Colinjb

Quite. By very definition an Agent works on the behalf of someone, they are their representative. If the agent misrepresents his client that's another matter, but the client is responsible for their behaviour.

3 years ago I might have agreed with you. After a stint chasing the money in the middle east I cannot see him being the right fit. His goal rate is still rather impressive though, 81 in 65 appearances for Al Ain.

See, I don't see it as defeating the object, for creatures of habit like Dad and myself it's ideal. Order our half time drinks a day beforehand, go down at half time, beat the queue, miss less of the game.

Their front three made us look amateur that day.

Pacey, strong and can run the channels, also capable of scoring and dragging defenders out of position to create space for Pelle or the creative midfielders. The Leverkusen game showed a need for someone who can stretch the centre backs of the opposition and force their line back. While he is not world class he will do a job and I shall not take out any frustration over the combined factors of his price, the state of the market and our weak bargaining position. Welcome aboard Shane. Good luck.

Clearly that!

Oh that would be beautiful.

Welcome to the forum john_ro. Thanks for the opinion on Gardos. As far as the Romanian media is concerned is this a done deal?

Ooooo, interesting....

We are in a weak position. Clubs know we have money so we need to pay slightly over the odds to secure the signatures. Looking for a silver lining, at least he's cheaper then Ross McCormack.

Am I the only one who would be pleased with Shane Long? The memories of the West Brom front three of Long, Lukaku and Fortune ripping us to pieces at the back end of 12/13 isn't that distant a memory surely? Quick, strong and powerful. Just what many have called for.

I assume this will be the same type of exclusive that sees the game on the console exclusively for a year then it comes out on multi format. It would need to be a massive sum of money to stop Square Enix from releasing it on the PS4 at some point.

So you understand that a lot of their behaviour is wrong... Not every player should be tared with the same brush but can you now see why they may be such resentment?

Yet so many footballers are willing to do it, almost go against their previous behavior, sometimes humble roots and turn into these mercenary brats. Do they actually understand what they are doing or is the extra five figure sum per week enough for it to leave their minds? Adam Lallana is now a pariah in the city that launched his footballing career.... he so easily burned the bridges. I can understand ambition but there is no class or dignity in these people.

Which is the root of the resentment. The rules do not apply to them if they throw their toys out of the pram. Not only that, but they are more likely to be rewarded in many cases by behaving like a spoilt child. As we have found repeatedly to our cost this summer.

It applies to all walks of life, not just footballers. You sign a contract, respect it. It's why they need to be considered before entering into them. You said that footballers shouldn't be treated differently because of the money they get paid. Fine, they should respect their contracts in the same way the rest of the world do.

Of course not yet stress, possible mental illness, tragedy, overbearing employers and various other hardships are not exclusive to footballers either. Looking for sympathy from those who would kill to be in their position and live the dream that they are living is always going to be a fools errand.

Looks like I need to re-read the Saintsweb T's and C's.....

When you get in excess of 10k a week Bearsy i'll look forward to a pint.

Irene. I can only sympathise with anyone who has experienced any personal loss, but to suggest that the life of a top level professional footballer is anything other then a rare and privileged opportunity is quite illogical. It will come with it's own unique challenges without question, but to go onto a forum of people who will never experience the wealth, adulation, attention and financial security that can be provided by it and expect unwavering empathy is a more then a little disingenuous. People who earn a pittance in jobs they detest have to do them in conditions far worse then those you have described with far less allowance for personal issues, if you are a professional you have to work around it, not demand concession after concession. If you don't like it, tough, you'll be out of the door within the minimal notice period with no financial comeback. I'm sorry, but you are just reinforcing the perception that the world of a modern footballer is that of a cocoon far beyond what 99.9% of the world would call reality.

I'm a little confused here, some people have been blunt in responding to you and swore in dismissal. But I see no direct insults, is it the tone that's bothering you?

Wait, so Irene knows who this Charlie chap is!?

But you do have a preference then?

Who is your club Irene? Genuinely curious.

Forster has his first team place assured and the millions you mentioned earlier which i'm sure will help him overcome any such disappointment. Kelvin is a club legend (overused word, but I feel he is) and that number one shirt is his until he officially retires, he has earned it.