Bung Buster Report
WIDEBOY agent Barrry Silkman got himself into an undignified slanging match on Sky Sports News as he defended himself after being "named and shamed" by Lord Stevens in the bung busting inquiry report. He accused the former top cop of being "a 100% liar", blustered about litigation and being a scapegoat then - after being asked how much he made from the Fabio Rochemback deal - he became increasingly emotional, inarticulate and aggressive in a manner that belied any notion that he was smooth-talking deal-maker.
My heart sank. How could clubs - how could Boro - get involved with people like this? Even if he hasn't done anything illegal, and the questions at present revolve around failure to fully disclose the paperwork over some of his deals and illustrate the papertrail between himself and 'so-called super-agent' Pini Zahavi in the Yakubu transfer rather than any specific offence, even if he is a squeaky clean he is still a smarmy, brash, rude and dislikeable individual. He was Boro's agent of choice for several seasons but thankfully that relationship was severed last year... although the club are now having to deal with the fallout that has come with that relationship.
Silkman gave a completely ill-advised telephone interview on Sky Sports within 15 minutes of the report being published in which he almost melted down. Rather than legalistic defnsive caution he lost the plot and lost his dignity and made a highly libellous attack:
"He's an absolute total liar, whoever he is Lord Stevens is a liar, these people are liars 100 per cent. I went to see them with my lawyer, I showed them every single thing that went in and out of my account. To question me if they are saying there is something wrong with what i’ve done in the Fabio Rochemback deal, ie. a bung or something illegal, let’s go to court or the High Court and let them say that i’ve done something wrong in that deal because I promise you if they do that I will begin litigation and do everything in my power to discredit them. I have done zero wrong, I’m a man of integrity."
Incredibly this horrible man was Boro's agent of choice for several seasons - after Steve Gibson had severed relationships with a string of other agents who had demanded unusual or unjustified commissions there were very few left to work through - but thankfully that link was severed last year... although the club are now having to deal with the fallout that has come with that relationship and from the two deals named in the controversial report.
First it must be stressed that there is no question that Boro have been involved in any wrong-doing. The conduct of the club is not at issue. Their name is raised in connection with transfer deals that the commission were not happy with because there were gaps in the paperwork, or there was no clear forensic breakdown of how, where and when paymenst were made.
The inquiry was not prepared to sign off the £7.5m Yakubu move to Boro because Zahavi, who had masterminded a complex deal that involved a joint ownership between Portsmouth and the players' former Israeli club, failed to explain his role and reward in a transfer that it has been widely reported he stands to make £3m from:
"Zahavi has failed to co-operate fully with the Inquiry. There was an initial failure to disclose his involvement in a number of transfers but, more seriously, he has failed to provide the Inquiry with complete bank statements due to the confidential nature of them. There remain questions relating to his relationship with and payments to Barry Silkman and Barry Silkman’s failure to initially disclose his involvement in all the transactions in which he received fees."
The same relationship between the two agents acted in the move of Rochemback from Barcelona two Summers ago and the panel found the same problems of a lack of transparency, and a refusal to answer their questions about the structure of the deal.
That sounds bad and Boro fans who have a residual distrust of the football authorities and a fear that any transgression on the club's part will inevitably lead to apoint deduction should have no fears. The report expressly states: "there is no evidence of any irregular payments to club officials or players and they are identified here only as a consequence of the outstanding issues the Inquiry has with the agents identified."
What it does show is that the shadowy world of agents and fixers is a parastitcal one that leeches money from the game, from the players, from the clubs and ultimately from the fans. Let us hope that this report can galvanise the political will within teh game to finally act to crack down on illicit payments, back-handers and the widespread funnelling of cash through multiple bank accounts to deceive the authorities and to avoid paying tax.
*****
Here's the full text of the summary of the key findings in the final report:
KEY FINDINGS:
The Inquiry submits its latest findings in this matter below. All findings are based on our latest information and of course if further information is obtained by the relevant authorities the precise position may alter. We would urge those individuals named here to now fully co-operate in order to assist with resolving all matters.
In the following paragraphs, to assist in understanding where relevant jurisdiction may lie in these matters, individuals will be identified in the first instance as being a Licensed Agent under The FA’s jurisdiction (LA) or a FIFA Licensed Agent under the jurisdiction of a foreign national association (FLA) or an Unlicensed Agent (ULA).
The inquiry is not prepared to sign off the remaining 17 transfers for the following reasons:
1. Pinhas Zahavi (FLA) has failed to co-operate fully with the Inquiry. There was an initial failure to disclose his involvement in a number of transfers but, more seriously, he has failed to provide the Inquiry with complete bank statements due to the confidential nature of them. There has also been a lack of responsiveness by Zahavi. There remain questions relating to his relationship with and payments to Barry Silkman (LA) and Barry Silkman’s failure to initially disclose his involvement in all the transactions in which he received fees.
The Clubs, Club officials and players listed below all co-operated fully with the Inquiry and provided full documentation (including bank statements where requested). There is no evidence of any irregular payments to Club officials or players and they are identified here only as a consequence of the outstanding issues the Inquiry has with the agents identified.
As a result, the following transfers remain uncleared:
i) Collins Mbesuma (to Portsmouth FC)
ii) Ayegbeni Yakubu (to Middlesbrough FC)
iii) Fabio Rochemback (to Middlesbrough FC)
iv) Didier Drogba (to Chelsea FC)
v) Petr Cech (to Chelsea FC)
The Inquiry recommends that FIFA are asked to launch their own inquiry into the conduct of Mr Zahavi based on the evidence obtained.
2. Despite his co-operation, the Inquiry has concerns regarding the involvement of Craig Allardyce (at the time a Licensed Agent) in a number of transactions at Bolton Wanderers FC. Mr Gartside and officials currently at the Club have fully co-operated and the Inquiry has found no evidence or suggestion of any irregular payments to them. However, the following three transfers in which Craig Allardyce was involved remain uncleared:
i) Ali Al-Habsi (to Bolton Wanderers FC)
ii) Tal Ben Haim (to Bolton Wanderers FC)
iii) Blessing Kaku (to Bolton Wanderers FC)
In respect of i) above, the Inquiry also has remaining concerns about the involvement of Peter Harrison (LA) and his relationship with Craig Allardyce.
In respect of ii) and iii) above, the Inquiry has remaining, unanswered concerns about the involvement of Jamie Hart (LA) and David Abou (ULA).
In the additional transfer of Julio Correia, the Inquiry has remaining, unanswered concerns regarding the involvement of the following agents in this transfer: Mike Morris (FLA), Eugenio Botas (FLA) and Francis Martin (FLA) and the possible involvement of Craig Allardyce.
The Inquiry remains concerned at the conflict of interest that it believes existed between Craig Allardyce, his father Sam Allardyce (the then manager at Bolton Wanderers) and the Club itself.
The Inquiry recommends that The FA continue with their investigation into these matters, assisted by the considerable information gathered by Quest. The Inquiry also understands that the Bolton Chairman, Mr Gartside, is prepared to share the results of the Club’s own detailed investigation with the football authorities to assist in this matter. We welcome this development.
3. The Inquiry has still not been able to sign off a further two transfers (in addition to the one listed above) involving Francis Martin.
In the transfer of Albert Luque (to Newcastle Utd FC), the Licensed Agent acting on the Club’s behalf was Eugenio Botas. However, the Inquiry still has unanswered questions relating to possible payments made by Francis Martin who Newcastle officials believed was working for the selling club.
In the transfer of Michael Essien (to Chelsea FC), again there is no evidence to suggest any irregular payments to Club officials or the player, who all co-operated fully with the Inquiry providing full access to documentation (including bank statements) as requested.
However, questions remain unanswered as to the relationship between Francis Martin (buying Club agent), Mike Morris, Fabien Piveteau (player’s advisor) and Thomas Belsoeur (FLA).
Again, the Inquiry recommends that The FA and FIFA continue to investigate these matters in the light of the substantial information already obtained by Quest.
4. The following three other transfers remain uncleared:
i) Emre Belozoglu (Emre) (to Newcastle United FC)
ii) Jean Alain Boumsong (to Newcastle United FC)
iii) Amady Faye (to Newcastle United FC)
Again we have found no evidence to suggest any irregular payments by or to Club officials relating to the above transfers and Newcastle United officials co-operated fully with the Inquiry and gave full access to documentation (including bank statements) as requested.
However, there remain inconsistencies in evidence provided by Graeme Souness (a former manager of the Club) and Kenneth Shepherd (apparently acting in an undefined role but not as a Club official) as to their respective roles in transfer negotiations.
In relation to i) above, the Inquiry is not prepared to clear this transfer as it has been unable to obtain the co-operation of the lead agent, Ahmet Bulut (FLA).
In relation to ii) and iii) above, these transfers involved payments to Willie McKay (FLA) and, despite a degree of co-operation from Mr McKay, the Inquiry is still awaiting clarification in relation to various documents provided by him.
5. Willie McKay acted for the selling Club, Auxerre, in the transfer of Benjani Mwaruwari (into Portsmouth FC) and for the Portsmouth FC themselves in the transfer in of Alliou Cisse and, for the same reason as above, the Inquiry is not prepared to clear these transfers at this stage. In relation to the first of these, the Inquiry also has identified concerns regarding the role of Teni Yerima (FLA) and Ralph N’Komo in the transfer negotiations.
In relation to points 4 and 5, again the Inquiry recommends that The FA and FIFA continue to investigate this matter in light of the information obtained by Quest and that further powers are used to ensure co-operation.
6. There is one other transfer that the Inquiry has been asked by another regulatory authority not to specify in order that its investigations should not be prejudiced by revealing the identity of the transfer. The Inquiry, of course, is compelled to respect this request.
7. In the course of the Inquiry a further matter has become evident that the Inquiry believes should be considered by the Football Authorities. Willie McKay provided information that he had registered a race horse in the name of Harry Redknapp. Harry Redknapp has confirmed that this could well have happened though it was a very unsuccessful horse that resulted in no material gain or reward for him. There is no evidence that this transaction is related to any specific transfer, more a consequence of a long term personal association. Inquiries into this matter should continue.
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Anthony Vickers
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Interestingly, I see that the Ricked'isBack deal as well as The Yak's deal is under scrutiny following the bungs enquiry.
I take Gibbo and The Count (he has something of the night about him) to be many things but not involved in shady deals themselves.
Any way round there is nothing to worry about here as the only good thing about the Tevez debacle at West Ham is that it sets a real precedent.
Even if it ever came to anything like a charge, neither the Prem nor the FA could get away with anything more than a fine for any alleged wrong doing, however heinous, as that was what West Ham got not only for the crime itself but also for lying, twice, to cover it up.
That is unless the tabloids play their 'do the little northerners' card as mentioned above!
We are acknowledged as being helful to the enquiry and the issues seem to be more about the agents involved than us.
But I do want to see the Club explain and defend itself robustly in public.
**AV writes: I've moved this one to the new thread.
We appear to come out of it well and are cleared of any wrongdoing, as the report states we are only there because the players came to our club. It is the agents that come under the spotlight.
I like the idea that a horse could be registered in someones name and that person says it could well have happened.
It is unlikely that any wrongdoers will be nailed but at least there has been public scrutiny and clubs will be careful about what they do in future. I certainly cant see Allardyce jnr and Shepherd jnr working together on Toon targets.
That interview on SkySports with not-so-Silky-man was fantastic television. Labelling a former police commissioner a liar discredited him even further and asking the presenter to disclose his salary made him sound even more pathetic.
I don't understand the full details of how agents work, but in the long term, FIFA certainly need to assess the boundaries of involvement that these people are having. They cannot be allowed to continually cream money as a player/club middle-man.
From what I understand, we have nothing to defend. We've been honest and open and ticked all of the right boxes, hopefully this is the start of these parasites getting their comuppance.
As you say Anthony agents are leeching millions out of the game, if I understand the reports correctly £3m of the £7.5m Yakubu cost went to agents, a truly amazing amount and this is legal.
We talk about greedy players what about greedy agents, I cannot understand why players need agents, a good solicitor would save them a fortune.
I understand Roy Keene when he was playing never used an agent for this very reason. We have another example of this practice at Middlsbrough the Porrit saga, if he stays at Middlesbrough his agent will not get a fee for a move.
I believe a lot of the discontent among footballers is due to agents wanting them to move, obviously a contract extension will not bring agents the same rewards.
I seem to recall that the money from Yak's purchase was made more complicated by some of the sell on clauses.
**AV writes: Joint ownership by two teams in two countries, a 50% sell on fee, commissions to a string of agents in several countries, golden handshakes, golden hellos, golden handcuffs, loyalty bonuses to be bought out.... straight-forward one really.
Shaun
An agent is an agent in any role of entertainment, Their sole role is to get their client the best deal, because it increases their bonus payments.
What they most certainly are not is media men, which has just been exampled by the Yak’s Tic Tac man.
Those behind the inquiry should have built up a library of concrete evidence. That would have been a formality without my having to reason it.
People will pick up papers and immediately assume that the club’s mentioned in this Mickey Mouse report are Darren Bent, which is not so!
I have long standing opinions of soccer agents and a telephone box should be their headquarters.
Some thick-skulled footballers actually allow agents to wear their boots, which just goes to show how deep their infection is inside the beautiful game.
The Yak is history and another £££££££.. goes to whom?
'I have long standing opinions of soccer agents and a telephone box should be their headquarters.'
Just like el Tel, he was caught up in stuff like this a few years ago.
There was an agent years ago, I forget his name,a cockney, who was bald, smoked cigars and wore more chains and rings than Mr T, he was the worst of the lot. You could tell by looking at him that you knew he was a dodgy bloke.
At least we have been cleared of any wrong doings but will no doubt get a points deduction for being us, reguardless of the west ham affair.
If they dont do that i can see them enforcing a ban on our players until their agents produce the paper work even tho it has nowt to do with them.
I'm a bit worried now as it seems the Yak might be on the move again so is he to use the same agent and if so what will happen there?
And whats happening about Porritt, surely after the panarama documentary and this lord stevens case about dodgy agents we have some sort of legal right over his future. If he goes than a tribunal decides the fee fair enough about the player but we must be able to take action against the agent for touting him and then causing us to eventually lose him?
**AV writes: The agent you refer to his Eric "monster, monster" Hall. He was an amateur compared to this lot.
Why do footballers have agents anyway. All they need to do is appoint a solicitor to act on their behalf when negotiations arise.
The solictor will recieve a flat fee for work done, not a percentage of the transfer, the solictor is governed by the Law society and must act in a correct manner and many solicitors will have the kind of negotiotion skills that agents profess to possess.
Zahavi's £3 million fee for Yaks's deal is probably 100 times what a lawyer would have cost. Thats £1million extra that Portsmouth could have received, Boro could have saved and Yak could have trousered.
P.S. Loved the fact that as soon as Duke signs for the barcodes, he changes his mind about international retirement. Welcome to the world of Viduka Fat Sam
Mainy
Steve Gibson and every other chairman have to take gambles which can make or break their club.
However, soccer agents spin a double headed coin, because they are simply a bunch of cloak and dagger merchants.
They are cannon fodder to the media which has been well exposed, because easy money speaks easy words.
George Graham took a bung years ago, but was allowed back into football, which was a disgrace.
You look forward to next season like I am, because we will have an ENTIRE new strike force
Back to the interesting stuff of rumour!
Downing for Beattie and Van Der Meyde - yer jokin' - NO!
Yakubu for O'Neil AND Davis - YES. For O'Neil plus cash - YES. For Davis plus cash - NO, he's not good enough except as a back up, which is all he is at Pompey.
Yakubu for Appiah - YES.
But before The Yak goes anywhere - a 3rd new striker must be secured.
Alan Smith - YES.
Zamora - NO; not good enough and will get a nosebleed outside the M25.
Beattie - NO.
Saviola - a possible.
Kamara - NO; he's a tart.
And if there's any money going spare (say if it's all cash for The Yak and we can get Smith for £2.5m which seems to be the asking price and we can't get Appiah) what about Darren Fletcher from ManUre who'll struggle to get into their midfield next season.
Geremi at right back - well, yes, at a pinch but only because the price (free) is right. And definitely not as a midfielder - we've already got enough who hold up progress of the ball through the midfield and with a speedy attack we don't need any more. We'll lose him for half the season to African Nations Cup.
But there are better candidates. Volz and Baird for 2, let alone the continental possibilities.
At times Gibson seems very hypocritical when it comes to agents. on one hand he wouldn;t sign players like robbie keane because of his agents demands but a few years later gives 3M to yakubu's agent.
I always thought gibson gave the impression he wouldn't give in to agents? It was only a year or 2 ago that silkman seemed like he was on boro's payroll because silkman appeared to comment on any players we were interested in signing or a current player negotiating his contract.
I just wish that all clubs accounts were fully transparent down to wages, transfer fees, bonus's and fees to agents. Gibson keeps things very secretive and closed shop unfortunately. who know what other amounts we have paid to agents? I remember at the time that we signed yakubu silkman was banned from pompey
I know that Gate has, at long last, admitted that we haven't been fit enough.
He has recognised that fitness, application and organisation is what should be required as basic - citing the examples of teams like Reading and Blackburn who got a long way with not much more than those attributes. With top pro's you should get this 'out of the box' but we haven't had it - JB often tells us why.
It applies to the top sides too - and not just in the Prem. I hope Gate got time off his course (or maybe it was required homework to watch!) last night to catch Real Madrid winning the La Liga title and noted how 'conditioned' Capello has got them.
To see how, in recent weeks as they have mounted their challenge for the title, they have been overpowering sides in the last 15 - 20 minutes as the opposition wilted.
Gate says he intends we do the same - we all hope to see the evidence.
He might also note what Capello did with his subs too. An object lesson in doing the self-evident and right thing regardless of the egos involved.
JP
Last nights match for Real showed something else and it was something we have lacked for several years.
They struggled without someone to attack the ball when Sherpa Van went off. There was little or no movement in the box and it made Beckham redundant. No one offered anything, all Majorca had to do was make sure they marked up and make sure Beckham had no targets for his passing ability.
Reyes came on and started making runs in the box and it unhinged the defence. He added some pace and tempo to the front line.
'Back to the interesting stuff of rumour!
Kamara - NO; he's a tart.
Geremi at right back - well, yes'
You forgot to mention the one about Morrison & Johnson in a swap for Kamara. If this one happened it would be the worst mistake ever, personally, i dont rate Kamara, I think he got goals last season because he was playing his level of football.
I liked Geremi when he was here but i think that was due to the fact he scored a few goals. I would forget about signing a right back and concentrate on getting Tony McMahon fit.
You Mentioned Fletcher from Man U, again, I would give that a miss as dont rate him however I think Chris Eagles looks like a decent player and he might be available on loan but i would go for Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Beckham was injured last night and that was why he went off, so it was a fortunate substitution rather than an inspired one.
C,mon Anthony, you must have had a sniff at our new stiker in the making by now!
Even Europe or South America would cut down the margins.
**AV writes: We understand that Boro have inquired about Alan Smith and are hopeful that if he is told he has no role at Old Trafford - his agent has asked - that they are well placed to push forward a deal fairly quickly.
Alan Smith!! A good player, clearly not a donkey otherwise he wouldn't have made the England squad, but not a 'spectacular signing' and is he better than Yakubu...........
Still there is no doubting his commitment.
My concern is if we were to sign Smith and Yak was to leave that would leave us with one 'proven' goalscorer' in Sanli and three other 'pacey & exciting' forwards. I'm not convinced that Smith is the man we need.
£6 million for Smith ? is this a joke.
He doesnt score enough goals and we already have Cattermole to dish out the rough stuff if needed.
Keep the Yak unless a proven goalscorer can be brought in.
I hope Smiths agent is one that SG wont deal with !
Geremi - Lamb has already said we wont be going there again. so lets forget about him now.
Bit worried about signing smith and then selling yakubu. You would think being a defender southgate would be clued up on spotting a good striker. Dont think smith has scored 50 league goals yet. It worries me that we will have the french gadgy with 11 goals smith with about 45 goals as our main goals threat and tuncay out on the right.
AV - Steve Gibson said “I genuinely think we have a chance of pulling off one or two spectacular signings.�
Is Alan Smith one of these signings? If so he is a solid enough player but hardly a spectacular signing.
As JP has posted SG promised us a 'top drawer' manager last season (hopefully GS will become this at the Boro).
However if Tuncay, Smith, Davis and Geremi turn out to be Boro's summer signing I fear Mr Gibson will have once again failed to deliver for Boro supporters.
No wonder nearly everyone I know are waiting before they renew their season ticket.
Morrison and Johnson for Kamara would not be the worst mistake ever, Mainy. Downing for Beattie and Van der Meyde would be.
Both of them are slow and cumbersome; Beattie is just a clumsy oaf who puts himself about a bit, and VdM looks less interested than Keith O'Neill or Michael Pieman Ricketts used to be. Personally, I don't want to lose any of Morrison, Johnson or Downing. I think all 3 are skilful, hard-working and creative.
Alf, the club has been transparrent enough for Lord Stevens and the report says we co-operated fully with the investigation. That's good enough for me.
On the face of it, we paid £7.5m for Yak and that is value. The £3m Silkman made is circumstantial and who cares where it came from? As long as we paid the quoted price and nothing more, what do we care?
AV, are football clubs subject to the Freedom of Information Act? Ha now that would be interesting!
John Powls, we're not going to get Alan Smith for £2.5m. Try sticking on another £4m and we might be a little closer to a realistic price.
Smith would be a useful signing. He's lost his way a bit at United, he's out of his depth, but he can score goals at this level. I'd rather take him than lay a banker on Kamara/Nugent.
I'm not sure about smith if we are wanting flair and speed. 200% comittment in every tackle, the ability to hold the ball up, muscle ppl off the ball, track back & defend from the front yes, but flair and speed no.
Smith would be a great signing for us I think. THinking about it I think, given a regular run out he will hit at least 15 goals a season from up front, however he can also be used as an attacking or defensive midfielder so I think he would give us great options.
We could always nogotiate to see if they would be willing to give us cash and Smith for Yakubu as they are in the market for a forward and id prefer to see Yak go to them than someone like pompy who are about the same level as us.
AV, can you confirm that there is any truth in the rumour our spectacular signing will be Bastian Schweinsteiger?
**AV writes: No, I can't confirm that. I think the club regard Smith as the second Galactico.
Silkman didn't make £3m it was that other agent. then silkman got a cut from the other agent. I think it's because silkman spotted Yakubu years ago and so is entitled to some kind of payment each time the other agent makes anymoney.
"As long as we paid the quoted price and nothing more, what do we care?" we should all care ! think of how many season tickets that £3m pays for. 8,000 season tickets paying for an agent! that money should be going towards team building and things direct to the club. It should makes more fans turn away from goign to games.
We all expect gibson to stand firm on agents and look after our season ticket money and not caving into agents when he always said he wouldnt be held to ransom by agents.
**AV writes: My understanding was that it was a 'golden handcuffs' deal paid in slices as annual commissions and Zahavi would only to make the full £3m if Yak stayed the full five years of the deal. We may now find ourselves in the weird situaton of the agent trying to keep a player at a club after the top brass have decided to move him on.
Why are some people insisting we forget about signing a right back and develop Tony McMahon? What if he gets another serious injury come mid September. We are then again left open at right-back.
Anyway, I really hope Smith isn't this 'spectacular' signing. Look at the lads goal scoring record:
Leeds - 172 Games 38 Goals
Man Utd - 61 Games 7 Goals
England - 18 Games 2 Goals
I think thats pretty torrid. Even Malcolm Christie had a better goal record.
Get Saviola in!!
AV, Just how concrete is this Alan Smith rumour? And is there anyone else you might know of who we are inquiring about?
AV writes: We were told from the top that there was a genuine interest in Smith and if Man United decided he could go that there would be an approach.
Clive, as on old(er) Acky Hall boy it agrieves me to disagree but I must admit that for all his injury problems I could never accuse Keith O'Neill of lack of commitment, to me he was more of a Pogo character. I only saw him a few times but liked his whole hearted effort when he wasnt injured or suspended.
I agree with the rest, John Powls repeats my view that Kamara is a tart. Having watched his antics at the replay at West Brom I have doubts as to his character. However, like most fans my views will change a little if he signs for us.
I also think Kaka is a ponce but could find a place in our squad.
**AV writes: I think Ronaldinho is a complete wuss but I'd be ready to take him as a squad player.
Hi Anthony
Silkman's days are almost over as a soccer agent.
But what damned well hurts is that he will be going out with one almighty bang, via Yakabu.
It is game set and match!!!
The reason K O'Neill was out injured so much explains wxactly why he lacked commitment. He was as not preparing as professionally as he should.
As regards Alan Smith- £6 million...yerjorkinarnyer. £3 milion is more like it.
If Spurs waste £17 million on Bent then maybe Robbie Keane will be available AGAIN. Now he would be a bargain at any price and if we get £8 million for Yak then I'd test Spurs' resolve with a £10 million bid.
You have to try not to respond to every rumour but, just occasionally something moves you to bite. One such this morning - Ian Harte from Levante - no-ooooooooooo!!!!!
Is it just me or - the deadline for season ticket's having passed - has it all gone quiet again? If the spin was competent - and we know it's not - they'd have clocked that everyone was saying that this would happen and they'd have kept up the effort right through and after the deadline.
Someone should also be picking up and advising Gibbo on the perception gap between him and the fans - particularly after last closed season's 'top drawer manager' debacle.
If, as you say Vic, Gibbo is describing Smith as one of the spectaculars or galacticos that's not going to wash. And that's even amongst folks like myself who would rate him a good signing, if only for the experience, competitive attitude and harrying of defenders that we have lacked forever.
It would be even more worrying if Gibbo actually believed that piece of hype rather than was just spinning it.
Doubtless we'll have the Tuncay medical soon - but will we get through that and complete the signing without drama? Our recent record would say 'don't bet on it'.
And Aliadiere has got to come back from his holidays soon - I mean Tenby's lovely and all that, but.........
We all seem to agree that Smiths scoring record isn't 'spectacular' (to coin a phrase) that said how many goals did Yak score in open play last season, was it nine in the prem? Which is one every four games, which is about smiths scoring ratio.
Having played devils advocat I'd still rather see someone with a 'spectacular' scoring record signed up.
I agree with Martin, we need a new right back, even though I think Tony Mac is a good player, we need more than one option. We also still need a right sided midfield player and ideally a central player to.
One final thought it must be a nightmare being a club Chairman you use one word in an interview and your entire fan base throws it back in your face if the club signs a player they don't class as 'spectacular'!
No wonder Gibbo only gives interviews once a year in the run up to season ticket renewal deadline........
**AV writes: To be fair, the phrase was used in a string of interviews in different medias throughout a day long blitz. It wasn't just a one off slip.
Nigel, Gibbo is well aware of every word he says. He doesn't flap while being interviewed and the word 'spectacular' is by no means a slip of the tongue. He's played with the media for long enough to know what he is doing.
There is going to be a few surprises in the bag over the next few weeks and I've little doubt Boro will be heavily involved. We normally are.
I still hope Riggott isn't one of the players to be shipped out though. I live in Derby and for a lot of the fans here, he's a priority signing for them. If he's on Billy Davies' list of targets then I'm sure he will be off but I'd like Southgate to keep him, considering Huth is only likely to play about 3-4 games (at best) next season!
And if Keith O'Neil spent as much time grafting as he did staggering down Yarm High Street, he might have been a different player...
Prehaps Keith O'Neil concentrated on doing his George Best impression off the pitch!
Please, not Alan Smith!
An extremely over-rated beetroot eater whose 'hard work' merely veils his lack of quality.
What is it about us and Man United cast-offs? The Man United kit seems to be the football equivalent of drinking eight pints and seeing women as more attractive than they really are.
The lad is far from 'spectacular' and was the perpetrator of the most robust tackle of the game on Woodgate, in the same game that Morrison tried to launch Ronaldo.
If he comes and Yakubu goes, I fear for our Premiership safety. That crop of strikers will struggle to muster between them as many goals as Yakubu did last year.
AV, Off topic here but, do you know anything on the situation about Karadeniz? Surely if he is as good as people are saying, there shouldn't be a problem upping the money a little bit.
**AV writes: When Newcastle inquired the price went up a bit and that was easy to match, but now Fenerbache have expressed an interest and it is harder for Boro to compete with the glamour of one of Turkey's big three. I think the chances have faded there but nothing has been decided yet.
Well then I hope his agent is right when he said, “He wants to go, every player from Turkey wants to test himself and there is no bigger stage than the Premier League.�
I've had a look at a few videos of him and had a look at some of his stats and they are looking impressive. In the season just gone, he managed 8 league goals and got 13 assists. Even Downing only mustered up 7 assists and 2 goals.
My thoughts now are that the club should be doing everything possible to get this lad in.
Shaun
You have hit the nail on the head by saying “There is going to be a few surprises in the bag over the next?
I think UNREST fits the bill.
C'mon Boro and the Evening Gazette Team.
oops, stick 'eater' after the word beetroot.
**AV writes: Ok, will do.
Off Topic Again.
AV, (You must be sick of me today :-) ) I don't always listen to Sky Sports but, they are reporting that Aliadiere has returned from holiday, passed his medical and has put pen to paper today.
Is there any truth in that one? Cheers
**AV writes: The club are saying nothing as yet but I think the announcement is imminent.
How long does it take to do a medical?
When is the press conference planned to introduce Tuncay?
Don't tell me the Boro doctor and press officer are on a jolly up with Alliedaire
**AV writes: How long do you want it to take? A quick check of the pulse and the old *cough* treatment? Then a few weeks later we find he has diabetes, two left feet and arthritis of the hip and everyone cries "typical Boro"?
I would be far happier that the tests are comprehensive, carried out by a battery of specialists and the results of scans and bloods are scrutinised very closely indeed. If it takes a day or two, so be it.
Now we have reports that Aliadiere is back from Tenby, passed his medical and has signed but that Tuncay (who was supposed to be arriving this week for his mediacls and to sign) may be 'some weeks off'.
Whaddya know Vic?
**AV writes: Turkey is not in the EU yet so Tuncay will need a work permit, although it should be a formality. The Deptment of Employment panel only sits once a week I believe.
Skysports are reporting that Alidiere has finally signed so there is one in all ready. Im another fan who thinks Riggott should stay however I think he will be allowed to go as i think they rate Wheater over him at the minute.
Just one other thing ppl, SG said we would have a spectacular signing that will shock a few ppl, however he never said it would be a player. For the 1st time in god no's how long we have'nt been shown our new kit yet. Normally we have already voted for next seasons away kit etc.
I have heard that 888.com contract is up as is Errea's. So our spectacular signing could be someone like adidas or nike etc to make the kits or we could get a major company that ppl have heard of on our shirts again.
I think the last time we had a major shirt sponsor was when the gazette sponsored us wasnt it?
**AV writes: While we'd like to believe the Gazette is a global media player I think the likes of ICI and BT Cellnet/O2 who came after were probably a wee bit bigger than us.
Van Nistelrooy spotted at Teesside airport. Could it really be, Vic?
AV - I never said don't do it properly, however after reading JP's post obviously the reports of Tuncay being on Teesside last Monday are wrong.
I still have this horrible feeling that the MFC propaganda department have being bowling us all a googly.
Any season ticket figures released yet?
BBC reporting that The Count has repeated his flat denial that we are back in for Geremi (only for right back, please! And then only if we can't get Volz or Baird).
The Times - for whom George Caulkin still seems to be relatively well plugged in at Hurworth - are saying that we've been talking with Chelski for days and now rates the move as 'a decent bet'.
Who do we believe?
On Tuncay, Vic, he passes the 'International' test and Turkey is an EU Accession country so the work permit process should be a formality. But we can still mess up!
Still no sign of midfield pace in the centre or on the right and nothing 'spectacular'.
AV
Agree with your sentiments about medicals but I cant quite get my head round the link with our witch doctors who regularly misdiagnose most ailments. I am still worried they operated on the wrong ankle as far as Huth is concerned. There again realising it was an ankle is a step forward, probably been treating his elbow all season.
**AV writes: Elbow? At least they have learned the difference then.
AV
Congratulations on introducing some much needed humour to the board, alongside the speedometer of promises.
Your column in last night’s Gazette was great for a multitude of reasons and the mentioning of new names does break thousands of habits.
Regardless of the striker situation Anthony, my concern is our midfield, because it will get run ragged if we don’t get someone in who can organise on the pitch.
Without being to harsh I would get rid of Boetang, because I firmly believe that too much loyalty is being attached to his position.
Finally, Chelsea have just signed 3 players without huge transfers. Is he skint or has he suddenly realised that getting to a European Cup Final takes more guts than money!
**AV writes: I agree that the real 'spectacular' needed is the much-needed inspirational midfielder and I agree that the policy shift to energy and entertainment leaves Boateng now looking very exposed.
"**AV writes: I agree that the real 'spectacular' needed is the much-needed inspirational midfielder and I agree that the policy shift to energy and entertainment leaves Boateng now looking very exposed. "
we had that with Gazza, you dont win cups by being full of energy and entertaining. you have to be tactical and be hard working and out think the opposition. Being entertaining didnt work for robson and keegan
**AV writes: Whether it is productive or not remains to be seen but it is unavoidable logic that if entertainment and pace are the new watchwords then Boateng's position must be considered vulnerable.
Why the secrecy about the "spectacular signing". Its an open secret that Saviola is signing for Boro.
Very Happy
Central midfield has been discussed for several seasons - we had the same debate on the message boards long before Butt left ManU. The need for someone to drive the team forward and play on the front foot.
Boat doesnt have the skills to fall back on as his physical powers start waning. At times he looks a very poor footballer though you can never criticise his efforts.
Re the Gazette story today - and reprising my earlier refrain - if the deal is O'Neil plus cash for The Yak from Pompey - then take it and go for a 3rd striker. (Or maybe we need 2 more if we manage to beggar up Tuncay, given the 'backing off, hedging bets' line today as opposed to the gong-ho before the season tickets deadline)
If it is Sean Davis plus cash, then don't. Davis isn't good enough for Pompey's first team so why would he be for us?
Its about getting the balance right. Too many fancy players and the team lacks aggression and physcially and too much fannying about on the pitch.Too much pace and not enough goalscoring means no end product.
Seem like southgate is going for pace, is that because as a player he struggled against forwards with pace. we still need that steel in the middle of central midfield which is part of the backbone. we still need tacklers to break donw opposition attacks.
Too many forward thinking players means we end up back like in 1997. Its a rebuild job so what ever happened to the continuity?
Alf
I think there is continuity, the squad will largely be the same. It is a case of addressing the problem areas.
1. Pace has been a problem for some time.
2. Aggression in the box - we have been powder puff at attacking the ball.
3. Ideally we need someone in centre mid who can distribute the ball. When off form Boat is very poor.
4. We have a weak right side that needs resolving.
5. Veruka has gone.
If we can address these issues then that is progress without wholesale changes, we are not talking about a totally new squad but maybe 5 changes. Of those most are enforced because we have lost viduka or through glaring weaknesses in what we already have.
I fully take your point about steel in breaking down attacks. Viera and Keane had steel but they could also pass a ball, sadly whilst we can level many things at Boat distribution is not one of them.
'Boateng's position must be considered vulnerable'
Maybe in centre midfield but for me, he was the best right back I saw play for us last season, maybe this would be his new position and solve the right back problem!!!
'O'Neil plus cash for The Yak'
No way, keep the Yak and pay cash for o'neil. It would be a mistake to sell a goal scorer to a team that is looking to challenge for the same positions as us in the league next season.
I'm hoping our spectacular signing will be Fabregas as he has everything we are looking for. However id like to see Everton come knocking for Downing again and us to see how serious they are by asking for cash plus Cahill and Arteta, then tell them they cant have Downing and put in a bid for those 2 players.
Anyone got any ideas when the new badge is getting put on the outside of the stadium as drove past today and the old one is still up.
Anthony
A lot of onus is going to be placed on the head of young Cattermole, which will do him the world of good. Perhaps with an injection of pace, this may just be the spur his game desperately needs.
He must remove this constant face of aggression from his role, because it is both affecting his game and bringing about unnecessary Yellow cards.
Our local lads will blend it well with this new dawn in my opinion. All we need to do now is buy a Mad Bull, who can play in front of our Mad Dog to feed our French and Turkish Terriers
Looks good on paper to me!
ian gill, pace,energy and aggression seems to be the buzz words around teesside at the moment. Does pace give you goals? Just ask sheringham as an example.
Kamara at west brom is fast but never really did it in the top flight. Stikers who lack the natural ability to score compensate by being more aggressive.
Alan smith is very much the sort of player who the teachers love in the school team 'get stuck in lad,come on chase the ball,close him down'.
I am worried if smith is being signed to replace yakubu or viduka. smith scores a 3rd of the goals that viduka and yakubu score. that is a worry.
if we have strikers who dont score many then the rest have to come from the midfield. you cant make someone a natural goalscorer its something they are born with
Now it definitely has 'all gone quiet over there'.
I think it was Oscar Wilde who said that there was only one thing worse than being talked about and that was not being talked about.
Even the club has been moved to try to quell the rumours caused by - as ever - not promptly nailing the signature of Tuncay.
Why not get him over here, medicalled and signed, subject to visa and work permit, while the other paperwork is being progressed?
Even if it isn't a problem as such, what is stopping another club stepping in - alerted by the rumours of problems - and nicking him?
Something else that is a little concerning appears in today's Gazette about Tuncay - 'The former Fenerbache striker is the club’s top signing of the Summer.'
Not '.....of the Summer SO FAR'.
Does this mean that we are about to get a revisionist view of what is 'spectacular' since Gibbo said what he said after Woody, Aliadiere and Tuncay were, allegedly, in place so he must be referring to other people.
At least he must have been when he said it.
Ian Gill
I totally agree with your post, regarding our long term midfield problems.
However, its cure must be now…….. and not in a very sad January.
Top teams sneak many an away game 1 -0, due to their midfielders driving forward,and we too, must have that in pole position.
I remain unconcerned about our strikers, because I have every faith in their game and more so their overall attitudes.
The money or deal, which completes Yakabu’s imminent departure, is now the key.
Alf
Totally agree, pace isnt everything nor is aggression but there is nothing wrong with addressing some of our faults.
All I have highlighted are problems we know about. Goal scoring isnt just about running and jumping faster as proved by Viduka when he was fit and in the mood.
If you can get both that is great but there are not many about. Composure is essential in front of goal and players have it or they dont. That is probably Yaks biggest failing.
Midfielders have to be strong, pacey and have technique. You can manage with one of the first two missing if you have technique. Keane was never pacey but I would settle for him at his peak.
And the team needs balance. Cant see anything wrong in the shopping list, the problem is bringing it in at the right price.
Does anyone know anything about the Saviola rumours?
Yak does have composure in front of goal. have you seen how calm he is at penalties and how many he has missed?very few. more composed than smith thats for sure.
Whats the point in strikers tearing around closing down defenders and being all agressive if it means they arn't concentrating on scoring. grerat striker don't do anything all game apart from score as thats what they are there for.
I agree about midfield, but have we signed anyone to play in midfield to be strong, pacey and have technique.
Alf,
I think Yakubu is a confidence striker. When he is scoring, his composure in front of goal is second to none. After a couple of games without a goal, he is severely lacking in it. Many strikers around are confidence strikers, Michael Owen being one of them and Robbie Fowler, probably the most gifted natural striker this country has produced.
I am not sure about the great strikers do nothing all game comment. Alan Shearer was a great striker and he worked hard for the team. Thierry Henry is a great striker and he works hard for his team too. Marco Van Basten, one of the best strikers who has ever lived had a great work ethic.
I think it depends on the striker. Some are lazy so and so's who think they have a god given right to walk into any team, and then there are those who work their socks off for whoever they play for.
Alan Smith is the latter, his work ethic is fantastic and he would play anywhere on the park if you asked him to. Granted, he is sometimes a bit hot headed and over eager, but so what, I would rather have that than someone who stands in the centre waiting for the ball to come to do something special, a la Viduka.
I would welcome smudger to the Riverside, he would bring to our strike force something we havent had for a very long time!
Scott, I agree with all of Smiths attributes, but will he bring us goals?
I read in one of the papers today with some amusement that Allardyce is fearful of losing Owen & Martins as they both have release clauses and are agitating for a move.
I thought Big Sam would sort the barcodes out and maybe he will but he has certainly got a task on his hands.
Man City also seem to be in disarray , I can't imagine being bought by someone under a cloud like that can be to re-assuring neither can the news that Sven is your next manger be too exciting.
The papers are full of stories of which club is tracking which star etc etc. I know Boro still need two or three players but we've made a good start and seem to be in good shape, i think its easy for us to forget that other clubs have the same problems and many are a lot worse off.
Alf
Why do you have to argue? We are saying the same thing.
On the Yak however he does miss quite a few in front of goal, far more than Viduka, especially as Scott says when his confidence drops.
On the Alan Smith front have I once posted we should buy him?
At the end of my posting I said it was a shopping list and the problem was getting them in at the right price.