May be wrong, but I think one of the four parties (i.e. Nani, Duxbury, Zola or the Pozzos) said that they recognised that wage rates in English football are higher than in Italian - surely they'd adjust accordingly? I'm not expecting to compete with the likes of Blackburn, Cardiff or Brighton, but from what they've said I reckon we'll be able to offer competitive wages and that's more than we've actually been able to do for a long time.
Oh yeah, without doubt they'd adjust - the higher income in English football dictates they'd have to pay higher wages than an equivalent player in Italy. And I think our wages will be higher than previously but personally I can't see it being too substantial, like you say 'competitive' rather than 'low'.
My understanding was that in January this year, Mapps was happy to go to Newcastle but they wouldn't stump up enough transfer money, while Wigan were happy to stump up the transfer money, but Mapps didn't want to go there because of the relegation threat. Its difficult to see why he'd now decide that Wigan are a safer bet (aside from the fact that he would have a full season in the Prem).
I'd sell the boy. He's paid his dues. Shown loyalty to the club beyond what can be expected from footballers nowadays. The chance of us going up this season is very slim so Malteser's point about him staying and only being one year behind is a tad far fetched. Mapps needs to go this window or sign a new contract. We have plenty of good replacements - most have been mentioned already. Don't forget that Thompson also plays centerback for NI and centerback I believe is his natural position. His pace and ability on the ball to me makes him a shoe-in as Mapps replacement. He's not there yet of course but he can get there with some time on pitch.
Agreed, if we can get £2.5 million up front and an sell on clause it represents good business. There's also the danger that he might have a bad season if he signs a new contract and his value would decrease automatically.
Is that not a double edged sword... he may also have anouther cracking season (under a new contract) and his value will increase ?
Taylor and Nos have age against them,and Taylor has had his injury problems,Mapps I hope will stay,and I think he will.We have no need to panic sell at all,and is an asset to the team we are building,don't understand what benefit £2.5mill is when we have an owner that has money to burn,makes no sense to sell him.
I think/hope that one major advantage of the Pozzos is that we can't be bullied into selling because we are desperate and we are likely to have alternatives to any player who does leave so agents won't be able to twist our arms on contract terms. Nice to be able to say "take it or leave it"
Think we should keep him. We are no longer in a position where we need to keep selling players on the cheap and he is a quality player. It is important to retain a few players for continuity. This is vital for any possible success next season, imo. Only sell if we get a very big offer.
If money isn't an issue, propose to Mariappa that he stays this season, if he likes what he see's of the project he can sign an extension and come up to the EPL with us (should we go up), if he doesn't, we can sell in January. I know we'd get less, but as mentioned, we aren't so financially stricken anymore.
GZ seems (to me anyway) to be looking closely at the existing players and new players to see who he wants in the team. He's also stated he won't stand in Mapps way if he wants to move. It entirely depends on IF Mapps wants to stay which he'll be more inclined to do now with the Pozzos and GZ selling the project to him or he wants to get PL football in now. If he goes to Wigan he may have a good chance to stay up. (Not so sure about Reading)
I've tipped Wigan to go down for the last 2 or 3 seasons. This year I haven't.... maybe i've just jinxed them? :naughty:
http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/332551 "READING are set to continue their summer signing spree by landing Watford’s Adrian Mariappa for £2.5m. They have reopened talks with the Pozzo family, Watford’s new owners, on a deal for the highly rated defender."
I think he'll go to Reading as it's local. Expect Wigan to come in still, they may have done so already. He'll be gutted if he goes and we go up this season though. Good luck to him if he goes. He deserves a crack at the Premier League.
I would like to wish him well in the future and he totally deserves his chance in the Premier League, but I feel he is being a little short sighted. Before the takeover I would say he's nuts not to go, but now Watford have a real chance of achieving promotion in a couple of seasons, he's going to a newly promoted club. In a year from now, he could be back in the Championship, and we could be in the Premier League!! With all his history with us, I am surprised he's going to Reading, although I know they are a very well run club, even if they do cheat with "ghost goals"
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9815908.Mariappa_set_to_join_Reading/ £3 million according to the Wobby. EDIT: They've literally just changed it from £3m back to "around the £2m mark"
i think its very strange i know he wants to play in the prem but i would of thought he would be excited about what is going on at watford and would give it another season because he could be passing us by next season when we go up and they go down
