(RM must have rubbed their eyes in surprise when NUFC offfered £16m for Owen!)
Tottenham 00 Liverpool:BBCMatch report via the BBC website Spurs debutant Gregor Rasiak and Liverpool's Peter Crouch both had goals disallowed as an exciting match at White...
DEADLINE DAY WOE AND SUPER CUP SUCCESS
Rick Parry 09 September 2005
In his regular Friday column, Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry talks about the frustration of failing to sign any players on transfer deadline day and the Super Cup success in Monaco.
It was frustrating that we weren't able to add to the squad last week but Rafa's attitude is that it's only worth bringing the right players in, not the wrong ones.
Overall, we were extremely happy because we got our first four targets and we are delighted with the acquisitions - Reina, Sissoko, Crouch and Zenden.
We just couldn't do the right deals for the centre-back and the wide player in the end.
It was a combination of different things. We were thwarted over Luis Figo and in terms of the right calibre players who play wide, there are not that many around. Simao Sabrosa was one and he came up relatively late. The situation is magnified because of the deadline so that if things do go wrong it doesn't leave you much time. We also looked at a whole variety of centre-backs. Either the ones of the right standard were not available or the prices quoted were silly. But we trust in the squad we have, it's stronger than last term.
Of course, it was our attempt to sign Michael Owen that captured most of the attention.
We always felt a deal to bring Michael back on the right terms made sense.
Parry on the Owen saga
It was our attempt to sign Michael Owen that captured most of the attention. We always felt a deal to bring Michael back on the right terms made sense. That was a combination of the strength of Michael's desire to return and the right terms being available. But it did not make sense to pay £16m for Michael and that's a view shared equally by myself and Rafa. It was a never a case of the board trying to force Michael on Rafa. Wewere absolutely of the same view that £16m was an unrealistic price.
That was a combination of the strength of Michael's desire to return and the right terms being available. But it did not make sense to pay £16m for Michael and that's a view shared equally by myself and Rafa.
It was a never a case of the board trying to force Michael on Rafa. We were absolutely of the same view that £16m was an unrealistic price.
If you put yourself in Real Madrid's position, they paid £8m cash last year. Michael eventually emerges three coaches later as fifth choice, on a big wage and not happy and then somebody knocks on the door and offers to double their money. I'm sure the first reaction was to rub their eyes in surprise. From our point of view, Michael on the right terms - certainly, but not on the wrong terms.
Looking forward, there is another opportunity to sign players when the window opens in January, although it is more difficult in a way because players are cup-tied and coaches are reluctant to part with players part-way through. But we will be looking closely at any players that are available.
Transfers are becoming more difficult to put together, without doubt. The Simao one was a clbuttic. He was the right player - you only have to look at the reaction from the Benfica fans, who were desperate for him not to go.
So in the end the club said no because they couldn't allow him to go. You can understand that. It happens, every club misses out. It can be frustrating but we are happy with the signings we made, all of whom were main targets.
Rafa is philosophical. Clearly, we aim to do better in the Premier League with the players who have come in. We aim to challenge for the rest of the season. He's excited about the ones who have arrived, players who are suited to the domestic game. You can't look back at the ones who haven't.
You move on.
The transfer window system is still relatively new, although the European deadlines have been in for a long time. Yes, they impose additional pressure but, overall, it makes a lot of sense. You have to work with the squad and the coach has to get the most out of his players. It also means players can't walk out at the drop of a hat. It brings coaching ability to the fore and gives a balance. It means you have to work your way out of it, coach your way out of it and train your way out of it, which, fundamentally, I've always thought is a good thing.
Parry on Super Cup success
We shouldn't forget that we've won another trophy - the Super Cup. It's one we wanted to win, make no mistake. It was a game we deserved to win, a very pleasing ending and a nice game for Djibril Cisse. WE shouldn't forget that we've won another trophy - the Super Cup.
It's one we wanted to win, make no mistake. It was a game we deserved to win, a very pleasing ending and a nice game for Djibril Cisse.
There was a lot of speculation over his future last week. We did receive unsolicited approaches, partly as a result of the speculation over Michael.
We turned them all down and we declared that we were not trying to sell Djibril. I hope he builds on his success in Monaco and at the start of the season, remembering how desperately unlucky he was last season. We haven't seen the real Djibril yet so we certainly back him and hope he bags 25 goals.
