Minhosa

£5 on us 3-2, £5 on them 3-2 - we're at 33/1 and they're at 28/1.

3-2 either way.

And 30 k a week. I would think that's a 50% pay cut for him. I doubt he'd take that when Villa would prob pay him £50k p/w. We are bothing chucking figures around here. But why would Villa wanna pay a wedge of money for Keane when he is over 30 now. Surely Houllier will be buidling for the future? Who knows tbh. Far more financial clout than us thanks to their Yank owner and he'll want to back Houllier by signing his top targets in his first window. Also, Carew is on his way out and will be on a good screw himself. You're absolutely right though - we're just throwing figures around. I could be miles off. I thought Randy learner was pulling in the spending a bit as thats why O'Neill walked. You may be right - I had a feeling it was because his attitude was more along the lines of 'every player has his price' and he wouldn't have rejected a silly bid for Ashley Young which gave O'Neill the hump. Only putting two and two together mind. It will be an intersting Jan, i just dont think clubs will spend money. I think arry may have to loan him out and seek a sale in the summer. That would be ideal for us, no question. He'd not be short of options if that was the case (Celtic etc) but I think we'd have as good a chance as anyone else in for him. FWIW I agree about Jan. The same few spending a bit, everyone else on the hunt for bargains.

And 30 k a week. I would think that's a 50% pay cut for him. I doubt he'd take that when Villa would prob pay him £50k p/w. We are bothing chucking figures around here. But why would Villa wanna pay a wedge of money for Keane when he is over 30 now. Surely Houllier will be buidling for the future? Who knows tbh. Far more financial clout than us thanks to their Yank owner and he'll want to back Houllier by signing his top targets in his first window. Also, Carew is on his way out and will be on a good screw himself. You're absolutely right though - we're just throwing figures around. I could be miles off. I thought Randy learner was pulling in the spending a bit as thats why O'Neill walked. You may be right - I had a feeling it was because his attitude was more along the lines of 'every player has his price' and he wouldn't have rejected a silly bid for Ashley Young which gave O'Neill the hump. Only putting two and two together mind.

Arry quoted today as saying he's only leaving on a permanent deal. Ahh right, didn't see arrys bit. Fair enough. Well if they want daft money for him, good luck. Not many teams have cash to chuck around. I'd be inclined to sell the club to him (great fans, stadium etc etc) and then stick a silly offer in for him (say £2.5m/£3m) and let him chuck a hissy fit to come. He's that type of fella. I'd not pay much more for him cos he's near enough finished. Not fair on the lad. Was on fire pre-season too, I now that doesn't prove much though. He's not been given a chance this season. He's probably finished at top 4 level, but for teams below that he's a great player and surely has 2 or 3 years left. Maybe I am. In fairness, he'd be a good short term signing but if I was M.A I'd be asking whether it's a signing we need to make or whether we could chance a couple of unknowns from abroad for the same money who would increase in value in the long term - Tiote-esque. If he's confident we'll not go down then why invest in Keane who'll be knocking 32 by the end of next season and won't generate a return. Playing devils advocate a bit here but just trying to get into the way of thinking of the Owner who, after the initial summer, hasn't bought an established big name player iirc.

And 30 k a week. I would think that's a 50% pay cut for him. I doubt he'd take that when Villa would prob pay him £50k p/w. We are bothing chucking figures around here. But why would Villa wanna pay a wedge of money for Keane when he is over 30 now. Surely Houllier will be buidling for the future? Who knows tbh. Far more financial clout than us thanks to their Yank owner and he'll want to back Houllier by signing his top targets in his first window. Also, Carew is on his way out and will be on a good screw himself. You're absolutely right though - we're just throwing figures around. I could be miles off.

And 30 k a week. I would think that's a 50% pay cut for him. I doubt he'd take that when Villa would prob pay him £50k p/w.

Agree but theres a good chance they'll be able to get a good fee for him (Villa would probably fancy him for example) and he'd likely be after a last big payday.

Arry quoted today as saying he's only leaving on a permanent deal. Ahh right, didn't see arrys bit. Fair enough. Well if they want daft money for him, good luck. Not many teams have cash to chuck around. I'd be inclined to sell the club to him (great fans, stadium etc etc) and then stick a silly offer in for him (say £2.5m/£3m) and let him chuck a hissy fit to come. He's that type of fella. I'd not pay much more for him cos he's near enough finished.

Arry quoted today as saying he's only leaving on a permanent deal.

I wouldn't pay that for him and nor would he come for £40k per week.

Surely it'll mean 9th? - fair point. I was waiting for someone to flag that as I couldn't be arsed to go into this in my original post but........................ I would think that during the last few months of the season the top 6 will establish themselves with a run of form meaning chances of an upset will be less likely. Equally, the teams we should have taken points off at home will now need to be played away when they're likely to be scrapping for their lives. Stating the obvious but this season could go either way - a cracking result would be 14th and above - relegation an obvious disaster. Much depends on the strength of the squad but also on how the league pans out and whether normal business resumes after Xmas. This season is a freak.

I think this year, with it's freak results and congested table, could be the year that 40 points doesn't guarantee safety. On that basis and the fact we're constantly dropping points against poor sides at home I still think we'll be in a struggle for 17th. On our day we're top half material. Off our day and we're relegation fodder. That form, over the course of a season, will surely mean bottom third - just a case of where imho.

He'll be on nowhere near that imho.

Happy with the contract extension. He's been value for money and seems like a good bloke to have in the squad (i.e: very solid, steady player and character to boot - he doesn't look like the type to be whinging to the press and/or causing general disharmony when he gets dropped). Good move.

Nail on head Mr Nut. Why wouldn't they just vote for Russia in the first place? So it appears less obvious Russia's paid half of them off?

Nail on head Mr Nut.

Wasn't worth the airfares. Shame, I thought they delegation did a grand job today. Edit - fucking criminal that those FIFA Tossrags don't have to declare where their votes went.

Hope you lose every race. Class -

Someone with photoshop skills should shop a brown envelope sticking out of Blatters arse-pocket with 'with thanks, Roman' on it. Fucking bent fat cunt.

Shut the fuck up Blatter and put us out of our misery. Wanker.

QFT - The only Boro fan alive who follows them home and away (my mate) reckons he's gone backwards over the last couple of years and won't be a loss to them when he walks.

Yeah - likewise, just seems a strange move letting him go on the (relative) cheap. Still waiting to find out he has some Dyer-esque disease giving him one great season and then complete bone erosion by the end of his contract.

Strange. It's a bit like saying an Essien wouldn't suit the dutch league. I would've thought that the style of player both are, would suit most leagues regardless of league style. Both are strong, great tacklers, excellent for retaining possession and keeping play ticking over when in possession whilst breaking things up/giving you an option when out of possession. Weird one. Pound for pound (at this stage) I can't think of many players who have looked better value for money in many a long year. Des Hamilton aside.

Was the fee not £1.5m? He's looked better since his injury - I'm still of the opinion he's a mistake waiting to happen but happy to give credit where its due and he's looked a better play thus far this season. £750,000?