I think America is still seen by FIFA as an untapped market and if they could push 'soccer' and raise its profile it could be a real money spinner. I would imagine Canada is a similar but smaller version of this. 

And of course there are always the brown envelopes.

Something about this deal doesn't smell right:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44455348

7 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

I would agree most of signings have not work out

And did they cost money and get paid exceptionally well?

57 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Cant blame him tbh..

Its a mess at Villa and the personal issues he had to deal with during the season. Maybe it time for a proper break and some family time

But he has to accept his responsibility in the mess as he was the manager with a huge budget and allowed to sign players and take in expensive loans. He failed to get them promoted and now it looks like he will conveniently hide behind the off the field stuff. He has walked away before several times and has had nine managers jobs in eighteen years.

Just now, Dreams of 1995 said:

The Conway deal is a strange one. He had under 30 appearances last season with many of them coming from the bench. He's had a good career here and in his heyday brought some quality out wide. However, last year he showed his age and that loss of half a yard meant he wasn't getting in anywhere near as many crosses as he used to. You would expect that he is on between 5-10k a week and arguably there'd be better ways to spend that money.

He is, or was at least, a good player though. As a coach his experience could be invaluable and we have to remember he has over 150 apps for us. There's no room for sentiment in football but influential players like Conway can help younger lads come through. More worrying is that we have no other wingers for him to pass on his wisdom to. 

I don't understand where he will fit in as a coach as we are well stocked at first team and under 23 level. I don't know for sure but does he have any coaching qualifications or is it a case of helping him to get a foot on the ladder.

Whatever his role I just don't think he adds any value to Rovers.

Just now, Leonard Venkhater said:

If we have 0 out and out wingers, that doesn't justify offering a deal to someone, who is a busted flush (my opinion , of course)

If we had signed a 33 year old from another club on a one year deal people would be up in arms. I don't buy the leader/coach/experience/knows the club line that is being spun to justify his contract. I have seen enough of him over the last couple of seasons to know he simply isn't good enough anymore.

25 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Media reports suggest Steve Bruce will walk away from Villa

I thought he would from the moment the final whistle went against Fulham. He has a history of walking away from clubs and my guess is he will use the financial problems as an excuse. And he will be back on the merry-go-round in no time at all.

35 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

On his signing interview (2:08) :

‘What can the fans expect from you ?’

‘Tackles

A few bookings

Lead the team’

?

I can't be bothered listening but he looks like he has been on the weights. Normally being too bulky slows you down, he'll be running in reverse soon to match his passing.

2 hours ago, tomphil said:

Spot on especially when you see the delegation the BBC send to 'cover' big events at licence payers money when all that happens really is most of them sit in the studio.

SKY etc as well seem to have ever expanding numbers of seats in their broadcasts, just how many opinions do you need on one bog standard game ? 

Old boys networks just getting as much out of the game as they can.

Right on cue:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44435725

They are in addition to the plethora of 'experts' already on the gravy train at our expense.

Just now, JacknOry said:

Think its something like that yeah or black people bowing down to whites or something. Another term I saw on Twitter in the comments was a coconut - dark on the outside but white on the inside.

Lets be honest though, I think it is quite clear why Collymore does not attract much media work and his name calling reply to Wright sums up those reasons. He is just not a very nice person who has been in the media alot for the wrong reasons, beating up Ulrika for instance. To then suggest it is down to skin colour and nothing else is way off. he does make some good points about the likes of Lampard, Gerrard and Barton walking straight into management but his own personal case cannot be argued really.

Malteser is another term I have seen used. I think the 'Tom' is a reference to Uncle Toms Cabin. 

Punditry for many of them has become an easy way of making money after their playing career has ended and for me they could do away with the lot of them and save plenty of money. I very rarely watch/listen to what any of them have to say as I can make my own mind up having seen the incidents they are prattling on about. Very few of them have gone into management and some of them that have (Shearer and Neville) and failed spectacularly. I watch Rugby League on TV and the few pundits they have are both knowledgeable and insightful.

It's quite funny to see them squabbling and Collymore should take a long look at himself.

5 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

What has Simon Conning done wrong? 

Simon is an agent who gets the best deal for his clients, that's his job. He is quite well known locally as he lived in Blackburn for many years although he is from Liverpool. And because people know him a lot want to take a free hit at him and listen to gossip, a lot of which is completely unfounded. 

To answer your question I don't believe he has done anything wrong but several people disagree without any evidence whatsoever. I don't agree that clubs should have to pay agents but their clients should but that is the business they are in. 

6 hours ago, JAL said:

Chaddy likes your post Tony wonder why. 

Maybe there is some truth in it John.

1 hour ago, JAL said:

Any chance of selling The donkey Nyambe and Nuttall to bring some cash in ?

I think I have cracked this case John. Nyambe, Nuttall and Gallagher all have the same agent namely Simon Conning. Now you have made your thoughts clear about Simon (a Liverpudlian by chance) many times. So I think that purely by association you dislike any of his clients and will do with any of his clients who might sign in future.

1 hour ago, Tugay's Right Foot said:

Saw the released list. A bit left field but how about the Korean Ki from Swansea and Lee Chung Yong? They struck me as hardworking and have some skills, albeit some time ago that I saw them play. Lee seems like a winger.

One big issue with signing any PL players with experience at all is wages. Invariably they are really well paid and demand some parity with this when they move on. I think Mowbrays young and hungry mantra is the way forward for us.

Just now, cesus said:

I remember Mowbray saying at the end of last season he was almost a little happy Dack picked up an injury towards the end of last season so they could keep an eye on him over summer.

I do think he very much has the ability to be a good championship player he just needs to keep his mind on the game, he reminds me a lot of Dunny with the ball at feet and finishing ability but like Dunny seems to be a man who likes a beer, women and hasn’t been blessed with a natural athletic physique.

It's a strange phenomenon with talented, enigmatic players who quite often fly by the seat of their pants. Even going back to the likes of Stan Bowles who was terrifically talented but lacked the real dedication to put him into the 50 - 75 England Cap bracket. There are lots of examples similar to Bowles. Dack certainly has ability and if he can improve his fitness by 10% through working hard and living correctly I think he will be comfortable in the Championship. If he could get 15 goals next season I'm sure the upper PL sides would come knocking.

24 minutes ago, perthblue02 said:

Surely in the advent of all things digital there is absolutely no reason for the EFL and officials from clubs to go swanning off to Portugal each year, everything can be done over a skype conference or similar .Be a lot cheaper considering the EFL are always complaining of being skint

In the next few weeks an army of English blazers will be flying business class to Russia and staying in five star hotels whilst dining out on expenses. Bottom feeders are more prevalent in football than anywhere else.

There is an interesting item on the agenda at today's EFL AGM regarding match programmes.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11398002/efl-agm-to-get-underway-on-friday-with-clubs-expected-to-vote-on-number-of-issues

Dack was back at Brockhall today pushing himself as he recovers from his hamstring strain. Hopefully he hits the ground running for us as he faces up to the challenge of the Championship where he has never played before and in many respects has to prove himself.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/16276599.Dack_back_at_Brockhall_as_Rovers_man_steps_up_pre-season_work/

1 hour ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

So what did we offer and what have they offered? I am guessing you don't have a clue.  If they are offering €2000 extra per week, you don't think we should match that?

I thought I made it clear in my post that I wouldn't offer any more. Some agents would want a Dutch auction situation but in my opinion it's a dangerous road to go down.

And you are right I don't have a clue but then you don't either.

29 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

And therein lies Villa’s problem in ‘clearing the wage bill’,  a hell of a lot of average footballers on money no non PL club could possibly match (or even want to).

I think it sums up lots of clubs Matty. Vastly overpriced and overpaid players which ultimately drives the cost of transfer fees and wages up for everybody. And relative to League One wages and transfer fees we were as bad last season.

2 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I wouldn't.

Me neither. I don't believe we should be upping the original offer too. He has been offered what the club thinks he is worth and that should be it. If he can get a better deal elsewhere he should take it.

Just now, Butty said:

If this is true then we are fooked. If frigging Bolton can afford to offer a player more than we can then I'm lowering my expectations for this summer greatly.  

I'm guessing but I would think the length of the contract would be as important to Graham as the money. I would like him to stay but I don't think we should be offering more than a one year deal.

29 minutes ago, Dryhorse said:

Wow saying NI were one of the worst defensive park the bus teams at Hampden is deriding them?

Northern Ireland is not England fellas dont see why you would even want to bring that up

Also pretty sure most of these guys got there badges in Largs with Mourinio and Martnez and so many others

 

Epic fail again lads this would be comical if it was not so sad 

 

????

Of course you derided them - read again what you wrote. You used them and Wales to compare against Scotland's record in major tournaments. 

You are turning into McChaddy.

23 minutes ago, Dryhorse said:

Mowbray could not win our league as a boss at Celtic

In fact no Englishman has as boss

Fergie Dalglish all won EPL as gaffers

So much about our about our pub league ???

But Rodgers has won several SPL titles (and other trophies) and is Northern Irish, a country which you have been deriding for their lack of major championship qualification. I can only think of two Englishmen managing Celtic and Rangers. One was Mowbray and the other John Barnes who actually crashed and burned at Tranmere.

Edit: Add Lennon and O'Neill to the list of Nothern Irishmen.