Forum | Did history just repeat itself with Michu and Vipotnik? by joserobertorene

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Did history just repeat itself with Michu and Vipotnik? 19:55 - Oct 26 with 208 views

It’s been many years now since Michu had that incredible first season. Back then, we didn't have such easy access to the internet, as many social media platforms, or the constant stream of rumours like we do today. I remember reading somewhere that when the Russian league was looking to expand and do what Saudi Arabia is doing now, Michu was a target, and a £60 million offer was supposedly on the horizon. To me, that sounded absurd—that was the kind of money paid for Zidane years earlier.

I don't know how true that rumour was, but I also recall reading that no offer would be accepted for our star player at the time. If that offer was genuine, turned down, it was arguably the most brutal financial management error in our Premier League era. With those funds, the scope for reinforcements would have been huge, and perhaps we wouldn't have been relegated if we'd built a stronger squad.

The current situation with Vipotnik made me think back to this. We might not have sold him for £20 million, but perhaps £15 million was on the table. We’ve kept him, and now he’s sitting on the bench, being largely irrelevant, and we’ve missed out on a financial opportunity that looks like it was a one-off. If that sale had gone through, maybe we’d have a couple more players in the squad and be in a stronger position.

Although I think QPR was a final wake-up call to determine whether we’re fighting for a miracle automatic promotion spot or if we need to focus on the playoffs, it’s clear the squad has improved, the business was better overall, and Matos is building something. Still, I can't help thinking that keeping Vipi might end up being the mistake of the season, and it reminds me that perhaps the exact same thing happened with Michu all those years ago.

The proudest Mexican to love Swansea City

Did history just repeat itself with Michu and Vipotnik? on 20:09 - Oct 26 with 165 views

Dr_Winston

Michu was always on borrowed time. His ankles were knackered before he signed for us. It's one of the reasons we got him so cheap in the first place. Other clubs were aware, but decided not to take the risk. It was always possible, maybe even likely that he'd struggle to hit the same heights again.

Vipotnik this season has two goals and an assist in three starts, in a team playing in a way to suit another striker. There's absolutely no reason to believe that if we shifted back to a style that suited him and actually gave him a game or two to get up to speed he couldn't be as prolific as he was last campaign.

Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair, or f*cking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back.

Did history just repeat itself with Michu and Vipotnik? on 20:30 - Oct 26 with 125 views

max936

Did history just repeat itself with Michu and Vipotnik? on 20:09 - Oct 26 by Dr_Winston

Kicking the hoardings didn't help his ankles,

Did history just repeat itself with Michu and Vipotnik? on 20:47 - Oct 26 with 70 views

Dr_Winston

Did history just repeat itself with Michu and Vipotnik? on 20:30 - Oct 26 by max936
Kicking the hoardings didn't help his ankles,

Just not a factor. Repeated so often that people take it for gospel, but not true.

Guy I used to work with had a missus in the X-Ray dept at Morriston Hospital. Michu was a regular there from early in the first season.

Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair, or f*cking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back.

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