Angry Redknapp defends Portsmouth in spending row

Harry Redknapp has hit back at Niall Quinn after the Sunderland chairman accused Portsmouth and West Ham United of inflating the transfer market this summer by spending over the odds on players.

Speaking after Portsmouth’s victory in the final of the Barclays Asia Trophy here last night, when they beat Liverpool 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw, Redknapp said: “I don’t know why Niall was saying that. What has it got to do with him?

“People shouldn’t talk like that. You never discuss and criticise other people’s teams, other people’s signings. Maybe that is why I have lasted so long in the game and why I do what I do.

“Why have other people got to poke their noses in other teams’ business. They should look after their own, worry about what Sunderland do this year and keep your own house in order.”

Sunderland paid £5 million this summer for Michael Chopra, a striker who managed only one goal in 21 Premier League appearances at Newcastle United, and offered the same money ? £6 million ? as Portsmouth did for David Nugent, only for the England forward to move to Fratton Park.

“Sunderland offered the same money for Nugent as we did, so why is it silly money?” Redknapp said. “He chose to join us rather than them, so maybe he [Quinn] is upset about that.”

Redknapp, meanwhile, has held clear-the-air talks with Sol Campbell after the former England defender laid bare his frustration at Portsmouth and is confident that he can keep the player at the club, despite interest from Villarreal.


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Quinn is right in a sense - WHU in particular are paying ridiculous wages but surely if Pompey/WHU have the money then its up to them how they spend it.

Ridiculous wages? Our wages are not above 60k for any player...

Quinn has a bigger net spend than we have FFS...as we've sold when we've bought.

£5m on Chopra...£5.5m on Richardson. Enough said.

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:Ridiculous wages? Our wages are not above 60k for any player...

Isn't Bellamy getting £80K ?

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:Ridiculous wages? Our wages are not above 60k for any player...

Isn't Bellamy getting £80K ?

No...he is on about 45-50k. All the paper reports are bollocks.

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:Ridiculous wages? Our wages are not above 60k for any player...

Isn't Bellamy getting £80K ?

No...he is on about 45-50k. All the paper reports are bollocks.

Fair enough.

Off Topic but I thought you didn't like Gays ?

Of course, Lucas Neill and Craig Bellamy were attracted to West Ham because of the clubs recent success and status in the European football world.

Or maybe West Ham offered them more money than anyone else? Hard to comprehend I know.

cheesecake² wrote:Of course, Lucas Neill and Craig Bellamy were attracted to West Ham because of the clubs recent success and status in the European football world.

Or maybe West Ham offered them more money than anyone else? Hard to comprehend I know.

To be fair, I think he's one of the players getting 60k a week, which still falls under the limit Deano mentioned.

cheesecake² wrote:Of course, Lucas Neill and Craig Bellamy were attracted to West Ham because of the clubs recent success and status in the European football world.

Or maybe West Ham offered them more money than anyone else? Hard to comprehend I know.

You are getting seriously annoying now...the worst thing is, you are spouting absolute bullshit.

They came to us because they wanted first team football...only Liverpool fans have trouble understanding it. Not surprised your team is hated to be honest.

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:

cheesecake² wrote:Of course, Lucas Neill and Craig Bellamy were attracted to West Ham because of the clubs recent success and status in the European football world.

Or maybe West Ham offered them more money than anyone else? Hard to comprehend I know.

You are getting seriously annoying now...the worst thing is, you are spouting absolute bullshit.

They came to us because they wanted first team football...only Liverpool fans have trouble understanding it. Not surprised your team is hated to be honest.

Ok, I openly admit I was spouting bullshit when I said this.

cheesecake² wrote:

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:

cheesecake² wrote:Of course, Lucas Neill and Craig Bellamy were attracted to West Ham because of the clubs recent success and status in the European football world.

Or maybe West Ham offered them more money than anyone else? Hard to comprehend I know.

You are getting seriously annoying now...the worst thing is, you are spouting absolute bullshit.

They came to us because they wanted first team football...only Liverpool fans have trouble understanding it. Not surprised your team is hated to be honest.

Ok, I openly admit I was spouting bullshit when I said this.

Don't be an idiot...what is the point of talking about things you have no idea of? Try to understand that not everyone wants to play for Liverpool.

Please, I'm not trying to have a go, I'm being serious. Bellamy had various suitors, but he chose to sign for West Ham because they offered more money than anyone else. It's not a dig, it's a fact, so stop being so defensive! Villa and Blackburn were two of the many interested teams, and they have both been more successful than West Ham in recent years.

cheesecake² wrote:Please, I'm not trying to have a go, I'm being serious. Bellamy had various suitors, but he chose to sign for West Ham because they offered more money than anyone else. It's not a dig, it's a fact, so stop being so defensive! Villa and Blackburn were two of the many interested teams, and they have both been more successful than West Ham in recent years.

So you are trying to tell me that players should be picking Aston Villa and Blackburn over us? Unbelievable...

Blackburn are a nothing club with 20,000 fans...we took their captain for a reason.

Villa have only signed Reo-Joker and Harewood (two of our rejects)

Says a lot...

They can't afford the calibre of players West Ham can, which is why they fail to attract players of a similar quality. West Ham were promoted the season before last, and were almost relegated last season. Please don't be delusional, without the money West Ham isn't the most desirable destination at the moment.

cheesecake² wrote:They can't afford the calibre of players West Ham can, which is why they fail to attract players of a similar quality. West Ham were promoted the season before last, and were almost relegated last season. Please don't be delusional, without the money West Ham isn't the most desirable destination at the moment.

So what have Aston Villa done? finished 14th for 8 seasons...Blackburn were promoted not that long ago...and haven't done anything of note. They averaged 17,500 fans. Don't see why you have this sudden problem with us...but a little bit pathetic to be honest.

I don't have a sudden problem with you!

I think perhaps Deano, your taking this as a personal insult when (if im right) all CT is saying that many of the purchases you have made, have been finacially appealing to the players.

Because lets be honest. Not many random footballers will wake up in the middle of the night and say to themselves *you know what i want to play for west ham*

Money and being able to play first team football are the opportunities West Ham have offered players.

So Freddie Ljungberg has taken a pay cut?

Football Genius wrote:I think perhaps Deano, your taking this as a personal insult when (if im right) all CT is saying that many of the purchases you have made, have been finacially appealing to the players.

Because lets be honest. Not many random footballers will wake up in the middle of the night and say to themselves *you know what i want to play for west ham*

Money and being able to play first team football are the opportunities West Ham have offered players.

What is that all about??

We bid for players...if the offer is accepted they'll talk to us. So whatever you are on about there is silly.

Ljungberg took a 15k wage cut to come to us. He was on 70k at Arsenal and is on 55k at us. Lucas Neill was offered more by us than you...but he didn't want to be a back up to Finnan. Of course Liverpool fans will see otherwise.

Money attracts players yes...but he's making it sound like we are Fulham or something. Remember in our first season back we signed Benayoun, Ashton, Gabbidon etc and were about 2 hours from signing McCarthy until Porto pulled out.

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:

Ljungberg took a 15k wage cut to come to us. He was on 70k at Arsenal and is on 55k at us.

YAAAH, i'm not buying that!

Kimbo wrote:

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:

Ljungberg took a 15k wage cut to come to us. He was on 70k at Arsenal and is on 55k at us.

YAAAH, i'm not buying that!

Am I actually supposed to care about what you think? He still earns 55k a week and will be first choice.

Like you can say f@ck all about high wages.

Let me guess, if Dyer signs he'll take a 40k wage cut.

Kimbo wrote:Let me guess, if Dyer signs he'll take a 40k wage cut.

Oh dear...I did think having a noraml football conversation with you would be a struggle.

Is Dyer going to get paid 70k a week anywhere he goes? No...

Therefore he'll have to cut his wages by 10-15k. If Dyer signs for Spurs he'll have to take a wage cut of about 30k yes...

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:

Kimbo wrote:Let me guess, if Dyer signs he'll take a 40k wage cut.

Oh dear... I did think having a noraml football conversation with you would be a struggle.

Is Dyer going to get paid 70k a week anywhere he goes? No...

Therefore he'll have to cut his wages by 10-15k. If Dyer signs for Spurs he'll have to take a wage cut of about 30k yes...

I'll ignore the petty insults, admin.

People like Kieron Dyer don't do wage cuts, this is the man that once shouted "STOP THE BUS, I'VE LEFT MY DIAMOND EARRING IN THE CHANGING ROOM!!" Isn't it strange how you know all the ins and outs of the players wages at West Ham, yet all the papers that probably have access to agents are wrong.

Kimbo wrote:

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:

Kimbo wrote:Let me guess, if Dyer signs he'll take a 40k wage cut.

Oh dear... I did think having a noraml football conversation with you would be a struggle.

Is Dyer going to get paid 70k a week anywhere he goes? No...

Therefore he'll have to cut his wages by 10-15k. If Dyer signs for Spurs he'll have to take a wage cut of about 30k yes...

I'll ignore the petty insults, admin.

People like Kieron Dyer don't do wage cuts, this is the man that once shouted "STOP THE BUS, I'VE LEFT MY DIAMOND EARRING IN THE CHANGING ROOM!!" Isn't it strange how you know all the ins and outs of the players wages at West Ham, yet all the papers that probably have access to agents are wrong.

I go by what Eggert Magnusson says. Who said we are signing Dyer?

Not standing up for West ham. I'm sure many top players would pick them over many other teams including the maybe even Liverpool...... They have always tried to play attractive footy and now they have some money ...

Brian2468 wrote:Not standing up for West ham. I'm sure many top players would pick them over many other teams including the maybe even Liverpool...... They have always tried to play attractive footy and now they have some money ...

Some players want to play first team football. Lampard plays for Chelsea...yet if they didn't give him 120k a week he wanted and another club did...he'd be off like a shot.

Lucas Neill is now the captain of us...some people will only say that he came for high wages and would've sat on the Liverpool bench behind Finnan. Why would he?

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:

Brian2468 wrote:Not standing up for West ham. I'm sure many top players would pick them over many other teams including the maybe even Liverpool...... They have always tried to play attractive footy and now they have some money ...

Some players want to play first team football. Lampard plays for Chelsea...yet if they didn't give him 120k a week he wanted and another club did...he'd be off like a shot.

Lucas Neill is now the captain of us...some people will only say that he came for high wages and would've sat on the Liverpool bench behind Finnan. Why would he?

This is key to the type of mentality of players you have purchased.

If they were so sure of their ability, the competition wouldn't have bothered them, in themselves they didn't rise to the opportunity which says a lot of the mentality of the player.

Football Genius wrote:

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:

Brian2468 wrote:Not standing up for West ham. I'm sure many top players would pick them over many other teams including the maybe even Liverpool...... They have always tried to play attractive footy and now they have some money ...

Some players want to play first team football. Lampard plays for Chelsea...yet if they didn't give him 120k a week he wanted and another club did...he'd be off like a shot.

Lucas Neill is now the captain of us...some people will only say that he came for high wages and would've sat on the Liverpool bench behind Finnan. Why would he?

This is key to the type of mentality of players you have purchased.

If they were so sure of their ability, the competition wouldn't have bothered them, in themselves they didn't rise to the opportunity which says a lot of the mentality of the player.

No...it says as a Liverpool fan you can't accept someone wanting to play for another club. He wanted first team football...which he has. What is wrong with wanting first team football at a club who will aim for the top 7/8...than to be back up at Liverpool?

I suppose Bellamy has a poor mentality for wanting first team football which he wasn't getting at Liverpool then

Kimbo wrote:

Freddie Ljungberg wrote:

Ljungberg took a 15k wage cut to come to us. He was on 70k at Arsenal and is on 55k at us.

YAAAH, i'm not buying that!

Since Arsenal only renew contracts for old players for short periods, it would make more sense for him to take a reasonable cut on a 3/4 year contract than sit on the bench for another year then put himself on the market and risk getting poor terms next year.
Still his move proabably is more about staying in London/a first team guarantee, than it is about money