I'd say that's a completely different situation, really. HH's game was built on 100% effort and commitment. Expecting him to not celebrate scoring would have been unrealistic. He wasn't really celebrating scoring against us, he was celebrating scoring in general. It was just part of who he was and why he was a great player for us. Young's ear cupping can't be explained away in the same way; its only purpose was to serve as a proverbial middle finger to the fans. I don't think that's a good reason not to sign him, though, but it was rather unnecessary given he got a decent reception.
Loads of people around me were unjustly booing Young as the teams were read out. He was just giving a bit back. Absolutely fine by me.
I think Young injured his feet after walking over broken glass to get to us. This is why the transfer broke down.
Glad some common sense has seemingly prevailed If Young wants to come back to his roots it is better that he does it in a half time walk around
Being linked with Burnley now. Can you imagine how filthy that's going to be with pinpoint crosses for Chris Wood?
Yes, it seems the original "walk to Watford" part was just en-route as part of his "walk to Burnley".
It is always for the money. I doubt he cares an ounce about this club anymore. After all, it was 20 years ago.
Sky Sports Premier League @SkySportsPL Burnley are in advanced negotiations with Ashley Young’s representatives over a free transfer. I heard this yesterday but thought it was rubbish. Seems to be true though. I never saw this one coming. If he does sign for them it will be interesting to find out if he snubbed us, or if Watford decided Rose was a better option.
I bet it is because we offered him a derisory contract. He loves Watford but he's no mug, he knows his value. When West Ham offered us £8m back in 2007, he said "I'm worth more than that".
Wouldn't surprise me if we did lose interest in him and decided Rose was a better deal, Young's primary position is one we don't have anymore under Xisco. That said, if Young gave it the big 'un and said he wanted to come back only to snub us for Burnley, that rightfully won't go down well here...
I think it is actually a flatppack four. You assemble them pre match and programme them all to time waste from minute two!
I suspect we will struggle to sign any established players as they will not accept a relegation clause which isn’t enforced by the rest of the PL
I mean - surely it’s arguable that Danny Rose has pretty much always been an established PL player? Relegation clauses have always been a thing. If player has the confidence in their own ability and also deem us a club with ambition worth signing up to, I’m not really sure these relegation clauses are the ‘sticking point’ that many expect they could be.
Yes I think SD said the club's strategy is not to sign "established" players in future, rather than to buy hungry younger players, develop them, and then sell them on. Though I guess they would have made an exception for dear old Ash.
To be honest, I’m happy with going with Pochettino’s faith in the player rather than Mourinho’s lack of it.
