Anita agent’s Toon bid story sounds like cobblers so far

Posted on June 9th, 2012 | 140 Comments |

Vernon Anita.
Vernon Anita: Pocket battleship.
It has been reported by various organs that the agent of pint sized Ajax defender / midfielder, Vurnon Anita has “confirmed” that Ajax have received an offer from Newcastle United.

The agent, Harry Lulofs, allegedly told Newcastle United website, “NUFC Fans”

“Newcastle have made an offer between £5-10 million. I cannot give you the accurate figure, but Ajax have received a written offer.”

“They are very satisfied with the guy [Anita] and want to keep him. Newcastle have been watching him for a long time and really want to sign him.”

“This is the first offer Ajax have received for Vurnon and we’ll soon see how they react.”

“After next week, he [Anita] will be back from holiday and I will meet people at Ajax with him and his dad.”

When quizzed on whether there had been interest from other clubs, Lulofs supposedly confirmed that there were no other offers as yet, but that ex Norwich manager, Paul Lambert expressed an interest before he packed his bags for the Midlands, adding:

“The only other Premier League club to get in touch was Norwich. Paul Lambert called me to ask about him. Now he has moved to Aston Villa, so maybe they will be in touch. I don’t know.”

Now I can’t say that I’m 100% sure, but this doesn’t sound quite right somehow. I have watched a little of Anita playing with Ajax. Though I was looking mostly at Ajax’s Jan Verthonghen at the time, he seemed to be a very tidy player, if rather small for a Premiership full back or defensive midfielder (he’s 5’6″). Whilst it’s true that he is a Dutch capped player (sorry), that his value may very well appreciate considerably in the future, and it has also been reported that he has a €15 million release clause in his Ajax contract, the lower end of Lulof’s figure sounds like the most realistic estimate of the player’s current value.

So how long is it since Mike Ashley and Newcastle United put in a first bid in for a player which was actually over the odds? It wouldn’t have shocked me if the Magpies had put in a far lower bid as an opening gambit, could could it be that this is this just an agent’s shadowplay to drum up some further interest and drive up the price for his player? As I write, I’m not sure but it does smell rather fishy.

But in case it isn’t, here’s a video of Anita in action to whet you whistles. Much like the player himself, it is short, but perfectly formed. Though it doesn’t show much of his defensive skills, just a few goals. Being mostly a defensively minded player, he hasn’t been hugely prolific in that regard. Since graduating from the reknowned Ajax youth academy in 2005, Anita has scored seven goals in 137 appearences for the sons of the gods. His current Ajax contract isn’t due to expire until the end of June, 2014.

Vurnon Anita in action on Ajax TV.

Poll

NUFCBlog Author: workyticket workyticket has written 1096 articles on this blog.

Related Posts:

Posted on by workyticket in category: Interviews and Mike Ashley and NUFC gossip and speculation and Thoughts and reflections and Videos and Workyticket , with tags:
Comment on this post

140 Responses

  1. It does rather smack of ‘agent drumming up business’ like.

    Looks good on the ball though.

    How’s his defending though?
    Most important attribute for a defender if you ask me.

    :)

  2. Oh! Me lads, ya’ shoulda seen us gannen,
    passin’ the folks alang the road just as they w’stannen,
    arl the lads ‘n’ lasses there arl wi’smilin’ faces,
    gannen alang the Scotswood Road,
    t’see the Blaydon Races.

    …t’was on the 9th of June 1800 n’ 62…

    ;)

  3. The song is quoted from the author’s manuscript in Allan’s[1] as follows:

    Aw went to Blaydon Races, ’twas on the ninth of Joon,
    Eiteen hundred an’ sixty-two, on a summer’s efternoon;
    Aw tyuk the ‘bus frae Balmbra’s, an’ she wis heavy laden,
    Away we went alang Collingwood Street, that’s on the road to Blaydon.
    (chorus)
    Ah me lads, ye shud only seen us gannin’,
    We pass’d the foaks upon the road just as they wor stannin’;
    Thor wes lots o’ lads an’ lasses there, all wi’ smiling faces,
    Gawn alang the Scotswood Road, to see the Blaydon Races.
    We flew past Airmstrang’s factory, and up to the “Robin Adair”,
    Just gannin’ doon te the railway bridge, the ‘bus wheel flew off there.
    The lasses lost their crinolines off, an’ the veils that hide their faces,
    An’ aw got two black eyes an’ a broken nose in gan te Blaydon Races.
    (chorus)
    When we gat the wheel put on away we went agyen,
    But them that had their noses broke they cam back ower hyem;
    Sum went to the Dispensary an’ uthers to Doctor Gibbs,
    An’ sum sought out the Infirmary to mend their broken ribs.
    (chorus)
    Noo when we gat to Paradise thor wes bonny gam begun;
    Thor was fower-an-twenty on the ‘bus, man, hoo they danced an’ sung;
    They called on me to sing a sang, aw sung them “Paddy Fagan”,
    Aw danced a jig an’ swung my twig that day aw went to Blaydon.
    (chorus)
    We flew across the Chain Bridge reet into Blaydon toon,
    The bellman he was callin’ there, they call him Jackie Broon;
    Aw saw him talkin’ to sum cheps, an’ them he was pursuadin’
    To gan an’ see Geordy Ridley’s concert in the Mechanics’ Hall at Blaydon.
    (chorus)
    The rain it poor’d aw the day an’ myed the groons quite muddy,
    Coffy Johnny had a white hat on – they war shootin’ “Whe stole the cuddy.”
    There wes spice stalls an’ munkey shows an’ aud wives selling ciders,
    An’ a chep wiv a hapenny roond aboot, shootin’ “Noo, me lads, for riders.”
    (chorus)
    The song is now usually sung with more modern language but retaining the Tyneside dialect. For example the chorus might be sung:
    Oh! me lads, ye shud a’ seen us gannin,
    Passin’ the folks upon the road just as they were stannin’.
    Thor wis lots o’ lads and lasses there, all wi’ smiling faces
    Gannin’ alang the Scotswood Road to see the Blaydon Races.

  4. Ah yes, Clint. Divven’t shoot the messenger but you’re a few days late.

    The Blaydon Races was actually first performed in Balmbras by “Geordy” Ridley on the 5th June 1862 and the events he described in the song were from the previous years race in 1861. His reference to the 9th June, 1862 in the song was a bit of poetic license.

  6. CLiNT FLiCK says:
    June 9, 2012 at 10:38 pm

    “How’s his defending though?”

    Oh aye, Clint! Little Dutch gadgie. Footballer.

    Actually, thinking back, he was really bloody good. I seem to remember him more as a defensive mid than a full back. I think he was playing full back earlier last season and in the midfield later in the season. In the midfield he was all over the place (in a good way). Getting back and mucking in with the centre backs, getting forward on the break, very good pass on him for a defensive player, very good at reading the game. I know I laboured the point already but don’t expect much from him in the air though.

    The whole of Ajax were very good at the back end of last season though. De Boer’s a Cruyff man and a top coach. He knows what time it is.

  7. Aye, Clint, I would definitely utilise him in the midfield, but he would be taking Mr.T’s place. Though if the stories are true, I would think that he was actually too good to be just a benchwarmer waiting in the wings until Tiote was knacked or away at the African cup or whatever.

    What could this mean?

  9. In honour of the Irish playing today:

    My Lovely Horse

    Running through the field
    with your fetlocks blowing in the wind

    I want to shower you with sugarlumps
    and ride you over fences

    Polish your hooves every single day
    and bring you to the horse dentist

    My lovely lovely horse.

  10. Clint – We flew across the Chain Bridge reet into Blaydon toon !
    great memories – both now sadly gone
    Blaydon once a nice little town now only a bus station with a tacky 60s slum attached, but it was still intact in 1862 for the centenary parade & gala – including a re-enactment of the coach & passengers by Tyne Tees Television

  12. Just been scouring the Dutch papers and eredivisie magazines,voetbal sites and couldn’t find a single mention of a potential move.
    Our lass looked for news on twitter , nowt.

  16. Cloggybob says:
    June 10, 2012 at 12:01 pm

    “Just been scouring the Dutch papers and eredivisie magazines,voetbal sites and couldn’t find a single mention of a potential move.
    Our lass looked for news on twitter , nowt.”

    I looked for Dutch sites as well, Cloggybob, and I didn’t see buggerall either.

  18. Cloggybob, my previous link was for the match. Try it today for Ireland and if it works you will be good for tomorrow also.

  22. Anita looks like a young Edgar Davids – hope we sign him, more exciting prospect than Mulumbu i think…

    I was thinking about whether he could play Right Back, and how good Simpson is..:and drew this conclusion on Danny S:

    He’s reliable, consistent, plays a full season, but really offers nothing going forward.

    Be nice to have a Right Back that can cross the ball, or drift inside like Santon.

  24. @20 very funny. They locked them out.

    Bit sad the comparisons they were making though. I’ve been to many posh parties that ended badly.

  25. Watching “The Transporter”, Jason Statham does the worst American accent I have ever heard.

  26. Supermac
    By the way, is your nome de plume, a choice at McDonalds ?
    I watched the video and found things unbelievably modern then in 1862, or was it 1962 ?

  27. Appears no one sounds particularly intereted in our most recent Dutch target.
    And those searching the Dutch media for any references in regard to a possible move, seem more relieved having found none.
    I sense a cetain feeling of being let down, as the switch from a big center half (Vertonghen) and a couple of his team-mates, plus Douglas @6′-4″ become reduced to a short guy, most of us have never heard of.
    With one comment stating, “but i dont expect much of him in the air, though”!
    I might add, we also would’nt expect much from Messi or his five forward team-mates in the air.
    Apparently there are leagues where they play the ball on the ground.

    GS
    Waxing poetic, is it ?

  28. Gonna watch, the Croatia vs. Ireland game to-day, hopefully will be entertaining, though knowing Trappitone
    we have to expect Ireland to attempt to stifle the Croatians and try to score off the break.
    You notice i refer to them as Ireland, not The Republic, a naming used by only Brits.
    Why is that ?
    Gonna miss the England vs. France game, much to my chagrin, it being a travelling day, too bad, couldda rooted for our guys (the French contingent at NUFC)
    ah well !
    Watched the Denmark/Holland game, the Dutch missed their opportunities and if they continue in this manner, they will go nowhere.
    I suspect there will be a few more surprise results, but expect that the present favorites Spain, will win it all, certainly with the horses they have.
    As the big plodding North European sides just cant match either their technique or tactics, unless they play a catenaccio style game, which you can bet your ass Ireland will employ to-day, against their Balkan opponents.

  29. So far, Newcastle United are “closing in,” “eyeing,” “planning a daring raid / swoop” etc on Anita for £6 million, £7 million and £8 million so far. In other words, they’re just plucking figures somewhere between £5 million and £10 million because they are clueless bullshitters who know nothing.

    The agent is possibly trying to draw out other potentially interested parties to start a bidding war for his client. It’s more commission for him. If Newcastle United really did put in a bid, it would have been rock bottom.

  31. Soh !
    The possibility of our French LW/forward, HBA, leaving us for a bigger club is left hanging out there….
    Aint that the same as asking for a raise ?
    If so, he’s at the wrong club, these cheap-ass geezers are gonna tell him, he’s already got a contract but if a big enough offer comes through the door, they will grab it and fly him outta toon on Ashleys copter.
    Same goes for everyone else, there are certain offers one cannot refuse.
    As the transfer window continues, we seem to have directly lowered the profile of those supposedly on our radar.
    A kindda reality check, following the big pay out for Cisse, a dont get used to this as a regular cenario thing.
    So it’s back to the bargain basement (Amalfitano) and free agent pool.
    At least it puts a limit on Carrs scouting trips and saves a few bob on travel and lodgings.
    But anyway, hopefully we can hang onto our more significant players, at least for a while.
    Cause as good a job of recruiting as Carr has supposedly done, this club will continue to be what it essentially is, a well supported (locally) side, that lacks the revenue of other top sides in the EPL, therfore subject to selling their stars (as always-Eastham-Gazza-Waddle
    Cole, etc etc) and managing to survive in the PL.
    Would probably (being most of the players are still young) be a good idea to win something while we still have good players, as it would raise the profile of the club, attracting more in the way of both revenues and as a recruiting tool for future buys.
    Ah ! who knows?

  32. “Spain, will win it all, certainly with the horses they have.
    As the big plodding North European sides just cant match either their technique or tactics”

    Chuck, you seem to have forgotten that the style Spain play came from a North European Dutchman, that North European Germany are the only team to have won it three times, that the recent Champions League final was contested between a Northern European English team and a Northern European German team, that the country known for “catenaccio” was a southern European country and so on…

    Things aren’t quite as simple as they may seem sometimes.

  33. How man Chuck, I’ve got used to us selling our best players. What we have now is a lot of good players so we may be able to sell one or two and buy other good ones.

  34. Nah !
    there;s just no way that the Deutshlanders can compete with the current Spanish side.
    Though they have proven to have adapted their style of play, to reflect a more modern version of the game, they will be like the Dutch, who were given a footballing lesson during the WC final.
    And there you go again, a southern team playing a game partially invented by the Dutch, “ironic” !
    Now if Morhino were to be named Germany’s coach, i might re-consider that they could have a chance.

  35. My only doubt about the Germans is lack of fire power. Same with the Spaniards though.

  36. chuck says:
    June 10, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    “Now if Morhino were to be named Germany’s coach, i might re-consider that they could have a chance.”

    Chuck, the same Mourinho who defensively choked tiqui-taka Barcelona to win his last Champions League with Internazionale?

  37. Wow:

    Italy playing 3-5-2.

    Spain playing 4-6-0.

    Chuck and Worky will be in heaven figuring this one out afterwards.

  38. See what you did to me you two, with total football and cappuccino? I am thinking about tactics now!

  39. GS
    Look i have no problem with receiving thirty odd million quid for an Andy Carroll, every dog in the street knew that was an example of , an offer you cant refuse.
    But if we are to be a top six side, we have to both hang onto (like Spurs refusing to sell Modric, last year)our essential players.
    Talking bout the Cabeye’s, Cisse’s, Colo’s, Saylors, Krul’s, HBA’s, well you know em as good as i.
    Why ?
    As i already stated, this club is still relatively an unknown, compared to some EPL side and needs exposure, by winning something, which in turn could attract both increased revenue and be an attractive venue for foreign stars, in the future.
    But the part of the equation not liked or considered by our present owner is, there’s no way you can run a successful club on the cheap.
    Yeah, i know he thinks he can, but we will see!

  40. GS says:
    June 10, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    “My only doubt about the Germans is lack of fire power.”

    On the subject of German firepower, Gerd Müller once scored 67 goals in one season for Bayern Munich, and 10 goals in one World Cup too.

  41. Hey !
    This could be one of the most interseting games of the tournament.
    We all know what the Italian lieup 4-5-2 if thats true, then we can expect another Chelsea vs. Barcelona game.
    And when it comes to the catenaccio, who knows how to employ it better than the Italians.
    Later.

  42. Worky, I recorded something called “the greatest” the other day about Muller. Messi scored a hattrick, so that must be about 76 this season.

  44. GS says:
    June 10, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    “Wow:

    Italy playing 3-5-2.

    Spain playing 4-6-0.”

    Zona mista vs an evolution of the 4-2-3-1. Funnily enough, Fergie’s Manchester United were using a 4-6-0 before the likes of Spain when they last won the League and Champions League double in 2008.

  45. chuck says:

    June 10, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    “Nah !
    there;s just no way that the Deutshlanders can compete with the current Spanish side.
    Though they have proven to have adapted their style of play, to reflect a more modern version of the game, they will be like the Dutch, who were given a footballing lesson during the WC final.”

    So far so good for Italy. Casillas best player on the park. I may speak too soon though.

    Missing Villa? Messi?

  46. Chuck said:

    “Spain, will win it all, certainly with the horses they have.
    As the big plodding North European sides just cant match either their technique or tactics”

    We’ll see. As you have said yourself the carpaccio stlye of play can sometimes stifle more skillful teams and win out.

  49. Chuck @28

    “You notice i refer to them as Ireland, not The Republic, a naming used by only Brits. Why is that ?”

    To differentiate between Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland, maybe?

    Dumdum.

  51. Darthbroon @49:

    maybe because Chuck wants to bring sectarianism onto this blog now, otherwise why would he say it?

  53. chuck says:
    June 10, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    “You notice i refer to them as Ireland, not The Republic, a naming used by only Brits.
    Why is that ?”

    Chuck, when the Irish republicans of the Irish Republican Army seceded from the UK in 1919, they called their state the “Irish Republic.” Notice a general theme there?

    “It is hereby declared that the description of the State shall be the Republic of Ireland.”

    From the Irish Republic of Ireland Act, 1948.

    Though both English and Irish people mostly just say “Ireland” in everyday usage unless they need to differentiate in things such as football.

    You aren’t one of those Noo Yawk Paddies who think they know more about Ireland than the Irish, are you? :-)

  55. If we sign this fella does anyone really honestly believe that Tiote will stay? Seems possible doesn’t it, buy him for £5 – £10 million, sell Tiote for £20 million. That’s are way. Looks like a replacement (if true).

    But some people still believe that Tiote loves Newcastle and will never leave etc etc… If any club comes in for any player regardless of who they play for, and offer more money, insurances, bonuses etc, they’re gone.

    Glad we’ve got Carr but his job is going to get harder and harder. He replaces Nolan with Cabaye, a younger, better and cheaper player (our policy)… But eventually we might have to replace a Cabaye, Ben Arfa or Tiote with a younger, better and cheaper player! Eventually it’ll become very difficult and maybe Mike will have to learn that he may have to delve into his wallet a little more if he wants a club near the top of the league.

    I still think about when Pardew said Ashley was worried if we were getting value for money buying Cisse for £8 million… :-)

  56. Darth Broon @49#
    Why would that be neccessary, (to differentiate) when we all know that Norn Iron, always, designate themselves as such.

    GS
    yes i realise that 4-5-1 plus a goalie is twelve, but you gotta watch them Iitalians !
    Actually a mistake, i had meant to call it a 4-5-1.

    Workey @44#
    Man U. played a 4-6 lineup in 2008, I seriously doubt it, but if you say so.

    Workey @ 53#
    No im not one of those Noo Yawk paddies who thinks he knows more about Ireland than the Irish themselves.
    Course that depends on which Irish we are refering too?
    And did you know why the 1948 act, designated it as a republic ?
    Let me explain, prior to that it was the Irish Free State, which consisted of Dominion status, same as Canada and Aussie etc.
    The original intent of the Irish war of independence was in fact to secure a 32 county republic, but ended up as Dominion Status and a six county statelet.
    The reason for the civil war following the signing of an agreement, which many disagreed with.
    Dominion status givs the right to those who are considered Dominions, to disassiate with not only what was then,The British Empire, but the British Commonwealth of nations also, it’s successor.
    The decission to sever all ties with the UK, resulted in a punative trade war initiated by Britain where both sides suffered.
    Untill the uk realised it was not in their best interest’s.
    There are by the way possibly an overwhelming number of countries throughout the world, who designate themselves as republics, but few are refered to as The republic of…
    And yes i consider myself fairly well informed about, both Ireland and the UK.
    And by the way, the recent invitation of her Majesty the Queen, to Ireland, was based on the fact Ireland is one of the UK’s main trading partners and a bit of PR would’nt do the relationship any harm.
    Quite a change from the days of Lloyd George, innit!

  58. Jimbob
    Yeah i seriously doubt there were/are/will be, any big bids, especially in the 20 m quid range for Tiote.
    But just recently, HBA stated if a big club (Liverpool) or others came in for him, he’s outta here.
    Somehow i believe, the reported harmony and the occasional credit to AP, is no more than either PR, or players responding in the same old way.
    Aint about me guv, it’s all about the club.
    Same shit when Joey and Nolan were here.
    Face it it’s primarily about, how much, on both sides of the equation.

  59. Chuck @56

    “Why would that be neccessary, (to differentiate) when we all know that Norn Iron, always, designate themselves as such.”

    That makes no sense whatsoever. In any case, you were musing on why Brits refer to Ireland/Eire as “The Republic” – not how Irish people describe themselves.

    How about making an effort to stay on topic? I don’t think anyone here needs a lecture from you on the makeup of Europe.

  60. So far, one major upset (Denmark beating Holland)and what might appear to be another, in the case of the result between Spain and Italy.
    Actually i disagree, knowing Italy has always been a well prepared side over the years.
    Of course both sides will advance from their division.
    While both Croatia and Ireland can on any given day beat some of the best sides in the yournament, they have not got the overall quality of either Spain or Italy.
    Unfortunately my overall conclusion is, the sooner some kind of technological help arrives for the ref’s, the better.
    What with the academy award winning antics of many sides it has become a refs nightmare, to distinguish what’s going on.
    To-days video gives the availablility of at least half a dozen different angles, of every play, why do we continue to ignore that ?
    We could hire ten refs if neccessary and they could’nt come up with what is seen on video, or do any better than the present four.
    UEFA and FIFA, have to get off their asses and figure a better way to officiate games, which has to involve Video tape.

  61. The Spain/Italy game was quite interesting with Italy almost figuring out the tippy-tappy. In fact, I think Spain ended up playing much more direct than usual.

    Be interesting to see if France can figure out the “park the bus”.

  62. Amen, Chuck. I’ve been saying that for years. I can think of any number of things to implement that would greatly improve things. It’s a real discredit to the game that video review wasn’t implemented 5-10 years ago.

  63. GS @ 51#
    Perhaps i’m curious as to why many on this blog refer to Ireland as The republic of….
    When no one refers to Northern Ireland as anything but that,distingishing it from the nation to the south. Therefore i find it strange as to why so many use that term, instead of plain Ireland.
    The only other country thats refered to in that manner is the recently created DR of the Congo.
    Perhaps someone can enlighten me ?
    Why do at least three of the contributers on here, immediately question whether it’s sectarian or ethnic,in nature, even whether i might not really be aware of what i’m talking about, being i’m an American, who because i live in NYC, just dont know about certain things.
    As if distance in to-days world made a difference.

  64. Darth Broon
    Perhaps i did,nt explain myself so you could understand me.
    What i said was, the fact the statelet known as Northern Ireland, is always described as such, by everyone, whereas the Republic of Ireland is simply refered to by all but Brits, as Ireland, got it ?
    Nowt sectarian or racist, just an oddity or perhaps most Brits were unaware until recently, that in fact it was a Republic?
    Nothing surprises me.
    Got it now ?

  65. Nah Chuck, I have absolutely no interest in Irish politics. I couldn’t even name who their King is.

  69. Chuck, from the Irish Times. I could give you literally hundreds of similar examples, but here’s three from three of Ireland’s best selling newspapers for starters:

    “EURO 2012 POOL C, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND v CROATIA ALMOST A quarter of a century after the Republic of Ireland’s last European Championship adventure kicked off in glorious style against England in Stuttgart, the Boys In Green are back and preparing to battle odds stacked every bit as high against them as they were at the country’s first appearance in a major football tournament.”

    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0609/1224317566265.html

    And from the Irish Indepedent:

    “Mario Mandzukic ripped the Republic of Ireland’s hopes of a winning start to Euro 2012 apart as Giovanni Trapattoni’s 14-game unbeaten run ended in Poznan.”

    http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/euro-2012/irish-news/mandzukic-derails-irelands-hopes-of-a-winning-start-3133982.html

    The Irish Examiner:

    “Subs for Republic of Ireland: Cox for McGeady (53), Long for Keane (71), Walters for Doyle (53).”

    http://euro2012.irishexaminer.com/analysis/battered-ireland-left-needing-a-miracle-197005.html

    It seems that you don’t know quite as much about England or Ireland as you thought you did.

    BTW, we never say that we’re going to the “Republic of Ireland” over here in the UK, or refer to the “Republic of Ireland” financial crisis, or describe U2 as being a “Republic of Ireland” band or whatever, we just say “Ireland” or “Irish” the same as the Irish do. If any of us have referred to the “Republic of Ireland” football team, then we’re no different to the Irish media!

    Now enough with all the cheap, misinformed and rather contrived cracks about people from Great Britain. When you know nothing, sometimes it’s better to keep it to yourself. ;-)

  70. Worky mate, you have really been living up to your name the past few days :)

    I know I will support England tomorrow but will cheer if Hatem or Yohan score. I will also cheer if John Terry does his bambi impression again.

    Hope to see Carroll and Milner and Ben Arfa. Not bothered about Parker although he seems to have improved since he played for us.

  71. Jimbob says:
    June 10, 2012 at 10:18 pm

    “Glad we’ve got Carr but his job is going to get harder and harder. He replaces Nolan with Cabaye, a younger, better and cheaper player (our policy)… But eventually we might have to replace a Cabaye, Ben Arfa or Tiote with a younger, better and cheaper player! Eventually it’ll become very difficult and maybe Mike will have to learn that he may have to delve into his wallet a little more if he wants a club near the top of the league.

    I still think about when Pardew said Ashley was worried if we were getting value for money buying Cisse for £8 million…”

    Jimbob, it’s the same in any field, not just football. I used to sell really fancy stuff like fine art and antique jewellery. You get absolute crap, you get mediocre stuff, you get good stuff and it progressively goes up in price. Then, you get to the very top, to the very finest, and it all just goes crazy.

    And so it is with football and footballers too. We should be a top seven or eight side now, but to make the next jump which will be undoubtedly the biggest and the hardest by a long, long way. We could be a showcase for excellent players on their way to bigger and better things, but that would just make us like Udinese, always the bridesmaid but never the bride, and we’ve been there in the past.

    I was similarly stupefied when I read about Ashley needing alot of reassurance that Cisse was “value” at £8 million, and it wasn’t in hindsight either as I saw him playing for Freiburg several times. However, I was also stupefied that no one else was going for him too!

  72. Chuck

    I’ve not accused you of sectarianism (or any other seriously nasty shortcoming).

    To be honest, I think you’re just another harmless windbag who’d probably be better off trolling the Huffington Post, rather than trotting out wildly off-topic snipes on a football blog.

    Got it?

  73. GS says:
    June 11, 2012 at 4:22 am

    “Worky mate, you have really been living up to your name the past few days”

    GS, Chuck’s uninformed, cheap cracks about people from Great Britain are becoming quite tiresome now. If someone else came on here making similarly ignorant, stereotypical comments about people from the United States, or anywhere else for that matter, I would be no different.

  74. Worky, I wasn’t just talking about your comments to Chuck. However, you make very good points @71.

    You could take what you are saying and extend it to football managers. We all spout about formations and who we could have bought, but what if we had to walk a mile in Pardew’s shoes. Or, Hughton’s for that matter?

    It is not that easy, just like figuring out what Art might be worth isn’t, but everybody has an opinion.

    I’ll give you an example. Buying stocks appears easy until you use your own money. People will get aggressive and think they will be rich until it is their own money on the line and they lose some of it. They also have selective recall about what they would have bought, until they have their own money in it and they lose. This is from the man that sold Apple at $200 expecting to buy it back cheaper.

    Does that make sense. I think what I am saying is that none of us have “skin in the game” like football managers do and that may shape their decisions sometimes, and we never take that into account.

  75. This is all getting a bit deep for me. I’m off to find another blog where I can write “1st” when I am first to comment on a story :)

  77. If I may interupt the playground squabbles for a momemt – I just want to say I’m impressed with all the NUFC transfer rumours this weekend, we have been linked with some very classy players.
    Fingers crossed that Foster, Best, Guthrie & Simpson will add cash to promised transfer pot and be replaced by some real quality!

    As for Demba Ba, his latest injury worry works in our favour – as does the story of his wage demands. As I understand it this get-out clause of his has a 60 day time limit – so I have a feeling he will be staying.

    HWTL

  79. GS @70

    “I know I will support England tomorrow but will cheer if Hatem or Yohan score.”

    Hang on, GS – whichever way you look at it, we need them to sit the game out, or to spend whatever time they get on the pitch making the French fans wince.

    An England win would be good – and those two having failed to make an impression on the big clubs would be even better, wouldn’t it ? ;-)

  80. That was nice of dave cameron, forgetting he had an 8 year old daughter & leaving her down the pub!

    Family values!

    :lol:

  84. It makes ya’ wonder what he thinks of our bairns, if he, & his Mrs., can’t look after their own, like.

    :)

  86. Clint

    He won’t live this down for a while, that’s for sure.

    My dad used to get away with cr@p like that and his mates thought it was funny. But toffee-nosed back benchers don’t have the same sense of humor as coal miners :)

  88. Darth,

    indeed mate.

    I’m pretty sure their ilk will ‘look down’ on such behaviour.
    He’s got a lot of wriggling to do. Maybe Leveson will quiz him about it?
    Should look good on his Charva C.V. though, he’s down with the hoodies & kids, ok maybe not the kids!

    :)

  90. Darthbroon: I still want them to play well whatever the consequences. The star of the tournament will probably be little known and Liverpool will buy them for loads, like Baros.

    Cameron’s got bigger things to worry about than his kids – like sucking Murdoch’s c*ck.

  91. S’pose I should get ready and drag myself down the pub to watch some mind-numbingly boring England dross.

    I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed watching an England game? When Owen scored 4 in Munich?

    Plus, the tossers with trumpets get on my nerves playing the same stuff over and over and over.

    Looks like I woke up in a good mood :)

  93. GS says:
    June 11, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    “Plus, the tossers with trumpets get on my nerves playing the same stuff over and over and over.”

    At least they’re not as bad as those zuluvulvas, or whatever they were called.

  98. Getting out my Chelsea shirt with “Legend” on the back and down to the boozer to see if Cameron’s mislaid his little girl again.

    I may have said it before, but it will be me and 90 cockneys, all patriotic like, after the jubilee.

    On second thoughts I’ll dust off my whole John Bull outfit.

  99. GS,

    they’re only patriotic cos they don’t have to live here mate.

    Wear a scotland shirt?

    ;)

  101. GS,

    just putting the finishing touches to it right now mate.

    :lol:

    Ca’mon!

    ;)

  103. Chris Hughton has recalled Norwich’s ex chief scout, Ewan Chester, in a bid to scour Europe for better, cheaper foreign talent. Sounds familiar.

  106. CLiNT FLiCK says:
    June 11, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    “just putting the finishing touches to it right now mate.”

    Clint, this should get you in the mood for a good old Cockney knees up and no mistake!

  108. CLiNT FLiCK says:
    June 11, 2012 at 3:56 pm

    “Some top albums there mate.”

    I actually have alot of those on vinyl, Clint. I’m a huge fan, though it wouldn’t have surprised me if the CIA used “Mrs Mills’ non stop honky tonk party” as part of their programme of “enhanced interrogation techniques.” That one is very heavy listening after she hammers out the first few sing alongs. She sounds like she’s on copious amounts of speed and it’s a particularly tinny honky tonk piano.

  111. Had some good singalongs in the Flounder and Firkin until my mate got banned. Caused a bit of a fuss when some local Johnny stubbed a tab out on his forehead.

  112. GS,

    that would do it like!

    :)

    worky,

    it’s enough to send a guy radged!

    :)

  113. Saying that…

    …that ingerland team could send one positively radgie too.

    :)

  115. Clint @114: Man U up first then. Off to get rat-arsed or as Chuck would say, have an Amstel.

  118. Glad i missed all that Irish nonsense yesterday! All we need to know is there is only one team in Ireland and its not the Republic! :)

  119. I think the Italian ref thought Les Bleus were Italy in disguise there.

    Every time an england player gets the ball the rest run about 20-30 yards away from him to make his pass more difficult.

    Pretty even game though.

  121. Bit late in the day to add to the Mrs Mills stuff, but if it hasn’t already been mentioned she apparently used to eat her chips with a liberal helping of Birds Custard.

    On another non footy topic, I noticed something very strange on the closing minutes of the Canadian Grand Prix.

    It’s about around the 116 minute mark, look to the clouds on the top left of the screen when the driver/team positions are being shown. Should still be available on the BBC i-player. Well worth a look, really!

    As for the France/England game the ref wasn’t a Eurovision judge perchance.

  122. Grumpy Old-Toon says:
    June 12, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    “Bit late in the day to add to the Mrs Mills stuff, but if it hasn’t already been mentioned she apparently used to eat her chips with a liberal helping of Birds Custard.”

    Oh aye, Grumpy, she did. As you may have gathered above, I’m a “Glad” fan and I was reading that again in the Torygraph just a few days ago in a piece about care homes. I read lots of stuff about care homes since my dad died because some of ’em are a f@*&ing scandal nowadays.

    In the same piece, the writer also wrote that women’s waists are now six inches bigger than they were in the 1950s, so they’ll probably all look like Mrs Mills soon! Didn’t mention owt about gadgies, though I’m still built like a whippet! (Clint can testify to that one).

    Here it is!

    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100160781/old-people-in-care-homes-sorry-but-theyre-way-too-uncool-for-digital-entrepreneurs/

    I’ll have a look out for that Canadian Grand Prix thing. I’m a Grand Prix fan too but I never noticed that, whatever it was?

  123. Sorry about the lack of blogs BTW, I’ve just needed a few days off from blogging for various reasons and the other deadbeats seem to be on strike ATM.

  124. Worky, you should do what others do and just re-post something from the Dail Mail ;) It gets them a lot of hits though.

  125. Worky, I like Damian Thompsons stuff. Gets to the nub of the matter, usually. He is also a classical music afficianado and actually rated Mrs Mills as a top class pianist.

  126. Grumpy Old-Toon says:
    June 12, 2012 at 7:43 pm

    “He is also a classical music afficianado and actually rated Mrs Mills as a top class pianist.”

    So am I, Grumpy. Remember Winnie Atwell? She was a superb player by any standard and could have easily been a concert pianist.

    Winifred Atwell – Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INKKluIRrzI

    Winifred Atwell – Black And White Rag

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLN8AiQk-dw

    And the old five finger boogie, not to be confused with the five finger shuffle!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo37ZlHGvRw

  127. GS says:
    June 12, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    “Worky, you should do what others do and just re-post something from the Dail Mail”

    Divven’t get me started, GS.

  129. Anyone into UFO stuff should have a look at the Canadian Grand Prix footage I mentioned, the missus and I were gobsmacked. As a little bit of a sceptic I am still trying to find some rationale for it. Love to hear some other opinions!

  130. cant seem to find any clips on the ufo thing and cant open the bbc i player being in another country, might be schumacher taking off to another planet since he is fed up with grand prix racing :P

  131. Grumpy,

    couldn’t see anything on the iplayer around 116 mate.

    Can you be more specific?

  132. When rhe drivers/team listings are being shown just before the end of the programme, look to the top left of them in the cloud line. Stuff is moving very fast but there is loads of it. The more you look the more you see. I looked on BBCi-player last night and the phenomena was still evident then.

  133. I just had a look again, it is still there. Cctually more evident when the constructor points list is on.

  134. Grumpy,

    aye, there’s something there zooming about like.
    Spotted it!

    Knuck fows what that is mate!

    ;)

  136. worky,
    defo saw something!

    Right at the end when they put the winners/construtors boards up!

    On a football tip, i thought Perquis the polish defender looked good. He had about 4 injuries in the game but put some great tackles in & is big & strong & unstoppable!

  137. Worky Bit like a stereogram, once you see them it’s obvious. I have counted 7 or more, they are above and beyond the cloud line so are unlikely to be birds or insects. And the speed they move makes them unlikely to be planes.

    Unless someone at the BEEB is playin silly b*ggers then it’s got to be extra-terrestrial or hyper-dimensional.

    Occams razor?

  139. CLiNT FLiCK says:
    June 13, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    “Could be some kinda lens flare?”

    I saw more than one thing which could be put down to optical phenomena but not loads of fast moving stuff as Grumpy wrote. I will have another look when I get back from the clinic.