McAllister 'Difficult to keep Ashley'

[Lambert and Payne]

This bloke has the ability to say the wrong things, he's nothing but Houlliers yes man, playing Pires at completely the wrong time on Saturday proved that and i believe it cost us the match.
I was always worried when we employed this bloke...

[Chris Smith]

"All players have ambition to play in the Champions League. We can't give them that."

This is all we need to know about where we are now as a football club. As for Ashley, he'll certainly go, as will any other player with a sniff of CL football. 

It's just a statement of fact.

He added "It's a goal but we all know how difficult it is to get up there", which again is something we all know.

[Matt C]

This Ashley Young stuff is getting boring if you ask me

agree..         

And its not even started yet.

[Surrey Villain]

This Ashley Young stuff is getting boring if you ask me

agree..         

And its not even started yet.

It started months ago!

[dicedlam]

As Fletch pointed out, sounds like lip service and preparing us for the inevitable. Ashley leaving has probably been known to the club for yonks.
I'm more concerned with McAllister's media comments that seem to say that he will be with us next season!

[cdward]

Considering we have been through this twice in the last 2 seasons, i think we can all guess how this will play out, and who will say what.  Gary Mc is only trying to say the right things, in these cases the only person to stop all the speculation is the player himself, and the silence is defeaning.

[TimTheVillain]

Ash hasn't signed a new contract, it's in BOLD and ITALICS UNDERLINED what's occurring !

[Rigadon]

Why did he need to say anything?  Yes, the reporters are going to ask but he does have an option to deflect it.  Why not just say that "all these matters will be decided at the end of the season" and trot out a couple of cliches?  He and Houllier do seem to have a knack of saying the wrong thing more often than other people.

He really does seem to believe he and Houllier will be deciding these matters which is frankly a bit weird considering the AWFUL campaign we've had.  That's either bullish optimism, a nod form the board we don't know about or some kind of kidology to get the players believing GH / McCallister are going to be in charge of their futures and so playing for the manager.  I hope it's the latter.

I'm not overly bothered as I'd argue it's been flaming obvious Young's off since last year. 

[Tom_Mc9?]

It won't be as bad as when Milner left.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

As Fletch pointed out, sounds like lip service and preparing us for the inevitable. Ashley leaving has probably been known to the club for yonks.
I'm more concerned with McAllister's media comments that seem to say that he will be with us next season!

Reading countless football biographies over the years, it seems that deals are done months in advance of a player leaving, at least by verbal agreement anyway.

The club are coming out with the 'trying to get him to stay' bollocks to make it look like we're putting up a fight to keep him, but it's all Grade A bullshit, the fight was finished months ago.

[Toronto Villa]

It's all lip service to make it look as though the club are doing their upmost to keep him.

He's leaving and the club knew that months ago.

even if it is that, they don't really have another option. If they say what they are saying we read between the lines. If they say "he's off and there's nothing we can do" they'd get royally and rightly slagged off by all and sundry for lacking ambition. Damned if you do and all that.

[Ad@m]

I'd personally rather Houllier or McAllister just said nothing!

[olaftab]

and worked on those set pieces to defend better!

[Gazza1982]

Cash him in,take 25Million thank you very much,play Albrighton instead (who's better anyway imo) and buy a top class goalie and strike partner for Bent.
Maybe even buy Milner back since all he does at City is keep his arse warm on the bench.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think we'll be lucky to see more than £10m, nevermind £25m.