Karim Ansarifard

[Maltared]

Is he training with us?

If not then it’s gonna take some time before he’s gonna be match fit.

Agree...we will not see him starting a game before Christmas....nd probably it will be too cold ...so he will be rested ...lol

[Duncan Mckenzie]

He had a pre-season with Olympiakos so as long as he has been training with us whilst the delay is being sorted out then he shouldn't be too far away.

[Maltared]

He had a pre-season with Olympiakos so as long as he has been training with us whilst the delay is being sorted out then he shouldn't be too far away.

Yacob and the greek has been training with us for over a month now, and apart from a token appearance on the subs bench for the former, we havent heard much about them ... its not as if we are winning each game 5 or 6 goals nil ... if these players will not improve what is being served at present, so they must not be that much different from the Wards and the Bouchs we had last season...

[Duncan Mckenzie]

He had a pre-season with Olympiakos so as long as he has been training with us whilst the delay is being sorted out then he shouldn't be too far away.

Yacob and the greek has been training with us for over a month now, and apart from a token appearance on the subs bench for the former, we havent heard much about them ... its not as if we are winning each game 5 or 6 goals nil ... if these players will not improve what is being served at present, so they must not be that much different from the Wards and the Bouchs we had last season...

I can understand your frustration Maltared but the fact is that we can only choose 11 players. The squad is so much stronger now and it was always going to be a problem to accomodate 25 good players into a team of 11, but it's a nice problem to have.

[Maltared]

He had a pre-season with Olympiakos so as long as he has been training with us whilst the delay is being sorted out then he shouldn't be too far away.

Yacob and the greek has been training with us for over a month now, and apart from a token appearance on the subs bench for the former, we havent heard much about them ... its not as if we are winning each game 5 or 6 goals nil ... if these players will not improve what is being served at present, so they must not be that much different from the Wards and the Bouchs we had last season...

I can understand your frustration Maltared but the fact is that we can only choose 11 players. The squad is so much stronger now and it was always going to be a problem to accomodate 25 good players into a team of 11, but it's a nice problem to have.

Duncan, to be honest, more than frustration its more of a bit of decision questioning. When we signed these two players , especially Yacob, many in here (that knew about his capabilities-too be honest i dont know much about him, so i really on others), said that he was a good player and will improve us. As said before , if you analyze each game that we played after their signing, we cannot say that our midfield was premiership class and dominating, so it needed improving. We brought these two players, expecting them to be better than what we have, and not of similar ilk, if they are the same level or even less than, for me, we brought them here just to make up the numbers and stop gap for injuries and suspensions. I thought that those situations were going (and should) be filled by our young players. What was the use of keeping Yates here? and what about Bridcutt? what wrong did this fella do to be treated like he is? 
Our midfield needs a master (ala Roy Keane), if we dont find one, we will struggle, cause we rarely impose our game thus limiting the damage and pressure on the defence. By midfielders dropping back infront of the defence doesnt help the same defence, but increase the pressure and chances of mistakes.

[Username]

He had a pre-season with Olympiakos so as long as he has been training with us whilst the delay is being sorted out then he shouldn't be too far away.

That’s why I was wondering if he had been training with us?

[Duncan Mckenzie]

Lets put this to bed.

Ansarifard did NOT play for Olympiakos last night.

End of.

He won't be in their squad, his contract was confirmed as cancelled by the Greek FA. He is no longer an Olympiacos player.

Exactly!

[Redderthanred]

And that's why we were allowed to approach him outside of the transfer window - because he is a Free Agent.

[Duncan Mckenzie]

And that's why we were allowed to approach him outside of the transfer window - because he is a Free Agent.

That is true, to a certain extent.

The truth is though that he was still contracted to Olympiakos on the 31st August when the transfer window closed.

Then a few days later his contract was cancelled and backdated.

[Duncan Mckenzie]

And that's why we were allowed to approach him outside of the transfer window - because he is a Free Agent.

That is true, to a certain extent.

The truth is though that he was still contracted to Olympiakos on the 31st August when the transfer window closed.

Then a few days later his contract was cancelled and backdated.

Which is why I suspect we'll probably not see him until Jan 1...

Good point NG3  ;)

[Widdow]

And that's why we were allowed to approach him outside of the transfer window - because he is a Free Agent.

That is true, to a certain extent.

The truth is though that he was still contracted to Olympiakos on the 31st August when the transfer window closed.

Then a few days later his contract was cancelled and backdated.

Which is why I suspect we'll probably not see him until Jan 1...

That was same situation as there big Greek Tach, he didn’t seem to have a problem. It must be down to work permit issues

It’s getting a bit of a farce really.

[Harvey]

What's the story? Take it this is no longer happening?