Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Albion in record move for Shane Long
Monday 8th August 2011, 12:00PM BST.
Albion hope to complete the club-record signing of Shane Long this week after stepping up talks with the Reading striker.
The Baggies are close to agreeing a fee with the Championship club of between £6million and £7million and discussions with Long’s representatives over personal terms took place at the weekend.
Albion boss Roy Hodgson hopes to have the Republic of Ireland international in time for Sunday’s Premier League opener against Manchester United at the Hawthorns, although there could be competition from rival clubs.
Hodgson was set to free up funds today by completing the sale of striker Ishmael Miller to Nottingham Forest, removing one of the club’s well-paid fringe players from the Hawthorns wage bill.
The transfer fee for Long remains open to negotiation but it looks certain to eclipse the current Hawthorns record of £4.7million paid for Spanish midfielder Borja Valero in 2008.
If a deal is concluded, it would be Albion’s first cash signing of the summer after a collection of free transfers and loan deals so far.
Long became the Baggies boss’s top choice for a new striker after hitting 25 goals in all competitions for the Royals last season.
The 24-year-old played for Reading in their Championship draw at home to Millwall on Saturday but was then ushered past waiting reporters by director of football Nicky Hammond, avoiding questions about his future.
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Brilliant news, assuming it’s true. Well done to Jeremy and Dan the Man.
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Great news if we can seal the deal then he is a good addition. As an aside I wish Ish the best up at forest he is a good forward who has never quite though forfilled his potential at the hawthorns. Another defender now needed and then I think we are all set for the season ahead. Let’s hope we get our man!!.
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Can’t knock the club for providing the Funds – just worry that this is a huge amount of money for a player who has it all to prove and only 1 year left on his contract.
In Woy we trust
Desperately need a quality centre back….
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“Freeing up funds”??
Shouldnt that be freeing up more funds lol, as for Shane Long. Im just not sure he will be able to play as a lone striker and surely that must be the first criteria on our needed list. He has played as a lone striker for Reading and i do rate him, but i hope the price being reported is incorrect.
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best get him in for sunday with PO being a major doubt,should make for a good debut,bet we get him on a free aye boing boing
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seems like alot of money to me for a player who has not played in the top flight. Many strikers are good in the Championship but struggle with the step up.
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Bomber – Roy likes a 4-4-2 and he likes Shane Long. Mr Peace and Dan the Man are doing the deal (not many bad ones lately), so have faith.
6
I hope you are not a certain Mr Ashworth!!!
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It would appear Ashworth/Peace cannot win, fans have been moaning about the lack of spending and when we propose to spend money that a’int right either .
Personally i think he is overpriced but if Roy wants him , lets go for it , one good season off him and we will be looking at a 15 million plus player .
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Overpriced !! Do not pay this much for him. He is good but not that good.We need a striker but surely first a centre half and left back/cover.Cox will suffice until Pete is fit.This is a massive gamble on an unproven player. Could be another Luke Moore.
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Kevin Doyle 18 Championship goals
E-Banks Blake 25 Championship goals
Yet after looking at them in the premiership Doyle fits in far better.
It’s a risk he could get you 20 goals he could get you 0 but how else are you going to find out.
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For this amount of money we could should have tried to buy a good defender and then used the balance to buy a goalscorer, hate to say Ebanks Blake would do a job.
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Bexhill Baggie
I know Roy prefers 4-4-2 but with our strength lying in midfield i can see us playing 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 more often than 4-4-2.
Dont get me wrong i do rate Shane Long and if we do sign him i will be glad, and i do have faith in both DA and RH, i just see £6-7 million and think we could maybe get a player who will be less of a risk.
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Cox and Long in Ireland’s game Wednesday night could prove interesting?
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Seems a little over priced to me , but i trust Dan, JP and Roy. We will see…….
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£6 million’s probably a lot, but RH likes him and that’s all we can go on. Also, there are other ways of looking at it. Rather than burden him with the fee, you might consider that should this go through, we’ll have signed Jones, McAuley, Gera, Fulop, Foster and Long for a total of £6-7m in fees. That’s probably very good business.
Yes, there’s wages and we shouldn’t forget Brunt, Mulumbu and potentially Odemwingie will have had pay increases. So far I don’t think many of us can argue that’s a bad summer’s work? A centre-back would be nice, Hargreaves perhaps, but certainly so far so good.
Wall Heath- top post.
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A good player, but not worth that much…. slight desperation maybe? is it bye bye pete??
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6. Dan
Yes you`re right that strikers from the championship struggle in the prem but you`re probably judging that on the likes of Doyle and Ebanks Blake who have barely scored any between them. In Longs case he`s had a stint in the prem, been back down to the next level and scored 26 last year. He`s young but has matured a lot, in my opinion he`s ready and his pace, skill and trickery will help him fit in to our style straight away, looking forward to Dorrans disguised pass putting him clean through on Sunday and him chipping it over the new dodgy utd keeper.
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Would rather have spent the money on a top quality Centre Back, play Coxy upfront.
Now just need to get rid of Fortune, please Roy sell him
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Championship striker for inflated price great !!!
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Sounds like decent business. We can’t unearth an Odemwingie every season, we need a striker that the manager likes – who else is there? I’d rather not have spent £7m on him either but that’s the money that needed to be spent so congratulations to Mr Peace for doing so. I’d like to hear some realistic £3-4m options from the naysayers.
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I think it is worth the risk and will prove to be a shrewd signing. With Cox we have got 2 excellent young strikers who can only get better.It’s being reported as a done deal in the Reading local press.
9 – There can only ever be one Luke Moore, never been more disappointed by a player than him.
Keep the faith.
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Whatever any of us think of Shane Long from what little we’ve seen, Roy Hodgson clearly rates him.
So if Roy tells Dan he wants Long, then we pay £6m for Long, then none of us can complain about the board not backing the manager who we all agree is the best manager we’ve had for years.
So regardless of what happens after Long arrives (if he does), RH, DA and JP are all doing something here that they believe is in the best interests of the club and for that they should be applauded, rather than derided by people far less qualified than themselves to spot a footballer.
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ASTLEHEAD
Could be another Odemwingie !!1
MATT
Ebanks-Blake could do a job ??? of course he could I believe there are vacancies for Programme sellers.
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The deal’s not done yet,but I’d still be very surprised if JP gives the green light to pay that much for him.
If RH and DA thinks he has the quality,and other clubs come in with offers,then maybe we will push the budget,but if Albion are the only Prem. club involved,and Long wants to be in the top flight,then unless Reading do some kind of deal with us,he could walk away for nothing next summer.
What you need are people who are skillful doing these ‘poker type’ deals.
So look no further than The Hawthorns…….
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Matt,11. No thanks, I take it that was a joke. How many has Sylvan Elikes Cakes actually scored? 5 in two prem seasons?
Long is great business, only 24, pacy, strong and improving all the time. In 3 years when he`s averaged 12 a year in the prem he`ll be worth 15m plus and thats why Peace is splashing the cash. He`s a solution and an investment at the same time.
If Everton or whoever don`t nick him then this will be a great signing.
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OODCL
No, or else we wouldn’t be offering him a new contract, or have spent most of pre-season playing with 2 strikers……
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We need firepower up front, we’re all agreed on that.
We have an excellent manager, who has identified this as his preferred option.
We have a great recruitment team, who have a proven track record for finding excellent players to improve our squad, and at the right price too!!
Whenever we have had players fail at the Albion (thankfully it doesn’t happen that often, but there are obvious Luke Moore shaped exceptions) we tend to be able to at least make our money back on them somehow.
For me, I think this would be a very good buy, as we NEED a new striker.
Get him in, get another centre back and Hargreaves too, then we’re done and in very good stead in my opinion.
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Please stop worrying about a centre half.We all know who’s coming,it’s just a matter of time.
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It’s a lot of money for a player who did well in the second half of last season.
I trust in Roy’s jugement, but he was awful on Saturday. Let’s just hope his mind was on other things.
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20) There was Danny Graham, half the price, same level, same age, more goals, and already scored in pre season against Betis. I so hope I am wrong about Long.
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26. You went to the Reading Millwall game did you? Its just that it wasn`t on telly and the championship programme showed just a few seconds and the papers said he had a good game whilst not managing to score and you say he was `awful`, amazing how oppinions differ.
Personally I think its a great signing.
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28, do elaborate…
No point me waffling on further TBH, as I’d just be echoing the “probably overpriced, but I trust in Roy’s judgement and thank the board for backing him” which appears to be the general consensus.
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not another championship signing
glad were going down the tried and tested route respect to the 3ms
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Robbie Keane is still available – not sure he would come though especially with wage demands.
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spencer – Last season he scored 7 goals from 11 starts. None of which were from penalties. Which based on open play goals, he had a better goals per minute played than your beloved Odemwingie.
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Just to repeat,because the media are ‘guessing’ that he will be sold for 6-7 mil.,it doesn’t mean that’s the figure the clubs will agree on.
Didn’t they say wolves paid millions more for their signings than was actually paid?
If we do get him,it’ll probably say ‘for an undisclosed amount’,so what expert already KNOWS how much it is?
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Just wanted to say good luck for the season from a dingle, don’t get me wrong, I hope we beat you twice, but isn’t nice that we are both in the prem (us by the skin of our teeth). As for long, don’t kid yourself, he ain’t that pacy and has not got a lot of tricks, but he does know where the net is, at 6 mil it’s a gamble, but not alot of choice out there, and u have brought in some freebies, mid table for you again me thinks
U t w
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Sorry meant to direct my comment to no.29
28. Do you mean Ridgwell or someone else?
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championship strikers cant cut it in the premiership
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Like most of us on here I do believe 6/7 Million is a hell of a lot of money for somebody un proven?
Still Roy is keen and seems to have been all summer and as mentioned by 8,14,15 JP,DA have appeared to back him and we cant complain as they have also outlayed on free transfer wages wise!
I am certain they to also recognise we need a centre half and left back?
Who is coming in Boing Boing???
On a personal note I would like to have seen maybe a Bellamy,Defoe or Kenwyne Jones signing maybe loan basis.
For centre half maybe Bassong,Onhuora(man city apologies for spelling)Dann from Blues?
Left back Bridge maybe..
And if if I was interested in a Reading player I have always been keen on Jimmy Kebe always looked class against our lot?
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Long is a good Championship player.
It could be a great long term investment for the Albion squad.
But £7 million ???
As i speak, JP will be having a lie down in a darkened room with a wet towel over his head.
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Tell you what is refreshing, the way we are all willing to debate a player, rather than “lets just buy him” willy nilly like some teams do, throwing money around like confetti. Shows how realistic we are, JPs prudence and financial know how is rubbing off on us!
Personally, I think the improvements we have made this close season to an already more than capable team, and for nowt, is nothing short of spectacular, and I cant think of another Prem club that’s done such shrewd business.
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I think you are being too harsh on Blake as I don’t think he played many games.
28. Senderos is the guy you are referring to?
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@30 long is a completely different player to graham and a far better stiker… yes graham scored more but i believe long will bring a lot more to our team than just goals
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Shane Long HAS played in the Premier League for Reading – largely as sub, but scored seven times.
He is quick, can beat a man, brings other players into the game and can hold the ball up – playing either off another striker or on his own. He also scores plenty with his head and takes penalties – we missed two from five last year – and will provide a like for like with Odemwingie when he is injured/on internationals and can hopefully form a pacey front two with him also.
If it doesn’t work, he also has a decent sell-on value. Low-ish wages too. Good signing
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A lot of negativity here. £6-7 million is a lot of money for an unproven Premiership player, but Long is young and because of the stupidity of other clubs such as Liverpool the transfer fees have been inflated. We got near to £7 million from the sales of Valero and Carson plus whatever we get for Miller so the money is available. A couple of questions, number 28 who is the centre back ? I think this is the only position that needs strengthening if Long signs, and why is Foster only on loan ?
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Every player we sign is a gamble but the majority have proved to be a good signing so I trust Dan Ashworth on this.
He’s fairly young but a lot of experience in a physical league so hopefully this can be the natural step up for him. Say he gets 10 goals this season plus maybe a few assists then thats good progression.
It looks like we will be going for a 4-4-2 with balls through the middle for the pace. It really is a dilemma this season as we have a really good midfield with a balance of attacking, defence and wing play.
With Miller and Bednar on the way out that makes me feel Shane Long is worth it!
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Will be happy with this signing, bet JP get s a loan until the end of the season with view to buy at the end????
Good old JP
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28….
If you are thinking Ridgewell ? I would say not good enough for us.
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Agree with some of the other posters on here, the board can’t win. We spend money and people complain, we don’t they also grump.
He could absolutely bomb – there are no guarantees – but WBA as a club can only sign this kind of player – we can’t yet afford the finished article.
At least with Long there will be a decent resell value, unlike when clubs like West Ham have forked out for McCarthy, Dyer, Ljungberg. We’re doing it the right way.
Also – as another poster says – if Long gets 10 goals and half a dozen assists you have a £15m player on your hands.
He scores with his head too – our strikers only provided one headed goal through the whole of last season (Fortune vs. Wigan) – we need different dimensions.
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Way over priced form my liking. Those comparing him to ebanks blake and doyle, i hate to say it, but he couldnt lace there boots.
Much rather see the money spent on some one else.
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next they will be saying he is better than kevin doyle. dreamers
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I think Roy will be looking at 4-4-2 (or 4-4-1-1) with PO, Long or Tchoi filling the 2 forward roles in a 2 up front or cox playing behind one of those in a 1-1 attack – so hope we get Long as I back Roy’s judgment.
If we need to spend 1 mill extra to get him then do it – unlike some we have the funds available and I think we will still bring in either Ridgewell or Dann.
Great times ahead !!!!!
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Well I am surprised. However with Ish probably moving on and Wood out on loan that will leave us rather short. PO injury has been timely because it has highlighted the requirement up front.
We are going to break our transfer record again one day, it’s inevitable. Just don’t think to buy Long who has only one year left will cost that much. Perhaps 4m rising depending on goals / apps and our status as a Prem team this time next season.
Still dare I repeat the Ambition word after last week. It’s been a good window so far. One more defender and a forward (if that’s Long then fine) and we shall have a complete squad.
Just hope whatever happens in the next month I don’t come on here and see people moaning at JP and DA for a lack of effort or investment. They are keeping the ship on a good steady course.
All the best to the A&T Massive in England and France…
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By the amount of obvious dings in disguise on this thread I assume Long is a great prospect that they would love down the custard bowl…. dream on dings !!
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Change of subject – did anyone watch the Hull – Blackpool game ?? The shirt sponsors were Cash Convertors V Wonga.com – a sign of the times i feel !!!
Also – gotta say Man Utd looked scary in the charity shield game – I’l take a 1-0 baggies win right now (LOL) !!!
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35) I don’t see how he can be a better striker, but score less? granted he may (or may not) be involved in more assists, I don’t know, I have not seen any figures for that, but never the less, at twice the price, and less goals, that’s a hell of lot he has to make up in other areas to justify double the price. Like I said, I hope I m wrong, I truly do, but I guess we wont find out till the end of the season to see if we have backed the right horse, personally, when buying established players, I prefer to go for proven track records, rather than what you hope they will do. I hope we don’t live to regret not going for DJ Campbell either. Time will tell!
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Stated ages ago we would get long. Of you think about it we are getting ling for 3 mil + miller. So not too bad
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49 ASTLEHEAD
Are you sure you are not a Man Utd fan ??? , i notice you state in your blogs who a’int good enough but do not give us the benefit of your extensive knowledge and state who is .
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Seems the boo boys have found their target for this season now that Carson has vacated that spot, eh BowenBaggies (18).
What is it with this new mentality? By all accounts, he had a good game yesterday. Give it a rest!
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NO55
your having a laugh we dont buy unproven outfiels players just third choice goalkeepers
ebanks blake is better than long blake scored for fun in the championship and he cant hack the prem so dream on
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I’m not the Baggie bob that posted earlier because I disagree with him.
Long is a risk, but so was Odemwinge. It’s a lot of money; would paying less make it more attractive?
Most of the “alternatives” being banded about don’t fit into Roy’s approach – look at Long and look at Andy Johnson, is there any connection?
I’m up for a proven goalscorer who knows how to be a team player. I’m 100% behind this move.
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I dont know who is was cus i cant be botherd tracking back; But whoever it was that thought SEB would be a good signing for Albion must be madder than Mad Jack McMad.
I mean who on earth would sell their deadliest rivals a stiker that could go on to score over 300 goals, play and score for England, get 16 hatricks, get Honoured by the crown with an MBE and have a stand named after him. (i could go on )
Nobody would ever be that DAFT. Or would they ??????????
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There is a rumour that Roy is looking at Aaron Hughes at Fulham. Is he any good?
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Wolves fan in peace -
He would be a great signing, think about it. If you have a nightmare season and went down, you’ve got a great goalscorer for that year to get you back up afterwards. If you stay up and the guy turns out to be amazing then you’ve also won on that score too! Its a no brainer for me and an excellent signing.
To the other Wolves fan on here commenting about how Blake is better…………… who cares to be honest. I know theres rivalry between our two clubs but what difference does it make if Long is better or worse a player than Blake??? Dumb argument really.
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we have had a string of strikers that scored 25 plus goals in the championship blake bothroyed miller and not one could hack it in the prem cant believe qpr have signed bothroyd
your being ripped off with 6 to 7 million price tag when we only paid that for doyle and fletcher they had a least one season in the prem and scored goals into double figures
and considering we only paid 4 to 5 million for ohara and johnson yet again both with prem experience so would not get to excited
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59 WALL HEATH…
No more than you are ??? Dann would be my choice how’s that ? But as we are unlikely to get him all i was saying was i don’t rate Ridgewell which is an opinion of mine only.
If you don’t agree so be it, i didn’t ask you to……
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Wolf
‘We don’t buy unproven outfield players’- so tell us which of Foley, Berra, Stearman, Elokobi, Ward, Henry, Hamill, Jarvis, Kightly, Ebanks-Blake and Vokes were ‘proven’ at the level you were playing at when you bought them?
What a ridiculous statement, just another example of your bitter, twisted, primative, irrational Albion-hating mindset? Which may be clouding your mind into thinking anybody on here actually cares what you think about who we’re signing.
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Rocket rocket rocket. Shes back AT 60 !
Play it cool trig, play it cool.
( ill be the barman that opens the bartop lid)
Gag courtesy of the late John Sullivan. RIP.
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35) Apparently Long had 14 assists last season, cant find figure for Graham.
61) You sound proud that you take “proven” players, and turn them into relegation fodder, strange!
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i find it hard to understand that we are prepared to pay up to 7 mill for a striker who has not played in the prem if you look round blake at the wolves could not do it neither jason scotland or beckford they were all prolific in the championship but they have all struggled in the prem! it makes me wonder if this is another publicity stunt by our board cos up to yet we aint spent a penny and remember woy said quality rather than quantity well were is the quality? prob in the shareholderss pockets!
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So come Sunday the team will be lead by….
Long Cox and The Unit up front.
LOL
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39 – the reason most Champ strikers appear to not be able to cut it is as 35 points out, they don’t get to start enough games or get any service.
One thing Long will get with us is good service, and if Peter keeps getting little injuries and Woy wants to turn us into a 442 side then he should also get plenty of starts as well.
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62 Baggiebob-
don’t worry,I’ve said on here before that whenever we’re linked to a decent player,the wolves fans knock each other over in the rush to get on here and put him down,some in disguise,and some not.
The fact that they’ve run out of money (Mick said at the weekend they’ve got none left for players),and we’ve signed Foster,Gera,and now possibly Long,with maybe more to come,means that they’ve turned a bright shade of GREEN.
How good it is to hear so much from angry,resentful dingles.
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Hope he does well but a lot of money to pay for a pop league striker…
Bit of a panic buy but good luck…
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64 Lonely-
what,and make Beccy jealous?
I couldn’t stand seeing all those tears running down her stubble,or nose sniffing on the lipsticked ‘tash.
There’s nothing worse than a woman scorned.
Especially at 6’4” and 18 stone.
She wouldn’t lift the bartop lid,she’d just push me through it.
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63 lonely (these posts keep moving about)-
yeah,300 goals.
And most of them in that very difficult 4th Division……..
p.s.- what’s it like playing all the way down there?
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If long signs, just have a bit of faith and I’m sure all will be fine. Get behind him from the start and I’m sure he will give us all plenty of reasons to boing!! Starting Sunday
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ASTLEHEAD
Which proves my point i think , you state that we would not get Dann and that is the problem Ashworth faces , trying to get players that we can sign and are better than we have , perhaps you should put yourself in his position before giving out your god like verdicts. For the record i think you are wrong about Ridgewell and also for the record if you want to give out opinions on a public site , be prepared for other fans to disagree with you.
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id sooner we went for david ngog for 4.5m ,better striker allround?
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In response to Lone Wolf 63. You should be more than grateful that the Albion let you have Bull, Dennison, Thompson and Ally Rob because without them you wouldn’t have a football club in the 5th worst city in the World. So instead of being so bitter and twisted cast your mind back use your brain and think who saved WWFC from extinction ? Yes it was your friendly neighbours who you have such a problem with, or is it inferiority complex.
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Not an Albion fan but I do think he is a good player but looking at what you could get elsewhere for that kind of money think he is too expensive
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Lone
Not sure who you’re referring to but we haven’t sold any strikers to Villa…..
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All transfers are a risk for the buying team.What determines a good buy?
It’s only when a player has played for a given team for a period of time can he be deemed to be a good or bad buy.Torres?Carroll? On the basis of what they have done since changing clubs the answer would have to be that they have been bad buys for their new clubs at a total cost of £75m.
I suggest we re-visit this argument in say January when Shane Long has had a run in the team and I guarantee he will have more goals/assists than any Doghead.
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I read the blog of a respected national sports journalist earlier today who said they had spoken to Brian McDermott at the weekend, who’d told them Reading expected a bid from a Premier League club for Long (presumably us), but then they were hoping and expecting this would trigger interest and further bids from other Prem teams…….so I’d expect a few goalposts being moved/public statements of interest elsewhere etc etc before this gets wrapped up.
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Cracking player,fingers crossed on this one.
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Ali
Perhaps, but Roy Hodgson has worked with David N’Gog on a training ground every day for 6 months. If he was that good, I expect Roy would’ve made a move for him before now…..
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80 ALI
Could you be WBABOMBER in disguise ????
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I find i amazing we would pay so much for a
player with no prem exp in the final year of his contract with it appears at the min no other serious bidders
I suspect this deal will involve appearence
add ons etc so won’t be anywhere near the
figures mentioned
As for the player im not convinced although
Paul Merson watched him on Soccer Saturday
and said “aint no way this guy is worth 7 mill” and knowing how good he is at picking players maybe he is worth a go
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82. “Not an Albion fan but….”. Do you support Wolves by any chance?. Just a wild guess!.
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“Wolves striker Stefan Maierhofer could have a future at Molineux after impressing in a friendly.”
Mick’s probably seen a different player in Stefan’s shirt … LOL
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79 Max-
well said.
Even if you are havin’ a bust up with someone called Astle on the Albion site.
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76, Rocket.
We knew youd come around.
” Secretly he longs for me,
his feelings he dismisses,
when he walks through the closset door,
then i will be his missus ”
(for those of you that missed it )
Do you smile for real Rocket, or smile through gritted teeth. i hope its the former old pal.
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How many more times – Shane Long HAS played in the PREMIER LEAGUE and scored GOALS.
Okay, he’s still a bit of a risk, but rather than just dribbling onto your keyboards or complaining to the dog, why don’t you check his statistics first?
Who else would you lot want? SEB? Ngog? Are you lot having a laugh?
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89 BRNNLEY ( BURNLEY ??) BAGGIE
I find it amazing that Albion show some ambition and get crucified for it.
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92 CR78
Alright mate , yes I know but unlike ‘The King’ , he is talking through his derrier.
Liked your Craig Short joke last week and he is the type of player we need to partner Jonas . I notice that Upson is without a Club at the moment , any thoughts ???.
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Tchoyi’s Massive Head
I’ll give it a rest when he actually plays a decent game for us. I for one didn’t want him back he was awful the first time he played for us and he still is awful. In my humble opinion he is one of the worst players ever to wear the Baggies shirt, he ranks alongside De fretias, Ellington, David Mills remember him ?
As for being a Carson boo boy I supported him 100% even when he did howlers for England at Wembley and Berlin and yes i was at both games.
Albion till I die
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For those knocking Fortune,
Yes he probably isn’t good enough at premier level but he made a big difference when he came on yesterday and immediately used the ball well.
Tchoyi on the other hand, well for me he’s not going to make it as an out and out striker. Playing behind or in a free role maybe but getting Long ar another striker in is a priority.
Whilst I’m talking of yesterday I was impressed with Mattock when he came on. Does anyone know where marek was?
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No81 – Excellent response there, they should also thank ASDA too!
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95 Wall heath
Yes it’s me realised my error straight away
and have beaten myself with a soggy noodle
I’m not knocking the ambition and i think it’s great the board are backing the manager in this way. but for me it’s the wrong choice
Hope to be proved wrong if he has a great season and scores bags of goals no one would be more happier than me
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Because I’m fed up of discussing albion business with dingles….. has anyone else seen that Cleverley has been called up to the England squad ?? He has played three seasons of football including all last season at Wigan and nothing – half a game for Utd and he gets called up – no wonder everyone wants to play for them.
I think capello picks his team based on Sky Sports !!!!
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90 ) think the fact that my name is BilbrookWOLVES gives that away a little bit not that hard to work out
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bowenbaggies
He wasn’t awful the first time he played for us, he changed the course of our season and general consensus at the time was ‘If we’d had him all season we might’ve stayed up’.
I’ll admit he’s not had a great time since he’s came back but has had the occasional decent game (Wigan at home he changed the game). The ‘when he finally has a decent game’ stuff is when it gets irrational.
If we can get a better replacement, great. If not, whilst he’s got an Albion shirt on he should get our full support.
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Lone Wolf – Yes I am back but calm down man! You’ll do yourself a coronary!
Bowenbaggies – Please tell me why you come to that conclusion? I am by no means his biggest fan but he is not as bad as some people make out. His game is about holding the ball up, not to bang in 20 goals a season. Personally, I think he does that adequately.
I may be female but I have been a season ticket holder for 20 of my 27 years. David Mills is a little before my time but that’s my parents fault, not mine.
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333.Wolf. I see you’ve made a prediction for your club, although you did add a few words too many…….
“not another championship signing,
glad were going down ……”
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(3)
Pee power,
Roy mate, ROY.
(8)
Wall Heath,
Agree with you sentiments. Roy knows how he can use Long, and has diligently pursued him. Bit over priced, but can’t argue with Roy.
(10)
JJ,
Did you not know, ALBION have creative footballers.
(33)
W,
PARDON!.
(42)
One half,
We do seem to debate cost as though it is our own money. We are singing from the same sheet as Jeremy.
(52)
Muutyoo,
He’s better than Kevin Doyle, his goal tally says so.
(61)
W,
Have you seen the size of E-B since he’s been in the Premiership?. Him and Bolokey would make a good Sumo tag team.
(66)
w,
Wolves wont be ripped off, none of their “We like” didn’t fancy hoof-ball.
(71)
round Dingle,
All clubs buy players from the lower reaches. how do you think those clubs survive?. We now have a Dep’t who do the home-work, that work is called assessment. Now do you get the gist?. NO.
(73)
Dim Davis,
Roy pal, ROY.
(75)
Tutty,
Pop league?, what on earth are you talking about?. Oh, another dumb Dingle.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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50APJones. You forgot Mister Tchoyi at Newcastle aer kid. He nutted in the last one I think.
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“I assume Long is a great prospect that they would love down the custard bowl…. dream on
Happy55, A new poster spelt it ‘cus turd bowel’ . I have to say I like his spelling.
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96 Max-
to be honest,although some have tried to find weaknesses with Upson,he’s got plenty of prem. experience,and a fair few England caps,so he could be worth a punt.
The only things to consider are whether he would balance with Olsson (left side/right side??),and what salary he’d want.
I’d love us to sign a quality striker,then swoop for Scott Dann.
The wolves fans would be stunned into a deep shock until at least christmas.
See you Sunday?
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93 lonely-
I don’t wanna get deep,but I’ve been around, and survived,longer than some of the people I’ve known,so I smile for real a lot of the time because I see it all as a gift,and life’s too short to spend it any other way.
The only irritations for me are at my favourite fishing spot,down at Bewdley on the Severn.
Two things.
Mosquitoes in the Summer.
And even worse,a lot of wolves fans live there-and that’s all year ’round.
And the ‘jungle formula’ spray don’t effect ‘em like the mozzies.
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think this is going to be a good season as alot ov u are saying the price ov long might b a bit high but u hav to take a gamble. bring in hargreaves lets see wat he as got if we can get 15 goals between the both then think thats money well spent.just want to say good luck for the season but dont think we need it. boing boing…….
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i cant see how you can pay 7million for a unproven striker.
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Ok whatever the price of Long may be against alternatives consider this.
Although Long may cost more than Defoe, Cole, Keane Etc; the wages that we would have fork out to these ‘Experienced’ players would mean over the period of the deal then they would not be any cheaper.
It then becomes a choice of older (perhaps past their best) strikers who are looking for a payday or a young hungry player with a point to prove – or to put it the other way experienced strikers with a proven goalscoring record, or someone with potential.
You can’t win – only chose what you feel is best – Let’s trust the Manager on this.
42. WONOH – I was making this point only last week at work. JP has won the argument because we are all starting to evaluate the signings in ways that he would do himself. Not many on here saying spend spend spend and get him at all costs. Not any more. We have seen the likes of Leeds Portsmouth Forest Charlton and even Blues now it seems and we can now see that a balance has to be found. I think we are a realistic bunch of fans here.
Rich5Wolves no65 – good post – nice to see some sense from the other half of the black country for a change.
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I remember watching the mophead we brought in from the North East; David Mills.
Felt sorry for him, tried hard, but it didn’t happen for him. I’ve watched Ngog many times and I’d hate to think what he’d be like in an Albion shirt…
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Looks to me odenwinge is on his way Long will be his replacement.
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8 – Wall Heath Baggie
I know others have agreed with your point but I’m afraid I don’t – yes a minority have moaned during the summer that we haven’t “splashed” the cash but the majority of us fans understand that as a club we have a specific transfer budget and therefore like to get value for money when buying or selling players to ensure that the budget stretches as far as possible – we all know that this strategy means transfers in and out normally take time to complete.
I don’t think anyone is upset that JP looks like he’ll be investing heavily in a specific transfer target – just that the majority of us believe that £6m+ seems a very inflated price tag for this specific player (you included). That doesn’t mean we don’t rate the player – concerns are simply down to the mentioned price tag.
101 – Happy – couldn’t agree more re: Cleverly
106 – JTH – we’ve gone over the Woy/ Roy debate before and it’s all tongue in cheek humour
had to chuckle at the trigger happy person declaring this on wikipedia…..
“On 8th August 2011 after protracted talks, Long finally signed for Premiership side West Bromwich Albion F.C. for a fee worth upto 9 million pounds”
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MMMMMMM CALM DOWN GUYS ROY KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING,………….harks back to a certain ronnie allen, when he went to the then albion board and asked them to part with 500,000 quid for a certain MR REGIS…… from hayes same thing raised eyebrows fans saying ,what the hell and the board said OOOOOO NO NO NO 500,000 on some one unproven? but they went with ronnie and the rest is history,same for odem unknown com oddity what happened last season? 7 or 8 mil in perm terms is nothing today small change to some clubs,if we have to consolidate in the perm then ya need to tasks a chance and lets face it good or bad jp aint never lost money on anyone he moves on ,…its a choose of has beens on over blown wages who will perform wen they feel like it example liverpool or get them in who will bust a gut and sweat blood for the cause i no what i want …… GET LONG IN
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96 Wall Heath Baggie
I do agree with your Upson call if his wages could be lowered. Was on huge money at West Ham
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114 posts but no stats. Here goes: Saeson 2007/2008 3 goals in the Premierleauge. 8/9 – 9 goals in C C & cups. 9/10 – 9 goals in C C & cups. 10/11 – 23 goals in C C & cups. Only last season seems impressive, but to make a comparison, in the season 9/10 Dorrans scored 18 in C C & cups. Would like him to come, but not for 7 mill. Danish Baggie
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shane long was left out of irelands training session today to have his medical for his move to the mighty baggies ,hopefully everything will be done and dusted later today ,great news ,with odemwingie out we needed another striker asap and as much as i like to see us get a bargain sometimes you have to pay the going rate ,long can link up with cox we know that and wingie and also play up front on his own ,,this will be a great signing…also we are looking at taking dann on loan simular to fosters …get in there ,,staying up and going for europe ,oh yessssss the woy way of course….
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116 WBA78
“lets face it good or bad jp aint never lost money on anyone he moves on”
Scott Carson
Luke Moore
Leon Barnett
Gianni Zuiverloon
Borja Valero
Shall I continue?!
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Great news if true but my concern remains is odemwingie gonna stay or not. seems he doesnt want to play for us anymore, more interested in who comes in for him. hope i am wrong.
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Suppose we have to trust Hodgson if he thinks its worth a go.
Was thinking it was about time we broke our transfer record, not for the sake of breaking it but to show how far we have come and to make improvement.
Just wasn’t expecting to break that record on a mostly unproven championship player.
Would rather have Robbie Keane to be honest but I will trust the manager.
Im also hoping for an unknown diamond in the rough as we have come to expect.
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Long deal done. As long as no serious injury in internationals will be confirmed.long flying back to Ireland tonight
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To the Albion board, may I recommend a world class international for sale right now, young hungry ( for kfc), talented (sort of) and has scored in the prem, his name is Andy keogh, a snip at 6.5 million, and may prove as prolific as bully was for us!!!
On a serious note, dont worry bout 6 or 7 million for long, it may be nearer 4 mil and add ons, just like johnson was for us, quoted silly prices until calm was restored and a decent price agreed, think it will be the same for long.
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WHAT ARE MOST OF THE ALBION FANS COMPLAINING ABOUT SIGNING LONG FROM READING,I WANT HIM DOWN THE ALBION,WOLVES SIGNED 1 FROM READING NAMED DOYLE FOR 6MILLION FOR WHAT RETURN HOW MANY GOALS AS HE SCORED,LONG IS A FAR BETTER GOAL SCORER THAN DOYLE.SHIFNAL BAGGIE
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Has Odemwingie signed a new contract yet??
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£6-7m for Long sounds more like a dingle deal to me. I recon he will probably be a good addition and there is no doubt that he definately would be a squad improvement to Ish and MAF. But if the shoe was on the other foot, I do beleive that a lot of us, me included, would be mocking any Wulfie claiming to have sherwdly signed a world class international striker for £6-7m.
We could probably sign Crouch for £8m (although his wages would probably be a problem). But having said that, Roy has never given me any reason to doubt him at the Baggies. He did pay a lot for Kamara though.
Personally I will give him as gooder reception as any player as we all will. We just need to be patient and not expect an immediate return for our money. There’s gonna be a lot of pressure on the lad as it is, so opinions aside it’s time for me and any other doubters to support him if he turns out against the ManUre.
Come on you BAGGIES
BOing Boing
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Would be a good signing provided we don’t pay over the odds and I’m sure JP will ensure that is the case. I would also trust Roy’s judgement on players, he’s been n football long enough and knows a decent player when he sees one.
Another question, is it a coincidence that all those sayin Odemwingie is in his way are posters I’ve never seen before??? Mmmmm
Boing Boing!!
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Apologies for the poor spelling guys, me and my sausage fingers!!
Boing Boing!!
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(110)
Cantello,
Here’s me thinking the Dingles live on here, all the year round!.
(112)
Kof,
Ask Kevin Doyle, He will inform you of how Mick did. Kevin knows first hand.
(116)
Beevower,
I realise we have, But I don’t think it is humour, having fun with some-ones speech impediment. Sure I stated this the last time it was debated. So if it is O.K., I will still remind our own fans of this, as I expect us to have better standards, I’m not bothered about other fans. Thanks pal.
(120)
Whorcester,
Roy pal, ROY.
___________________________________________
Sorry, no golden oldie players such as Keane, Upson. Remember me touting for Kenny Miller?.
He scored for Cardiff against West Ham, and that is all he did, all the match. Hope I am forgiven.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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102. I was taking the mickey, why did you bother actually stating “I’m not an Albion fan”, you are posting on the Albion site not the Wolves one, we are clever enough to work out that you are not an Albion fan.
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Should of got DJ Campbell for £1.25mill 13 prem goals BARGIN!!!. 6
£6.5million skysports are quoting, Massive gamble.
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Looks like it’s all done and dusted. I wouldn’t be surprised if the initial transfer fee was, say, 4mil. Another 1 mil to Reading if he scores 10 goals plus and another 1 mil if we stay up. I’m happy with the gamble, we don’t gamble too often to be fair.
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you should do your homework on ebanks because i think you will find that in the champion ship he score over 25 goals in both seasons with wolves. im not saying he great but you should consider that before knocking
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£7 million is chicken feed.
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Beevower
Absolutely right in giving those examples, however you could probably do that for every football club in the country. I think overall, JP and the scouting network he’s overseen have come up trumps far more than having not done. On this occasion we’ve got to trust Roy Hodgson, if not then we may as well all vote for who the club should sign.
AMS
Great point about the wages. Young and hungry also a potential re-sellable value.
If we’d spread the £6m out over the 5 players we’ve signed, we’d all be saying what good business it was.
If spending £6m to get Roy’s no.1 target is what it takes to convince him we can match his ambition and persuade him to commit long-term, then it’s got to be a risk worth taking, whether Long is a success or not.
Final point- I’ve not heard 1 Reading fan yet say they’re happy to see him go.
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Don’t know Why some are quibbling about the surmised price of Shane Long. ALBION could have wasted £7m on Johnson from Birmingham.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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137. Warren – completely agree mate. Was just highlighting the fact that JP and WBA as a club have made some poor signings, especially the bigger money ones. Lets hope Long will buck that trend and will show us all he’s worth more than the £6/7m to be paid. In Woy we trust.
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128) I thought that too, but it was Lawrie Sanchez, not Roy who signed Kamara for Fulham.
136) Not in the real world its not, this isn’t fantasy football!
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It’s easy to pick fault with players who ‘didn’t come off’ and criticise the management. Valero, ENORMOUS skill, didn’t really want to be here. Too cold. Kamara, great skill, couldn’t be bothered using it.
Luke Warm, skill to die for, couldn’t be bothered. Zuiverloon, I’m lost with this one.
So what is the difference between those players and Mulumbu, Olsson and our successes?
Personality, application and a modicum of good luck. It’s always a gamble, some work, others don’t.
A small comment on David Mills. Quite a good player, grossly overpriced, couldn’t live with the publicity and expectations.
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(139)
PeePower,
Carry on like this and your new nom de guerre could stick, little lad.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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142 – JtH. You are entitled to your opinion, I respect that. However who are you to judge others regarding “standards”? It’s a tongue in cheek gag – no offence should be taken from it. As stated previously when this topic arose months ago I have a very good friend with a speech impediment and I’m all too aware of the implications and fall outs when people take things too far regarding this issue. However, we are still able to rib him in the same way he ribs me about my big nose and weight – we wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s called banter! A sense of humour and this type of banter provides camaraderie between friends and I believe that is essential in this life…..maybe you need to look at the whole picture and get off your high horse before jumping in and judging people you know nothing about.
If changing my name to PeePower helps you understand this then you fill your boots, I’ll be glad to have helped. However, at 6ft 4″ and 19 stone I very much doubt I’m the little lad between us!
Boing Boing
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93 Lonely.
As Rebecca enters the Vine to the accompaniment of the Star Wars theme.
It could be Stars in Their Eyes.
As she emerges from the smoke.
A shocked Max nudges Rocket.
Are you sure that’s not a bloke.
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143 Beevower.
At 6’4″ and 19 st I’ll be calling you Sir or any other name you want.
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(142)
Peepower,
How high is your horse, which gives you the right to ridicule peoples speech impediments whether they like it or not?. You do come over like a regular school bully.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Decent buy, cant say you overpaid in this climate.
Will be interesting to see if he can make the step up to Premeiership.
Why isnt Vela going back to Albion? Would like to see him at Wolves on a loan deal.
Charlie
ATLANTA WOLVES
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(41)
Odd Fellow,
If you have To open your mouth, get your facts right. Our striker £4.5m, Just to put you and the rest of the Dingles in the picture. How much was yours again, £7.5m. You’ve been done.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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I think as “gambles” go this is a good one, i like the look of shane long hes a hard worker good buy.
Oh and just seen latest transfer news and aparently Odemwingie is beening linked as a target for wigan I really hope he doesnt go and besides what can wigan offer that we cant we play the better more attractive football and were just a better club all round wigan is dull boring kick and rush and who ever they play they seem to be able to drag the opposition down to there level I mean really Odem would you really want to go play for some micky mouse club up there
Baggies Forever
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I see Hennessey was up to his old tricks against the aussies last night and with only dodgy de vries as back up them blunderers from the custard bowl have got it all wrong again.
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