Representing Fulham, Mark Hughes is in play with £8 million pounds of the chairman's money. So, straight off the bat, if that figure is to be believed, why on earth is he stating an interest in Robbie Keane - valued by Spurs at £7 million, and likely to demand a deal far more than the current top wage of £50 grand a week being paid to BZ and AJ? Virtually the whole budget on one 30-year-old striker who can't get in the Spurs first team, and who has more than the whiff of a busted flush (a la Andy J) about him? Forget it.
The lazy journos have all jumped on the story, creating their own headlines, as they always do, amidst the miasma of speculation, whispers and misinformation that surrounds transfer deals. Take the attention-grabbing Maradona rumours. This larger than life figure will not be heading for SW6 anytime soon. Blackburn's new owners, who know plenty about chicken farming but may not be quite so quick to identify a turkey, have quickly shown a liking for drama...Big Sam shafted, overtures to Ronaldinho...let them toy with the roly-poly troubled star.
Back to the runners and riders. Why are we not in the market for Adam? We surely can match the figures being offered by Villa? At 25 this man is the natural successor to Murphy as playmaker and captain. We must start a serious campaign to swing Mark behind the Scotsman. Evaluate for a second if you would the return over a full season from Charlie in the ranks (even if recruited for £4 mill) compared to the fitful performances you might get from a SWP? Once again, please quash rumours surrounding this over-rated midget Mark, although logic over what Wright-Phillps wage demands would be sugget this - as with Keane - is never gonna happen. I hope I'm right.
By the same token, the above must surely apply to Togo's favourite son, Mr Adebayor. I loved this guy at Arsenal, but without Wenger's influence he started to believe his own publicity and has gone backwards. He will have no appetite whatsover for a relegation scrap before 25,000 cynics at the Cottage...and £160,000 a week. Who the hell will pay that? Only West Ham could be that stupid (oh yes, they're already committed to meeting £70,000 a week for on-loan Wayne Bridge - remember how ordinary he was with us???). Get a grip Karren...and prepare for life in Div 2.
Sidwell's deal seems sound. Short term contract to see how he goes. Recall though, this deal was in place last summer and Hughes preferred to put it off. Seeing how our midfield then endured a collective loss of form from October, this in hindsight looks to have been a mistake.
Finally, I'm going to float a suggestion of my own. We know the club monitor this blog so let's see if we can transmit some positive vibes on this. A realistic 'presence in the box' that remains the manager's top priority. Shane Long of Reading. Examine his goalscoring record - penalty taker, great attitude and would surely thrive with better players around him. Best of all, very affordable and just down the M4.
In fact I'm meeting an old colleague - and very well-connected Reading fan (personal friend of their Chairman) - in the town on Friday. I'd be happy to open the door if the club care to give me a call...
Keep the faith! If you're thinking of going to Wigan Sat just DO IT! You know you want to. Twitter@fulhamphil
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