[Archived] Big Fat Sam's Shopping List

[Eddie]

Nice life if you can get it.

[JAL]

On Seitaridis...

Sam was going over to watch him in January but he did not play...it's been that kind of season for him.

I could see him turning up for training in July, mind you.

I will have some news on the financial front by Sunday...

The manager was at Nice v Marseille tonight, by the way. He may have been disappointed.

NO-GO for Givet ?

[Oklahoma]

Nicko, is it possible that Maniche is also a target?

He is a similar case to Seitaridis.

[67splitscreen]

I think when you're in your late twenties and playing for a League Two team and not Real Madrid, there's a tiny difference. I won't knock Andrews' effort for us but he lacks the consistent quality that we need. I think he's done about as well or as bad as people expected to be honest!

What you've just written has to be a mick take, right? Keith's break is that he's had the opportunity of playing in the Premier League, something which not many players of his quality would otherwise get.

Not much but he did play in the Premier league before, 1 appearance for wolves v barcodes.

[Guest benmaxwell]

I'm rather confused. If we decide to pick up the agreed price with regard to Givet, surely Marseille can't do anything about it as it is a written deal.

Unless Givet turns us down, if Sam can get him interested, surely the deal is as good as done?

Also, Marseille won 2 nil. Surely the fact that they didn't concede plays in our favour, as they have obviously got a decent enough defence without Givet.

If they had conceded, it would have given them reason to want Givet back..? Or have i missed something?

[47er]

At the time I wasn't aware Jack had any involvement with either the Club at that point or with the Archibald deal, although the reality behind the scenes might of course have been totally different!

My understanding was that Jack was (quietly) paying his wages. Same with Moran too.

[Guest Vinjay606]

On Seitaridis...

Sam was going over to watch him in January but he did not play...it's been that kind of season for him.

I could see him turning up for training in July, mind you.

I will have some news on the financial front by Sunday...

The manager was at Nice v Marseille tonight, by the way. He may have been disappointed.

Is the financial news related to a takeover? You have saved takeover stories for the Sunday People before.

[Eddie]

I'm rather confused. If we decide to pick up the agreed price with regard to Givet, surely Marseille can't do anything about it as it is a written deal.

Unless Givet turns us down, if Sam can get him interested, surely the deal is as good as done?

Also, Marseille won 2 nil. Surely the fact that they didn't concede plays in our favour, as they have obviously got a decent enough defence without Givet.

If they had conceded, it would have given them reason to want Givet back..? Or have i missed something?

I'm not sure that we have an agreed price, so there is no requirement for them to accept a bid of ours.

I also very much doubt that Marseille will be deciding whether or not they want Givet based on individual games. As I posted earlier, they have one of the best defenses in the country and have had a very good season so I am not sure if Givet would be going back to a spot in the first team, but he's certainly worthy of a spot in their squad and that is probably how they will see it. For him, especially with the World Cup coming up, I think this one would be a bit of a no-brainer and he'll want to win a place in the Marseille squad and try and impress in Ligue 1 and in the Champions League.

[AggyBlue]

My understanding was that Jack was (quietly) paying his wages. Same with Moran too.

And Ossie.

[rovers1993]

maybe sam was watching another player at the game and had been dissapointed by that player.

[Iceman]

Bojan missed with a header I could have scored against Chelsea in the 1st leg.

I remember some Italian striker was it, 94 World Cup in the USA. In the Final, one of the best players and he missed a penalty which could have won it for them. Bojan like people are saying, is 18 years old and with players of the calibre of Henry, Messi and Eto'o you bound to feel the pressure trying to impress.

One thing im very glad to see, is the names being mentioned even if it is only rumours. When Ince was in charge, you had a 38 year old keeper from MK dons being lined up, and just shows that the board might have a little more confidence in Big Sam with regards to spending money.

[nicko]

I hear Givet is very much on...

Didn't mention that yesterday because I was saving it for the day job.

[Hughesy]

I hear Givet is very much on...

Didn't mention that yesterday because I was saving it for the day job.

Thats good news - £3.5m the price?

[nicko]

Thats good news - £3.5m the price?

About £4 million, big wages too - but they knew that already.

Solid business.

[T4E]

I remember some Italian striker was it, 94 World Cup in the USA. In the Final, one of the best players and he missed a penalty which could have won it for them.

That would be 'some Italian striker' by the name of Roberto Baggio?

[Hughesy]

Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz will turn down Arsenal and Tottenham if he can secure a move to Manchester City or Liverpool.

(Full story: The Sun)

But Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is determined to sign Cruz after putting the Paraguay forward top of his wanted list. (Daily Mail)

One player on his way to Blackburn is defender Gael Givet, who will complete a £4m permanent switch from Marseille. It will also pave the way for Stephen Warnock to leave Ewood Park.

(Full story: Daily Mirror)

Sheffield United and Blackburn are competing for the signature of Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan. (The Sun)

About £4 million, big wages too - but they knew that already.

Solid business.

Solid yes - What sort of wages we talking? 40k?

[philipl]

It has to be said that Roque is doing his utmost to avoid what I strongly suspect will be a long drawn out saga.

The Mirror's angle is that Givet opens the exit door for Warnock.

[Guest benmaxwell]

Again. Don't get this. If Warnock is out the door, then why are we using him as our main marketing tool at the moment for the launch of next seasons merchandise. It doesn't make sense that we would be advertising next years merchandise on a player who isn't even going to be here to wear it...

[nicko]

On Roque...I can't see anyone buying him off the back of this season's displays and fitness problems. This could well mess up the window - because I don't see any other big bids for players coming in apart from Warnock.

On Warnock...it will depend on the right offer coming in and, as Spurs seem to be leading the way that could be quite difficult.

[Hughesy]

Who is going to be here though?!

Givet in for £4m, Warnock out for £7m id say (That about right Nicko?). Good Business!!

[philipl]

Again. Don't get this. If Warnock is out the door, then why are we using him as our main marketing tool at the moment for the launch of next seasons merchandise. It doesn't make sense that we would be advertising next years merchandise on a player who isn't even going to be here to wear it...

I think if Warnock were going, we would have heard an awful lot more about it. Like the club he might be going to would have been identified by now.

[Gav]

Surely you’ve got to be keeping your best players, whilst I believe the signing of Givet is a must, we can’t be letting Warnock go as a result can we?

I know money is tight but this coming season is all about the investment. If we don’t invest a significant amount of money in the team we’ll be fighting relegation again.

Everyone can see that, lets hope the board can too.

Again. Don't get this. If Warnock is out the door, then why are we using him as our main marketing tool at the moment for the launch of next seasons merchandise. It doesn't make sense that we would be advertising next years merchandise on a player who isn't even going to be here to wear it...

Not that I bare the scars or anything but Shearer was used in a similar way only a few weeks before he departed to Newcastle.

So I wouldn’t read anything into that.

[Cocker]

The great thing about Warnock is that he is a great utility man and in a small squad who always seem to have injuries he is a very important asset to us. If anything we should be trying to keep him AND get Givet - why he (Givet) should be 4m when he couldn't even get a game for his team is beyond me. We should stick a bid of 2m in and see what happens.

If all fails we shouldn't spend a big chunk of money on Givet and move Warnock back into left back and get a new midfielder.

Whatever anyone says about Santa he wont be with us come August and we will have a bit of money to spend from that. If City do not get who they want (and this is what I think will happen) they will panic and throw their money at us to get Santa in fear of missing out again.

[Hughesy]

Next season if we resolve our striker & midfield options, we will have a backline of:

Emerton--Samba--Nelsen--Givet

Where would Warnock fit? Is he surplus to requirements?

[Cocker]

Next season if we resolve our striker & midfield options, we will have a backline of:

Emerton--Samba--Nelsen--Givet

Where would Warnock fit? Is he surplus to requirements?

No, As I said above he it a good utility player so if we did get Givet he would play Centre or Left Midfield. We have to think about the whole squad and injuries to other players.

Keep him I say and for me he has been player of the season.