Newty82

Maybe not long left on his contract? Might have got a huge signing on fee?

The problem is that the current commercial lot at the club don't know how to keep the bandwagon rolling....

I have to agree with Haf that while we are having success on the pitch, and I've no doubt Bills style of being hands off and letting the manager get on with it has helped, along with his 'passion' for the club, unfortunately behind the scenes decisions have been made which have not helped progress us off the field. Things such as the financing of the original buyout, the wasted monies on stadium and other projects, refinancing of loans, selling assets etc. These poor moves mean that we are still a bit of a 'sell to buy' club.

Haha...what name would that have been to call me?!! The idea sounded very 'american', hence asking if you were. I haven't read the other posts yet...but it's like this...The issue I had with your idea was the sound of the club being used to blood USA nationals. That doesn't work for me. If they are good enough, fair play. But it would be massively restrictive on the club if an American owner, or any owner, came in and laid down such conditions. It would be detrimental to the club, fans and the new owner. The shiekhs have had huge success at city...but they haven't said the team must have 5 of their nationals in. They've just spanked huge amounts. FSG have had a good start at Liverpool...but again, no insistence on any particular national playing. See, that's the difference to your original post. I would welcome anyone coming in who will take the club forward. But for every Sheikh or oligarch, there have been many, many disasters and empty promises. Many clubs have been ripped to pieces by sneaky slimey corrupt investors. It's early days for FSG, I'm not totally convinced yet. How will they get their money back? Or when? We should all be careful what we cry for.

You've edited it...what bit did you edit while I was typing?!!!

Are you American? Fortunately, it doesn't and wouldn't work that way. Good thinking, but no. Why would we want to have 3, 4, 5 Americans forced on us by our owner? I'm pretty sure that as we are an English team, a founder club, our fans would want to see 3, 4, 5 quality English players...to see our own national team progress? Not be a 'feeder' club for the U S of A!!! The idea stinks of modern day commercial bullshit, where you sell the soul of the club/company for someone else to make money. It's just so 'american'. The above is written a bit short hand as I am on lunch and got to get back to it! Don't take it personally etc, but I'd be well up for debate on this one.

It does speak volumes that there doesn't seem to be a lot of interest, or not a lot of interest at that price tag.

Hahaha....brilliant!!

Loved him a few year back but has gone off radar for a bit now. Shame really. Depending on how other transfers go, we don't need another crock.

Took me a bit to get that!!

Much love brother! Haha!!!

Fair enough. Different people, different views. Makes life interesting!!!

What a game! Both GK's immense!

He's come on in ET for Belgium here. Set up one scored one. Looking lively, although he's playing against knackered defenders.

Yep. Slightly misread, but as said above, it's quite easy to read it another way.

Your right, he didn't say that. However, there is a crossover in the comments. Detrimental to finishing 4th etc. I know, I know, that's maybe more aimed at signing a replacement (or 2!). But it can be read either way. Maybe that's why 'people keep saying this'??? And I don't know if it was secured with a city contract? He might have took a big fuck off mortgage out on multiple properties? I know, securing the family's future is a daft example for these guys. But it's his last pro contract, probably. He probably won't earn much after he retires. So he has the next 50 years of his life to think about? Just trying to think about it from a 'mutual' point of view rather than an evertonian point of view. Of course, we as evertonians would quite happily sign for Everton straight away! I don't believe anyone that says they wouldn't hold out for as much as they can get for their final contract. He's a free agent, he can do what he likes. He owes us nothing other than the brilliant season he had.

Cool. I like the thinking!!!

Fair play. Been an excellent club man. Another one who can influence behind the scenes. Hopefully he'll stay fit and be able to help the squad out more.

Are we really saying that we should have kept jelavic? That by keeping him, we would have done better? Have I got the right man here? Jelavic who scored a grand total of 16 in 59 appearances? 9 of which came in his first 13 games? He would have done naff all if we kept him. We got a belting fee for him, that's football business. And fool Hull for paying that. They were obviously looking for another striker and made us an offer we rubbed hands at. Hopefully that's a few quid we'll see spent this summer. Who was available in January that we should have bought? I can understand the gripe about Traore. That was a gamble and a half. But that's football. Every deal is a gamble. Some come off. Some don't. And Barry...I hope he signs. But I don't blame him for waiting for the best deal he can get. This is probably the last pro contract he will sign. Wouldn't you want one last big pay day to secure yours and your family's future?

Oviedo!!! Forgot about him. Good shout.

This is quite true (although it shouldn't be management speak, it should be genuine!). The downfall is that it may work when people are earning a few quid....Not so much when there are tens of thousands a week at stake. So I don't think Roberto does it because he's been taught it on a course, he does it because he's a good genuine bloke. Not enough people around are like that.

Good job we ain't in the Champs League then! Good luck to the bloke...hope he can do some damage.

If we want to keep these guys, we have to pay them the top end of the market rate. Only so long as it doesn't bankrupt us!!

Sorry...A bit ahead of myself there with Barry! Doh! It's expected to be announced soon, within next couple of days! I've cheated then have I?! Ha! Today, as it is right now, right this minute, will have to be Gibson.

Howard Coleman Jags Distin Baines Mccarthy Barry Mirrales Barkley McGeady Kone Also In on rotation with Europe etc....stones, naismith, Gibson, pienaar, osman.