Slugsy

While I absolutely agree with the policy of only spending to improve the squad and also acknowledging there is still time to go, I am nervous on two fronts: 1. Our squad is weaker than some of our so called rivals to start with 2. Some of these so called rivals have started to spend and improve their squads further. Its all very well saying its okay because Everton and Villa haven't spent anything - well last time I looked they had better squads than us to start with so are we not playing catch up to begin with? Additionally, we have actually reduced our playing numbers with the departure of people like Emre. Completely agree that we should not be buying people for the sake of it but when I hear Keegan prattle on about defenders being the priority and over the last few months, the number of players he supposedly needs gets smaller and smaller, I start to get anxious, particulalry about the midfield and upfront given Viduka's horrendous injury record and our absence of creative midfielders.

Just been reading that forum - when they got wind of an English club coming in for him the messages were on the lines of - "Excellent - add 4-5m euros to any price!" Still, they seem to have a lot of praise for the guy, though he took a while to settle.

Is he really any good?

I know we are short of players but what does Alan Smith do behind close doors that gets him a reprieve from being shown the door???

I loved my seat in Level 7, liked the people around me and my mates were all sat together. Problem was everyone of them decided not renew, the other folk I knew have been moved to the 1892 section (lucky b*ggers) and I have been moved to the singing section but its always a gamble when you are on your own and don't know what the folk around you will be like. No offence to the younger folk but I didn't fancy it in the chance I get sat with 20 teenagers who have been out on the lash since 11am! With young bairns and plenty of other committments, it won't be often when I will be in that state (more's the pity). Another couple of mates sit in the East Stand so thought that would be the best option and it defo will be a better view though granted I don't think the atmosphere will be anywhere near L7 leazes. Bl**dy expensive too mind and probably a lot worse next year as couldn't afford to go for the 3 years.

Well, after much deliberation and another 40m wait on the phone to the box office, I have renewed. I'm moving to the east stand coz I'm an old bugger and seeing that my part time supporter mates have chucked in the towel, fancies a change! Quite pleased in the end that I got to move, more costly but a better seat. From the sounds of things there are plenty going spare!

Apparently though, we should just throw more and more wages at them because we're not in Europe. Overpaid mercenaries, that's what we need! Well that was partly needed to secure Robert wasn't it, and that was a pivotal signing which played major part in converting us from being just a pedestrian mid-table team into a top-4 calibre outfit. With this in mind i have no objection with that/policy, and Parky was spot on with his post which deals with this very issue ie. sealing the deal for a player when we don't have European football to offer as a selling pitch, when we face competition from a European-qualified suitor. Again, completely agree - if we ever want to get back into the upper regions of this league, we are going to have to pay over the odds as Wise and co are not going to win over players by their sunny disposition on its own. Once you get back into that position, you can then start negotaiting harder on wages etc and are a more attractive proposition for players but lets be honest, a high profile player is only going to come here for cash at present - mercenary or not. Fair enough, but there's no proof that we're not offering competitive wages to prospective employees. And like it or not, there's a ceiling on what we'll pay. Just like there always has been, regardless of who's in charge. True, everyone is guessing at the moment, both the optimists and the pessimists - the only known facts are we tried to get Modric and failed - why that occurred is anyone's guess. I just hope that ceiling - which has been high in the past, is not lowered to a point that we inhibit the acquisition of players we desperately need. i can't see jonas coming over here for peanuts, especially since he is an Argentine international True, it may have to be taken in the round though i.e how much did we pay in transfer fees and if it was less than his 'market value', how much could we afford to give him in wages. Plus, we don't know what he was on, who else wanted him and how much we are actually paying him. But granted, I would have expected him to be on good wages. As I say, its all conjecture at the moment, we have bought one established player, if more come in then great stuff, I just hope that we don't miss out on anymore of our targets and if it comes down to money, lets hope we take a pragmatic approach for the right deal.

Apparently though, we should just throw more and more wages at them because we're not in Europe. Overpaid mercenaries, that's what we need! Well that was partly needed to secure Robert wasn't it, and that was a pivotal signing which played major part in converting us from being just a pedestrian mid-table team into a top-4 calibre outfit. With this in mind i have no objection with that/policy, and Parky was spot on with his post which deals with this very issue ie. sealing the deal for a player when we don't have European football to offer as a selling pitch, when we face competition from a European-qualified suitor. Again, completely agree - if we ever want to get back into the upper regions of this league, we are going to have to pay over the odds as Wise and co are not going to win over players by their sunny disposition on its own. Once you get back into that position, you can then start negotaiting harder on wages etc and are a more attractive proposition for players but lets be honest, a high profile player is only going to come here for cash at present - mercenary or not. Fair enough, but there's no proof that we're not offering competitive wages to prospective employees. And like it or not, there's a ceiling on what we'll pay. Just like there always has been, regardless of who's in charge. True, everyone is guessing at the moment, both the optimists and the pessimists - the only known facts are we tried to get Modric and failed - why that occurred is anyone's guess. I just hope that ceiling - which has been high in the past, is not lowered to a point that we inhibit the acquisition of players we desperately need.

Apparently though, we should just throw more and more wages at them because we're not in Europe. Overpaid mercenaries, that's what we need! Well that was partly needed to secure Robert wasn't it, and that was a pivotal signing which played major part in converting us from being just a pedestrian mid-table team into a top-4 calibre outfit. With this in mind i have no objection with that/policy, and Parky was spot on with his post which deals with this very issue ie. sealing the deal for a player when we don't have European football to offer as a selling pitch, when we face competition from a European-qualified suitor. Again, completely agree - if we ever want to get back into the upper regions of this league, we are going to have to pay over the odds as Wise and co are not going to win over players by their sunny disposition on its own. Once you get back into that position, you can then start negotaiting harder on wages etc and are a more attractive proposition for players but lets be honest, a high profile player is only going to come here for cash at present - mercenary or not.

Completely agree

Haven't seen enough of him to really comment, I know a couple of years ago he had a good reputation, not sure what he has been like in the last few years?

This

I may not now - been moved and all my mates that I sit beside have decided not to renew. Have other mates who sit in the Milburn and have been moved to the 1892 area but they are getting it for 50% of cost and when I asked to get moved there was told that despite me being moved as well, my only option was the 'singing section' and if I wanted to move beside my other mates it would be £990. Big quandry now, my new seat is isn't as good, will be on my jack jones and I could get to most of the games through my work's corporate seats. However, not renewing is something I have never contemplated before?

Was up this morning to see my seat, guy who showed me around said consultation appts had been busy last week (7 stewards with half hour slots) but only had 12 appts booked in so far this week.

Good question, to be honest, I take everything they sau with a pinch of salt, couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery!

Tomorrow aint the last day, I had to reschedule duie to work to next monday for a consultation appt and when I asked when the deadline was, the guys said mid July!!!

Got mine tomorrow, let us know how you get on.

Not yet, got a consultation appt next week, will see what they have to say

Maybe the best option would have been to have got him signed up the Euros started. He had been linked with Newcastle for quite a time, the management must have realised there was likely to be more competition for his signature/his price would go up once he showed his ability in the tourno. You are not allowed to say that here, remember, plenty of time, nobody else is signing players before the Euros, wait and see..blah, blah, blah

I've booked a 'consultation' appointment - not happy, really quite liked my seat and the people around me and don't think the Leazes corner is 'comparable viewing'. Looking to be convinced but have to say I'm very unsure what I'm going to do - pissed off to say the least - this is the second time I've been moved over the last few years.

Got mine, very bizarre - I'm getting moved, to an area which is a worse viewing section thought they won't specify exactly where but somewhere in the old away section. Additionally, they want my form in by the 17th but consultation doesn't start till the 21st! I'll be booking a consultation time to vent some displeasure!!

Disagree, Pennant hasn't been very good for Liverpoo", patchy at best and has a seriously suspect attitude, I'd be dissapointed. If we are going to let Milner go, let's at least get somebody better than Pennant

No form yet???

You may have heard it/read it in the papers but there is no proof at present, in fact if you read the accounts and post year end notes all it says is SJHL, the newly formed Topco took on the loans, NOT paid off - there is no documented proof Ashley has paid off the debts. Unfortunately SJHL isn't yet due to file accounts but at present nobody can conclusively say what has happened.

They'll be at SJHL level, a massive shareholder loan (tax-friendly) which is then on-loaned to NUFC to pay off the creditors. Simple cash management from Ashley's point of view. I don't understand why the club are so keen to get money now. I could maybe understand the season up front last summer, but three seasons is too long. I'm not sure what the underlying motive is, but I wouldn't say it says much for the club's confident to retain custom two years down the line- in which case what are they planning that will upset so many people that they want committment now? It's all speculation at this stage but I'd far rather retain the option to renew or not and pay a few extra quid for the privilege. If this was double glazing, would you do it? Indeed they will be in SJHL, which while I agree with you makes sense from a finanical perspective is in contrast to the messages and general media bellowing that Ashley has 'paid' off the debts, when in reality he hasn't, merely moved them within the group. The cynic in me is thinking that Ashley is looking to 'lock' in the future income as much as possible in order to do a re-financing/cashout or even start to dress the business up for sale (though the best way to do that would be to get some success on the pitch!), but re-financing at this time would be madness so I have to admit its puzzling and as Dave says, somewhat worrying.