Transfer Rumours - Summer 2011

[BonnieShels]

A country that talks about teams in the singular and plural within the same sentence.

Que?

I remember a particular heinous sentence in Australia (they are as guilty as the Yanks and the Canucks for it); In the Herald-Sun in Melbourne (ca. Oct 2005) there was an English soccer column and one weekend there was a preview of a Liverpool game: "Of course Liverpool is the European champion..."

[Charlie Darwin]

A lot of US commentators will say things like "Manchester United is playing out of their skins tonight!"

I work in music PR and you see the same thing from Americans in particular. "Coldplay has premiered their new song..."

[BonnieShels]

I get ya now!

[the doc]

wolves sign o'hara 5million, wouldn't be surprised if mick convinces him to declare in the near future

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_6998770,00.html

We dont need the likes of the O'Haras of this world, we only want players who are fully committed to playing for Eire.

We have proved that with the squad of committed players we have that we can be a match for any team.

[BonnieShels]

We dont need the likes of the O'Haras of this world, we only want players who are fully committed to playing for Eire.

We have proved that with the squad of committed players we have that we can be a match for any team.

That post is all kinds of wrong.

[irishfan86]

Update on Cian Hughton. He played the last nine minutes of the Vancouver Whitecaps' reserves 2-1 loss to the LA Galaxy reserves yesterday.

My initial feeling is that it was never the coach's desire to have him try out (it's the CEO's link with Chris Hughton from Spurs), and the fact he was only given nine minutes at the end of a match supports the thought that coach Tommy Soehn is just going through the motions "giving him a chance" to satisfy his boss.

If a team wants to sign a player surely they would give him more than a few minutes at the end of a game to have a proper look at him?

[dylanisgod]

A lot of US commentators will say things like "Manchester United is playing out of their skins tonight!"

I work in music PR and you see the same thing from Americans in particular. "Coldplay has premiered their new song..."

Actually, this is technically correct. The Irish Times would write "Fianna Fail is contemplating the news", not "Fianna Fail are contemplating".

It sounds wrong though, so the accepted usage is to use the plural - you'll only see it in sports reporting (but not in US sports reporting, as outlined above!)

[centre mid]

Westwood gone to Sunderland

[BonnieShels]

Westwood gone to Sunderland

Are you commanding him?

[Closed Account]

Stephen O'Halloran is training with Carlisle United.

http://www.carlisleunited-mad.co.uk/roll/ed16/sky_blue_for_once_with_ohalloran_arrival_683106/index.shtml

Actually he's just signed a pre contract.

http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10361~2381340,00.html


Following further talks today former-Coventry defender Stephen O'Halloran has signed a pre-contract agreement which will subsequently lead to the signing of a one-year deal, with an option for Carlisle United to extend that by a further year, on 1 August 2011.
O'Halloran, 23, was released by the Sky Blues this summer and will join the Cumbrians next week with a view to completing the deal ahead of the first game of the season.
Manager Greg Abbott said: "We think Stephen is a player with a bit of quality.
"He's had a fantastic upbringing in the game and he is one that has become available.

[Murfinator]

We dont need the likes of the O'Haras of this world, we only want players who are fully committed to playing for Eire.

We have proved that with the squad of committed players we have that we can be a match for any team.

I like how you condemn plastic, false players declaring for us then proceed to refer to the country as "Eire".

[Charlie Darwin]

Eire is the official name of the state. Take it up with De Valera.

[Irwin3]

Éire in irish, Ireland in english. It's not rocket science.

[TrapAPony]

Keith Treacy linked with Newcastle....
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Newcastle-enquire-about-Preston-winger-Keith-Treacy-article752259.html

[tommy_c12000]

Brighton in for Owen Garvan:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_7004290,00.html

IMO would be a good move for him. In Gus Poyet they have one of the most talented young managers in the game. I reckon he could thrive under his tutelage as Poyet likes his side to play football

[tommy_c12000]

Apparently a done deal for E250,000:

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Brighton-swoop-for-Crystal-Palace-midfielder-Owen-Garvan-article752235.html

Mixed reception from Palace fans: Majority of Palace fans seem to think that its good business but a good few also saying that they would prefer him to stay. Also Crawley Town were in with a E250,000 bid:

http://www.cpfc.org/forums/showthread.php?t=220866&page=11

[CraftyToePoke]

Brighton in for Owen Garvan:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_7004290,00.html

IMO would be a good move for him. In Gus Poyet they have one of the most talented young managers in the game. I reckon he could thrive under his tutelage as Poyet likes his side to play football

Funny how a non British/Irish manager seems to recognise something in him, he and McPhail would have maybe carved better careers on the continent, still not too late for Garvan I hope. Poyet's side do play lovely football, it will be interesting to see how this works out.

[TrapAPony]

McClaren to make Andrews and Reid his first signings at Notts Forest?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2008159/Nottingham-Forest-sign-Keith-Andrews-Andy-Reid.html

[tommy_c12000]

Newcastle in for Gibson now:

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Newcastle-plotting-to-hijack-Sunderland-s-move-for-Manchester-United-s-Darron-Gibson-article752444.html

[DannyInvincible]

McClaren to make Andrews and Reid his first signings at Notts Forest?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2008159/Nottingham-Forest-sign-Keith-Andrews-Andy-Reid.html


Steve McClaren will sign two Irish internationals from the Premier League this week for Nottingham Forest.

Who's the second one?

[dotts101]

is this a step back for andrews? is he a premier player now?

[dotts101]

andy reid, read the link

[DannyInvincible]

andy reid, read the link

Just pulling a leg.

[BonnieShels]

Danny, I think the term is "WHOOSH"

[Stuttgart88]

is this a step back for andrews? is he a premier player now?From an Ireland point of view, and from a near-term point of view, if Andrews plays every week for Forest it's better than playing half the time for Blackburn. We need all our first XI playing league football regularly by September.

[theworm2345]

Daniel Kearns scouted by Blackpool
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_7006041,00.html

[CraftyToePoke]

is this a step back for andrews? is he a premier player now?

Preferably he would play every week for Blackburn, always better to be measuring up at the higher level, failing that I suppose regular football in the level below will see him sharp and with the confidence of a player making the eleven each week.

[Noelys Guitar]

More on Long's possible move to Sunderland. Mind you it is the NOTW.
Irish NOTW
EXCLUSIVE by Garry Doyle

SUNDERLAND will launch an €8million bid for Shane Long this week.

The Black Cats have identified the Reading and Ireland striker as the man to replace Darren Bent, who left the club in January.

They face competition from Wolves, Everton, Newcastle and Liverpool. But Sunderland's chances of winning the chase have increased. Firstly, because they can offer Long €45,000-a-week wages - more than their rivals.

And they are also prepared to increase their offer to €10m if a bidding war begins.

But, most significantly, Steve Bruce will let Long know he will be first choice at the Stadium of Light - a guarantee not on offer elsewhere

[CraftyToePoke]

Its great to see him linked with Liverpool, CL football most likely in time, a club after trophies, but also a club who didnt drop all that dollar on Carroll and Suarez not to play them. After that, I hope its Everton, if they spent that amount, it suggests they have him in mind to start, also, they are established in the Prem, all the other sides mentioned are a bad start or a managerial calamity away from being relegation fodder.

Then again, its NOTW, as you say.

[Colbert Report]

Shane Long is a decent player but not worth ten million pounds! Seriously, ten million? What is the world coming to? He wasn't even the top scorer in the Championship last season! Trap chose to play Simon Cox instead of him just three weeks ago.

[irishfan86]

Funny to see the level of interest in Long compared to Keane given what their respective levels are alright....

[Supreme feet]

I agree that ten million is excessive, but Long's extra market value is down partly to his international form and the flashes of ability he showed in previous seasons in the EPL, and against EPL sides in the cup competitions. He has scored against Bolivia, Denmark, Russia, Norway and Uruguay for Ireland, along with goals against Liverpool and Villa in the FA Cup for Reading. This is considerably more than, say, Connor Wickham has achieved, and Ipswich are asking for upwards of eight million for him.

A similar figure to Doyle would be appropriate, but when names like Bayern and Liverpool are being thrown around, then the gossip-column asking price would naturally be higher. I'd imagine he'll go to a mid-table EPL club for about 6 million.

[magicman]

More on Sunderlands move for Long

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/sunderland-prepare-7m-euro-79-offer-for-long-2806388.html

[dr_peepee]

Shane Long is a decent player but not worth ten million pounds! Seriously, ten million? What is the world coming to? He wasn't even the top scorer in the Championship last season! Trap chose to play Simon Cox instead of him just three weeks ago.
It's 10 million Euro though... I'd say he'll move for about £5m... I thought he only had a year left on his contract though, and would drive it down a bit.. I read that Kenny is going to play a front 3 at Liverpool next year. I don't think long'd look out of place on the right of a front three.

[jbyrne]

Trap chose to play Simon Cox instead of him just three weeks ago.

each game has to be taken on its own merits. long had played in the play off about 5 days before the macadonia match, only linked up with the squad 4 days before and wasnt part of the build up friendlies at all. his performances for us in the spring are a better reflection of where he is at

[dr_peepee]

is this a step back for andrews? is he a premier player now?

He's gone up in my estimation lately.. I'd pegged the France performance as an exception. But his combative unfussed passion impresses me as well. On one level I'd like to see how he'd fair after a full pre season under Kean at Blackburn, but I think there's gonna be some turbulence at the club under these owners. I don't see Kean lasting a season. The fans haven't taken to Andrews either. A move to a new regime at a club with getting momentum, like Forrest, wouldn't be a bad thing.

[Yard of Pace]

The fans haven't taken to Andrews either..

That's an understatement of the year contender. They absolutely hate him! He got involved with one who was giving him stick or some such.

[Noelys Guitar]

Robbie possibly off the Blackburn http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/867507-robbie-keanes-spurs-career-to-end-with-blackburn-transfer

[TrapAPony]

Birmingham City boss Chris Hughton is lining up a raid on his former club Newcastle United for Leon Best.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_7004340,00.html

[Stuttgart88]

Robbie to Blackburn - please no!

Best to Brum - I'd be OK with that.

[dr_peepee]

Robbie to Blackburn - please no!

Best to Brum - I'd be OK with that.

I'd be surprised if either of those moves happen (dissapointed too in the case of the former.) I think Blackburn are ****** next year..

Best didn't really hit form for Newcastle til after Hughton left too.

[SkStu]

Shane Long is a decent player but not worth ten million pounds! Seriously, ten million? What is the world coming to? He wasn't even the top scorer in the Championship last season! Trap chose to play Simon Cox instead of him just three weeks ago.

the Colbert Report stamp of approval.

Love it. :)

[Charlie Darwin]

I haven't been keeping up to date on the latest Colbert Report stamp of approval literature, but if my algorithm is correct I think this means Long will sign for Manchester United for 20 million?

[CraftyToePoke]

Cant wait to see how he does, would love to see him pass Newcastle on his way up in a seasons time. With Leon Best on board as the Championships top marksman.



Birmingham City boss Chris Hughton is lining up a raid on his former club Newcastle United for Leon Best.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_7004340,00.html

Ah, the prophecy begins to unfold lads. Get on it now while the odds are still decent.

[Paddy Garcia]

I'd take that Andrews move with a pinch of salt.

[Stuttgart88]

I'd take that Andrews move with a pinch of salt.Yep, it'd be a hard one to digest alright.

[BonnieShels]

Yep, it'd be a hard one to digest alright.

No chance of him going to Liver...pool?

[Murfinator]

He's gone up in my estimation lately.. I'd pegged the France performance as an exception. But his combative unfussed passion impresses me as well.

How does one show "unfussed passion" =o

[SwanVsDalton]

Robbie Keane would probably be an example of fussy passion.

[Stuttgart88]

That makes an interesting spoonersim. I believe Brazilians are quite trendy.