Elliot Ward - The Story!

[Window Cleaner]

BUT Ward phoned them and said i`ve signed when in fact he hadn`t but was gonna sign tomorrow then saints said on second thoughts ....... it`s Ward that looks the idiot!! not Sky who were reporting what a very reliable (in thier eyes) source had told them!

 

Did Ward really phone them ?? Is there proof of that ?

[Thedelldays]

if the Echo did the very same thing SSN did then the reaction on here would be very different....im sure

[Alain Perrin]

Elliot Ward is a cracking player and it's a pity we couldn't find a place for him. That said, a contract is only a contract when it is all signed and both parties have the right to walk away up to that point that it is binding.

 

Pardew is building a team based on complementary positions and an eye on the future. He signed 'old guys' (Murty, Jaidi, Connely) to steady the ship, followed by 'middle aged' players to get us promoted and stayup (Fonte, Lambert etc.). Seabourne seems to be one for the future / cover.

 

I fully expect to see Jaidi as your ball winner and Fonte as your ball player out of central defence this season. If Seabourne proves to be the natural successor to Jaidi then great. If not then it's a relatively small gamble for someone who is young enough.

 

Ward on the otherhand would be on higher wages and perhaps not fit as well with Fonte.

 

Don't just think about the player, think about how they fit into the team / squad.

[JustMike]

Elliot Ward is a cracking player and it's a pity we couldn't find a place for him. That said, a contract is only a contract when it is all signed and both parties have the right to walk away up to that point that it is binding.

 

Pardew is building a team based on complementary positions and an eye on the future. He signed 'old guys' (Murty, Jaidi, Connely) to steady the ship, followed by 'middle aged' players to get us promoted and stayup (Fonte, Lambert etc.). Seabourne seems to be one for the future / cover.

 

I fully expect to see Jaidi as your ball winner and Fonte as your ball player out of central defence this season. If Seabourne proves to be the natural successor to Jaidi then great. If not then it's a relatively small gamble for someone who is young enough.

 

Ward on the otherhand would be on higher wages and perhaps not fit as well with Fonte.

 

Don't just think about the player, think about how they fit into the team / squad.

 

so good he cant get in the Coventry team

[david in sweden]

Did Ward really phone them ?? Is there proof of that ?

 

Difficult to say, but I'm not sure about the moon-landing either, and all that business with JFK in Dallas...and area 51...:confused:

[Window Cleaner]

Difficult to say, but I'm not sure about the moon-landing either, and all that business with JFK in Dallas...and area 51...:confused:

 

 

Area 51 exists, I know that.

[Judge_B]

BUT Ward phoned them and said i`ve signed when in fact he hadn`t but was gonna sign tomorrow then saints said on second thoughts ....... it`s Ward that looks the idiot!! not Sky who were reporting what a very reliable (in thier eyes) source had told them!

 

Is that what happened, then? First I've heard of it, though I will confess now to not having every post in this thread...

 

I'm not sure as to Sky's eagerness to break the story either, without confirmation from either club. This story is only of interest to a very small percentage of the football world, surely? Albeit a small percentage of which we are part...

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

It's not a major disaster but I'd say (rightly or wrongly - the full facts are obscure) that this sorry tale has damaged our reputation as a buying club somewhat . Perhaps one day a player we really want will be advised by his agent/club to talk to someone else rather than us because our 'word' can't be trusted anymore .

 

We must do better in future .

[Saint Without a Halo]

It's not a major disaster but I'd say (rightly or wrongly - the full facts are obscure) that this sorry tale has damaged our reputation as a buying club somewhat . Perhaps one day a player we really want will be advised by his agent/club to talk to someone else rather than us because our 'word' can't be trusted anymore .

 

We must do better in future .

 

Come on this is all about negotiations! Players play one club off against the other to drive up wages and clubs pursue a number of players for one position to ensure it is covered!

 

It is obvious that NC decided that the deal for Ward had been driven up so high by him that it the Seabourne deal suddenly became more attractive when you optimised the playing ability potential, transfer fee and wages.

 

What would have happened if a club came in last minute and doubled Wards wages?

 

All is fair in negotiations till the ink is on the contract by both sides!

[Saint Without a Halo]

There is something that does not add up here....Ward had not played many games at all. Coventry trying to off load because of the wages etc..fine..But if fit he was never selected very often..Why? Medical or are we waiting..If someone else signs him in this window that may give us a clue.....Will we revisit or did a second look at the xray tell us something. Very strange... No idea myself ..before you say it....Like always..

 

Whereas JO... whatever the Norwich fans say about off loading he was a highly paid player and financially they are broke....... JO our new full back played a lot of games and is rated by many at Carrow Road....Again, is he fully fit medically..hence the 6 month contract.. Or gamble for cover and he may regain top level performances.....Not so strange:)

 

quite right he had six months of his contract remaining and he now has six months on his present wages to prove his value!

[CB Fry]

BUT Ward phoned them and said i`ve signed when in fact he hadn`t but was gonna sign tomorrow then saints said on second thoughts ....... it`s Ward that looks the idiot!! not Sky who were reporting what a very reliable (in thier eyes) source had told them!

 

 

Sorry I missed the information about Ward actually being the person who phoned Sky and told them himself he'd signed for Saints - where did you hear that?

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Come on this is all about negotiations! Players play one club off against the other to drive up wages and clubs pursue a number of players for one position to ensure it is covered!

 

It is obvious that NC decided that the deal for Ward had been driven up so high by him that it the Seabourne deal suddenly became more attractive when you optimised the playing ability potential, transfer fee and wages.

 

What would have happened if a club came in last minute and doubled Wards wages?

 

All is fair in negotiations till the ink is on the contract by both sides!

 

Well both Coventry FC and the player involved seem aggrieved , indeed the player has been publicly humiliated some might say - which to my mind suggests something out of the ordinary has gone on here . Sometimes it's as important to be seen to do the right thing as to actually do it .

 

I put it to you that something more than the cut and thrust of normal transfer 'negotiations' must have happened in this instance .

[CWD]

hmmmmm just got in having read this briefly on the back of the echo. Seems a bit strange and a little unfair on Ward - but im tempted to believe that he was just a bit stupid to count his chickens because, as it turned out, he was second choice.

 

NC is not afraid to be cut throat by the looks of things, which is not a problem once in a while, just as long as we dont become THAT rich club that everyone hates!

[St Chalet]

To all those having a little whinge about what may have happened, would you rather have NC or Mark Jacobs running your club?

 

I rest my case.

[trousers]

It all reminds me of playing championship manager - put loads of offers in because most of them turn you down then suddenly end up potentially signing several players for the same spot. Easier to cancel the deal on a computer game though

 

Cortese has obviously taken my 'bid for many, buy a few' recommednation from a few weeks ago on board....

[Thedelldays]

we have money to spend in a very short space of time (jan)..it would be madness for the club, who need players in sooner rather than later to put all their eggs in one basket..

 

pards wanted fonte, he got hom

pards wanted seaborne or ward, we bid for both, both wanted to come, pards chose seaborne...

 

I think that is about it, no other news, nothing to worry about

[trousers]

Fonte looks the class act - maybe he was surprised that we actually managed to get him? But once we did felt Seaborn was better long longterm partner?

 

This seems like the most likely explanation to me.

 

i.e. Ward was 'first choice' over Seaborne IF we didn't get Fonte, but having got Fonte it promoted Seabourne to 'first choice' slot over Ward but they carried on with processing the Ward deal IN CASE the Seabourne deal didn't come off.

 

Cortese and Pardew just covering all options by the looks of it.

 

Just a hunch

 

Harsh on Ward perhaps but that's business....

Edited 14 January, 2010 by trousers

[CB Fry]

To all those having a little whinge about what may have happened, would you rather have NC or Mark Jacobs running your club?

 

I rest my case.

 

 

No idea what that has got to do with anything.

 

Just because ML's money (not NC) saved the club it doesn't mean that every single action the management team take subsequently is automatically correct.

 

From the information we do have, and for whatever the reason, this has been badly handled. Not the end of the world and Ward is hardly Paulo Maldini but the process was not particularly well executed all in all.

 

I think Saints fans should be able to express that harmless opinion without being shouted down.

[John B]

No idea what that has got to do with anything.

 

Just because ML's money (not NC) saved the club it doesn't mean that every single action the management team take subsequently is automatically correct.

 

From the information we do have, and for whatever the reason, this has been badly handled. Not the end of the world and Ward is hardly Paulo Maldini but the process was not particularly well executed all in all.

 

I think Saints fans should be able to express that harmless opinion without being shouted down.

 

Totally agree CB

[Faz]

No idea what that has got to do with anything.

 

Just because ML's money (not NC) saved the club it doesn't mean that every single action the management team take subsequently is automatically correct.

 

From the information we do have, and for whatever the reason, this has been badly handled. Not the end of the world and Ward is hardly Paulo Maldini but the process was not particularly well executed all in all.

 

I think Saints fans should be able to express that harmless opinion without being shouted down.

 

This is professional football. These things happen. If Ward had recieved a better offer before the paperwork was complete, he would probably have taken it.

 

If there were issues about the medical and the Club choose not to disclose it, is that right or wrong? If we were simultaneously negotiating with both and then the Seaborne deal looked better, then that's football. I can't help but feel the 18 month contract must have been an issue somewhere along the line - it is an unusual term.

 

I hope we don't hear the full story. Even if it's not true, I hope the word goes out that we are not to be messed around by Agents or players looking for an easy payday. I hope people sign becasue they believe they are going to be part of a glorious and historic journey, not giving it 18 months to see if they can make even more money.

[CB Fry]

This is professional football. These things happen. If Ward had recieved a better offer before the paperwork was complete, he would probably have taken it.

 

If there were issues about the medical and the Club choose not to disclose it, is that right or wrong? If we were simultaneously negotiating with both and then the Seaborne deal looked better, then that's football. I can't help but feel the 18 month contract must have been an issue somewhere along the line - it is an unusual term.

 

I hope we don't hear the full story. Even if it's not true, I hope the word goes out that we are not to be messed around by Agents or players looking for an easy payday. I hope people sign becasue they believe they are going to be part of a glorious and historic journey, not giving it 18 months to see if they can make even more money.

 

Who says Ward and his agent "messed us around" then, and who says 18 months was his idea?

 

The poor bugger we signed today only got 6 months*, so was he messing us about even more?

 

And you're kidding yourself if you think Fonte is dropping down a division for anything other than the fat contract we've given him. Good luck to him, but he is here because we've broken the bank and his previous employers were skint.

 

You can't use the line "well, that's football" on one hand and then complain about agents and players messing about and moving only for money. Christ, if anything deserves a "well, that's football" it's money grabbing agents and players.

Edited 14 January, 2010 by CB Fry
*absolutley the right decision, by the way.

[Thedelldays]

we are breaking the bank...I suspect our whole operation costs a massive amount per month for a league 1 team....MASSIVE

[SFC Forever]

For whatever reason, Seaborne has been selected before Ward. Even though a little disappointed not to get Ward I am beginning to think that just maybe we have had the better deal.We are told that the lad has been watched regularly so he has something AP must like.

That in itself is enough for me.

[NickG]

might be as simple as he chose the left-footed one?

[wireframebox]

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/4852986.Coleman_hits_out_at_Saints/?ref=twt&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_term=saintsfc%2C+southampton

[RedAndWhite91]

Coleman is NOT happy. According to him we are 'childish and disrespectful' and have acted poorly, with the stalling of the deal entirely our fault. Hmm.

[Saint_clark]

Diddums. I'm sure he's never left a player hanging either.

[SaintRichmond]

Area 51 exists, I know that.

 

 

You are correct ......... I am convinced that there is something out there:)

[instinct]

Coleman is NOT happy. According to him we are 'childish and disrespectful' and have acted poorly, with the stalling of the deal entirely our fault. Hmm.

 

Ban him from Saint Marys!

[John D]

Coleman is NOT happy. According to him we are 'childish and disrespectful' and have acted poorly, with the stalling of the deal entirely our fault. Hmm.

 

**** reporting by the echo again. Can anyone find any comment from SFC on the deal let alone where it has tried to make up excuses for deciding not to complete it.

[St.Patrik]

We will NEVER find out the truth in the matter so I think we can put this to bed now and focus on things that can actually happen.

[John B]

**** reporting by the echo again. Can anyone find any comment from SFC on the deal let alone where it has tried to make up excuses for deciding not to complete it.

 

Seems we may have acted badly which I know may be didfficult to understand for a number of posters.

[Scudamore]

Seems we may have acted badly which I know may be didfficult to understand for a number of posters.

 

I'm sure Elliott Ward always conducts himself with the utmost of integrity. Thus why he's running down his contract at the moment safe in the knowledge he'll be due a big signing on fee in the summer. I suspect that if he'd shown the desire and hunger to play for our club and had been a little less greedy with his wage demands then Elliott and Coleman wouldn't be quite so upset right now.

 

And the real reason Coleman is upset is because whilst he's got Ward's inflated wages (one of the highest at the club) on his books he won't be making the transfer moves he wants. Certainly nothing to do with feeling sorry for Elliott Ward who he obviously dislikes.

 

This is football i'm afraid.

[TNT]

Deals falling through go on all the time. Its NON story unless you have an agenda to stir.

[alpine_saint]

To all those having a little whinge about what may have happened, would you rather have NC or Mark Jacobs running your club?

 

I rest my case.

 

Fair comment, but I am finding myself feeling a little sorry for Ward.

[John B]

I'm sure Elliott Ward always conducts himself with the utmost of integrity. Thus why he's running down his contract at the moment safe in the knowledge he'll be due a big signing on fee in the summer. I suspect that if he'd shown the desire and hunger to play for our club and had been a little less greedy with his wage demands then Elliott and Coleman wouldn't be quite so upset right now.

 

And the real reason Coleman is upset is because whilst he's got Ward's inflated wages (one of the highest at the club) on his books he won't be making the transfer moves he wants. Certainly nothing to do with feeling sorry for Elliott Ward who he obviously dislikes.

 

This is football i'm afraid.

 

Please face the facts that SFC may not have acted in good faith.

 

You are just making up excuses to fit your agenda

 

Of course sometimes deals fall through but there appears to be more to this story.

 

How would you like it if you agreed to take a new job told all your mates and then were told no we do not want you.

[NickG]

man who got into final 2 didn't get job shock!

[John B]

man who got into final 2 didn't get job shock!

 

Probably man got job told everyone then employer said sorry we did not mean what we said.

 

 

 

Seems to meet the press reports if they are true

[Scudamore]

Please face the facts that SFC may not have acted in good faith.

 

You are just making up excuses to fit your agenda

 

Of course sometimes deals fall through but there appears to be more to this story.

 

How would you like it if you agreed to take a new job told all your mates and then were told no we do not want you.

 

agenda? what are you talking about?! i'm expressing my opinions about the cesspit that is football in the modern age.

[Toadhall Saint]

Please face the facts that SFC may not have acted in good faith.

 

You are just making up excuses to fit your agenda

 

Of course sometimes deals fall through but there appears to be more to this story.

 

How would you like it if you agreed to take a new job told all your mates and then were told no we do not want you.

 

 

Sorry is that a fact or maybe a fact?

 

IMO & FWIW. It looks as if we may not have acted in good faith (laughable in todays environment if you ask me) but at the end of the day we didn't decided to progress with the transfer - so Coleman, Coventry bleating on is a non event really. It ain't happening no matter how much "displeasure" they show!

[opthomps]

might be as simple as he chose the left-footed one?

 

Seems more than likely. He will be the only other left footed defender except Harding if i'm not wrong. Therefore he can be cover for Harding too. Don't think Pardew rates Mills as a defender, and I seem to recall when he has come on in cup games etc we have conceded.

 

Therefore a promising Centre Back and adequate cover for Harding should he get injured. All logical sense in my opinion. We now have decent first choice and cover in the entire defence, which we didn't have before. Ward wouldn't have offered that, and in all honesty prob wouldnt have been as happy playing second fiddle to Jaidi and Fonte too.

[NickG]

Probably man got job told everyone then employer said sorry we did not mean what we said.

 

 

 

Seems to meet the press reports if they are true

 

 

 

if,

anyway quite happy with what we have now

[Third Division South Days]

Deals falling through go on all the time. Its NON story unless you have an agenda to stir.

 

The Echo certainly have.

[John B]

if,

anyway quite happy with what we have now

 

I totally agree

 

 

Fonte and Seabourne very good signings I dont think we need Ward

 

 

But if reports are to be believed SFC agreed a contract with Ward and then said no we dont want you that I dont think is a very good way to operate and gives the club a bad name.

 

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/coventry-city-fc/coventry-city-fc-news/2010/01/15/southampton-branded-childish-over-elliott-ward-deal-92746-25608348/

Edited 15 January, 2010 by John B

[Joensuu]

Seems more than likely. He will be the only other left footed defender except Harding if i'm not wrong. Therefore he can be cover for Harding too. Don't think Pardew rates Mills as a defender, and I seem to recall when he has come on in cup games etc we have conceded.

 

Therefore a promising Centre Back and adequate cover for Harding should he get injured. All logical sense in my opinion. We now have decent first choice and cover in the entire defence, which we didn't have before. Ward wouldn't have offered that, and in all honesty prob wouldnt have been as happy playing second fiddle to Jaidi and Fonte too.

 

According to Exeter fans he was shocking when played out of position as a left back. He is a central defender, not a left back. Seaborne's not cover for Harding; Mills would be substantially better cover (possibly even right-footed James would be better).

[Window Cleaner]

Well both Coventry FC and the player involved seem aggrieved , indeed the player has been publicly humiliated some might say - which to my mind suggests something out of the ordinary has gone on here . Sometimes it's as important to be seen to do the right thing as to actually do it .

 

I put it to you that something more than the cut and thrust of normal transfer 'negotiations' must have happened in this instance .

 

Boo Hoo poor, old Coventry. We owed them a bit of jiggery pokery for filching Best (thanks anyway) plus they took a long time to pay us for him.

[ottery st mary]

Personally, I think once again Murray of the Echo newspaper is the one who should be called childish and disprespectful especially his slant all things anti Saints.

 

Copying the allegation from Coleman in the Coventry newspaper tells me more about Murray.....Even Coleman contradicts himself in his various press releases.

No snags and no reason given and then stating Saints gave excuses...I have not heard any comment from Pards or NC.....I think the agreement was ok with Coventry but there was a snag with the final barrier with Ward...I am puzzled as to why Coventry hardly played Ward in the last twelve months or was it the 18 month contract and his wage demand was too much or Ward and agent threw a last minute demand.

We have never and probably will never know what went wrong between the Saints and Ward even after preliminary negotitations appeared to be going in the right direction..or were they?.....Guesses just like the anti Saints/NC allegations. Ward or his agent will not tell the whole story...they still hope to get another contract....Even the Coventry fans have not been told the whole truth as to Ward not playing and now they are going to pay out big money to WBA for Barnett..strange...There is more to this than meets the eye.

 

Coventry, Ransom and Coleman..behaviour more like some previous poor CEO at Saints.

 

COYRs

 

john B you really puzzle me...You continually side with everyone against the Saints...

Are you sure you are a Saints supporter.....You do not convince me...or is because of the history of you and Rupes?

[OldNick]

How about if there was a timescale agreed to sign or get agreement from the selling ( I know it was a free) club. Lets just imagine that the selling club did not come back in the agreed time. Should the buyer then say ok you didnt do as you agreed but we will buy anyway? or say 'we gave you a timeframe' and you have in that time perhaps tried to get a better deal elsewhere and then come back when that has not materialised.

NC and new SFC are now freshmen to football, if the word goes around that if you agree a timescale and dont hold to it your deal falls through, that can only be a good thing longterm and long protracted deals aka Rudi could be a thing of the past.

I dont know if this is the scenario but it would make sense if NC is as strict a businessman as i get the impression he is.

[John B]

Personally, I think once again Murray of the Echo newspaper is the one who should be called childish and disprespectful especially his slant all things anti Saints.

 

Copying the allegation from Coleman in the Coventry newspaper tells me more about Murray.....Even Coleman contradicts himself in his various press releases.

No snags and no reason given and then stating Saints gave excuses...I have not heard any comment from Pards or NC.....I think the agreement was ok with Coventry but there was a snag with the final barrier with Ward...I am puzzled as to why Coventry hardly played Ward in the last twelve months or was it the 18 month contract and his wage demand was too much or Ward and agent threw a last minute demand.

We have never and probably will never know what went wrong between the Saints and Ward even after preliminary negotitations appeared to be going in the right direction..or were they?.....Guesses just like the anti Saints/NC allegations. Ward or his agent will not tell the whole story...they still hope to get another contract....Even the Coventry fans have not been told the whole truth as to Ward not playing and now they are going to pay out big money to WBA for Barnett..strange...There is more to this than meets the eye.

 

Coventry, Ransom and Coleman..behaviour more like some previous poor CEO at Saints.

 

COYRs

 

john B you really puzzle me...You continually side with everyone against the Saints...

Are you sure you are a Saints supporter.....You do not convince me...or is because of the history of you and Rupes?

 

I now understand

 

I am supposed to agree with everything SFC do otherwise I am not a Saints fan.

 

I will continue to comment on how I see things not in a biased way like a number of posters on here whilst supporting the team

[Saint_Ash]

I couldn't care less about Coventry or Ward, all I care about is Southampton and if there's a reason we didn't buy Ward at the last minute then so be it. If it means we can have Seabourne on small wages enabling us to get in a decent striker or mid on decent wages instead of Ward and his wages then everyone will be thinking it's great bit of business.

 

This is about Saints, what's best for them, couldn't give a rat's arse if we put Coventry's nose out of joint!