Business done early, says Jags

, 3 August, 33comments  |  Jump to most recent
Phil Jagielka has said he is relieved that manager David Moyes has been able to do his business with time to spare before the 2012-13 campaign begins, and the squad will benefit from then lack of uncertainty which has troubled them in previous pre-seasons.

He said: “We always seem to have an air of confidence, especially after the finish we had. But it was important whether we were going to do business, be it ins or outs, that it's done as soon as possible.

“We've seen with Tim (Cahill) going that it was nice for him it was done quick enough. Nasiy (Steven Naismith) has come in and he looks like he's going to be a decent player for us.

“Hopefully we can get a couple of more in and start the season with a squad rather than having it clouding over us, and wondering ‘are we going to get him or lose him'.

“The club seem to have made a purposeful intent with the transfer market to get what we can in, obviously we haven't got a lot of money but get what we can in and get everyone familiar with each other. We've been handed a tough game first game of season but what's an easy one?

“We've not started as well in the past whether it's Stoke home or away, or Wigan, or Newcastle. United won't be looking forward to coming here because they know they'll need to start the season well with the way their season finished and how competitive it will be for them to win the league. It's going to be an interesting game.”

Quotes or other material sourced from Liverpool Daily Post



Reader Comments (33)

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James Flynn
1 Posted 03/08/2012 at 14:51:01
Come on the season.

COYB!

Denis Richardson
2 Posted 03/08/2012 at 15:20:51
I would say some business done earlier than usual. After all, Naismith is the only real new face, given Pienaar only left us 30 days ago when his loan ended.

Including loans, by my calculation we've let about 6 first team squad players go since 30 June and have brought in 2. So we're still 4 players short of what we had at the end of last season, and we didn't have a very big squad as it is. (Assuming Junior can make the step up, then 3.)

A lot of business still to do, I'm afraid... 28 days of the transfer window left... and counting.

Mark Riding
3 Posted 03/08/2012 at 15:31:17
Dennis, that must be a hell of a saving on wages per month? Maybe even enough money saved over a year to not have to sell anyone?
Ian Barker
4 Posted 03/08/2012 at 15:51:29
Weekly ages: Cahill (£50k) Jaoa Silva (£5k), Denis (£10k), Drenthe (£40k), Hahnemann (£5k), Baxter & Wallace (£5k)...

Looking at around £6 million a year saving on prior year, less £1.5 million estimate for Naismith gives around £4.5 million savings.

It is not unreasonable to assume Yobo's & Cahill's fees cover Pienaar's also. (This does not include Pienaar or Yobo as they were loans in the prior year so wages were covered last season.)

I am not saying this should be used to buy plays as we are in such debt; however, it should be a significant saving that will keep the banks away for another year and possibly enable a loan or two...

Tony Cheek
5 Posted 03/08/2012 at 15:48:36
All's well so far, going in to the new season with Baines and Felli is a real upper and I am quite satisfied with the squad we are starting a new season with (albeit a bit small). But are we out of the woods? Is there still time to lose one of them?

I can't believe that in just 3 weeks time we will start against Man United, who at the moment have big defensive problems... What a start that could be, to do them at home first game. COYB!
Sam Hoare
6 Posted 03/08/2012 at 16:20:56
Could really do with some better pre-season performances to boost confidence.

Will be interesting to see if Naismith starts on behind Jela or more likely on the right with fella proving himself a nuisance behind Jela. In which case who starts in central mid alongside Gibbo. Not rodwell on pre season form....

Denis Richardson
7 Posted 03/08/2012 at 16:16:00
Tony - we start against the mancs 2 weeks on Monday, its even closer!

Mark / Ian, don't think you can look at it that way, most of the players you mention have left recently so we haven't saved much yet. Also The net 4.5m a year saving you calculate only works if we don't bring anyone else in.....

Am all for cutting down on costs as we're currently running at a loss but we have a really small squad. The first 11 is pretty strong but a couple of injuries and/or suspensions and we're in trouble. Need to bring in at least 2 more players I think (even if on loan), which will increase the wage bill again. The usual right midfield problem and another decent striker would be great.

Still at least some big earners are gone/going.

Can we please get a midfielder with PACE................PLEASE!!

Ian Barker
8 Posted 03/08/2012 at 16:25:22
This is correct- it does not mean our bank balance is any higher- however it helps but budget and overall financial viability

Previously the problem seems previously the banks may of told the board they had to sell. If we can proove/ show operating costs will reduce by £4.5 amount it stregnthens our case when it comes to convincing the bank not to force us to sell players. (the fact that it has come to this is unacceptable of course)

Ultimately most of us feel our best squad of 18 can challenge for Europe so if you offerred the window to shut now I think most would take it.

Mark Riding
9 Posted 03/08/2012 at 16:26:57
Denis, some genuine pace would be fantastic (cue: Jimmy and the Drenthe thing...) Zaha has it in bucketloads, someone on another thread mentioned Johnson maybe available from City on a loan? Leaving Jelavic and a pacey sort on the halfway line for corners... deep breaths.
Kristian Boyce
10 Posted 03/08/2012 at 17:14:50
Well done Jags, be the company man, did Bill write the speech for you? This summer has all been about asset stripping.The following have left during the summer, some for a fee, others not. Some squad players others reserves.

Cahill
Joao Silva
Denis Stracq
Drenthe
Hahnemann
Baxter
Wallace
McFadden
Forshaw
A.Davies
Yobo
+ 2-3 more youth players
We brought in 2, Naismith & Pienaar (who was basically already here). We have a 1st team squad of 23, but 6 of these are under 21, so really we have an official squad of 17 (as we can have as many under 21's included as we want).

“The club seem to have made a purposeful intent with the transfer market to get what we can in..." - Am I missing something here?

Steve Jones
11 Posted 03/08/2012 at 18:01:09
Have a look at that list again...

Silva - didnt make the grade...see ya
Stracq- likewise
Drenthe - madder than a box of badgers no thanks
McFadden - useless
Hahnemann - not needed
Yobo - saga needing an ending
plus a scattering of kids who weren't going anywhere

since when has cutting out a load of dead wood been the same as asset stripping?

Wayne Smyth
12 Posted 03/08/2012 at 18:11:51
I agree with steve. If I'm honest I was really pissed off that we didn't do it earlier. Players like McFadden and Hahnemann shouldn't have been on our books in the first place.

In hindsight Drenthe was too much of a disruptive influence and Straq didn't make the grade(despite his best efforts).

This season I'd like to see more of Barkley, Rodwell, Junior and perhaps Bidwell too. We only had Jelavic and Pienaar for half a season so all in all we're starting off this season on a much more positive footing.....assuming no-one else significant leaves.

Si Cooper
13 Posted 03/08/2012 at 18:33:45
Stracq and McFadden not good enough, Drenthe too disruptive - all true, but they did operate as squad players during the last season, and did make appearances (some being pretty important) so their moving -on can't be dismissed out of hand.

Have seen it suggested that some of our youngsters may benefit from loans to Championship clubs but that is unlikely to happen as we need them to play / be available for us. Ideally would develop them in house but the reserve team standard doesn't seem to be good enough to provide the right environment. Obviously can't influence the quality of the opposition, but our very small squad does have a knock-on effect due to our lack of strength in depth.

Not sure about this U21 competition - we may end up fielding the U16's as everyone else will be doing bench duty for the first team.

Kieran Fitzgerald
14 Posted 03/08/2012 at 19:04:39
You would think that Barkley, Garbutt, Duffy and Gueye are not going to be on anything near 30K a week for the coming season. They should all make the squad and save on giving wages to more senior professionals. This combined with what we have gotten rid of over the summer should save us a lot of money. If these players also progress over the next twelve months, we should hopefully also save on transfer fees next summer.
Kristian Boyce
15 Posted 03/08/2012 at 19:50:59
Steve, I absolutely agree on your assessment of those players. The point I was trying to make is that with that amount of players being shipped out, where are the replacements? Not all were 1st teamers but a number contributed when needed. Every season the squad shrinks in size, and now we are down to bare bones. I dread to think whats going to happen if Jelavic gets injured.
Simon Spencer
16 Posted 03/08/2012 at 20:07:57
Kristan you only need replacements if they are actually used. Out of that list I am more concerned about the Drenthe replacement. As hot / cold he was he had pass and a shot and pass in him. However it is probable that we will dip into the loan market for this.
James Flynn
17 Posted 03/08/2012 at 20:42:04
Well, for what it's worth the "Landon's Last Season in MLS" storyline seems to be building up some steam over here.
Terry White
18 Posted 03/08/2012 at 20:51:16
Assuming we play 4 at the back (Hibbo/Nev; Distin/Jags/Johnny/Duffy; Baines/Garbutt/Bidwell), and Jelly (Vellios) alone up top, that leaves 5 to be played in "midfield" out of the present squad

Coleman, Gibson, Fellaini, Pienaar, Rodwell, Barkley, Junior, Osman, Naismith, Anichebe, Guaye

What formation do you play? Is the "Cahill formation" now history? Who do you play and who do you leave out? Unless we have injuries, I would suggest there is no reason to bring Timmy back on loan except for sentimental reasons. You could say the same about Donovan although a reliable right side of the "fluid" midfield would be helpful.

Of course, sales or signings could change this. Looks like we have a squad of 22-23 right now.

Ben Jones
19 Posted 03/08/2012 at 22:40:02
I don't think the numbers are too bad, it's just two positions that worry me, striker and winger.

Right wing, we have plenty of options, but the problem is none of them are specialised wide right players. Two of them are strikers, one a centre midfielder and the other a right back. That is worrying, so a right winger is a must.

Striker we need cover for Jelavic. If Jelavic is injured, then we are screwed. I'd rather buy one and then loan out Vellios, because he needs some consistent first team football.

Right back we do need, but because we do have two right backs anyway, who Moyes loves, they will never go.

So if we have two loan signings to cover the striker and the right wing spot, and we don't sell any of our best players, I'm liking our chances for Europe.

Richard Jones
20 Posted 04/08/2012 at 09:03:47
How can you say the numbers arnt too bad ?i ts a tiny squad Ben!!
Jim Harrison
21 Posted 04/08/2012 at 13:43:24
There has been many a call on this site for the youngsters to get a run out, here is their chance! Barkley, Duffy, Vellios, Gueye and even Rodwell are going to be needed if there areno more signings, lets hope they are up to it.
Nelly Verdonghan
22 Posted 04/08/2012 at 13:41:11
Business...what business ?????

One player who was already here and another who we got for nothing from a club on the brink of liquidation.....

Great business that.....why don't they just keep their mouths shut....

Nelly Verdonghan
23 Posted 04/08/2012 at 13:46:44
Jim #750...I can assure you after their pitiful displays in the recent reserve games....they are not !!..... especially Rodwell
Steavey Buckley
24 Posted 04/08/2012 at 14:23:01
A club in the top flight can't be 'run' on scraggs off the cast offs. Even the likes of Southampton, who were a few years ago in a dire financial position, can out 'muscle' Everton, financially, when it comes to buying players. Either the board put their money in their pockets and give Moyes real money to buy players with, or put the club up for sale at the nominal price of a £1, to let other interest parties put their money in their pockets and spend.
Jim Harrison
25 Posted 04/08/2012 at 15:48:09
Nelly, hope springs eternal!
Ben Jones
26 Posted 04/08/2012 at 18:20:24
I don't know Richard. Lets have a look at the squad

Goalkeepers: Howard, Mucha
Defenders: Hibbert, Neville, Baines, Jags, Distin, Heitinga, Duffy, Coleman
Midfield: Gueye, Pienaar, Gibson, Rodwell, Fellaini, Osman, Barkley
Strikers: Jelavic, Vellios, Anichebe, Naismith

So what, that's 4 short from the 25? And that's without the possibility of putting McAleny, Junior, Garbutt and Bidwell in. I would have thought at least Junior would go in there.

We could do with another backup keeper, and like I said, right winger and a striker.

But in terms of numbers, we are only a couple of short. Nowhere near as bad as people think, and the media going on our backs about our "short squad" is all because we have so many injuries.

I remember Laudrup saying the perfect number is 22/23, so hopefully if we can get another couple of players in, we'll look good.

Michael Kenrick
27 Posted 04/08/2012 at 18:40:22
Good post, Ben. I'm glad you did the maths, which shows we have the players to perform. The big question, as ever, is (a) will they? and (b) when they don't, what will the excuses be this time?

About the 25-man squad, and seven or eight homegrown players, plus unlimited U-21s... can anyone confirm if these rules still apply? I've heard very little about them since they were introduced, what, two seasons ago.

Follow-on question: Has anyone even had their wrists slapped for flouting them?

Mark Riding
28 Posted 04/08/2012 at 18:57:33
Ben, we don't need a back up keeper, the PL seem to allow 'emergency loans' for that position for some reason.

If we keep that squad, we will do alright.
Joe Bibb
29 Posted 06/08/2012 at 13:42:32
We have an injured man who looked good in Scotland and a player brought back on top wages from Spurs where he failed badly to be the star he so wanted to be. Now Pienaar says Baines must stay as we need to keep our best players. That rule didn't apply to you did it Pienaar?
A younger, cheaper, stronger player than Pienaar is needed. Tell me just how many goals and assists this man has had since he has been a Blue? I read all this stuff about how great he is then I look at the facts and think, well maybe we don't need to pay him £70,000 a week.

For me, Pienaar left us for money and fame; he found neither at Spurs, now he is back. Just do it on the pitch lad, you are starting to sound like Pip 2.
Seamus Murphy
30 Posted 06/08/2012 at 16:52:18
4 goals and 6 assists in 14 matches for us last season, that a good enough stat for you Joe?
Jamie Barlow
31 Posted 06/08/2012 at 17:39:14
He isn't on £70000 a week either.
Ryan Holroyd
32 Posted 06/08/2012 at 17:52:57
"Good post, Ben. I'm glad you did the maths, which shows we have the players to perform"

Our first 14/15 players are good but the rest, nah. So I don't agree we have the players to perform over the whole season. Loss of form, injuries will cost us at some point.

Squad is simply not big enough.

Denis Richardson
33 Posted 06/08/2012 at 18:07:58
Seamus, I think to be fair Joe was talking about his overall career with us and not just the half season loan last season. Before he left us to go to Spurs I cannot remember Pienaar getting many goals or assists, he was very much big on industry but with little product at the end of it.

Hopefully he can show us the loan form and and not the pre spurs form this season, to earn his reported 50k a week wages. He doesn't need any time to settle in so I am expecting good performances from the off (fingers crossed).


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