Lallana Doubtful

[John B]

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/8291798.Lallana_doubtful_to_make_season_opener/

 

Lallana still not available but it appears new players will be available

Edited 26 July, 2010 by John B

[skintsaint]

bit worrying...maybe done a bit too much heavy work in Switzerland.

[Iowsaintsfan]

alot of knocks atm

[trousers]

Hmmm....

[trousers]

bit worrying...maybe done a bit too much heavy work in Switzerland.

Or maybe too many backward summersaults into the canal?

[alpine_saint]

Dickson, Puncheon, Lallana, Richardson.

 

If Morgan or Rickie get injured, we are in doo-doo.

[Chez]

the lack of pre season games means when he is `fit' its going to be another 4 or 5 games before he is match sharp. Such is life. Maybe he would fail a medical should someone come in for him at last minute.

[The Kraken]

“The next couple of weeks I would look to bring in a couple of players if I can to strengthen us offensively a bit.”

 

Tick tock, tick tock. Without Lallana and with Puncheon doubtful we really are shorn of a lot of our attacking threat. Need to sort this asap, which I'm sure we will.

[Chez]

Dickson, Puncheon, Lallana, Richardson.

 

If Morgan or Rickie get injured, we are in doo-doo.

if all these were fit and Rickie got injured I think we'd have problems.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Strange. I didn't think Lallana was that delicate - the start of the season is still a way off, so to say he will not feature is quite some statement. Hope he recovers well.

[alpine_saint]

if all these were fit and Rickie got injured I think we'd have problems.

 

This thread sums up why I have been banging on about our half-arsed transfer activity this summer so much.

[trousers]

“The next couple of weeks I would look to bring in a couple of players if I can to strengthen us offensively a bit.”

 

Could just be sloppy use of the English language but why use the word "would" (which implies a "but...") when using "will" was the more definitive option?

 

e.g.

Are you going to the party?

 

I would go (but....)

 

Yes, I will go

[The Kraken]

Could just be sloppy use of the English language but why use the word "would" (which implies a "but...") when using "will" was the more definitive option?

 

e.g.

Are you going to the party?

 

I would go (but....)

 

Yes, I will go

 

Agree, but as AP has been beating the drum since close season about his desire to bring in a new striker as cover for RL and a new wide man I tend to discredit the theory that he's only now just realising we're a bit short in these areas.

 

I still also believe we'll make use of the loan system so unfortunately may not complete all the signings we probably need until beyond the season gets underway. But as long as the majority of our players are available for Plymouth I'm confident we can get through those first few games with few troubles until the final reinforcements arrive.

[saintsmike25]

Meh have a little more faith we have good youngsters who can easily provide some cover, obviously with the signings Pardew WILL make we will be fine. Lallana is a miss but in realistic terms if we're to buy good new players they'll want to be offered first team football. Rather than play a few games then be replaced until another injury happens.

The key answer to this problem people are forgetting is loans, we need a couple of hungry GOOD youngsters from the premiership to come on loan to us for cover. People may have not rated Melis that much last season, but he was versatile and played anywhere in midfield making sure the balance of the squad was still there.

 

As for Puncheon clearly it's a knock that will mean he's in contention for the Plymouth game easily, Richardson we've already got cover in Butterfield and if he gets injured we should get a loan or if a youngster is showing promise what is the harm in putting him in the team it offers an incentive for the young players to work harder to catch the managers eye.

 

Lallana is no doubt a big miss, and frankly we can't get a player of his quality in from the CCC or league one, we'll miss him and thats just one of the unfortunate things that happens.

 

As for the "half arsed" transfer activity, signing 3 players is anything but "half arsed", with 2-3 more to come in. Afterall we signed key players in January. I know it's easy to look over our shoulders and look at who Huddersfield are signing but this squad is much more settled and we don't NEED too many new players, right now it's got the right blend of expierence, talent and youngsters, the key is to have a side that knows each other well and their games well. Too many signings can unbalance a squad, lets remember some of the negatives as well as think throwing cash at a problem is always the solution.

[Professor]

Lallana is a key player and more than ever this shows why two players for every position are crucial, not just for competition and impact sub but so that the team is not weaker when there are injuries. Wide midfield has been the obvious position to strengthen since Antonio and Papa left, which Pardew has said himself and is still saying, but bringing someone in over the next couple of weeks could still mean that we don't perform to maximum ability in the the first few games. Games in August are worth just as many points as games in April so there is already a risk that we could be damaged by the error of this delay.

[alpine_saint]

That was predictable, look at me I'm right. Grow up. If you have a player like Lallana in L1, you will miss him when not available. We need more wide players, Pardew said the same, but we won't be signing anyone as good as Lallana, they just won't come to L1. Same with Rickie, we have some alright cover, but no-one will be quite as good. So like any team out there, we'll need our share of luck with injuries to be successful.

 

Stating the blindingly obvious about making signings, when every fan and Pardew has said the same, then saying look at me I was right isn't going to win you many fans.

 

You can question my motivations as much as you want; you want to abuse me for saying it, then abuse me for being right. The bottom line is that the team as it stands is starting to look shaky.

 

Maybe we need actions, not words about the missing transfers. I will believe them when I see them....

[alpine_saint]

Lallana is a key player and more than ever this shows why two players for every position are crucial, not just for competition and impact sub but so that the team is not weaker when there are injuries. Wide midfield has been the obvious position to strengthen since Antonio and Papa left, which Pardew has said himself and is still saying, but bringing someone in over the next couple of weeks could still mean that we don't perform to maximum ability in the the first few games. Games in August are worth just as many points as games in April so there is already a risk that we could be damaged by the error of this delay.

 

Careful, some people cant handle the truth.

[Professor]

Stating the blindingly obvious about making signings, when every fan and Pardew has said the same, then saying look at me I was right isn't going to win you many fans.

But surely, if you agree signings are blindingly obvious how can you take issue with the comment by Alpine_saint? He was just saying that the signings which Pardew admits are needed should have already been made. I've made the same point, that signings after the pre-season or once the season is underway, welcome as they will be, may leave us with fewer points by the end of August than could have been the case.

Pardew's reasoning is that if you wait, you might get a better player than one signed earlier. That seems to be something of a risk, and surely if a better player comes up, the club could still go for him and release someone else or loan a surplus player out.

[Toomer]

AL is out till Sept so I have been told this morning.

[Dig Dig]

This thread sums up why I have been banging on about our half-arsed transfer activity this summer so much.

 

The truth is Alpine, like the rest of us, you have absolutely no idea what our transfer activity has been like this summer so to call it half-arsed is a very strange statement to make, especially when there is still time left to get the cover we need.

 

You seem fairly convinced that AP and co have been sat around all summer making daisy chains instead of actively seeking the right players which anyone with some common sense would know isn't the case- I'd rather we signed players later than we maybe would have liked if it meant 1) we get the right man 2) we get the best deal.

 

I'm sure that we will make more signings before the window closes as do many others so can you please keep your insecurities and paranoia re this on the countless other threads you've hi-jacked with your doom and gloom merchant inspired views.

[Hopkins]

But surely, if you agree signings are blindingly obvious how can you take issue with the comment by Alpine_saint? He was just saying that the signings which Pardew admits are needed should have already been made. I've made the same point, that signings after the pre-season or once the season is underway, welcome as they will be, may leave us with fewer points by the end of August than could have been the case.

Pardew's reasoning is that if you wait, you might get a better player than one signed earlier. That seems to be something of a risk, and surely if a better player comes up, the club could still go for him and release someone else or loan a surplus player out.

 

The problem is people like yourself think its as easy at that. It's as easy and wanting someone, going getting them, then if someone else becomes available releasing someone. In reality it's not. I cba to go into it too deep but ask/listen to many experts and they will tell you that the market is predictably slow. Until someone makes a bold move like a City for example then funds will start to trickle down and allow us to start swooping in. City themselves are reluctant to go out and just spend because they know that everyone knows they have loads of money. Therefore they don't get value on there signings and lets be honest the people in charge there are too experienced in business to go about and just pay over the odds for someone like Milner because Villa demand £30m. They will happily wait, knowing that Villa need Milner off the books asap and it becomes a waiting game, which one will back down first. I'm telling you now it will be Villa. They will not get £30m for him. They may get a player and £20m but City know what a strong position they are in and are happy to wait until they get the deal they want.

 

The money eventually trickles down to allow us to get involved. We are in a position as a club that like City everyone knows we have cash. Therefore if we show interest in a player the price goes up. Unlike other clubs in our division who are signing loads of players, we are in a position as a club where we can look at getting a higher quality of players. Therefore we have to wait. For example, A team in our division say like Huddersfield, wants a player, they have to set there sights lower than us, so they go to a club like Forest and say, we need a striker, Forest say well we have Garner available, he's nowhere near our team you can have him. Huddersfield take him. We then go to Forest and say, hey, we need a striker, we'll take Tyson, Forest say woooah, he's in our first team. We say we'll offer you £400,000. They want to take the money but know that if they reject that bid then it not only means we have to up it, but allows them time to find a replacement. They didn't need a replacement for Garner. So Forest tell us no, we prepare a new bid, while they go off searching for a replacement, which btw, they have been making offers for Johnson from Sheffield Wednesday. But until Sheffield get a replacement or are forced into selling through financial problems, then they will not accept. In the mean time Cortese aint stupid and he probably knows that Forest are not only hoping we up our offer but also waiting for a replacement. Some it comes down to a waiting game again, waiting to see who is going to back down first, is Cortese going to offer some more cash if he thinks the value is there or is he going to hold out and wait for Forest to basically come back begging for us to offer again because they have lined up a replacement but can't do it until they know they are selling Tyson.

 

This isn't FM. This is real life, where people play games, and have other options and circumstances to think about. This isn't a computer game where if you offer the right amount of money the game will automatically accept the offer, this is business, run by very experienced business heads who are all trying to out do each other and get value for themselves and there club.

[trousers]

AL is out till Sept so I have been told this morning.

 

Thinking about it, this could actually be a two-fold blessing in disguise....

 

(a) If he's injured it will go some way to putting off any speculative bids from NPC or Prem sides.

 

and

 

(b) it may convince Cortese/Pardew that they need a better quality player to cover Lallana's position than perhaps they were originally thinking

 

Maybe.

[Dig Dig]

Thinking about it, this could actually be a two-fold blessing in disguise....

 

(a) If he's injured it will go some way to putting off any speculative bids from NPC or Prem sides.

 

and

 

(b) it may convince Cortese/Pardew that they need a better quality player to cover Lallana's position than perhaps they were originally thinking

 

Maybe.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Tyson signed sooner rather than later

[Saint Bones]

Could this be the chance for Lee Holmes to try and cement the left wing.

 

Actually in saying that - I better check to see if he has even been in the pre-season friendlies

 

Interesting story there about Vassell as well - Could be a bargain

[S-Clarke]

AL is out till Sept so I have been told this morning.

 

That's a blow, it is his knee isn't it? Could be even longer if he needs to have an op, which is possible.

[saintwiz]

The problem is people like yourself think its as easy at that. It's as easy and wanting someone, going getting them, then if someone else becomes available releasing someone. In reality it's not. I cba to go into it too deep but ask/listen to many experts and they will tell you that the market is predictably slow. Until someone makes a bold move like a City for example then funds will start to trickle down and allow us to start swooping in. City themselves are reluctant to go out and just spend because they know that everyone knows they have loads of money. Therefore they don't get value on there signings and lets be honest the people in charge there are too experienced in business to go about and just pay over the odds for someone like Milner because Villa demand £30m. They will happily wait, knowing that Villa need Milner off the books asap and it becomes a waiting game, which one will back down first. I'm telling you now it will be Villa. They will not get £30m for him. They may get a player and £20m but City know what a strong position they are in and are happy to wait until they get the deal they want.

 

The money eventually trickles down to allow us to get involved. We are in a position as a club that like City everyone knows we have cash. Therefore if we show interest in a player the price goes up. Unlike other clubs in our division who are signing loads of players, we are in a position as a club where we can look at getting a higher quality of players. Therefore we have to wait. For example, A team in our division say like Huddersfield, wants a player, they have to set there sights lower than us, so they go to a club like Forest and say, we need a striker, Forest say well we have Garner available, he's nowhere near our team you can have him. Huddersfield take him. We then go to Forest and say, hey, we need a striker, we'll take Tyson, Forest say woooah, he's in our first team. We say we'll offer you £400,000. They want to take the money but know that if they reject that bid then it not only means we have to up it, but allows them time to find a replacement. They didn't need a replacement for Garner. So Forest tell us no, we prepare a new bid, while they go off searching for a replacement, which btw, they have been making offers for Johnson from Sheffield Wednesday. But until Sheffield get a replacement or are forced into selling through financial problems, then they will not accept. In the mean time Cortese aint stupid and he probably knows that Forest are not only hoping we up our offer but also waiting for a replacement. Some it comes down to a waiting game again, waiting to see who is going to back down first, is Cortese going to offer some more cash if he thinks the value is there or is he going to hold out and wait for Forest to basically come back begging for us to offer again because they have lined up a replacement but can't do it until they know they are selling Tyson.

 

This isn't FM. This is real life, where people play games, and have other options and circumstances to think about. This isn't a computer game where if you offer the right amount of money the game will automatically accept the offer, this is business, run by very experienced business heads who are all trying to out do each other and get value for themselves and there club.

 

Good post.

[S-Clarke]

The problem is people like yourself think its as easy at that. It's as easy and wanting someone, going getting them, then if someone else becomes available releasing someone. In reality it's not. I cba to go into it too deep but ask/listen to many experts and they will tell you that the market is predictably slow. Until someone makes a bold move like a City for example then funds will start to trickle down and allow us to start swooping in. City themselves are reluctant to go out and just spend because they know that everyone knows they have loads of money. Therefore they don't get value on there signings and lets be honest the people in charge there are too experienced in business to go about and just pay over the odds for someone like Milner because Villa demand £30m. They will happily wait, knowing that Villa need Milner off the books asap and it becomes a waiting game, which one will back down first. I'm telling you now it will be Villa. They will not get £30m for him. They may get a player and £20m but City know what a strong position they are in and are happy to wait until they get the deal they want.

 

The money eventually trickles down to allow us to get involved. We are in a position as a club that like City everyone knows we have cash. Therefore if we show interest in a player the price goes up. Unlike other clubs in our division who are signing loads of players, we are in a position as a club where we can look at getting a higher quality of players. Therefore we have to wait. For example, A team in our division say like Huddersfield, wants a player, they have to set there sights lower than us, so they go to a club like Forest and say, we need a striker, Forest say well we have Garner available, he's nowhere near our team you can have him. Huddersfield take him. We then go to Forest and say, hey, we need a striker, we'll take Tyson, Forest say woooah, he's in our first team. We say we'll offer you £400,000. They want to take the money but know that if they reject that bid then it not only means we have to up it, but allows them time to find a replacement. They didn't need a replacement for Garner. So Forest tell us no, we prepare a new bid, while they go off searching for a replacement, which btw, they have been making offers for Johnson from Sheffield Wednesday. But until Sheffield get a replacement or are forced into selling through financial problems, then they will not accept. In the mean time Cortese aint stupid and he probably knows that Forest are not only hoping we up our offer but also waiting for a replacement. Some it comes down to a waiting game again, waiting to see who is going to back down first, is Cortese going to offer some more cash if he thinks the value is there or is he going to hold out and wait for Forest to basically come back begging for us to offer again because they have lined up a replacement but can't do it until they know they are selling Tyson.

 

This isn't FM. This is real life, where people play games, and have other options and circumstances to think about. This isn't a computer game where if you offer the right amount of money the game will automatically accept the offer, this is business, run by very experienced business heads who are all trying to out do each other and get value for themselves and there club.

 

fantastic post, best i've read on here for ages.

[Thedelldays]

The problem is people like yourself think its as easy at that. It's as easy and wanting someone, going getting them, then if someone else becomes available releasing someone. In reality it's not. I cba to go into it too deep but ask/listen to many experts and they will tell you that the market is predictably slow. Until someone makes a bold move like a City for example then funds will start to trickle down and allow us to start swooping in. City themselves are reluctant to go out and just spend because they know that everyone knows they have loads of money. Therefore they don't get value on there signings and lets be honest the people in charge there are too experienced in business to go about and just pay over the odds for someone like Milner because Villa demand £30m. They will happily wait, knowing that Villa need Milner off the books asap and it becomes a waiting game, which one will back down first. I'm telling you now it will be Villa. They will not get £30m for him. They may get a player and £20m but City know what a strong position they are in and are happy to wait until they get the deal they want.

 

The money eventually trickles down to allow us to get involved. We are in a position as a club that like City everyone knows we have cash. Therefore if we show interest in a player the price goes up. Unlike other clubs in our division who are signing loads of players, we are in a position as a club where we can look at getting a higher quality of players. Therefore we have to wait. For example, A team in our division say like Huddersfield, wants a player, they have to set there sights lower than us, so they go to a club like Forest and say, we need a striker, Forest say well we have Garner available, he's nowhere near our team you can have him. Huddersfield take him. We then go to Forest and say, hey, we need a striker, we'll take Tyson, Forest say woooah, he's in our first team. We say we'll offer you £400,000. They want to take the money but know that if they reject that bid then it not only means we have to up it, but allows them time to find a replacement. They didn't need a replacement for Garner. So Forest tell us no, we prepare a new bid, while they go off searching for a replacement, which btw, they have been making offers for Johnson from Sheffield Wednesday. But until Sheffield get a replacement or are forced into selling through financial problems, then they will not accept. In the mean time Cortese aint stupid and he probably knows that Forest are not only hoping we up our offer but also waiting for a replacement. Some it comes down to a waiting game again, waiting to see who is going to back down first, is Cortese going to offer some more cash if he thinks the value is there or is he going to hold out and wait for Forest to basically come back begging for us to offer again because they have lined up a replacement but can't do it until they know they are selling Tyson.

 

This isn't FM. This is real life, where people play games, and have other options and circumstances to think about. This isn't a computer game where if you offer the right amount of money the game will automatically accept the offer, this is business, run by very experienced business heads who are all trying to out do each other and get value for themselves and there club.

 

I like this...

 

as for lallana....would be a huge blow if he is out for another month or so...HUGE...he would then have to get match fit..

last season he was a luxury player in my eyes but now, he is paramount to our team....he is one of my favourite players..

 

he really needs a better song....VIVA LALLANA.!!!!!

[CWD]

fantastic post, best i've read on here for ages.

 

+10000000000

[MerceSaint28]

Hopkins i agree with a lot of what you have said. Essentially as fans we are frustrated as we want our team strengthened and we see rivals signing 8/9 new players.

The positive thing is that i have complete trust in AP and NC. Remember Pards knows how important it is to get out of the gate fast as his job is riding on this. If we are not top 2 by Christmas, he gets sacked, end of!

 

Obviously Pards is waiting to get the right people in at the right price, we are now 2 weeks from kick off though, so i think this will be the week if it does happen.

 

Without sounding like a spoilt brat, i think we need at least 1 marquee signing. One because other teams and players need to know we are the real deal and it will encourage bigger players to come down a diviaion and play at Saints. The other is to continue to stimulate season tickets and gates.

 

One thing Rupert never understood was that football is not just a business but entertainment. Our policy on wage structure while in the prem, resticted us to some cracking free agents.

For instance we bought Delap for £4 million and we could of had JJ OKocha for free and given him a decent wage. Knock on effect more bums on seats etc.

 

My point is the feel good factor is already around the town, with a good start and a couple of exciting signings, it would be possible to get regular gates of 25,000 and for big games above.

 

Lets hope we can get some in this week, as i am sure they will see another surge in sales off the back of it

[doddisalegend]

How did Adam injury himself? he was fighting fit at the end of last season. All these players getting injuried before the first ball of the season gets kicked is quite disturbing are they being trainned to hard or something?

[saint1977]

Top post by Hopkins and I also agree with Trousers - Lallana could have been a late target for the newly promoted PL sides and the injury may act as a deterrent. It also puts more urgency into finding wide player/s with pace that most on this site have correctly identified the need for. It looks highly likely that a bid has been lodged for Tyson but we've all seen how AP and NC do business, it is highly likely that they have bid on multiple targets. Clubs do know we have funds but also we don't want to go back to panic buying or stocking the squad up with numbers for the sake of it. We did enough of that in the Askham and Lowe eras. We will bring in at least one wide pacey player and a CM as well as I'm sure AP is as horrified as we are at the thought of Morgan or Dean getting injured and Wotton having to start in 30 games.

[Chez]

This thread sums up why I have been banging on about our half-arsed transfer activity this summer so much.

 

What do you mean exactly by half arsed? Pardew's job and reputation in on the line. He will be doing everything possible to get the best squad assembled. Are you suggesting those above him aren't supporting him?

[Chez]

Thinking about it, this could actually be a two-fold blessing in disguise....

 

(a) If he's injured it will go some way to putting off any speculative bids from NPC or Prem sides.

 

and

 

(b) it may convince Cortese/Pardew that they need a better quality player to cover Lallana's position than perhaps they were originally thinking

 

Maybe.

 

very good point. I wonder if we will get a better understanding of how Pardew rates Holmes now.

[Dark Munster]

But surely, if you agree signings are blindingly obvious how can you take issue with the comment by Alpine_saint? He was just saying that the signings which Pardew admits are needed should have already been made. I've made the same point, that signings after the pre-season or once the season is underway, welcome as they will be, may leave us with fewer points by the end of August than could have been the case.

Pardew's reasoning is that if you wait, you might get a better player than one signed earlier. That seems to be something of a risk, and surely if a better player comes up, the club could still go for him and release someone else or loan a surplus player out.

Buy quickly, repent at leisure.

[Deppo]

Doesn't Lallana Doubtful play for the Kaiser Chiefs?

[PaulGilchrist_76]

Maybe he's not injured really. Just being protected so that he can be sold.

[Weston Saint]

Adam has a niggling knee injury. Had an injection last week. Resting it until Wednesday and will try again. No truth in the earlier rumour that he is out until September.

[Saint J 77]

Adam has a niggling knee injury. Had an injection last week. Resting it until Wednesday and will try again. No truth in the earlier rumour that he is out until September.

 

Knee injury that needs injections normally means bad news. Normally its linked to a problem that will never really ever clear up without an operation. Hope that isn't the case here.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Adam has a niggling knee injury. Had an injection last week. Resting it until Wednesday and will try again. No truth in the earlier rumour that he is out until September.

 

That's not good news for Adam or Saints. Knee injuries tend to be significant and will require careful treatment or permanent damage can occur which would be terrible for a young guy like Adam. I wish him all the best in his recovery and will keep everything crossed that it's a full one. ):

[trousers]

Adam has a niggling knee injury. Had an injection last week. Resting it until Wednesday and will try again. No truth in the earlier rumour that he is out until September.

 

Hi Weston - what do you mean by "niggling"? As others have said, 'niggling' usually translates to 'long-term'.

 

It is muscle? Tissue? Ligaments? Something else?

 

Cheerski

[LVSaint]

Doesn't Lallana Doubtful play for the Kaiser Chiefs?

 

No, but Lalla na na na na naa does.

[thorpie the sinner]

Sounds worrying! What it does mean though, is we are even more desperate for a new midfielder!!

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

With a series of mediocre results & performances behind us , a dangerously 'thin' squad (at the moment anyway) and key players picking up injuries and it's not been a very satisfactory preseason to put it mildly . One can only hope we don't carry this over and repeat our customary poor start - that's more of a hope than a expectation in all honesty .

[Weston Saint]

I know no more. The injury was said to be a nuisance (I interpreted as niggling) Sorry if I mislead.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

The problem is people like yourself think its as easy at that. It's as easy and wanting someone, going getting them, then if someone else becomes available releasing someone. In reality it's not. I cba to go into it too deep but ask/listen to many experts and they will tell you that the market is predictably slow. Until someone makes a bold move like a City for example then funds will start to trickle down and allow us to start swooping in. City themselves are reluctant to go out and just spend because they know that everyone knows they have loads of money. Therefore they don't get value on there signings and lets be honest the people in charge there are too experienced in business to go about and just pay over the odds for someone like Milner because Villa demand £30m. They will happily wait, knowing that Villa need Milner off the books asap and it becomes a waiting game, which one will back down first. I'm telling you now it will be Villa. They will not get £30m for him. They may get a player and £20m but City know what a strong position they are in and are happy to wait until they get the deal they want.

 

The money eventually trickles down to allow us to get involved. We are in a position as a club that like City everyone knows we have cash. Therefore if we show interest in a player the price goes up. Unlike other clubs in our division who are signing loads of players, we are in a position as a club where we can look at getting a higher quality of players. Therefore we have to wait. For example, A team in our division say like Huddersfield, wants a player, they have to set there sights lower than us, so they go to a club like Forest and say, we need a striker, Forest say well we have Garner available, he's nowhere near our team you can have him. Huddersfield take him. We then go to Forest and say, hey, we need a striker, we'll take Tyson, Forest say woooah, he's in our first team. We say we'll offer you £400,000. They want to take the money but know that if they reject that bid then it not only means we have to up it, but allows them time to find a replacement. They didn't need a replacement for Garner. So Forest tell us no, we prepare a new bid, while they go off searching for a replacement, which btw, they have been making offers for Johnson from Sheffield Wednesday. But until Sheffield get a replacement or are forced into selling through financial problems, then they will not accept. In the mean time Cortese aint stupid and he probably knows that Forest are not only hoping we up our offer but also waiting for a replacement. Some it comes down to a waiting game again, waiting to see who is going to back down first, is Cortese going to offer some more cash if he thinks the value is there or is he going to hold out and wait for Forest to basically come back begging for us to offer again because they have lined up a replacement but can't do it until they know they are selling Tyson.

 

This isn't FM. This is real life, where people play games, and have other options and circumstances to think about. This isn't a computer game where if you offer the right amount of money the game will automatically accept the offer, this is business, run by very experienced business heads who are all trying to out do each other and get value for themselves and there club.

 

All excellent stuff... but you need room in your model for Harry Rednapp, who somehow cons his chairman to pay whatever he's agreed with the player's agent, plus, plus.

You see, we do need the Redknapps - they are the market ice breakers (to be relabelled some years later as club busters).