TRon

The forum's been down most of the night on transfer deadline day. Probably a sadder sesh than most were expecting

If nothing else happens Keegan has got a lot of explaining to do considering he claimed Ashley was backing him and that he'd tell the fans if there was an issue. Also said we should be happy by the end of today, with 3 or 4 players etc. Put simply, if nowt happens we're due some reasons why. From the manager. I think he's already given the reasons in an interview following that one you mentioned. He did emphasise any additions would have to be quality players. Maybe he's veto-ing the likes of Skjelbred because he thought we were getting Malouda?

I'm actually quite surprised that the two players we've signed are a striker and an attacking midfielder. IMO they are the two most urgent requirements so that's good, but with all the talk of a left back, a replacement for Milner and if it were up to me, a replacement for Butt, there's definitely room to spring a couple of late surprises.

Pile of shite so far. I can't watch more than 5 mins of SSN's coverage at a go. They are permanently camped outside a Manchester hospital looking through the windows. Unless berbatov is getting an anal probe can't quite see what's so fascinating.

They are short a DM, makes perfect sense. Barton to pompey Diarra to spuds ...and Lennon to us to complete the triangle. Bollocks.

If it's Diarra coming here it's the answer to our prayers. The thought of Butt playing another season in CM is too depressing for words.

I'll b I'll bet you are looking at the wrong one.

Wouldn't mind Malouda pushing the Zog out of the squad completely. He's been abject for a while now. I think for the Malouda deal to go through, Chelsea would have to sign Robinho which last I heard was off.

On the other hand when you look around the league there are players scoring more that probably aren't on a 3rd of what Owen is being offered. Yakubu, Santa Cruz, Carew, Berbatov, and Keane were all more productive than him last season. I won't mention Benjani because he's s****. Do those guys come free or will we have to pay a transfer fee? Did you factor that in? None of their fee's were close to Owens. That's relevant to ongoing deals I'm sure. Well why bring up transfer fee's if they're not relevant? Because those players you mentioned will all command a transfer fee.

No one is made to do anything in reality. If you need extra players you have all summer to sign them. If you want to gamble on leaving it till the last minute it's your choice at the end of the day.

On the other hand when you look around the league there are players scoring more that probably aren't on a 3rd of what Owen is being offered. Yakubu, Santa Cruz, Carew, Berbatov, and Keane were all more productive than him last season. I won't mention Benjani because he's s****. Do those guys come free or will we have to pay a transfer fee? Did you factor that in? None of their fee's were close to Owens. That's relevant to ongoing deals I'm sure.

On the other hand when you look around the league there are players scoring more that probably aren't on a 3rd of what Owen is being offered. Yakubu, Santa Cruz, Carew, Berbatov, and Keane were all more productive than him last season. I won't mention Benjani because he's shite. Do those guys come free or will we have to pay a transfer fee? Did you factor that in?

I'm for it 100%. I like the idea that once the deadline is past we know we can work with these players without them being sold or bought disrupting all our plans. Players remain more focused this way at least till the next window.

Owen is still scoring goals. Sometimes it's easy to take it for granted but it's a precious commodity, especially in a side like ours where so many players look flash but can't produce end product. I have my doubts about him, but he's worth a bit extra everything considered.

If there weren't doubts over his fitness record, I'm pretty sure he'd be with someone else.

Haven't seen anyone linked who could offer an alternative to Butt so far. Guthrie's not physical enough, we could do with a Diarra type IMO.

The Premiership is our biggest draw for players from outside the UK. Other clubs manage to sign good players and they don't have to pay their talisman ridiculous wages to attract them either.. Owen is still a world class player, so 120k/week reflects that. The ball is in his court now, he's got a fair offer and if he wants to play for us he'll sign. If not, I'm sure we'll find someone by the time he leaves...or even before then.

didn't they have some bloke last year with several mob phones getting messages off agents etc.....was hilarious. they did...it's worth watching even if there aren't any transfers tbh.

SSN is just mad on deadline night. Hope too much business hasn't already been done by the time I get in but I'll be here later on tomorrow.

What's there to be happy about? He's arguably our best player, and we can ill-afford for him to leave. A 3 year contract at 120k/week gives him every reason to stay.

I would think that's the story.

It shows AMBITION in my opinion. It shows NE amount of ambition IMO too

It would have been nice to get Nasri or Modric, but it's hardly surprising they chose other options. But yes, I am quietly confident we are aiming for the right players.

I'm pretty sure we could get him for 12m...seing as Spurs would probably sell for half that.

Agree 100% Me too. I don't think he sees it like this though. I think he'll just wait and see if anyone comes in like last summer with the buy-out clause. If he gets a better offer he will leave if it's a club he likes. Otherwise he'll re-sign and claim he wanted to be here all along. Either way, I'm not really arsed.