TRon

Arsenal 2001-Present Real Madrid - Countless times Inter Milan - Its entire history That's not many examples, like I said. Besides, Real Madrid spent a fortune on imports and were beaten to the title by a team of homegrown Barca players. Inter spent years in AC Milan's shadow and are largely considered a team that has underachieved. Home grown players are great if they are of the necessary quality. That's no justification for paying them inflated wages if they aren't.

All this talk of him doing a Milner is shit. I reckon in two years time Kadar will be valued more highly than Taylor.

Mm.. Colo has had one good game, his other match he was poor. So how is that good current form? Agree with Willo, he has been very impressive. Why do you keep bringing up Colo? Do you want to give Taylor 60k because we are over-paying Colo?

Bassong + Taylor partnership? Bassong isn't even in the Spurs first team, never mind Taylor.

Every player at the Champions league clubs maybe. That's not us.

I don't think you can justify big wages by comparing to deals handed out to players in the past. Colo, Smith and Barton will not be getting new contracts on those terms again.

We have players on wages higher than that, but all new players and new contracts will be 45K max (if you believe every report). I'd imagine, however, that if Colo or another high earner was to sign a new contract, he would get the same wage as he currently does. I read somewhere that 45k was a "loose ceiling". I don't think you can operate in the premier on a one size fits all policy.

It's for players who are worth 45k. If they're worth more I'm sure we could stretch it for the absolute stars of the team. So yes, 45k tops at the moment.

Colo? Barton, Smith, Colo are the highest paid in the team! and they will be told to accept lower wages when their contracts are up or they can fuck off as well.

Tbh, I'm sick of hearing that line. If he loved the club he'd sign a contract rather than walk for nowt next season. He loves the money more and can fuck right off.

He's not even worth £40k. He can piss off. This.

Don't forget Vukic as another ready to step straight in. If we needed anyone it would be a pacy striker that can add cover for the wings and 'Nolans hole' so you can see the thinking behind Ben Arfa. But to be honest if we can't get someone of his quality, I'd not be unhappy if Tiote was the last of the spending for this window. Edit: Good God, that's spookily close to what Tron just said. That's a first. Glad you pointed that out, I assumed you just copied mine word for word so it's clear to everyone what is required it seems.

As long as the spine of the team is strong we'll be ok. Campbell and Kadar at CB, Guhthrie and Smith in the middle. The you can play the youngsters around them. Don't think it's fair to chuck in 11 kids though. The genuine prospects end up being tarred like happened last season.

I would have thought they need a replacement for Mascherano. Surely they're not going to rely on Lucas? Mascherano's a defensive midfielder, HBA's an attacking mid/forward. Not really a replacement.

We have plenty of central midfielders but we don't have anyone like Ben Arfa who could play in the hole behind the striker like Beardsley. Basically a forward with pace and skill. We need to pay the money and get someone of genuine quality with those attributes otherwise hold the cash until we can afford the real deal. No more shitty championship hopefuls thanks.

Don't really see what use Liverpool would have for him after signing Cole, although they will have cash once they inevitably flog Mascherano.

He's just some Man U reject who will come cheap because nobody decent wants him. These are the type of players we will be scrapping for because we don't want to pay the money required to buy the real young talent.

All managers haggle when their contracts are up for renewal, just look at Wenger's "will he leave/won't he" drama every couple of seasons. If we do well this season Hughton will be in a stronger position to negotiate better terms as the season unfolds. If not, it'll be Colin Calderwood nailed on.

Smith will only play in the defensive midfield role. Barton should only play as a playmaker as his tackling is atrocious. I can't see how one can play instead of the other, it'll be Barton and Tiote with Smith as a stand in.

They are DEFINATELY going off the quotes that are doing the rounds! I reckon they're right though. Some other club has stepped in.

Sounds like the sort of deal we would do. Coming to the end of his contract, 30yrs old so we won't have to pay him big wages. Another Lovenkrands type signing.

I wonder how long Guthrie's got on his contract? He's supposed to be one of the lower paid pros so there might be a Steve Taylor situation developing (except Taylor is only low paid in his own head). 2 years to run. We won't be looking to sell him but we would get a fee now where we probably won't next year. So I wouldn't rule out him or Smith leaving.

He is a 21 year old version mind, with time to develop Aye granted. Needs to settle down somewhere like, I'm guessing playing for a new team in a different country isn't helping his game. Playing in 5 different countries sporadically by the time you're 21 can't be good for development. I would thinkit would be great for learning but you might not see the fruits of it until he's played a couple of seasons in one country. £1m for a 21 year old is worth a punt. Although some 21 yr olds are just as shite at 28 a la Ameobi.

I wonder how long Guthrie's got on his contract? He's supposed to be one of the lower paid pros so there might be a Steve Taylor situation developing (except Taylor is only low paid in his own head).

This is my view as well. I would much rather have Ben Arfa as he's a rising star, but SWP is at least a similar type of player and he had a wonderful strike on him when he was at City. I just can't see someone like Santa Cruz working alongside Carroll. Just shows a couple of year's is a long time in football. A while ago SWP was costing £20m and top clubs like Chelsea were chasing him. Has he really turned into a bad player or just maybe not good enough for the top 4?