Neill and his lack of ambition

[Martian]

Seems that Neill has turned us down in favour of West Ham's 50,000 pounds/week. This clearly demonstrates a lack of ambition and so we may be better of without him. Here's the link from the Times:

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,297-2553016,00.html

[Skillz]

Interesting we wouldnt pay 30k a week. that would tell him that he isnt seen as any thing more than cover for Finnan/CB for us. It is disappointing but he is in his prime and this contract is likely to be his biggest. If someoine else is prepared to pay 50k you cant really blame him.

 

I am sure he would prefer to come here but not to sit on the bench. I am mainly disappointed because i would of won $50 if he came to us.

[Ramón Benítez Hernández]

Greedy c*nt.

[_00_deathscar]

Strange characteristic in an Aussie that...lacking ambition.

[Guest Scot]

Not really bothered. He'd have been decent cover, chances are he realised that himself.

[micmij]

Just wondering why no-one else but the Times are reporting this? I would have thought that once his agent made the quote that it would be all over the wires - especially here in Australia!

[downunder]

Just wondering why no-one else but the Times are reporting this? I would have thought that once his agent made the quote that it would be all over the wires - especially here in Australia!

 

Guardian has a different stance as to how close the move is.

 

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1992967,00.html

[micmij]

Guardian has a different stance as to how close the move is.

So it comes full circle! If we don't sell Warnock to Blackburn then Neill doesn't get his dream move to West Ham - wonder what Rafa will do?

[difs.oner]

I don't blame him really. I mean he has not been getting paid that much his whole life so his last paycheck will have to be quiet large for him to retire comfortablly on. I mean it's not like Beckham who already made a s*** load of money or someone young like SWP who has his whole career ahead of him.

 

Alos could just be b******s maybe he wants more money but if he can't get it he might just sign.

[kop205]

He'll go to West Ham on a huge wedge, with a massive signing on fee, they'll get relegated, he'll activate a clause in his contract that says he can leave if they go down, and the whole process will start again as some other bunch of mugs come in for him. Always thought he was a c*** anyway.

 

Or he'll come to us now, in which case he is a great player and a fine human being.

[Rimbeux]

Know what, things have changed in the past 10 or so days. We've had quite a few (10?) games shaved off our season, 15 league games and the CL to go in the next 16 weeks, might well cope

[RafaShanks]

Guardian has a different stance as to how close the move is.

 

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1992967,00.html

 

Posted my opinions on Neill in the transfer thread. Interesting snippet in the Guardian article though (if true of course):

 

Liverpool are exploring the possibility of signing the veteran Argentina centre-half Roberto Ayala from Valencia until the end of the season. The 33-year-old, a mainstay of Rafael Benítez's hugely successful side at the Mestalla, is expected to join Villarreal at the end of the season when his contract expires.

 

 

 

 

RAFA ANGER AT 'LUCASH'

 

EXCLUSIVE

 

By David Maddock & John Cross

 

LIVERPOOL boss Rafa Benitez blasted Lucas Neill after he turned down Champions League football at Anfield to double his money at relegation-haunted West Ham.

 

The Blackburn defender headed for a medical in London after Alan Curbishley offered him a £60,000- a-week deal. Benitez was stunned by the decision after Liverpool offered £25,000 a week, although the deal would have been reviewed once he was established.

 

Neill indicated he was keen on a "dream" switch to Liverpool, and insisted then that he would ignore overtures from the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle.

 

Benitez, who will now approach Valencia to take Roberto Ayala on loan, said: "If he thinks about the move too long, then maybe that tells us that he is not the sort of player we want."

 

However, Neill, 28, could be left high and dry by his decision. Blackburn had agreed to swap Neill with Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock. With Liverpool almost certain to withdraw their offer of Warnock, it leaves Neill sweating on his future.

 

West Ham's spending was set to continue last night with Spurs defender Calum Davenport poised to move in a £3m deal.

 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html

 

Ayala also mentioned in the Mirror article. Love the headline btw.

[Cunny]

Neill can feck off if that's his attitude.

Hope he enjoys playing Championship football next season.

[mercury]

he'll come in handy but not a big loss anyway.

[psl]

We're surely going to sign either a centre back or a right back though. Finnan can't play every game from now on.

[Stew F]

Know what, things have changed in the past 10 or so days. We've had quite a few (10?) games shaved off our season, 15 league games and the CL to go in the next 16 weeks, might well cope

Agreed. Also the DIC money in summer will bound to have an impact in short term "fixes" such as Neil. I would like to see more of Rafa's squad building with quality signings. No offence Neill - but dont let the door etc...

 

Did I hear somewhere that Warnock preferred a move to Newcastle anyway

[Guest Kev]

I think it will be very difficult for Neill to move to Anfield now, if not impossible.

 

Fully back Rafa over this.

[aka Dus]

He's living down perfectly to what I have always thought about him.

 

No loss.

[anny road]

We're surely going to sign either a centre back or a right back though. Finnan can't play every game from now on.

 

No but carragher can play right back

[honourablegeorge]

I think it will be very difficult for Neill to move to Anfield now, if not impossible.

 

Fully back Rafa over this.

 

 

 

Shame we haven't got the player, but delighted we've stood our ground.

 

Ayala on loan would mean Carragher as cover right back though. Don't really want that, for a numebr of reasons.

[dorgie]

West Ham = the next Leeds United

 

How lucky are we to have Finnan and long may he stay fit. He adapts so easily to the "wing back" role too.

Edited January 18, 2007 by dorgie

[psl]

No but carragher can play right back

 

Yeah that's why I said a centre back or a right back.

[anny road]

Yeah that's why I said a centre back or a right back.

 

 

if press reports are true then Ayala is your centre back

[_00_deathscar]

 

if press reports are true

 

then I'm a monkey's uncle.

[Rimbeux]

We're surely going to sign either a centre back or a right back though. Finnan can't play every game from now on.

 

We've not got that many games left, injury permitting he should have no problem