Shroppie

Not totally. I think the tapping-up, no doubt vigorously supported by his agent, sowed the seeds and got him thinking. We don't know what has transpired between him and Saints except that the statement about no-one leaving suggests he may have been told "one more year". We know Saints fired a warning shot across Liverpool's bows and that has, in my opinion, caused LFC and the agent to use the media to encourage tactics to force a move - something they've done many times before. The Scouse fans then add to that through social media, trying to get to VVD and convince him that Liverpool is a great club, he really wants to play there and is entitled to move if he wants to and Saints are the bad guys if they block him. Yes, he probably would like a move and a bigger pay packet. Who wouldn't? But he could be moving to a really big club in 12 months, rather than having to negotiate his way out of Liverpool, who'll see things a bit differently when it's their player being lured away. And, of course, his agent would love as many moves (and big commissions) as possible. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

And you're a bit quick to get touchy about it. If you care to review my posting history, you'll see I'm not quick to jump on people's backs. Maybe I jumped to a wrong conclusion over your user name, but there are Skates who openly post on here with similar names. If I am wrong, my apologies for that, but not for embarrassing a first-time poster who's either failed miserably with a wind-up (probably not) or been totally taken in by a LFC forum bit of fake news. As has been easily researched by others, this so-called lawyer is nothing of the sort, just a troll. And of course, as a long-standing supporter, I'm interested in whether VVD will stay, and I look on here for concrete news. It's the rubbish posted on LFC forums in the hope of manipulating things that is a waste of space and time. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Can't argue with that. I don't do it. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Exactly. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Doubt anyone beyond Liverpool is interested. I'm certainly not. In fact, I'm totally bored (but p!ssed off too) with the constant attempts of Scouser fans, the media, agents and possibly LFC too, to build pressure and a sense of "everyone's saying it so it must be true' in the hope that it will persuade VVD that they are actually better than second-rate and he should want to go there. I really hope that, in the end, he's not conned, Saints hold firm and meaningful action is taken against Liverpool. I think there's a reasonable chance of the first two, none at all of the last. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Ah. And "empireofthekop" is clearly an unbiased source. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Mmm. Let me think. New poster. Mackers81=mackerel=skate methinks. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Sounds like it's what you want. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

It's a mug's game betting on transfers. So easy to create false news and rumours. Only those really in the know can make a packet on insider trading. And yes, it's time it was investigated. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Slightly too polite, in my opinion. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Just the standard Sky sources generating a bit of betting income. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Why do we actually need to sign someone soon? The success of a window is not how much business you do, and how much you spend, but the quality/cost balance of anyone we do bring in. My guess is that any signings we do make will be virtually unknown, off the radar, kept secret until they happen and at sensible prices. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

And they lap up the mentality that you have to be seen to be spending stupid money on over-hyped names. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'm not a fan of Charlie, and I don't think he'll fit well in a pressing, high-tempo game. Not mobile enough. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'd agree. We need the option of a physically stronger forward. Hoping Gallagher will come good. We've got enough small players with pace and some skill, but little finishing power. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Probably right. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Seems quite good at not scoring. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I agree with most of this. In particular, greedy agents will do anything to push through a lucrative transfer, unsettling the player, manipulating the media and encouraging the tactics of striking, putting in transfer requests, etc. It's become a money-grabbing currupt system in which player loyalty has to be avoided and the only interests are financial, not what is best for a player's development. Plus the growing assumption that contracts mean nothing and players are entitled to walk out whenever they like on the grounds that you can't stop them accepting a bigger offer. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

A little worrying that phrases like "as long as he doesn't agitate for a move'" and "the gossip is unsubstantiated at this stage" are creeping in. I hope they'll stand firm, but just a hint that they're preparing excuses. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I've heard he put a smiley thing but with a wink and a slightly quizzical glumish expression. I need a 12 year old Twitter expert to interpret. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

It's either agent or local media (or LFC ignoring warnings) desperately trying to create pressure. Whether it's with VVD's encouragement, I don't know. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Utterly stupid Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Neither can paying more and more for players. The satellite TV bubble will burst soon. Can the TV companies generate enough from streaming to keep paying Megabucks for rights? I doubt it. What happens when the Premier League loses its cash cow? Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'll accept that prices are being forced up by agents and the media. But there are still good buys to be had at a sensible price if your Black Box works. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I don't think it defines what we need to spend. It shows how clubs have got richer with TV cash and Sky, agents and the wider media delight in implying a correlation between money spent and success. I haven't got the time to do a detailed analysis, but it's fairly obvious that the success of a transferred player doesn't correlate that well with the fee. There are plenty of expensive flops around, as well as those who come good after small transfer fees from unfashionable leagues. Of course, the media, and especially Sky, always express amazement that this can happen. It doesn't fit their model. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk