Topic: Barry Saga: On - Off - On - Off. Yada yada yada

[jrewing]

I don't understand why £18 million is so unreasonable.

And also you say barry is loyal but it's not hard to be when no one comes in for you.  There have been 2 times when clubs have come in for him, 2 years ago he was going to go to pompey before MON joined and now with you boys.  So both times a club has shown serious interest he was willing to leave.  I don't question the fact he has been one of our best players but i don't think you can class him as a loyal player.

Depends if you class reasonable as being, "fuck what the player wants, fuck our relationship with Liverpool  let's screw em for as much as we can.".

It'll come back and bite your arse when / if you try to sign / get a new contract with any players with, or have an agent with half a brain.

[Life]

When was Steven Gerrard's prime then?

May 25/26 2005

Honestly, I think this season or next could be his last as the driving force behind us, and might well see him have to adapt his game to take account of the advancing years.  Roy Keane - as an example - could be argued to have been on the slide from 2001 when he turned 30.

[xerxes]

The most unreasonable thing is that Villa want the whole amount to be paid in 12 months, rather than over the contract as is now the norm. That is just being twatish. Hopefully we'll walk.

[paulo23]

You've pissed him off, you've embarrassed him publicly by banning him from training and docking him two week's wages

He basically slagged the manager off in public, he had to be punished for that.

It would be in your best interests to resolve a situation that has caused much instability in your team

It would and i'm sure it will happen but i don't think there is a real rush just yet and we should still be trying to get the most we can out the deal.

apparantly you're scrambling for players to go on the pre season jolly but you don't need the money....(strange that..) ...

We have a small squad but thats more to do with MON having to get rid of shit players and being someone who takes his time when bringing players in.  You don't spend millions fixing up a pub and give your sponsorship away if your struggling for money.

Depends if you class reasonable as being, "fuck what the player wants, fuck our relationship with Liverpool  let's screw em for as much as we can.".

Well i don't think our attitude is lets screw em for as much as we can, i think it's more lets make sure we are well compensated for losing one of our best players and captain.

[cuppatea]

I can understand the distaste for some of O'Neill's public comments, but you can hardly criticise Villa for holding out for £18m when we're obviously desperate to sign Barry and keep edging closer towards their asking price. If we end up paying £17m + Finnan for him, would they still be idiots/small minded/bitter/deluded etc for not accepting £15m?

For the record, I'd rather we kept Alonso and focused our efforts on strengthening the areas of the team that need it (namely the wide positions), but clearly Rafa is desperate to get the Barry deal done, and Villa know it.

[Greyfox]

What would Villa do if we did actually say, nah...we'll keep Alonso thanks....As for desperate, at one stage it seem like we were faxing an offer a day......but suddenly its gone deathly quiet.........and there are other players now drawing Rafa's attention....possibiliites no?

[Garstonite]

May 25/26 2005

Honestly, I think this season or next could be his last as the driving force behind us, and might well see him have to adapt his game to take account of the advancing years.  Roy Keane - as an example - could be argued to have been on the slide from 2001 when he turned 30.

I think playing further forward helps him conserve his energy more. He's no longer the box-to-box player he was during Houllier's tenure and I believe he's a better player for it too. If you look at recent history at attacking play-makers in the game, Zidane reached his peak at Madrid and I think he signed for them when he was 29. Nedved (although you could argue reached his peak at Lazio) signed for Juventus at 28 and Scholes is still playing an influential role in a United side that has just won back-to-back titles and a European Cup.

As a midfield general, Keane was a better player than Gerrard, but Stevie has more in his locker which means he will still be playing for us - whether it be as an attacking mid, a right-back or a centre-half, well into his thirties.

[jrewing]

Well i don't think our attitude is lets screw em for as much as we can, i think it's more lets make sure we are well compensated for losing one of our best players and captain.

That's not what it looks like from here. Nor does it look like that to my non-lfc fan mates, who all agree that Barry would have signed for Liverpool by now if it wasn't for the fee - which they all think is too much.

There's being fairly compensated, and there's being deliberately obstructive to a transfer which both the player and the player's chosen club want to facilitate. Don't you think there might be repercussions from that when you view it from the perspective of agents and future playing staff?

£18m is a joke and everyone knows it.

[HarryLabrador]

And as for Barry coming into his prime, I think the goalposts are shifting on when a players prime is.
Fowlers was around 23, Owen's 21, Kewell 24, Ronaldinho 25, Ronaldo (the fat one) about 23.  These days it seems the prime for players who played at the top level young is mid 20s...there's nothing to say Barry hasn't already had his prime and is about to enter his "gets niggling injuries all the time" phase.

Good points, Life. A footballer generally has a career that lasts some 10 years to his peak, regardless of when they started playing professionally, obviously there are exceptions. Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler all started much too young, whereas a player like Ian Wright, I believe, started playing for Crystal Palace when he was 22 and carried on playing till age of 37 for Burnley.

Now, Barry started at Villa only when he was 16 and made 32 appearances for them when he was only 17. By this theory he could be burnt out fairly soon?

By the way, someone has been messing about on the Gareth Barry wiki, he has been named as a Liverpool player and wearing the No6 shirt.

[thredworm]

And why should we have to make an effort to get it done, barry is our player we've put a price on him and it's up to you to meet that or sort out a deal that we find acceptable.  We shouldn't be doing you or barry any favours.

And there in a nutshell is the exact point I'm making. You don't actually feel that you should do anything about the situation, which is an utterly ridiculous statement. You'd actually rather just act like children to prove a point.

Last season we had Sissoko unhappy about first team opportunities and talking about the possibility of a move, the same this season with Crouch. We moved them on. We negotiated fees and they left the club. In both instances Rafa said he would have liked to have kept them but can understand their views so helped them to move on. The deal for Crouch was us asking for £15m at first, not because we thought that was what he was worth but because we were willing to negotiate downwards to an acceptable fee, the same with Sissoko.

That's how football is nowadays, you just accept it and move on, but apparantly you lot shouldn't do that because you'd like to take a stand. Well, there's taking a stand and there's being unreasonable, and as I said before all you've done is made yourselves look like you don't give a shit about a player who's given you 10 years of service and now would like to fulfill his ambitions. If you could face facts for a minute or two you would realise that, despite what you think of our title aspirations, we consistently win trophies - you don't. We consistently play on the biggest stage - you don't. We consistently get to cup finals - you don't. Barry wants some of that, but you're determined not to help him get there, which (after 10 years of service) is fucking harsh in the extreme.

I've no doubt Rafa will get the player eventually and I actually think that he'll do very well for us.

[Juan Loco]

Nedved (although you could argue reached his peak at Lazio) signed for Juventus at 28.

His best for me was at 31-32 when he was at Juve. 2002-2003 - a yellow card away from a champions league medal. I remember him tormenting Barcelona and Madrid that season. If

.. and he managed to do it from the wing aswell. Not a central position. Take not Stevie... it is possible to be involved from the flanks.

[jrewing]

Last season we had Sissoko unhappy about first team opportunities and talking about the possibility of a move, the same this season with Crouch. We moved them on. We negotiated fees and they left the club. In both instances Rafa said he would have liked to have kept them but can understand their views so helped them to move on. The deal for Crouch was us asking for £15m at first, not because we thought that was what he was worth but because we were willing to negotiate downwards to an acceptable fee, the same with Sissoko.

And that's not done to "be nice" - it's done to shed the best possible light on the club in regards to signing new players.

Considering Villa "don't need the money" - surely their first priority should have been to come out of this looking like a good club to to play for.

[eskdale]

I think playing further forward helps him conserve his energy more. He's no longer the box-to-box player he was during Houllier's tenure and I believe he's a better player for it too. If you look at recent history at attacking play-makers in the game, Zidane reached his peak at Madrid and I think he signed for them when he was 29. Nedved (although you could argue reached his peak at Lazio) signed for Juventus at 28 and Scholes is still playing an influential role in a United side that has just won back-to-back titles and a European Cup.

I agree with what you're saying here, we will be getting the best of Gerrard in a more advance role as he started playing last year, particularly as he gets a little older and starts to slow a little.

He will always have a good footballing head and the vision to supply Torres for several years yet.

[se9R.F.L]

Martin O'Neill is a prick, acting like we're trying to steal his lucky charms.

i wish we would make an offer, a fair one, and if MON stomps his little feet and sulks just stop listening and leave him to try and get anything out of barry next season.

seriously had enough of this whole "saga".

[thredworm]

i wish we would make an offer, a fair one

I think you'll find we've offered them a couple of fair offers. Still cannot believe that they turned down £15m.

[hansen6]

May 25/26 2005

You're having a laugh, he's more consistant these days than he ever was in 05.

[se9R.F.L]

Yeah i know we've made previous offers, i mean like a final offer of say 16m, not quite what they want, not quite what we want but a fair compromise, no one feeling they have been ripped off too badly.

If they don't accept then back away, because they're trying to arse rape us

[xerxes]

Martin O'Neill is a prick, acting like we're trying to steal his lucky charms.

 

[JFsports]

Thing is, Rafa is in a pretty good position compared to MON and Villa on this transfer. If Liverpool lose interest and make no further offers, Villa have a player on their books who has said he wants out, they've already signed a replacement, and there are no other clubs who would buy him. So it seems to be in Rafa's interest to be a little hesitant, and maybe mention some other potential targets, because Villa are really not in a strong bargaining position

[cjmclean]

Just watched snippets of the most recently interview on sky and no way in hell is our Rafa like how MON made him out to be.

Just hope when its over, we can heard Rafa's side of the story and if MON was really acting like a prick... He'ld better be prepared when visiting us.

[bowkop]

i heard something abt him from koptalk , some1 tell me if  i can use that info to post here

[jim.]

i heard something abt him from koptalk , some1 tell me if  i can use that info to post here

yeah knock yourself out.

[HiroProtagonist]

i heard something abt him from koptalk , some1 tell me if  i can use that info to post here

lolok

[whtwht]

koptalk :O(

[bowkop]

here u go mate  ----
Liverpool target Gareth Barry has paid a visit to the Melwood training facilities ahead of his proposed transfer.

The Aston Villa skipper was shown around the complex by Reds boss Rafa Benitez before heading off to Anfield for a private tour of the stadium followed by lunch.

Barry has now been requested to return to Merseyside this weekend to make himself available for a medical.

Meanwhile KOPTALK sources are reporting that the Reds have received an 'informal' transfer enquiry from Blackburn Rovers for Jermaine Pennant.


and according to http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=soc-eng/news/news.aspx?id=4163893
 Sidwell completes transfer from Chelsea to Villa

[litmanen37]

here u go mate  ----
Liverpool target Gareth Barry has paid a visit to the Melwood training facilities ahead of his proposed transfer.

The Aston Villa skipper was shown around the complex by Reds boss Rafa Benitez before heading off to Anfield for a private tour of the stadium followed by lunch.

Barry has now been requested to return to Merseyside this weekend to make himself available for a medical.

Meanwhile KOPTALK sources are reporting that the Reds have received an 'informal' transfer enquiry from Blackburn Rovers for Jermaine Pennant.

the ever reliable CRAPTALK... i mean KOPTALK!

[Tom_B]

Interesting that Sidwell has completed his deal.

Now, more than ever, is the time for a "take it or leave it" offer.

[nayia2002]

i think the Pennant to blackburn might materialise(when bentley goes)!!

[whtwht]

How much do you think JP is worth ??

[nayia2002]

5-6 mill tops!!

[TSC]

Interesting that Sidwell has completed his deal.

Now, more than ever, is the time for a "take it or leave it" offer.

Exactly - posted this once rumours of the price were going beyond £15m.  If he was from foreign parts he would be around £10m.  Even adding on the 'English' factor £12m is reasonable.  £18m is just a laugh. 

Can't believe people are having a go at Villa on here.  I bet Chelsea fans were doing the same when they were chasing Gerrard.

I just hope we walk away and leave them with a player who doesn't want to play, and who will be available for a fraction of the price next yr, prob after having a 'mare of a season.

There have been many arguments for signing him.  Some exaggerating his capabilities.  Others of the usual 'in Rafa we trust' type. 

Usual story, can write the script.  Story breaks Liverpool are after a semi decent player.  Some are for and some are against.  Over the course of the saga, which generates hundreds of 'pro' posts, the 'semi decent' player evolves into a world beater and answer to all our problems, to the extent that £18m doesn't sound that much for such a  player.

I just don't see it.  Decent player - won't set the world alight.  But £18m.  C'mon ffs.

Be a cracking deal for O'Neil if he pulls this off. 

[farawayred]

Exactly - posted this once rumours of the price were going beyond £15m.  If he was from foreign parts he would be around £10m.  Even adding on the 'English' factor £12m is reasonable.  £18m is just a laugh. 

Can't believe people are having a go at Villa on here.  I bet Chelsea fans were doing the same when they were chasing Gerrard.

I just hope we walk away and leave them with a player who doesn't want to play, and who will be available for a fraction of the price next yr, prob after having a 'mare of a season.

There have been many arguments for signing him.  Some exaggerating his capabilities.  Others of the usual 'in Rafa we trust' type. 

Usual story, can write the script.  Story breaks Liverpool are after a semi decent player.  Some are for and some are against.  Over the course of the saga, which generates hundreds of 'pro' posts, the 'semi decent' player evolves into a world beater and answer to all our problems, to the extent that £18m doesn't sound that much for such a  player.

I just don't see it.  Decent player - won't set the world alight.  But £18m.  C'mon ffs.

Be a cracking deal for O'Neil if he pulls this off. 

I sang to that tune a number of times, and second what the man said. Villa already signed Sidwell, so they can be stuck with both (unhappy) Barry and his replacement. If we pull out now, we can get Barry for 5-6 mill in January, a player who won't be cup-tied in Europe!

[ShanksLegend]

here u go mate  ----
Liverpool target Gareth Barry has paid a visit to the Melwood training facilities ahead of his proposed transfer.

The Aston Villa skipper was shown around the complex by Reds boss Rafa Benitez before heading off to Anfield for a private tour of the stadium followed by lunch.

Barry has now been requested to return to Merseyside this weekend to make himself available for a medical.

Meanwhile KOPTALK sources are reporting that the Reds have received an 'informal' transfer enquiry from Blackburn Rovers for Jermaine Pennant.


and according to http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=soc-eng/news/news.aspx?id=4163893
 Sidwell completes transfer from Chelsea to Villa

Fuck me there a pair of plums them 2, i can state now that Gareth Barry has not and I repeat not been to Melwood....

He may of been to the city, but certainly not to Melwood and he certainly has not spoken to Rafa in person or been to Anfield.  He may of spoken to Rafa on the phone but thats about it, although whos to prove that.

If that did happen and got out we would be sued to death, we have no permission to speak to the player at all.  If the player wants to come to the city obviously he can, but Rafa is not stupid.

That is a pathetic bit of so called money making Jornalism by 2 fucking thick clowns.........

[thredworm]

ShanksLegend's 5 seconds of daily message board time, followed by 20 million questions about what he knows...

[Koparoo]

If we pull out now, we can get Barry for 5-6 mill in January, a player who won't be cup-tied in Europe!

Hey I'd forgotten about that - and they'll never make it through the InterToto on July 19/20 (against Odense BK??) with Barry picking up splinters in his arse and a squad of thirteen...

I reckon Rafa only has to stay schtum for one more week and the little goblin will fold and agree. The risk is too great for the Villains...

[Gedo]

Fuck me there a pair of plums them 2, i can state now that Gareth Barry has not and I repeat not been to Melwood....

He may of been to the city, but certainly not to Melwood and he certainly has not spoken to Rafa in person or been to Anfield.  He may of spoken to Rafa on the phone but thats about it, although whos to prove that.

If that did happen and got out we would be sued to death, we have no permission to speak to the player at all.  If the player wants to come to the city obviously he can, but Rafa is not stupid.

That is a pathetic bit of so called money making Jornalism by 2 fucking thick clowns.........

I know for certain that is Agent was there last week.

[Guz-kop]

Fuck me there a pair of plums them 2, i can state now that Gareth Barry has not and I repeat not been to Melwood....

He may of been to the city, but certainly not to Melwood and he certainly has not spoken to Rafa in person or been to Anfield.  He may of spoken to Rafa on the phone but thats about it, although whos to prove that.

If that did happen and got out we would be sued to death, we have no permission to speak to the player at all.  If the player wants to come to the city obviously he can, but Rafa is not stupid.

That is a pathetic bit of so called money making Jornalism by 2 fucking thick clowns.........

I've got a question and would like to know if you have the answer if you don't mind.













Do you have that picture of the front page of the echo in a bigger size/higher resolution? Ta

[macca007]

Gedo's 5 seconds of daily message board time, followed by 20 million questions about what he knows...

[Tom_B]

Got to ask, not being an arse, I am actually interested, aside from the Dossena medical what has Gedo actually told us?

Certainly know who I trust out of him and Shankslegend.

[sidneyroughdiamond]

If this transfer saga is finally coming to a close can we agree to close ranks and universally get 100% behind barry. Even if you have reservations about the price we end up paying for him or the player himself it's important to have a united front. Everyone in england will want barry to fall flat on his face because of the nature of the transfer and barry himself will feel under tremendous pressure to prove his worth. He will probably be replacing a crowd favourite (alonso) and every bad game he has will have the doubters questioning the wisdom of xavi's sale. The fee and prolonged nature of the transfer is not in barrys hands so lets circle the wagons and get behind the lad.