And, we're off.....2016/17

[Fish]

I think this mutual agreement and acceptance of the apology which has helped in no fines being issued, which I think the next club to get caught will cite as a reference, is kind of paving the way to say, "we know you went about it the wrong way, but if you still want our man, it's going to cost you...."

Wouldn't surprise me if he still ended up at Anfield, even though they have stated they have now moved away from any interest in the player.

Klipperty must be fuming as the player clearly wanted to go to Liverpool!

 

[Fish]

We've got Solanke!!!!!!!!!

England under 20, great prospect, yours from July 1st I hear.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Whoever has been briefing the media needs outing, we've had a running commentary about this deal and I'm certain it's come from Liverpool.

It's embarrassing and shows how incompetent we are.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Costa gone public stating that Conte has told him that he isn't in his plans next year - Lukaku arriving then , who imo isn't as good as Costa and it's a step backwards

 

[sawtooth]

Costa gone public stating that Conte has told him that he isn't in his plans next year - Lukaku arriving then , who imo isn't as good as Costa and it's a step backwards

Probably damage was done when Costa was prepared to go to China , showed Conte that his heart was not in the right place.

You wouldn't swap Costa for Lukaku unless you had to I would have thought.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I think this mutual agreement and acceptance of the apology which has helped in no fines being issued, which I think the next club to get caught will cite as a reference, is kind of paving the way to say, "we know you went about it the wrong way, but if you still want our man, it's going to cost you...."

Wouldn't surprise me if he still ended up at Anfield, even though they have stated they have now moved away from any interest in the player.

Klipperty must be fuming as the player clearly wanted to go to Liverpool!

Southampton still being quoted as accepting apology but still want PL to investigate, PL have to be careful in case they are seen as being toothless and setting a precedent.

This could rumble on.

 

[Fish]

Costa gone public stating that Conte has told him that he isn't in his plans next year - Lukaku arriving then , who imo isn't as good as Costa and it's a step backwards

As good as Costa is and has been, he can as we all know just be as much a liability at times, and with a very full calendar coming up, do we need someone who can be a little Jeckyll & Hyde on the park.

I also think he actually raises the game of defenders who he plays against, they all want a piece of him and up their game, possibly more than normal, so, whilst their are many positives, I think some of the negatives don't as much offset them, but they can be very damageable and costly for us.

As for Lukaku, if he does come to the Bridge he will have far more support around him than he's ever had or experienced at Everton being a lone frustrated wolf upfront in the main, so I don't think he can be wholly judged too much on that alone.

Is he as an instinctive influence in the box as Costa, no of course not, can he improve his overall game and goal tally with quality players all around him and supporting him, most definitely!

 

[Kellfire]

Regarding the Liverpool thing. Remember this isn't the first time Liverpool have apologised to get out of dodgy approaches. They apologised to Fulham over their pursuit of Clint Dempsey.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

As good as Costa is and has been, he can as we all know just be as much a liability at times, and with a very full calendar coming up, do we need someone who can be a little Jeckyll & Hyde on the park.

I also think he actually raises the game of defenders who he plays against, they all want a piece of him and up their game, possibly more than normal, so, whilst their are many positives, I think some of the negatives don't as much offset them, but they can be very damageable and costly for us.

As for Lukaku, if he does come to the Bridge he will have far more support around him than he's ever had or experienced at Everton being a lone frustrated wolf upfront in the main, so I don't think he can be wholly judged too much on that alone.

Is he as an instinctive influence in the box as Costa, no of course not, can he improve his overall game and goal tally with quality players all around him and supporting him, most definitely!

He may also be an unsettleing influence in the dressing room and that's the last thing Conte would want.

As for Lukaku, good luck to him, as you say he''ll be playing with better players and a better team so for those having a dig at him, he's done an excellent job for us, an apparently small team with little quality.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

As good as Costa is and has been, he can as we all know just be as much a liability at times, and with a very full calendar coming up, do we need someone who can be a little Jeckyll & Hyde on the park.

I also think he actually raises the game of defenders who he plays against, they all want a piece of him and up their game, possibly more than normal, so, whilst their are many positives, I think some of the negatives don't as much offset them, but they can be very damageable and costly for us.

As for Lukaku, if he does come to the Bridge he will have far more support around him than he's ever had or experienced at Everton being a lone frustrated wolf upfront in the main, so I don't think he can be wholly judged too much on that alone.

Is he as an instinctive influence in the box as Costa, no of course not, can he improve his overall game and goal tally with quality players all around him and supporting him, most definitely!

Costa in the first half of the season was a massive player for you - he must have scored at least ten crucial goals or assists through October to December during your unbeaten run that was key to winning the title , he was unplayable at times and if he is going will be a massive miss

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Southampton still being quoted as accepting apology but still want PL to investigate, PL have to be careful in case they are seen as being toothless and setting a precedent.

This could rumble on.

I'd be more than happy for the PL and/or FA throw the book at us, it might then make those clowns in charge to realise their model isn't working. We need experienced football people who are well experienced in transfer dealings.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

He may also be an unsettleing influence in the dressing room and that's the last thing Conte would want.

As for Lukaku, good luck to him, as you say he''ll be playing with better players and a better team so for those having a dig at him, he's done an excellent job for us against the little teams,he just goes missing against the big boys, an apparently small team with little quality.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

:rofl: AR5E :rofl:

 

[Liverbirdie]

did I, oops. Stu seems intelligent and can see the bigger picture and how bad it looks on the club, Pete seems to have his blinkers on. Is that wrong?

Wow.

Ive said that Liverpool did do it, Ive also said it is embarrassing for the club, so don't know where you think the blinkers come from.

What I have said is that I believe that over 80% of transfers are started behind the selling clubs back.

Your the one banging on about biggest club in the world (don't see the relevance of that point), United having never done anything wrong, ever, ever, Amen.

Are yours red glasses Oakleys?

 

[BristolMike]

Wow.

Ive said that Liverpool did do it, Ive also said it is embarrassing for the club, so don't know where you think the blinkers come from.

What I have said is that I believe that over 80% of transfers are started behind the selling clubs back.

Your the one banging on about biggest club in the world (don't see the relevance of that point), United having never done anything wrong, ever, ever, Amen.

Are yours red glasses Oakleys?

I never said united don't do anything wrong, I actually said they wouldn't be stupid enough to meet the player before agreement with the club. There are many other ways of getting a deal done without blatant disregard for the rules resulting in a huge embarrassing climb down. But there you go

My comment was around your insistence to deflect blame by bringing up everyone else when it was your club caught and issuing statements. Do you genuinely not see it as embarrassing and very amateur? You're a big club, you must expect better...?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I never said united don't do anything wrong, I actually said they wouldn't be stupid enough to meet the player before agreement with the club. There are many other ways of getting a deal done without blatant disregard for the rules resulting in a huge embarrassing climb down. But there you go

My comment was around your insistence to deflect blame by bringing up everyone else when it was your club caught and issuing statements.

Mate, Joking apart, Stu and Pete are unfortunately the most honest red noses you're likely to meet, you've misjudged Pete :thup:

Now to go and wash my mouth out with domestos (other bleaches work just as well)

 

[BristolMike]

Mate, Joking apart, Stu and Pete are unfortunately the most honest red noses you're likely to meet, you've misjudged Pete :thup:

Now to go and wash my mouth out with domestos (other bleaches work just as well)

Hard saying nice things about Liverpool fans isn't it? Im still washing myself with bleach after being nice about one last night 😂

 

[Lord Tyrion]

If Lukaku knows already where he wants to go presumably that means he has already been tapped up. I'm not too stressed about that as long as we use that information to squeeze more out of the transfer fee and get him to forgo his "loyalty bonus" when we sell him. I think VVD has been the clumsy one here. We all know tapping up goes on but he boasted about it and at that point Southampton felt they need to act, understandably.

I don't think Costa leaving is as big a deal to Chelsea as some make out. At times he is a liability, he runs hot and cold. If Chelsea can get a big sum for him I think that will be business well done.

 

[Pin-seeker]

I don't think Costa leaving is as big a deal to Chelsea as some make out. At times he is a liability, he runs hot and cold. If Chelsea can get a big sum for him I think that will be business well done.

Couldn't agree more.
I'm just not sure about Lukaku coming in to replace him tho.
I'd just go all out & get Harry Kane 😁

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Solanke is linking up well with Lookman for England over in the kids World Cup in Korea :thup:

And a great win today with both scoring the goals that's put England into the final on sunday against Venezuela.