Stu sticks to Stelios offer

August 18, 2005

STUART Pearce is sticking to his £1million valuation of Bolton's unsettled midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos.

Pearce will continue to target the Greek international despite having an initial £1m bid rejected out of hand by angry Trotters chief Sam Allardyce, who rates his Greek Euro 2004 winner at around £4m.

And he insists that while City are not yet ready to step up their bid, the imminent closure of the transfer window will not put him off his chase for a player whom he clearly admires.

Pearce said: "If we have got the players in by the deadline we will be delighted and if not we will keep doing our homework and hopefully go back in when the window reopens.

"We have made the offer and if Bolton accept that offer we will be delighted. If it doesn't happen then maybe somewhere down the line it will do.

"At the moment with what his left on his contract and his age and everything else taken into consideration we value him at £1million and that is where we are."

Capitulation

Meanwhile Pearce watched England's capitulation on television and admitted he was dismayed by the performance despite the real test coming in the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers against Wales in two weeks' time.

Pearce added: "If anyone asked me to play for England it gave me great pride to do so from the first game to the last game.

"People say friendlies don't matter but they do, I've got a host of caps at home and probably 50% of them are from friendly matches and they counted for me.

"I fully expect that they should count for the rest of the England players as well. You have got to get a situation where they go away from England today thinking `we owe this manager one and we are going to deliver in a couple of weeks' time'."

Who should City go for if they miss out on Stelios? Have your say.

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Sheralyn Moran, Blackley (18/08/2005 at 15:54)

We need a playmaker don't think stelios is that. That was what was clearly missing on Saturday, a lot of endeavour and we did create chances but there was no one to have a look and pay that one clinical pass. Also hear Morrison has now gone to Norwich for B#2 Mill (Mugs). Why don't we now try for Ashton.

Jimmy, Swindon (18/08/2005 at 15:55)

DAVID BENTLEY

pete shaw, chorlton manchester (18/08/2005 at 15:58)

If SP does not sign anyone before the window shuts or when it reopens especially if we aren't (as expected) doing well the shareholders and fans will turn on him.I now have to doubt his ability in the transfer market CAN ANYONE ARGUE AGAINST MY THEORY?

Lee, Manchester (18/08/2005 at 16:01)

Its a moot point really as I don't think anybody else will be arriving, nor do I think the club really intends on bringing in any quality with the supposed B#10m we have to spend. Read between the lines of Pearce's statement and he's telling you nothing will be happening.

What happended to the A list of tragets we had prepared if/when SWP left, and the promises from Mr Wardle that proceeds from SWP's sale would be ploghed back into the team? We have been conned.

nick, bradford blue (18/08/2005 at 16:06)

pearce said in this article "If we have got the players in by the deadline we will be delighted and if not we will keep doing our homework and hopefully go back in when the window reopens."THIS PROVES EVERYONES POINT NO PLAYERS NO MONEY NO PROSPECT.THIS IS GETTING WORSE....WARDLE OUT!!!

malc, oldham (18/08/2005 at 16:13)

Are we serious about bringing new players in or not?The complacency in the club is disgraceful,to infer that it doesnt matter if we arent able to bring players in before the window closes will prove to be a policy of disaster.The club has the money to shop at Harrods but seem content to rumage around the charity shops in its search for players.For goodness
sake get a grip City--you could sense the feeling of despondancy around the ground after saturdays match--the alarm bells are ringing --do something about it now.

Fiona Boswell, Wythy (18/08/2005 at 16:13)

Stelios, Shmelios.

Having lost Anelka and Shauny we expect to see some quality brought in to help build on last seasons good finish.

If we don't then I expect that we will be going nowhere fast come the next transfer window, and qulaity signings will be even harder to attract to the club.

The club needs to placate the fans with one meaningful signing, as well as these bargain basement deals.

That signing is Dean Ashton in my opinion.

PHil, Eccles (18/08/2005 at 16:18)

Pete Shaw ... you said it mate - it's your theory and you've got every right to it. As for me - well I have my own theory and it involves SP being sensible and realistic about the value of his transfer targets. If Bernstein was still pulling the financial strings everyone would be saying how clever SP and the board are being. Give SP and JW the benefit of your (considerable) doubt and get behind your team.

Gary, Dudley (18/08/2005 at 16:24)

If we don't sign someone with quality soon, the next few months are going to be incredibly frustrating. Mid table mediocrity is not good enough, when you have the means to buy players that can make a big difference to the team. It will be a scandal if we sell our best player, and only sign the bargain basement players we were going to sign anyway, if he had stayed. Someone needs to explain this to the supporters. The performance against West Brom was rubbish, and much worse than promoted teams West Ham and Wigan. I don't think an old Spanish player, and a winger from Qatar who once had trials at The Swamp, can be called major signings. The league has moved on since May, we are now not good enough to even match that 8th place. Sort it out City!

gerry, brentford (18/08/2005 at 16:25)

Just thought I would remind all you BITTERS mmmm Wayne Rooney and Christiano Ronaldo have both been shortlisted for FIFAs young player of the year have City got any such talent? mmmm Cole mmm Vassell maybe mmmm Barton mmmm Fowler mmm hang on some of these are OLD MEN. Sorry you blue saddos but on Sept 12th your team will be toatally desroyed by Rooney,Christiano and YES VAN NISTELROOY I CANT WAIT.

jj, east stand (18/08/2005 at 16:31)

stop the belly aching and get behind the team , i'll be there in birmingham on sat what about the rest of you? its a disgrace there's still tickets remaining from our 2k allocation.

Stu, Glossop (18/08/2005 at 16:38)

Gerry, thats how much of a fan you are? We don't play united on the 12th Sept you fool!!!

Harry H, SK (18/08/2005 at 16:39)

Gerry,it,s great how utd have encouraged & nurtured these young talents from such an early age isn,t it,clown!!!

Lee, Manchester (18/08/2005 at 16:44)

Gerry, Brentford - You must be able to see the lights from Old Trafford from your bedroom window mustn't you? Stick to SKY TV and following TWGC tm, as I'm sure Mr Glazer will love your annual subscription to MUTV to pay his debts. Bet you've got posters of the granny magnet all over your bedroom, like most 15 year olds in London.

Th' Etch, stockport (18/08/2005 at 16:45)

Gerry, do be quiet, will you be there on the 12th to watch...........nobody will you fool, the game is on the 10th Sept. yet more drivel from big Gerry the "wise" one!!!! CTID

Chris, Chorley (18/08/2005 at 16:49)

Doom and gloom - no wonder our ground is likened to a library. How the hell we've managed to get this reputation for whole-hearted support is beyond me. OK so we didn't beat the baggies, but I'm sure we won't be the last team to draw with them, they've been 0-0 specialists for years, and with Kirkland now on board, that trend can only continue. We've got Dunne, Distin, Onohua and Fowler to return yet, we've got half a dozen decent youngsters ready to jump at the chance of playing. The transfer windown doesn't shut for another two weeks, and it's clear that SP and JW are at least looking to add to the squad. As for Stelios - would he improve the squad? The answer has to be yes - he scored 8 goals in 38 appearances last season and his side finished above us in the league and went further in the cups - clearly an improvement on our current midfield. For a million, it has to be value for money. Pearce obviously has some idea on whether or not a player can make it in this league - he got rid of Macken and McMinimum quick enough.

Chris Newbrook, Birmingham (18/08/2005 at 16:52)

Come rain or shine I'm always there and will be at Brum (one of 3 home games). However, the majority of posters are right. I don't expect anyone decent to sign because I think Pearce will be sacked in 10 games and the money will be saved for the new man. That will be too late. Maybe Wardle is banking on City doing a West Brom. One win in first 23 games to stay up. I really think the man is taking the club backwards. To replace Anelka and SWP with Cole and Hussein is a disgrace. There is nothing to be excited about. Strikers need chances to score goals and we unfortunately have no creative players. We come on here every day naming the players we need and the names Ashton and Bentley have come up countless times. Do the club even think about looking at what the fans want? They are happy to take our money to send SP on a countless (and pointless) scouting missions all over Europe and we have signed none of his alleged targets. Stuart who? Brian who? Guess who? The Who? The man does not have the pedigree to attract players.

Jack, Manchester (18/08/2005 at 17:01)

"Stu sticks to Stelios offer" should read "Stu can stick his Stelios offer" because if the MASSIVE club want a decent player like Stelios they'll have to cough up a couple more million. Unlike you, Bolton are in the UEFA Cup and they are no mugs.

gerry, brentford (18/08/2005 at 17:01)

it was just a mistake i knew all along it was the 10th anyone can make mistakes just look at David James ha ha ha ha perhaps i was too excited at the prospect of watching rooney & Co destroy City on the 10th Sept 4-0 yes yes yes yes yes

Lee, Manchester (18/08/2005 at 17:10)

Gerry, oh dear, seek help immediately, you have my pity.

Dave Walker, Redditch (18/08/2005 at 17:10)

By my reckoning we still have at least B#9m to play with. I would ask SP to go and get David Nugent from Preston as he is going to be a BIG star, pacey, scores goals and well below 25 yrs - B#2m. See about Castellan at Feyenoord - yes, he's injured now but get an agreement to get him for B#2.5m.

mauritzio Gaudino, exiled in notts (18/08/2005 at 17:11)

Stop moaning and get behind the team.Everyone knew we not goin to bring in tons of mega signings etc...because regardless of swp goin ...we ain't got the cash...so deal with it and move on !!Hope to see it full at birmingham and 100% behind SP!!

MatC-as Manna, Argentina (18/08/2005 at 17:16)

And Pep Guardiola??? What happened with he? Guardiola sign a deal with City??.

Please, I needing more information of the best midfielder in season 2005/2006

Baz, Radcliffe (18/08/2005 at 17:38)

I think i'd rather have Pep in their than Stelios,dont get me wrong I think he is ok but does not inspire,we need someone who can turn a game in one moment because unfortunately this is a very ordinary City side that reminds me of Reid and Royle era's.

david, malta (18/08/2005 at 17:47)

City should go for Miccoli of juventus,he is technically very good and he can score goals as well also he doesnt figure in the managers plans

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