The Mail Bag
Andy Johnson
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Like more or less everyone else, I am left to speculate what is really happening behind the scenes regarding transfers and how much Moyes has available to spend.
The ongoing speculation regarding Andy Johnson is seen by many as indicative that we haven't got a pot to piss in. Maybe so.
Nobody seems to have put forward the possibility that David Moyes has simply decided to sell him? AJ has had a lot of injuries and watching him last season he did seem to be playing through a barrier more often than not, maybe mental as a result of the systematic character assassination begun by Mr Warnock, or maybe physical due to being unable to fully shrug off his injury problems. I
In one away game towards the end of last season, Moyes could clearly be seen and heard frustratedly castigating him loudly for not getting forward quickly enough, apologies for being unable to recall which game although the incident stuck in my mind.
Maybe, just maybe, Moyes has decided that AJ has peaked and it is wise to sell now while his stock is relatively high. Maybe in 6 month's time he will be on West Ham's injury list, again, and Curbishley will be using him as another excuse for a miserable season.
Obviously this is all mere speculation, but then so is everything else contributed on the subject at present and it seemed worthwhile offering a viewpoint which nobody else seems to have considered in any depth.
The fact we appear to be hawking a major saleable asset doesn't bode well, but just for once maybe it is simply a case of the manager deciding to sell a player for purely football rather than financial reasons. Time will tell...
Rob Fox, Posted 10/07/2008 at 00:36:41
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Moyes could just be trying to increase the fee we will receive for AJ and only wants him to leave for a big fee. Just one week ago he was rumoured to leave for £8 mil, it went to £8.5 mil, then £9.5 mil, then £10 mil and as far as I know the latest rumours are he will go to Wigan for £11 mil. Of course these are all rumours, but if Moyes stated he wanted AJ to leave the price would drop with a few millions I reckon. So he’s claiming AJ is an integral part of the team to hold out for that axtra million or two.
Of course this is all speculation as well.
Of course this is all speculation as well.
If I had a penny for every time I heard the line about a player being pele in traning....
I’d have 15p.
AJ is mediocre, no matter what Rodwell says..
I’d have 15p.
AJ is mediocre, no matter what Rodwell says..
I remember saying in a post at the end of last seaon that AJ didn't fit into the style of play Moyes was playing as it was not to AJ strengths either and I suggested that if that actually was the case then the club would be better off cashing in and getting someone who would fit into the 4-5-1 system Moyes seems to relish.
IF the speculation is correct then I would expect that DM is just doing a sharp bit of business with what he has.
At the moment AJ could be a luxury Moyes would be happy to do without.
Personally, I think having AJ adds to our options up front significantlly. Vic and Yak aren?t exactly the fastest things on the planet and neither has great ball control. AJ gives the pace, its just a shame he ends up in corners and channels but I suspect thats more a result of being told what to do rather than playing his natural game.
IF the speculation is correct then I would expect that DM is just doing a sharp bit of business with what he has.
At the moment AJ could be a luxury Moyes would be happy to do without.
Personally, I think having AJ adds to our options up front significantlly. Vic and Yak aren?t exactly the fastest things on the planet and neither has great ball control. AJ gives the pace, its just a shame he ends up in corners and channels but I suspect thats more a result of being told what to do rather than playing his natural game.
Don’t worry boys, Phil’s got it under.
?I?m sure the manager will strengthen the squad but I?m more looking forward to getting Tim Cahill back because we missed him for four or five months of the season. Bainesy missed part of it and we probably didn?t see enough of Mikel Arteta after Christmas because of his injury.
?These types of players are going to be like new players for us next season.?
?I?m sure the manager will strengthen the squad but I?m more looking forward to getting Tim Cahill back because we missed him for four or five months of the season. Bainesy missed part of it and we probably didn?t see enough of Mikel Arteta after Christmas because of his injury.
?These types of players are going to be like new players for us next season.?
Rob that is exactly what it is, we are cashing in an expendable asset, a well over-priced one at that. Nothing to do with needing to, it’s just a good sense decision.
It?s a fairly big "if" but if Vaughan stays fit then I think he?s a better player than AJ. I also think Moyes has a valuation of AJ that would twist his arm and if he doesn?t get it he?s happy to keep him, hence he?s right he?s saying that he?s an important member of the squad. Everyone has their price.
One for the rumour mongers (of which there are plenty on here!).... Round signed to be the manager for when Moyes leaves at the end of summer to avoid affecting season ticket sales? (Before anyone has a dig, I DON?T believe that to be the situation.)
One for the rumour mongers (of which there are plenty on here!).... Round signed to be the manager for when Moyes leaves at the end of summer to avoid affecting season ticket sales? (Before anyone has a dig, I DON?T believe that to be the situation.)
Just seen an article about Arshavin where is agent as confirmed that there's clubs interested in him that are trying to sell players on first to come up with the funds to purchase Arshavin and once that happens things with Arshavin will start picking up! True, this could be a load of bollocks but could it be that these rumours about AJ being subject to bids that have arisen in the last week even after Moyesy said AJ wasn't for sale coincide with Arshavin?s agents comments? Is Moyes trying to get as much money as he can for AJ so that he can persue his interest in Arshavin? Like I say, it could be a load of rubbish or it could just be a bit of a coincidence... you just never know, I wish it was a coincidence because he?d be a great replacment!
Stop talking about Arshavin!! We're not going to get him!! It's depressing me enough as it is cos if we had of moved fast we could of had him!! Anyway, AJ's not going nowhere ? he's class.
Arshavin?s agent said there are only four clubs in England he would consider and they are the four in the Champions League. Stop dreaming Aide!
In any event, I would not want him for a big fee given how he dissapeared when it mattered in the SF against Spain. Can?t see him making the difference for us against the top 4 with that tendancy to go into his shell when the going gets tough.
I see that Steve Round is also bigging up AJ on the official site:
?It?s very different from club to club,? he explained.
?Each club I have been at has very different pre-seasons. Some are very scientific, some are more old-school, it all depends on the culture and tradition.?
Round also informed us that training sessions are aimed at the fittest players in the squad ? like Andrew Johnson ? and that everyone else must measure up.
?The manager has always stated that he trains to the fittest, so the young boys have to come and and try and mix it,? he said.
?AJ is sharp and quick and he looks in good nick.?
I can only conclude that the board are trying to sell him to raise funds and that the manager wants to keep him. Interesting few weeks ahead.
In any event, I would not want him for a big fee given how he dissapeared when it mattered in the SF against Spain. Can?t see him making the difference for us against the top 4 with that tendancy to go into his shell when the going gets tough.
I see that Steve Round is also bigging up AJ on the official site:
?It?s very different from club to club,? he explained.
?Each club I have been at has very different pre-seasons. Some are very scientific, some are more old-school, it all depends on the culture and tradition.?
Round also informed us that training sessions are aimed at the fittest players in the squad ? like Andrew Johnson ? and that everyone else must measure up.
?The manager has always stated that he trains to the fittest, so the young boys have to come and and try and mix it,? he said.
?AJ is sharp and quick and he looks in good nick.?
I can only conclude that the board are trying to sell him to raise funds and that the manager wants to keep him. Interesting few weeks ahead.
Clubs selling players to fund other transfers is nothing new Rob, The RS are doing it, Spurs are doing it, we might be doing it as well; personally I dont see it as a problem, merely keeping the merry-go-round of players turning. AJ may well have had his day with us, if (yeah IF) we can get Vaughany fit, then with him & the Yak plus Anichebe (I know he’s awful!) along with Cahill fit again, we still have goals in the squad.
AJ Is worth more than his goals I know, but selling him to fund new players might end up being a blessing - lets not forget what happened when Rooney left eh...
AJ Is worth more than his goals I know, but selling him to fund new players might end up being a blessing - lets not forget what happened when Rooney left eh...
James, you compare it to Rooney’s transfer, so if AJ goes to Wigan we’ll get a reserve player of Wigan each season? :-)
So then Dave you wouldnt have Arshavin who went missing in one game versus spain, fair does it was a big semi final and dont forget he put some shift in the game before vs. Holland (and in that game i thought Arshavin proved he could do it vs. the big teams) but you would rather have AJ who went missing for lot longer periods last season and times before that?!
You know full well what I mean Erik. :)
If what you surmise is right Rob, why would the manager state on the website that AJ will definitely not be leaving? "I'm looking forward to working with him again," etc, etc...It does seem as though someone is trying to disrupt him, as every transfer window he is "definitely" signing for someone else, usually West Ham.
I would sell him as long as we get a better replacement, I am sure Moyes has realised you cannot regard someone who takes months to get his confidence back after a bit of a blow and for all his hard work he does, his confidence is far too easily shattered for someone who wants to be a top notch forward.
He deserves a good thanks for his services but we need better if we are to move up IMHO.
He deserves a good thanks for his services but we need better if we are to move up IMHO.
If Moyes is forced to get rid of players to raise funds to BUY players where does that leave the team and Moyes? If all these rumours are true, and I was Moyes, I’d be off to a club who would give me the funds to just BUY players not sell to BUY and build a winning team that way. Moyes has proved himself to be able to cut it at the top for 6 years and anyone who can’t see that needs to get down to Specsavers asap. Like him or loathe him for whatever, he’s delivered the goods. The only thing lacking on his Premiership CV is a trophy. If the Club had the funding to give instead of hocking everything in sight (12 debts??) Maybe, just maybe Moyes could deliver that elusive trophy. Better with EFC than anywhere else.
As for Johnson, I like him as a person and a player who WANTS to stay and play and win. A mercenary he ain’t.
As for Johnson, I like him as a person and a player who WANTS to stay and play and win. A mercenary he ain’t.
Aide,
I have not said anywhere that I would rather have AJ than Arshavin. I would bite anyone?s hand off who will give us £10 million for AJ. I am just not sure that David Moyes feels the same.
Arguing over Arshavin is a moot point as we have zero chance of signing him. You are right that he was exceptional against Holland and also against Sweden. However when his team were struggling in the game against Spain he crawled into his shell. There is a reason this boy is 27 and still playing in the Russian league...
I have not said anywhere that I would rather have AJ than Arshavin. I would bite anyone?s hand off who will give us £10 million for AJ. I am just not sure that David Moyes feels the same.
Arguing over Arshavin is a moot point as we have zero chance of signing him. You are right that he was exceptional against Holland and also against Sweden. However when his team were struggling in the game against Spain he crawled into his shell. There is a reason this boy is 27 and still playing in the Russian league...
Talking of getting AJ's replacement before selling him, where the hell is Faddy's replacement?
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1 Posted 10/07/2008 at 08:13:18
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I was interested by this snippet from Jack Rodwell?s tour diary on the official website:
"One thing that stuck out for me today was the sharpness of AJ. He is so quick and has such good technique that you appreciate even more when you watch it close up. In some of the possession retaining exercises involving 4-a-side teams AJ was invaluable because he used his pace and awareness to always be in space waiting for the ball."
I?m assuming that this piece was cleared by David Moyes before publication, and it gave me the distinct impression that this was a little message from David Moyes to whoever is planting the stories in the press back home.
Clearly we do not have a pot to piss in at the moment, and it would appear therefore that someone has decided that selling AJ is the best way of raising funds. Whether that is the manager or the chairman remains to be seen!
One thing that is for certain is that David Moyes has been back at work for over a week now and his new contract remains unsigned.