Agents won't deal with us.

[Crazy Diamond]

I'm glad you know for a fact that this is untrue. What a relief.

 

Truth is though that none of us know the truth. If there is any truth in it we have to be worried. Lets just see what the summer brings.

 

Do we? If we want to sign a player and that player is interested, an agent can't just go "No. I don't like Southampton so we're not dealing with them". It's the player's choice.

[Wade Garrett]

Agents are no more than modern day Fagin's.

[egg]

Do we? If we want to sign a player and that player is interested, an agent can't just go "No. I don't like Southampton so we're not dealing with them". It's the player's choice.

 

 

 

What? If you believe that you're as naive as they come. Its a sad fact that agents have a huge amount of power.

[Lighthouse]

What? If you believe that you're as naive as they come. Its a sad fact that agents have a huge amount of power.

 

You seem to be forgetting that it's ultimately up to the chairman to decide if he is willing to spend £xxx on a player.

 

If a deal has broken down because we didn't offer a player/agent enough money, then clearly Cortese/Adkins didn't feel the player was worth what the agent was demanding. We've proven that we aren't adverse to slipping a fair few quid the way of Lambert, Fonte etc (and no doubt a bit for their respective agents too). If an N'Guessan or a Bignall turns up demanding a Lambert contract, we tell them to feck off. Doesn't really mean we're missing out though.

[hypochondriac]

You seem to be forgetting that it's ultimately up to the chairman to decide if he is willing to spend £xxx on a player.

 

If a deal has broken down because we didn't offer a player/agent enough money, then clearly Cortese/Adkins didn't feel the player was worth what the agent was demanding. We've proven that we aren't adverse to slipping a fair few quid the way of Lambert, Fonte etc (and no doubt a bit for their respective agents too). If an N'Guessan or a Bignall turns up demanding a Lambert contract, we tell them to feck off. Doesn't really mean we're missing out though.

 

But then you are assuming that really sh*t players have unrealistic demands as opposed to decent players demanding what they are worth (and maybe a bit more if there I'd competition.)

[egg]

You seem to be forgetting that it's ultimately up to the chairman to decide if he is willing to spend £xxx on a player.

 

If a deal has broken down because we didn't offer a player/agent enough money, then clearly Cortese/Adkins didn't feel the player was worth what the agent was demanding. We've proven that we aren't adverse to slipping a fair few quid the way of Lambert, Fonte etc (and no doubt a bit for their respective agents too). If an N'Guessan or a Bignall turns up demanding a Lambert contract, we tell them to feck off. Doesn't really mean we're missing out though.

 

 

 

No its not. Its ultimately up to the player to decide on the move. To be in that the position the player has to talk to the club. To do that the players agent has to set up talks. We come back to the agent.

 

Some people really have no idea how the business side of the game operates.

[aintforever]

Why agents are even needed baffles me. If i was a professional footballer or sportsman I'd like to think that I'd be able to negotiate my own deals without being mugged off. I don't buy into the "they need to concentrate on football"nonsense either.... They are done by lunch every day FFS.

 

Football would be a better place if players took the time to live in the real world so there would be no place for the parasites.

 

Most footballers are thick, they make money by being good at kicking things around with their feet - it makes sense to have an agent negotiate them the best deal with clubs, sponsors etc.

 

I wouldn't read too much into those comments though, as soon as Saints had a billionaire owner I expect agents have been like flies around sh!t.

[Crazy Diamond]

What? If you believe that you're as naive as they come. Its a sad fact that agents have a huge amount of power.

 

Excuse me? Before you go around accusing people of being naive I'd watch your own statements first.

 

I speak to agents, players and coaches all the time - I'm paid to do so and it is how I make a living. I suggest you shouldn't be so naive as to imagine that as a football correspondent I don't know what I'm talking about.

[Matthew Le God]

Plus you are based in Winchester, which is the hub of all Saints transfer action.

[egg]

Excuse me? Before you go around accusing people of being naive I'd watch your own statements first.

 

I speak to agents, players and coaches all the time - I'm paid to do so and it is how I make a living. I suggest you shouldn't be so naive as to imagine that as a football correspondent I don't know what I'm talking about.

 

 

 

If that's the case you should know that agents have masses of power generally, and influence over players. It is naive to think anything otherwise.

[Crazy Diamond]

Plus you are based in Winchester, which is the hub of all Saints transfer action.

 

Indeed.

 

I'm worried though, because according to this forum, prospective Southampton players outnumber the amount of flats for rent/sale in the area.

[Crazy Diamond]

If that's the case you should know that agents have masses of power generally, and influence over players. It is naive to think anything otherwise.

 

I never disputed that. Yes they have a lot of power.

 

I said that if a player wants to sign for a club that has expressed an interest, an agent cannot turn round and say no just because they feel like it. And they can't. If they attempted to, there's not a lot to stop the player then sacking that agent and getting someone that will negotiate properly and not try and stall or prevent the deal.

[Lighthouse]

But then you are assuming that really sh*t players have unrealistic demands as opposed to decent players demanding what they are worth (and maybe a bit more if there I'd competition.)

 

No, we clearly don't have a problem offering players what they are worth as we have signed many decent players under Cortese. The likes of Lambert, Fonte, Connolly and Jaidi would all have had sizeable demands, which clearly we met.

 

No its not. Its ultimately up to the player to decide on the move. To be in that the position the player has to talk to the club. To do that the players agent has to set up talks. We come back to the agent.

 

Some people really have no idea how the business side of the game operates.

 

You don't get the point though. We will offer a player what we think they are worth. No doubt the clubs start lower and the players demand higher and there is some negotiation, but ultimately we will get to an offer which we think is fair.

 

If we fail to come to an agreement, then clearly the club and the agent have a different idea of what a player is worth (and that includes wages, contract length, agents fees, signing on fees etc.) We aren't missing out on players because we've offered them a tin of magic beans.

[Gordon Mockles]

According to an agent on twitter agents won't deal with us. See below:

 

" @FootballAgent46: Lots of people ask about Southampton deals. A lot of you on Twitter! They are so tricky to deal with now most agents and clubs don't bother"

 

Worrying if true.

 

Oh PUH-LEASE! Wasn't the inane comment on the other thread enough? More attention needed here?

 

I'll repeat what I said again. It's not very worrying in the slightest when you consider matters. It's more likely to be complete b*llocks & sh*t stirring from someone who has had their nose put out of joint. Possibly emanating from one of the ex Saints disgruntled gang or the more likely scenario of an agent not being able to bullsh*t a rude but shrewd financial man in Cortese.

 

We do have money so are you telling me parasitic agents are going all moral & principled against a few hard words in lieu of earning a fat pay off for a few phone calls & " demanding" agent work? I think not! Money talks. B*llsh*t walks!

 

I do chuckle how any rumour written online is taken as truth. 90% are actually trolls, lies or ridiculously distorted Chinese whispers leaving a small puddle of truth but is it visible in those muddied waters?!

 

I wish kids would stop using the internet as a muck spreader. Twitter -more like sh*tter!

[Pilchards]

Knew a player once and it goes like this.

 

Been in contact with someone at Spurs and they are interested in signing you?

But I'm not looking to leave.

 

 

 

IMHO

If a player does not leave a club then an agent does not make a cut.

They can be scum.

[St Marco]

It must be sh*te, it's something negative about the club. Has to be rubbish. I wider if your reaction would have been the same had it been a nice positive tweet?

 

The guy has basically distanced himself from the remark.

 

You seem to always defend these negative remarks but yet again it turns out to pretty much be rubbish. Maybe most people have learnt their lesson with these types of stories and realise they are actually pretty tarded if you think about it? How many players have we signed since Cortese has been here? Around 20 players, or pretty much the entire squad. That is a lot of agents wanting to deal with us wouldn't you think?

Edited 22 June, 2011 by St Marco

[trousers]

The guy has basically distanced himself from the remark.

 

You seem to always defend these negative remarks but yet again it turns out to pretty much be rubbish. Maybe most people have learnt their lesson with these types of stories and realise they are actually pretty tarded if you think about it? How many players have we signed since Cortese has been here? Around 20 players, or pretty much the entire squad. That is a lot of agents wanting to deal with us wouldn't you think?

 

Hypo makes a valid underlying point though. Had said 'agent' posted something positive and uplifting regarding something about to happen at SFC most people on here would have been fawning all over it.

 

In other words, there's a tendency to judge the validity of sources based on how good or bad said news is.

 

I think that's the point Hypo was making.

[JustMike]

Hypo makes a valid underlying point though. Had said 'agent' posted something positive and uplifting regarding something about to happen at SFC most people on here would have been fawning all over it.

 

In other words, there's a tendency to judge the validity of sources based on how good or bad said news it.

 

I think that's the point Hypo was making.

 

it's the way he makes it

[Joensuu]

Hypo makes a valid underlying point though. Had said 'agent' posted something positive and uplifting regarding something about to happen at SFC most people on here would have been fawning all over it.

 

In other words, there's a tendency to judge the validity of sources based on how good or bad said news it.

 

I think that's the point Hypo was making.

 

You're right Trousers, but Hypo also falls into that same trap himself;albeit, he dismisses anything remotely positive, but jumps on the slightest whiff of negativity. He either has an agenda or a problem.

[hypochondriac]

You're right Trousers, but Hypo also falls into that same trap himself;albeit, he dismisses anything remotely positive, but jumps on the slightest whiff of negativity. He either has an agenda or a problem.

 

No I don't. You've just made that up. In fact, I started a thread about positive stuff I had heard a few weeks ago and I'm always interested in saints info both positive an negative.

[hypochondriac]

it's the way he makes it

 

Thanks trousers. Im not sure how I could have made it any differently.

[sussexsaint]

not easy to deal with = not taking the usual **** agents pedal

 

'we will offer x and no more', means just that now, take it or leave it, we are not interested in negotiating extra that boosts your fees

[wild-saint]

I have a client that is a right pain in the arse. I fell out big time and said I couldnt work withher anymore.she phoned yesterday to discuss a deal. I am now meeting her this afternoon. Moral of the story?

[doddisalegend]

Hypo makes a valid underlying point though. Had said 'agent' posted something positive and uplifting regarding something about to happen at SFC most people on here would have been fawning all over it.

 

In other words, there's a tendency to judge the validity of sources based on how good or bad said news is.

 

I think that's the point Hypo was making.

 

This ^^^

[John B]

I have a client that is a right pain in the arse. I fell out big time and said I couldnt work withher anymore.she phoned yesterday to discuss a deal. I am now meeting her this afternoon. Moral of the story?

 

You need her more than she needs you

[Panda]

NC = 'Don't call us, we'll call you."

 

In my opinion a canny merchant banker just wants agents to stop pestering him and has made that clear. If we are interested in someone we call the club first, check out the position and attempt to agree a potential deal then, if it goes further, the player and agent come in to the frame. We drive the player acquisition agenda rather than respond to a continual stream of agents touting their players around to see if they can get us to bite.

 

I don't see the original twitter statement as negative but positive! Of course the "agents won't deal with them" needs to understood. Surely he is saying that it is no use approaching Southampton with a prospective players as they always say no. As others have pointed out, though, if a club says to a player, "Southampton want to talk to you, are you interested?" and they are interested they will be here quick enough with their agent and the agent will do the dealing. We may be tough negotiators, what's wrong with that if it gets positive results. I would rather have NC Dealing with things like this than Mr Storrie!

[doddisalegend]

not easy to deal with = not taking the usual **** agents pedal

 

'we will offer x and no more', means just that now, take it or leave it, we are not interested in negotiating extra that boosts your fees

 

Which is good.

 

However if thats true and we are the only ones working like that it might impact on our ability to get in new talent as surely the agents will want to get the players into clubs that will "play the agent game".

 

Of course this all assumption based on one tweet might be nothing in it.

[Wes Tender]

Hypo makes a valid underlying point though. Had said 'agent' posted something positive and uplifting regarding something about to happen at SFC most people on here would have been fawning all over it.

 

In other words, there's a tendency to judge the validity of sources based on how good or bad said news is.

 

I think that's the point Hypo was making.

 

Not really. I suspect that certain people would regard agents saying good things about us as a negative. Would we really want agents putting it about that Southampton are great people to deal with? I don't. I like the way that we do things at the moment, that we keep our own counsel until the deal is done. If that puts some peoples' noses out of joint, like agents, or the media, then who cares?

[hypochondriac]

Not really. I suspect that certain people would regard agents saying good things about us as a negative. Would we really want agents putting it about that Southampton are great people to deal with? I don't. I like the way that we do things at the moment, that we keep our own counsel until the deal is done. If that puts some peoples' noses out of joint, like agents, or the media, then who cares?

 

Firstly you can't just presume that is what the agent meant by his comments and spin it as something positive. Secondly if you think positive news from any source is treated the same as negative news on here then you need to pay closer attention.

[Scudamore]

Well I suppose our agent friend has more Twitter followers now...his work here is done...

[John B]

Not really. I suspect that certain people would regard agents saying good things about us as a negative. Would we really want agents putting it about that Southampton are great people to deal with? I don't. I like the way that we do things at the moment, that we keep our own counsel until the deal is done. If that puts some peoples' noses out of joint, like agents, or the media, then who cares?

 

I would have thought if SFC was a good club to deal with Agents would be persuading their players to move here over another club which was more difficult to deal with

 

likewise I would have thought if SFC was a bad club to deal with Agents would be persuading their players to move to another club which was more easy to deal with

 

But we dont really know how easy SFC are to deal with anyway so it is all conjecture based on one agent

 

Just hope some clubs and agents find SFC easy to deal with so we get in a few more players

[shurlock]

I would have thought if SFC was a good club to deal with Agents would be persuading their players to move here over another club which was more difficult to deal with

 

likewise I would have thought if SFC was a bad club to deal with Agents would be persuading their players to move to another club which was more easy to deal with

 

But we dont really know how easy SFC are to deal with anyway so it is all conjecture based on one agent

 

Just hope some clubs and agents find SFC easy to deal with so we get in a few more players

 

Surely you're not so naive to think that what's in an agent's or rival club's interests is necessarily in our interests? There's a balance to be struck between balancing the books so that we're viable over the long-term, maintaining a wage structure for the sake of team morale, keeping money in the kitty for future contingencies/signings -you name it- on the one hand and paying the going rate -and often over the top- for a given player on the other.

Edited 22 June, 2011 by shurlock
unclear

[Brussels Saint]

NC = 'Don't call us, we'll call you."

 

In my opinion a canny merchant banker just wants agents to stop pestering him and has made that clear. If we are interested in someone we call the club first, check out the position and attempt to agree a potential deal then, if it goes further, the player and agent come in to the frame. We drive the player acquisition agenda rather than respond to a continual stream of agents touting their players around to see if they can get us to bite.

 

I don't see the original twitter statement as negative but positive! Of course the "agents won't deal with them" needs to understood. Surely he is saying that it is no use approaching Southampton with a prospective players as they always say no. As others have pointed out, though, if a club says to a player, "Southampton want to talk to you, are you interested?" and they are interested they will be here quick enough with their agent and the agent will do the dealing. We may be tough negotiators, what's wrong with that if it gets positive results. I would rather have NC Dealing with things like this than Mr Storrie!

 

This! I was just about top post exactly the same point. Thanks Panda you saved me the effort!

[hutch]

Hypo makes a valid underlying point though. Had said 'agent' posted something positive and uplifting regarding something about to happen at SFC most people on here would have been fawning all over it.

 

In other words, there's a tendency to judge the validity of sources based on how good or bad said news is.

 

I think that's the point Hypo was making.

You're assuming some of us don't find his original tweet positive and uplifting

[Cascadia Saint]

****ing twitter. Let's start arguing over something vague and probably either untrue or at least suspect. From someone who we don't know or really don't care about. Yay.

[Viking Warrior]

Football agents = the scum of the football world .

[shurlock]

You're assuming some of us don't find his original tweet positive and uplifting

 

.

[ant]

As mentioned many a time above it's insubstantial fluff, even if true. Why would an agent be disgruntled with the club? If there's nothing in a deal for them financially. Looking at the bigger picture that's a good thing!

 

We'll have no bother signing players as and when Adkins decides who he wants to target and Cortese puts the wheels in motion. Perhaps more clubs ought to try to weed agents out of deals - the game would be better off for it.

 

WRT to the 'power' of agents, they wouldn't have any if the clubs didn't keep handing it to them.

[egg]

People seem to be missing the point that if we can't get past the agent we can't get to the player.

 

They might be scum but they are scum that we need.

 

If, and it is an if, that "word around the agents campfire is that agents or clubs won't deal with saints" then we should be concerned.

[capitalsaint]

People seem to be missing the point that if we can't get past the agent we can't get to the player.

 

They might be scum but they are scum that we need.

 

If, and it is an if, that "word around the agents campfire is that agents or clubs won't deal with saints" then we should be concerned.

 

Although perhaps we should wait until the end of the transfer window, (or at least the start...) before we start getting concerned. Seems a bit silly to worry about something that could be so irrelevant.

[TopGun]

Good for Cortese. Nice to know he's a tough cookie to deal with in the transfer market.

[Patrick Bateman]

According to an agent on twitter agents won't deal with us. See below:

 

" @FootballAgent46: Lots of people ask about Southampton deals. A lot of you on Twitter! They are so tricky to deal with now most agents and clubs don't bother"

 

Worrying if true.

 

And? Agents are leaches. If it means we're paying less then, good.

[shurlock]

People seem to be missing the point that if we can't get past the agent we can't get to the player.

 

They might be scum but they are scum that we need.

 

If, and it is an if, that "word around the agents campfire is that agents or clubs won't deal with saints" then we should be concerned.

 

You make it sound as if agents are somehow principled and will refuse to do business with us. Its simply and purely about money - flash the cash and we'll be their best friends before you can say monster monster. But that decision is ours, not theirs.

[Junior Mullet]

My pimp hand is way strong

[trousers]

You're assuming some of us don't find his original tweet positive and uplifting

 

;-)

 

(no assumption though....I was simply latching onto the accusations of some that others were taking it negatively. Just social observation. That is all.)

[rooney]

It is great to know our Chairman and CEO is no "pushover".

[wild-saint]

You need her more than she needs you

 

possibly, or the fact if there is cash to be had then than swallow your pride and take it. With the vast sums that agents will earn for brokering a deal, I would most wouldnt take the moral high ground and just take the cash when it comes down to it. Just my opinion though.

[Fowllyd]

People seem to be missing the point that if we can't get past the agent we can't get to the player.

 

They might be scum but they are scum that we need.

 

If, and it is an if, that "word around the agents campfire is that agents or clubs won't deal with saints" then we should be concerned.

 

When we signed any of the players we bought from other clubs, who would we have approached first? The player, his agent, or his employer? The employer, obviously. An agent would get involved in arranging the deal once it's under way, but you wouldn't need to go via an agent to talk to a player who's under contract.

 

For players not currently under contract, then it probably would be their agent we'd approach first. But any agent will relay an approach to their client; if not then they run the risk of being sacked if the player finds out that he wasn't informed about interest from a given club.

 

And, as others have said, any agent will be all too happy to deal with us when there's money to be made. If we discourage approaches from agents who are simply touting their clients around the place, then I have no problem with that.

[St_Tel49]

It must be sh*te, it's something negative about the club. Has to be rubbish. I wider if your reaction would have been the same had it been a nice positive tweet?

 

As opposed to "its something negative about the club - it must be true". Personally, I couldn't care less if its true or not. If there is a potential deal on the table then they'll talk but they won't get NC to pay silly money. I see that as a good thing.

[alpine_saint]

Probably. I can imagine that agents come to us all the time now we have money, Cortese tells them 90% of the time that we really are not interested in said player, please jog along. Then when we really want someone, we move in for the kill. He's probably got a bee in his bonnet because NC's upset him recently when he has offered us a sh*t 3rd choice, 5 yard pass dificult reject from Ipswich.

 

heheheheh.

 

I agree with your post completely. I consider this to be good news.