Speculation Billy Sharp

[Durham Fox]

I agree, in both cases, but neither team ditched the 'buy success' approach and indeed, how else is success (in professional football) achieved these days?

In this division, far more often by building a team over a number of seasons than tossing millions and millions at it. For instance, take Swansea. The team that beat Arsenal the other day contained 7 players from their promotion season and the enitre squad of players on show cost less than £6M. Who went up with them? Norwich. How? By capitalising on their promotion season with a squad of cheaply assembled players with a point to prove, who were hungry for success.

On to this season and who are leading the way? Southampton. Have they spent heavily to get there? No. Neither have Reading, Hull or Boro. West Ham have a very capable squad left over from their premiership days and Cardiff have spent heavily in days gone by but are doing just as well without the big name players and higher wage budget. Some might say better.

 

[indierich06]

I agree, in both cases, but neither team ditched the 'buy success' approach and indeed, how else is success (in professional football) achieved these days?

Money can buy success, but more often than not it doesn't. Man City have won nothing of any major consequence yet, Chelsea won the Premier League a couple of seasons ago but apart from that, they've done nothing since Mourinho left - still missing that first Champions League trophy. Meanwhile, you've got one of the best sides ever seen in its current state - Barcelona - who swept aside everyone last season and made it look easy. How much did that side cost to assemble?

 

[FryattFox]

Barcelona - who swept aside everyone last season and made it look easy. How much did that side cost to assemble?

€154m according to Wiki.

 

[suffolk fox]

Money can buy success, but more often than not it doesn't. Man City have won nothing of any major consequence yet, Chelsea won the Premier League a couple of seasons ago but apart from that, they've done nothing since Mourinho left - still missing that first Champions League trophy. Meanwhile, you've got one of the best sides ever seen in its current state - Barcelona - who swept aside everyone last season and made it look easy. How much did that side cost to assemble?

So the FA Cup is no major consequence then!?????????

 

[SJN-Fox]

Most of the top clubs don't regard the domestic cups (FA or Carling) as a major priority, the real money lies in Europe and that is where their emphasies lies.

The bottom clubs see it as an unwelcome distraction in their fight to avoid relegation.

The mid table clubs will see the cups as a potential backdoor into Europe.

 

[indierich06]

So the FA Cup is no major consequence then!?????????

Yep.

 

[Hammond Organ]

Beckford...

 

[Hammond Organ]

Why do we need Sharp if we have the above finally turn up..,

 

[Ike O'Noclassed]

Why do we need Sharp if we have the above finally turn up..,

We play Forest just the once in March.

 

[SJN-Fox]

According to SSN, Sharp has agreed personal terms and is having a medical at Southampton.

 

[spionfox]

According to SSN, Sharp has agreed personal terms and is having a medical at Southampton.

I hope he realises just how far away Southampton is from oop't North.

 

[RHYDAL]

Does that mean he could play against us tom....oh forget it.

 

[Kingy_85]

Southampton are a massive club. I can see why he chose them.

 

[Steven]

Southampton are a massive club. I can see why he chose them.

..... and close to home. :icon_roll

 

[Filthy Rich]

Only going there because he thinks they are a safe bet for promotion.

Looking forward to beating them in the play-offs.

 

[Matt_B]

The salaries they are rumoured to be paying some of their players are equal to any ours are rumoured to be on. Seeing as we are being more sensible, I'm quite pleased.

 

[RHYDAL]

The salaries they are rumoured to be paying some of their players are equal to any ours are rumoured to be on. Seeing as we are being more sensible, I'm quite pleased.

In what way?

 

[Nottingham Fox]

In what way?

Players signed since Pearson's arrival will be on substantially lower wages than if Eriktwat was still here. Well thats what I think anyway.

 

[Matt_B]

In what way?

We seem to be trying to get rid of the surplus and are apparently trying to cut out high salaries and high transfer fees on average players. Though I admit it doesn't seem to be very vociferous.

 

[Nottingham Fox]

3 1/2 year deal signed at Southampton. End of thread.