david in sweden

because....there is a budget for transfers - even if Cortese is controlling it - and we still have to buy " one or two CB's - Nigel Adkins' comment " . They won't necessarily come FREE, plus we have to pay salaries to them after they've signed. A player getting £20K /week (not a large wage in the Prem.) will earn £1 million a year ..if 40K /week = £2 million. etc.... If the reported fee for Ramirez is £12 million, and the reported salary - did I hear 80K /week?...then by the end of a 4 year contract ......he will have cost Saints, around £28 million !....and he's only ONE player.

maybe the two of you were watching different things.? It's not possible to follow the play in all parts of the pitch at the same time. I don't know if you were at the Etihad on Sunday,(I watched on TV), but there is always a lot going on .. off-camera ..that the ref. doesn't always see until afterwards ..to his chagrin. Whilst the Guly-knockers are still visible and in full voice, it was interesting to note that Gary Neville commented (on Guly's performance on Sunday) that, although off camera much of the time he (Guly) was making lots of runs back and forth but ...nobody was passing to him. (Interestingly, Guly's runs were clocked at over 20 mph...faster than any other Saints player) .

don't know if the Mirror is trying to paint itself "whiter than white ", but the facts in their article are a complete catalogue of all the twists and turns, problems and set-backs that can hinder / destroy a deal. I've never considered the Mirror to be the Oracle when it comes to factual evidence and...dare I say the word TRUTH (!), but in this instant they may have been correct. If any of the ongoing, well-publicised negotiations succeeds the fans will say ; we got a good deal to sign him , if the deal falls through.it's the Chairmans fault and we are lacking ambition. In the end... it's the team who needs to win, and sometimes not only the club who gets the rough end of the deal.

I never see the logic of arguments AGAINST veterans in a side. IF signed - Del Piero isn't going to be given a four year contract, but 12-18 months of his experience / skill in the side can be the making of some of the " younger " players. NA won't play him 90 mins. every game, but give him 60 mins. of creative time and rest him up (as he did for Guly last season) and lengthen his shelf life even more. Blackpool (excuse the language) ...used KEVIN Phillips (now 38?) sparingly last year, yet he came on as sub. and scored time after time and ended up one of their leading scorers.

it's a pity, but he's so good at overlapping and putting in those pinpoint centres. It's the Bridge / Bale left-sided syndrome again. They are good going forward, but not the world's best when it comes to defending. .......which is hardly surprising, as less then 20% of the (human) population is left-handed/footed , so finding a " good one " is much tougher than it seems.

.....don't worry. you can get the time back .......if you sleep 45 mins. less........ for the next zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. g'night

...if he's half as effective, it'll be a good deal.

No ...but it's also a buddy for Tadanari Lee. ....or do we have an objection to having two internationals from the same country in our squad ?

CB with international experience... right position ... right age-range..and someone for T.Lee to chat to in the tea breaks . Good suggestion - if true.

I know what you mean Colin, but one season or two isn't going to stunt the growth of a young player, on the contrary. Think what players like JWP and Lallana could learn in that time. Lots of us "oldies " recall the effect that playing alongside Alan Ball had for the young Steve Williams...and more recently the fantastic effect that Chris Marsden created in running our midfield. This season needs... consolidation / survival - call it what you will, but IF TRUE - sound like a great deal -even for a short period.

even if he is a veteran, it's a step up from David Goodwillie - wouldn't you say ?

....stand up all those who thought we were going to sign Michael Owen

Mmm. So you mean he's not telling the truth? or ....

Oh Alpine, since when were you ever short of words?

and my Grandad wrote a line in his will about it, and hoped hid grandchildren would see the outcome .....

....maybe he thinks Le Tissier is still playing for us?. Those " experts" only live in the Prem. world..nothing else exists.

then he should try West Ham... or QPR.......they'll buy anyone at this time of the month.

yes, what happened to that £15 million that Wolves wanted, eh?

............+1

that's the spirit . Try a whole day without this Forum (if you can that is )...come back about 3 o'clock on Saturday ....it'll be up there by then........

.well... he had a big rep. in L2, and as an U21 keeper before he tried out for England , and I wasn't too impressed then either. How long before he's dropped as first choice keeper at Brum ?..... I can hear the manager now ......" he's had a hard summer, and played in team GB ...and for England,.and club(s) bidding ridiculous sums for him ... it's a lot to expect from a 19.y.o. he's a great prospect but were going to let him develop slowly .......yeah, yeah, yeah.... [/b]

I'm ignoring all the pages of posts that say the deal is off.......just waiting for the one that says it's on again !

How nice to hear a rational voice.. amidst all this uproar Norway, ..but be careful, soon all of the pessimists will be attacking you again for taking such a nonchalant attitude ..such is life on this board.....

should we say NOW....that there is no evidence that it is Goodwillie.....it was only the contributor's sarcastic comment / suggestion. see # 436. I've looked back again and nowhere did the SOURCE name anyone ! .....so let's drop that one now.

I would guess that it is, but perhaps the other deals / enquiries / offers haven't reached the media ears, so perhaps it's good that all the attention is focused on the Italian situation.