I really hate some teams approach to transfer targets

I know what your saying topdawg and in some ways I agree with you but unfortunately all clubs have a tendancy to do this, as do players agents. Spuds complain all the time about tapping up but it doesnt stop nuncle 'arry (or is that numbskull 'arry) saying he wants various players too the media which is blatent tapping up. We've done it as has united, pool and arsenal. They should either scrap the rule or police it properly.

To be fair, we have done our fair share of transfer bullying in recent years.

Barcelona have what other clubs don't though, they are the best team in the world, they have the best player in the world, they play in front of 100,000 fans every game, they win things, they are located in one of the most beautiful citie's in the world, they have the weather etc...

Why wouldn't you want to play there?

They know all this, so this is why they can do things their way. I'm not saying its right, but thats life.

I agree that we have used our financial strength (mainly because we had no other choice).

To openly say that you won't pay more than a certain amount (which is below what he is worth) and say the player is trying to leave is more than disrespectful.

If you can get away paying below market value then you can get more players.

Save money on Fab helps to pay for Sanchez. I really wouldn't want Barca to get Rossi, Fab and Sanchez!

Yeah, i don't really think Barca are doing anything most other top European teams don't do.

On a seperate note regarding attendances, did you know Citys average is 19th in Europe.....thought it might have been higher. Do the Bundesliga only charge 10 Euros to get in or something, they seem to get decent crowds?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Average_attendances_of_European_football_clubs

Bundesliga is dirt cheap compared to our prices, and you can drink in the stadium as well I think! They always have a great atmosphere when you see the games on tv

13 out of the top 35 are in germany compared to only 8 from england, 4 from spain, 3 in italy, 2 in scotland (guess who!), 2 in the netherlands, 1 from france, 1 from portugal and 1 from turkey.

germany leads the way and they tend to have more bigger grounds.

I'm sure they brought back the old terreces at some german grounds, not sure if that is the best thing for this country, but must be cheaper and get in more fans.

MDP they have a safe form of terracing with barriers that allow standing but the same personal space as a seat so no crush. I think I saw a picture of it somewhere when the debate kicked off in this country for a return to standing. http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fsf.org.uk/media/uploaded/safe%2520standing.jpg&imgrefurl=http://hobnob.royals.org/forum/viewtopic.php%3Ff%3D2%26t%3D102578%26start%3D20%26st%3D0%26sk%3Dt%26sd%3Da&usg=__0yksrUE2gsMHtcVWEElgGQWsRsA=&h=454&w=671&sz=547&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=1fZUaOAGFTh1oM:&tbnh=141&tbnw=188&ei=mpMATvHrOc6DhQfRmLW4DQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsafe%2Bstanding%2Bstadia%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1G1ACPW_ENUK397%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D589%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=332&vpy=91&dur=6703&hovh=185&hovw=273&tx=133&ty=92&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&biw=1366&bih=589

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6444083.stm possibly a better link

Cheers for that mate, it'd make it more affordable i would have thought, but i doubt many club chairmen are looking for affordable options, space for more corporate seats, but not cut price standing areas. As it says in the report, Hilsborough will always cast a shadow over any debate in this country.

Most of the Bundesliga clubs have large fan influences in the boardroom / very influential supporters clubs

You can get season tickets for less than £200!

Plus, with typical German efficiency the stadiums are clean, no traffic issues, well catered etc

I think I read somewhere as well that even if a 'foreign' owner comes in, they have to retain the fans on the board (might be bollocks though).