd say Wes Brown also. The likes of Huddlestone, Glen Johnson and Seb Larsson are current players others will turn their noses up at, but I wonder if they'll be saying the same in five years time.

Because we can sack him and stop him playing for anyone else for four years. Its not going to be that straight forward, naive to think it is IMO Agreed, his right to work is guaranteed under the Human Rights Act and we could be seen to be infringing on that right should we stop paying him and yet still refuse to let him play for anyone else. See Adrian Mutu.

If you believe the Chronicle then yes. There were quotes from Roeder iirc.

Exactly what we had paid for him then if true.

How much?

Didn't Roeder get offered Radoi and Rat for peanuts, and refused to have them as he was told by one of his mates that they weren't any better than what he already had?

http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1325497,00.html Think some people on here would be very good at some of these jobs if they don't already have a job with better perks/wages.

Merged actually.

Because we can sack him and stop him playing for anyone else for four years.

Agreed. Back him or sack him, there can be no in-betweens.

Conversely, imagine you are told to halve your wages or get sacked. Are you going to want to play for a club that holds you over a barrel?

Yes. These players are always the best squad players to have.

It has been known for players to sign a contract out of loyalty to their club so that the seller can make more money (plus the player gets a signing on fee bonus).