I have a source very close to Raffaele Riva (about 10 feet away in fact) who is adamant the Mariappa signing was one of the terms of Tommy Smith's negotiated return. Watch this space.
If we had the finance i doubt he would have. We needed the money at the time. Managed to keep hold of him an extra 6 months and sold sordell instead. those old days
I think you are right. Best of buddies, and payback time. Can't think of any other reason that would make any sense.
Bet it's cheap - he lives on Cassioburyt next to Bolasie so Probably approached club and said I will come on board 10k per week - no moving of kids or wife, stay in same house. Maybe a pay as play deal - doubt he needs the cash
So how many other players can people name who've had more than one spell with us? I will start the ball rolling with Luther, Tommy Smith and HH..
Luther Blissett Tommy Smith Richard Jobson Dennis Bond Darren Ward Bruce Dyer Nigel Callaghan Heidar Helguson Tom Walley Stewart Scullion It's on WD Sport...sorry!
Good player, knows the club/English football, has pace, can play at centre back, wing back and full back and is free. A no brainer.
Good signing, we definitely lacked pace in the options for the back three: Prodl, Britos, Kaboul - slow Cathcart - bit slow Kabasele, Mariappa - not slow Would be interested to see if we play different combinations to counter different teams, as the centre backs will be having to cover out wide behind the wing backs when teams break on us.
This is the teamsheet for when Mapps made his debut in '05 v Notts County. He might notice one or two changes since he's been away.....
Out of that lot, I still think Ashleu Young, Ben Foster and Jordan Stewart are better than what we have now.
Whatever happened to not selling the Crown Jewels, not tracking their progress over two spells at rival clubs and then re-signing them on a free? No traditions left.
I'm not going to pass judgment on this signing. It's a trap because Watford talk will dig out my post from when he left to make me appear inconsistent.
Didnt see this one coming, welcome home Mapps. Lets dance! [video=youtube;Ww4v2cP-MDo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww4v2cP-MDo[/video]