Just bought todays Echo.

[kurtangle01]

Back and front page news. Gerrard, Xabi, Carra and Pepe are all expected to sign new long term deals "by the end of next week."

Foster Gillett and Rick Parry aparently had a series of negotiatons with their agents last week which went very well and the club expect to make an announcement soon.

The article was written by Chris Bascombe.

[Morph]

read the article by bascombe in the pink echo about the coming games in the Champions league, hits the nail firmly on the head I think

[kurtangle01]

read the article by bascombe in the pink echo about the coming games in the Champions league, hits the nail firmly on the head I think

I started to read it but my son started playing up so I had to tend to him. The bit about wanting to go to sleep and wake up on the 24th May 2007 when it's all over only to find that we've won it is exactly how I feel.

As he says, the fun has gone out of the competition now. It's high tension from here on in.

[desertscouser]

Fantastic news. These are the 4 players we have to build our team around.

[desertscouser]

I started to read it but my son started playing up so I had to tend to him. The bit about wanting to go to sleep and wake up on the 24th May 2007 when it's all over only to find that we've won it is exactly how I feel.

As he says, the fun has gone out of the competition now. It's high tension from here on in.

I hear you Kurt, the tension is unbelievable but I would rather be in the mix as we are now than not be involved at all.

[kurtangle01]

I hear you Kurt, the tension is unbelievable but I would rather be in the mix as we are now than not be involved at all.

I completely agree. I'd hate to be like the geordies or Villa etc...

[Marky]

Fantastic news.
(assuming Stevie G gets the passion back into his game)

[nbryan1764]

Fantastic news.
(assuming Stevie G gets the passion back into his game)

not sure about your signature marky I heard that you were being released

[The Glove]

I completely agree. I'd hate to be like the geordies or Villa etc...

Although there will still be Villa fans dining out on their European Cup win.

[Marky]

not sure about your signature marky I heard that you were being released

Nah mate, talks are ongoing

[Dhav]

Back and front page news. Gerrard, Xabi, Carra and Pepe are all expected to sign new long term deals "by the end of next week."

Foster Gillett and Rick Parry aparently had a series of negotiatons with their agents last week which went very well and the club expect to make an announcement soon.

The article was written by Chris Bascombe.

I note the absence of Garcia in that list, which is interesting as he is one of those players who can supposedly buy out his contract in the summer and move on if he wishes. My guess is either we're not trying to hard to keep him or the lad is increasingly frustrated that this season and last he was mainly playing from the bench and only starting the European games. I imagine he wants assurances about his first team place if he'll stay.

[einar]

IMHO Garcia has been played out of position since he got here and has suffered for it.

His best position is behind one striker and if he got to play there for us after Rafa has competed in the market with the best of them he would be amazing.

Hope he stays.

[AFII]

Garcia is out injured and that's IMO the reason to why he isn't on that list. It's very difficult to know how fit a player will be after a knee injury.

[cobain]

Garcia is out injured and that's IMO the reason to why he isn't on that list. It's very difficult to know how fit a player will be after a knee injury.

I think that's the reason why Djibs has been loaned to Marseille. It was for Rafa to see if Djibs can still cut it after two broken leg injuries. If he scored lots of goals for Marseille, I think Rafa would consider him in his future plans.

[kurtangle01]

I think that's the reason why Djibs has been loaned to Marseille. It was for Rafa to see if Djibs can still cut it after two broken leg injuries. If he scored lots of goals for Marseille, I think Rafa would consider him in his future plans.

Cisse was always on his way, mate. The only reason it was a loan move is because Marseille didn't want to pay the fee that was agreed due to him having broken his leg. That's the reason the loan was agreed with a view to paying the fee in full if he proved himself.

Nowt to do with proving himself. Rafa wanted rid.