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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: chez on January 26, 2010, 11:11:03 AM

Title: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: chez on January 26, 2010, 11:11:03 AM
 :'(
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: White Noise on January 26, 2010, 11:13:27 AM
Very sad. Would like to have seen him do some growing at Fulham. Still, I trust Roy's judgement.

I wonder whether Arsenal will come in with a counter bid now?
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: Lighthouse on January 26, 2010, 11:22:14 AM
Predicted in the Picayune this morning. I blame the lure of shiny new FOF site. But Smalling will be TOLD about crash in new FOF so he can turn down the move. Fulham on the other hand just wants dosh to buy new sparkling forward.

The deal of Billions is always stretched over years and appearances and is dependant on Smalling learning Esperanto and playing the Cornet before his debut. Best to leave well alone. United only wanted one cause Arsenal wanted one.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: clintclintdeuce on January 26, 2010, 11:25:59 AM
Good bit of business I am afraid. Smallings future must be parlayed into our continued success, and Im sure that the money will be well spent.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: TonyGilroy on January 26, 2010, 11:29:06 AM
I imagine it'll be an undisclosed fee no matter what the press report.

We'll not be letting him go cheap and I trust Roy and MAF to use the money sensibly.

We don't need better than Hangeland and Hughes and unless either suffers long term injury it's hard to see that Smalling had much of a prospect of regular first team football with us. And he is only a prospect - he could play for England for ten years or never quite cut it.

If it were my decision I'd take, say, £6M up front, with another £3M for 100 league games and £3M for an England cap.

And if I were Chris Smalling I wouldn't let the opportunity pass me by and the pragmatic response is to recognise that we can't hold on to him.

One surprising thing for me though is that despite our need for strikers and full backs there's no one on Arsenal or ManUs books that I'd want in part exchange.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: Rambling_Syd_Rumpo on January 26, 2010, 11:37:17 AM
Been waiting for Man U to bid for him I'm afraid,I do think this is the best option for the kid though,so we can't stand in his way,as long as the money is right ofcourse.
Also this stops anybody comming in for Brede,we won't let 2 central defenders go will we??
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: epsomraver on January 26, 2010, 11:38:17 AM
Real shame, he would have had a lot of playing time with us but now probably become another bench warmer
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: Abbotsbury White on January 26, 2010, 11:42:35 AM
Quote from: TonyGilroy on January 26, 2010, 11:29:06 AM
I imagine it'll be an undisclosed fee no matter what the press report.

We'll not be letting him go cheap and I trust Roy and MAF to use the money sensibly.

We don't need better than Hangeland and Hughes and unless either suffers long term injury it's hard to see that Smalling had much of a prospect of regular first team football with us. And he is only a prospect - he could play for England for ten years or never quite cut it.

If it were my decision I'd take, say, £6M up front, with another £3M for 100 league games and £3M for an England cap.

And if I were Chris Smalling I wouldn't let the opportunity pass me by and the pragmatic response is to recognise that we can't hold on to him.

One surprising thing for me though is that despite our need for strikers and full backs there's no one on Arsenal or ManUs books that I'd want in part exchange.
Yep I agree with this,it is sad that we have had to let a young player who has prospects of playing for England go but he would not get much of a run in the immediate future unless we had long term injuries to the 2 cb's (fingers crossed this will not happen)
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: BestOfBrede on January 26, 2010, 11:48:34 AM
For me, I would have kept him until an offer of 10m or more.
At present with Brede not playing his usual assured self, I would have rather played Smalling!
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: Logicalman on January 26, 2010, 11:53:22 AM
Quote from: epsomraver on January 26, 2010, 11:38:17 AM
Real shame, he would have had a lot of playing time with us but now probably become another bench warmer
Thats the rub though, he isn't getting enough at this stage in his career, just a stand-in for Brede or Hughes, not enough for such a promising player.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: OldBrownShoe on January 26, 2010, 11:58:15 AM
If what has been reported is true I am not really surprised.  To be frank he would probably rather be a Manure reserve/sub than a Fulham one. Notwithstanding our injuries, especially this season, Roy doesn't really seem to be blooding the young players and/or giving them a run.  Chris Smalling probably evaluates his position that he probably has more chance of getting games for Manure (or for Arsenal) were he to go there than he does for us!  Good luck to him if he goes and hopefully some of the funds will be spent in the transfer market.  Remember we also have the up and coming Matthew Briggs (just started a loan spell at Leyton Orient).
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: epsomraver on January 26, 2010, 12:26:55 PM
Shame we cannot sell him and then have him back on loan for thje rest of the season, Brede is flagging.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: RidgeRider on January 26, 2010, 12:36:32 PM
This just makes me sad really. Letting a possible great player go seems short sided. I would have rather kept Smalling and let Brede go.  :(
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: LBNo11 on January 26, 2010, 12:38:41 PM
...I agree with epsomraver, Brede is nowhere near as consistant as he was last year. I am very sad that we will not see Smalling's rise to the peak of his profession in a Fulham shirt, and I would have preferred he went to Arsinvinegar's side than "I gets whaat I want" ferguson.

I am sure the money we get for him will be good, but I get the impression that Mr Hodgson will appreciate Dario Gradi even more over the next few transfer windows...
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: White Noise on January 26, 2010, 12:42:26 PM
http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/?p=6211

Report: United's £8 million Smalling bid accepted

By Ed. Tue, Jan 26, 2010



Manchester United has made a successful bid for Fulham's 20-year-old central defender Chris Smalling, reports Sky Sports News. The unconfirmed £8 million bid comes as United head off interest in the player from Arsenal. It is a remarkable rise to the top for the player who joined Fulham in June 2008 from non-league Maidstone United.

Sir Alex Ferguson has moved for the Greenwhich-born defender following a reported bid by Arsenal this week. Smalling, who started Fulham's match against the dark side this season, has made just nine appearances in the Premier League. But the player's accelerated development is such that Stuart Pearce called the defender into his England under-21 set-up. Smalling made his  début against Portugal in November.

Should Smalling sign for Ferguson's side, the pacy left-sided central defender will offer cover in an area of the pitch that United has struggled to field fit players this season. Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Jonny Evans have all been injured at various times this campaign.

United is likely to have laden the £8 million bid with performance-based incentives in the current financial climate. Any cash up-front will come from the club's new revolving £75 million credit facility
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: timmyg on January 26, 2010, 12:47:44 PM
Why would we accept this bid? We have absolutely NO cover in the center of defense.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: White Noise on January 26, 2010, 12:52:12 PM
Quote from: timmyg on January 26, 2010, 12:47:44 PM
Why would we accept this bid? We have absolutely NO cover in the center of defense.

Baird is good there and Matt Briggs is the new Smalling. I think Kallio can play there as well.

Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: EdenRob on January 26, 2010, 12:55:01 PM
I think Chris would do better to stay with us until the end of season then think again. Manure might have problems in his position but would he start every game for them? At least with us he will get starts, in the Euro league certainly and possibly others. It's difficult enough for anyone to move mid-season and I think he will be better off waiting, afterall it's not as if the opportunity won't come again.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: os5889 on January 26, 2010, 12:59:55 PM
Im split on this, he's been great for us, but has only played in games where he'd be up for it. How would the boy be week in week out in times when he's in the spotlight and not up for a game? Titus Bramble is good when he's up for it.... I'm just saying....
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: finnster01 on January 26, 2010, 01:02:01 PM
As always, in Roy I trust.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: White Noise on January 26, 2010, 01:10:56 PM
He's not really been a Fulham player so, in a way, it doesn't hurt as much as it might have.

He also wasn't really a Maidstone player for long. He got kicked out by Millwall (was it?) and was thinking of giving up the game and going to University but got a break in non-league and stuck with it to see what would happen.

Both us and Maidstone got lucky. How much playing time would he really get in the next two seasons with H & H in place - more or less than at Man Utd?

He's a good lad and looks like the real deal but he may get injured or fall away in form as quickly as he rose.

We have come a long way under Roy but not so far yet that we can hope to compete with the top clubs in Europe on wages or prospects.

I am sure Roy is not doing it with glee.

Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: dancrawford on January 26, 2010, 01:40:05 PM
Quote from: White Noise on January 26, 2010, 12:52:12 PM
Quote from: timmyg on January 26, 2010, 12:47:44 PM
Why would we accept this bid? We have absolutely NO cover in the center of defense.

Baird is good there and Matt Briggs is the new Smalling. I think Kallio can play there as well.


As good a prospect as he is, Briggs is a long way from Smalling's current level.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: JBH on January 26, 2010, 02:20:55 PM
This is a funny situation for Fulham Fans, Smalling has done well when he has played in the 1st team but as someone posted earlier, he isn't really an established player at the club, so I have mixed feelings on the whole issue.

1.He has shown potential when he has played but he has only had 8 fist team outings thus far

2. We are not sure how he will develop even thought the early signs look good.

3. Roy brought him into the club for a pittance from Maidstone, so he may well have another gem up his sleeve (remember Hangerlands signing!)

4. If clubs like Arsenal and Man U are in for him his head may well have already been turned.

5. If we are offered silly money (which no doubt will include add-ons) the club will be stupid not too.

6. I don't want him to go and hope that this is just another SKY SPORTS RUMOUR but if he does it will be on our clubs terms and not the buying clubs.

Fingers crossed he stays, but my head is telling me he will leave, if not now then in the Summer.

:(
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: White Noise on January 26, 2010, 03:35:49 PM
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_5886515,00.html

Wenger still tracking Smalling

Gunners boss has not given up on Cottagers defender

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 26th January 2010   


It just looks like Manchester United offered more money than us, but as long as the player has not signed anywhere it is not the end of it.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is refusing to concede defeat in the race to sign Fulham starlet Chris Smalling.

The Cottagers are reported to have accepted a bid for the 20-year-old defender from reigning Premier League champions Manchester United.

It is also claimed that the Gunners saw an official approach for the England Under 21 international knocked back.

Wenger concedes that United have stolen the upper hand in the battle to secure Smalling's signature, but insists he will continue to pursue the youngster until a deal has been agreed.

"It just looks like Manchester United offered more money than us, but as long as the player has not signed anywhere it is not the end of it," said the Frenchman.

"Let's see what happens there.

"We will not come out on what we are doing exactly. It has come out [elsewhere], but that does not mean it is true. If we have anything more to tell you we will let you know."

Opportunity
Wenger has also played down speculation that he is chasing AC Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, but admits Jack Wilshere appears destined to head out of the Emirates Stadium on loan before the winter transfer window slams shut.

"We have interest now from a few Premier League teams, it will be decided today (Tuesday) or tomorrow," Wenger said.

"Burnley is an opportunity. But, at the end of the day, Wilshere will have his word to say, because he needs to decide where he likes to go."

Arsenal saw their chances of landing a major trophy this season dented on Sunday when they crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Stoke, but Wenger has defended his decision to play an under-strength side at the Britannia Stadium and insists he has already forgotten about the 3-1 defeat.

He said: "I do what I feel is right and that's it.

"I have already forgotten Stoke, I did not know we even played at Stoke because I am focused on tomorrow. That is the most important thing."
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: LRCN on January 26, 2010, 03:47:20 PM
selling smalling would be such a short term view. 7 million now or 14 million in two seasons when he's an england/fulham regular. I'll be really really f*cked off if this happens, we are at the strongest point this club has ever been in and yet the management or chairman are still happy to let our best young players go. we'll spend it on another f*cking 31 year old anyway. god sake.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: LRCN on January 26, 2010, 03:51:40 PM
oh, and I would take 8 million for hangeland now if it meant smalling stayed for another 3 or 4 years. unbelievable.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: JBH on January 26, 2010, 03:54:01 PM
Quote from: Lork on January 26, 2010, 03:47:20 PM
selling smalling would be such a short term view. 7 million now or 14 million in two seasons when he's an england/fulham regular. I'll be really really f*cked off if this happens, we are at the strongest point this club has ever been in and yet the management or chairman are still happy to let our best young players go. we'll spend it on another f*cking 31 year old anyway. god sake.

I know where your coming from but in the current climate of debt in football, clubs like Fulham have to balance their books and if the money from a potential deal for Smalling helps keep the club stable then it will happen, I for one do not want to end up the same way as Pompey.

I have faith in RH so prwehaps we should trust his judgement on this one eh?
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: sylvain on January 26, 2010, 03:54:10 PM
I think it's quite astute on fulhams part.

Let's face it, if Smalling became a very good English Centre Back, starting week in week out for us, a "bigger" club would swoop in for him. This would be a real issue if he was an integral part of our defence and came, say, half way through a season. As it happens, he's not a starter for us and only gets games when Aaron or Brede can't play. Thus, I think currently we can deem him as "very useful" but we can afford to lose him.

If the £8m rumours are true we have managed to sell prior to him becoming a hit and being ripped out, got a good price and put all the risk with Man Utd for whetehr he develops into a quality player. I think its clever business - £40k to £8,000,000 within a year? I doubt even Branson expects that return.

Now, if we pick up another Young brede and a striker in this transfer window (looks like we could now afford someone pretty pricey to partner bobby) we have gained and not lost that much for this season or the forseeable.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: LRCN on January 26, 2010, 03:55:21 PM
Quote from: JIMMYBULLARDSHAIRNET on January 26, 2010, 03:54:01 PM
Quote from: Lork on January 26, 2010, 03:47:20 PM
selling smalling would be such a short term view. 7 million now or 14 million in two seasons when he's an england/fulham regular. I'll be really really f*cked off if this happens, we are at the strongest point this club has ever been in and yet the management or chairman are still happy to let our best young players go. we'll spend it on another f*cking 31 year old anyway. god sake.

I know where your coming from but in the current climate of debt in football, clubs like Fulham have to balance their books and if the money from a potential deal for Smalling helps keep the club stable then it will happen, I for one do not want to end up the same way as Pompey.

I have faith in RH so prwehaps we should trust his judgement on this one eh?

we spent f*ck all in the summer anyway, what's there to balance out.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: Yarden on January 26, 2010, 04:09:25 PM
I HATE man u, all i have to say!
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: JBH on January 26, 2010, 04:32:51 PM
Its pointless discussing Smalling anymore, the deal is done, he is a youngster with talent, we spent fcuk all on getting him and have cashed in after the lads head would have been turned by Man U (as Saha's was).
Roy will now spend the cash on a couple of players to bolster the squad.

Shame he is going but that's football!!

I won't wish the Greedy bsterd any luck because he is obviously going for the cash and will most probably spend 12 months warming their bench.
Title: Re: smalling... man u bid accepted
Post by: timmyg on January 26, 2010, 04:45:22 PM
I think this move speaks more about United than it does us.

I can't imagine their fans are too happy with this. Not because Smalling isn't good enough, but because they still haven't replaced Ronaldo.