View Full Version : Gareth Bale
nebbers
25-09-08, 09:13 AM
From the BBC
Liverpool are set to make a £15m offer for Tottenham's Welsh defender Gareth Bale in January.
Yes please...
£15m :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:
The original source for this was that shit rag so I think we can be sure it is bollocks.
From the BBC
Liverpool are set to make a £15m offer for Tottenham's Welsh defender Gareth Bale in January.
Yes please...
quiet news day
no fuckin ta :handshake:
From the BBC
Liverpool are set to make a £15m offer for Tottenham's Welsh defender Gareth Bale in January.
Yes please...
Hasn't Bale got the enviable record that Spurs have never won a PL game that he has started?
I'm pretty sure this is complete bollocks.
We should have gone in hard for Bale when he left Southampton, as I think he has a huge future in the game.
He is already the best player we have in the Wales team (I know, it doesn't take much :crackoff:), and is full of energy, pace, attacking threat, and is a natural left sided player who is comfortable anywhere down that side.
Don't know how well he'd suit our system though now that Riera is here, but I suppose he'd be ideal for our home games coming from left back. His defensive game needs improving, but he's only young and still a teenager, and he'd improve our left side threat greatly.
Think we've missed the boat here though.
el matador
25-09-08, 09:21 AM
why would benitez sign dossena and then go out and buy bale for whatever money ?
doesnt make sense so its probably bullshit. Should also avoid his mate lennon on the other flank because he cant cross to save his life - which for a winger is very important.
doesnt make sense so its probably bullshit. Should also avoid his mate lennon on the other flank because he cant cross to save his life - which for a winger is very important.
Apart from the excellent one which set up Pavyluchencko last night :crackoff:
why would benitez sign dossena and then go out and buy bale for whatever money ?
doesnt make sense so its probably bullshit. Should also avoid his mate lennon on the other flank because he cant cross to save his life - which for a winger is very important.
i make you right :handshake:
bobbyfallon
25-09-08, 10:25 AM
i make you right :handshake:
na
i make you right :handshake:
Maybe to replace Aurelio ?
focusedonfootball
25-09-08, 12:36 PM
Excellent corner taker which after Saturday's performance would be no bad thing.
Maybe to replace Aurelio ?
If anything it will be probably be for Dossena IMO.
If anything it will be probably be for Dossena IMO.
Haha
If anything it will be probably be for Dossena IMO.
You mean Bossena ?
Haha
The irony that you find someone elses post funny eh? :crackoff:
The irony that you find someone elses post funny eh? :crackoff:
I can't believe you can get away with a post like that without getting a drilling. :-)
I can't believe you can get away with a post like that without getting a drilling. :-)
The key is to be very selective about who you criticise - granted he has only been here for 5 mins, but I have seen more than enough to say thanks but no thanks. He will not last, mark my words.
I am selective. I only criticise Rafa for being too defensive
:-)
I am selective. I only criticise Rafa for being too defensive
:-)
I know - like I have said before I don't have a problem with your views. I tend to agree with a lot of what you say.
The key is to be very selective about who you criticise - granted he has only been here for 5 mins, but I have seen more than enough to say thanks but no thanks. He will not last, mark my words.
No player will last based on the majority of posters' judgment here. You are far too fickle (no offense - and it's not aimed at you particularly but more to the general LFC supporter) to give a player a chance to bed in. The guy has been here two fucking months.
I think he's a quality player, strong in defense and very positive going forward. Not all his crosses are flawless but who can boast to have it all? Evra is piece poor at them sometimes and is such a poor defender (albeit much improved).
Slotting in straight into a new team and a new country is no easy feat and I think he's done alright until now. The criticism he gets is insane and greatly over the top.
The key is to be very selective about who you criticise - granted he has only been here for 5 mins, but I have seen more than enough to say thanks but no thanks. He will not last, mark my words.
Mate that is absolutely fucking crazy. Demented.
On this basis, you would’ve written off Patrice Evra who was SHIT in his first 6-12 months. And I mean shit. People were laughing at him!
Now he’s amongst the top three left-backs in the country.
You simply cannot judge a player after five minutes. A player who is new to the country, new to the league and doesn’t speak the language. A player who is a first choice Italian international full-back! FFS!
No player will last based on the majority of posters' judgment here. You are far too fickle (no offense - and it's not aimed at you particularly but more to the general LFC supporter) to give a player a chance to bed in. The guy has been here two fucking months.
I think he's a quality player, strong in defense and very positive going forward. Not all his crosses are flawless but who can boast to have it all? Evra is piece poor at them sometimes and is such a poor defender (albeit much improved).
Slotting in straight into a new team and a new country is no easy feat and I think he's done alright until now. The criticism he gets is insane and greatly over the top.
Fair enough, and I am probably being very unfair.
BUT, I have a gut feeling from when I have seen him play that he just does not fit in. He is an accident waiting to happen IMO.
Of course I am only a fan, so wtf do I know?!! :crackoff:
Haha. Give him time though. I reckon he'll come good. But he looks overweight to me at the moment
Craig_H
25-09-08, 01:47 PM
Mate that is absolutely fucking crazy. Demented.
On this basis, you would’ve written off Patrice Evra who was SHIT in his first 6-12 months. And I mean shit. People were laughing at him!
Now he’s amongst the top three left-backs in the country.
You simply cannot judge a player after five minutes. A player who is new to the country, new to the league and doesn’t speak the language. A player who is a first choice Italian international full-back! FFS!
Hasnt he only won about 3 caps?
I dont think you can make a conclusive judgement so early on, but if someone held a gun to my head and asked me to say whether i think he'll make it, purely a yes or no, i'd probably shake my head.
He has only got a few caps but he started their last WC Qualifier.
Craig_H
25-09-08, 01:52 PM
Yeah but Italy are shit nowadays :crackoff:
He ain't no Maldini, thats for sure.
He ain't no Maldini, thats for sure.
Who is!!!:rash:
Maldini is probably the greatest defender of his generation and had an exceptional career, the one 99% of professional footballers would dream of and in that I include Zidane.
janpelt
25-09-08, 02:12 PM
From the BBC
Liverpool are set to make a £15m offer for Tottenham's Welsh defender Gareth Bale in January.
Yes please...
:rash::rash: £15m :rash::rash:
Who the hell is doing the negotiations for us.... I like the lad but that is WAY TOO MUCH!
Who is!!!:rash:
Maldini is probably the greatest defender of his generation and had an exceptional career, the one 99% of professional footballers would dream of and in that I include Zidane.
... I was kiddin... :shake:
... I was kiddin... :shake:
Me too. :rolleyes: People take me far too seriously. :crackoff:
Trust me Fredo, no one on here takes you seriously. :crackoff:
Trust me Fredo, no one on here takes you seriously. :crackoff:
Bald eagled wit ?
Craig_H
25-09-08, 02:23 PM
Who is!!!:rash:
Maldini is probably the greatest defender of his generation and had an exceptional career, the one 99% of professional footballers would dream of and in that I include Zidane.
:haha: Hook, line and sinker.
Who is!!!:rash:
Maldini is probably the greatest defender of his generation and had an exceptional career, the one 99% of professional footballers would dream of and in that I include Zidane.
yep, and yet he's never won the world cup :rant:, Those pesky italians never picked him :rant::rant::rant::rant:
cled the red
25-09-08, 03:14 PM
yep, and yet he's never won the world cup :rant:, Those pesky italians never picked him :rant::rant::rant::rant:
He retired from international football in 2002, hence why he wasn't in the World Cup winning squad of 2006!!!!!:crackoff:
el matador
25-09-08, 05:19 PM
Apart from the excellent one which set up Pavyluchencko last night :crackoff:
you based that on one fucking cross. he cant cross to save his life and thats fact.
and here is the obligatory :crackoff:
Red Chilli
25-09-08, 05:22 PM
Who is!!!:rash:
Maldini is probably the greatest defender of his generation and had an exceptional career, the one 99% of professional footballers would dream of and in that I include Zidane.
:haha: "99%"
Errr make that 99.999% The idea that 1 in every hundred pro footballers wouldn't dream of having a career like Maldini's is ludicrous.
you based that on one fucking cross. he cant cross to save his life and thats fact.
and here is the obligatory :crackoff:
Fuckin hell I was joking :rolleyes:
el matador
25-09-08, 06:26 PM
Fuckin hell I was joking :rolleyes:
ha ha....
:)
When this story first broke i thought it was just the typical shit made up by papers to sell copies however I do see it being an absolutly fantastic signing for us. The lad is improving all the time and is already a very good performer, he's British, left sided, great getting forward and unlike another left footed player we were linked with over the summer has age on his side.
Still think it is made up but would be a great signing for us as our fullbacks are our weakest area at present
DannyMan2006
29-09-08, 12:34 PM
When this story first broke i thought it was just the typical shit made up by papers to sell copies however I do see it being an absolutly fantastic signing for us. The lad is improving all the time and is already a very good performer, he's British, left sided, great getting forward and unlike another left footed player we were linked with over the summer has age on his side.
Still think it is made up but would be a great signing for us as our fullbacks are our weakest area at present
He does have age on his side but we have Emiliano Insua coming through who also has age on his side. And in Aurelio and Dossena we have two very good left backs. Dossena has not started well but neither did Agger or Skrtel. Aurelio may be injury prone but so is Bale.
I do rate him and his delivery from set pieces would be a great help, but we don't need him, especially not at £15m.
He does have age on his side but we have Emiliano Insua coming through who also has age on his side. And in Aurelio and Dossena we have two very good left backs. Dossena has not started well but neither did Agger or Skrtel. Aurelio may be injury prone but so is Bale.
I do rate him and his delivery from set pieces would be a great help, but we don't need him, especially not at £15m.
I'm still struggling to see anything good about Bale defensively tbh. On the other hand he is playing for Spurs and for his age you can only expect so much when everyone else is playing so poorly.
Insua is an interesting case - he would get first team games elsewhere and when he has had a chance with us he has looked like he needs some too. I think while we have Arbeloa, Agger and Carragher all capable of filling in with two genuine contenders for the slot in the squad we should let him go out on loan at least for a few months this season.
Traore who went to Pompey looks the business though
DannyMan2006
29-09-08, 03:04 PM
Traore who went to Pompey looks the business though
Really? Even though after Pompey conceded 10 goals in 2 games he got moved further up the field to LW..........
Bit harsh maybe, I think he looks promising but he's a long way from being good enough for the top 4 teams. I would compare Insua quite favourably with him.
Had Benitez gone for it Insua would have been in the Newcastle first team right now.
Really? Even though after Pompey conceded 10 goals in 2 games he got moved further up the field to LW..........
Bit harsh maybe, I think he looks promising but he's a long way from being good enough for the top 4 teams. I would compare Insua quite favourably with him.
Had Benitez gone for it Insua would have been in the Newcastle first team right now.
Although to be honest I would fancy my chances of breaking into the Newcastle defense.
Don't think all the 10 goals were his fault.
He does have age on his side but we have Emiliano Insua coming through who also has age on his side. And in Aurelio and Dossena we have two very good left backs. Dossena has not started well but neither did Agger or Skrtel. Aurelio may be injury prone but so is Bale.
I do rate him and his delivery from set pieces would be a great help, but we don't need him, especially not at £15m.
I agree with what you are saying however if we are looking at improving our first 11 my choice is to try and improve the weakest area. Up front we have some great players, midfield GK and CB the same, I feel FBs are our least strong position and Bale seems to be able to bring a lot to this position and play equally good in a more advanced role
Bale would be a great signing, but for 15m? That is just ridiculous.
Lets see what happens with Dossena first though.
DannyMan2006
30-09-08, 12:44 AM
Don't think all the 10 goals were his fault.
No, far from it. But him being moved shows he still has a lot to learn. I've seen nothing to suggest he is any better than Insua, who did well when he has played for us. Nothing spectacular, but kept it solid.
If Rafa was not totally against playing lads in the team at such an early stage my guess is he would have played far more. He seems to think it well benefit the lads later on in their careers, preventing serious injury and burnout ala Michael Owen. Others think it stifles them at a key time.
We will see.
A piece of interesting statistic with respect to Bale : He has never won a premier league match.
Big Dave
01-10-08, 09:13 AM
Traore who went to Pompey looks the business though
He already played for us remeber, won the Champions League an all :crackoff:
Exiled_red
01-10-08, 10:44 AM
I don't see what everyone is raving about him for, yeah he scored some decent goals from free kicks etc for Southampton, but since moving to Spurs and playing in the Premiership I don't see what he's done to justify a £15m price tag
kingfunk
02-11-10, 11:32 PM
Bump!
Craig_H
02-11-10, 11:36 PM
Well i'm pleased to see that i didnt make any comments in this thread that came back to bite me on the arse. Just a rather accurate dismissal of Dossena's abilities :D
:D
Thing is, at the time Bale was a shite left back. He remained shite until as recently as January, when he was so shite they had a deal to send him on loan to Forest all tied up.
His emergence as a left winger has been phenomenal. He should never play left back again, he can't defend for shit and he's awesome going forward.
kingfunk
02-11-10, 11:44 PM
Should we be doing the same with GJ, or is he just shite?!
i might have been able to point out the talent in bale but I cant work out how to multi quote my posts
When this story first broke i thought it was just the typical shit made up by papers to sell copies however I do see it being an absolutly fantastic signing for us. The lad is improving all the time and is already a very good performer, he's British, left sided, great getting forward and unlike another left footed player we were linked with over the summer has age on his side.
Still think it is made up but would be a great signing for us as our fullbacks are our weakest area at present
I agree with what you are saying however if we are looking at improving our first 11 my choice is to try and improve the weakest area. Up front we have some great players, midfield GK and CB the same, I feel FBs are our least strong position and Bale seems to be able to bring a lot to this position and play equally good in a more advanced role
aha!
DannyMan2006
03-11-10, 12:49 AM
Poor lb, but turning into an awesome lm.
I don't think too many peeps expected this turn of events.
He is simply a world class atm.
He toyed with Maicon all day yesterday in the way that I never thought it was possible.
Really incredible.
Just curious but what would be his present value? It must be in high 30s at least..
spurs do not need the money, they are performing and improving on all fronts, bale is the top player in the epl at the moment his value maybe high thirties at the moment and rising but spurs would not sell for this
to be honest i just do not see spurs selling unless pushed by bale which i also do not see happening at the moment
Nice bump!! My comments about Dossena were spot on. :rock: :rock:
the rev leeroy brown
03-11-10, 09:44 AM
bale is a great talent. last nights game he was simply awesome. his delivery, positioning, pace - it all fit last night briliinatly. playing against inter last night ( fuck me how narrow did they play ) made me jealous as fuck spurs got him.
Neil Young
03-11-10, 09:46 AM
What amazed me was his pace. I had no idea he was quick. And it wasn't just when he'd got going either. He consistently beat Maicon off the mark.
:jaw:
NigelLG
03-11-10, 09:48 AM
Thing is, playing at left back is a more difficult proposition. He needs to balance his game properly so as to be effective. Funny that Redknapp still thinks that he'll be more effective as such (as a left back).
Neil Young
03-11-10, 09:49 AM
How old is he? Bale, that is. Not Redknapp. :crackoff:
I think Bale would fit into the profile of the type of player NESV would sanction a big money transfer fee for (if their perceived transfer policy is what I think it is).
Bale is a truly outstanding wide player who just seems to have it all right now. he is exactly the type of player we are crying out for. Such a shame Rafa was never backed enough to buy these type of young home-grown players (Ramsey, Walcott and the like).
Neil Young
03-11-10, 10:06 AM
So a fair bit younger than Jarvis and Johnson. But older than Wickham. :bird:
Anyway, him being that young makes sense of Redknapp's contention that he'll end up at left back. I can only think he believes Bale will improve as a defender with age and experience.
And, the subtext for my question, it shows how f*cking stupid we were to let Insua go in order to get 29 year old Paul Konshitsky instead. I'm not suggesting Insua has been at anything like the level of Bale of course but Redknapp's comments indicate to me the value of experience.
andrewces38
03-11-10, 10:07 AM
Should we be doing the same with GJ, or is he just shite?!
I have been saying that since Xmas last year on on a few occasions was dismissed out of hand by the Experts on here:crackoff:
the rev leeroy brown
03-11-10, 10:09 AM
Bale is a truly outstanding wide player who just seems to have it all right now. he is exactly the type of player we are crying out for. Such a shame Rafa was never backed enough to buy these type of young home-grown players (Ramsey, Walcott and the like).
i dont remember rafa ever trying to sign to young home grown players. most of the youngsters came from abroad - though that is partly down to the extreme lack of good young british talent.
Bale's emergence and the beating of Inter is not good news for us at all. Any slim chance we had of crawling our way back into the top 4 has taken a significant blow with this, Spurs will be far more confident and experienced for it, and Bale will be on fire.
The longer we stay outside of the top 4, the harder it will be to get back in.
Cunt
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv196/hkschaser/Gareth_Bale_Cornelius_Roddy_McDowal.jpg
Kenneth
03-11-10, 10:15 AM
you based that on one fucking cross. he cant cross to save his life and thats fact.
and here is the obligatory :crackoff:
:haha:
Top bumpage.
United will sign him in the summer.
kris90210
03-11-10, 10:19 AM
United will sign him in the summer.
Could well see that happening. Them or Man City anyway. 30-40 million?
What a difference a year makes.
Not sure Utd could afford £30m on one player without selling one of their other "big names".
kris90210
03-11-10, 10:27 AM
Not sure Utd could afford £30m on one player without selling one of their other "big names".
Depends if Fergie was being honest about having the Ronaldo money to spend, doesn't it. Plus, the whole Rooney thing could force the owners to make a statement of intent.
Bale is exactly the sort of signing I could see Utd making. Proven talent. 21 years old. Winger. British. Rooney mk2.
Would be gutting if they signed him.
NigelLG
03-11-10, 10:28 AM
So a fair bit younger than Jarvis and Johnson. But older than Wickham. :bird:
Anyway, him being that young makes sense of Redknapp's contention that he'll end up at left back. I can only think he believes Bale will improve as a defender with age and experience.
And, the subtext for my question, it shows how f*cking stupid we were to let Insua go in order to get 29 year old Paul Konshitsky instead. I'm not suggesting Insua has been at anything like the level of Bale of course but Redknapp's comments indicate to me the value of experience.
:handshake:
i dont remember rafa ever trying to sign to young home grown players. most of the youngsters came from abroad - though that is partly down to the extreme lack of good young british talent.
A bit unnecessary that don't you think, judging by the last part of your post?
What do you make of those players?
Jonjo Shelvey
Scott Carson
Jack Hobbs
....
Depends if Fergie was being honest about having the Ronaldo money to spend, doesn't it. Plus, the whole Rooney thing could force the owners to make a statement of intent.
Bale is exactly the sort of signing I could see Utd making. Proven talent. 21 years old. Winger. British. Rooney mk2.
Would be gutting if they signed him.
The figures don't seem to indicate they are hiding some away.
The Ronaldo transfer stopped a massive loss that year and another £80million loss this year despite a jump in turnover doesn't indicate they will have too much "spare" cash floating around. It looks like they will be heading for a similar loss next year too unless they sell off another asset to meet the payments.
I wonder how the Financial Fair Play rules will affect them. High turnover but massive, massive debt.
RedReet
03-11-10, 10:47 AM
Fair enough, he did well against Inter, but when did he suddenly become the next Rivelino? All I’ve read about and heard is how he’s the best in the world in his position and would walk into any team in the world. He started off on fire this season, went quiet, then played excellent against Inter. That’s about 5 or 6 weeks max of playing good football and he’s now the best in the world??? I know there aint that many great left wingers in football today (aint many wingers as such at all), but does no one else think people are getting a bit carried away?
i dont remember rafa ever trying to sign to young home grown players. most of the youngsters came from abroad - though that is partly down to the extreme lack of good young british talent.
I'm not sure that is entirely fair, I know we did bring in many foreign youngsters but we also bought Hobbs, Anderson, Amoo, Ngoo, Ince and Carson off the top of my head. I'm sure there will be many more (the purchase of English youngsters seems to be less news worthy than capturing an exotic foreign 'starlet') but ultimately the point is that we were looking in that market.
the rev leeroy brown
03-11-10, 10:48 AM
A bit unnecessary that don't you think, judging by the last part of your post?
What do you make of those players?
Jonjo Shelvey
Scott Carson
Jack Hobbs
....
not unnecessary at all. carson was the exception. never quite worked for him here unfortunately. hobbs? briefly remember him but shelvey . . . .wasnt he a dalglish inspired and purslow leg work buy?
the rev leeroy brown
03-11-10, 10:52 AM
I'm not sure that is entirely fair, I know we did bring in many foreign youngsters but we also bought Hobbs, Anderson, Amoo, Ngoo, Ince and Carson off the top of my head. I'm sure there will be many more (the purchase of English youngsters seems to be less news worthy than capturing an exotic foreign 'starlet') but ultimately the point is that we were looking in that market.
i know we have captured a few young english players but the point i was trying to illustrate was that someone posted how rafa never had the money to go after the young english talent like walcott etc... who were well known at the time and had all the big teams interested - i wouldnt count the captures of ince, amoo etc... the same as the signings of walcott, ramsey or sturridge as they were already established names (in that they were all playing 1st team football elsewhere)
I thought it was common knowledge that Rafa tried to sign both Walcott and Ramsey but was unable to match the fees other clubs were prepared to pay for them. :confused:
NigelLG
03-11-10, 11:00 AM
i know we have captured a few young english players but the point i was trying to illustrate was that someone posted how rafa never had the money to go after the young english talent like walcott etc... who were well known at the time and had all the big teams interested - i wouldnt count the captures of ince, amoo etc... the same as the signings of walcott, ramsey or sturridge as they were already established names (in that they were all playing 1st team football elsewhere)
It's been documented that we were in for Walcott but that he chose Arsenal ahead of us. I do think that's much to do with the already existing impressive structure that Wenger built for youngsters there, above anything else, as he's a Liverpool fan, that he chose to go there. Then, maybe we never had the money to bring him here, which could have been a factor in us not signing him.
But it's a bit preposterous to say that Rafa never tried to sign the top British youngsters. It's clear you don't like Benitez and every opportunity to have a go, you'll take.
NigelLG
03-11-10, 11:02 AM
I thought it was common knowledge that Rafa tried to sign both Walcott and Ramsey but was unable to match the fees other clubs were prepared to pay for them. :confused:
:handshake:
Exiled_red
03-11-10, 11:05 AM
I thought it was common knowledge that Rafa tried to sign both Walcott and Ramsey but was unable to match the fees other clubs were prepared to pay for them. :confused:
:handshake: We were also linked with Bale.
He also brought in Anderson, Martin and alot of players into the academy levels such as Sterling, who haven't been mentioned. I think the problem has been that we were working on a budget and British players are expensive, and we needed players who would more or less make an immediate impact, rather than waiting 2,3 or 4 years down the line.
i know we have captured a few young english players but the point i was trying to illustrate was that someone posted how rafa never had the money to go after the young english talent like walcott etc... who were well known at the time and had all the big teams interested - i wouldnt count the captures of ince, amoo etc... the same as the signings of walcott, ramsey or sturridge as they were already established names (in that they were all playing 1st team football elsewhere)
I suspect we are talking at cross purposes. Is your point that we didn't go for these sort of talents at the expense of first team signings? In which case I agree, but then the only big money young player bought mostly for potential under Rafa was Babel so the foreign signings you mention are irrelevant. In terms of unestablished youth players for small fees I think we bought English and foreign players alike on more or less the same basis.
I thought it was common knowledge that Rafa tried to sign both Walcott and Ramsey but was unable to match the fees other clubs were prepared to pay for them. :confused:
:handshake:
The question then becomes do you but Riera or someone like Bale. I'm not sure the answer (sans hindsight) is that obvious. As I remember it the hype and calls for his signing before he joined Spurs were less than those for Andy Reid before he left Forest for example.
I thought it was common knowledge that Rafa tried to sign both Walcott and Ramsey but was unable to match the fees other clubs were prepared to pay for them. :confused:
We had an agreed deal with Ramsey but Parry stopped the deal going through. We also had an agreed deal with Walcott but Parry took to long time so Arsenal snapped him up. IIRC Rafa was furious both times.
If you want to be successful then a very good CEO is a must. Parry and Purslow our latest two is well below average.
the rev leeroy brown
03-11-10, 11:34 AM
But it's a bit preposterous to say that Rafa never tried to sign the top British youngsters. It's clear you don't like Benitez and every opportunity to have a go, you'll take.
:shake: must you always try to start an arguement?
it isnt clear i dont like benitez - far from it. i have continously said i have repect for rafa the manager etc..... but IMO i do not beleive he tried to sign these young english players that was apparently so well "documented".
why is it that if someone doesnt agree with your(and other peoples) views on rafa then they have a campaign or issue with him?
your either a bit of a WUM or you get some sort of sick pleasure from talking bull.
the rev leeroy brown
03-11-10, 11:34 AM
We had an agreed deal with Ramsey but Parry stopped the deal going through. We also had an agreed deal with Walcott but Parry took to long time so Arsenal snapped him up. IIRC Rafa was furious both times.
.
proof?
RedReet
03-11-10, 11:36 AM
proof?
:haha:
Come on Arn, I'm sure you have the snap shots like most fans do.
i dont remember rafa ever trying to sign to young home grown players. most of the youngsters came from abroad - though that is partly down to the extreme lack of good young british talent.
As well as signing the likes of Hobbs, Carson, Anderson, Shelvey, Sterling and others, we also tried to sign Ramsey and Walcott. What was your point again? :eyebrow:
Neil Young
03-11-10, 11:39 AM
I suspect we are talking at cross purposes. Is your point that we didn't go for these sort of talents at the expense of first team signings? In which case I agree, but then the only big money young player bought mostly for potential under Rafa was Babel so the foreign signings you mention are irrelevant. In terms of unestablished youth players for small fees I think we bought English and foreign players alike on more or less the same basis.
I certainly wish Benitez had spent the money on Walcott instead. Babel is a sack of shite, as any fule kno.
the rev leeroy brown
03-11-10, 11:41 AM
I certainly wish Benitez had spent the money on Walcott instead. Babel is a sack of shite, as any fule kno.
fuck it i'll :bait:
in hindsight yes we should have spent the babel money elsewhere but at the time it looked like we got the better deal IMO. he started off real good for us his first year.
proof?
“You prepare your list of players and have No 1 target, No 2, then the third one,” Benítez says. “If you lose the first one, normally they’ve signed for another English club. If you lose them to your rivals, it’s worse. Every year you have to work very hard to be ready and sometimes another team gets there first. It is frustrating.”
That frustration is underlined every time Gareth Barry, Florent Malouda or Nemanja Vidic turn out against Liverpool, but the loss of Aaron Ramsey to Arsenal is particularly galling.
Benítez had agreed a deal to sign the talented young midfield player from Cardiff City for a £1.5m initial fee, with a similar amount to follow, but the transaction stalled at board level before Arsenal came in with a £5m bid.
Clicky (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article6919462.ece)
From The Times
November 17, 2009
Rafael Benitez: I can walk through Anfield storm
Tony Evans, Football Editor
November can be grim on Merseyside. It is barely past lunchtime and darkness is falling nearly as heavily as the rain. There is a gloom around Liverpool’s academy in Kirkby that mirrors the state of the club.
The team are seventh in the Barclays Premier League after five defeats in 12 games — they lost just twice last season — and on the verge of an exit from the Champions League. The mood is downbeat.
Enter Rafael Benítez and in an instant the academy staff are bathing in a little Spanish sunshine. Beaming a huge smile, he sweeps out of the rain in a flurry of backslaps, handshakes and hugs. This is no icy analyst. He is relaxed, in casual trousers and a V-necked pullover, and at ease with his world.
The acres of critical newsprint, the hours of Rafa-bashing on the phone-ins, have not shaken his confidence. He sits in an office, with its balcony overlooking the windswept training pitches, like a man secure about his domain.
But football clubs never sit still. They are either moving forwards or sliding backwards. Which direction are Liverpool heading? Benítez is not backwards about coming forward.
“In 2004 the squad was worth, what, £100 million? Now perhaps we have one player worth that,” he says. “The whole squad? Maybe £250 million.
“The club was nearly sold for £85 million five years ago. Now the price is £500 million. We must be doing something right.
“We are much better now than we were three or four years ago in every single thing — in the commercial department, the marketing department, in football.
“The majority of the fans, especially the ones who go to the stadium, realise the team is working and improving, and is better than before. To achieve 86 points in the league last season is part of the progression. The direction of the club is right. But everyone wants to win and we are disappointed when we don’t win any game or any trophy.”
The poor start to the season has brought a maelstrom of criticism, but Benítez feels that few observers understand the full scale of the job at Anfield.
His tenure in the manager’s chair has been played out against a backdrop of behind-the-scenes turmoil. Financial problems and a lack of support from senior club officials have hampered his efforts. The irony is that the recent blip in form has come during the most stable period of his 5½-year term.
A new five-year contract, signed in February, gave the Spaniard control over the academy and the appointment of Christian Purslow as chief executive in the summer provided backup in the boardroom.
This has not always been the case. Two years ago, George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks, the owners, approached Jürgen Klinsmann about the possibility of replacing Benítez. Even before that, the manager’s relationship with Rick Parry, the former chief executive, was uneasy. Parry’s conservative nature clashed with Benítez’s aggressive attitude in the transfer market and many of the top targets went unsigned.
“You prepare your list of players and have No 1 target, No 2, then the third one,” Benítez says. “If you lose the first one, normally they’ve signed for another English club. If you lose them to your rivals, it’s worse. Every year you have to work very hard to be ready and sometimes another team gets there first. It is frustrating.”
That frustration is underlined every time Gareth Barry, Florent Malouda or Nemanja Vidic turn out against Liverpool, but the loss of Aaron Ramsey to Arsenal is particularly galling.
Benítez had agreed a deal to sign the talented young midfield player from Cardiff City for a £1.5m initial fee, with a similar amount to follow, but the transaction stalled at board level before Arsenal came in with a £5m bid.
The emphasis on youthful talent is no surprise. “When I arrived we had a lot of players we needed to change,” Benítez says. “We had to replace these players year on year. The first team were bad and it was the worse for the reserves.
“So we had to buy fringe players and take a gamble. Some of these players have been good and some not good enough for us. It’s a risk you have to accept when you have not got too much money available. The problem started at the academy. We weren’t producing players.”
The production line that served up Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher had ground to a halt. Steve Heighway, the academy director, was replaced by Frank McParland and Benítez took a hands-on role.
“This is the first year of my second five years and the first time I can have some influence in the academy,” he says. “We are trying to build something and leave a legacy for the future.
“When we talk about the young players we’ve brought in, the cost for them is about £5m. Players like Gulacsi, Pacheco, Ayala, Ngog, Insúa. The value of Insúa in the marketplace now would pay for all the signing of the young players in the last five years. We had to build foundations so we can win in the future.” The shortage of young Scousers coming through the ranks aggravates the manager, however.
“I want to see the academy producing local players,” Benítez says. “We didn’t produce too many so we had to look elsewhere to be able to find the new generation of players that will be at the heart of the team and the club. We need local players.”
A shrewd move was to bring back Kenny Dalglish to assist at Kirkby. The iconic former player and manager is performing a number of roles and the manager is delighted to have him involved. “He was a good signing, no?” Benítez says with a twinkle.
“He is someone who knows the club, has a very good mentality and is strong enough mentally to defend the club as an ambassador. With his role in the academy, he attracts players.”
But Benítez knows how important it is to start winning soon. Will his team bounce back and earn a Champions League place at the end of the season? “I have a lot of confidence we will finish in the top four,” he says. “But my target is the next game. It is easier for me to give confidence to the players if we get three points against Manchester City [on Saturday].”
Benítez is notorious for his long working hours and attention to detail, so how does he cope with defeat? “When you lose or draw you go home disappointed,” he says. “But you can’t get too low because it is important to me to go to Melwood, be strong and pick up the players.
“I have a lot of confidence and that gets bigger when I talk to fans. They say, ‘Keep going, keep smiling’. Can we be better? Yes. We will be better.”
And then he is ready to go. In the foyer, one of the boys’ teams are coming in from the rain. They hold back a little, nervous to approach the boss, but he beckons them over, asking the name of each.
One is from Brazil and Benítez addresses him in Portuguese and begins a conversation about the beach in Rio. The boys all laugh and the mood is lifted. It’s a knack Benítez has. Imagine how much fun everyone will have when his side start winning.
the rev leeroy brown
03-11-10, 11:48 AM
Clicky (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article6919462.ece)
i'd never heard / read bout that before. no quotes associated but if true poor move not to spend the 5 mill.
Craig_H
03-11-10, 12:01 PM
United will sign him in the summer.
How are they going to fund that, then?
Craig_H
03-11-10, 12:05 PM
Depends if Fergie was being honest about having the Ronaldo money to spend, doesn't it. Plus, the whole Rooney thing could force the owners to make a statement of intent.
Bale is exactly the sort of signing I could see Utd making. Proven talent. 21 years old. Winger. British. Rooney mk2.
Would be gutting if they signed him.
If Fergie had £80m to spend that summer, do you think he'd have bought Owen and Valencia instead of David Villa and David Silva?
The whole Rooney thing wont force the owners to make a 'statement of intent' because, quite simply, they do not have the money and no amount of hissy-fit throwing nonsense from Rooney will enable them to find the best part of £100m from down the back of the sofa.
I certainly wish Benitez had spent the money on Walcott instead. Babel is a sack of shite, as any fule kno.
He hav a face like a squished tomato and is utterly wet and weedy.
Neil Young
03-11-10, 12:26 PM
He hav a face like a squished tomato and is utterly wet and weedy.
:haha:
DannyMan2006
03-11-10, 12:42 PM
Lol at Bale to United. There is no way he will leave Spurs for a penny under £40m and United can't afford that.
Take into account how good he is now and the fact he's 21. I highly doubt he will leave Spurs for less than £50m if he keeps his form up from January to now.
Leyton388
03-11-10, 12:54 PM
Wow!
Monkey boy has 2 good games and everyone is raving about him. Typical british player over hype. Bale has done nothing of note since he has been at spurs and just because he had two good games doesn't make him a £30m player.
Wow!
Monkey boy has 2 good games and everyone is raving about him. Typical british player over hype. Bale has done nothing of note since he has been at spurs and just because he had two good games doesn't make him a £30m player.
Know where you're coming from - this talk of £40m-£50m is complete lunacy IMO - but he has played well since the 2nd half of last season. He's their most potent threat and last night he was fantastic. I think he's gone into the major league but for me his value would be around £25m.
Patrick Barclay last night called him the best player in the world at the moment :haha::haha::haha:
Fernandinho
03-11-10, 12:59 PM
I think he might be a player who peaks young...
Wow!
Monkey boy has 2 good games and everyone is raving about him. Typical british player over hype. Bale has done nothing of note since he has been at spurs and just because he had two good games doesn't make him a £30m player.
:handshake: Same with Milner - don't understand the price tags on British players ffs!!
rcasemore
03-11-10, 01:00 PM
Wow!
Monkey boy has 2 good games and everyone is raving about him. Typical british player over hype. Bale has done nothing of note since he has been at spurs and just because he had two good games doesn't make him a £30m player.
TBF he's had a good season so far and not just against Inter - that being said there is a bit of the over hyping about him at the moment.
To buy him though will cost upwards of £30 million, he's young, playing well, British and most importantly Spurs are under no pressure to sell him - financially sound and currently playing the Champions League - anyone looking to pick him up will be paying top prices.
Neil Young
03-11-10, 01:05 PM
Wow!
Monkey boy has 2 good games and everyone is raving about him. Typical british player over hype. Bale has done nothing of note since he has been at spurs and just because he had two good games doesn't make him a £30m player.
Know where you're coming from - this talk of £40m-£50m is complete lunacy IMO - but he has played well since the 2nd half of last season. He's their most potent threat and last night he was fantastic. I think he's gone into the major league but for me his value would be around £25m.
Patrick Barclay last night called him the best player in the world at the moment :haha::haha::haha:
Patrick Barclay is an idiot.
Muddled
03-11-10, 01:09 PM
Wow!
Monkey boy has 2 good games and everyone is raving about him. Typical british player over hype. Bale has done nothing of note since he has been at spurs and just because he had two good games doesn't make him a £30m player.
Behave!
He's improved year-on-year, and after being relinquished of his defensive duties, he’s flourished in to a quality life sided midfielder, providing pace, skill, a goal threat, assists and he’s only 21.
Muddled
03-11-10, 01:09 PM
Patrick Barclay is an idiot.
+1
:handshake:
rcasemore
03-11-10, 01:11 PM
Patrick Barclay is an idiot.
:handshake: - he's a tool of the highest order!
Muddled
03-11-10, 01:11 PM
I think he might be a player who peaks young...
Nah, I think his future is ahead of him.
The prices quoted are extreme, but that's mainly because he is British.
I would kill for a player of his ilk on either side of our midfield
rcasemore
03-11-10, 01:14 PM
Nah, I think his future is ahead of him.
The prices quoted are extreme, but that's mainly because he is British.
I would kill for a player of his ilk on either side of our midfield
wow, just think a player with pace and drive out wide for us!
Exiled_red
03-11-10, 01:15 PM
:handshake: Same with Milner - don't understand the price tags on British players ffs!!
:handshake:
Wonder would there would be any chance of us doing a straight swap?
Bale for Konchesky?
Has any body got 'Arry's mobile number?
Fernandinho
03-11-10, 01:21 PM
Bale for Konk/Poulsen/Babel/Skrtel
Muddled
03-11-10, 01:22 PM
wow, just think a player with pace and drive out wide for us!
*deepest sigh*
Ahhh, the days of Barnes and McManaman are long gone. Patrick Berger gave me a little glimmer of hope, but Nunez and Pennant have nullified any recent memories of ‘width and flair’ in our team.
Wow!
Monkey boy has 2 good games and everyone is raving about him. Typical british player over hype. Bale has done nothing of note since he has been at spurs and just because he had two good games doesn't make him a £30m player.
:handshake:
I may get slaughtered for this but Bale reminds me of slightly better version of Riise (when he was good), the same type of powerful running, crossing and shooting coupled with the same headless chicken defending.
Against an old and slow Inter defence bale exceeded expectations he was certainly not that good against Utd where the youthful Rafael kept him at bay fairly easily.
RedReet
03-11-10, 02:15 PM
I may get slaughtered for this but Bale reminds me of slightly better version of Riise (when he was good), the same type of powerful running, crossing and shooting coupled with the same headless chicken defending.
Against an old and slow Inter defence bale exceeded expectations he was certainly not that good against Utd where the youthful Rafael kept him at bay fairly easily.
Was gonna say the same myself. Even my Spurs mate who thinks all Spurs players are the best in world (argued regularly that David's when there was better than Xabi :haha:) admits the crap being printed at the minute is a joke. I half expect it from the British press, but I thought people on here would have a bit more sense.
RedReet
03-11-10, 02:16 PM
And if Bale is worth £30m+ at the minute, how much is Nani worth who's had a much better and consistant season than him? He would be worth more than Ronaldo going by that market.
danperkins
03-11-10, 02:51 PM
Why do some people think its just this season Bale has flourished? From January on last season he has been fantastic, instrumental in helping Spurs get to the Champs League places, and this season has even managed to go up to another level.
Redknapp was making a mistake playing Bale at LB, since putting Bale at LM the bloke has been nothing short of a phenomenon. Especially considering how dire he was previous to that at LB.
Anyways its clear Spurs have an absolute diamond on their hands. Potential to be world class. The guy is a machine, just never stop running and working, relentless.
Why do some people think its just this season Bale has flourished? From January on last season he has been fantastic, instrumental i getting Spurs to the Champs League position and this season has even managed to go up to another level.
Redknapp was making a mistake playing Bale at LB, since putting Bale at LM the bloke has been nothing short of a phenomenon. Especially considering how dire he was previous to that at LB.
Anyways its clear Spurs have an absolute diamond on their hands. Potential to be world class.
Completely agree :jaw:
danperkins
03-11-10, 02:53 PM
Completely agree :jaw:Holy crap thats a first for me and you mate :)
danperkins
03-11-10, 02:55 PM
Whats more annoying is watching someone like that and the way he plays and then realizing we are so hamstrung in that particular position (LM), what i wouldn't give for someone like that at LFC in the wide areas.
Our scouting department need to get their finger out, seriously if we sign SWP i'm literally going to spontaneously combust.
NigelLG
03-11-10, 03:00 PM
Why do some people think its just this season Bale has flourished? From January on last season he has been fantastic, instrumental in helping Spurs get to the Champs League places, and this season has even managed to go up to another level.
Redknapp was making a mistake playing Bale at LB, since putting Bale at LM the bloke has been nothing short of a phenomenon. Especially considering how dire he was previous to that at LB.
Anyways its clear Spurs have an absolute diamond on their hands. Potential to be world class. The guy is a machine, just never stop running and working, relentless.
If only he didn't say that he still expects Bale to be a success at left back in due time. ;)
danperkins
03-11-10, 03:07 PM
If only he didn't say that he still expects Bale to be a success at left back in due time. ;)Never a hope in the world of Harry putting Bale LB, he might not admit it but he was making a horrible mistake playing Bale at LB for so any games as he can't defend to save his life, i think everyone can see Harry made a boo boo with that, but to be fair switching him to LM has proved a master stroke. The transformation of Gareth Bale has been unreal, i don't think i've ever seen a player go from laughable to looking like a world beater in such a short space of time, jesus to think that they were gonna loan Bale out to Notts Forest :jaw:
Anyways gutted they have such a talent, but pleasure to watch that type of dynamic, gut bursting displays. Just a phenomenal athlete and fantastic to watch for anyone who is a fan of football.
Nah, I think his future is ahead of him.
The prices quoted are extreme, but that's mainly because he is British.
I would kill for a player of his ilk on either side of our midfield
Absolutely. He has been in a stellar form since the second half of the last season and will only get better bar any serious injuries that plagued him earlier in his career.
Having said that, he can be controlled and mancs game showed that clearly by forcing him to go in and not wide left.
Maicon made mistake time in and time out but trying to run with him along the touchline and paid a hefty price for being so stuborn..
RedReet
03-11-10, 03:13 PM
Never a hope in the world of Harry putting Bale LB, he might not admit it but he was making a horrible mistake playing Bale at LB for so any games as he can't defend to save his life, i think everyone can see Harry made a boo boo with that, but to be fair switching him to LM has proved a master stroke. The transformation of Gareth Bale has been unreal, i don't think i've ever seen a player go from laughable to looking like a world beater in such a short space of time, jesus to think that they were gonna loan Bale out to Notts Forest :jaw:
Anyways gutted they have such a talent, but pleasure to watch that type of dynamic, gut bursting displays. Just a phenomenal athlete and fantastic to watch for anyone who is a fan of football.
The thing is, Assou Ekotto is so bad also that moving Bale LB means they aren’t much worse off defensively, but have much more going forward as it allows VDV or Modric to play LM with Bale still pushing on from LB.
I expect to see Bale play LB a few more times until they replace Assou Ekotto.
NigelLG
03-11-10, 03:15 PM
Never a hope in the world of Harry putting Bale LB, he might not admit it but he was making a horrible mistake playing Bale at LB for so any games as he can't defend to save his life, i think everyone can see Harry made a boo boo with that, but to be fair switching him to LM has proved a master stroke.
Harry has 'admitted' that he sees Bale as a left back long term. That's not my views, but Harry's. :handshake:
He has certainly flourished as a LM because he doesn't have to think about defending anymore. To be fair to him, I don't think Harry would have been the best coach to teach him the virtues of being a world class left back though, as his teams are one dimensional 'in your face' types more than anything else.
Norbert Dentressangle
03-11-10, 03:16 PM
I agree with Saj
Cunt
http://citycycling.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/pob.jpg
Why do some people think its just this season Bale has flourished? From January on last season he has been fantastic, instrumental in helping Spurs get to the Champs League places, and this season has even managed to go up to another level.
Redknapp was making a mistake playing Bale at LB, since putting Bale at LM the bloke has been nothing short of a phenomenon. Especially considering how dire he was previous to that at LB.
Anyways its clear Spurs have an absolute diamond on their hands. Potential to be world class. The guy is a machine, just never stop running and working, relentless.
So basically 10 months then if you include June, July and some of August where he didn't play a great deal.
NigelLG
03-11-10, 03:20 PM
TOTTENHAM WINGBACK Gareth Bale was backtracking today following comments that after his stellar Champions League performances he was more popular than Jesus.
The throwaway quotation in this week’s Shoot! magazine soon spread around the globe and led to uproar in the southern states of the USA where communities met to burn Tottenham matchday programmes, copies of Chas and Dave records and Corinthian figures of the flying left-footer.
“I would like to apologise unreservedly for my comments which were re-printed out of context,” said Bale. “If you look at the interview you will actually see that I am talking about the way religion has had to take a backseat in modern society behind wingback mania.”
However, this may be too little too late for Bale. A planned American tour has been put on hold for safety reasons with cancelled dates including appearances at MLS clubs Tampa Bay Mutiny, Chattanooga Buzzcocks and Albuquerque Syndrome.
Record crowds had been expected to turn out for him, eclipsing the madness of his previous US jaunt last year when he won over the nation with his display of keep ups on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Bale is not the first person to get in trouble with the religious right for comparing themselves favourably to Jesus. In the mid-nineties Danny Cadamarteri’s promising career came to a shuddering halt after he told Transworld Sport that he had a better first touch than the son of God.
However, many felt the damage was truly done when the Everton striker refused to apologise and instead made a weak joke about both of them being great on the end of crosses.
Link (http://www.the-gaffer.com/news/gareth-bale-hot-water-bigger-than-jesus.html)
NigelLG
03-11-10, 03:22 PM
http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/187404042.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1288798709&Signature=X%2FD1QTcDM8pNndaW7LVLfg3YhK8%3D
danperkins
03-11-10, 03:56 PM
The thing is, Assou Ekotto is so bad also that moving Bale LB means they aren’t much worse off defensively, but have much more going forward as it allows VDV or Modric to play LM with Bale still pushing on from LB.
I expect to see Bale play LB a few more times until they replace Assou Ekotto.Valid points mate, unless Harry goes into the market for solid LB, as Ekotto is just ok.
danperkins
03-11-10, 03:59 PM
Harry has 'admitted' that he sees Bale as a left back long term. That's not my views, but Harry's. :handshake:
He has certainly flourished as a LM because he doesn't have to think about defending anymore. To be fair to him, I don't think Harry would have been the best coach to teach him the virtues of being a world class left back though, as his teams are one dimensional 'in your face' types more than anything else.:handshake:
I do think Spurs under Redknapp do play really nice football, but great counter attacking football, bags of pace.
danperkins
03-11-10, 03:59 PM
So basically 10 months then if you include June, July and some of August where he didn't play a great deal.:handshake: Yup pretty much last 10 months he has completely transformed as a footballer.
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