Football 2013-2014

[pink_triangle]

At bolton Alladyce seemed to regularly pull rabbits out of the hat in the transfer Windows. My perception is he has now become very predictable. What's changed? I wonder if he doesn't have the same contacts, the current board aren't interested in bringing in the types of players he brought into bolton eg old with little resale value, or is the premiership not the same draw now, with other countries paying big salaries.

[eFestivals]

What's changed?

the players that he's relied on to bale him out have got old and useless?

[TheGayTent]

What's changed?

Edited January 9, 2014 by TheGayTent

[eFestivals]

I've gotta say, with other teams at the bottom currently on the up (except perhaps Sunderland, tho they've defo improved), as things stand at the moment West Ham look about the most certain relegation candidates of all.

But I'd also say that their position is far from irredeemable too. Two or more decent buys (plus AC getting fit) will be enough to turn it around.

[TheGayTent]

I've gotta say, with other teams at the bottom currently on the up (except perhaps Sunderland, tho they've defo improved), as things stand at the moment West Ham look about the most certain relegation candidates of all.

But I'd also say that their position is far from irredeemable too. Two or more decent buys (plus AC getting fit) will be enough to turn it around.

[TheGayTent]

The latest fanciful rumour doing the rounds is replacing Allardyce with Rijkaard.

If that happened I would be so excited I think I might do a little sex wee...

...however, sadly it's clearly fantasy. Still, given I left work at midday yesterday, endured another abject performance masterminded by an abysmal manager, got completely soaked for 2 hours, spent a hundred quid and didn't get home until 02.30, an indulgent fantasy even if for just a mere second until reality kicked in, brightened up my day.

[LondonTom]

We're all deluded and we talk bollocks? Maybe Samuel, but your record of not being relegated from the English top flight is going to be broken, unless you grow a pair and resign, or you get sacked.

Edited January 9, 2014 by LondonTom

[kaosmark2]

I wonder if he doesn't have the same contacts,

Edited January 9, 2014 by kaosmark2

[TheGayTent]

He has exactly the same contact - one. His name is Mark Curtis.

[The Nal]

Nice!

[LondonTom]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-ham/10562380/West-Ham-consider-shock-move-for-Nottingham-Forests-Billy-Davies.html

Exciting manegerial choice for West Ham..... Billy Davies

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

Nicky shorey joined us yesterday shocked he is only 32. Talk of signing James harper too, what with coppell its like a reading reunion, I hope they forgot to invite Dave kitson.

[pink_triangle]

Nicky shorey joined us yesterday shocked he is only 32. Talk of signing James harper too, what with coppell its like a reading reunion, I hope they forgot to invite Dave kitson.

[Bobs]

Jelavic to Hull, fair enough. But £7.5m, it's great business for us.

Could work well for both teams, if Hull play to Jelavic' strengths, he'll score bagfuls.

[metallimuse]

Loving this!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10532481/Des-Lynam-writes-an-open-letter-to-Premier-League-chairman-in-a-bid-to-be-their-club-manager.html

[lost]

Jelavic to Hull, fair enough. But £7.5m, it's great business for us.

Could work well for both teams, if Hull play to Jelavic' strengths, he'll score bagfuls.

[kaosmark2]

I'm in two minds on this. The guy was the closest I've seen to Suker when he first joined though sadly he has been off the boil for 18 months. Just hope we've a decent replacement lined up as we would now be screwed if Lukaku was injured..

On the other hand all of Martinez's sale are now not looking like bad business. £41m for Fellaini, Anichebe and Jelavic if we get to invest it all could really improve the squad.

[lost]

Don't forget that you forked out a £5m loan fee for Lukaku. That's very hefty.

[lharris92]

[Ed209]

That Puncheon penalty is amazing! really worth a look. Worst penalty ever?

https://vine.co/v/h30VE6hBtU3

[jammy2211]

Don't forget that you forked out a £5m loan fee for Lukaku. That's very hefty.

[kaosmark2]

I've seen that figure thrown around a lot, but do we know if that includes all the wages I assume Everton are covering for the loan?

A striker of Lukaku's class is probably going to be on upward of £70k p/w for whoever they play - and that translates to £3.5m a year in wages alone. If you consider Everton would pretty much have to fork out that much money to have any striker of his class at the club for a year, £1.5m isn't too bad a fee in all honesty! I mean he cost Chelsea some £20m which probably is going to work out at over £2m per year for his services!

I think the £5m for a loan sounds poor business, but in reality no club can get a quality striker for less then £5m a year when you break down the wages and transfer fee.

[kaosmark2]

Sissoko looks ready to headbutt the ref. It'd almost be justifiable after that decision.

[pink_triangle]

I've no idea, but my understanding was that WBA paid under £1m for the year before.

Also, Lukaku won't be on as much as £70 p/w yet. He's probably got a contract with yearly pay rises and performance-conditional pay-rises (which probably include if out on loan), but it won't have risen to that high yet.

Whether it's poor business depends on loads of other circumstances. I think it's reasonable for Everton overall, considering that he's enabled them to sell Jelavic, to not have to force a move for another striker yet, and will probably pull their final finishing position up a few places, which will correspond to more money at the end of the season. That said, I wouldn't be that comfortable had it been Newcastle paying that high a loan fee...

[thetime]

Will be interesting to see Neils views on sterlings dive in the morning.

I think we know the answer.

Edited January 12, 2014 by thetime