srsmithusa

Well, there goes my "we're already secretly sold" theory. I'm changing to my "we'll NEVER be sold and will be playing in schoolboy league in 2 years." I figure if it get's shattered within days, like my last theory, we're in good shape.

Actually it would make a lot of sense to delay it, if the new owner was somehow able to sanction/fund spending in the meantime. The second we get new owners you can guarantee that selling clubs will bump up the asking price quoted to us for players. At the moment we're seen as paupers and as such that actually puts us in a better bargaining position. Saying that I don't believe it. I actually wrote a post here yesterday, then deleted it before posting. I have a feeling we are already sold, but delaying the announcement. The problem is, I couldn't think of any reason that would be the case. Something about the whole situation smells "funny" or false. I know many think the aroma is just that the whole situation stinks. But I just keep feeling there is something of a facade. If the deal was done, but being kept secret for some reason, a lot o things that don't make sense to me, suddenly do make sense. Then this merson tale.... I'm not one for jumping to any conclusions, but I just have to say that this, to me, would explain a lot of mysteries.

I suspect we are letting some key players and their agents find the best salary offers they can from other clubs. Then we can match or barely exceed that. Or, if the deal is just crazy money, sell. It's a way to make sure you don't pay way over market value salaries, which we did for far too long, which is why we are cash strapped now. Let others do the value setting for you.

It may not be a lot of money. But the club is signing some contracts which equal financial commitment into the future. I thought letting Albrighton go was an indication that we were far away from any deal, and unwilling to make any financial commitments that might not be what the next owner(s) want. Saw that posted in this thread as well IIRC. But if that meant no sale was in sight, then logically, this should equally indicate that some sort of deal is in process and potential buyers have stamped at least tentative approval on a few deals. Again, I don't know anything, just reading the tea leaves. Which, in the absence of any information, is about all we have left.

I'll send the recipe if you like. But while we're waiting for my rich cousins to swoop in, does anybody think that three signings this week (Gardner, Robinson, Keane) mean that there is some progress on the sale?

Jeez, Give us a minute to mourn! We'll bring our unearned wealth along, soon enough. (I'm not in the know about anything except my breakfast this morning... egg casserole, oatmeal, coffee, if your curious)

I think Guzan is great, has better reactions and more aggressive coming off the line to control the box. But I still start howard. the back 4 for the US is always leaky and weak. Howard does a better job of coaching them, chewing them out, making them better. It's actually the only part of the game I think he's better. But it's a part we NEED someone to do. love the chart above. makes me feel much more encourage, although I said before it all started that there was no possible way we would get out of the group.

both sides seem well equipped

Referee forums are saying Geiger had a very good match on gre-col. I only saw the second half, but player communication was excellent, firm when needed, laughing when it would work better.

I'd be saudified with any owner who will pump in oil the support we need to be entertaining and competitive.

Once you get to a certain level of rich those are the same thing. Sadly, I don't know whether that's true or not. I suspect not.

Penguin. Not looking for a quarrel and you may be right, but you agree Brazil had a lot more possession and that the foul count was high with Croatia fouling more, you saw the latter as a consequence of the former, and it saw it as a tactical decision. Is that possible? Again, I don't think it was true the entire match just the period between 1-1 and 2-1. I don't blame Croatia. If you can "keep the samba from playing," you can keep Brazil grounded. I will bet that if Brazil lose a match this tournament, it will be to a side that fouls often. EDIT: foul count was 5 - 21

An interesting theory. I prefer the much simpler "his vision was impeded by another Croatian player" - something that the replay seems to suggest - especially as I thought he did well apart from this call. If a replay suggests it, I will agree. I didn't see a replay that indicated that,,,,,, in that case, it comes back to poor positioning.

Nashimura impressed in South Africa in 2010. He earned a quarterfinal assignment. (Where iirc he sent off a Brazilian player.). I did not see the 2013 confederations cup,, but reportedly he did well last summer as well. However, after about 10 minutes it seemed that he did not feel quite himself.... The heat? He stayed more narrow than I have ever seen, and he anticipated play incorrectly much more often than when I have watched him in the past. After the match was tied, IMO Croatia would have been happy with a tie and played to foul the game to a halt. Not brutal fouls, but repeated, tacky fouls, Frankly it was working as Brazil was frustrated for a long period of time.... Until the PK. Clearly, a bad call, but his position was strange, he was on the right wing side of the attack, Really unorthodox, this same ref, 4 years ago, would have been on left side of penalty arc or even farther to left wing. From that position he would have had a much better angle. But ultimately, I don't think he missed the call because of his position. I think he was responding to the Brazilian justified frustration at persistent infringement. I think he knew he was missing it, and that played on his mind. That's my best theory and I get paid to discern what's going on in people's heads. To be clear, I would be certain the fell pressure was unconcious. But when you're in a big match and you know one team is getting frustrated at PI you are not addressing, you do realize that your missing something key and helping the "criminals". In that moment, you are susceptible to a gift. After that, the game changed and he let a lot go both ways. Croatia certainly has every right to feel aggrieved, Neymar got the glory, but Oscar was brilliant, and Luis stopped more goals than either of them scored. Both goal keepers were abominable. I won't take the time to watch it again, but Modric seemed strangely far from the ball. I am curious why, did Brazil mark him out? Anyway, my theory of the reason for tha bad call is just my theory, if I were the match inspector I would believe it unless/until the referee gave me a better theory. Once Croatia gets past the frustration, I think they'll actually feel a little encouraged about their chances in the group.

Lambert does. Worst football to watch in the Premier League bar none. Makes Pulis look like Guardiola. Is that why our fans were chanting Lambert's name while he was still at Norwich?

I agree with the vagueness of the statement, but if you look back at the third paragraph it pretty much confirms that the takeover will not happen imminently. Lerner wrote - "On a practical level, the Club will continue with its normal operations and plans for the summer." - This has been backed up by the Senderos and Cole signings. I do not think there was a deal lined up when that statement was published. That doesn't confirm anything. It's just common sense really. You always plan things as normal no matter how sure you are about a takeover - it would be absolutely stupid not to. In fact, I think the brevity of that statement is a strong indicator that a deal was close. If there is not deal on the near horizon, you MUST emphasize in your statement that the club will continue to.....work efficiently toward a more successful season next year.....staff and player needs will be assessed and addressed.... resources to improve the team are better having held down costs..... blah, blah blah. even if it's all BS you MUST say it and emphasize it in order to keep at least an appearance of stability. The fact that he didn't emphasize the steps being taken to keep the club moving forward was, to me, solid evidence that he didn't expect this limbo to last long. In addition to the fact that the rest sounded like a sad, sentimental farewell..... not a business announcement of a sale.

this, this, a thousand times, this !!!

Why would I want to?

I don't get why some people are so gullible. There's a rumor, probably started on some bullshit twitter feed and a few pick it up and pass it on, next thing you know it's gospel truth and it's completely made up crap. All we know for sure is that the club official site says nothing at all about Joe Cole (or any other new signing after Sendross) the rest is just baseless hope. Unless Kwan confirms it of course..... oh, wait, sorry, thought I was in the takeover thread! maybe

i would be shocked if Ronaldo is anywhere within sight on Wednesday. But also shocked if he doesn't start once the games matter.

Brazil and croatia

USA looked much better organized against Nigeria than they have all along. Now idea what kinsman told them was the set up, but they played like a 4-2-1-3. Very strange, but it seemed to work pretty well. They got width from the wingbacks and or one of the front three. The front three were very fluid with Jozy more forward than Clint, and bedoya just popping up anywhere. If kilnsmann. Keeps a back 4 with two holding in front of them, we might just be able to pull a clean sheet or two, It all kinda fell apart when he changed it up by inserting a third center back. Nigeria played free forwards, but couldn't do anything. Nigeria should have probably shifted and tried to attack more from the wings. The interviewers and announcers really wanted Jozy to express how happy and relieved he was to get off his duck, but he wouldn't go for it. his line was that he'd always been confident, felt he was doing well and the team played really well today and gave him some nice chances, there was no great tension or despair from which he needed relieved. The wrap up pundit completely ignored his answer and just pretended he gave them the story line they wanted. I still don't think we'll get out of the group, but if can keep clean sheets, we always have a chance.

Ahh, thanks Isa.

Go on... About €175m or $240m Seriously, that's your answer? A currency conversion? Let's be more precise, why did you write £143m?

What's your dishonest opinion?