3 Oct 2014

'Shut Up': Angry Carra indirectly slates 'brilliant' £31m star over cynical LFC strategy. Sell?

In August, I posted an article arguing that Liverpool should take a tough line on Raheem Sterling's alleged contract demands, and after a month of conveniently-timed Real Madrid transfer rumours, it seems that Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has similar feelings on the issue.

According to multiple reports over the last month:

* Real Madrid are ready to make a move to sign 'brilliant' Sterling.

* Carlo Ancelotti has made Sterling his number one transfer target.

It's perfectly possible that the Madrid transfer rumours are legitimate, but Carra insists that Sterling's Agent is stirring the pot in a bid to pressure Liverpool handing the youngster a bumper new deal. Today, he tweeted:



Carra is receiving criticism from some fans for his comment, but I support his stance 110%. Liverpool deserve - and should demand - loyalty from Sterling, and the club should take the view that he should be happy with his current £30k a week contract. Why wouldn't he be? If he demands more money than that at the age of 19 then it is greed, pure and simple.

Fans in denial will probably cast £31m-rated Sterling as the victim in all this. Nasty agents! Feeding stories to the media without the player's knowledge! Poor Raheem, etc. Urgh. If you believe that, you'll believe anything.

In my view, only egregiously naive fans will delude themselves into thinking that Sterling isn't aware of his agent's 'strategy'. Like most players, Sterling will have close contact with his Agent, and will discuss all issues pertaining to his future, including contract negotiations and potential pay-rises.

And make no mistake - Carra is also addressing Sterling with his tweet. He wouldn't directly call the youngster out in public, but there are ways and means of getting the message across, and the method employed here is one of them.

As I've argued repeatedly over the years, giving young players huge salaries invariably dulls motivation/competitive edge, and luckily, Rodgers appears to think the same. When asked recently about a new contract for Sterling, he told reporters:

"We need to be careful. When you reward young players too quickly, that will be their downfall. It's a big problem with British players. Why? Because the reward is no longer there, they lose their hunger"

I sincerely hope Rodgers and LFC have the courage of their convictions when it comes to this particular issue. If Real Madrid do come calling, and Sterling seriously considers a move at such a young age, then it will show that he has zero loyalty to Liverpool. In such circumstances, the club should just cash-in and get rid of him (or any player with a similar mindset).

To be honest, though, Rodgers - ably assisted by the fawning LFC fanbase - is the author of his own destruction. LFC's boss has been fanning the flames for the last 18 months with a constant stream of overwrought praise, and now it appears that Sterling (via his agent) believes his own hype.

You reap what you sow; Rodgers regularly highlights the dangers of inflating teenage egos, but the incredible irony of the situation - of which he's clearly unaware - it that he's done exactly that ever since Sterling burst onto the scene.

Ultimately, Sterling is not irreplaceable. He has the world at his feet at Liverpool, and if it's really about the football with him, then that should be enough.

If not, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if LFC sold him to the highest bidder.

Author:


76 comments:

  1. Liverpool will still be in existence if sterling departs. If it is true that he is demanding more wages or is demanding a move elsewhere, he should be allowed to go. He should prove to BR if he wants the reported 120k per week as he is still 19. If he wants a move to Real and wants to compete with at least 5 players in each of the LW and CAM positions, that is his choice.

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  2. I wouldn't say that Rodgers praise for Sterling has made him believe the hype- he did the exact same thing last time it came to signing a contract.

    The truth is that this is just how the game is played. It's unedifying. Sterling probably just trusts his agent implicitly to get him the best deal. Last time he tried this, we rewarded him with a nice new contract, so he has every reason to believe in his agent.

    It's disappointing that he wouldn't at least say to his agent "can we put this to one side until the club starts performing again". Poor timing. I don't think Sterling is the architect of this but he can stop it and has chosen not to.

    I'm old enough (jaded) to know that contract negotiations are generally played out in the public sphere now but there is a time and place.

    Nice to see Sturridge just got on with signing his.

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  3. Where did you get that extra 10% from?

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  4. You do not have me nowhere. You are nothing but a wind up merchant. Run along.

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  5. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:38 pm, October 03, 2014

    "wind up merchant"
    your insults prove you ahve lost the argument


    and who are you to tell me where to go?

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  6. We played 4-3-3 in the 5-0 win vs Spurs. i can prove it via EPL Index. We had the same argument the other day. The link will be made available when Jaimie releases it.


    Please get your facts straight because all you are doing is making yourself look like a fool.

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  7. We played 4-3-3 in the 5-0 win vs Spurs. i can prove it via EPL Index. We had the same argument the other day. The link will be made available when Jaimie releases it.

    Please get your facts straight because all you are doing is making stuff up.

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  8. http://eplindex.com/46299/tottenham-hotspur-05-liverpool-postmatch-tactical-analysis.html

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  9. Scroll down to see the exact opposite.

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  10. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:51 pm, October 03, 2014

    had a good "debate" with you today
    next time try to make your point without personal insults


    good night!

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  11. What personal insults? Keep on making things up.

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  12. sterling is currently head and shoulders liverpools best player and his pay should reflect it.If borini as a striker is on 50g you do the math

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  13. He deserves a bumper contract. If I am doing more work and better work than most of my seniors in the company, I deserve a higher paycheck. Simple as that.

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  14. yes it must of been real hard signing a 150g a week pay cheque when your going to miss most of the season

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  15. As I stated at the beginning Rogers is a YOUNG manager with a very bright future.


    He learns incredibly quickly you only have to look from his first season in charge how quickly he learnt.
    I'd wager that many of the voices calling for his head NOW were the same ones when his first season who said he he wasn't good enough.
    May I also point out that under Rogers that Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling Henderson have all improved.
    That is not a accident thats his coaching that has achieved it.


    Furthermore I'm prepared to take one step back to to get three steps forward , by that I mean if we are not in the champions league but have a settled squad with the additions for next season I'll take it.
    WHY ?
    Because Rogers stated at his outset that he would need 5 years and he's ahead of schedule.
    FSG are not stupid besides the fact these transfers are not ALL his OWN choices.


    The problem with have with many so-called fans is that because of last years OVERACHIEVEMENT they want more.
    Where had we not done so well and scrapped 4th they'd be happy to wait and see.


    We are all impatient for success and NO ONE on here is a better COACH than Roger...FACT.
    We can moan and make predictions but we have to wait and see.


    Look at Man U fans they got what they wanted (some would say deserve) and they are no better off than they were last season.


    We need to give Rogers time as he is INEXPERIENCED at CL level and now is expected to Challenge for the league.

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  16. if he was a white working class lad from liverpool carra would be singing the superlatives from high and saying pay him what hes worth.I can read carra like a book and hes beginning to grate me he picks on easy high profile targets like balo ..its funny crouch carroll suarez and others all stated slow for liverpool but recieved little or no flack can you spot a pattern

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  17. i remember balo being faster..hes bulked up to much ..he needs to ditch the weights and protein and lose some weight

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  18. His stats are good; was just ok in the world cup. He's also 28. Some guys go well past that point some start to lose it. Just a question. Like the idea that we are looking for quality. Why the F&^@ that didn't occur this past summer escapes me.................

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  19. i have no faith in rogers or liverpool or the panel or whoever is running the transfer policy ...

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  20. Every single interview I have seen from Sterling suggests otherwise. You can infer all you like about his agent's poor attempts to drum up commission from a new contract or a move, and Sterling himself has to be the one to tell him to cool it- but to state that it appears that Sterling is believing his own hype is directly contradicted by a) his attitude and words when interviewed, and b) how obviously hard he has worked to improve.

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  21. The £150 k pw is NOT his basic wage, like with Rooney for instance. It is dependent of performance levels and bonuses, just as it should be.

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  22. Crouch took AGES to score his first goal. All Mario has to do is put in 100 instead of 80% and he'll get more time

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  23. I think he is reasonably quick, he just lacks acceleration.

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  24. VermHat, do the Rodgers out brigade wear the same uniform and respond if you call 999?

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  25. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:52 pm, October 03, 2014

    who knows origi, markovic,lallana,,can ,moreno,lovren ,manquilo can still be really good signings all have talent , too early to judge injuries to other key members ahve not helped their integration


    balotelli has looked most disappointing but maybe he is just one of them strikers that does best when he has a top strike partner next to him , he was pretty sucsessful at inter and man city where they always have two top strikers


    when sturridge comes back and origi comes next year maybe he could be a good buy

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  26. Mexican? He's Colombian , and wants out of Benfica, he plays for Porto. What a fool you are Kanewar

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  27. They wear the leftover "Suarez is innocent" shirts that Kenny had printed and they only respond if you hammer out the melody to 'You'll Never Walk Alone' on your keypad.

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  28. Who said Mario isn't putting 100%. What BR is asking him to do is new. Could Crouch play like Saurez? No, because their different. No we expect Ballotelli to be a direct replacement for Saurez??!! BR himself said it was a gamble & now it looks like it'll take time to pay dividends, that's if it ever will.
    Bottom line is Sterlingis carrying the load of an extremely average team. The best bargaining tool would be to demonstrate that Sterling is dispensable by having quality players in the squad. BR's underwhelming summer transfer has done the opposite. Do you think his agent won't tell him that the state LFC are in they need him more than ever, so bargain for more cash? If Sterling left LFC will regress further, his defensive & attacking qualities are worth several players contracts. As long as we continue to get shafted in the transfer market expect the same pattern to continue. That is the first bit of talent we develop will just see LFC as a stepping stone, due to the perpetual lack of quality.

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  29. I'm surprised Liverpool never tried to sell those 'Suarez is innocent' t-shirts in the club shop.They would've embarrassingly sold like hotcakes:-7
    I bashed in You'll Never Walk Alone on my keypad.I got a automated Rodgers out chant on loop!!

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  30. Mario doesn't eve bother to run in behind or into channels. He's 6ft 3 but wins 11% or headed duels. He chases back after losing the ball maybe 1, maybe 2 in every 3. Suarez was 3 in 3; EVERY time. Kuyt the same. Rush was the master of it. The rest of the time he just seems to shrug his shoulders and leave it to the rest of the team.
    Don't get me wrong, I like Mario, but I also think the fans know the difference between a player trying 100% and one who tries only when the ball comes to him

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  31. Gilstrap- you are talking utter rubbish Stirling is crap, what does he contribute to the team NOTHING he just runs around like a headless chicken fouling people

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  32. think you are a racist GILCRAP

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  33. Kenny was quick to copyright the design, so he was set up for retirement. He was in a position to make a shed load of cash selling them but, as was the way in the King's second coming, he couldn't turn potential into actual results.

    That Rodgers Out number is a premium number. Watch your phone bills. After midnight it turns into a dirty phone chat. Like dirtier than a Charlie Adam tackle. That's actually what it's called: Charlie Adam's Dirty Tackle. Watch your bills.

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  34. think you are the racist here GILCRAP

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  35. What are you trying to imply ? are you saying that CARRA is the Ra*ist here ???

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  36. I think you must be a black man with those comments? I don't think that you like whites for speaking the truth. can you spot the pattern ??

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  37. I would take a good look in the mirror if I was you

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  38. WTF Charlie Adam's Dirty Tackle... That sounds like one for the rainbow club.I'll pass.VermHat you've turned the conversation into complete filth:) What's next a Suarez lookalike on BabeStation with a sausage in her knickers:-)

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  39. I think Carra would say the same thing even if he was white

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  40. even if he was a black working class lad from Liverpool carra would say the same thing

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  41. Why did BR buy him? Everyone knew this would happen? I genuinely think he'll come good in a partnership with Sturridge.

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  42. Not paying the wages that a skillset demands on the market dulls motivation/ competitive edge. It doesn't matter what business, field, or trade, workers quickly become unmotivated if they know they can command higher wages elsewhere in the market - and usually leave to attain those wages. Liverpool need to pay Sterling what he's worth. end of.

    Who is Liverpool's most entertaining player and top scorer at the moment? Why is player still at the bottom of the heap when it comes to wages??

    IMO the benefits of giving him a fair market contract are two-fold. 1) he remains motivated and remains at the club. 2), and probably more importantly Liverpool make a signal to other players that they aren't cheap. Sorry, but If I were to describe Liverpool's owner's and their spending habits, it wouldn't be "frugal", "wise", or any adjective, it would be CHEAP.

    Sounds strange after they've spent 100m, but all the buys are the type that they hope will double or triple in value, for which they can sell off at a huge profit, diamond in the rough types. They aren't buying any finished gems. They aren't willing to pay the going rate for the finished articles either.



    With Sterling they lucked out, they paid 500 000 for him, and now have a 30m+ player on their hands. If they want to keep him, pay him like a 30M player, not a 3m player. Send the message that talent deserving the pay will get the pay.

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  43. Sterling is rubbish, you say? I think this contract thing is getting to him hence the drop in form. We just need to give him something better than Borini at least

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  44. I know. I was just being a prick.

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  45. Carra said affectionately in his auto biography



    'I've got two brothers who find it hard to work in Liverpool in this
    Capital of Culture year. One of the reasons is we've made it too easy
    for all those foreigners to come here and take our jobs.'


    loool All you foreigners coming over here taking OUR women and Jobs. I personally wouldn't write anything off with any scummy footballer.

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  46. Your point about Mario not running into channels or in behind, I dont think its that he doesnt bother, its just not his game. He's a target man, someone to hit with a pass and he can either turn and shoot or lay it off. He may not track back because he loses the ball, but he definitely spends alot of time in the midfield looking for the ball because our CMs just arent breaking through to him enough. I actually think thats one of the reasons he's not been scoring, because he's having to come into the mid to actually see the ball. I do amuse myself in defending him, couldnt stand him until he came to Liverpool and now I find myself answering the criticism I was giving him 6 months ago!

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  47. To be fair to Carra, simply stating a fact about a race or number of races does not make one a racist. What he said is true, it is harder for a local to find work in Liverpool because foreign workers have come over, working for a lesser wage and therefore dilute the local workforce. If there are 100 locals in 100 jobs, then foreign workers come in and take 50 of those jobs due to being more affordable, then theres 100 locals out of work. He didnt say that "the smelly took our jeeeerrrrrbs". To be a racist is very different to caring about the state of your local employment situation, too many people get too startled by the very mention of words like 'foreign' and 'race'. Just my 2c. Peace, YNWA

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  48. Totally agree with your points Mike, I did a refresher on a few of Sterling's recent interviews and unless I'm a terrible judge of a person, he seems genuinely humble and just wants to work hard for the team. Call me egregiously naive but I have faith in the boy, agents are renowned for this and the 'overpraising' here in my opinion is founded. When BR praises a player who is clearly not performing, that is poor, but a player like Sterling, you need to praise to let him know you feel he is an integral part of the unit (said in a poor attempt at a Northern Irish accent).

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  49. Yeah we were linked with him during his Mexico days and he chose Porto.

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  50. O ne thing about these possible high priced signings in January is i do not think the club has the money.
    We are currently under investigation for FFP breaches although its doubtful we are guilty i also doubt there is a spare 40 million laying around either.

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  51. I'm not sure if I fully agree. Yes, 120k a week is too much money for a 19-year-old but so is 30k a week. Actually, it's too much for any person for just kicking a ball. That said, we say age doesn't matter and if you're good enough you'll play. So players should be paid based on their position in the team and the importance to the team. Do you think Messi was on 30k a week when he was 19? Like it or not, with Suarez gone Sterling has now become one of our leading players and we currently rely on him. How can you explain to the guy that he is making 30k whilst players who have no impact on our results, other than a negative one, like Mignolet, Sakho, Allen, Lucas and Balotelli are all making more just because they're older?

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  52. He doesn't play for Benfica either. There goes the credibility of the source.

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  53. Let's start with the one we shouldn't have bought in the first place. One thing I really don't get about the Balotelli transfer is where is the sell on value in him? The club have been harping on about buying players whose value will increase. However, with Balotelli it's a fact that in his last three transfers, his value has consistently dropped.

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  54. I think he did and when we were linked with him everybody was disgusted because he was just another mediocre player from a mickey mouse league :-)

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  55. Too much zip whatever. 31 goals in one league season.

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  56. You got it there on acceleration. Suarez has what Torres had. They would run at you and could always get past you. They could always create space for themselves. Higuain is the same. The only way Balotelli knows to create space is by setting his furniture on fire.

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  57. But he won't look as good and that's what is really important to him. Balotelli is football's Anna Kournikova. But uglier.

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  58. Matic should have been our Matic. But no, we have Lucas so we don't need a DM.

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  59. I just hope the kid does not suffer from burnout because looking from the no of games he will be playing he just might .

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  60. Those who question why the top world class players aren't at Anfield need look no further. If you're old enough then you're good enough and if you're good enough for Liverpools first team then you should be paid accordingly. I'm not suggesting we pay the kid 100k per week but he certainly deserves an improvement, especially when you look at the wages paid to some of our under performing players. High wages didn't seem to stall the progress of players like Robben, Gerrard, Messi, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, etc with many South American players going from poverty to multi millionaire status overnight and still maintaining focus to go on and become some of the worlds best. Carra should be careful as without proof these kind of comments could constitute libel, yet he can't say a bad word about his under performing mate who has also had stories written recently regarding a contract extension.

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  61. You seem dilutional with those comments and seem to jump on anything Glistap says now. Try and comment without snide remarks people might take you seriously.

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  62. Sterling has skill and pace. However, Benitez referred to 'game intelligence' and he lacks this. The backpass to nobody into midfield no-mans-land against Middlesborough directly led to the situation were the penalty was conceded. You regularly see him trying passes that are never on and lead to loss of possession. I have not seen figures, but suspect he probably loses possession more than any other player, except, perhaps Balotelli. He is good, but over-hyped and is not the superstar he is being built up to be

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  63. Exactly! That's why I think this is all new stuff, running the channels. I also agree with your reasoning ondropping deep, an underwhelming midfield with limited width resulting in barely crosses being put in!

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  64. I agree with you about it not being his game. He's trying to make runs, he's just not very good at it

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  65. I can't believe this comment's still live. What is wrong with you? What's with the gilstrap hating?

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  66. I think we'll be OK though as I heard we borrowed the transfer money from Wonga

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  67. They are the premature Rodgers out Brigade you don't need to call them out they are there whether you need them or not.

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  68. I sometimes completely outwit my dog. But then he is not that clever and it's only sometimes......

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  69. We need more articles just like this one :--)

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  70. Perhaps we should cut his wages to motivate him a bit more........

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  71. Great! That money goes straight into Newcastle's pocket now!

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  72. ...like silent guardians, watchful protectors.

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  73. No it's ok we don't have to pay it back they will write it off and so they should; they still owe us for AC

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  74. I have a similar opinion about Carra, and I wish he didn't give me the ammo to hold that opinion as I respect what he contributed to the club very much.

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  75. The workforce needs more men like you Stu.

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