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Albion skipper Greening asks for move
Wednesday 15th July 2009, 10:27AM BST.
Albion captain Jonathan Greening has submitted a written transfer request.
The skipper handed chairman Jeremy Peace a letter making clear his desire to quit the Hawthorns and return to the Premier League.
But Greening – who has rejected a new four-year Albion deal – submitted the letter to Peace before the Baggies rejected Fulham’s opening bid for him and not after, as reported in the national media.
Albion sources reveal that Greening and Peace held a friendly meeting before the Baggies left for their pre-season tour of Slovenia.
The 30-year-old midfielder made it clear he did not want to rock the boat, but considered this summer to be his last chance of landing a contract with an established top-flight club.
Peace has rejected Fulham’s opening offer for Greening, who has impressed all the Albion coaches here in Ptuj by knuckling down to training and remaining cheerful despite his desire to move on.
The opening bid from the Cottagers was worth £2million in cash plus a player – one from three made available to the Baggies.
It is unclear whether Greening will figure in tonight’s opening tour game against Slovenian outfit NK Nafta, after he sat out Saturday’s friendly at Histon.
But the former Middlesbrough man stressed to Peace that he will remain professional – if Albion cannot strike a deal to sell him.
Young team-mate Graham Dorrans admits that losing Greening would be a massive blow to the Baggies.
The Scot credits Greening as one of his chief mentors at the Hawthorns and is desperate to see Albion hold on to their skipper.
Dorrans, who was named supporters’ club young player of the year last season, could benefit from Greening’s departure through more first-team chances.
But the ex-Livingston man is still keen to see the captain stay.
The young midfielder said: “Jonno is a fantastic player and a fantastic man.
“He helps me a lot on and off the pitch and he talks to me in training and gives me a lot of pointers.
“If anything does happen it will be a massive blow for this club. He is a great player.”
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Another Turn Coat
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If his hearts not in it then he has to go. But be sure Peace will get every last penny he wants for him. I think we have enough quality in the centre of the park to cope in the fizzy without him.
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Greening was absolutely central to the Mowbray era and now that he has gone, I’m not surprised that he feels the time is right to move on. He’s been fantastic for us over the last few years and I personally don’t begrudge him a final shot at the Premier League. It’s time to move on & build our team around somebody else.
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his no turn coat. his never asked for this before. let him leave with goodwill, his given his all for the club. its a great shame if he goes which i’m sure he now will but the club only has itself to blame.
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Sorry but I don’t blame him really – at 30 this will be his last chance to get into an established prem side (he has given us 3 goes at it) and also its a chance to earn more money for a year or 2.
After 5 great years of service does anyone REALLY begrudge him this ??
Promotions and relegationas always see a change of players – when you go up you replace your weaker ones and when you go down your better ones tend to leave…. its just the way it is.
As for Paul Robinson – are all the fans who moan about him talking about his reasons for leaving the same ones who moaned when Tony Mowbray left & said nothing at all ????
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if he wants to get then fair enough, its not theend of the world as we have a midfield of talent and plenty of cover, we have
Morrison, Texeira, Koren, Brunt, Dorrans, Valero, Mulumbu and not to mention Joss Labadie coming through the youth system
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Don’t be daft reg. Jonathan is a good, ambitious pro and is contemplating the last few years of his career. With his commitment, energy, enthusiasm and behaviour to the Baggies he owes us nothing. I will be sad to see him go – his ball control and presence on the pitch will be difficult to replace but I wish him well whatever happens.
Anyone know what the situation is with Olson?
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what happened to seeing your career out at the hawthorns jonno?
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I can’t blame him – he’s been great for us during his time at Albion. Look at any club’s squad and it turns over 90% every 3 years or so. It’s a good thing for the club to bring in fresh players and transform into the RDM way now. JP will get a good deal.
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He is seeing through JP up and down policy and dont want to be apart of it. no dought he wont be the last player to leave this summer
JP only want championship football albion fans have to accept being secound best unfortonatly
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Seems to be handling things with a lot more dignity than Robbo. Good luck to him.
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I’ll be sorry to see him go because I think that he has been a great servant to the club; you only have to read what Dorrans says to see that his impact off the pitch is just as great as it is on it.
However, while I wish that he hadn’t made his, finish my career at the club, comments if he didn’t mean them, I feel that he’s conducted himslef in a fair and professional manner. No badge kissing, let me go I’m too good for you, behaviour from him. So while I hope that he’ll stay, if Jonno does go he’ll go with my best wishes and thanks.
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jonno s been a credit to the club and e knows this next contract is goin to b his last lucrative one. i wud ve him to stay but players whos heart isnt in the club should go at a realistic fee.
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A Great Player?
When?
This last season’s game against the Vile was the first time I’d seen him pass a ball (successfully) forwards.
I won’t be sorry to see “Sideways Sam” make way for a more useful midfielder.
And, let’s be honest, he’s 30 – this is the last time we’re likely to get any money for him.
Fair play to him though – he’s been the most loyal of our players for the last 5 years.
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as ive said in earlier post,whos going to be next to want out,brunt,olsson,morrison,aye boing boing love you jodie xx
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first of all,i have no hard feelings towards robbo and greening,the same as u all good luck lads,but i think its not about the last chance for prem football,it about getting as much money as u can when u have only acouple of years left playin the game,sorry thats just my thoughts
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If he wants to go then let him go, he has been a good servant and too be honest i think we could do with some fresh legs in there now. I think its a very exciting for the albion. All the fans need to do is keep supporting as they do and we will be back where we belong. Boing Boing
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Jonno’s been a good servant for the Albion, can’t blame him wanting to secure his last pay day and a have a good few “deserved” years in the PL.
On a sad note, I’ve just read that John Hartson is critical after surgery, doctors have confirmed that he’s battling with Testicular, Brain and Lung cancer. My thoughts go out to him and his family.
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12,hes been a servant yes,but great one?i think his sell by date as been up for a while now,by jonno.aye boing boing over to you mr dorrans.
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Well you can rest assured JP will get at least £3 million for him!! not bad for a 30 year old. The good thing is that we have strength in numbers in the midfield dept so it will give the rest a chance to stake a claim for a first team spot.
Thanks for the few years of service Jonno, good luck at Fulham or where ever you end up. You will get a good reception when you return to the hawthorns im sure!! well you will from me anyway.
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He has expressed his desire to play in the top flight and who can blame him. Also he has said he wouldn’t kick up a fuss unlike Robbo who was bang out of order (Good riddance)
A lot of people question players ambition and loyalty and in fairness and honestly the club has none!
Good luck jonno.
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if greening gets hes move then fair play to him,he stayed when others jumped ship last time we were relegated so i dont mind if he moves on..if jonno goes i think we will see barry ferguson coming to join us.we have plenty of midfield players and j.p will make sure we get a great price that you can be sure of..if we dont get what we want for him then jonno wont be going anywhere,so its up to others to pay up or shut up..GOING UP THE DI MATTEO WAY,,IN STYLE OF COURSE,,OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH YES..
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Half of our supporters are a complete embarassment to the club with their “opinions”, if you can call them that.
To call him a turncoat is a disgrace. We have got the best 5 years of Jonno’s career. He has been the best player over that 5 year period. Ultimate pro, never moaned, signed a new contract when we went down etc etc.
Thanks for all your efforts Jonno. Great servant
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Let him go it’s not the end of the world. BTW 10 your abysmal spelling suggests dingle status to me. Try using a spell checker .
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i see forest tickets now on sale,£28 for championship football,think i,ll give it a miss,aye boing boing daylight robbery
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17; Raymond, you are back where you belong.
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14. I cant agree… I think greening played some excellent forward passes last season . people always remember the bad points. Carson last year pulled off some top class saves last year but everyone pics up on the blunders.Greening in my opinion is/was one of best players that did not look out of place in the Premier league.
On another point my bl***y season ticket is still yet to arrive I am sick of phoning the ticket office about it!!!!!! I paid for the ticket early may!!!!
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While we are making contingencies on the financial side for failure to reach the Premiership in the next two years, we should be making contingencies on the playing side for if we are successful. Would he be the right man in a year or two?
No doubt JP will be looking to get the value of both Greening and Gera in this deal.
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Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. The real problem here is that JP has peaked. We have a club unable to improve and unable to hold onto its best players. For Albion to progress it will require real change at the top of the club – otherwise I am afraid we are starting on a downward slide.
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If we had stayed up last season Jonno would not want to leave and neither would other players.
The only people to blame are J.Peace and T Mowbray who cocked up the season by not retaining or getting in the right players, allowing abysmal defending and not working out of their skins to keep Premiership status.
I am surprised by Jonno wanting to go and if we don’t get back up this season, things will only get worse.
Wolves have been spending AND increasing ground capacity to make every sffort to stay in the Prem.
THAT MUST BE OUR AIM, NEXT TIME WE GET INTO THE PREM!!
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Wish him all the best.We need all our squad to be up for the scrap this season fresh blood needed players who are young and hungry
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Don’t blame Greening he’s seen the light…Morrison will be next
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still navy blue seats for everyone!money well spent!!!!!
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morrison should have gone to bolton before
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thoughts are with john hartsons family at the moment.keep football in perspective everyone.
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Dissapointed about Jonno, the heart and soul of the as far as i am concerned.
It is my opinion that people who critisize his impact on the team know little about the game.
Jeff
Your last paragraph is very interesting, and the perception of it.
“Wolves have been spending and increasing capacity in an effort to stay in the prem”
They are nowhere near spending what we did last season at this time.
Also please explain how increased capacity is somehow conjuciant to premiership survival……..I give you Newcastle United
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30. Bang on! If we had managed to stay in the Premiership it wouldn’t have been an issue. I know that Jeremy Peace is a problem but there is really only one man to blame, Tony Mowbray. With the players he had he should have kept us up but he was too pigheaded about playing the beautiful game (regardless of results!) & showed too much loyalty to certain players who were not performing.
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When one door closes another one opens, just wait and see. Terry who loves ya baby boing boing.
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26.albionfivepinter, Sad Wolves fan i guess go on your own page and check out your new signings from the wolverhampton sunday league
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20 years today RIP Laurie Cunningham. Now there was a player !
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TM’s gone now we no longer need to play beautiful footy so lets get stuck in and make things happen, no one likes change but sometimes you need to take risks, he who dares wins.
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As I have heard JP is quite happy with us being a yo yo club, that is why we don’t keep our established players
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As one door closes another one shuts. Three weeks to go, two experienced players gone and going. Yes, we’ve had the best out of both of them, but the millions for getting back up makes them both a loss. The new boss needed a steady ship to begin with, just a few minor adjustments, a tickle here and there. Now he has two huge holes to fill. Let’s hope the players we have fill those holes first, there won’t be too much time for new boys to settle in. Will one of you with a young memory mark the card of ’5 pinter’ so we may get him touch with The Samaritans on a regular basis for the coming season. I’m torn. I want The Wulfies to stay up and for us to join them again, but I want the spiteful, arrogant, pig-ignorant ones such as this idiot to get his come uppance too. Can’t have both, so I’ll not stoop to his level…..All the best Wulfies!
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38 you love me jodie but not half as much as i love you aye boing boing mwahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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40.. Yes died aged 33 tragic loss… after he left Real Madrid he became a bit of a drifter in football altough I am sure he was in the wimbledon team that famously beat liverpool in the cup final. I think when he died was he playimg for valenco or valencia or something like that.. Yes great talent born to early in my opinion Cristiano Ronaldo would not be good enough to clean his boots. Any younger readers just utube him if you want to see a footballing genius
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Good luck to Robbo and Jonno – especially Jonno – a good captain and a good midfielder.
Please bear in mind these were two veteran players who have twice failed to provide the quality and leadership required to keep us up – we need to move on and so do they.
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41,i agree with you and not just because you are to become my wife,no need to e prancing about in the middle of the park making 30 passes just to stay in the same place start guin in where it hurts,aye boing boing i love jodie
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Let’s face it the days of players staying at one club for all or most of their careers have long gone. Who would have thought that John Terry would contemplate leaving Chelsea for Man City but he is. It’s all very well people being critical of JP as a mercenary but he has to be as football is a business and no longer a sport. Whose to blame for that, the players of course. Jonno is a good player and will be missed but if we can encourage Barry Ferguson to the club players like Dorrans will have someone at their sides with equal experience in the team.
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43. to be fair to wolves 1 year ago we certainly dished it out a fair bit more than they have so far. Alarm bells are ringing our captain mamnager and senior pro gone in last few weeks. We got 2 years and after that who knows.
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i was watching a tv programme this morning whilst eating my cocoa pops and it gave me a great idea for a new song next season,i think you,l know the tune so sing along,here goes,
bob de mattieo
can he fix it
bob de matteio
yes he can
bob de mattieo
can he fix it
bob de mattieo
yes he can boing boing
the end
aye boing boing wot ya think jodie
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30 Jeff
To the best of my knowledge Wolves have spent roughly £10m since the end of the season on 5 players, we spent £21m last summer on around 9 players. We all know that some of those gambles failed, but I wouldn’t say it was for the want of trying.
29 Brierley Hill
It’s not JP that’s peaked, it’s West Bromwich Albion as a football club working within it’s means. Pretty much every single club above us in the football league has a larger amount of debt than us, most significantly more. So if you want us to go further as a club, it means borrowing and spending money that isn’t ours and risking the club’s future.
That’s fine, if you want to adopt a Peter Ridsdale approach, but I think you’re being unfair labelling JP as the problem, he’s just ensuring the club works within its means, as any good businessman should. You might just thank him in a few years when a few of the clubs we all deem as more competitive than us (Pompey, Wigan, Bolton etc) go bust.
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No 1, your an idiot if you call JG a turn coat, you cant say his the same as P Robinson. JG has been fantasic for us and a profesional all the way through i for one wish him well. I still hope we can convince him to stay.
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Just heard nancy have pulled out of friendly due to swine flu in the area, it just gets worse & worse for you lot hahahahahah
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51 Warren (Albion)….
Good post. Similarly, Jez Moxey gets a right old bashing from many Wolves fans when in actual fact he’s running the club incredibly well. No ridiculous spending and being the best we can within our means.
I’d much rather be run like that than be a Man City fan for example. The money they are shelling out on wages isn’t sustainable. As soon as the owner gets bored and pulls his money out, what then for the team?
Anyway, shame about Greening – done a good job for you and given you his best years. Deserves appreciation when he returns to Sandwell as part of somebody else’s team.
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25. STB
Living in the city of Nottm can I tell you that ever since Forest won the then European Cup on a couple of occassions the ticket prices even when they were effectively in the 3rd Division have been extortionate. Having said that they have always had attendances well in excess of 20,000.
It will be a shame that players of experience feel the need to leave but life will go on and other players will come to the forefront. Lets hope we have a good pre~season with no injuries & we can get started on the road to victory & success. Is it really 20 years since Laurie died!!!
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personally i hope wba get promoted, as remember players such as regis,cunnungham,owen,robson,statham, ally robertson, batson, and for us richards,gray,hibbit,mcalle,carr,parkin, and we had some memorable clashes, good luck to all our midlands sides for the forthcoming season,
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Warren.
We have actually spent around 15 mill so far with a month still to go until the start.
Now you may have spent 21mill but how much did you recoup on sales. I dont know the answer but im sure you net spend was a lot lower.
I do think its a little strange how you have an unhealthy amount of players submit transfer requests year on year. Does that concern you at all??
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50.What a dummy you sound with all this jodie rubbish,get a life you fool.
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38. jodiebaggie give 47 the brush to give us all a bit of peace he,s obsessed with you.
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I think it’s a shame if JG goes we need to keep him he’s a rock across the middle, why do you guys say well let him go its his chance to go back to the prem, don’t you guys think West Brom 1st. It was like Robson letting Thomas Kusack go and saying how can you stop a player moving to such a big club and spoil his career!!!! Rubbish money talks….club or personal!
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50 i think it’s magico boing boing
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Hats off to JG! Unquestionably loyal and would have stayed with us if the players around him had performed at his level. Good luck in the Prem mate. You deserve a shot at it! Whether you’re as prolific a player with them as us remains to be seen but I cannot begrudge you. There’ll always be a warm welcome for you at the Hawthorns and I’m sure the Hawthorns will always be a fond memory…… Think we should have a BigDave and Jonno plaque!!
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TO MANY MOANERS IN THIS PLACE,ASK ANY CLUB THEY WOULD BITE YA HAND OFF TO HAVE A SET UP LIKE WE HAVE,A CHAIRMAN WHO TAKES NO CRAP FROM THEASE SO CALLED LOYAL FOOTBALLERS,.MARK MY WORDS ALBION WILL BUILD A TEAM THAT IS CAPEABLE OF STAYING IN THE PREM,BULID ON THAT TO ESTABLISH THE CLUB AS A TOP MIDLAND CLUB,WITH A BREED OF PLAYERS WHO WANT TO BE HERE AND WIN FOR THE CLUB,.AND IT WONT BE DONE BY SIGHNING OWEN TYPE PLAYERS WHO DONT GIVE A TOSS GREEDY PLAYERS LIKE JOHN TERRY AND PLAYERS WHO THINK THEY RULE THE CLUB LIKE TERRY,LIVERPOOL IN DEBT,MAN U ALL THE SO CALLED TOP CLUBS WE BROKE ONE RECORD IN THE PREM ,AND WE WILL PROVE THAT AGAIN BY TAKEIN A TEAM UP THERE AND BEING A TEAM TO BE RECKOND WITH,
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It has been stated that we need to trim the squad and generate cash for new signings. I am more than happy to allow Jonno to be a part of that downsizing. We have more talented players and, I would suggest, more effective leaders.
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It’s such a long time ago and my memory for
actual facts, fails me.
Just who did we sign IN THE SUMMER and how much did we pay for them?
I’ve got:-
Zuiverloon 3.5 mill
Carson 3 mill
Cech 1.5 Mill
Meite 2 mill
Olsson 750,000
Of these, Carson and Meite had Prem experience.
It’s only an impression as I am not that interested in wolves but have they signed players from a higher level (In europe) for their Prem campaign.
Adding extra capacity to the ground gives you more cash to add to the coffers over the season.e.g. 1000 seats times 30 quid a game times 18 home games = over 500,000
As we Tescos know. EVERY LITTLE HELPS!!
For next season in the CCC we change the colour of the seats!! Still no shirt sponsor!
Yes! You’ve guessed it.
Fed up with dropping from the Prem and our best players wanting away.
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Jonna
A great servant, didnt run away when Davies and Kamara and Koumas etc did so, So thanks for your loyalty Jonno go with my best wishes you will always be the daddy
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Jeff
In addition, we also signed:
Valero 4.7m
Moore 3.5m
Bednar 3.0m
and Kim and Dorrans who will have increased the wage bill. The previous season we signed:
Barnett 3.0m
Hoefkens 1.0m
Brunt 3.0m
Teixiera 0.5m
Miller 1.5m
Morrison 1.5m
whilst we were in the Championship. When you say Wolves have signed players at a higher level (Europe), has Milijas got any more pedigree than Valero? He might work out as a better signing but I’m sure most of us were thrilled when Valero signed.
I completely respect your posts Jeff, and I agree with a lot of them, but financially I think we gave ourselves a chance last season and I don’t think it’s the reason we went down.
Southern, we sold Davies but only got £7m because they flogged us a dead horse as part of the deal. I take your point re: net spend, but we spent high in previous seasons too. Ultimately, our books just about balance. Who’s to say you’re not accumulating debt? Wages tend to take up at least 80% of a club’s turnover so this Premiership £30m lump sum to spend on transfers is generally a myth. That said, good luck to you.
As for players leaving, IF you get relegated then I’m sure you’ll see the same thing happening. Don’t think it’s a problem with us as a club, just Premiership-obsessed and greedy footballers/agents.
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43; Cyril, you don’t stoop to my level you rise to it.
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63 you brought tears to my eyes and made some real good points bless ya.
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Probably can’t blame him for wanting another shot at the Prem, it has to be said he was a noone before WBA. Not convinced any club outside the relegation candidates will be interested. I wouldn’t take him at our place as I think he probably is passed his best, could have given you a good season in the CCC though. I would like to see Brunt at the Mol but I think he’ll stay unless a big offer from a big (top ten so not us) club comes in. Be the toughest year in the toughest league in the world this season, so all the best.
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58,just cuz you cant think of a sung and i got a life with jodie thank you aye boing boing jelousoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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