Slightly worried (if the rumours are true)

[uptheR's]

The truth is...nobody knows the truth! We don't know for sure whether Rio has been offered a contract, or how much he would be on etc. No point worrying about newspaper speculation at this point as we all know how much crap is printed in those things. Just let them get on with it. Then, if Rio does sign, and Harry or Tony says he's on 80k a week, then we can moan about it and blame Beard or Tony or whoever

[West Acton]

If it is a mess up what evidence is there that it is actually Beard or is this pure speculation because we always have to have someone to blame and hes an easy target??

[Mattyqpr]

Would anybody care to explain what poor old Phil Beard has done this time?
Seems to me that some can't wait to blame him whilst knowing absolutely nothing about how the club go about their business. If there were any truth in this rumour at all, the one certainty is that it definitely was not Phil Beard who decided upon it.

Unbelievable!!

Oh dear! Isn't Phil the man who draws up the contracts and finalises the deals? It has everything to do with him, it's his job!

[bakes8]

I'd be happy not signing Rio if it meant we got Caulker/Lascelles or both. Maybe TF vetoed Ferdinand once these players became available?

[Mattyqpr]

If it is a mess up what evidence is there that it is actually Beard or is this pure speculation because we always have to have someone to blame and hes an easy target??

He's an easy target because of the mess he's put us in by negotiating huge contracts for players.

[Mattyqpr]

I'd be happy not signing Rio if it meant we got Caulker/Lascelles or both. Maybe TF vetoed Ferdinand once these players became available?

If that's the case, pull out of the deal, not move the goalposts.

[Nick]

It always fascinates me that journo's/reporter's know all the ins and outs about what's going on behind closed doors and know all about extremely private matters such as how the owners are controlling how money is being spent...... I wonder how they know what TF is telling HR who he can and can't buy hmmmmm!!!!...... my guess is they don't have a scooby and its nothing more than 'rumours', with reporters just writing what they think or what they think will fill a gossip column.

[Johnny Tightlips]

I'm slightly worried that the board are interfering in transfers. It's hugely important the manager brings in the players he wants, as long as it fits in with his budget.

The latest news that our board have changed the terms of the Rio deal at the 11th hour is worrying and yet again shows the **** poor negotiating skills of Mr Beard!

TF needs to wake up and sack the clown, not restrict Harry in the transfer market. We should be offering players a deal once and once only. If they don't like it (within reason), move on. The one thing we can't do is agree a deal with the player and then move the goalposts, this smacks of being unprofessional and will put off players in the future.

Quite frankly, Beard's messed up yet again. The man is a million miles out of his depth and should be replaced with someone up to the job.

I understand TF being wary bringing in players after the Hughes disaster but you have to trust your manager. It's up to Beard to agree contracts that suit the club and if a deal can't be made then that's fine but the rumours that TF doesn't want Rio, should never come into the reckoning, let the manager do his job.

Terry Brown, Sacha Gaydamak, Milan Mandaric and Rupert Lowe trusted Harry. Daniel Levy didn't.

What's the odd one out?

[bakes8]

If that's the case, pull out of the deal, not move the goalposts.

Who says we moved the goalposts? Nothing is signed, if it was previously agreed he should've signed then and there on the spot.

Looks like a lot of loose papertalk to me. The media wondering why we haven't signed Rio and thinking 2+2=5. I'd be happier to believe Rio is on the backburner till we get a decision on the two young centre backs.

[Artful]

Would anybody care to explain what poor old Phil Beard has done this time?
Seems to me that some can't wait to blame him whilst knowing absolutely nothing about how the club go about their business. If there were any truth in this rumour at all, the one certainty is that it definitely was not Phil Beard who decided upon it.

Unbelievable!!

[Mattyqpr]

Terry Brown, Sacha Gaydamak, Milan Mandaric and Rupert Lowe trusted Harry. Daniel Levy didn't.

What's the odd one out?

A point well made but Harry shouldn't have anything to do with players contracts, something he didn't at Spurs. The same should apply at Rangers and in that case it's up to Beard to offer the contracts, which is the case.

If Rio or whoever doesn't fit into our wage structure or wants more than we're looking to offer, end the talks. No problem and we'll move onto our next target. Agreeing a deal and then changing it is bad practice though and will not go down well.

[3London]

Would anybody care to explain what poor old Phil Beard has done this time?
Seems to me that some can't wait to blame him whilst knowing absolutely nothing about how the club go about their business. If there were any truth in this rumour at all, the one certainty is that it definitely was not Phil Beard who decided upon it.

Unbelievable!!

Exactly! they are only doing what everyone on here has asked them to do ..not buy players at the end of their careers looking for a pay day..

why do people assume the worst

[Mattyqpr]

Who says we moved the goalposts? Nothing is signed, if it was previously agreed he should've signed then and there on the spot.

Looks like a lot of loose papertalk to me. The media wondering why we haven't signed Rio and thinking 2+2=5. I'd be happier to believe Rio is on the backburner till we get a decision on the two young centre backs.

As I said in the title, if the rumours are true. You have to wonder though, why has Rio not signed? Didn't he come back to England from Brazil to sign the deal and is now back out there with no deal done, after confirming talks between the club and him were taking place.

I'd rather sign Caulker and Lascelles too but the point is, it's worrying if the rumours are true regarding changing contracts at the 11th hour.

[Mattyqpr]

Exactly! they are only doing what everyone on here has asked them to do ..not buy players at the end of their careers looking for a pay day..

why do people assume the worst

We've offered Rio a contract though and then changed it at the 11th hour, presumably after he's come back from Brazil to sign the original deal. You think that's professional?

[Johnny Tightlips]

A point well made but Harry shouldn't have anything to do with players contracts, something he didn't at Spurs. The same should apply at Rangers and in that case it's up to Beard to offer the contracts, which is the case.

If Rio or whoever doesn't fit into our wage structure or wants more than we're looking to offer, end the talks. No problem and we'll move onto our next target. Agreeing a deal and then changing it is bad practice though and will not go down well.

If this is the case, it's TF stepping on PB's toes or reining him in. Neither bodes well. Either the communication lines are down between Fernandes and Beard or Harry has got Phil Beard's ear and PB has gone rogue.