White Heart Pain via THTV
Some old news that we might not have known about and some new
1) Craig Bellamy was nailed on to join us last season all agreed until the club told him that they wanted him to come to the training ground every day even though he couldn't train same as Ledley. He would have had to leave his home in Cardiff at 5.45 every day to get to the ground for 8.50 Harry had no problem with him just coming up for tactics on Friday's and train at home but Levy was having none of it. There was a massive confrontation in Levy's office end of August between Harry Levy Craig and his agent but Levy wouldn't back down Craig really wanted to play for us and was excited at playing under Harry. Harry had talked about him being an impact player and replacing Aaron or Gareth and playing a major role in Cup games and Europe.
After the meeting Gareth's agent phoned Damien Comolli and the rest is history, on a personal level knowing Craig and what he offers I think it was a mistake not to take him last season we should have done with him at times as I think we overplayed some players. As much as people think he is a horrible man he is really misunderstood he is really quite reserved off the pitch and a genuinely nice guy.
2) Gareth Bale will not be leaving Spurs and there is only one Team in the world he will go too and that is Barcelona. But its not all as cut and dry. He is soon to be a father 6 weeks time to be precise which has focused him on his short and long term future. He does not want to be away from his long term partner and Child who still live in Cardiff, ten minutes from his parent's. Gareth is happy at Spurs and feels he can help the team back to the Champions League. His reported £100,0000+ is al £2,500 for an assist etc.... He is relishing this season and has set a target of 20+ goals he has a bet with JD that he will score more goals than him. On the Barcelona front this is the only place that has been discussed as a possible destination some time in the future when his son/daughter is older the reason for Barcelona other than the obvious is that Gareth's partner's dad lives out there and she would not feel so isolated. Good news is that we have him for a couple of years at least if not longer and he hasn't ruled out being at the club for life.
Also he has been asked by AVB to adapt to a different role this season AVB and his coaching staff see him as a deep lying forward they have been working on this in training and will continue to use this as and when new signing's come in. He thinks it will be back four then 2 defensive midfielder's a play-maker just in front of them and then Gareth on the deep left of a main Target striker and someone on the deep right side. He thinks that the right sided deep playing striker is probably going to be Moussa Dembele from Fulham. Expect the signing to be announced before deadline day, the club don't want to move to soon as Manchester Utd are back interested since they missed out on Lucas Moura.
3) Liverpool have enquired about Steven Caulker which we replied yes for silly money near twenty million which they don't have and won't pay.They then came back asking about Michael Dawson which I believe could well happen for the right price anything upwards of ten million and he can go expect this to happen before the end of the window if Daniel Agger gets sold. AVB doesn't think he suits the style of play he is quite Laboured and injury's have slowed him a bit also AVB wan't the ball played to feet and keep possession. In training he stands off the forwards and sits to deep he is definitely not in AVB's plans Tom Huddlestone too is not up to the energy level he expect's and has too have individual training sessions with the coaches.
4) Gaston Ramires was at the Lodge yesterday with his advisor's a fee has been agreed with his club just waiting on personal demands medical etc... he is Luka's replacement who has started to say his goodbye's to the players the club will announce this week i would have thought.