Probably equal bollox as the NOTW Dyer story below.

Nonetheless, planetfootball.com seem to be suggesting that both the Zenden and Robert transfers could be back on, the former because Chelsea have snubbed him and the latter because there are hints to that effect on Robert's website, though no-one has as yet translated them accurately enough to tell for sure.

The question is: would we want them any more? I would reckon no to Zenden but yes to Robert: in his case it seems to be the two clubs, rather than the transfer target, who have been fekking us about.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

Answers

Well, I guess the lure of a team that just won 4-0 away in Europe is too much for both Zenden and Robert to ignore. Do we really need gloryhunters like this?

To be honest, I'm torn bewtween saying "stuff 'em" and "yes please". Clearly YBR rates them or he wouldn't have wasted so much time and effort. I think he will have to be convinced a to the players' attitudes. Certainly Zenden seems to have been lees than keen, tho how much is personal and how much down to his agent, I dunno.

But we have been bitten too many times by mercenary Johnnies in the past - we must be sure of their motives and motivation. I trust YBR on this score.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

We NEED a left midfielder so I'm hapy to welcome glory hunting french frogs or whatever comes our way and is better then Paul Murray.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

The answer is simple. Do what is best for the club. Their reluctance to join has to be weighed in the balance against their skills and our needs.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

It's not their reluctance to join which bothers me so much as their attitude once they're here (sorry, if). But you're right Flo. The club's need is the overriding factor. Hopefully, YBR will be able to decide. I don't think I'd want FS deciding on his own.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

as I said before.. if they are not willing to give 1000% to the B&W then stuff 'em... If these boys sign the had better put out the goods.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

FS deciding on his own? Maybe he is the problem. Is he the right person to sell the club or the area to prospective players? I seem to recall nothing but derogatory comments about the North East if reports of his past antics were true. Don't you think that every time he walks into another boardroom or begins talks with agents and players there will be knowing winks -- 'this really is the guy who ......' Judging by his recent record he can scarely be called a stunning success in bringing new talent.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

Keegan made special mention of FS's help in getting the big stars.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

So Bobby's curious press conference last week might pay off. It was odd to do a full media job, but not to announce a major signing, to have a grumble instead. Maybe he was calling their bluff, saying the deals were dead. Of course Chelsea may be bluffing Zenden to get him to reduce his demands.

Do we want them anymore? I wish we could tell them to bluff-off, but sadly we're desperate and we need them.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

Zenden is not to be trusted anymore. It looks like Chelsea have told him where to stick it after they thought they had done the deal with him. Only £20,000 a week according to the Saturday Times. He would have got more from us though. Serves him right for stalling on the deal we offered him. We definately should not be groveling back to him. For Robert it seems to be a case of the clubs being unable to agree the method of payment of tranfer fee. We could do with some one of his creative ability and calibre. Hope this one comes good yet.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

Keep this in perspective. Both of these guys are nearly completely unknown. Everything we have is via rags and raggy web pages. I'm not that bothered at their apparent reluctance to join us - I don't think that necessarily means they wouldn't pull their weight if they did join us, even if past history might suggest otherwise.

I'd give Bobby the benefit of the doubt of knowing what he's doing, for the time being. I happen to believe we shouldn't get shot of Dyer whatever his whinges, and it would be worth taking a chance with both Robert and Zenden, or anybody else even slightly noteworthy, even just to shut Dyer up, if in fact all the crap emanates from him directly, rather than as sh1t stirred up by the sh1tty n.o.w.

You never know, players who look as though they're hum-ing and ha-ing might eventually sign and then find that it isn't so bad playing for us. The season's still about four weeks away, these 2 bob games are really just a bonus we didn't think we'd get, IMO, of much more value than friendlies, but still a bonus. And I'd be surprised at anybody coming for Dyer while he's still a crock.

We may be forced to eat our words as far as Bellamy is concerned, I hope so. Let's not start on Dyer.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

1.lets hope Bellend is the nuts 2.if dyer wants away.sell. 3.show him what he's missing.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

Excellent comments from Screach & Flo in particular. It's so important to discover the player's motivation. Clearly, the 2 mentioned don't bleed black & white but then again that's no reason to assume that they are clones of Anelka/Domi. But where do their hearts lie on the spectrum between these extremes? It must be quite difficult to judge.

I've no idea how these transfers are conducted. I trust that at some stage in the proceedings the agent is locked out of the room and then you get to speak to your potential employee one-to-one? Can you bring in a psychologist? Lie-detection equipment? Considering what wou're paying these would seem to be a minimum requirement.

I guess you'd be unable to use lie-detection equipment on the agent due to the danger of the machine overheating ...

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

Brain scans could be a big help - just to ensure they have one!!

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

With individual work place agreements there is nothing wrong with placing conditions in the contract.

If you ask for a transfer, if you do not play you go on mimimum wage, say 200 quid a week.

If you cannot get into the first team after say 6 months your wage drops by 50% and you can look for another club while at the 50% level, not down to the minimum level etc etc

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

Would that such terms could be introduced Gus - naturally, no player or agent would ever accept such conditions.

Be a great idea if FIFA could insist on similar clauses being introduced, then all the clubs would be competing on an equal basis. I expect FIFA is the only organisation that could curtail player power which is now far too great.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

As I understand it, the new EU Transfer Rules provide for players to only be required to hounour either the first year, or first 2 years, of their Contracts, which can be up to 5 years. I believe the difference is something to do with their age.

Does this make any sense to anyone else? What is the point of 5-year Contract that the player is only required to honour for 1 or 2 years? Even worse, when they are over 23 - or is it 25? - they become Free Agents and the club then get's no compensation/tranfer fee.

Assuming I've understood it all correctly, this nonsense will create even more mayhem and less loyalty than there is today. The situation is entirely loaded towards the players - a sure recipe for choas and potentially serious financial damage within the game.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

As has been mentioned elsewhere, Laurent Roberts' deal got stuck on his wage demands, not between the clubs. As for Zenden, his agent (who is his father) was the overiding factor in him not joining us.

Personally I'd love Zenden to join us. At Euro 200 the outstanding left wingers were Zenden and Gronkaejer. Robert is relatively unkown to me, apart from him being on the fringes of his national team.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

Wow you remember Euro 200? Tre? ;)) that makes you older than......Pit Bill!!! ;))

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001

Don't be silly Gav. Obviously he meant he'd seen the videos.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001

Heffoff 'Erron, you can be very 'urtful when you want. :-((

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001

Ahh you know I don't mean it..... :))

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001