Jul 29
How to Buy a Player From Spurs: A Primer
1. Employ a Spanish waiter to go to the podium and scream at the top of his voice that he’s interested to sign one of their players — preferably under the glare of Sky, BBC, ITV or whoever is interested.
2. Wait for their Chairman to go mental and report your club for ‘tapping up’ / ‘improper conduct’ or whatever sophisticated jargon the Cambridge educated bloke may choose to word his accusation with.
3. Apologise and admit that the comments made by the manager (or Spanish waiter, however applicable) was inappropriate and make a donation to the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.
4. Throw some money and sign the player.
Spurs fans, nothing personal: the proof is in the pudding.
We can’t do the same though, because Fergie has denied making an open statement about Berbatov. Bah!
Related items from Red Rants:- Ferguson Speaks as he Returns to Old Trafford
- Don’t Hate Daniel Levy
- Preview: Reds vs Spurs
- Some More BerbaTalk
- Win A Free Scarf from Savile Rogue
Tags: Fun/Off the Record
July 29th, 2008 at 1:28
Hey Guys! Good NEWS! After Keane’s transfer to the scouse bastards is finished(Here’s hoping that Benitez gives him months of sitting on the bench because Benitez is crazy after all)! Yesterday Spurs beat Norwich 5-1 in a friendly! And guess what? Berbatov sat on the bench and refused to change! HAHA. Here is what the Daily Mail has to say:- “Tottenham fans face more disappointment, with Dimitar Berbatov’s transfer to Manchester United nearing completion. He cut a moody figure on the Spurs bench on Monday night, not getting changed despite being named as a substitute in the friendly against Norwich.”
YES! Here comes Berba! (I HOPE!
)
July 29th, 2008 at 1:35
no problem, you can have him - for £38 mill…
July 29th, 2008 at 1:42
Good news is that Ronaldo will put in the same lacklustre post tapping up performances as Berba did this year. Hopefully Fabregas will follow suit, how we laughed!
July 29th, 2008 at 1:43
@Yid Army: We will have him for much less than that.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:43
Outside of Fergie refusing to admit he made an open statement about Berbatov you forgot the most important. Liverpool actually matched the market value. At least they put their money where their mouths are!
If you think Berbatov being grumpy at one game is enough to signal his joining Man United he’d have signed for you 38+ times last season.
It’s simple admit you want him pay the market value and he’s yours.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:44
An alternative view:
Make a big song and dance about the fact that Liverpool have unwisely talked to the media about one of your players. Pretend to be taking the moral high ground (despite the fact that you, like all clubs, tap up players) while, in fact, you are merely squeezing a couple of million more £s out of Liverpool for a player that Ramos doesn’t really rate and who will be more than adequately replaced by the likes of, say, Andrei Arshavin - a player that Ramos does really rate.
Lovely jubbly. Everyone’s happy.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:47
Be careful what you wish for, every silver lining has a cloud. DB played as a part of a partnership which was very effective but how often do the individuals shine when that partnership is broken, the new “partner” is not always on that same wavelength.
Of the two, I expect Keane to shine as he is super fit and whilst not tactically super-astute, has a natural gift for the game. Berbatov may do better for firmer management, but he will sulk if he doesn’t get his way and you also buy his scumbag, heamaroid agent.
It remains to be seen what happens with the complaint, but woe betide Fergie if it gets out that he dried the hair of a certain scandinavian fan-site.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:49
July 29th, 2008 at 1:49
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Berba being sold to Barca - for £5 million less than the price Spurs are demanding from Man Utd.
Sure, Red Ranter, Utd can have Berba - if they’re prepared to put their money where Fergie’s mouth is. £30 million and he’s yours. Otherwise he stays at Spurs or moves to a club who will meet Spurs’ valuation.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:52
I will make an allowance for the Yids to temporarily invade the comment space of this post. So regulars let’s be kind and hospitable to them. I’m sure we’ll get to hear some good opinions — if you know what I mean
Don’t let their taunts wind you up. Sit back and watch.
(And before someone comes up with a why did you come to a United blog to comment: they came here through the Tottenham section of Newsnow because Spurs is in the post title.)
July 29th, 2008 at 1:53
Or you can look at it another way, the player wants to leave, so make an accusation to the PL about before mentioned clubs, up the price to triple what you bought him for, thank him very much and count your money,£45-50m for 2 players, go out and get 2 superb players to make your team even better then before. ie Villa, Arshavin, Eto’o, Pavluchenko have all been linked. Robbie and Dimi are super players, but they have both missed plenty of chances that could have made their goal tally even higher. Lets get some clinical finishers and finish above Liverpool and closer to Man utd who also have their own player wanting to leave. Yeah, you could do what you say to entice players away from their clubs, or you can do it the spurs way, no fuss, no newspaper reports, go out and sign a top player totally unexpectedly, and unveil him to the world. Like Modric and Dos Santos who is set to light up the prem next year.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:53
whatever youll still be putting the profit in our coffers I think weve done it again 10 + mill. profit were done with berbs have him oy yidarmydidyou see dossantos trap theball this evenin 4 goals from bent… now who shouldwebuy with £42 million and still not be in debt The credit crunch top 4 are a a joke..
July 29th, 2008 at 1:54
£20m is laughable. berbs was the reason keane hit form last year. Torres is a different kind of player and Mr Sitter will struggle next year. Sorry I love the guy and always will, but thats just cos he’s all heart. I wish him well.
£30m for berbs is a fair price and keeps everyone happy. utd can afford it, and with over £60m in the bank spurs can have a real go at building something worth talking about………I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a player as good as Modric at spurs. Shame he and berbs wont hook up.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:55
@JimB: I think we would buy him for less than 30 million because I am sure Ramos doesn’t want Berbatov to throw a strop for the rest of the next season. So if the manager decides to sell and Berbatov wants to move then it would drive the price down.
Of course, Barcelona may be interested but I think that could make Henry throw his toys — and you know very well what a cry baby Henry can be… we do share your hate for the Gooners.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:56
@Yid Army: Heaven Forbid
, Fergie would probably drown himself than buy a 28year old for that much. He’s not worth more than £25m. Levy is seriously deluded.
@Red Ranter: Hope you’re ready to do some mod work, cus some wind up merchant Spurs fan might be all over this soon, and i’d really hate to see this blog looking like Scotts’ when the Spurs or Arsenal fans bombard it.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:57
@Brooklyn Hotspur: Except that 38 million is not a ‘market value’ for a 27 yr old striker.
It’s just Levy levying Manchester United tax on top of a 25m wantaway striker
July 29th, 2008 at 1:58
@Rd: As I said, this will be a one off.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:00
haha why would yid taunts windyou up yer team are sitting pretty on top of the prem funny though you lot are the only team that scored
more than us last season yet we still came 11th
July 29th, 2008 at 2:02
How not to buy a player from Spurs
1. Tell the players scumbag agent that you want to buy him
2. Tell the press you want to buy him
3. Offer Spurs just over half of his market value
4. Deny that you have done 1 or 2
July 29th, 2008 at 2:08
@j2s: True indeed. But who would do such a thing!
July 29th, 2008 at 2:08
Thanks for being so hospitable Red Ranter!
I’ve some questions for the United Faithful on this site and Fergie.
We purchased Carrick for 2.75 million and sold him to you for 18.6 million after another long and protracted player ‘tap-up’. That’s 16 million in profit and almost 8 times what we paid for him after only 2 years.
Why then are certain people at United (and their fans) suggesting we should be happy with 20 million for Berbatov and a 10 million profit? Why should we accept less than the 32 million offered by City last year?
More importantly why aren’t you spending the money on a player like Klaas-Jan Huntelaar instead of a moody prick like Berbatov?
The obvious answer is because the player has been tapped-up through his scumbag agent and United think they can sit and wait while the player rejects other offers. It’s almost as cringeworthy as watching Harry spout sh*t about Kaboul everyday when he’s not prepared to offer the same money as Villa or Sunderland.
Having agreed to pay 32 million for Tevez you’d best have some pretty good reasons why we should give you a cut price deal for Berbatov.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:14
@Brooklyn Hotspur: There are a lot of United fans who want Huntelaar. But apparently no one in the club seem interested.
We had a French ‘moody prick’ from Leeds with the first touch of an angel who did brilliantly for us — they call him Eric Cantona. Fergie, it seems, likes people with angelic first touches.
The 32m sum for Tevez has no evidence of being true, and is hearsay from the media. Our chairman released a statement that Tevez will be signed by the end of the year and I doubt if we are paying so much for him. Even so, he’s 23 years old with his peak yet to come.
And if City offered him 32m last year then by the law of depreciating returns his value would be lower. And I honestly wouldn’t have a problem for a sum between 25-30. Why? Because I think we have the money.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:15
Red Ranter - Yep, I’m quite sure that Ramos won’t want a sulk hanging around the training ground. Equally, there’s no way in the world that Levy will take less than what HE considers to be the market rate for Berba. Especially not after that website statement (which was clearly a tactical move and not a genuine attempt to take any moral high ground). And especially not after selling the other half of last season’s prolific strike force.
I doubt that Levy really expects £38 million for Berba. Any more than Fergie really thinks that £22 million would be enough to sign Berba. They are just opening bargaining positions. The two sides will meet somewhere near the middle.
That’s assuming that Barca don’t get there first, with a bid of around £25 million. If they do, Fergie would have to make an offer in excess £30 million.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:16
RR maybe you should change the article to “how to get angry Spurs fans to visit the site”
but that said there would only be one point: mention Spurs in the headline. This happens to every site that mentions the name.
Both Berbatov and Keane are overrated and overpriced. Berbatov just isn’t what we need and I fear that he will flop. Keane has never been that good, if he was then Inter would never have sold him one year after buying him. I have been primarily watching him for Ireland and only highlights for Spurs so maybe I could be wrong. Is he really much better than Craig Bellamy though? I don’t think so personally
July 29th, 2008 at 2:22
@Liam: Keane is certainly better than Bellamy, but now that he’s moved to that graveyard of talent that is Dipperpool I doubt he’ll get better. Gerrard and Torres dovetailed well, but now if Keane is to play alongside Torres, thus pushing Gerrard in midfield, then what of Alonso and Mascherano?
Unless he decides to shunt Gerrard to the right and we know how happy he is to be forced onto the right wing
July 29th, 2008 at 2:24
@Brooklyn Hotspur: Maybe cus Fergie doesn’t think anything above £30m should be paid for a 28year old?
Maybe cus that Fergie rates that “moody prick” higher than Huntelaar and the latter would need some time to adjust while Berbatov has prem experience
At 24(i think), if we tie down Tevez, we can get at least 8years- a decade worth of play from him, with Berbatov, we’re getting 5-6seasons tops, see the difference? United don’t need to sit around and wait for him to reject offers, cus lest face it, there are NO other offers coming for him besides United(i don’t believe the Barca bit) AND Milan have said they weren’t interested…
July 29th, 2008 at 2:29
Maybe Spurs must buy Huntelaar with the Berbatov money. Then we’ll come sniffing around in 2 years time and buy him off at a king’s ransom. By then Madrid would have taken Ronaldo off our hands. I guess that’s the food chain.
Meanwhile Spurs will raid the next big English talent from the Championship.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:33
Liam - I think you’ll find that the Spurs fans who have commented thus far, at least, have been perfectly calm and civil (despite the clear wind up intent of the original article).
As to Keane, I mostly agree with you. I appreciate his enthusiasm and his ability to score spectacular goals. But he has never been a great tactical player. He has often been incredibly frustrating - destroying counter attacks by holding on to the ball too long or trying a flashy flick when the simple pass would have been far more effective.
Berba, on the other hand, is a top, top quality player - when he can be bothered. He has a bit of everything. He scores plenty; he makes loads of assists; he’s good in the air; he has a sublime first touch; he reads the game fantastically; he is strong; he is deceptively quick when dribbling. I hate to say it but he would be PERFECT for Man Utd, who are crying out for a focal point for their attack. Think of him as a superior Teddy Sheringham (other than the deceptively quick bit!) and you won’t go far wrong.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:36
And we’d take 25-30 million which is why most of us are happy with the way Levy has stuck to his guns. The question is can Fergie actually swallow a little pride here (instead of whiskey) and close out the deal.
Despite a few comments here most Spurs fans can’t wait to see the back of him and don’t really care anymore. What’s sad for me is that most people felt sorry for United because of the lack of support from FIFA and Uefa with Calderon and Madrid talking up Ronaldo. But it took Fergie all of 2 minutes before he wiped away all that sympathy and started looking down that “we’re a bigger club that you” red nose of his.
If you want to take the moral high ground you can’t do it on your back in the gutter. It’s a shame as his actions and the hypocrisy have an impact on all of the English clubs as we try to fight the complete and total bias of footballs governing bodies.
Hopefully we’ll get the fee sorting and we’ll all win.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:43
@JimB: Thank you all for being civil. The intent was actually not to be a wind up, but having a United blog allows the freedom to be biased.
@Brooklyn Hotspur:
Regarding Ferguson, the quotes were on the Sun which picked it off a Scandinavian message board. You want to believe those quotes because it makes you feel better that Fergie actually said those quotes, not to mention everyone’s need to have a dig at Ferguson when he appears to have done something wrong. I admit that Fergie has done things that aren’t ethical during his career, but don’t think he’d be that stupid to name a player after railing against Madrid all summer.
Anyway, you are entitled to your view, but note this: had something similar happened to you lot, you would be jumping at the dodginess of quotes from a message board.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:50
Brooklyn - forget all the moralising by Utd (re Ronaldo) and Spurs (re Berba and Keane). It’s all just a part of the chess game.
Everyone in football knows that the tapping up of players is ubiquitous. Utd do it all the time. Just as much as Real Madrid. And so do Spurs. It’s a food chain. Spurs are very near the top. They can feed off 99.99% of all clubs worldwide, should they wish. But they will occasionally be prey for those few clubs that are higher up the food chain - of which Utd are one.
So when Man Utd complain about Real Madrid’s antics, or Spurs about Liverpool and Man Utd, or Sevilla about Spurs - it’s not about the moral high ground. That qould be risibly hypocritical. The whole charade is about nothing more than squeezing as much money as possible out of the other club or (as in the case of two closely matched clubs on the food chain such as Utd and Madrid) away to ward off unwelcome advances.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:54
Red - with all respect a have to disagree.
It’s painfully obvious Levy used the comments from The Sun as an opportunity to blast Fergie and United. It was a tactic to stop United from pussyfooting around. It’s certianly worked wonders with Liverpool.
Even without the handy “message board” excuse Fergie still gave a very obvious interview talking about Berbatov even if he didn’t actually mentioning his name. But what’s the difference if you’ve already made sure the press know you made a bid for the player and then casually mention you’ll only be buying one player this summer.
If Fergie was not making comments about Berby then we’re all still waiting to find out who Fergie thinks he will be “confident of signing”?
I don’t have to believe in the Scandinavian message board as the original interview and facts speak for themselves.
But I wonder what else Levy has up his sleeve?
July 29th, 2008 at 3:00
JimB - I think my real point here is that you’d have thought Fergie would have been a little smarter considering the timing and current climate. He knew exactly what he was doing when he gave that interview to the press even if the one missing word was placed into his mouth!
It would take someone pretty blind to ignore this is a part of the business (I won’t say game!) and is the reason why Spurs have Ramos now.
July 29th, 2008 at 3:01
@Brooklyn Hotspur: What’s wrong with Fergie saying he’s interested in buying ‘one striker’? Managers reveal their desire to sign players to reassure fans. They cross a line when they name the player.
Blame the press, blogs or whoever leaked the information for assuming it’s Berbatov. But even when everyone is screaming it’s Berbatov Ferguson hasn’t named him … and not naming a player is crucial because it makes comparisons with Madrid a joke. Madrid got Calderon, Sneijder, Ramos, Heinze, Schuster, their gardener, Marca and anyone else to talk about Ronaldo.
In a way the Sun has been the mischief monger in chief as it has forced Levy into saying that United had indeed bid for Berbatov. But United never made public statements about their desire to sign Berbatov — at least nothing that we have definitive evidence of.
Now you can’t say the same of Madrid or Liverscum, can you?
July 29th, 2008 at 3:08
Red - There’s a famous saying in business circles about why you shouldn’t “assume” anything.
That probably applies to both of us now!
Even Fergie wouldn’t be able to complete with the outspoken ways of Madrid, Calderon, Marca, Benitez or Harry. I also respect your stance as a United fan although I can’t agree that Fergie was attempting to be vague during his now imfamous interview.
It’s time for me to bow out but I’d like to thank you for opening your blog to constructive comment and feedback. Goodluck with “the” transfer and give Ronaldo a slap from me!
July 29th, 2008 at 3:13
I predicted this reaction from Berbatov a few days ago. Only a total nutter at White Hart Lane could not see this coming. The man has kindly asked to leave for United well over a year ago and he calmly stood by and was patient for the past season to come to a conclusion and to finally make his dream move this summer. Well there is no doubting the bitterness and resentment by Levy and Spurs as they just never wanted to really face reality. They just thought they would close their eyes and this problem would go away. And instead it didn’t and even a greater problem arose.
Now their captain the vastly overrated Robbie Keane decided it would be great if he too fulfilled his childhood dream which was to be a an Irish blooded fucking Scouser. What I don’t understand is why the Spurs management never lost it completely with this transfer bid? Benitez sounds like he tapped up the player because the thing came out of nowhere and Keane had never made any noise about leaving. Instead they put in a bid and Keane then demands that he wants to go because it’s been a dream of his to flush his career down a scouse filled toilet. So why no distress? Why no accusations thrown at Liverpool with the same velocity and venom as they were thrown at United? The bottom line is there is and always will be a lot of resentment and jealousy of Fergie and Man Utd from lesser teams in England. They look up at us with envy and disgust. That is the price one pays not from success, but from perpetual success. Lets face it, we are on top nearly every year and it is truly rare when a season comes by when we end up trophy less.
Unite has a real dilemma to face these days. They seem to be making a lot of enemies on the pitch as well as off. Sure this has always existed but it just seems like it’s more now than it has ever been. Has everyone noticed the lack of support from other managers and team owners regarding the Ronaldo tapup and scandal? Only retired players and managers seem to be quoted to be in agreement with United’s stand over the past two months. What United was doing was looking out for themselves but in the process, they were defending the English game and the EPL against some vicious attacks from Real Madrid and especially the jackasses running FIFA and EUFA. So my question to you all is why is United so despised by the rest of England? Outside of territorial bias there is so much to to admire from this side as they play the game the way it should be played and they conduct themselves with class and dignity. Yet we are vilified more than Chelsea and Liverpool and made to suffer unfair and unwarranted attacks by competitors and the media. As someone who lives in Canada, I have never understood why
England as a whole don’t elevate United as almost their national team due to their continued greatness, show of class and dignity. Instead we have clowns like Daniel Levy directing false and unfounded charges against a man who has been knighted by the Queen and a greater servant to the game has never been born. I suppose what really got me all hot under the collar this summer is that I have come to expect the jealousy and the bitterness towards Fergie from other teams and their stabs in that back and lack of support should almost be expected. That is why the actions of Ronaldo have so upset me and disenchanted me. It’s bad when your opponents show you disrespect and try to stab you in the back, but when your best player does the same, then you have to just say, what the Hell is going on? It really has been a summer to forget hasn’t it?
July 29th, 2008 at 3:27
To be honest, Spurs have a lot to look forward to after reaping in the rewards from selling Keane and Berbatov. Then they would have the money to buy Villa, Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko. Lets face it if they sell Berbatov they will make around 25 million. Add the Keane sale and you have 45. Add the sales of Chimbonda, Robinson and Taino and possibly some others and Spurs have an attractive transfer kitty besides the one they would have normally been allocated. Spurs should let Berbatov go because he clearly has a bad attitude with them and because they have better and younger options. No need to jump all over Fergie and United because they want a player who wants to come and play for them. Unlike Madrid with Ronaldo, United have made a clear bid for the player. And Fergie has proven that he said nothing wrong to any of the media and in fact, one media organization came out and apologized for wrongfully placing the name of Berbatov as a Fergie quote.
Yes, if I’m a Spurs fan I get very mad and frustrated with Levy as he is holding up the inevitable and also possibly jeopardizing a real coup for the team which would be the acquisition of Villa and Arshavin. Spurs have to realize that they are looked upon as a good option for a lot of players due to Juande Ramos being the manager. I can see them being a top four team if they get those players but they won’t get there with a disgruntled and highly unmotivated Berbatov. Levy needs to wake up and smell the coffee. This grudge and hatred towards United is just silly and shows what a true wanker he really is. Spurs need to stop acting like victims and start showing some class and some vision. They have a very bright future with Ramos as manager if only Levy would share the same vision and stop acting like an ass clown.
July 29th, 2008 at 3:30
@j2s: Yes you are right. Now who would do such a terrible and stupid thing? Certainly not United as we are on the record for exactly what we have done and it doesn’t fit that criteria whatsoever.
July 29th, 2008 at 3:34
You know, I have no problem with our Tottenham friends coming on here and voicing their feelings but where the Hell is our membership? Everyone has been far too quiet and you are needed right now to defend your team. WAKE UP PEOPLE!
38 posts and only 16 or so that are RedRants members. Come on guys, where’s the passion?
July 29th, 2008 at 3:36
@Grognard: I think that’s possibly because in the British Isles and Europe, which attracts a majority of visitors to the site, it’s past midnight.
July 29th, 2008 at 3:37
@Red Ranter: It’s funny how these gullible tottenham fans are so willingly ready to swallow levy’s propaganda. That guy needs to do one!! The fact is that Levy knew once the Big guns came calling, Tottenham would be resigned to letting those two players go and Ramos never really fancied either of them. The thing is, Daniel Levy’s a very smart lad, and with his latest rant, he managed to kill three birds with one stone.
His first accomplishment has been to throw a smoke-screen over their fans short-sightedness regarding the sales of Berba and Keane so as to make it look like the club had no choice because the players were unsettled, when all along they have indicated that they were for sale at the right price.
His second accomplishment was to give the tottenham fans an avenue in which to vent their frustration. By accusing Fergie and Benitez of tapping up and bullying, all those gullible tottenham fans immediately forgot that their club had a choice not to sell, but hastily did as soon as the first significant bid landed on the table. rather they focused on United and Liverpool, blamin us for their clubs incapacity to keep hold of their star players.
The third accomplishment was to squeeze as much money as tottenham could get from the deals. Robbie keane for £21mil plus a donation to tottenhams’ favorite charity? gimme a break, the guy played Benitez knowing he(levy) had the upper hand because livepool really wanted Keane.
The good thing is Fergie is too experienced to fall for these kinda tricks, and that figure that Levy is touting about; £38mil, is never gonna be given to tottenham, regardless of which club he signs for. In fact, i reckon United are the only club of it’s stature interested in Berba at the mo, and levy knows that, so he better start considering that offer of £22mil, cuz Fergie ain’t paying over £25mil for Berbatov.
As for all those tottenham fans, blamin other clubs for your failings as a team, just grow a pair, will ya!! Stop acting like you don’t see what levy is doing and stop blamin other clubs for ur defeciences cuz ur to afraid to face the fact that u’ll always probably be a mid-level team, with star players that use y’all as a stepping block!!!
July 29th, 2008 at 3:41
Fergie is guilty of nothing but having a reputation as winner and having others who would love nothing more than to knock him down a few steps. He has done nothing in his negotiations for Berbatov that he hasn’t done for 30 years. none of it illegal and all of it has been the standard practice of most teams when they want to buy a player. Levy being the dumb ass that he is has made a fool of himself and created a situation that is unfortunate simply out of frustration and bitterness over Berbatov’s desire to play for United. He has taken the Real Madrid sleazoid attempt to poison Ronaldo as an example to point a finger at Fergie and call him a hypocrite. Yet anybody with the true fact, an unbiased view and an IQ over door knob can see there is no comparison here. Hell Ramos wants Berbatov gone so what the Hell is Levy doing? Sell him and buy Villa or Pavilychenko or both. Christ all mighty, talki about the pinnacle of total stupidity and arrogance. Daniel Levy needs another asshole drilled because a single asshole doesn’t do him justice. The guy is literally full of shit.
July 29th, 2008 at 3:43
@Red Ranter: Hell RR, it’s been quiet for a while now but as for right now, yes that may be a reason but it’s funny how many Spurs fans are around well past midnight. Where is our North American contingent? Everybody is on holidays I guess.
July 29th, 2008 at 3:53
@Grognard: I would like to disagree with you on one thing! It HAS NOT been a summer to forget! Dont forget that we WON the double! And Spurs won the carling cup!
Look at chelsea! A quadruple for Ballack and a treble for them! HAHA. I would like to thank spurs for adding to their tally of FINAL losses! And I hope that they are going to break in at the top four! And thus North London would have a new representative in the BIG FOUR! 
Look Grognard! I know that we have not been treated the way we should have been! But everlasting success does have a price! I mean to be the World’s No 1 Hated team means that almost the whole world is envious of you! And dont worry we WILL keep on winning! Because we also have TRADITION AND HISTORY! I dont see Arsenal or/And Chelsea ever having that! And dont worry the dippers will go down eventually as well! Only one more title to surpass them if i am correct! Oh and one more thing! Fergie is THE KING! No pieces of shit in the media! Or in other clubs or even his OWN SLAVE will be able to do anything to him! He is afterall the most decorated manager in English Football History! So dont forget that it was not a good summer! It had been nine years since I had the Great feeling! Hell i was only 9 at that time! And if we get Berbatov or any other front man for that matter(EXCEPT HENRY or my Arsenal class mates would blast me to pieces!) I would be pretty optimistic about our chances this year as well! GLORY GLORY MAN UTD! 
July 29th, 2008 at 3:55
Hey guys since you know that there is load shedding in PAKISTAN! so be right back in an hour!
July 29th, 2008 at 3:55
@Grognard: You ask why the English vilify United as opposed to hailing them as champions? It’s cuz British people do not enjoy success, they act like they do, but they excel in tearing it apart. Ever since we won the double, there hasn’t been any positive, complimentary or recognitory stories involving United; only negative, derogatory ones. That’s prob’ly why we suck at sports!! lol
Hell, we weren’t even given the chance to parade our trophies!!!
Even in the face of possible defamation by Calderon, Blatter and Platini, the English media still chose to potray United as the enemy and fuelled the fire those cunts were creating. It’s weird man, the English have to wake up and smell the crap that is being tossed our way by those intending to bring down the English game to it’s knees. I just hope the English let all this envy for United slide, and support us and the other English teams on a quest to establish the premier league as the most dominant force in European football
July 29th, 2008 at 3:59
loool im a spurs season ticket holder…and im soo happy keanes gone..specially for the disgustin price of £20mil…henry was cheaper den dat…i would just like to say to the liverpool fans…good luck beating the big boys with robbie keane in your side because it is not going to happen.
the only thing im upset about is berbatov leaving…keane can easily be replaced and have always said he is a player other teams over-rate but most of us spurs fans have always thought we need new blood. to be fair to Keano he can score some wonder goals out of nower but thats not what you need to win trophies, you need players who always contribute to the game like berbatov…although berba seems to be off..the reason why he didnt play is because of a calf strain.not because he refused to get changed.
anyways thanks scousers for £20mil…keane is worth only £11mil
July 29th, 2008 at 4:13
True! Hey No spurs fans commenting now!
July 29th, 2008 at 4:15
Hey Grognard! You there? Its only 8:14 PM in Vancouver!
July 29th, 2008 at 4:31
I too dont understand why the English cant for the sake of their childrens lives stick together, they might possibly have the worst national team Ive ever seen, although England international players are all greats in my opinion (sorry even Gerrard) but no team spirit.
Manchester United have the most England internationals in the top 4 yet we are the most hated from them I seriously will never understand, last season almost everyone wished Arsenal win it and when they didnt they were wishing for Chelsea to do it, the English should stop treating us like the devil and should back us we should be the pride of England.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:47
Good one red. Anyways, does this mean why are also bout to sign berbatov? i rather we go for Hunterlaar who cost much lest and is much younger to berba.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:49
@Ghost: Hey there! There are about a hundred reds here! Pls be more specific!
July 29th, 2008 at 4:50
I saw the article as having more digs at the Dippers than at Spurs really. Seriously, 20 mil for a 28 year old is a joke. Lets see how he handles going from an addored captain to a third/fourth/fifth fish in a medium sized pond. Or with rotating and sitting the bench every couple of games.
And there was a Spurs fan up above hailing how much profit they made on Carrick. And I admit, the price paid was a tad over the top. However, the proof is in the pudding as they say and I dont think you can have a more successful first two years at a club than he has had. Two season, two league champions medals and one champions league. Not bad Michael, not bad at all. And yes Ronaldo has a little to say about that, but a team absolutly can not win jack shit with a weak Center of Midfield. And for all the big games United have had the last two years, you can bet your ass Carrick was involved, fighting and pulling the strings right in the battle ground of the middle of the park.
I swear, his confidence is growing, he is hitting his absolute peak as a player, and i honestly think he will start adding more goals to his game this year and then it will be fucking on. Hopefully he can form a partnership with Andersonsonson that will more than match up with anything Europe can offer.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:50
@Grognard: Where is Tomas these days?
July 29th, 2008 at 4:54
And as for the actual topic of the article, I for one hope Fergie sticks to his guns and doesnt get pushed into paying anything more than 25 mil for Berba. If spurs still wont budge, then we say Fuck it and move on to bigger and better things. Berba is no doubt a class player with a brilliant first touch and an eye for the magnificant, but i think he lacks pace which would slow down the blistering counterattacking play United have been using the last two/three years.
Oh well…if we sign him, the goals will come in waves. If we dont, I’m still not worried. In Vidic I trust.
July 29th, 2008 at 5:04
Berba to United? After all this time and it has not yet happened… we have had 3 weeks after Euro 2008 and United are not one centimeter closer to signing anyone with class yet (the young lads signed early on are not considered of class, yet).
I hope we sign one player (or two) players of genuine class - be it Berbatov, Santa Cruz (ahem… no mention of him anymore), or some young start (Benzema, Aguero, etc…) — very soon. It is worrying that after losing Quieroz and not having found a Ass’t. Manager, we are too slow in the transfer market. We need the new player to adapt to our game and function well within the team. Look how long it took Evra and Vidic to show their class?
I fear we are running out of time but hope Berbatov’s transfer saga is just buying Ferguson time to scope out the market for some great youngster who does NOT cost 20 million or more.
Are you guys not worried about the 600 million pound deficit that Glazer’s have burdened us with? Splashing Chelsea money on players is not the United way… that is why Ferguson is not signing Berbatov for more than 25 mill’s, if at all.
I hope we sign a Santa Cruz or (if I have my arm-twisted) Huntelaar for less than 20 mill’s. Is Benzema completely out of the window? What about Agbonglahor(sp.)? What about a Right back?
Representing America and Denmark - peace out,
Mads
July 29th, 2008 at 5:35
@Red Diablo: Refer yesterday’s post. You’ll see lot of Tomas.
July 29th, 2008 at 7:04
how about signing someone like Eto’o on LOAN for a year! Barca should be happy with this arrangement (as they can monitor if Eto’o still can turn around) Next year we can try for Berba (he would have spent 3 years at Spurs by then so then he shud be able to buy himself out if Levy still plays hardball) and we can get him for less than 10m! This way we can still have a top top striker working for us this year (Eto’o is a Saha clone, with being much less injury proneness). We can sign Tevez this year and try to strengthen the back (a fullback than can comfortably play at either left or right with ease) with the money we have.
July 29th, 2008 at 7:06
Point 4 is the most important…. while we are disappointed Robbie has gone - he certainly gave 110%.
£20m????? He’s good but not world class.
So £20m for Robbie - £35m+ for Berbatov
Ramos gets to buy his own team
Levy gets to pretend he isn’t having a clear out (which is important for internal politics at Spurs)
July 29th, 2008 at 7:23
@Gabriel: It’s all because the media is London based and those pricks can’t get past their own territorial biases to report on things fairly and objectively. Well said.
July 29th, 2008 at 7:24
@Red Diablo: Yes I’m here. What of it?
July 29th, 2008 at 7:25
your welcome to him and you will see what a suly prick he can be. Rather have the money for someone else than him wityh his wanky attitude
July 29th, 2008 at 7:27
@Red Diablo: Why are you asking me? I don’t have him on a leash you know. Perhaps RR can answer that.
July 29th, 2008 at 7:56
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has been told by owner Roman Abramovich that he not only has to win but do so in style -
like rivals Manchester United. (Various) 
— We’re the talk of the town!! Love it when our rivals want to be us 
July 29th, 2008 at 8:29
@Rd:
Levy is not out of his head asking any price, he has not consented to sell Berbatov, certainly not to ManU who were told the player was not for sale. He’s not touting a price he’s (as he said about the bin dippers) seeking a fair compensation package for teh loss of a player he wanted to keep….get some perspective!
July 29th, 2008 at 8:49
I really don’t get how any United fans are upset about this charade. Berba is a Spurs player, they have no obligation to sell him, anymore than we’re obligated to sell the greasy one. Best way to stop someone wanting to buy something is to up the price, so that’s what Levy’s done. All this feigning over outrage at tapping up is bullsh*t, but that’s all there is in football these days, so no one should be surprised. I’m sure it wouldn’t take a genius to do some digging into Spurs official comments to find identical quotes about a prospect they mentioned in passing. So Levy gets to seem all big and tough and manly standing up to nasty old Alex Ferguson, and at the same time we all know there are only 2 options available to Spurs:
1. Sell him at whatever price United offer
2. Don’t sell him, and have a sulky, unmotivated player warming the bench, and cross your fingers the Barcelona rumour wasn’t made up by someone in Spain playing Champs Manager
That’s it. Nothing more or less. Spurs are free to set their own valuation of the player, and United are free to not take it. That’s a fun game to play, until Spurs realise that they’ll have £25m worth of sulk sitting on their bench. And with every game that £25m ticks down.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:12
@Red Diablo: I’m glad you ask for me. I was asleep at the time, since I’m from Denmark. The first comment in this post was made 1.30 night time for me.
To me, there’s a very good reason why Levy is so desperate to hold on to Berbatov and not Keane: He knows, Berbatov is simply the better player. So when Liverpool came knocking with their £20 mil, he sold without blinking, before Liverpool changed their minds. The deal went down so fast, and that’s why.
Berbatov is a completely different matter, and even though Levy might know he’ll sell him eventually, he’s not been offered an amount far higher than he’d expected, and therefore he’s putting up a fight.
There might be a problem involved for Levy in doing so. There’ “only” a month left of this window, and if he doesn’t sell Berbatov soon, he might make a sell mid August, which leaves him with only 2 weeks to sign a replacement. I know, Levy probably has someone in mind, but these major deals are not always struck as easily as Liverpool did with Keane. If in fact Spurs need to raise money to buy someone like Villa, then why don’t they just accept the £25 mil for Berbatov and get on with it.
Imo it’s highly unprofessional and could cause a problem for Spurs.
And btw. Modric is vastly overrated (just mentioning this because someone wrote that he might be the best player, he’s ever seen there - well, he’s not)
July 29th, 2008 at 10:01
@Tomas: Spurs are trying just drag every single penny out of the deal, they new the dippers could not pay anymore, they know we will pay over the odds as we have a ponchent for, a la Carrick.
Fergie has only eyes for Berbatov and Spurs know that, we should call their bluff, and make an offer for Huntelaar.
July 29th, 2008 at 10:19
i use to respect you spurs fans but now you seem worst then the scouse, believing everything that comes out the papers and to closed minded to see that your chairman is a greedy git who thinks he’s smarter/better then everyone else because he went to Cambridge, well fuck him
July 29th, 2008 at 10:52
Gabriel - you wrote:
“It’s funny how these gullible tottenham fans are so willingly ready to swallow levy’s propaganda. That guy needs to do one!!”
Umm….seems to me, mate, that you’re the gullible one here. Levy is just playing the game. Squeezing as much money out of Utd or any other Champions League team that comes in for Berba.
You wrote:
“His second accomplishment was to give the tottenham fans an avenue in which to vent their frustration. By accusing Fergie and Benitez of tapping up and bullying, all those gullible tottenham fans immediately forgot that their club had a choice not to sell, but hastily did as soon as the first significant bid landed on the table.”
I think you’ll find that Spurs fans know EXACTLY what’s going on - as proven by previous posts in this thread. It is a mystery why you should believe yourself to be the only one with such insight. You must have a strangely warped and high opinion of yourself!
You wrote:
“The third accomplishment was to squeeze as much money as tottenham could get from the deals. Robbie keane for £21mil plus a donation to tottenhams’ favorite charity? gimme a break, the guy played Benitez knowing he(levy) had the upper hand because livepool really wanted Keane.”
Bingo! And Levy’s doing exactly the same with Berba.
You wrote:
“The good thing is Fergie is too experienced to fall for these kinda tricks, and that figure that Levy is touting about; £38mil, is never gonna be given to tottenham, regardless of which club he signs for. In fact, i reckon United are the only club of it’s stature interested in Berba at the mo, and levy knows that, so he better start considering that offer of £22mil, cuz Fergie ain’t paying over £25mil for Berbatov.”
Levy knows perfectly well that no team will pay £38 million for Berba. It’s called an opening bargaining position. In case you don’t already know, the art of negotiation is not to start at the price you actually want to receive / pay for any commodity. Equally, Fergie knows perfectly well that he won’t get Berba for £22 mill. If the club’s reach an agreement at all, it will be somewhere in the middle.
You wrote:
“As for all those tottenham fans, blamin other clubs for your failings as a team, just grow a pair, will ya!! Stop acting like you don’t see what levy is doing and stop blamin other clubs for ur defeciences cuz ur to afraid to face the fact that u’ll always probably be a mid-level team, with star players that use y’all as a stepping block!!!”
Umm…..suggest you get a pair of glasses, mate. I don’t see any Spurs fans making such complaints.
July 29th, 2008 at 10:54
Isn’t it marvellous. Benitez has already warned the fans that he intends to play Keane on the right, just like he uses Kuyt now. He said that Keane can play both up front and on the right, and there’s the warning. Looks like nothing has changed tactically in their pursuit of the title.
I say, thanks so much for that naive spaniard, may he long stay with the permanent 4th spotters.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:02
@JimB: Fuck me you Spurs fans are obsessed with Levy, but I do agree with your points, he is just acting out the pantomime of the deal, try to extract every single penny from it and to be honest I don’t blame him.
Personally I would make you guys a take it or leave it offer, around £25m if not move on, and then its up to Spurs sell for less or have an unhappy player on their books.
We can’t blame Spurs for playing the game, we should be looking at a back up target (Huntelaar) but Fergie does get his hooks into a player and will not give up until he is ours, regardless of price, Spurs know that, unfortunatly.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:20
Grognard - you wrote:
“(Berbatov)….has kindly asked to leave for United well over a year ago and he calmly stood by and was patient for the past season to come to a conclusion and to finally make his dream move this summer.”
You seem to be suggesting that Spurs should just roll over and let Berba’s dream move materialize. Do you have the same view re Ronaldo and Real Madrid?
Yep. I thought not.
You wrote:
“Now their captain the vastly overrated Robbie Keane decided it would be great if he too fulfilled his childhood dream which was to be a an Irish blooded fucking Scouser. What I don’t understand is why the Spurs management never lost it completely with this transfer bid? So why no distress? Why no accusations thrown at Liverpool with the same velocity and venom as they were thrown at United?”
Firstly, Liverpool were also reported to the FA and were also condemned by Levy. The only reason why the Keane deal has been done and the Berba deal hasn’t is that Liverpool have met (and exceeded) Spurs’ valuation of the player. United haven’t. Simple, really. Not rocket science.
You wrote:
“The bottom line is there is and always will be a lot of resentment and jealousy of Fergie and Man Utd from lesser teams in England. They look up at us with envy and disgust. That is the price one pays not from success, but from perpetual success.”
Hahahaha! Paranoid nonsense, mate. Levy is not emotional type. He is a businessman through and through. I repeat, if Utd make the right offer, Berba will be theirs.
You wrote:
“So my question to you all is why is United so despised by the rest of England?”
I can’t speak for the rest of England but, as a rule, Spurs fans have a deep respect for Utd. Partly because, like Spurs, Utd have always tried to play the game the right way, and partly because, but for Utd, Arsenal would have cleaned up over the past ten years. Speaking personally, I was delighted that Utd won the league / CL double last season.
You wrote:
“As someone who lives in Canada, I have never understood why
England as a whole don’t elevate United as almost their national team due to their continued greatness, show of class and dignity.”
Hahaha! Come on, now! You’re surely taking the piss! Utd have no more or less class and dignity than any other club. They are a great club. But they do not, and never will, represent England as a whole.
You wrote:
“Instead we have clowns like Daniel Levy directing false and unfounded charges against a man who has been knighted by the Queen and a greater servant to the game has never been born.”
Oh, please! Pass me the sick bag! Get your tongue out of Fergie’s nether regions! Great manager, yes, but don’t overdo it.
You wrote:
“Fergie has proven that he said nothing wrong to any of the media and in fact, one media organization came out and apologized for wrongfully placing the name of Berbatov as a Fergie quote.”
You’re being somewhat naive. If you really believe that Fergie and / or Utd haven’t been briefing the media about their plans for Berbatov for well over a year now, then you have no idea how the tranfer game is played. All clubs do it.
You wrote:
“Levy needs to wake up and smell the coffee. This grudge and hatred towards United is just silly and shows what a true wanker he really is. Spurs need to stop acting like victims and start showing some class and some vision.”
Your hypocrisy is quite breathtaking! For starters, I repeat, this is not a grudge against Utd. It is just business. Levy is playing hardball. He is no more “acting like a victim” than Utd in their response to Madrid re Ronaldo.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:26
Stephen - apologies if it seems that I’m obsessed with Levy!
I can assure you that I’m not. However, I can’t just stand aside when I read certain Utd fans writing nonsense. I see it as my public duty to educate them!
Glad to see that you are rather more realistic, though I think you slightly overestimate the strength of Fergie’s hand. I suspect that, if a deal is done at all, it will be in the region of £28-32 million.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:38
@JimB: I feel knowing us ut will be £32m I am afraid!!
All I was saying Berbatov has set his heart rightly or wrongly on a move to United, Levy knows that and is trying to extract as much money as posible, to a degree fair play to him. All I was saying from a United point of view we should dip our rod in a different pool, to try and call Levy’s bluff, then he would either have to sell the player to another club for less, or keep an unhappy player who I would imagine, could be a bad influence on new players like Dos Santos, good buy I must say, and Modric.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:40
@JimB: u might be one of the more level-headed spurs fans and that’s a relief to see. Glad you at least realise that my comments were true.
The reason for my rant was simply because i’ve been on a lot of forums where i’ve read spurs fans having an unwarranted go at Fergie and United for this and that when they possibly know that levy is just instigating mind and football games.
Levy is a smart guy, but he’s actions towards United were both clever & despicable, and the more naive tottenham fans just seemed to swallow it up and direct a tirade of abuse towards Fergie and United when we haven’t actually done anything wrong to tottenham!! If we have, please enlighten me.. but i’m sure u can agree that United doesn’t deserve the abuse we are getting over this Berbatov fiasco!!
July 29th, 2008 at 11:52
Agreed, Stephen. I don’t blame or condemn any of the parties involved. Not Man Utd for their pursuit of our player. Not Berba for wanting to leave for a club in the Champions League (and with bigger pay packets!). And not Levy for playing hardball.
It’s just the way of the world.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:54
@JimB: Totally agreed mate.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:09
Barça To Make €22m Trez Offer! Thats the headlines for GOAL.com! Looks like its only United left For BERBA!
July 29th, 2008 at 12:09
@JimB: Totally agree with you mate. But you have to understand that as is the case with most clubs, the ratio of pragmatic fans to the naive and emotionally overcharged once is miniscule.
All the reaction you are seeing here is in response to the accusations being levelled at united on various united forums like RoM and Red Rants, as well your own blogs like the one on oleole.
Its very irritating to see most spurs fans behaving as if they have been wronged and that spurs are purer than lily white.
Its annoying to see Levy calling fergie a hypocrite, with him being or worse or atleast no better.
and its even more annoying seeing most spurs fans toeing the line of how this similar to ronaldo’s case. the fact is its not.
RM without any shame have opening pursued ronaldo through the media, and have had statements coming out from every idiot with some connection to them talking about ronaldo every other day as if they have already signed him.
this is very different to what we have done wrt berbatov.
also being called a hypocrite by mr.mevy of the ramos deal and so many other tappng up incidences himself is purely disgusting.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:27
This is what Darren Bent said after their win at Norwich! “Berbatov was only a substitute for Tottenham in their 5-1 friendly win against Norwich City last night and did not even get changed, cutting a disconsolate figure on the substitutes’ bench and prompting Darren Bent to claim: “We have no idea what is going on with Dimitar, but that has nothing to do with us. We’ll