I don't mind the actual negotiations - the club is entitled to be cautious - but it's the pace that alarms me. It's positively Parry-esque. Go back and forth as much as you like, but do it promptly and with proper urgency. We drag out every damn stage of the talks, which just makes us look amateurish. If Ayre approached player issues with the focus and clinical professionalism that he shows in commercial deals, he'd be a good executive.