(05-21-2020, 08:20 AM)Spandaubaggie Wrote: [ -> ]Some of them we recall well and aren't that inspiring, but Modric, Lewandowski and Aubameyang wow!
It's still amazing to think we had Lukaku for that season.
Oh to have got one of them 3 and at least we would have cashed in.
TBF, Mourinho was desperate to get rid, as he hadn't bought him. Hence constantly loaning him out. (Ironic as he was happy enough to pay 70+M for him at MU). The daft thing was that with Rom's aptitude for improvement and his taking to the Prem like a duck to water, yet we could have probably got him for less than 10M. An absolute no brainer with the knowledge we'd probably be practically auctioning him off within 2 years.
Worth remembering that most clubs have a list of players they nearly signed who went on the be huge. Lewandowski was also offered to Blues and would have signed for Blackburn had the Icelandic volcano not grounded his flight.
Diego Maradona almost signed for Sheffield United in the late 70’s, but the transfer fell through because the United board tried to haggle over £40k. The ultimate JUST PAY THE FUCKING MONEY!!! .
Aye, they went with his compatriot Alex Sabella instead.
Didn't know we were close to signing Modric. He did have soft feet.
(05-21-2020, 11:33 AM)Kit Kat Chunky Wrote: [ -> ] (05-21-2020, 10:20 AM)GunsOfNavarone Wrote: [ -> ]John Carew was an autograph from becoming an Albion player. Still can't believe the board had the cheek to only offer Blues £100,000 for Trevor Francis.
He had a cold, apparently.
That's just the way he talks!!
I still shudder at this one - this was the real sliding door moment for us. Francis in, Robson, Moses and Atkinson stay, oh fuck it, let it go B1 it's over 40 years now
So TP wanted an over the hill.old, John Terry on massive wages and VVD no thanks. Tells you all you need to know about that t*t
(05-22-2020, 10:54 AM)baggy1 Wrote: [ -> ] (05-21-2020, 11:33 AM)Kit Kat Chunky Wrote: [ -> ] (05-21-2020, 10:20 AM)GunsOfNavarone Wrote: [ -> ]John Carew was an autograph from becoming an Albion player. Still can't believe the board had the cheek to only offer Blues £100,000 for Trevor Francis.
He had a cold, apparently.
That's just the way he talks!!
I still shudder at this one - this was the real sliding door moment for us. Francis in, Robson, Moses and Atkinson stay, oh fuck it, let it go B1 it's over 40 years now
(05-22-2020, 10:54 AM)baggy1 Wrote: [ -> ] (05-21-2020, 11:33 AM)Kit Kat Chunky Wrote: [ -> ] (05-21-2020, 10:20 AM)GunsOfNavarone Wrote: [ -> ]John Carew was an autograph from becoming an Albion player. Still can't believe the board had the cheek to only offer Blues £100,000 for Trevor Francis.
He had a cold, apparently.
That's just the way he talks!!
I still shudder at this one - this was the real sliding door moment for us. Francis in, Robson, Moses and Atkinson stay, oh fuck it, let it go B1 it's over 40 years now
still shudder at this one - this was the real sliding door moment for us. Francis in, Robson, Moses and Atkinson stay, oh fuck it, let it go B1 it's over 40 years now
I don't think we've ever really recovered from that time.
We had a top half (at least) div 1 team, and spiralled down, for 20 years. We've not really got back to that level.
Please correct me, but what I think I know of that dire, little- documented time is from BFR.
Briefly, he wanted to invest in the team. The forward looking director (Tom Silk?) died in a plane crash. The remaining board went full money- saving, sold those 3 (if you include BFR), and, although they did buy a couple of decent players, it was down hill to 1985 via more money saving managers, all called Ron. Then it got worse.
Anyone know more than that?
Not far off and I was only young so this may be one for those over 55 - but we have always been tight and pulled out of spending that sort of money on the striker that we needed in 79, we got David Mills for half the price. Ally Brown was always able to contribute to the team but we needed an upgrade and Francis was it, we'd finished 3rd in 78/79 and that upgrade could have pushed us on in 79/80 (we finished 10th). Players and manager were getting a bit frustrated but in 80/81 we managed 4th which gave us hope and then Atkinson left, took the best midfield around and the rest is history.