[Archived] Other Premier League Happenings

[Majiball]

Haven't they got enough injuries?

I think I now know where the idea for Dream Team came from.

[philipl]

City's detailed version of the Kaka flop

Why are City revealing this- is it because they don't expect to sign another gallactico so they are showing all their moves about how they would have done?

I wonder if they contacted JW on or before 15 DEcember re RSC? JW has said Rovers had no contacts which I believe which points to RSC always being low priority at City.

City asked to see all Kaka's personal documents as part of their due diligence. In RSC's case, it seems they just helped themselves rather than asked. RSC's father seems to have been far more accommodating than Kaka pere if Hughes is not BSing which he clearly was at times over Kaka.

[CrazyIvan]

City's detailed version of the Kaka flop

Having read that I feel like saying 'Ah, diddums...' Play with snakes and you'll get bitten. Go up against passionate Italian fans and all likelihood is the same thing will happen. All it really means is that Milan are cleverer at this game than City will ever be.

[philipl]

Kaka far from complimentary about City's business approach.

City's credibility with the other three or so Galacticos must be negative after this fiasco.

Whatever was Cook thinking of talking about this bid?

[DE.]

The Kaka situation has been catastrophic for City, and they know it. Only they could have ballsed this up so badly with Robinho potentially off as well, you have to wonder what the owners are going to do. It's thus far been a pretty sad window for the 'richest team in football'.

Also, the problems at Newcastle are huge... they're in serious, serious trouble and relegation is not out of the question for them. An inept manager, a disgruntled squad full of want away players (including their star player who also wants out), a disenchanted fanbase, a clueless owner who is despised... it's amazing they're as high as they are in the table to be honest.

[BuckyRover]

I think rather than prove they are serious about making Man City sucessful, as far as I am concerned the only thing that the Man City board have confirmed to me is that they are VERY impatient and don't really understand how to build a successful team (I think the Chelsea model is a good one, they are doing the opposite).

I get a strange feeling that it might go wrong sooner rather than later

[BRFC1995]

we should ask for more for santa as city need stability, and one thing santa has'nt done is cry about life here every 5 minutes. Players like that are invaluable to rely on when you've got a squad made up of petulant children and wierdos(robinho,bellamy,ireland), City will do well if they steer clear of the too much too young brigade and sign people that deserve to be called professional.

[philipl]

Oliver Kay of the Times turns up as Gary Cook's mouth piece and apologist

Anybody with half a brain cell knows you adjust your pitch to the audience you are talking to. Cook simply talks to his own rear end by the look of things.

[rover6]

Marlon King loan to Boro (done), Mido to Hull (pending).

Phil Brown obviously thinks his side are doing too well, why else sign Kilbane and Mido?

And, hearing about the potential Ben Watson to Boro deal, I despair for Boro fans. Southgate is well-intentioned, kind of thinks he knows what he's doing - but frankly, is like a central defender in midfield. Any minute now, Kevin Keegan will resign.

[RibbleValleyRover]

City Fails to land big names

"Manchester City's aborted bid for Brazilian superstar Kaka was preceded by failed attempts to sign Gianluigi Buffon, Thierry Henry and the Valencia pair David Villa and David Silva."

[Billy Castell]

Personally, I think Citeh fans should put away their teatowels and duct tape and dig up their ginger curly wigs, big shoes and red noses. Their club is a circus run by clowns as always. I did a module on Russian history, and the tutor used the phrase 'leaps in circles' to explain the Tsarist efforts of reform. This applies to Man City, as every time they have tried to be a 'big club', they cock it up and everyone else laughs and ridicules them.

I don't understand Boro's swap deal. Mido can be great when in the mood, but King is a carthorse. He's another Heskey/Harewood/Carlton Cole. I think Southgate is not being trusted with whatever money Boro have, and can be seeking employment elsewhere soon.

[Manc Rover]

Just heard that Hull have agreed a £5M fee for Jimmy Bullard. Why he would want to go there god only knows.

[ffan]

SSN - Hull agree 5 million fee for Bullard.

Am surprised you lot aren't in for him...

[Roost]

SSN - Hull agree 5 million fee for Bullard.

Am surprised you lot aren't in for him...

Probably because he has got a bit big for his haircut........... stating that he would play for anyone as long as he got £65,000 per week is borne out by him signing for a club in freefall.

Hey, ffan, good touch about your club laying on free travel for the re-arranged match. Impressed.

[ffan]

Probably because he has got a bit big for his haircut........... stating that he would play for anyone as long as he got £65,000 per week is borne out by him signing for a club in freefall.

Hey, ffan, good touch about your club laying on free travel for the re-arranged match. Impressed.

"stating that he would play for anyone as long as he got £65,000 per week" Did he actually say that?

"Hey, ffan, good touch about your club laying on free travel for the re-arranged match. Impressed." Yeah I was worried we wouldn't, fair play.

[philipl]

Just looked at the table and Hull are still one place above Fulham in 9th.

I think it was £50K a week he was after wasn't it?

The three promoted clubs have handled their arrival in the Premiership well. Just one season up guarantees £30m, £15m and £15m in media revenue over three years even if they get relegated in year one, most of which is incremental over what they would get in the Championship.

They acquired conservatively during the summer, each one picking up at least two players of genuine Prem class but essentially kept their cost base under control.

That has taken all of them to the January window with a realistic chance of staying up and are now spending the the additional £10m they have which is the difference between their essentially still Championship cost base and their minimum PL income.

Going to make the rest of the season even more hairy for the bottom 14!

[thenodrog]

Oliver Kay of the Times turns up as Gary Cook's mouth piece and apologist

I always considered Oliver to be quite a nice name but now in my mind it's becoming synonymous with the term 'knob head'!

[Wiggy]

I always considered Oliver to be quite a nice name but now in my mind it's becoming synonymous with the term 'knob head'!

I think this article is nearer the mark Gordon.

City send in the clowns

[gumboots]

I always considered Oliver to be quite a nice name but now in my mind it's becoming synonymous with the term 'knob head'!

Funniest thing for me is cook saying he doesn't undrstand how it can be Kaka's decision not to go to City when they haven't had a chance to talk to him. He doesn't need to talk to them to know a move to City isn't a good idea. He just needs to talk to his mates who are saying "Whatever they offer you it's probably not worth it so don't bother". Everyone has phones nowadays and everyone talks and how could you expect to keep the whole thing secret when you talk bout marquee signings and fly out to Milan. Fairly obvious what you have in mind unless you're going for a private fitting at Armani.

[ffan]

Apparently "JB was told by his agent via telephone when he was with a group of players. JB allegedly replied with a "for f*cks sake" and looked pretty fed up. After the call finished he told the other players what had happened and several of them burst out laughing and Jimmy went bright red!"

[philipl]

Sticking my neck out here but my guess at the nearest to being done deals are Heskey to Villa, Hunt and Roballado to Wigan, Arshavin to Arsenal and this amusing graphic to City

Plenty of guff about City trying to tempt Mourinho and talking to Mancini. They'll end up with Hoddle at this rate!

Guardian columnist Marina Hyde takes a swing at Gary Cook and boy does she connect. Will be a fun conversation piece for JW when Cook rings up again about RSC- it is a great read!

I guess all this was not exactly what Sheikh Mansoor had in mind when he was buying out Thaksin.

Cook makes Peter Kenyon look like a genius or alternatively makes a strong case for an interfering owner.

[CrazyIvan]

Sticking my neck out here but my guess at the nearest to being done deals are Heskey to Villa, Hunt and Roballado to Wigan, Arshavin to Arsenal and this amusing graphic to City

Plenty of guff about City trying to tempt Mourinho and talking to Mancini. They'll end up with Hoddle at this rate!

Guardian columnist Marina Hyde takes a swing at Gary Cook and boy does she connect. Will be a fun conversation piece for JW when Cook rings up again about RSC- it is a great read!

I guess all this was not exactly what Sheikh Mansoor had in mind when he was buying out Thaksin.

Cook makes Peter Kenyon look like a genius or alternatively makes a strong case for an interfering owner.

Well spotted. Excellent article.

[philipl]

Armed robbery at Spurs' caterers. They got away in a gold Lexus- obviously an unremarkable vehicle down there!

King/Mido loan swap, Bullard to Hull, Zayate purchase by Hull, Hesky to Villa, Lowenkrands to Newcastle all seem to be happening.

[speeeeeeedie]

Are you sure about that? According to this link he's played in a few victories, albeit not in the league.

http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=43700

The issue is that Spurs have never won a match in which Gareth Bale started . He is curently equal on either 12 or 13 I think with somebody else who I cannot rem at the moment.

I thought it was any game. It's still a good laugh though. One of Britain's biggest prospects going down the pan after 12 months at Tottenham. If the papers are to be believed he, along with the rest of Spurs' overpaid misfits, will be quaking in their boots today hoping they're NOT playing tomorrow. If Huddlestone does we should get a bid in on Monday.

[1864roverite]

Heskey completes 3 and a half yr 3.5mill move to Villa