Shane Long

[cc_star]

Has anything happened, if not has danny the fox or whatever he was called shown his face or can we now write him off as ITK

[the royal]

I still don't think it'll happen.

And there is sense in the talk on Hobnob, clubs do go into administration because of spending similar to that of Leicesters, it's an incredibly big risk. And I am quite annoyed that a lot of you on here are talking like Long is already your player. He might not want to go - he might consider it a sideways move.

[Christoph]

And there is sense in the talk on Hobnob, clubs do go into administration because of spending similar to that of Leicesters, it's an incredibly big risk.

While you're correct, where's the fun in being pessimistic, we're on a high, with a great squad and some money, where's the fun in thinking negative

[Staff]

I think it might be the case that someone at the club other than Sven deals with contracts and fees, etc. after Sven has decided which players to target. I doubt our owners could be as clueless about football as Abramovich at Chelski. In fact, I doubt anyone in football could be as clueless about football as Abramovich.

andrew neville

[21st Century Fox]

I still don't think it'll happen.

And there is sense in the talk on Hobnob, clubs do go into administration because of spending similar to that of Leicesters, it's an incredibly big risk. And I am quite annoyed that a lot of you on here are talking like Long is already your player. He might not want to go - he might consider it a sideways move.

We're lucky enough to be owned by a guy whose willing to put his own businesses reputation on the line by bringing our club and his empire together. We aren't owned by a faceless owner whose main source of income is "investments" and has little to risk by way of reputation should it all come crashing down.

Granted quite a few on here do get carried away when we're linked with players and probably shouldn't count their chickens.

It might be a sideways step but he might like $$$, who knows.

[cc_star]

I still don't think it'll happen.

And there is sense in the talk on Hobnob, clubs do go into administration because of spending similar to that of Leicesters, it's an incredibly big risk. And I am quite annoyed that a lot of you on here are talking like Long is already your player. He might not want to go - he might consider it a sideways move.

I think he'll go to a Prem club, but don't know who

A lot of their fans think Newcastle's whole budget is £7m... that might need to include wages I don't know

Sunderland have already signed about 20 players

and most other clubs would be at risk of coming down meaning long term investment in Leicester is a better bet, hence players like Pantsil & Danns choosing us

Yes alot of people on here are tits & are carried away with us targeting expensive players.

But Leicester's investment isn't as risky as rival fans would love to believe

We've debated it far more than some people have dribbled about snapping up Long and then Messi etc

The Thai's are well backed with fully costed investments, they are exploiting the Far Eastern market in a way never seen outside the big 4, this has lead to an unprecedented level of investment at our traing ground and mainly with the playing staff, they want a Prem club and whether they sell us or keep us the only way they can get their money back (£16m purchase price & £23m worth of debt + large player investment) is to continue backing us into the Prem

The risk is of course they they'll pull out, but they'll be the biggest losers of that, and their King Power expansion plans would be in tatters they cannot pull out they are intrinsically linked to our fortunes even if that means throwing good money after bad, and it's the power of the Far east that makes that possible.

Ignore the dicks, I rather someone other than Long myself especially for that kind of money, but we need a forward or two and he'll certainly improve on the players already here. Kebe would be my preference along with Maynard from brizzle but that doesn't look like it's happening either

[adam95581]

I still don't think it'll happen.

And there is sense in the talk on Hobnob, clubs do go into administration because of spending similar to that of Leicesters, it's an incredibly big risk. And I am quite annoyed that a lot of you on here are talking like Long is already your player. He might not want to go - he might consider it a sideways move.

You can't pass a move to us as being a 'sideways move'. We're upwardly mobile while you lot are selling off your best players in order to live to your means. As for people 'gloating' about being a rich club, it is more a case of enjoying the ride after the Taylor years. If you were in the same position you would be doing the same!

[Happy Fox]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_7080527,00.html?

Leicester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson believes it was imperative the ambitious club spent big this summer on recruitment.

The Foxes have moved themselves among the favourites for promotion this season following a heavy close-season of investment.

Leicester made their tenth signing of the summer on Thursday following the season-long loan capture of ex-Man City man Gelson Fernandes.

The Switzerland international joins the likes of Sean St Ledger, David Nugent, Matt Mills, Paul Konchesky, John Pantsil, Michael Johnson, Lee Peltier, Neil Danns and Kasper Schmeichel as City's fresh faces.

The Swedish tactician was keen to add a wealth of experience as the club look to win promotion, although he knows it will be down to the players to prove they should be among the favourites to go up.

Ambition

"We had a lot of players on loan last season," he told Sky Sports News. "When the season ended they all left, so we needed a lot of players.

"I'm very happy. We're all very happy. We know we've signed important players with a lot of experience. We needed experienced players this year.

"We have big ambitions, the owners and myself. We want to play Premier League football as soon as possible, so next season.

"If you have that ambition you need a strong team and we think we have a strong team now. We know it's going to be a very difficult season, but we think we're stronger and have a better chance of promotion.

"They (the owners) want Leicester City in the Premier League. They've made no attempt to hide that. That's what they told me one year ago. I don't know if it's a must, but it's a big target.

"Of course I am (excited by the challenge). That's why I signed for the club, the challenge to get into the Premier League and stay there.

"Saturday we start the season and we have to prove we are as good as people think we are."

Radar

Leicester are being linked with a move for Reading Shane Long and Eriksson has confirmed he is on the club's radar, although he is not counting his chickens on landing the Republic of Ireland international.

"We're trying with a little bit of everything," he continued. "I think it's easier to be promoted if you have someone who normally scores 20-plus goals.

"We're trying there, but we're trying everywhere. They are lots of other clubs trying as well, so competition for those players is very, very big.

"I don't know if we're going to be successful at what we're looking at or not. We'll have to wait and see. Discussions are going on for a lot of players and he (Long) is one of them."

[accessory]

I still don't think it'll happen.

And there is sense in the talk on Hobnob, clubs do go into administration because of spending similar to that of Leicesters, it's an incredibly big risk. And I am quite annoyed that a lot of you on here are talking like Long is already your player. He might not want to go - he might consider it a sideways move.

But we're not Portsmouth or Palace, We have a stadium holding 32000 which we've proved we can fill on a regular basis. And when we reach the Premier League, our fanbase will increase further and investments will be recouped many times over.

I didn't hear any Reading fans squealing when Madejski was bankrolling your club and enabling it to progress from the the third tier of English football (previously your natural habitat) to the first. What City's owners are doing is no different, except it seems they have deeper pockets.

Suggestions of a "sideways move" are frankly laughable. You and your fellow royals are straying disturbingly close to Forest and Bristol City territory.

[ScouseFox]

It all comes down to your outlook on life.

This could very well all go to shit, and we'd probably be completely fucked if Top bailed on us and we weren't in the Prem, Sven then left and we're still paying for this bloody stadium. But, there is absolutely bugger all we can do about that, so in my humble opinion, we may as well enjoy the ride, especially these seemingly good times. And boy does it look like being one hell of a ride.

[Guest Bilo]

But we're not Portsmouth or Palace, We have a stadium holding 32000 which we've proved we can fill on a regular basis. And when we reach the Premier League, our fanbase will increase further and investments will be recouped many times over.

I didn't hear any Reading fans squealing when Madejski was bankrolling your club and enabling it to progress from the the third tier of English football (previously your natural habitat) to the first. What City's owners are doing is no different, except it seems they have deeper pockets.

Suggestions of a "sideways move" are frankly laughable. You and your fellow royals are straying disturbingly close to Forest and Bristol City territory.

Disagree.

Most of the squad that came within 90 minutes of promotion is still there and it's not unreasonable to suggest they'll be fairly close to us in the table come May. This isn't a situation like perennially mid-table Bristol City or a Forest side that's six players down on what was a thin squad last season. Whether we like it or not, the argument that Reading to Leicester is a sideways move is far stronger than the argument that Brizzle to Leicester is; and I fully agree that that was the argument of a brain donor.

[Leicsroyal]

But we're not Portsmouth or Palace, We have a stadium holding 32000 which we've proved we can fill on a regular basis. And when we reach the Premier League, our fanbase will increase further and investments will be recouped many times over.

I didn't hear any Reading fans squealing when Madejski was bankrolling your club and enabling it to progress from the the third tier of English football (previously your natural habitat) to the first. What City's owners are doing is no different, except it seems they have deeper pockets.

Suggestions of a "sideways move" are frankly laughable. You and your fellow royals are straying disturbingly close to Forest and Bristol City territory.

Forest and Bristol City territory

We are in no doubt that you are a larger club than us, so no need to bang on about fanbase.

Madejski bankrolling us? For sure Madejski's money has got our club to it:s most succesful period in it's history but I would argue that what your owners are doing is a fair bit different. At the end of the day, these people own our clubs and it's upto them what they do with their money. We have all seen recently very different ends of the spectrum as to what major foriegn investment can do.

Surely you can appreciate the interest and maybe a bit of the green eyed monster at a club in the same league as us that could well spend £13m on two of our players.

[the royal]

I knew I would get a shitty reaction to "sideways move".

At the moment, it is. Your squad might not gel at all (think Man City) and end up languishing just outside the play offs - yeah you've got big names, spent lots, but that doesn't equals results. (We also did the double over you last season) Reading however, have immense team spirit and used that team spirit to get to within one match of the Premiership last season. One disastrous half denied us a place there, IMO. And we'll be chomping at the bit to go one better.

Long will know this more than anyone. He's settled here. If it gets to January, we're mid table and your squad is doing well and is in the top 3, then it wouldn't be a sideways move.

Right now, it would be.

And for the record, We're not selling our prize assets to stay afloat - £5,000,000 for Mills we were laughing to the bank (he wasn't even our best defender last season) as he's worth about half that and is more than replaceable. And £7,500,000 for a player with a year left on their contract and who has only scored 10+ league goals in his career once at this level (10, let alone 20) that being last season, would be foolish to say no. So I wouldn't be surprised if we did accept the bid, and wouldn't if we rejected it.

If we reject it, it would be because you are a Championship side. If a Prem side came in with that offer, I would be gobsmacked if we said no.

[John Matrix]

Forest and Bristol City territory

Madejski bankrolling us? For sure Madejski's money has got our club to it:s most succesful period in it's history but I would argue that what your owners are doing is a fair bit different. At the end of the day, these people own our clubs and it's up to them what they do with their money. We have all seen recently very different ends of the spectrum as to what major foriegn investment can do.

yes, they're doing it with a much more informed and successful business model

and stop all this garbage about not gelling. a large percentage of the signings were already mates in way or another previously. watching pre season didn't show any potential problems either.

[Itsthejoeker]

I knew I would get a shitty reaction to "sideways move".

At the moment, it is. Your squad might not gel at all (think Man City) and end up languishing just outside the play offs - yeah you've got big names, spent lots, but that doesn't equals results. (We also did the double over you last season) Reading however, have immense team spirit and used that team spirit to get to within one match of the Premiership last season. One disastrous half denied us a place there, IMO. And we'll be chomping at the bit to go one better.

Long will know this more than anyone. He's settled here. If it gets to January, we're mid table and your squad is doing well and is in the top 3, then it wouldn't be a sideways move.

Right now, it would be.

And for the record, We're not selling our prize assets to stay afloat - £5,000,000 for Mills we were laughing to the bank (he wasn't even our best defender last season) as he's worth about half that and is more than replaceable. And £7,500,000 for a player with a year left on their contract and who has only scored 10+ league goals in his career once at this level (10, let alone 20) that being last season, would be foolish to say no. So I wouldn't be surprised if we did accept the bid, and wouldn't if we rejected it.

If we reject it, it would be because you are a Championship side. If a Prem side came in with that offer, I would be gobsmacked if we said no.

The majority of this squad a good friends with each other or have played together in the past so saying they won't gel is a load of bollocks.

[andog]

£5,000,000 for Mills we were laughing to the bank (he wasn't even our best defender last season) as he's worth about half that and is more than replaceable. And £7,500,000 for a player with a year left on their contract and who has only scored 10+ league goals in his career once at this level (10, let alone 20) that being last season, would be foolish to say no. So I wouldn't be surprised if we did accept the bid, and wouldn't if we rejected it.

If we reject it, it would be because you are a Championship side. If a Prem side came in with that offer, I would be gobsmacked if we said no.

Yeah I totally agree, £5mill for me was too much for Mills, however I don't agree that the reason you might not sell is cause we're a Championship side, I genuinely think you'll find it hard to replace him.

I mean you sold us Mills right?

[The Doctor]

Why does it take soo long, surely if reading was going to accept they would just do it! I know if it was me I would want to start the season with players to stay not players that may leave hoping this will be sorted and hell have his medical while playing v cov

Perhaps because we play reading in 9 days?

I'd imagine that we won't see much movement until after that game as that way reading get the money for long (assuming he wants to come) but don't have to play against him much this season.

[topharry123]

I knew I would get a shitty reaction to "sideways move".

At the moment, it is. Your squad might not gel at all (think Man City) and end up languishing just outside the play offs - yeah you've got big names, spent lots, but that doesn't equals results. (We also did the double over you last season) Reading however, have immense team spirit and used that team spirit to get to within one match of the Premiership last season. One disastrous half denied us a place there, IMO. And we'll be chomping at the bit to go one better.

Man City didn't exactly not gel immediately, the season they got taken over they finished with their highest ever points total. They may not have won the title or even finished in the top 8 but they still had their best season ever so to say they didn't gel doesn't cut it really. If we do the same then we'd win the division with the overall record points total.

Anyway back to Leicester. Realistically we have financial power and Reading do not. If we don't go up this season we will keep spending until we do and our owners seem like they are in it to take us not only to the premier league but towards the top. Reading do not have this investment and even if they do go up they will almost certaintly be struggling to survive again. You've sold your captain, and your main striker is looking like he will leave. To Leicester would not be a sideways step, it would be a step up. Last season is over and in the past so does not matter. Take Man City when they got taken over. They finished below Portsmouth and Blackburn. If a player from Portsmouth have joined them would it be a sideways step? No it would be a step up as the club has a lot more to offer. We have a lot more to offer going forwards than Reading meaning he would be stepping up not sideways.

[Leicsroyal]

yes, they're doing it with a much more informed and successful business model

and stop all this garbage about not gelling. a large percentage of the signings were already mates in way or another previously. watching pre season didn't show any potential problems either.

At the end of the day we know why they are doing it, to raise the profile of their home country.

My point is unless these owners have just turned round and said, here you go, we've got a spare £30m we don't need. I would suspect that this is money put into the club with the thought of at least getting the initial investment back.

Your player wage bill at the club must be at least £300k per week and that to all the other peoples wages that are connected with the club and the overheads associated with running a football club. All of a sudden there is a huge WEEKLY outlay that has to be recouped.

Clearly the income from merchandise and TV money can be added to your gate reciepts. I would suggest however that you would need a much bigger crowd than 30,000 every other week to get anywhere near balancing your books.

I think you are at the point now of money is no object, you have to gamble on reaching the premiership at all costs. The scales of your finances are going to be massively weighted in one direction or another, there is no break even. Hence whether you have to pay £2m or £10m for the player that you believe will get you to he promised land you will pay it.

I noticed the free Thai massage at your game on Saturday, shame it wasn't a businessman from Amsterdam that bought your club!

[botty]

I knew I would get a shitty reaction to "sideways move".

At the moment, it is. Your squad might not gel at all (think Man City) and end up languishing just outside the play offs - yeah you've got big names, spent lots, but that doesn't equals results. (We also did the double over you last season) Reading however, have immense team spirit and used that team spirit to get to within one match of the Premiership last season. One disastrous half denied us a place there, IMO. And we'll be chomping at the bit to go one better.

Long will know this more than anyone. He's settled here. If it gets to January, we're mid table and your squad is doing well and is in the top 3, then it wouldn't be a sideways move.

Right now, it would be.

And for the record, We're not selling our prize assets to stay afloat - £5,000,000 for Mills we were laughing to the bank (he wasn't even our best defender last season) as he's worth about half that and is more than replaceable. And £7,500,000 for a player with a year left on their contract and who has only scored 10+ league goals in his career once at this level (10, let alone 20) that being last season, would be foolish to say no. So I wouldn't be surprised if we did accept the bid, and wouldn't if we rejected it.

If we reject it, it would be because you are a Championship side. If a Prem side came in with that offer, I would be gobsmacked if we said no.

[21st Century Fox]

At the end of the day we know why they are doing it, to raise the profile of their home country.

My point is unless these owners have just turned round and said, here you go, we've got a spare £30m we don't need. I would suspect that this is money put into the club with the thought of at least getting the initial investment back.

Your player wage bill at the club must be at least £300k per week and that to all the other peoples wages that are connected with the club and the overheads associated with running a football club. All of a sudden there is a huge WEEKLY outlay that has to be recouped.

Clearly the income from merchandise and TV money can be added to your gate reciepts. I would suggest however that you would need a much bigger crowd than 30,000 every other week to get anywhere near balancing your books.

I think you are at the point now of money is no object, you have to gamble on reaching the premiership at all costs. The scales of your finances are going to be massively weighted in one direction or another, there is no break even. Hence whether you have to pay £2m or £10m for the player that you believe will get you to he promised land you will pay it.

I noticed the free Thai massage at your game on Saturday, shame it wasn't a businessman from Amsterdam that bought your club!

I believe initially the largest bulk of the money is invested through King Power itself, through the stadium sponsorship change. One of the reasons the race is on to get into the Premiership and why alot of foreign owners are buying up clubs is because when Sky's exclusivity deal expires for the TV rights, theres going to be mental money flying around.

[botty]

Mmm you didnt sell mills 2 stay afloat? there does'nt seem 2 b an abundance of names bein linked with u, u know aswelas us that cheque went straight in ur chairmans sky rocket. u also have all asumptions were not gona gel. Well here's an assumuption of my own we go up champions and u lot stay mid table cuz u lost ur best players 2 us and ur chairman is 2 tight and shite 2 splash this 13 mil u seem 2 b gloating about!

[21st Century Fox]

Mmm you didnt sell mills 2 stay afloat? there does'nt seem 2 b an abundance of names bein linked with u, u know aswelas us that cheque went straight in ur chairmans sky rocket. u also have all asumptions were not gona gel. Well here's an assumuption of my own we go up champions and u lot stay mid table cuz u lost ur best players 2 us and ur chairman is 2 tight and shite 2 splash this 13 mil u seem 2 b gloating about!

Seriously mate "to" it's one extra finger movement.

[Adster]

Mmm you didnt sell mills 2 stay afloat? there does'nt seem 2 b an abundance of names bein linked with u, u know aswelas us that cheque went straight in ur chairmans sky rocket. u also have all asumptions were not gona gel. Well here's an assumuption of my own we go up champions and u lot stay mid table cuz u lost ur best players 2 us and ur chairman is 2 tight and shite 2 splash this 13 mil u seem 2 b gloating about!

Erm, what?

[Leicsroyal]

Mmm you didnt sell mills 2 stay afloat? there does'nt seem 2 b an abundance of names bein linked with u, u know aswelas us that cheque went straight in ur chairmans sky rocket. u also have all asumptions were not gona gel. Well here's an assumuption of my own we go up champions and u lot stay mid table cuz u lost ur best players 2 us and ur chairman is 2 tight and shite 2 splash this 13 mil u seem 2 b gloating about!

Is that in Thai?