It is self-evident that fans want their club to emerge from a transfer window in a stronger position than when it opened.
It goes without saying that the manager is always likewise minded.
However, the people who have to pay the bills and balance the books often don’t see it that way.
That can inevitably lead to friction between the dugout and the board room.
Last November Mr Gerrard said that regarding Alfredo Morelos:
“I will fall out with people to keep him here, that’s how much I like him”.
Moreover, he said that to the cameras without PR minders being in a position to intervene.
There is a rather cynical view that people in the Blue Room, having seen the hole in the published accounts that month, had decided to sell the South American.
It is a rather remarkable coincidence that the putative price tag for the striker is very similar to the financial shortfall.
Indeed, there is a glib and shameless desire to bring in between £12m-£14m for the player.
It is always wise to have a contingency plan in place and perhaps the loan deal for Jermaine Defoe was to sooth Mr Gerard if he lost Morelos.
I’m told that the ex-Liverpool U18 coach also wanted to bring in Ashley Cole, but it wasn’t to be.
It is undeniable that the financial problems remain extant if they get no offers of that size for the Colombian frontman during this window.
Then there is small footie problem that apparently Mr Gerrard does not have a midfield that can operate behind a front two of Defoe and Morelos.
The defeat to Kilmarnock rather underlined that.
There is a Plan B and that is to offload Morelos and Tavernier for a combined sum close to the required amount.
Of course, that would excise all of the genuine equity from the squad just to get to the season ticket renewal time.
I was steered today in the direction that Mr John Bennett had NOT gone off script recently apropos the unsustainability of getting by on director loans.
Rather this was a way of preparing the fans for some tough decisions ahead.
I just hope that the Sevco High Command has fully briefed Mr Gerrard on that one.
Just so that there are no embarrassing slips ups in front of the cameras.
Discover more from Phil Mac Giolla Bháin
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Anyone scouting The Petted Lip might be impressed with his goal return but on the other hand his on field behaviour would see him constantly in bother in a league where the Lanarkshire Referees Association has no pull.
Perhaps thats why EPL clubs are not all over the Columbian man/boy.
I wonder if Gerrard, or anyone at Ibrox, made a phone call to the media reported French club interested in Alfredo, just as Gerrard claimed they did with Southampton when their interest in Tavernier was mooted, only to have that interest knocked on the head.
47 hours till the window closes, Gerrard will be hoping that no further phone calls to interested clubs will be required as the clock runs down.
Interesting. I think the reaction would be too much at this stage of the season. It will be the summer if CL revenue is not forthcoming, there can be no doubt of that.
Plans C and D are currently being explored. HH
If deadco could find anyone willing to part with £1.2 – £1.4 million that would be a profit on their outlay and a true reflection of his worth.
Outside of Scotland (and without a compliant SFA referee system) the duffalo sodjer would spend 60% of every season suspended with his attitude and disciplinary record.