david in sweden

In my (Swedish-born) family; I tell them it's my English sense of humour, it's cultural, double meanings and all that, but they still don't get it, and I need to give a course of puns every time.

How right you are, but don't publish that thought too much. Brendan still hasn't learned that the secret of the Lallana / Lambert partnership was playing them together, and not just have their names on the same team sheet.

whilst I think the same about his speaking style, when you get past that ....you begin to see that what he says, actually makes sense in " a hokey manner " at any rate, judging by the level of success and acceptance he has attained I think that something of what he says must sink into even the thickest head....

Fantastic response Dalek, Congratulations ! ....... you must have listened to one of Ralph Kreuger's peptalks.

sweet dreams, Redslo:yawn:

oh that's a pity Dalek. Some of us enjoy a bit of controversy on this " sometimes bland " site. However, it's good to remember that Saints have rarely signed players in panic after July 1st. Even last years exodus didn't bring a rush of signings until early August. Patience is a virtue. As long as the players that we do get CDAJFU....I don't care when they sign......

Good for her ....she's obviously had a " quick course on negotiations " from Les Reed. Reminds me of the story from the 1970's when Liverpool really were " Kings of Europe". It was said even " the tea lady at Anfield " could pick the team for a Saturday.

..give it time .......

yes - it seems very easy for some journos to get the currencies mixed, I've seen several instances where clearly " £ounds " have been mistaken for Euros.

??? OK, but I wasn't looking at contact dates, merely that Hull were strapped for cash and the £12 million offer for a player they paid £6 million for too much to refuse. **Overall, I'm not disappointed with Shane Long, although his lack of regular starts, and a string of sub. apps PLUS his injury haven't helped for consistancy. When he has played well, he's been quite outstanding. I noted a few people suggested that his "Goal of the Season" v.Villa was somewhat of a "fluke", but if it was ..then why don't more people try that sort of shot? SL said (in interview) that he knew Given came off his line a lot, and decided to have a punt, if it was a fluke, then it came off and was worth the award.

I'm really not looking for an arguement over this. The figure I quoted for Mayuka's transfer was £3.5 million (taken from Transfer Market). I haven't seen a figure quoted for a fee for Elia. If it is (rumoured) £5 million - it's way too much, but IMO he'd be worth a "chance" if we paid... (say) £2 mill. My point was that I'm sure fans would squirm at paying £5 million for an unproven loan player who may turn out to be a "flop". Though I hope not. I wasn't "comparing the fees" in the same way you have done, bit IMO - the fact that we paid £3.5 for Mayuka, plus the salaries he's received already (guess around £1.5 - £2 million ?) - means we've already paid out a lot of money for a player who's brought absolutely nothing to the team. The bottom line is Elia is worth a gamble for £2 million, but Mayuka who may be out of loan AGAIN next season, has (financially speaking) been a total liability, although in today's market - where £8-10 million seem to be " the norm",- then it sounds like chicken feed to be discussing this level of fee.

I think it must be pretty obvious -YES. I've read comments before that " a manager " will have a short list of who he'd like, and the club gets the best deal it can with whoever they can. Think we've all been educated into the vagaries of transfer deals, these things can take months rather than weeks (according to circumstances). I would guess that there are several different sets of negotiations ongoing, and see which ones work out - and which don't.

the same principle though " 9 ".....don't think Mayuka has done anything to justify that fee - do you ?

Nice thread. I hope for everyone's sake, that he can recapture some of that skill when he does get back to playing.......

Agree 100%. Yes Elia is that much older then JWP (who is the future - or so we're led to believe), but Elia has a good career history and that experience at EL level is vital.) .......in some games it's obvious that JWP (for all his potential) is still fighting to come to terms with Prem. football.

I'd find it difficult to disagree with that, but I remember that horrible patch Mane went through last Autumn when people began to compare him to Ali Dia .. perhaps the concensus is ....if we buy him for £2 million and he flops, it's not too bad, but better than paying £5 million...with the same end result ...ala Mayuka.

perhaps it goes down better in the circles he normally moves in ....He certainly has an excellent reputation as an inspirational speaker at a very high level internationally. I've met a number " that ilk " and they ARE very successful in their chosen field, but do seem to live on their own planet. They are so highly motivated - it's almost orgasmic .....

whatever " worth " is. He went to Hull in the Spring for £6 million, and his performances didn't seem to rate a vast increase in value. I think we needed an extra striker in a hurry, and made Hull an offer they couldn't refuse .....

he's obviously going to move...and just waiting to see who bids what ..... and what the best deal his agent can get for him......either way it's a win-win situation for him.

yes I noticed that....time to get out the rubber sheets and buy in some new Pampers .... and it's not even 1st July yet......

......especially as I think we paid £12 million for him in the first place....... Think of another number ...and double it......(and pounds - not Euros.)

I thought that too, I hope it didn't help cause the injury in the first place ?

.yeah that sounds about right......what would his salary be . I wonder........?

think your friend needs to do some serious research.........

....but like Luke Shaw...... the salary will help him to overcome the disappointment of sitting on the bench........