um pahars

Chunnel booked early Thursday, so we are on a road trip. Bit of a whistle stop for this one as spending 4 days in Rotterdam for the Feyenoord game! £65 inc hotel just North East of Arnhem. Apparently we won't be getting tickets, instead there will be vouchers to exchange on the day????

So looks as though we will only be getting 1200 as home tickets being sold in all parts of the ground.

Hopefully we should be sorted for tickets (Feyenoord ones already banked), but if not think we will be travelling for the atmosphere anyway and see what happens. Tickets in home end or just watch it in a boozer. Hopefully someone will see sense and offer us that whole end.

ironing (Or is it irony)

Think it's only natural that people are disappointed, despondent and/or feel aggrieved. There have always been these type of issues in the game, its just that I think in the modern era of mega wonga, player power, agents influence, playersmercenary nature etc, then these occasions appear more frequent and more high profile. I also imagine most of us are aware of our place in the pecking order and to have 80 or so League Clubs below is a privileged position to be in (particularly given our recent past). Doesn't mean we won't have a moan bout it though. As for the Spurs fans giving it the big one about pecking order, status & bsigningcentre backs, then one word should remind them that it's all swings and roundabouts. SOL CAMPBELL

No one has mentioned us in a bidding war with Spurs, so am presuming when Toby's team made it clear they wanted Spurs, then negotiations took off to find a deal that could be taken forward. Understand AM played hardball until they got the figure they were happy with. I know Saints were more than happy to pay the agreed sum in the loan deal, but they also had a range in mind if AM pulled the loan figure (and the Spurs number is in That range).

Two things I would add would be that Spurs had to up their bid a few times before it was accepted and Toby & agent (dad/brother) were keeping their powder dry with us in case his first choice (Spurs) collapsed.

The view is that AM only ever saw it as a timing issue, in that once they agreed to sell and knew he had a couple of suitors, they would pay it once they received the monies from Spurs. Toby kept his options open all the way through, sensible, or stringing us along, I'll let you decide (although the inside line is people feel very let down by his actions).

Spurs (and others) have been on the case for months through intermediaries and back channels. Similarly Saints have been crystal clear of their desire to sign him and what they were going to pay him (joint top earner at the Club). They were also prepared to match any rival with regards the fee up to a certain figure (the £11.5m quoted is well within this). Toby knew we wanted him and what the deal was, but he also knew of the other offers. Saints were also aware of other suitors but had no mechanism to get him signed up early under a "pre deal", and started getting nervous when the players co agent?? (Dad or brother???) began stalling. It was then quite clear that he wanted to sign for Spurs and the only hand we had to play was a legal threat, which they are still pursuing, but only in the anticipation of compensation, not of voiding the deal. Toby is on much more at Spurs and there are other financial inducements. He and his team have driven this and ignored all attempts by us to tie him down, once he was first tapped up a fair few months ago he was off.

Not sure how you come to that conclusion. Toby knew he was wanted here, he was happy with the deal, manager and vision, but before we had any chance of doing the deal with Atletico Madrid and himself, Spurs put a counter offer on the table. There is/was no option of a pre deal contract the way we have got some of our youngsters tied up before their "proper" first contract. Quite simply he chose them (and understand his dad/brother??? were influential I n all this, co agent???). The current impasse is Saints arguing over the option they had and Spurs have had to hold back from going public so as not to prejudice theirs (& AMs) position. However, Spurs now want to force the deal through and will announce imminently. We will be left to argue with AM, FA & UEFA, but the feeling is that won't stop the player playing where he wants to go.

Toby will be at Spurs, quite simply because that's where he wants to go. The deal is effectively done, but it can't be signed off/announced until our objection has been sorted out. The view is someone will have to pay us some ££€€€€ to step away, but we ain't getting Toby that's for sure.

So the man sat behind the desk did know more than the megastore manager (BTW it wasnt the different opinion it was the arrogance)

Not sure it's going to be received very well on here!!

Already booked, out Thurs lunchtime, back Sunday (flying Soton to Amsterdam). Apparently we're in a hostel (I might upgrade!!!!!!!). And believe there is a big festival in the city that weekend. Sounds a good un

I picked up from an old friend of his sometime around Xmas time I think that he was saying Liverpool was a done deal and agents were working behind the scenes. Posted it up here, but can't find it now!!!

I'm hearing game could be Thursday night!

Had the inside word that the Feyenoord game is going ahead (public announcement today or Monday). They haven't confirmed whether Friday or Saturday, but it is that weekend. Now, do we fly or minibus/Chunnel it????

Anyone got any news on the Feyenoord game??? Trying to sort out a trip for the match and don't want to book things if there is any doubt due to Europa Cup game the following week.

Good spot and looking at last years results in the first leg, some seeded teams played at home first (PSV, Brugge, Dinamo Moscow, Elfsborg, Young Boys) whilst others away (Torino, Hull, Lyon). So our trip abroad could be on 30 July or 6 August.

We are Frantically trying to sort out a stag weekend, so would also like to know the answer. Original plan was a trip to Rotterdam for the Feyenoorc friendly (24th July??), but a) not sure this friendly will go ahead??? And b) a European tour might be more attractive. PS the lads from Veho are playing at SMS today and are going to ask the powers that be if there has been a change of plan re the Feyenoord game and will let you know if I hear anything.

All opinion, but don't think there is much between Liverpool and Spurs. Both now living in the shadows of their rivals and shadows of their former selves. Spurs new ground looks amazing and I venture will put them on a par with Liverpool in a few years. They both might push the current top four in future seasons when the benefit of ground redevelopments kicks in, but think for a fair few seaeons they will be also rans (mind you, bigger also rans than us).

Whilst I agree with your sentiments, and money does appear to be the biggest motivator for most players, I would argue he has already had his winning the lottery moment with his current contract (plus his new one being offered by us). Those deals have already set him up for life, this Liverpool offer just makes it even more luxurious!!!!! As you say it depends on what your main motivation is/was.

Really can't help but think Suarez really carried them that season. A gifted (if not slightly mental) predator whose goals masked some serious deficiencies right across the board. Didn't they have something like the worst defence of the top 7/8 clubs???? But they are much bigger than us in almost every measurement, so it would be a step up for him (not least in terms of £££££s in his pocket), but that doesn't mean we just roll over and suck it up.

Similar thoughts in that £10m+ isn't even worth considering on three fronts. 1) think Clyne will be an important player for us and possibly worth more than £10m on his own (even if it is for one season only). Throw in the message to others that they can't go on the cheap. 2) it's strengthening a direct rival 3) how much for a replacement?? I bet Leeds won't be letting Byram go for less than £8m-£10m. I'd settle for £20m, regardless of the buyer (although might slap on an additional £5m Scouse/Rodgers tariff)

Have to a agree with you (although it may be the OCD in me). When you look at the keeper kit, it's balanced, so no idea why they couldn't put the Adidas opposite the Saints Crest.