Ho hum....

[Prenn]

I hate this part of the year.

As it stands it looks like none of Sams transfer targets, including Laville and Campo, are on their way here. We'll wait and see but I'm not as optimistic as I was a month ago.

[negativetouch]

Sam needs to come off it then. If all Laville wants is another year or two on the contract, who cares? Get it done. I'd hate not to have Campo next year. How far apart are they on the money? Is it so much that it's not worth it?
The Greek sounds like a good signing. Bolton should get a lot of goals out of midfield but where is the striker they so obviously need? I thought Sam had money for transfers. What is the problem?

[Prenn]

Good news about Laville, the rumours are that the deal should be wrapped up later this week. We'll be paying £775,000 for him.

You're right, we desperately need a striker and I'm sure Sam's got someone in mind. It would really really surprise me if we started the season without a new one.

[Mario]

Dont want to be sarcastic Im just curious, how did it Ivan Campo last season?

[Prenn]

Originally posted by Mario
Dont want to be sarcastic Im just curious, how did it Ivan Campo last season?

In defence he cost us about 9 goals through poor play, in midfield he was outstanding. He's a superb defensive midfielder and will be a loss if he signs for Sporting. He's great at breaking up play, sometimes he's a little too hesitant and can lose posession but he's got good vision and passing as well. He was one of our players of the season due to the last 3 months.

[Mario]

cool! it seems RM players succeeded in other positions when they went on loan, Geremi Njitap for example, played as Defensive Mid in 'Boro and were a defender in RM and now I realize the same about Campo.

[Prenn]

Originally posted by Mario
cool! it seems RM players succeeded in other positions when they went on loan, Geremi Njitap for example, played as Defensive Mid in 'Boro and were a defender in RM and now I realize the same about Campo.

It's probably because of Madrid's excessively talented midfield, there's nowhere else to play him. Also if Campo is the standard of defenders that Real are (were) signing then no wonder they have defensive problems.

[Mario]

Actually he went to madrid in 99 (from Mallorca where he had a magnificent season) as a major signing, but lost form, he became a very bad CB.

[Prenn]

Originally posted by Mario
Actually he went to madrid in 99 (from Mallorca where he had a magnificent season) as a major signing, but lost form, he became a very bad CB.

I find it hard to believe he was ever a very good CB ;)

[Mario]

He WAS pretty good! :D

[Prenn]

Originally posted by Mario
He WAS pretty good! :D

Yeah, yeah ;)

[USKiwi]

Well, doesn't matter now as we've withdrawn our offer after problems with his agent. Looking on the positive side, maybe that will free resources for Laville?

[Prenn]

Originally posted by USKiwi
Well, doesn't matter now as we've withdrawn our offer after problems with his agent. Looking on the positive side, maybe that will free resources for Laville?

Laville's due to sign this week, the Campo deal had no bearing on it at all.

I'm going to write an update later :)

[negativetouch]

Andre has signed also. I liked what I saw of him at the end of the season.
Hopefully Campo's agent will realize that he is the only person who thinks Ivan is worth what he's asking and he'll end up back at Bolton where he seemed to like playing.

[Prenn]

Originally posted by negativetouch
Andre has signed also. I liked what I saw of him at the end of the season.
Hopefully Campo's agent will realize that he is the only person who thinks Ivan is worth what he's asking and he'll end up back at Bolton where he seemed to like playing.

Campo will not be coming at all, Sam's angry about it.

IMHO there are people out there who can do a job as good, if not better, than Campo and for less money. We just need to sign them.

Laville's not signed yet and neither has Andre but both are due to sign this week. Laville permanently and Andre on a year long loan with, presumably, an option to buy at the end.

Things are still slow though and where the fook is our new striker? ;)