The College Dropout

Craig Bellamy A much better footballer when he left compared to when he signed. Movement, composure and build-up play where much better and he went on to play the best football of his career at Blackburn. Not to mention we sorted out his knees. He improved through sheer hardwork and determination. I'm always banging on about Taylor but that's just because I think he's tremoundsley over-rated by some here (captain ffs), i think hes a promising player who needs to develop.

Maybe so but I think it's fair to say that he doesn't want to stay. Unless he signs a new contract he must be pushed. In January he'll be worth less and in the summer we'll be looking at £6,000,000. the thing about owens value is that its his release clause not ability thats keeping his value down, and that will stay at 9million. i think his value won't decrease until he's 30. even at 30 a striker of owens calibour will be worth something. I was lead to believe that the release clause gets cheaper as the years go by.

I just posted this in the 'Giuly' thread, since the Owen discussion spread over there as well... My worry is though, that he stays through this transfer window, and by some miracle or other plays through to January without injury (or at least serious injury), and scores a few goals for us. If todays rumours are correct, he will then still be eligible to leave under a min. release clause, but that clause figure will have dropped by 25% (circa £2.2m, down to £6.8m ish). One of the big four may then decide he's worth the risk at that price, and snap hm up - leaving us with a hole to fill up front mid-season. If he isn't gonna come out and commit himself for the full forthcoming season (at least), I would rather just get shot of him now, for £9m - at least we have time to buy another striker who would wnat to be here, in time to prepare for the whole season. And, in a round-about kind of way, I think that is what Sam is trying to do today - putting the onus back onto Owen, by stating he can't stop him leaving, and hoping that it may push Owen one way or another. Similar to what Shepherd tried to do (demanding statement of commitment), just in a better, more subtle way. Wonder if Sam could get him to agree to stay the full season if a £9m bid doesn't come in by a certain date (say 1st July) - so we wouldn't be left in the lurch on 31st August. If Owen gets a good run until christmas without injuries we can be sure he will pick up an injurie in january. Perfect time to sell... ;-) Then £9M is no longer the asking price but down to £6. something

We don't want to be strong-armed in January. Either he commits or he pisses off. Sadly I reckon we'll fuck about till August 31st and we sell him without a replacement or get dictated too in January/next summer.

Maybe so but I think it's fair to say that he doesn't want to stay. Unless he signs a new contract he must be pushed. In January he'll be worth less and in the summer we'll be looking at £6,000,000.

Aye I have believed this to be the case for awhile now which shows FS decision to be more understandeable. He's not as easy to shift as he'd like. Chelsea and Liverpool play quite directly and prefer to play a 433, a formation not suited to Michael Owen. Arsenal may become a viable option if Henry leaves. Manure have already spent a fortune, do they have room for the £14 million or so that Owen would cost in a year? He's obviously been trying to move to one of these clubs. Our best bet is him going abroad again. Atleast know the fans know the situation and I for one hope he leaves. As an asset he's unreliable and wants a move and value is depreciating by the second. SELL. SELL. SELL.

Aye, that's actually £50,000,000.00... it makes you wince knowing it was all wasted. £50M doesn't do it justice. If it were not for the takeover we'd still be suffering the repercussions of his time here. Big fees and big wages.

Pazzini is a beast in all the FM games. Lovely for my long ball game. I missed the Wembley match but he's looked pretty good when I've seen him

Indeed. £50M in less than 2 years and he spunked nearly every penny. the only player he signed that we can all agree is a success is Nobby and he cost a pittance when compared to most of his other shit.

Either way it's highly unlikely Barca will win the title. When was the last time the Premiership title was decided on the last day?

Some of the matches are but no it's mostly BS.

Due to the climate, less physical nature of the league and demands on him, he should be able to extend his career by at least 2 years. I think Man U would have done the CL with him up front. Missed his finishing in front of goal. Aye but they turned into a team when it came to goalscoring this season, they don't pass the ball for him to score anymore, and their goals came from more than one player, but as i said a player like Ruud will find it far easier to score in the La-Liga than here. Didn't he manage 21 goals last season? IN something like 28 starts?

Nistelrooy has been an absolute beast in La Liga... didn't he finish 3rd top scorer last season in the Prem despite warming the bench for long periods? Brilliant title race. I think Barca are the only team to win it consecutively in something like 6 years... the Spanish league is alot more competitive than the Premiership.. the top 4 teams change frequently.

Seems a tad reckless from the little I've seen from him.

You wouldn't want him to be our manager because he would put the club ahead of the national side? What's wrong with him wanting Bentley to rest now and have a proper pre-season? He's already established himself as a good Premiership player unlike alot of the other lads (including Taylor), this tournament is less important for him.

I agree. Souness in particular assembled a squad of top 4/CL regular squad players. I believe we should go down the SBR path again, big transfer fees for young players on low wages.

Glen was funny. What was it, a days wages? What a bunch of tight bastards.

Used to be a fabolous player, great touch and finisher. He's not even that old but his legs seem to have gone. Maybe Sam can help him revive his form but I doubt it. RIP Freddie Ljungberg

Why should he be number one choice? Is it because he has proven himself as a consistently solid Premiership defender? He's got a long way to go before becoming John Terry.

Fully agree. Hasn't proved himself yet.

I'll actually miss him playing in the EPL.

People are writing Henry-off as on his last legs because of 1 injury plagued season? Wasn't he golden boot winner for 3 or so seasons in a row? If Micky Owen isn't finished Henry has atleast 2-3 more years in him of top level football more than Owen. People are forgetting that Vieira hadn't been as effective for the previous 2-3 seasons whlst Henry's only dip has been last year. I'd love to see him play alongside RVN, perhaps 2 or so years from his peak but would still be great to see.

Good stuff. Roll on the impressive signings. Hopefully we don't go about like Villa and West Ham.

Crazy fukers, they dont deserve the money if they are going to waste it like that. Here here.

£12 million on Bellamy ... Wow. Words fail me. Not as bad as the Young and Reo-Coker deals, well supposedly for NRC. I really hope we don't become like Aston Villa and West Ham if we get the investment.