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Blackburn Rovers boss won't panic over Bentley future

10:37am Thursday 15th May 2008

comment Comments (44)   Have your say »

By Andy Neild »

MARK Hughes is adamant David Bentley will still be a Blackburn player next season - regardless of whether or not he signs a new contract.

The England midfielder continues to be linked with big-money moves away from Ewood Park this summer, with one Sunday tabloid even suggesting at the weekend that Hughes has told him: Sign a new deal or we will sell you'.

However, contrary to speculation, the Rovers boss insists he is perfectly relaxed about Bentley's contract situation, and will not pressure the 23-year-old, who still has three years left to run on his existing deal, into signing a new one.

Hughes said: "We've offered David a new contract to reward him for the season he has just had.

"If he doesn't sign it then it's not a problem, we'll just stay as we are and move forward.

"We'll probably have to put up with a lot of speculation about David's situation over the summer, but I've said it so many times now that I'm sure everyone is clear about my view on it.

"We haven't put a price on his head, and we are not going to.

"Some people in the papers are trying to say that we've actually stated a price that we'd accept, but that isn't the case - it's inaccurate.

"So we are as we were. If David doesn't want to sign, and keep with the status quo, then that's fine - we'll carry on as we were before.

"We don't have to sell."

Tottenham Hotspur are the latest club to be linked with a move for Bentley, with one newspaper yesterday claiming Juande Ramos is waiting in the wings with a £15 million bid.

But Hughes insists he does not want to cash in on any of his top stars, because he is trying to assemble a team that is capable of qualifying for Europe next season.

"I need to add to the quality here, not take quality away," said the Rovers boss.

"Okay, I might be able to get a certain amount of money for any given player in the squad, but are you able to replace that quality with similar quality for the same price? It's difficult.

"I'd rather keep what I know, and keep the players that I've worked with, because they understand what I want and you don't have to start the process from a low point again, and build up to the point where you've had players with you for two or three years, which is where we are now.

"So it doesn't make sense to let players go, certainly when I don't have to."

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Malc, Leeds says...
11:14am Thu 15 May 08

This contract situation is starting to get a little silly. We're offering him a new deal as a reward for good play and also to safeguard our return on him for extra years.

With three years left on his contract he seems to be worth fifteen million pounds (if we decide to let him go). Next year, without taking into account and further improvement, he'll still be worth fifteen million. Only when Bentley has just one year left on his contract, i.e. in 2010, will his price start to drop. Even then his price tag would still be significant.

So regardless of the current contract discussions Blackburn can set the price tag they want. Furthermore, if Bentley wants to continue with his England aspirations, he needs to be playing regularly. Trying to engineer a move away from Ewood against the clubs wishes would not be the most expedient way of achieving this goal.

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Malc, Leeds says...
11:16am Thu 15 May 08

This contract situation is starting to get a little silly. We're offering him a new deal as a reward for good play and also to safeguard our return on him for extra years.

With three years left on his contract he seems to be worth fifteen million pounds (if we decide to let him go). Next year, without taking into account and further improvement, he'll still be worth fifteen million. Only when Bentley has just one year left on his contract, i.e. in 2010, will his price start to drop. Even then his price tag would still be significant.

So regardless of the current contract discussions Blackburn can set the price tag they want. Furthermore, if Bentley wants to continue with his England aspirations, he needs to be playing regularly. Trying to engineer a move away from Ewood against the clubs wishes would not be the most expedient way of achieving this goal.

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jeppo, yorks says...
11:33am Thu 15 May 08

I agree malc - although why do you think bents is 'trying to engineer a move away' - its only the media that are, not him. One day, probably next summer not this, a big, Champions League Club will come in for bents with a deal that suits him, and also suits the club, and he may move on, but ONLY IF THE DEAL IS RIGHT FOR ROVERS. Spurs would be a bad move for him, so would such as Newcastle etc. Arsenal/Man U/Chelsea won't be bidding, Liverpool may be a threat, or a top european club, but realistically, I'm sure we will keep hold of him for another year at least - which will benefit bentley AND Rovers. Aint Hughsey brilliant!!

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ossy rover, ossy says...
12:12pm Thu 15 May 08

were still having debates about bents which are really manufactured by the press. if you were to believe the rags Spurs are signing 6 or 7 players all reported to be £15M + each, (not only that the mirror reckons they put a bid in of £4M for ped).
the thing is rovers have 2 players in the current England squad which goes to show that you dont need to be with a so called fashionable club, or even a club playing in the UEFA or CL competitions, to be recognised as potential england players.
there are numerous players out there signed with big teams who dont play that often in either the CL or PL(two that spring to mind are crouch and sidwell) and both now want a club that can offer them a game every week.
hopefully Bents has got his head screwed on and learnt from his days at Arsenal, at rovers he is allowed a couple of bad games knowing he is a cert to start the next game, whereas at other clubs one bad game and your out and it not a certainty that you get straight back in.
from the way that hughsie is talkin which has been his mantra for a while we dont have to sell anybody (not bad for a club which has supposedly got no money) and if he was to go it would be under the clubs terms.

keep the faith

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Rover the Top, says...
12:23pm Thu 15 May 08

I'm sure everyone is clear about my view on it.

Certainly doesn't seem to be the case, the rumours keep on coming.
I know it's just the way the media work, but it must get boring for Hughes to have to say the same things over and over again, only for the same questions to be raised a few weeks later.

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Tommo, Blackburn says...
12:40pm Thu 15 May 08

If SWP is worth 21M of Chelsea's money-why isn't Bentley? I would pesonally accept anything over the 17M recieved for Duff! Also, Pedesen for 4M you say? I'll drive him down to London myself!

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gumboots, clitheroe says...
1:02pm Thu 15 May 08

But Mark Hughes has just stated he's not looking to change players. He'd rather stick with those who already know the way he works and what's expected of a Rovers player, and add more quality to that. so even if you were ready to drive Peds I don't think he'd be going.

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bnc, lancs says...
1:03pm Thu 15 May 08

duff was alot better. seriously, miles better.

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vagner, fwood says...
1:16pm Thu 15 May 08

id take duffer back to ewood even though hes had injuries hes still quality,look at roque cudnt have 5-10games without an injury at bayern now hes had a full season at rovers.
Peds started so come 2 life at end ov season but was bit to late for the other 20 crap performances.

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Raf of the Rovers, London says...
1:51pm Thu 15 May 08

I'm just wondering if anybody knows EXACTLY how much we paid for Bentley when he arrived from Arsenal - I was led to believe it was only a poultry £750k but if this is infact the case then surely Arsenal would have invoked a sell on clause for themselves? Not saying that we should seel Bentley, infact quite the opposite because I believe he has the potential to be one of the best English wingers around and with Hughes moving him into midfield every so often, the ability to make a great playmaker too, but lets be honest we wont be able to hold onto him forever if we regularly dont make europe and he a London lad so I'm sure one day he gona want to come back south so if we do decide to cash in when the time is right we have to maximize what we get out of him.

Some of the comments on here are right about SWP being worth £21m then surely he at least worth in and around that but if Arsenal have invoked a sell on clause i think we should compensate for that. Its not a complete no brainer if your Arsenal - why would you let someone go who even in Wenger's own word will become an England international for next to no money? Even Pedersen has a 20% sell on clause with Tromso so even if we did get 4m for him we would'nt see all of that lol - I reckon if we kan keep the squad intact and add some more quality like Giles Barnes from Derby or Sidwell from Chelsea and maybe a quality striker and a NATURAL right back we will be set.
We dont need alot of tinkering as Hughes makes clear in the article cos he will need to insert the mentality into every new signing which he been doing the last 3-4 years.

Report this post »

Howay, says...
4:13pm Thu 15 May 08

vagner wrote:
id take duffer back to ewood even though hes had injuries hes still quality,look at roque cudnt have 5-10games without an injury at bayern now hes had a full season at rovers. Peds started so come 2 life at end ov season but was bit to late for the other 20 crap performances.
You can have him back for me.
If i was Keegan id sell him for as little as 3.0m
He was a great player at Blackcburn but when we got him from Chelsea we'd just signed the reputation.
The players himself was a shadow of what he was.
Injuries have taken thier toll on Duffer and he doesnt look capable of beating a man or getting a cross in.
Lovelly lad, had a good career but not one for the future for us or You.
A good signing for you guys would be NZogbia.
He's had a fall out with Faye and looks to be moving.
He would be a great signing for Blackburn.

Report this post »

Martin, USA says...
4:40pm Thu 15 May 08

I've said it before and I still think that Duff would be a good signing fo us. Rovers fans know that he can play, he would be relatively cheap as he doesn't appear to have a future at Newcastle, and Hughes has a good record in getting injury-prone players fit and playing regularly at their best (Roque, Bellamy, Dunn). For 2m he could be an absolute steal if he could recover anywhere near the form he showed in his first spell. He would provide MGP with real competition too.

Another player I think would be worth a try is Emre at Newcastle - not sure if they want to sell him, or how much he'd be, but I've always thought he's a good footballer and has that eye for a pass that we are crying out for in the centre of our midfield.

Hopefully we'll kepp Bentley and add to the squad, rather than replace, but I trust Hughes to make the right decision in the best interests of BRFC.

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ian, ossy says...
6:18pm Thu 15 May 08

It was in one of the morning papers today that Tugay's been offered a new 1 year deal on low pay but massive appearance fee's and he's also been offered a coaching role with the kids.

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Patrick, Aberdeen says...
6:27pm Thu 15 May 08

I've just heard that villa have released thomas sorensen on a free. although, he is 30, there is no doubt that he is a quality keeper...what do you guys think about signing him up as someone who could come in for brad in a couple of seasons?

Report this post »

mike, says...
6:47pm Thu 15 May 08

Howay wrote:
vagner wrote: id take duffer back to ewood even though hes had injuries hes still quality,look at roque cudnt have 5-10games without an injury at bayern now hes had a full season at rovers. Peds started so come 2 life at end ov season but was bit to late for the other 20 crap performances.
You can have him back for me. If i was Keegan id sell him for as little as 3.0m He was a great player at Blackcburn but when we got him from Chelsea we'd just signed the reputation. The players himself was a shadow of what he was. Injuries have taken thier toll on Duffer and he doesnt look capable of beating a man or getting a cross in. Lovelly lad, had a good career but not one for the future for us or You. A good signing for you guys would be NZogbia. He's had a fall out with Faye and looks to be moving. He would be a great signing for Blackburn.
How refreshing, to see someone from another club, come onto our site and actually talk some sence.
I have mentioned N'zogbia in a previous topic, and with the fact he can play as a winger and a full back, means he could drop back & fill in for Warnock when he is injured/suspended.
Duff has looked out of sorts this season, when i've seen u play, but could still do a job for Toon.
The key for getting the best out of Duff has always been confidence. Something he looks very short of at the moment.

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Poshrover, peterborough says...
6:52pm Thu 15 May 08

Patrick wrote:
I've just heard that villa have released thomas sorensen on a free. although, he is 30, there is no doubt that he is a quality keeper...what do you guys think about signing him up as someone who could come in for brad in a couple of seasons?
Sorensen couldn,t catch a cold. We have a good up and coming goalkeeper in Jason Brown. We don,t need to be wasting money. Brown will be in his 3rd season at Rovers next season so he should be really pushing Brad. I would rather see Rovers get a decent right back and a playmaker in midfield that can open up teams. Keep the faith in MH he never fails to come up with the goods.

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Trev, manchester says...
7:40pm Thu 15 May 08

Sorensen is a bag of sh1t, Browns the next badger between the sticks then young german kid gloves himself Bjorn Bussman, cant see Friedel givin up his mittens for a while though - rightly so!

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Blossom, Blackburn says...
8:25pm Thu 15 May 08

You're all kidding yourself. Bentley will be away as soon as an offer comes in and the club may not be able to stop him. Has anyone thought of a release clause he might have in his contract? Rovers can't offer him European football and he knows he needs to play at the very top level (Champions League) to make himself an England regular otherwise he'll only be a fringe player/sub.

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Howay, says...
8:43pm Thu 15 May 08

mike wrote:
Howay wrote:
vagner wrote: id take duffer back to ewood even though hes had injuries hes still quality,look at roque cudnt have 5-10games without an injury at bayern now hes had a full season at rovers. Peds started so come 2 life at end ov season but was bit to late for the other 20 crap performances.
You can have him back for me. If i was Keegan id sell him for as little as 3.0m He was a great player at Blackcburn but when we got him from Chelsea we'd just signed the reputation. The players himself was a shadow of what he was. Injuries have taken thier toll on Duffer and he doesnt look capable of beating a man or getting a cross in. Lovelly lad, had a good career but not one for the future for us or You. A good signing for you guys would be NZogbia. He's had a fall out with Faye and looks to be moving. He would be a great signing for Blackburn.
How refreshing, to see someone from another club, come onto our site and actually talk some sence. I have mentioned N'zogbia in a previous topic, and with the fact he can play as a winger and a full back, means he could drop back & fill in for Warnock when he is injured/suspended. Duff has looked out of sorts this season, when i've seen u play, but could still do a job for Toon. The key for getting the best out of Duff has always been confidence. Something he looks very short of at the moment.
NZogbia is much better as an out and out winger but does do a job at full back.
Perhaps it would allow Warnock to get forward and the two could forge a partnership.
He can also play on the right because he always looks effective when he cuts inside.
His goal against Boro was fantastic but Big Sam never liked him out wide.
Duff is lacking confidence but i think he need a fresh start with new surroundings.

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ossy rover, ossy says...
10:54pm Thu 15 May 08

Blossom wrote:
You're all kidding yourself. Bentley will be away as soon as an offer comes in and the club may not be able to stop him. Has anyone thought of a release clause he might have in his contract? Rovers can't offer him European football and he knows he needs to play at the very top level (Champions League) to make himself an England regular otherwise he'll only be a fringe player/sub.
the debate about bents has been going on for months at the moment he's still here, as for release clauses hughsie has already stated there isnt one. Bents has managed to get into the england squad without being a regular in the CL. how many English right hand side midfielders actually play CL football i can think of 1 SWP at Chelsea, and he isnt a regular in the that side.
theres just to much emphasis placed on the CL or Eufa games by the media.
at the end of the day the ultimate decision whether Bents move is Bents, if he makes it clear to hughsie and the board he doesnt want to play for us anymore then fine let him move on, but i think bents has too much respect for hughsie to allow that to happen.

keep the faith


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saxo1man30, tells it how it is.. says...
2:17am Fri 16 May 08

bentley is going nowhere. all this is media driven frenzy trying to set the wheels in motion for a move that they want to happen. they can`t stand the thought of a future england golden boy playing for a small lancashire town club, however massively successful that club is. bentley has 3 years left on his rovers contract, so the club are under no pressure to sell at this moment in time. next summer it`ll be a differant story, but for the coming season he`ll remain at rovers.

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gumboots, clitheroe says...
9:36am Fri 16 May 08

Can I just say that the comments re Bentley to Liverpool in 10 million plus Pennant deal are not my comments. I did not post them and have complained that they have been posted in my name. I would not swap Bentley for any amount of cash and certainly not for Pennant, who I do not rate and would not want at Rovers.

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Robbie, Manchester says...
10:29am Fri 16 May 08

e is a rovers player at the moment, and if he goes then we will cross that bridge then. personaly i dont think he will leave this season.

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ewoodblues, ossy says...
10:54am Fri 16 May 08

just herd on sky sports news we have agreed a deal to sing both bobby zamore for 2.5 million from west ham and gerard pique on season long loan from man u. not bad future looking up for us blues

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Robbie, Manchester says...
11:08am Fri 16 May 08

ewoodblues wrote:
just herd on sky sports news we have agreed a deal to sing both bobby zamore for 2.5 million from west ham and gerard pique on season long loan from man u. not bad future looking up for us blues
hope the zamora one is wrong, he is turd
pique is a good young player.. very interesting that one and if true very good.

however...... no story on here. or the rovers site. or manchestersevening news. or man utd site.. hmmmmm

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jukes, leicester says...
11:09am Fri 16 May 08

i must say ewoodblues i aint heard about that but i defo do NOT want zamora anywhere near ewood. get a decent striker if were gona get one not crappy west ham rejects! and as for pique, i think he looks promising but it seems barcelona want him back and as much as i love rovers and think were the best team on the planet i think we'll struggle to compete with them for his signature

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Trev, manchester says...
11:23am Fri 16 May 08

some classic sh1tty rumours being made, amusing though!!

zamora - crap but good bench warmer
pique - exciting proespect but wont sign for us
nzogbia - wont sign, high wages and value
sorensen - sack of sh1t, buttery fingers
duff - past it, fringe player
pennant - not a bad player but cant see him signing, bentleys staying on!

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Trev, manchester says...
12:06pm Fri 16 May 08

sorry i spoke to soon bentley has just handed in a transfer request - reports radio lancashire omg i cant belive what iam hearing

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cathy, ossy says...
12:12pm Fri 16 May 08

yes i have just herd same report can i just say good luck and thanks to him for the past few years

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Dan, Blackburn says...
12:15pm Fri 16 May 08

Trev wrote:
sorry i spoke to soon bentley has just handed in a transfer request - reports radio lancashire omg i cant belive what iam hearing
Funny that, because you cant get radio lancashire in manchester the signal does not go that far, also i have had it on all morning in work, and well ya lying cus no story about bents has been on.

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Trev, Manchester says...
12:19pm Fri 16 May 08

dan get your facts right befoe posting my name is trev i live in manchester but iam a big blackburn fan who works in darwen i have just herd the report on the radio so dont come on here lying you nimwit

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dan, Blackburn says...
12:33pm Fri 16 May 08

Trev wrote:
dan get your facts right befoe posting my name is trev i live in manchester but iam a big blackburn fan who works in darwen i have just herd the report on the radio so dont come on here lying you nimwit
SUREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE you do.. not been on the radio, not on sky, not on bbc, not on rovers site, not on here, i smell a lier...

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Robbie, blackburn says...
12:35pm Fri 16 May 08

dan just shut up and get your facts right ring lancashire evening telegraph and they will confirm hes handed in a request - or should i say his agent did it on his behalf

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dan, Blackburn says...
12:38pm Fri 16 May 08

Robbie wrote:
dan just shut up and get your facts right ring lancashire evening telegraph and they will confirm hes handed in a request - or should i say his agent did it on his behalf
First time you have posted on here Robbie from blackburn... i think your trev being a fake...

The real Robbie is from manchester i think you shall find..

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kathryn Smith, blackburn says...
12:42pm Fri 16 May 08

can we all stop this talk as bents has definatley handed in is request can we all just say a big thanks to him and wish him look

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robbie, Manchester says...
12:49pm Fri 16 May 08

we will see wont we, no storys on any site i have looked at.

just because one has been put in does not mean we have to let him go, we can do as we did with benni and turn it down.

people who are posting under false names should grow up.

lets wait and see what is said via the offical channels aka rovers website

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john paul murphy, cork-ireland says...
2:38pm Fri 16 May 08

as a lifelong rovers fan, i would like to add that mark hughes has been by far the greatest manager at the club the new signings he has drafted in have been immense i hope d.bently will stay he is a great talent but if moves on rovers can still be a team to be reckoned with next season will see league cup honours /fa cup for the rovers. go sparky, up the bbrfc..

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Tre, manchester says...
2:50pm Fri 16 May 08

Trev wrote:
some classic sh1tty rumours being made, amusing though!! zamora - crap but good bench warmer pique - exciting proespect but wont sign for us nzogbia - wont sign, high wages and value sorensen - sack of sh1t, buttery fingers duff - past it, fringe player pennant - not a bad player but cant see him signing, bentleys staying on!
this is all i've genuinly said on here today so dunno what the rest is all about, sad gimp whoever it is, i think bentleys gonna stay so all that chat above me sayin hes off and handed in a transfer request is crap, jog on faker.

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Chico, STILL chasin' that pesky' old blimp! says...
2:53pm Fri 16 May 08

kathryn Smith wrote:
can we all stop this talk as bents has definatley handed in is request can we all just say a big thanks to him and wish him look
Hi Everyone!

It's been a while since I've been able to post on these pages - that blimp led me through the Outer Hebrides and there's no internet signal up there!

I bumped into Owne Coyle while I was up there - he's searching for players among the local farmers, that is, as long as he can find one that'll sign a contract - he's not had much luck with that so far!

Hope you all had an ace season, let's hope next years is even better!

Now to business...

ooh look...SOME DINGLES!!!! ALL WAVE AT THE DINGLES!!!

Be careful though...they're easily startled, and hide at the first mention of 'Andy Cole' for some reason!

Take care,

Chico x

Report this post »

sam, Darwen says...
3:47pm Fri 16 May 08

Trev wrote:
sorry i spoke to soon bentley has just handed in a transfer request - reports radio lancashire omg i cant belive what iam hearing
still no word on skysports or bbc or even the rovers site. i think your a llil fibber boyo

Report this post »

Real Trev, manchester says...
3:54pm Fri 16 May 08

sam wrote:
Trev wrote: sorry i spoke to soon bentley has just handed in a transfer request - reports radio lancashire omg i cant belive what iam hearing
still no word on skysports or bbc or even the rovers site. i think your a llil fibber boyo
wasting your time pal, we have an imposter on the site, bentleys going nowhere...

Report this post »

Bob, Blackburn says...
5:01pm Fri 16 May 08

Robbie wrote:
ewoodblues wrote: just herd on sky sports news we have agreed a deal to sing both bobby zamore for 2.5 million from west ham and gerard pique on season long loan from man u. not bad future looking up for us blues
hope the zamora one is wrong, he is turd pique is a good young player.. very interesting that one and if true very good. however...... no story on here. or the rovers site. or manchestersevening news. or man utd site.. hmmmmm
I seem to remember Zamora coming on as a sub for West Ham when we played them at home season before before last.

We were winning 1-0 then Zamora come on and they dominated us for the rest of the game. He threaded the pass into the box that led to the penalty and it was his goal-bound shot that Tevez stopped on the line buit was awarded for their winner.

So I think saying he is "turd" is a bit wide of the mark. I'd certainly take him as a squad player, he reminds me of Marcus Bent but with a few more goals.


Report this post »

Tony, Blackburn says...
5:49pm Fri 16 May 08

What do you guys and gals reckon to Rovers having a punt on Harry Kewell this close season? He's finished with the scousers and I think it could be a good move for both parties and we certainly need competition for Pederson who has been poor all season and was only good for half of the season before! On a separate note, I heard a rumour of Scholes and Giggs possibly coming our way this summer. They would be two quality additions even if they are now veterans.

Report this post »

J.P, burnley says...
10:27am Sat 17 May 08

dont panic!!!hes overrated!!!no one wants him,maybe west ham or villa may take him..he doesnt want to continue at your small club

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