As a long time reader and very recent poster, I know this board is divided on it's opinion on FSG. The fact is Agger has said recently and in the past that he wants to play for LFC and he is clearly a superior player to any replacement we'd be able to attract in our current situation.
FSG are in a position where they have actually spent little of their own money, despite how much we are told that we spent last year. They also got the club for a ridiculously cheap price, plus let's not forget that though Brendan is a good manager, he was also the cheapest option available. In fact, almost two years later, to me it seems quite clear that they have their own best interests way ahead of the clubs best interests.
So if they force a choice between the sale of Agger, an incredibly rare breed in that he is not only a top quality defender, but he's also prepared to stay at Liverpool throughout this rough period. Or going into this new season with a squad that's clearly well short of options up front, will everybody continue to defend the strategy of FSG????
(Also isn't it a bit cringeworthy BR is saying he doesn't want to sell AC and "Every player has his price", when he's spent the last six weeks pimping him to anyone he possibly can?)
FSG attitude towards Agger
posted on 14/8/12
It's common sense.
===============================
No, it's honesty. If he says "No, Agger is not for sale at any price" and then City table a £50m bid. He has to take that, then he looks like a liar.
The correct answer is "We have no intention of selling him, but obviously every player has his price."
posted on 14/8/12
@Didi
posted on 14/8/12
Didi.
No player or manager is ever 100% honest with the media. They know what to say and what not to say. They also know what effect their words will have.
posted on 14/8/12
shortlightandugly - What I don't understand is why they bother not being 100% honest with the media when it's so obvious to you what they are saying, I mean as it's obvious to you it must be obvious to everyone, right? Unless of course you're special in some way, so if it's absolutely obvious what they are saying, why don't they just say it as it is, or is that what Brendan has done anyway?
posted on 14/8/12
shortlightandugly
'but you don't tell that to the world's media unless you're open to the possibility of selling the player'
The phrase 'every player has a price' is probably uttered by every manager of every team at some point, but the media don't print it as it's obvious and not newsworthy.
However, if this is said and the press then ask about a certain player that will make headlines, they then print the statement along with whatever vague answer is given in relation to said player - this then gives the impression of a sale which will hit headlines and therefore sell papers.
It absolutely stuns me how many people on here are completely oblivious as to how the press manipulate EVERY story - not just Liverpool, not just football. I suggest some of you watch Charlie Brooker's Screen Wipe to learn how it works!
posted on 14/8/12
CutMe
Managers just as often say something along the lines of, "The player's not for sale at any price and any offer we recieve will be dismissed out of hand".
Anyway, I'm a big Brooker fan too. I've also read a lot of Chomsky's view on media manipulation. And ' Hidden Agendas' by Pilger, which goes into detail about Thatcher and Murdoch's media led anti-Liverpool bias which is still prevalent today.
I've also (along with about a billion others!) got a media studies degree, so I know a bit about how the whole game works.
posted on 14/8/12
The player's not for sale at any price and any offer we recieve will be dismissed out of hand.
===================================
Isn't that what they say on FM2012?
posted on 14/8/12
'Managers just as often say something along the lines of, "The player's not for sale at any price and any offer we recieve will be dismissed out of hand"'
Very true - another pointless statement that is only printed when the press see fit!
posted on 14/8/12
Shortlight, Chomsky: Manufacturing consent. Great book!!
posted on 14/8/12
FSB.
Yeah, awesome book. A lot of people on this forum would do well to read it