Updated : Tadanari Lee Set to Sign

[Saint_clark]

Not in any hurry, is he ?

 

I thought he was supposed to be arriving today ?

 

Surely some of you are starting to realise that something isnt right about all this.

 

Maybe his mum came with him? Just as likely as something "dodgy" going on.

I also like the fact that because he's having dinner, you see that as not being in a hurry. Is he supposed to give up food and sleep until he's in this country?

[Scummer]

Maybe his mum came with him? Just as likely as something "dodgy" going on.

I also like the fact that because he's having dinner, you see that as not being in a hurry. Is he supposed to give up food and sleep until he's in this country?

 

If he's not emaciated when he gets here I'll be thoroughly peed off. How dare he eat?

[alpine_saint]

In any other business it would take three months for an employee to move across the world. With Saints fans if it isnt all done inside two weeks, something has gone wrong and someone is to blame.

 

But its not any other business, you berk.

[alpine_saint]

Maybe his mum came with him? Just as likely as something "dodgy" going on.

I also like the fact that because he's having dinner, you see that as not being in a hurry. Is he supposed to give up food and sleep until he's in this country?

 

Yep, there is no point giving sustantive answers to utter pedantic silliness like this. I didnt even write "dodgy" but you put it in quotes.

[Lighthouse]

Pretty much. His agent can take care of most of his business. I am slightly annoyed that he's not available for Monday because he's got to sort his gas bill out.

 

Well, more fool you IMO.

 

I know a lot of people who have moved out to Dubai. Even with all the help they could need from their new employer, no language barrier issues and a well established system for integrating hundreds of Western Expats into a similar job it STILL took them a good month to move accross and get sorted.

 

How much are you willing to bet that Lee doesn't sign?

[Convict Colony]

Having moved to Aus, then Singapore and now Johannesburg I can confirm all this sh*t takes absolutley ages. Something's are easy and quick but all things government or shipping invariably can take a long time. Just to get my approved visa into my passport for South Africa took me a month of going to the embassy every other day to try and get them to move their arse faster.

 

We scored 3 last time out so I don't think we should be too concerned if he misses the Leicester game, a happy Lee plays a lot better than an unhappy one.

[VectisSaint]

In any other business it would take three months for an employee to move across the world. With Saints fans if it isnt all done inside two weeks, something has gone wrong and someone is to blame.

Rubbish, in any other business it can be done in a week, two at most. And for international sports people, things can be much quicker. People seem to think that if he comes over here, that he somehow can't go back in just over 3 months when there is a 2 month break to finally put things in order, he is not emigrating, just making a working visit for a number of years. All the paper work for him to come to this country is already in place (his work permit). Living out of a suitcase for 3 months is not really any great hardship is it when you are on £20k per week.

[alpine_saint]

Rubbish, in any other business it can be done in a week, two at most. And for international sports people, things can be much quicker. People seem to think that if he comes over here, that he somehow can't go back in just over 3 months when there is a 2 month break to finally put things in order, he is not emigrating, just making a working visit for a number of years. All the paper work for him to come to this country is already in place (his work permit). Living out of a suitcase for 3 months is not really any great hardship is it when you are on £20k per week.

 

This, most definitely. Good post.

[Lighthouse]

Rubbish, in any other business it can be done in a week, two at most. And for international sports people, things can be much quicker. People seem to think that if he comes over here, that he somehow can't go back in just over 3 months when there is a 2 month break to finally put things in order, he is not emigrating, just making a working visit for a number of years. All the paper work for him to come to this country is already in place (his work permit). Living out of a suitcase for 3 months is not really any great hardship is it when you are on £20k per week.

 

Which countries have you packed up and moved to in 2 weeks?

 

Don't you think it's possible that Lee has been told to sort his life out and get everything in order, rather than having a lot of loose ends in the back of his mind whilst we rush him into the matchday squad. After all we were told by the club that he had an "Outside chance" of being in the squad for the Leicester game. "Outside chance" means possible but unlikely, and we told this a couple of weeks ago when the story was first posted on the OS. Clearly the club were expecting it to take this long when they first said it was pretty much a done deal, a couple of weeks ago.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

This, most definitely. Good post.

 

So what are we suggesting then? That he is having second thoughts? That Saints have ballsed it up?

[alpine_saint]

So what are we suggesting then? That he is having second thoughts? That Saints have ballsed it up?

 

Well, thats the $64,000 question, isnt it ?

 

Seeing as NA was inidicating he would arrive this weekend and he might make it for Leicester, I would hope there would be an update from the club by mid-week if he hasnt arrived.

 

Hes not a Saints player until the ink is drying on his contract. I hope some pr*ck like Allardyce is not trying to gazump us.

[wireframebox]

News in Japan today suggests that Yuki Abe has returned to Japan and signed for Urawa Reds. So it would mean that Tadanari would be the only Japanese player in the league.

[Wade Garrett]

Well, more fool you IMO.

 

I know a lot of people who have moved out to Dubai. Even with all the help they could need from their new employer, no language barrier issues and a well established system for integrating hundreds of Western Expats into a similar job it STILL took them a good month to move accross and get sorted.

 

How much are you willing to bet that Lee doesn't sign?

 

Footballers move from country to country all the time. It's part of their job. It doesn't take other players this long to 'sort out their affairs'. I don't know if he's going to sign or not, but I'm just not happy that he's not here in time for Monday.

 

In my industry people move jobs from country to country. It doesn't take long, even for ones that have gone to Dubai.

 

We needed him here in time for Monday. I still think there is some sort of complication. I hope it gets sorted out soon.

[Wade Garrett]

Rubbish, in any other business it can be done in a week, two at most. And for international sports people, things can be much quicker. People seem to think that if he comes over here, that he somehow can't go back in just over 3 months when there is a 2 month break to finally put things in order, he is not emigrating, just making a working visit for a number of years. All the paper work for him to come to this country is already in place (his work permit). Living out of a suitcase for 3 months is not really any great hardship is it when you are on £20k per week.

 

Absolutely spot-on.

[shurlock]

It was reported quite openly and casually in the Japanese press earlier in the week that he wouldn't be leaving till the weekend at the very earliest. We might question why but it suggests this was agreed with Lee for a while, not that an emergency has cropped up that parties are now furiously trying to fire fight behind the scenes. People looking for cloak and daggers where they don't exist again.

[CWD]

Maybe Lee is ready to play Monday but NA doesn't want to reveal this to the opposition? I wouldn't put it past him!

 

Certainly don't think we should be worried yet. If he's not in by the end of the window, then by all means panic.

[dubai_phil]

Here is a bet,

 

If Lee doesn't sign because something has gine wrong then I will come back and say I was wrong and apologise.

 

In return I expect Alps. Wade & Vectis who tell us it can be done in a day to also come back and apologise.

 

Think that is fair.

 

meanwhile there is a BA flight at 11:10am that lands at 14:45 tomorrow with one seat left in Business Class if you want to get on to check, but Virgin at 11:35 arriving at 15:15 is wide open and 200 quid more expensive

[david in sweden]

I think that some people are over-reacting ....a little.

 

This isn't about someone signing from another (European country) either. There are some similarities between EU countries but this guy is moving halfway around the world and needs to get his life in order beforehand. He's not likely to be returning to Japan so often - whereas anyone living in Europe can get on a plane and be there in 2 (max)...3 hours.

Tokyo is a bit further away. What would you say to him if you were NA.

 

"OK Lee, now we've got your permit approved you've got two weeks to get your life in order, and pack your boots - you'll be playing Monday!"

Forget all that jet-lag nonsense, we'll have a taxi waiting for you at Heathrow! "

 

That's a perfect recipe for disaster. For some people (who seem not to rate him - even before he's kicked a ball)..anything less than a hat-trick on his debut will condemn him as a poor buy. It's not as if we are desperate to play him on Monday.

The last two games - without Lambert - haven't been too bad either - have they?

 

I think NA will keep more or less the same side... maybe introduce Lee to the crowd at SMS (in his best suit).. and then get on with the game.

Lee will get enough chances when the time comes and he has properly settled in.

 

(look at it another way ...your boss says OK you...here is your work permit and flight tickets - be on the plane to Tokyo in 10 days.)

Edited 21 January, 2012 by david in sweden

[cynicalsaint]

Absolutely spot-on.

 

Have you ever worked overseas / outside the EU?

 

If not, suggest you stfu because you clearly haven't got a clue what you are talking about.

[david in sweden]

Rubbish, in any other business it can be done in a week, two at most. And for international sports people, things can be much quicker. People seem to think that if he comes over here, that he somehow can't go back in just over 3 months when there is a 2 month break to finally put things in order, he is not emigrating, just making a working visit for a number of years. All the paper work for him to come to this country is already in place (his work permit). Living out of a suitcase for 3 months is not really any great hardship is it when you are on £20k per week.

 

Many years ago, I did live out of a suitcase for almost 3 months - the fact that I wasn't on the equivalent of 20K a week - (if you think he's going to get that much) - is irrelevant.

If you're not familiar with the city you're moving to - let alone the country - (I've done that, too)...and it takes some degree of adjustment.

 

Sure.. he's going to get used to his team mates sooner rather than later, but in his free time ...? Do you suggest we encourage some of the lads to drag him around to some of the less salubrious night-spots in So'ton ? .or just give him the address of some of the sushi bars in town?

I know he's supposed to have basic English, but his previous overseas trips have most likely been with his team mates all speaking Japanese.

 

This is more than just an experiment. We are not desperate to play him (although I'm sure many of us are eager to see him play.). Be patient.

Edited 21 January, 2012 by david in sweden

[latter day saint]

i think the last 2 words of that post may as well be in Martian to quite a few posters

[St Chalet]

Jaidi was on Twitter tonight, and said BOTH the new signings were settling in well at training (or words to that effect)

[smithy]

Jaidi was on Twitter tonight, and said BOTH the new signings were settling in well at training (or words to that effect)

“@ShiftyBaldwin: @RadhijaidiOff How are the 2 new signings settling in and hows the match fitness going can i have a retweet pleasee #COYR”

@RadhijaidiOff @ShiftyBaldwin Good players and they need to help us winning some games ...

[Avenue Saint]

“@ShiftyBaldwin: @RadhijaidiOff How are the 2 new signings settling in and hows the match fitness going can i have a retweet pleasee #COYR”

@RadhijaidiOff @ShiftyBaldwin Good players and they need to help us winning some games ...

 

gotta love Jaidi english!!

 

"help us winning some games"

 

dont forget winning with the "clean sh!ts" radhi ;-)

 

love it. star man!

[trousers]

“@ShiftyBaldwin: @RadhijaidiOff How are the 2 new signings settling in and hows the match fitness going can i have a retweet pleasee #COYR”

@RadhijaidiOff @ShiftyBaldwin Good players and they need to help us winning some games ...

 

If one was going to be pedantic, he doesn't actually answer the original question directly.

 

If the original question was "How do you rate our 2 new signings?" then his answer would be more direct.

 

That said, I did get the "101 ways to post on a thread in the style of MLG" for Christmas

 

;-)

[Matthew Le God]

It was a best seller in Belgium.

[trousers]

It was a best seller in Belgium.

 

:-)

[Minty]

Surely some of you are starting to realise that something isnt right about all this.

If someone has got some evidence to suggest that something isn't right, then I'm sure we'd consider it. But all we have, as has been mentioned many times, is supposition based on individual opinions about how long it should take to move over.

 

Bearing in mind at one extreme we have some people saying it 'should' only take a few weeks tops to move over enough stuff to live for a few months, and that he can then go back in the close season to sort stuff out. At the other, we have direct experience from Convict Colony to say these things can take a few months, so the time gone by so far is nothing to worry about.

 

Somewhere in the middle we have Lee. None of us know what he is having to do before he comes over, what communication there has been between him and the club, and given that every situation is individual, what gives us the right to expect him to conform to a fan-imposed timescale? I accept that it is anyone's right to question what is happening but why the assumption that no news is bad news? I still see no evidence to suggest anything of the sort.

[Badger]

His last tweet from a few hours ago is going on about his mum cooking him oysters for dinner or something.

 

 

Give the bloke some private time here, he's travelling around the globe so he's at his parents house where his mum has cooked his favourite meal for him. Could be worse, he could be on the front pages of a Japanese tabloid (The Rising Sun ?) pictured as ****ed as a newt coming out of a Hiroshima night club before joining us.But at least he is not conducting himself like Gazza.

 

Oh by the way, I too would expect him to get his arse over here to Staplewood asap as well, but will not get too worried for a few more days yet.

[hypochondriac]

Why is anyone remotely interested about the exact time he signs? Adkins has said milwall so let's accept that. If he isn't here by then it's a different matter.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Unless we sign a absolute superstar you'll not see a new starter go straight into the starting 11. Especially one as young as Lee and one that has travelled half-way round the World. Chill people and stop being "look at me" alarmists - he'll be here soon enough.

[niceandfriendly]

Pretty much. His agent can take care of most of his business. I am slightly annoyed that he's not available for Monday because he's got to sort his gas bill out.

 

Never worked or lived abroad son?

 

No shame in that. It just shows.

[Langleysaint]

Unless we sign a absolute superstar you'll not see a new starter go straight into the starting 11. Especially one as young as Lee and one that has travelled half-way round the World. Chill people and stop being "look at me" alarmists - he'll be here soon enough.

 

Lee is not that young in football terms at 26 , I would have hoped he would have been here by now but as some have pointed out he is moving to the other side of the world , but what I do find strange is that he has not officially signed yet ? The work permit was settled at least 10 days ago and I would have thought he would have signed straight away.

[david in sweden]

Lee is not that young in football terms at 26 , I would have hoped he would have been here by now but as some have pointed out he is moving to the other side of the world , but what I do find strange is that he has not officially signed yet ? The work permit was settled at least 10 days ago and I would have thought he would have signed straight away.[/QUOTE]

 

 

TRUE, but you don't suppose he was sat around in So'ton waiting for that to be approved - do you ?

It might have taken weeks (with appeals)..fortunately - it didn't.

He may well have been back in Japan ....waiting for the OK, before starting to wind up his life...

 

I can underline some other comments about international moves..(having made one myself) ..it's not just a matter of paying the gas bill and cancelling your newspapers...there are loads of things in your life to take care of that you don't think about on a daily basis.

 

I don't see any panic to have Lee on the team sheet for the Leicester game..however I do think he will be seen on Monday - even in a suit !

Edited 22 January, 2012 by david in sweden

[Wade Garrett]

Never worked or lived abroad son?

 

No shame in that. It just shows.

 

Plenty of people in my company have relocated overseas, Australia, Dubai, Africa, and it honestly didn't take as long as this move. So although I haven't done it myself I know it doesn't have to take this long.

Meanwhile, we have a game tomorrow night and our main striker is suspended. It would have been nice to have had him available.

I'm happy to say I'm definitely not your son.

[david in sweden]

Plenty of people in my company have relocated overseas, Australia, Dubai, Africa, and it honestly didn't take as long as this move.

So although I haven't done it myself I know it doesn't have to take this long.

Meanwhile, we have a game tomorrow night and our main striker is suspended. It would have been nice to have had him available.

I'm happy to say I'm definitely not your son.

 

I think the answer to this query is the one I have highlighted above.

 

Sounds like you work for an international organisation ? - I have done so myself in the past, and most efficient ones organise things quite well

and set up housing / hotel accomodation. School for the children (I didn't have mine - then).

Language and cultural education for the (employee) AND his wife / partner - or whatever...and a whole lot more "settling-in" tips.

 

Although Saints' had a goodly selection of foreign imports - think Ivan Golac was the first major one - a lot of that background has disappeared, (some of it into the grave) and this is the first time THIS club administration has "employed " someone from such a different culture.

Mr.Lee maybe a smart, even intelligent individual - (not as we have seen, a prime qualification for a footballer), but I don't think it

a primary concern to have him fly in on Monday and have him lacing up his boots in the taxi on the way to SMS.

 

He should have the time he needs to leave his "old life " behind and adapt to the new.

IF.... I was NA - I'd even have him on the bench for the first couple of games ....and not " panic play " him straight away.

[alpine_saint]

I think the answer to this query is the one I have highlighted above.

 

Sounds like you work for an international organisation ? - I have done so myself in the past, and most efficient ones organise things quite well

and set up housing / hotel accomodation. School for the children (I didn't have mine - then).

Language and cultural education for the (employee) AND his wife / partner - or whatever...and a whole lot more "settling-in" tips.

 

Although Saints' had a goodly selection of foreign imports - think Ivan Golac was the first major one - a lot of that background has disappeared, (some of it into the grave) and this is the first time THIS club administration has "employed " someone from such a different culture.

Mr.Lee maybe a smart, even intelligent individual - (not as we have seen, a prime qualification for a footballer), but I don't think it

a primary concern to have him fly in on Monday and have him lacing up his boots in the taxi on the way to SMS.

 

He should have the time he needs to leave his "old life " behind and adapt to the new.

IF.... I was NA - I'd even have him on the bench for the first couple of games ....and not " panic play " him straight away.

 

So what ? There are companies out there whose sole existence is to support activity like this. It would have taken a phone call from SFC.

[david in sweden]

So what ? There are companies out there whose sole existence is to support activity like this. It would have taken a phone call from SFC.

 

 

Quite true, Alpine.

I know of at least two such organisations in Sweden, but can you tell us about the ease with which YOU moved to Austria ..whenever that was ?

[St.Patrik]

Thats true David - we work with at company called bridge to china where I work and they help out with all practical stuff when

and if we need to transfer work and people between Sweden and china.

[Verbal]

Can mods please rename this thread 'How Long Does It Take A Man in Japan to Pack a Suitcase'?

[Avenue Saint]

Must be a sign of how well the club is running if the best we can 'moan' about is how long it's taking for an international player to move to England from Japan!

[Window Cleaner]

Must be a sign of how well the club is running if the best we can 'moan' about is how long it's taking for an international player to move to England from Japan!

 

Be interesting to see how long it takes Abe to move back the other way, mind you J League doesn't start for a couple of months

yet.

[alpine_saint]

Can mods please rename this thread 'How Long Does It Take A Man in Japan to Pack a Suitcase'?

 

Perfectly captures my exasperation. That or "Does Player and Club still Want to Hook Up ?"

[alpine_saint]

Quite true, Alpine.

I know of at least two such organisations in Sweden, but can you tell us about the ease with which YOU moved to Austria ..whenever that was ?

 

I moved to Austria in 1997, but forget that one. I loaded my car up and simply drove over having booked P&O a few days before.

 

Moved back to UK in 2004. That was f**king p*ss easy. I sent an inventory list to two removal companies by mail, they sent quotes back by mail within 24 hours, my new boss chose one and paid by company credit card same day. A week later they were here.

 

Moved back to Austria in 2008. Was a few days f**k up between new company and removal firm, but didnt affect me & the family coming over, only our stuff. We were put in a hotel until it was all sorted out.

 

A member of the HR department dealt with all the Central European bureaucracy that needed to be dealt with urgently on the first day, and the rest over the next 6 weeks. We had a flat waiting for our stuff within 3 weeks. Didnt stop me working in the slightest, except a couple of visits to the local authorities which took about 3 hours in total.

 

Sorry, I still cannot see what the problem in Japan is.

 

If TL aint here by Wednesday this deal has gone tits-up.

[krissyboy31]

A couple of ex-colleagues of mine moved with work to our US and Australian offices. Both took several months to sort out residential visas for and that was working for the same firm.

[VectisSaint]

I moved to Austria in 1997, but forget that one. I loaded my car up and simply drove over having booked P&O a few days before.

 

Moved back to UK in 2004. That was f**king p*ss easy. I sent an inventory list to two removal companies by mail, they sent quotes back by mail within 24 hours, my new boss chose one and paid by company credit card same day. A week later they were here.

 

Moved back to Austria in 2008. Was a few days f**k up between new company and removal firm, but didnt affect me & the family coming over, only our stuff. We were put in a hotel until it was all sorted out.

 

A member of the HR department dealt with all the Central European bureaucracy that needed to be dealt with urgently on the first day, and the rest over the next 6 weeks. We had a flat waiting for our stuff within 3 weeks. Didnt stop me working in the slightest, except a couple of visits to the local authorities which took about 3 hours in total.

 

Sorry, I still cannot see what the problem in Japan is.

 

If TL aint here by Wednesday this deal has gone tits-up.

Have to agree with you Alpine. Some people here are quoting how long it takes to emigrate from the UK to countries such as US, South Africa and so on. Totally irrelevant IMHO, and some of them are so bureaucratic that it is true, it can take a long time to get sorted (though I never had any trouble getting into either personally, it was all arranged in a couple of days or so, admittedly now 10+ years ago in both cases). Getting into the UK is about as simple as it can be. After all most of the country is continually moaning about how simple it is for migrants to enter the country. Well it is even easier if you have all the relevant paper work (work permit) already in hand and on top of that you are a professional sportsman. I have no idea whether this deal has gone wrong or not, but just feel something is not right, there is no need for such a delay. I'm not talking about whether he is available to play tomorrow or not, that's irrelevant, he probably would not be ready anyway. I do hope to see T Lee here very soon, and I think he will be a good addition, but just detect a faint whiff of rat somewhere.

[sotonist]

I reckon he's injured his knee and we forgot his birthday.

[ottery st mary]

Unlike some of my fellow posters on here:rolleyes:

 

Lee has many friends and has numerous farewell parties to attend.

[david in sweden]

Sorry, I still cannot see what the problem in Japan is. If TL aint here by Wednesday this deal has gone tits-up.

 

 

I didn't re-print all that Alpine, but it made impressive reading. You are obviously a very well-organised and resourceful person well-versed in

the business world. Good that you had the right sort of help...perhaps like Wade Garrett you work for a European company who are used moving people around. Did you speak any German ? ..or does your employer use English as a company language?

 

I have worked with a number of people from Japanese /Korean organisation and the general standard of communication was poor to say the least. In Lee's case..someone hinted on here that he'd been over in the Autumn and met NA...so it's not a deal someone dreamed up overnight.

Maybe..it is taking time, and he has a lot of goodbyes to say, as others here have suggested...(who knows ?)

 

No-one seems to have considered the simple fact that Lee has been told..." we'll let you know as soon as your work permit has been approved and we know you can come ..get yourself organised and let us know when you are ready ..and we'll book a flight "!

 

That sounds more humane to me ..I just don't know why some people on here are ready to dish the deal because they expect him to be match-fit and upto date on our playing pattern - by Monday night!

[Gingeletiss]

I just don't know why some people on here are ready to dish the deal because they expect him to be match-fit and upto date on our playing pattern - by Monday night!

 

Do you not....really! do you not see the same posters/so called fans, running the players/club/chairman/manager down, thread after thread? It's a disease on here, infecting the whole forum.