Tsunami

I understand what you’re saying about us not knowing what Ashley has planned for the club but he's going about things in the right way. He's got rid of most of the s**** that was running the club and Shepherd is noting more than an ornament. Ashley has brought in somebody who appears to be very professional and he seems to be going about his review of the club before moving forwards, again, another good move. Mort had an opportunity to give out more information but he hasn't been here long enough to go into any sort of detail as he could find out that things are totally different to what he expected, he'd look like an arse if he said one thing and did another. I can't understand why so many people are questioning the intentions of our new owner before he's had a chance to get his feet under the table. Because they're f****** morons whose only experience of transfer windows has come on computer games. My comments from another thread. Re: Luque?? « Reply #1031 on: Yesterday at 12:33:24 » Quote Modify Remove -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote from: Northern Monkey on Yesterday at 12:04:39 Quote from: Tsunami on Yesterday at 10:59:08 Quote from: Northern Monkey on Yesterday at 09:16:37 Quote from: Tsunami on Yesterday at 08:10:49 Sam will not be able to add 5 yards of pace to Luque's game or the courage needed to compete in the PL. I have not seen any player knocked so easily off the ball as Luque & he tackles like a coward. He is a player who needs time on the ball & protection from referees; he aint going to get that in PL. I would love to see him do well but that aint going to happen either. Watching Luque warm up is soul destroying. Match after match I have watched him trot up & down the line in front of me clearing going through the motions. He has a contract until 2010! We need him out. ASAP. This. Only i see him warming up from an angle, rather than right in front of me. He is in front me; running up & down at between say a 45 to 90 degree angle to the front of me, depending upon his running position on the cinder track. OK? ......and no matter what angle I see him from he looks like he couldn't give a sh*t. If Sam can make a decent PL player out of him he will deserve a medal. Confidence will not give him pace & I really don't think it will give him courage either. The 30 minutes or so he played against Manure on his debut was deeply disappointing; he clearly wasn't a winger & ducked out of every challenge. Allardyce is good with people, we know that, but f****** Luque can't be magically given pace/control/heart/awareness, can he? Aside from the kids who think the online showreel is a true reflection of his ability, not many NUFC fans (and even fewer who've actually watched him live) think he can cut it. And they're right, imho. My 12 year old step son thinks Luque is a good player 'cos he is Newcastle's best player on PC Football Manager (or something). I think there are those on here who may also feel the same & therefore we should stand by him. Please note, PC simulations are not real life. Luque is not our best player, he will not score over 20 goals a season & he is not worth 20M. PS: This equally applies to all other posts that make reference to such PC games & the abilities of players referred too. You see we can agree on somethings.

Basically, what you're saying there is that you're horrified that the club is actually doing good business, then going on to complain that we're not 'squad-building', having whined that we brought in four players. It's 'What's the beef?,' too, FYI. I'll think you'll find it is "Where's the beef" & I am not saying that at all. I am saying we have brought in 4 players for little money & are now struggling to get others in & querying why. Money on that? Bet you £100. "Where's the beef?" is a catch phrase best known in the United States and Canada. Since it was first used, it has become an all-purpose phrase questioning the substance of an idea, event or product. It came to public attention in a 1980s US television commercial created by Joe Sedelmaier as part of Dancer, Fitzgerald, Sample's fast food advertising campaign for the Wendy's chain of hamburger restaurants. In the ad, titled "Fluffy Bun", elderly actress Clara Peller receives a competitor's burger with a massive bun (the competitor's slogan was "Home of the Big Bun"). The small patty prompts the gruff Peller to angrily exclaim "Where's the beef?" The humorous ad and Peller's memorable character soon gave the catch-phrase a life of its own, and it was repeated in countless TV shows, films, magazines, and other media outlets. First airing on January 10, 1984, "Fluffy Bun" featured three elderly ladies examining an exaggeratedly huge hamburger bun topped with a minuscule hamburger patty: the other two ladies poked it, exchanging bemused comments: "It certainly is a big bun." "It's a big fluffy bun", before being interrupted by Peller's outraged, irascible demand. Sequels featured Peller yelling at a Fluffy Bun executive on his yacht over the phone, and coming up to drive up windows at multiple fast food restaurants that would be slammed down before she could complete the line The phrase was associated with the 1984 U.S. presidential election. During primaries in the spring[when? see talk page] of 1984, when the commercial was at its height of popularity, Democratic candidate and former Vice President Walter Mondale ridiculed the candidacy of his rival, Senator Gary Hart by using the phrase during a televised debate before the New York and Pennsylvania primaries. Hart had moved his candidacy from dark horse to the lead over Mondale based on his repeated use of the phrase "new ideas." When Hart once again used the slogan in the debate, Mondale leaned forward and said, "When I hear your new ideas I'm reminded of that ad, 'Where's the beef?'" The line got a great response from the audience. Thenceforth, the two campaigns continually clashed using the two dueling slogans. Mondale ultimately prevailed to win the Democratic Party nomination, only to lose the general election in 1984 in a landslide to incumbent Ronald Reagan. Give the money to charity & let the mods know who it is for. My own preference would be the Special Care Baby Unit at the RVI who I'm forever grateful. You've, uh, undermined your whole argument by defining it. Nice job. What you really meant was 'What's the beef?' which means 'What's going on? Err, you owe charity £100 mate. The phrase is "Where's the beef" as in "Where is the substance". It doesn't become you trying to wriggle out of it by making up your own phrase & saying that is what I meant. Considering the first sentence of your original post is 'what's going on?' you don't have a leg to stand on. The argument is over, because you're wrong. Sorry, you said the phrase is "What's the beef" & bet £100. I proved it is "Where's the beef" & you owe charity £100. I can see that you are not going to pay up & you can continue to be delusional about who was correct if you wish. The phrase IS 'What's the Beef?' there is another phrase, 'Where's the Beef?' but it's not the one you intended. Both phrases exist, but you used the wrong one. Suck it up. You can read my mind can you? I did ask what is going in but in context of the bigger question of where is the substance (in this case the cash, intent of MA & the signings we need to bring in). You remain incorrect my friend; this does not make you a bad person, but don't place bets that a) you have no intention of paying up on or b) unless you really are a mind reader

Basically, what you're saying there is that you're horrified that the club is actually doing good business, then going on to complain that we're not 'squad-building', having whined that we brought in four players. It's 'What's the beef?,' too, FYI. I'll think you'll find it is "Where's the beef" & I am not saying that at all. I am saying we have brought in 4 players for little money & are now struggling to get others in & querying why. Money on that? Bet you £100. "Where's the beef?" is a catch phrase best known in the United States and Canada. Since it was first used, it has become an all-purpose phrase questioning the substance of an idea, event or product. It came to public attention in a 1980s US television commercial created by Joe Sedelmaier as part of Dancer, Fitzgerald, Sample's fast food advertising campaign for the Wendy's chain of hamburger restaurants. In the ad, titled "Fluffy Bun", elderly actress Clara Peller receives a competitor's burger with a massive bun (the competitor's slogan was "Home of the Big Bun"). The small patty prompts the gruff Peller to angrily exclaim "Where's the beef?" The humorous ad and Peller's memorable character soon gave the catch-phrase a life of its own, and it was repeated in countless TV shows, films, magazines, and other media outlets. First airing on January 10, 1984, "Fluffy Bun" featured three elderly ladies examining an exaggeratedly huge hamburger bun topped with a minuscule hamburger patty: the other two ladies poked it, exchanging bemused comments: "It certainly is a big bun." "It's a big fluffy bun", before being interrupted by Peller's outraged, irascible demand. Sequels featured Peller yelling at a Fluffy Bun executive on his yacht over the phone, and coming up to drive up windows at multiple fast food restaurants that would be slammed down before she could complete the line The phrase was associated with the 1984 U.S. presidential election. During primaries in the spring[when? see talk page] of 1984, when the commercial was at its height of popularity, Democratic candidate and former Vice President Walter Mondale ridiculed the candidacy of his rival, Senator Gary Hart by using the phrase during a televised debate before the New York and Pennsylvania primaries. Hart had moved his candidacy from dark horse to the lead over Mondale based on his repeated use of the phrase "new ideas." When Hart once again used the slogan in the debate, Mondale leaned forward and said, "When I hear your new ideas I'm reminded of that ad, 'Where's the beef?'" The line got a great response from the audience. Thenceforth, the two campaigns continually clashed using the two dueling slogans. Mondale ultimately prevailed to win the Democratic Party nomination, only to lose the general election in 1984 in a landslide to incumbent Ronald Reagan. Give the money to charity & let the mods know who it is for. My own preference would be the Special Care Baby Unit at the RVI who I'm forever grateful. You've, uh, undermined your whole argument by defining it. Nice job. What you really meant was 'What's the beef?' which means 'What's going on? Err, you owe charity £100 mate. The phrase is "Where's the beef" as in "Where is the substance". It doesn't become you trying to wriggle out of it by making up your own phrase & saying that is what I meant. Considering the first sentence of your original post is 'what's going on?' you don't have a leg to stand on. The argument is over, because you're wrong. Sorry, you said the phrase is "What's the beef" & bet £100. I proved it is "Where's the beef" & you owe charity £100. I can see that you are not going to pay up & you can continue to be delusional about who was correct if you wish.

There's no pressure on MA, it seems an awful lot of people on here are more than happy with the current state of things. Why should we the fans know what he has in mind for his investment? Too right he should come out & nail his colours truly to the mast & back it up with actions.

He has the 95% but it won't be officially complete until the club is de-listed from the stock market.......28th July is the date being talked about. Like I said, the takeover isn't complete yet. 18th i think actually. how is the duscher thing comical btw? he is a highly rated dm, available for free, we brought him here, he's overweight and unfit and sent packing. basically what should have happened to bernard last year and kluivert 3 years ago. I think you have answered your own question. I think you need to stop smoking crack. ? Hands up if your think we should be giving trials to overweight & unfit players? Sam wasn't even there to see him the first day. Complete waste of time.

Basically, what you're saying there is that you're horrified that the club is actually doing good business, then going on to complain that we're not 'squad-building', having whined that we brought in four players. It's 'What's the beef?,' too, FYI. I'll think you'll find it is "Where's the beef" & I am not saying that at all. I am saying we have brought in 4 players for little money & are now struggling to get others in & querying why. Money on that? Bet you £100. "Where's the beef?" is a catch phrase best known in the United States and Canada. Since it was first used, it has become an all-purpose phrase questioning the substance of an idea, event or product. It came to public attention in a 1980s US television commercial created by Joe Sedelmaier as part of Dancer, Fitzgerald, Sample's fast food advertising campaign for the Wendy's chain of hamburger restaurants. In the ad, titled "Fluffy Bun", elderly actress Clara Peller receives a competitor's burger with a massive bun (the competitor's slogan was "Home of the Big Bun"). The small patty prompts the gruff Peller to angrily exclaim "Where's the beef?" The humorous ad and Peller's memorable character soon gave the catch-phrase a life of its own, and it was repeated in countless TV shows, films, magazines, and other media outlets. First airing on January 10, 1984, "Fluffy Bun" featured three elderly ladies examining an exaggeratedly huge hamburger bun topped with a minuscule hamburger patty: the other two ladies poked it, exchanging bemused comments: "It certainly is a big bun." "It's a big fluffy bun", before being interrupted by Peller's outraged, irascible demand. Sequels featured Peller yelling at a Fluffy Bun executive on his yacht over the phone, and coming up to drive up windows at multiple fast food restaurants that would be slammed down before she could complete the line The phrase was associated with the 1984 U.S. presidential election. During primaries in the spring[when? — see talk page] of 1984, when the commercial was at its height of popularity, Democratic candidate and former Vice President Walter Mondale ridiculed the candidacy of his rival, Senator Gary Hart by using the phrase during a televised debate before the New York and Pennsylvania primaries. Hart had moved his candidacy from dark horse to the lead over Mondale based on his repeated use of the phrase "new ideas." When Hart once again used the slogan in the debate, Mondale leaned forward and said, "When I hear your new ideas I'm reminded of that ad, 'Where's the beef?'" The line got a great response from the audience. Thenceforth, the two campaigns continually clashed using the two dueling slogans. Mondale ultimately prevailed to win the Democratic Party nomination, only to lose the general election in 1984 in a landslide to incumbent Ronald Reagan. Give the money to charity & let the mods know who it is for. My own preference would be the Special Care Baby Unit at the RVI who I'm forever grateful. You've, uh, undermined your whole argument by defining it. Nice job. What you really meant was 'What's the beef?' which means 'What's going on? Err, you owe charity £100 mate. The phrase is "Where's the beef" as in "Where is the substance". It doesn't become you trying to wriggle out of it by making up your own phrase & saying that is what I meant.

Basically, what you're saying there is that you're horrified that the club is actually doing good business, then going on to complain that we're not 'squad-building', having whined that we brought in four players. It's 'What's the beef?,' too, FYI. I'll think you'll find it is "Where's the beef" & I am not saying that at all. I am saying we have brought in 4 players for little money & are now struggling to get others in & querying why. Money on that? Bet you £100. "Where's the beef?" is a catch phrase best known in the United States and Canada. Since it was first used, it has become an all-purpose phrase questioning the substance of an idea, event or product. It came to public attention in a 1980s US television commercial created by Joe Sedelmaier as part of Dancer, Fitzgerald, Sample's fast food advertising campaign for the Wendy's chain of hamburger restaurants. In the ad, titled "Fluffy Bun", elderly actress Clara Peller receives a competitor's burger with a massive bun (the competitor's slogan was "Home of the Big Bun"). The small patty prompts the gruff Peller to angrily exclaim "Where's the beef?" The humorous ad and Peller's memorable character soon gave the catch-phrase a life of its own, and it was repeated in countless TV shows, films, magazines, and other media outlets. First airing on January 10, 1984, "Fluffy Bun" featured three elderly ladies examining an exaggeratedly huge hamburger bun topped with a minuscule hamburger patty: the other two ladies poked it, exchanging bemused comments: "It certainly is a big bun." "It's a big fluffy bun", before being interrupted by Peller's outraged, irascible demand. Sequels featured Peller yelling at a Fluffy Bun executive on his yacht over the phone, and coming up to drive up windows at multiple fast food restaurants that would be slammed down before she could complete the line The phrase was associated with the 1984 U.S. presidential election. During primaries in the spring[when? — see talk page] of 1984, when the commercial was at its height of popularity, Democratic candidate and former Vice President Walter Mondale ridiculed the candidacy of his rival, Senator Gary Hart by using the phrase during a televised debate before the New York and Pennsylvania primaries. Hart had moved his candidacy from dark horse to the lead over Mondale based on his repeated use of the phrase "new ideas." When Hart once again used the slogan in the debate, Mondale leaned forward and said, "When I hear your new ideas I'm reminded of that ad, 'Where's the beef?'" The line got a great response from the audience. Thenceforth, the two campaigns continually clashed using the two dueling slogans. Mondale ultimately prevailed to win the Democratic Party nomination, only to lose the general election in 1984 in a landslide to incumbent Ronald Reagan. Give the money to charity & let the mods know who it is for. My own preference would by the Special Care Baby Unit at the RVI who I'm forever grateful.

He has the 95% but it won't be officially complete until the club is de-listed from the stock market.......28th July is the date being talked about. Like I said, the takeover isn't complete yet. 18th i think actually. how is the duscher thing comical btw? he is a highly rated dm, available for free, we brought him here, he's overweight and unfit and sent packing. basically what should have happened to bernard last year and kluivert 3 years ago. I think you have answered your own question.

Basically, what you're saying there is that you're horrified that the club is actually doing good business, then going on to complain that we're not 'squad-building', having whined that we brought in four players. It's 'What's the beef?,' too, FYI. I'll think you'll find it is "Where's the beef" & I am not saying that at all. I am saying we have brought in 4 players for little money & are now struggling to get others in & querying why. He has the 95% but it won't be officially complete until the club is de-listed from the stock market.......28th July is the date being talked about. Like I said, the takeover isn't complete yet. Ok; where not owned by a billionaire & we are doing fantastic business in the the transfer market, we will be ok by the start of the season. There is no reason to question what is happening as it will all resolve itself come kick off. Meanwhile Sam is working his crackers off to get players in & for some reason is not succeeding. If it is being implied that MA will not release the purse strings until the club is delisted then MA motives need questioning as he would currently be hindering the club.

Not that interested in them Gemmill. I want a defense. I would have loved us to have gone after Woodgate, may be a bit of a risk at 7M but surely well worth the gamble? I have seen the views that Baines is too small but I'd also take him; I'd love Bridge but that aint going to happen. Luke Young/ Shorey? Not sure, better than what we have but not top drawer. There's 5 players (not a trophy player in sight) & we have signed a untility man to play at RB.

In addition to those mentioned West Ham are trying to buy quality, Fulham & others are squad building. In terms of net spend we are close to the bottom. We have been taken over by a billionaire who wants us to be world force in a couple of years. We are currently comparing ourselves to the buying power of Bolton, Reading & Everton. MA/ Sam may be keeping their cards close to their chests but the trickle of news that is coming out after the initial rush isn't exactly fantastic in our efforts to get players in. I don't think that Sam has made break throughs with many of his first choice defensive targets or they would be here by now. The fact that the likes of Queudrue are being mentioned is not good news. They may be better but we are talking margins not strides.

Do you really think that the team is vastly improved? I don't see vast improvement. 4 players of their quality wouldn't cost 30M; it would however show that the money was there. If people are happy with the current position then that shows how low expectations are. If people genuinely feel that we will be top 6 with the current squad then they are in cloud cuckoo land. Look at our defense to see why.

What the f***? It's July, we've made a few signings, and I'm sure there are more on the way. We aren't Chelsea though, and this isn't FM07 - Sam doesn't get to press a "Make offer for player" button. I don't want to come over all Glenn Roeder, but signings can take a while. Chill out. The teams that are "striding ahead of us" were already a mile ahead of us. Can understand the feelings of frustration though! Particularly in relation to the teams 'striding ahead of us', that you refer to Gemmill, as these are exactly the teams we need to be 'catching up to in the transfer market' (not letting them stay as far ahead as they were, or get even further ahead). We need to chill though - remember, it is still only mid-July! I am trying to be chill about this; but do not want to be frozen out. We are doing neither nowt or something at the moment. For whatever reason we seemed to have stalled in the bringing in new players game & with a whole new defence (hopefully) to knit together we really do not have much time to get this ready. We should be raising our expectation. People on here were prepared for Duscher to be given a trial, think that Luque could come good or that Baba may do ok. IMO this is all nonsense. Sam came in & got rid of the players whose contracts were up & he didn't want yet we are struggling to back fill nevermind improve things. I sincerely hope that he is trying to get hold of MA & ask him where the cash is. We do not need to be in a position at the start of August where we are asking the same questions.

What's really going on? The early excitement of the takeover is becoming increasingly replaced with thoughts of what are we doing & where is the cash? The colds facts at the moment are that we have a net spend of less than 2M, having activated 1 players get out clause & a comparative small amount on a defender. We have also captured 2 out of contract players. We have also failed to attract another free agent (Ben Haim) and have been rebuffed by Beye, Heinze & possibly others that we do not know about. Other clubs are striding ahead of us in this preseason market. Some of the money may be stupid but they are spending it. Look around at the transfers that have happened and the squad building that the lesser clubs are doing. Sam made it clear that he wants a new defence. So far we have released more defenders than we have brought in; although it seems that Geremi will be used as a right back. We still need another RB, 2LB's & at least 1 more central defender & another central midfield player. We haven't got much time to get these in & make them into a defensive unit ready for the start of the season. If either Martins or Owen leaves we have further holes to plug. There has been talk of Edmilson, Duscher, Deco, Gudjohnsen, Bridge, Young et al. Much of this talk is little more than hyperbole created by the press with little else to talk about. I have still got my rose tainted specs on at the moment & I believe that Sam is doing all that he can but I am a little concerned. This latest episode with Duscher is almost comical & does nothing but raise questions. Where is the cash? Why can't we get the players we want?

What a bloody waste of time. Sam wasn't even there the first day. Worthwhile excercise? You have to be kidding.

Decent player, gives his all & seems to care. Pity he has no pace or many tricks to create space, both major stumbling blocks for the position we have been playing him in.

This. Only i see him warming up from an angle, rather than right in front of me. He is in front me; running up & down at between say a 45 to 90 degree angle to the front of me, depending upon his running position on the cinder track. OK? ......and no matter what angle I see him from he looks like he couldn't give a sh*t. If Sam can make a decent PL player out of him he will deserve a medal. Confidence will not give him pace & I really don't think it will give him courage either. The 30 minutes or so he played against Manure on his debut was deeply disappointing; he clearly wasn't a winger & ducked out of every challenge. Allardyce is good with people, we know that, but f****** Luque can't be magically given pace/control/heart/awareness, can he? Aside from the kids who think the online showreel is a true reflection of his ability, not many NUFC fans (and even fewer who've actually watched him live) think he can cut it. And they're right, imho. My 12 year old step son thinks Luque is a good player 'cos he is Newcastle's best player on PC Football Manager (or something). I think there are those on here who may also feel the same & therefore we should stand by him. Please note, PC simulations are not real life. Luque is not our best player, he will not score over 20 goals a season & he is not worth 20M. PS: This equally applies to all other posts that make reference to such PC games & the abilities of players referred too.

I bloody well hope Manure get him & get themselves into trouble. If they pull out of the deal there is always Owen/ Martins to fall back on.

This. Only i see him warming up from an angle, rather than right in front of me. He is in front me; running up & down at between say a 45 to 90 degree angle to the front of me, depending upon his running position on the cinder track. OK? ......and no matter what angle I see him from he looks like he couldn't give a sh*t. If Sam can make a decent PL player out of him he will deserve a medal. Confidence will not give him pace & I really don't think it will give him courage either. The 30 minutes or so he played against Manure on his debut was deeply disappointing; he clearly wasn't a winger & ducked out of every challenge. He was unfit in that game iirc wasn't he? Newcastle do have a tendancy to throw players in at the deep end in difficult circumstances. I agree with what the lad above said in that if you are more confident you are more likely to put better tackles in and not necessarily duck out of challenges. Also, although confidence cannot add pace, it can add that extra level of sharpness as you will be more determined and that little bit more explosive. Confidence plays a huge role in how a player performs. He was fit until he got kicked over the touch line. I agree that confidence plays a major part on how a player performs but I have also seen attempts to build Luque's confidence up & when he has been put in the team he simply did not look up to it. Fair do's to Sam; he is willing to give it a fresh start. IMO it will not work. What may happen is that Sam does play him in the hope that it encourages someone to buy him. SBR seemed to get rid of a few of our deadwood by doing that.

This. Only i see him warming up from an angle, rather than right in front of me. He is in front me; running up & down at between say a 45 to 90 degree angle to the front of me, depending upon his running position on the cinder track. OK? ......and no matter what angle I see him from he looks like he couldn't give a sh*t. If Sam can make a decent PL player out of him he will deserve a medal. Confidence will not give him pace & I really don't think it will give him courage either. The 30 minutes or so he played against Manure on his debut was deeply disappointing; he clearly wasn't a winger & ducked out of every challenge.

Sam will not be able to add 5 yards of pace to Luque's game or the courage needed to compete in the PL. I have not seen any player knocked so easily off the ball as Luque & he tackles like a coward. He is a player who needs time on the ball & protection from referees; he aint going to get that in PL. I would love to see him do well but that aint going to happen either. Watching Luque warm up is soul destroying. Match after match I have watched him trot up & down the line in front of me clearing going through the motions. He has a contract until 2010! We need him out. ASAP.

I'll ask again; why are we going down this route? Viduka - free - no trial Geremi - free - no trial Ben Haim - free - no trial asked Duscher - invite him for a trial Sam knew the first 3 & was happy - he doesn't know Duscher but is willing to give him a trial - why? What does this say of the club (not questioning Sam here)? Again, if I were Duscher & was still the man I'd tell Sam to stick his trial up his arse. If Depor rated him they'd make him a decent offer. We'll get a squad player at best & one who may sit & simply pick up his cash - we do not need this anymore. Sam may see him & say not good enough. My concern is why this way of dealing is currently necessary.

Thanks, given this & putting aside all opinion I again ask why are we having to go down this route? What's going on to make this necessary.

Yeah, free transfers are always s*** and no top club would ever pick up a player on the expiration of his contract. Feel free to let me know of any top club that has brought in a bosman signing following a trial. As it happens I think Sam is doing very well. However, I am concerned about why we are continuing to shop in the bargain basement stores. Is this because Sam is struggling to break his mould, are we as a club not an attractive proposition or is there a problem with the kitty? I can name quite a few who came in without trials. Surely that's an even greater risk by your logic. Sorry, I didn't ask that. My logic was that if a player needed a trial then the manager must have doubts. If he signs without a trial then he must be sure - he may turn out to be rubbish but the manager didn't have initial doubts. I further suggested that a player willing to agree to a trial is one whose stock on the market has fallen fairly low.

Yeah, free transfers are always s*** and no top club would ever pick up a player on the expiration of his contract. Feel free to let me know of any top club that has brought in a bosman signing following a trial. As it happens I think Sam is doing very well. However, I am concerned about why we are continuing to shop in the bargain basement stores. Is this because Sam is struggling to break his mould, are we as a club not an attractive proposition or is there a problem with the kitty?