Written by Damian Monday, 04 January 2010 10:41
Morning all welcome to the transfer window. The window has been open for a few days and Martin O'Neill has already changed his stance on what he is going to do. While I suspect this is more down to players wanting to leave, you never know, Randy Lerner could be offering up the money to get a top four finish. What do you think it is?
O'Neill has admitted recently what we all know; Craig Gardner wants to play football. So, chances are, now that that is in the public domain, he will be off this month and it's not nice. It's not nice because, well, it doesn't matter, it has all been said before.
So, with the news that Gardner wants to play football we also have news, okay, speculation, that we are after some players. The first we are apparently 'waiting in the wings' for is French 31 year old striker Frédéric Piquionne.
Piquionne is currently on loan at Portsmouth who are in meltdown, so he'll probably join the first club to guarantee his salary, but it won't be us. Or actually, I hope it won't be us. It's not that I'm sure he wouldn't be able to do some sort of a job, it's that I know how long O'Neill spends on evaluating a player and he would simply be wasting his time targeting a player that is 32 years old this year.
We all know the type of player we want. We have entered this year two places worse off than last year and we need to make serious inroads into bringing the type of player to the club that can help us take the next step and not just the next mile.
But, that is what makes the transfer window and this time of the season interesting. You don't have to be a genius to know who is going to win this league at the start of the season and you don't have to be a genius to figure out where we are going to finish if we don't strengthen. Yes, we have optimism and hope and we can pray for a miracle or we might get lucky, but we failed last January and the January before that.
Now is the time. We either add the quality or we don't. It isn't about numbers as we know O'Neill won't use them or doesn't really need them, it is now about quality. The real quality needs to come. Come on Mr Lerner, surprise me.
IF the surprise comes, I'll let you know, otherwise, this might be it for today.
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Jeddy
said:
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... Regardless of how much money MON has to spend, he won't do anything until the last week/day of the window. Think I'll start checking the gossip columns w/c 25th  |
Juan Pablo Angel
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... Time to cut out the dead wood. Harewood - £3m Gardner - £4m Osbourne - £750,000 Salifou - Free Shorey - £3m £10m made available for transfers and five players totalling probably around £100k in wages too. We would still have two players in every position on the park and £10m and £100k available to help bring in a prolific striker in the summer. GK - Friedel, Guzan RB - Young, Beye LB - Warnock, Bouma CB - Collins, Dunne CB - Davies, Cuellar RW - Downing, Albrighton LW - Young, AM - Milner, Delph CM - Sidwell DM - Reo Coker, Petrov CF - Heskey, Carew SS - Agbonlahor, Delfouneso I would like to see a creative, versatile midfielder come in during January. Someone young to compete for places and provide cover. Ideally a player that is happy on the wing AND in the middle or young enough to be trained in this way. No one too expensive or ambitious, I just feel if there is one area of the pitch we are a little light it is on the wings and could do with a player that can double up creatively in the middle. McGeady, Dorrans, Pennant, Benayoun, Collison, Babel, Adam Johnson, Adel Tarabt, O'Hara. Just a few ideas to show how i'm thinking. This would be a good move imo and would then mean we had a lean, mean, trim looking squad with quality and cover everywhere. A top striker would then top us off, although if Heskey or Carew go we would need to replce them too. Target men I'd consider would be: Andy Carrol, Carlton Cole, Kenwyne Jones, James Beattie, Bendtner As far as an established world class striker goes you can speculate, but there aren't many we could realistically get....yet. |
StickyAV
said:
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... Gardner is a villan through and through. That's why it is a shame that I have to say let him go. He's not good enough for me, never has been. Has always looked like a very good championship player to me. Nothing more. Sorry Craig. Good luck if you do go. With Milner in the middle, delph developing, petrov playing the holding role nicely, and cocker performing when he comes in there is not place for him. All the above are better players IMO. |
av dan 78
said:
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... not gonna happen damo you know it i know it would not be at all surprised to see this lad from portsmouth in a villa shirt by end of jan. |
Mostyn
said:
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... RV Nistelrooy will be 34yrs this year and we seem to think he'd be a catch. Piquionne looks the business at Pompey and has impressed. He certainly has a different dimension to his game than Gabby. |
carlpalmeravfc
said:
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... im pretty sure that this January will be no different to all the others. i'll be expecting a couple of players to leave in the first few weeks, and a couple to join in the last week... not me being negative, just un-expectant! however i feel the players that go, wont really affect the team too much over the next 5/6 games, however i do think one of the players to come in will be a first 11 player (prob striker) im still hopeful that we can get the season back on track and still CHALLENGe for a top 4 place... we were on a 10 game unbeaten run.. i dont see what reason we have to go again after losing to 2 of the tops teams over a busy xmas period... YES WE CAN!!! |
Rios.Jockstrap
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... Dont mind Gardener leaving if thats what he wants, but we should not sell to the Pile of shite. |
vijay
said:
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... I would bring in Robbie Keane and Bentley on loan to see how he fits into the team. I dont think Lerner will be coming up with any cash, ofcourse if Gardner and Heskey leaves then we will have about 8 million to spend, and unfortunately we wont make top 4 either |
Juan Pablo Angel
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... With Piquionne I believe it may be a case that if we lose one of the big guys we will need cover quick and the guy is available, playing in the league already and he would cost sod all to sign. We know MoN will not spend big in Jan and we also know he is happy to sign up a player to do a job short term. Just think of Piquionne as a higher quality Marlon Harewood, so we'd avoid having to play Harewood aever again. I'm confident Fonz has a long term future at the club and we need four strikers available to continue our tilt at a trophy this year. The summer is the time to sign the player we need because we aren't a massive club yet and don't have the draw to pick and choose in january...or the funds. |
Mostyn
said:
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... Robbie Keane - No thanks. His best days are gone. Even Spurs don't want him. Bentley is a nancy boy who doesn't work hard enough for the team. |
kiddervilla the real me
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... im just wondering now how long it will take for the spuds to show a interest in this piquionne now that we have, whats the betting 1 hour 2 hours, just like to say watched him a few times this season and have been really impressed with him so why not give it a go after all what is to lose, |
ak_27
said:
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... Regarding midfielders we need a creative force not another winger(no to Bently, McGeady, Pennant, Babel). We need a player who can spot the passes when they are and is actually comfortable on the ball. We need a player who like Merson always seems to be able to make space and time for himself and then do the damage when something is on. Not sure who could do this and would actually be available in Jan. I would like perhaps Defour and Jonanivic to both come in as both would fill what we lack currently. Jonanvic would be the striker who can link the play and Defour our CM playmaker. I also think Andy Reid could do a great job for us and would have him any day over McGeady. Far far better and more complete player then McGeady ever will be. Piquionne is a player who do a job for us maybe also if we lose a target man. Very akward but not great in front of goal. But for some reason he has impressed me while at Pompy. I don't know why but i think he could be a very useful option. JPA Andy Carroll is brutal in my opinion. Barely good enough for the championship. Beattie could do a job. Jones would be too expendsive and is according to Sunderland fans very hit and miss. |
Juan Pablo Angel
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... I would bring in Robbie Keane and Bentley on loan to see how he fits into the team. Vijay, you are mental. Spurs will not loan us two players. We are their direct rivals and and they'll want transfer funds to buy a new CB. Bentley would do a job, but I wonder about his attitude. Keane is a good player, but I think Spurs would want far too much for him to make it worth it for us. Get this pacey French old codger with the good finish in from Portsmouth for a season and see how we get on. He looks like he has goals in him and with the service he'd get I think he could do well. He would be a useful alternative to Gabby if fatigue sets in later in the year and I think he'd play well with someone like Heskey. |
kiddervilla the real me
said:
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... damian why do my post always gets admined and takes 20 mins why does it come up has use another name after i just logged in with that name and got a e mail saying welcome to the villa blog |
Damian
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... kiddervilla the real me i see that you have enabled your account - but you have never logged in. remember, it is case sensitive |
Juan Pablo Angel
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... ak, I see what you mean. I just feel that with Milner playing in the centre and providing our creativity we could do with another winger. We have three wingers competing for two positions when in an ideal world you'd have four. Babel would provided cover and double up as a striker and the reason I listed some of the others is because they can play centrally aswell. I believe you aware that I don't like Reid and I suppose if i could have anyone it'd be Joe Cole. Piquionne has impressed you because he scores goals and looks better than every other player in that Portsmouth team. He really does have a great finish and I've seen him clinically finish more than a few chances this season and Portsmouth aren't the most creative side. I wouldn't mind him as cover and a cheap short term solution. Beattie is a player i've always liked and would defiunitely score us goals. Carrol is young, but has some good qualities. Carlton Cole looks the part these days, but he was just as brutal as a youngster. Target man is a difficulkt one because goal scoring isn't necessarily the main reason you'd buy one so other talents are looked at too. Kenwyne Jones is absolute class. With the right coaching and the right team around him that boy would be awesome. £12m would do it. |
Bakewell
said:
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... Does anyone think that MON will make a bid for Beckford? He could be worth a gamble on a Routledge style contract. |
vijay
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... Juan Pable mate, i meant Bentley on loan and would sign Keane for 6-8 million, we dont much of a choice in Jan, Piquionne would not be the type of player to help us make top 4, better option is James Beattie, i think we're gonna find it really hard but as long as we win the carling cup i will be happy, i dont have great expectations, Lerner will not spend in a big way ever, we need new investment if we are ever going to make it to the top 4 |
Juan Pablo Angel
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...Does anyone think that MON will make a bid for Beckford? No. Because he would struggle at premier league level. We have Gabby and FOnz and this guy is a similar player but with no quality on the ball and he just runs. No looking up and thinking about things. He is also a pr**k off the pitch and we know what MoN thinks of people like that. Honestly, a flukey goal in the cup at OT and you'd think he was Pele. He could be worth a gamble on a Routledge style contract. I don't think someone as arrogant would sign a deal like this. He'll end up at Sheffield United or Newcastle or QPR on too much money and probably end up getting promoted and scoring a handful of goals in a relegation dog fight. It's tough to step up, look at Nugent, Trevor Benjamin, Harewood, Chopra, Hulse, Doyle, Morrison, Adebola, Sturridge etc etc. |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... Out Sidwell - £4m Harewood - £3m Gardner - £4m Osbourne - £750,000 Salifou - Free Shorey - £3m In Parker - £6m McGeady - £6m Jones - £8m + Heskey Net £5mill spend...done!! Parker is a class act (great engine, passer and breaks forward well) and would fit perfectly in the middle with Petrov and Milner in a 5 man midfield. McGeady is a different class and in my opinion better than Young. Would give great competition to Downing and Young and can also play in the middle in an attacking role. Jones. Has all the attributes to become as good as Drogba. Strong, skilful, quick, good in the air and a great finisher. Just needs time. Dream Team Friedel L Young Cueller Dunne Warnock Petrov Parker McGeady Milner Downing Jones Guzan Collins Bouma Delph A Young Gabby Carew Man, I'm good at this!! |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
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...and btw Kenwyne Jones at 12 million would be a total waste of money I don't think he would, he would be a better long term investment than Keane for around the same price. I think Spurs would ask for nearer £10m considering they are selling to a rival and it's during the Jan window. Jones would be a great alternative to Heskey or Carew and he is much much younger. we need new investment if we are ever going to make it to the top 4 You underestimate how close we are. Piquionne would not be the type of player to help us make top 4, I am certain he would score goals. If he can play well and score as many as he has for Pompey then he'd probably get double the amount for us. If a player can come in and get ten goals between now and the end of the season then that is exactly what we need. That is what will push us toward top four, more goals. Keane for £8-£10m or Piquionne for £3m? I think i'd go with the frenchman and have a look at the market in June. |
StickyAV
said:
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... AK - Babel as a forward not winger. His preffered position is straight down the middle, he says himself. When you look at the goals he scores, straight pile drivers (not curlers), it's pretty obvious he'd be better in a central position. He has been used as a winger by Benitez, but was a forward for Ajax. I think if Babel was played as a striker down the middle regularly, he could score plenty. |
astonguerrilla
said:
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... Makes sense to sell Gardner, he's a good player, but not world-class. I know he hasn't really had a fair run in the first team and he's usually been played out of position, but he's 23 now and if he really did have the quality then he'd have had more first team opportunities. The sale of Gary Cahill is still a sour point for a lot of Villa fans but if you look at him now you can't really see where he'd fit into our current defence, he'd still be a fringe player at 24. |
RockSteady
said:
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... Silly season is back and with it the return of taglor, vogra and the other transfer window doom and gloom merchants. Should be fun Seriously tough, I think Keane would do a great job and I don't believe his best days are behind him. He's very creative and thats exactly what we need. But, as JPA said, I would not pay more than 9-10 million for him. |
ak_27
said:
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...Kenwyne Jones is absolute class. With the right coaching and the right team around him that boy would be awesome. £12m would do it. If we signed him we would just end up going back down the long ball route which is something we need to be going in the other direction completely. He is def more mobile then our current target men but like i said a lot of Sunderland fans think he is really hit and miss and they see him every week. Not sure he would get the right coaching here to change him as im not sure how good our coaches really are. He would be a gamble and it wouldn't be a cheap gamble either. Andy Reid is one many probably don't get but again ive seen him play for the ROI many times and always keep an eye out for him as i just love the skills he has at his disposal and just like Dunne he is very underated and is far more gifted on the ball then any player we currently have at the club. He has real vision and also the ability to hit the pin point passes once he see's the oppertunity. He could really bring the best out of Gabbys pace which is something we really aren't exploiting to the maximum. Milner has impressed me but im still not 100% convinced that he will be off the ability to be our playmaker and take us onto the next level. Hopefully he can but i just have this doubt in my mind about him in the centre which i can't explain. Time will tell. I still think that a creative link striker is our most pressing issue which if we could sign someone like Joanovic it could make a huge difference to how we play. Tuncay should really have been bought in the summer. |
Christian1983
said:
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... What we need is a midfield magician. Like AK said, a Merson-esque player. Someone who can pick a pass, split a defence, find space, beat a man, score a few and offers that bit of flair- we need Fabregas or Iniesta!!!!! Now, I don't know how much cash we have or how good MON might be at persuading players to sign, but I think we can rule these two out  So, Andy Reid's not a bad shout. Pity we missed out on Krancjar. Arteta would be fabulous, but would Everton sell? Could we steal him whilst he's injured and Everton may have 'doubts' over him?? Hmmmm, I don't know. I'm sure there's a star out there waiting to make it big in the Prem- but I'm not a scout. So for me it's Arteta. £15m and Everton will do business I reckon. Go get him Martin!!! |
Badger
said:
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... Why on earth are we talking about the likes of Piqionne and Beattie? The former "prolific" finisher has amassed a whopping 3 goals this season and even if you go with the theory that he'd double it at Villa, it's still not enough. As for Beattie, well he's got 3 goals too at a club that have been doing better than Pompey. I can only assume we're talking about getting this tripe in if one of ours goes, yes? In which case forget it, because neither Carew or Heskey will be leaving if they're only going to be replaced by rubbish no more productive or younger than what we have now, imo. I can't believe we're talking about players of this calibre. And some are saying Keane is past his best! God, roll on the end of the window, I hate it as much as MON I think |
ak_27
said:
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...Arteta would be fabulous Yes he would be a fantastic signing. Really top player. Probably as good a player we could attract to the club at the moment. Don't know if Everton would sell to us though but they do need the money. It probably wouldn't go down well with Moyes and the fans if he was sold to Villa. |
Christian1983
said:
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... Well said Badger!! When did Beattie last score in open play?? He only takes penalties! I don't see any of the 'Big 4/5' fighting it out over these two. If we aren't gonna sign QUALITY that can walk straight into the 1st team, I'd rather not sign anyone because our bench is pretty strong anyway. |
ak_27
said:
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...Why on earth are we talking about the likes of Piqionne and Beattie? I think people are discussing these types because chances are this is what MON is looking at. |
1874AVFC
said:
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...Tuncay should really have been bought in the summer. Is that the same Tuncay who hardly starts for Stoke - no thanks!! Don't think Shorey will be sold either - he has just extended his loan at Forest till the end of Jan. |
Christian1983
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...I think people are discussing these types because chances are this is what MON is looking at. Depressing, isn't it... |
PaulMcGrathsGoneAWOL
said:
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... JPA Im not sure we need any of those strikers you mention, Andy Carrol, Carlton Cole, Kenwyne Jones, James Beattie, Bendtner. The only one I can see making any difference is K Jones, but I cant see us buying him while we still have Heskey and Carew. C Cole has improved a great deal in the past 12 months but is he any different to what we have? Andy Carroll Ive seen only a few times I must admit but he's never impressed me that much. Beattie and Bentdner arent prolific enough. I just want to see The Fonz playing a bit more, everytime I watch him he looks like a real player and gives defences a headache. Always looks like scoring and seems to know where the goal is better than Gabby, I think he's a more natural striker than Gabby and he seems to act on instinct rather than thinking about what he should do next. |
ak_27
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...Is that the same Tuncay who hardly starts for Stoke - no thanks!! He doesn't play for Stoke as he doesn't fit into their style of football. Where we are going we need this type of stiker. By the way he ran the show at home againest us a few weeks ago. |
Chiefy
said:
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... Good news people EMULE is excited about the Liverpool link wooohoooo bye EMULE thanks for well .................. NOTHING bye bye can i help you with your cases at all ?? Cant wait for tomorrow i am going COME ON |
Chrisodon
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... You know reading the names of players want is quite disheartening for a club of our stature and supposed aims of the top 4. I mean Beattie is just like the mule but worse IMO, He's just another typical english CF who does nothing but bully players. The guy flopped at everton, Went to sheff then looked like a polished turd in that league, Now he's at stoke and isn't exactly great there. Then there's Andy reid who can jig around the ball but the little fat f**ker does sod all else, hence why he was bombed out of spurs, and to say he's better than Mcgeady is laughable i've watched that lad rip some good defenders apart in the champions league and also playing well for your country means sod all in club football!! I'll use David Healy as that example. Then there's tuncay who is another Dirk Kuyt loads of guile and graft put absolutely no end product, And before someone say he doesn't suit there style of play...well we hardly play a nice passing game so he'd be the same for us as he is them. And anyone that thinks Andy Carrol is a good player needs a Cat scan. I Don't have the answers to who we need but f**ksake we really are scraping the barrel with wanting these players. Sorry for any dodgy spelling as i wrote the thing on ps3 as the pc is broke. |
Badger
said:
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...Don't think Shorey will be sold either - he has just extended his loan at Forest till the end of Jan. That tells me Forest might well be trying to sort the money out. I'd expect him to be gone. |
Chiefy
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...I Don't have the answers to who we need but f**ksake we really are scraping the barrel with wanting these players Now on face value this may be true but MON does no what he is doing : YOUNG, MILNER, CUELLAR, COLLINS, DUNNE, DOWNING while he has made a few errors his success's out way them |
Rob_The_Villain
said:
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... Petric from Hamburg, scored goals against us and England, makes clever runs, creates goals as well as scores them, 29 years old so could get him quite cheaply. |
Badger
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...I think people are discussing these types because chances are this is what MON is looking at. Possibly. And he'd come to the conclusion that they're no better than what we have and do nothing. This is why I really don't think we'll be buying, as the small ammounts of quality available will be stupid money. Maybe a punt on a kid. So for me it's Arteta. £15m and Everton will do business I reckon. Go get him Martin!!! Now he's exactly the sort we need imo. But he's crocked (again) and very injury prone. |
vijay
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... This is the first transfer window when im not going to criticise Mon, I dont think its his fault, which manager wouldnt want to sign a top striker for 15 million in january and mon is no different, he hasnt got the money so he has to do with what he's got, Lerner has to sort things out this summer if he really wants top 4 , otherwise we're being fooled and mon wont carry on for long especially when the man u job comes along, i think mon has taken has as far as he can, no other manager could have done what he has. |
Chrisodon
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... Apart from young and collins the rest were good established players. The names being mentioned are of a quality we no longer need or want. |
clove
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... Everyone disagreed with me in the summer when i was screaming out 4 darren bent now we're talking piq..... and beattie, would the likes of spurs man city and liverpool buys these players. lets be honest we only need a striker but would still like bentley. Robbie keane for me 8-10m lets get him 8yrs later wen we first should of got him , oh and darren bent, told you so |
boumavilla
said:
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... i think parker comin to the villa wud only ever happen if either reo-coker or sidwell left and jones would only come if heskey or carew were to leave same with piquionne... but maybe somebody with a bit of flexibility to come in perhaps a babel or a bentley? UTV    |
Villain down South
said:
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... As a stop gap loan deal, Ruud Van N would be a great January signing. The sort that could have the affect of getting us the goals for 4th place! |
ak_27
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... Chrisodon you ask any ROI fan who they think is better and 90% would pick Andy Reid over McGeady every day of the week. McGeady can beat a few players but his crossing makes Milner on a bad day look like Beckham. He hits the first man 9/10 times. Reid had a bad name but he has put that behind him and he is fully fit now. Again huge parallels with Dunne in his career and by the way this is what many on here were also saying about Dunne in the summer when he was linked. I really don't think you watch too much football if all you are basing what you know about Reid on performances he put in for another club over 3 years ago. As for David Healy he is crap. He didn't play for the ROI though. well we hardly play a nice passing game so he'd be the same for us as he is them No we don't and part of why we don't is because we lack the likes of a Tuncay in the side to get the ball to and be creative. |
Rob L
said:
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... K Jones in my opinion would have to be the priority. 2 reasons, firstly, with a fresh start i think he would prosper, and 2, instead of investing in the hypothetical target man replacement, (piquionne/bendtner etc), we would have a ready made replacement with far more skill than the fee we would have to pay would indicate. |
frem
said:
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... Celtic have said it will take 10mil to get Mgeady. Lets get him them. We cant let the scum get a player of his quality. He will bring what we need in midfield. He can play on the wings or atacive mid. He has flair, bags and bags of skill and great vision. Other players i would like in center mid would be Arteta, Dos Antos, Ozil or Defour. Robbie Keane would be great for us. Links up play and a good goalscorrer. Come on MON buy Quality. |
ak_27
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...Possibly. Im of the same opinion to be honest. Victor Moses for £5m? Palace need the cash. |
boumavilla
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... ak_27 i agree...victor moses is certainly a potential star!! palace want 3million i think but dont 4get the other teams interested  UTV |
Matty
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... I agree with Badger, although I think we will struggle to find a striker of the calibre we need. We should snap Chelsea's hand off if they come in with an offer for Heskey. I just don't get what they see in him. Delfonueso and Delph should start/play more. Delph especially showed some touches of class and variety in midfield on Saturday which we badly need through the middle. |
Badger
said:
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...Victor Moses for £5m? Palace need the cash That's more like how MON would be thinking, imo. I don't know much about him, apart from us being linked a couple of seasons back. Apparently he can play a few places, but mainly left wing? And I get a feeling that MON likes to help out clubs that are struggling, so yes, it could be on. One thing I've come to the conclusion to though, is that any player we've been linked to is absolute utter bollox. I'd guess the media hate MON because he plays his cards to close to his chest |
Matty
said:
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... I don't think Victor Moses would be a bad buy for the right price. He's promising young English talent. the sort MON likes to go for. Can't find much footage of him though. Anyone know any more? |
ak_27
said:
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... I think he plays up front as well. Saw him score a cracking over head kick a few weeks ago from the edge of the box. Barca were reported to be interested a few weeks ago also which can mean that he is really talented or that newspapers just will make up any bs that they want. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
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... Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Downing and Beye were scraping the barrel in the summer and now look at them. I am speculating about who we might get and trying to see whether there might be any truth in any of these rumours. JPA I said if we lose one of the big guys (Heskey or Carew) The only one I can see making any difference is K Jones, but I cant see us buying him while we still have Heskey and Carew. See above. Andy Carroll Ive seen only a few times I must admit but he's never impressed me that much. Beattie and Bentdner arent prolific enough. Carrol is young and built like an ox, a handful for anyone. Wait and see, I think he'll be a player. As for Beattie he's been in and out with injury this season and last year he was a big reason Stoke stayed up. He was great at Southampton and has scored goals whereever he has been except at Everton because they never played to his strengths as they don't have any out and out wingers to put crosses on his head and he's not got the pace to run in behind. As for Bendtner not being prolific enough? Wiki him, check his age and then check how many goals he scored last seaon in all competitions. I swear people on here don't bother watching other football apart from Villa. Broaden your horizons men. Ak, a pleasure disagreeing with you as always. Piquionne would do a job if we lost Heskey or Carew. There is no big money talent around at the moment and it'd be follish to buy in Jan unless we have to. |
ak_27
said:
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...I swear people on here don't bother watching other football apart from Villa. Broaden your horizons men I agree. Bendtner seems to have found his feet now at Arsenal(no coincidence that happened when that w****r Adebayor left) and was playing very well. I would say that Wenger actually chose him over Adebayor as they really didn't get on. I doubt Arsenal have any interest in selling him now as he really was on form this season before he got injured. |
Matty
said:
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... Palace fans seem resigned to the fact Moses is going. I think we should put in a 3million pound offer. We might well get that for Heskey! |
StickyAV
said:
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... To be fair JPA, he scores goals, but he misses a whole lot more than he scores. Bendtner is watched by arse fans regularly and I have never met one who thinks he is a really good player. He'd be a good aquisition don't get me wrong, but he needs to improve his finishing (as you said, age is on his side). |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... Man City want Moses apparently, but I believe if we wanted him he may come to us because of our reputation with young domestic players. Just depends how much palace want. If it becomes a bidding war it could get silly. |
RockSteady
said:
|
... ak_27 - I'm Irish and I can tell you for certain that I would be disgusted if McGeady came to VP. He's CRAP! The jury is still out on Reid but he's a better bet than the other fairy. I still think Keane is the right call. As someone said above, K Jones arrival would promote long balls and thats not want we want. Keane is a great creative link player and would flourish playing off Gabby or Carew. |
frosty
said:
 |
... I'd take Jo on loan until the end of the season without a doubt, I always feel he will score when we play him, if it doesn't work he can always go back, I don't fancy he's a MON signing though. Everton boss David Moyes is considering a move for Portsmouth's on-loan striker Frederic Piquionne , after confirming he wants Brazilian striker Jo out of the club as soon as possible. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...but he needs to improve his finishing (as you said, age is on his side). He scored 15 goals in all comps last year, despite being mainly a sub and despite being out through injury. He offers something none of the other Arsenal forwards have, strength. He can head it too and loves an outrageous effort from range and scored a couple of screamers last season. He would be a great acquisition, but I don't think Wenger would sell him. The Arsenal fan sitting next to me has an IQ of 162 and has been a season ticket holder for 9 years. He seems to think he's pretty good. I admire his determination and his enthusiasm and confidence despite all the sh*t he's had to put up with. |
Badger
said:
|
...I don't fancy he's a MON signing though. To say the least. Very good player, but way too disruptive. That's the second time he's walked out isn't it? I can't see citeh wanting him back, so they might be willing to pay a big chunk of his wages to keep him away. Depends if MON thinks he could control him and Moyes doesn't strike me as the sort of bloke you'd want to cross. Nah, I don't see it, but it'll be interesting to see where he ends up. |
Rob_The_Villain
said:
|
... I really don't get what people see in McGeady, on top of that he's got a bit of an attitude. A few fancy tricks and he's world class, don't think so, no end product. I have to admit, I haven't seen Moses play but surely if we were in the race for him then we'd win. Young players know they'll get a chance here and most definitely improve. To be fair, the only other team that could offer that is Arsenal. |
ak_27
said:
|
...I'm Irish and I can tell you for certain that I would be disgusted if McGeady came to VP He is one of those players that im on the fench about to be honest. He is the type of player the crowd would get on their feet every time he gets the ball but normally he flatters to decieve. He is really good at beating players but he really lacks the final ball or shot. £10m is a lot for a player like that. I wouldn't be surpised if he was a success or if he was a complete flop. He will excite but drive you mad by hitting the first man with his crosses so many times. MON had him as a youngster so he knows very well what to make of him. |
StickyAV
said:
|
... His stats are not that amazing. At a similar age: Gabby 2007–08 37 11 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 40 11 Bendtner 2008–09 31 9 2 7 4 1 12 2 0 50 15 3 Ok so gabby will have played more minutes having started most appearances however, if you play for arsenal you get chances. A hell of a lot more than you did from villas counter attacking side of 2 seasons ago. He could be a really good player. but for me I have failed to see anything special at all. I think in bendtner wenger is searching for a Bergkamp but I don't see it in him. |
Badger
said:
|
... Foot injury kept him out on Sat. Light training this morning. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.u...77547.html |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... If MIlner is out, I hope we play the same midfield as sat. Please please please not INVIsidwell. |
ak_27
said:
|
... StickyAV if you had asked me about Bentner in the summer i would have said no way should we go near him. But before he got injured this year he was on fire. And because of that no way would Wenger be looking to sell him now. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... Sticky, Bendtner is nothing like Bergkamp. Van persie is the technical one, bendtner is the lump. The target man who can muscle defenders and play a bit, but he is there to create space for others, hit a few long range efforts and score from set pieces. He is an excellent foil for other strikers and I think he is going to keep getting better. I understand that strikers are there to score goals, but people fail to understand the benefits of players like Carlton Cole, Emile Heskey, Niklas Bendtner etc. They are there not to necesarily score 20-30 goals season (it would be lovely if they did becauyse they'd be Drogba and worth about £30m), but to help you WIN GAMES by hassling defenders and stumbling across opportunities for other players. Which is more important?? Individual Goal tally's or team Wins?? |
walshy
said:
 |
... i wish people would stop saying were two places worse off than this time last year! it really doesnt matter!we have more qualty this year.but the premier league is a stronger league overall.so if we have a good run and a bit of luck nothing is stopping us! about gardner i am gutted it hasnt worked cuz i think he has good potential. overall i would take 5th now! |
StickyAV
said:
|
... JPA I am totally with you on heskey. Carlton cole to a certain extent to. I've always backed heskey since he came to villa. BUT...to put bendtner in his bracket as a player seems astonishing to me, aside from his towering height. Heskey will usually gaurantee to win every loose ball in the air. I've never seen bendtner boss a defence like that. Ever. We may as well agree to disagree, because I am never going to see that. |
Monkeywrench
said:
 |
... Piquionne? God help us, they're still laughing in France after dumping him on Portsmouth. As for Gardner being off, it's not nice but we have enough midfielders able to pass the ball sideways, as painful as it is to admit it he's just another one of them - alas, if we really need to sell an average midfielder I'd suggest Sidwell. That aside, we're doing well and sod the negative types: alas, until MON decides to risk buying someone a little less solid and a little more creative we're gonna struggle to better what we've achieved so far over the past 3 seasons. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...We may as well agree to disagree, because I am never going to see that. Agreed Piquionne? God help us, they're still laughing in France after dumping him on Portsmouth. He'd do a job short term. until MON decides to risk buying someone a little less solid and a little more creative we're gonna struggle to better what we've achieved so far over the past 3 seasons. We have a bigger squad, more talent and are in a better position to succeed than last year. We are doing about the same, but remember we suffered from a severe loss of form last season and if we can stay consistent throughout March we are going to pick up more points than last year the way we are going. |
Badger
said:
|
... JPA, I understand that strikers are there to score goals, but people fail to understand the benefits of players like Carlton Cole, Emile Heskey, Niklas Bendtner etc. Normally, I'd agree. But do you think that that Carew or Heskey have actually helped us in this sense? I'm really not sure I do. Now, my memory is crap, but how often do our big strikers actually knock the ball on/down for someone to run on to? It happens sometimes, but not often, imo. Most of our goals come from wide crosses or set pieces and don't involve a target man as such, although I do appreciate what you're saying. What we're missing is not a target man, it's someone a bit more instinctive, clever and clinical. Someone quick thinking, with sharp feet in the box. And I suspect many agree with me and that's why Keane is such a strong shout. And while goalscoring figures have been mentioned, let's have a look at his. It's 9 from 19 games and some of those games (3 or 4?) were as a sub, iirc. I think regardless of if any of us like him or not, that's what we need, pure and simple, imo. A proven scorer who scores, not just someone who helps. Now, I have doubts about him as a bloke myself, but he's available, gettable and the best of any mentioned, imo. |
ads
said:
 |
... Why are we discussing Bendtner with such fervour.....seems strange to have gotten into a heated debate about a player that we don't really want, isn't even linked with us...etc. etc.... |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...But do you think that that Carew or Heskey have actually helped us in this sense? I got misquoted at the top. I suggested a few of these players in case we lose a target man as I believe we need two big ones and two little quick ones. While we have both Heskey and Carew we're fine. If we keep both we don't need a striker in the window. We should wait till the summer and go for someone prolific and influential. |
StickyAV
said:
|
... Walshy, I am with you on that and have been saying it since the start of the season. The answer you will get, from damo specifically, is that it is not enough to say the competition got better, you have to improve too so that you stay ahead of them. It's a fairish point. However I'm with you. Aside from doing a city and spending huge, I think we have improved about as much as I could have hoped! Our defence is the best in the league! Monkeywrench, we should sell sidders you are right. I thought he was going to be so good for us. I really did. But now I see that he is actually a pile of poo. He's not just out of form, I don't actually see a good player in there at all. |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
|
... I'd go for a 5 man midfield tomorrow night to keep it tight. If we come away with a draw, I can see us making the final. 4-4-2 will be too open I reckon and not the best way to play a 2 legged semi. I'd go with the following if Milner is not fit... Friedel L Young Cueller Dunne Warnock Petrov Reo Young Delph Downing Gabby Guzan Beye Collins Sidwell Albrighton Carew Heskey |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...... I hypothetically suggested him as the sort of player who could replace Heskey or Carew simply as an example and people started jumping down my throat about it instead of taking it in the context of my comment. Silly. |
xandeh
said:
 |
... I think most people are looking at all the wrong sort of players for up top, Kenwyne Jones is a decent enough player, but he'd only be any good as a replacement for either Carew or Heskey. Aston Villa have needed a type of player for as long as I can remember a goalscorer. We just need someone with the ability to put the ball in the back of the net as the last one we had was Dwight Yorke. |
ronskivilla
said:
 |
... right we are all managers in our own right and all have our own opinions,we all know that u dont get world class players in january but u still need too improve a side so heres my opinion i would go for scott parker who could run the midfield and try a cheeky punt for owen whenever hes played hes done well for utd but dont seem too be getting a start |
Pancho Villan
said:
 |
... Transfer Window time again. I'd love to be a fly on the inside wall of O'Neill's head |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...... Thats the point, considering the reported interest in both Heskey and Carew who could come in and play as a target man for us who is younger and does a similar job? The way we play attimes requires a player of this type. As far as a 20 goals a season striker goes i'm not sure who to get. Someone quick, skillful and prolific would be good. The fact is we'll more than likely bring in someone who we don't expect, because to buy a player like this who is recognised is expensive and very difficult. Look at the way the Collins signing went. No one wanted him and he turned out to be an excellent acquisition. MoN is very good at picking up players that otherwise you probably wouldn't consider. He has worked with many strikers down the years and I believe he has the nouse to bring in someone with talent who can surprise us all. A lot of the time on here people rubbish transfer ideas and links because they want someone else established or flairy, and not for any footballing reason. This is the mistake so many top teams have made down the years Man City recently and Newcastle in the past. We need someone hard working, instinctive and ruthless. I don't care if he is someone under achieving at another club, an unknown from a lower division or a veteran striker. As long as Mon wants him and he comes in and scores goals then great. You won't hear me complaining..as long as he scores goals and no one can predict who it might be. |
ak_27
said:
|
...We just need someone with the ability to put the ball in the back of the net as the last one we had was Dwight Yorke Yes but Yorke was also a very complete footballer and was excellent at linking the play. Thats what we really need. Keane could do that job but lately his legs seem to have gone( saw him put through for Spurs and i was shocked at how he left the defender get back and make the tackle as he was miles clear). Still Keane was always more about intelligence then pace so i wouldn't be too upset if he arrived at VP. Carlton Cole could do a job but not as a target man who has to deal with being used as a get out of jail clause and just being left dealing with 60 yards missles up to him. He has worked well as a target man who gets the ball played to feet. Its there he excels with his strength and great at rolling defenders and bringing others into play. But chances are if he comes he will be left running around trying to get on long blinds balls coming from the back line and basically being fodder for centre backs. Thats why i really would prefer a Jonanvic/Tuncay/Gudjohnson type player to come in in Jan but they probably won't be available. |
ak_27
said:
|
...i would go for scott parker who could run the midfield Yes me too. punt for owen No thanks. I think he is finished. I'd love to be a fly on the inside wall of O'Neill's head Brilliant |
jimmyavfc
said:
 |
... on the mcgeady option, i wouldnt take him for £10 never mind 10million, watching him play for ireland he is a one trick pony- -Head down and run like a lunatic- steven hunt has been far more effective for ireland. also, a word of concern to the jones possibility, i read/heard (cant think where) that he was extremely laid back, takes nothing serious which can be quite frustrating to others around him. other than that he looks fairly decent. if i was signing id do my upmost to get the 2 standard liege lads jovanovic and defour |
bo-selecta
said:
 |
... i would look at steven ireland, steven peinaar and we need a finisher, beckford could be worth a gamble, for 3m, unload marlon, delph will be immense with experience, we need finisher like luis fabiano |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... jimmy, I see what you mean about McGeady, but he would provide cover and could improve. He certainly plays in a way that would fit our style of play. Although ak feels Reid would be better. I've always liked Jones, maybe i'm biased but I think he could become an awesome player. It's amazing the difference new surroundings and a new challenge can make for a player and it's not unusual for players to suddenly get a new lease of life at a new club. He certainly wouldn't be given any leeway by MoN. Jovanovic and Defour are both good players, I would worry about how quick they cold adapt to life in the EPL and whether we would get outbid if we suddenly made a move. Liverpool, Man U, Spurs and Everton have all been linked and I can't see either of them coming to VP if i'm completely honest. |
ads
said:
|
... Gudjohnsen...now that's a shout. We should've got him in last summer pre joining Monaco (although he might be past it by now..) |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...... Ireland would be absolutely perfect. Although I doubt he'd be sold and if he was we wouldn't be the only club interested. Everton won't sell Pienaar, although he is a very good player. He is their main creative outlet while Arteta is out. Beckford really isn't that good. I'd rather take a chance on Piquionne for £3m, at least he has proved he can score goals at this level. I think Beckford is Championship level at best. |
ak_27
said:
|
...Although ak feels Reid would be better. Completly different players to each other. I guess what i really want that Merson type player. Im sick of only having the high tempo, hard working and hitting the % game type players. I would just love that little bit of guile, genius, vision option that we currently lack throughtout the entire squad. I really think Reid could give us that. Ireland could too but City would not sell him to us just yet at least. |
xandeh
said:
|
... What ever happened to Kezman? I wouldnt mind Cisse on loan he wasnt too bad last season at Sunderland, ideally I'd love RVN, Toni or Di Natalie. Though I cant see them happeninggg  |
Badger
said:
|
... Bloody hell, looks like the game might be in doubt too; http://www.sundaymercury.net/m...-25523885/ |
churchill
said:
 |
...I'd take Jo on loan until the end of the season without a doubt, I always feel he will score when we play him, if it doesn't work he can always go back, I don't fancy he's a MON signing though. Straight off the top of my head, so no grief please: Would Jo be any good for us? |
woody
said:
 |
... got to be Darren Bent. Young, fast, english and would be a good link with Carew and Agbonlahor. He's also at sunderland aswell so shouldn't think twice about leaving for say 6-7 million. |
Hadders7
said:
 |
... We were saying Darren Bent in the summer before he even signed for Sunderland. Bearing in mind he is in great form, scoring loads and cost them 10m or near enough, it would cost us 15-20m with him having 4 years left on his contract...that boat has sailed I'm afraid. He's scored goals in the top division with 3 clubs...I wish we would have gone for him, he'd have been great for the Villa! |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
...As a stop gap loan deal, Ruud Van N would be a great January signing. The sort that could have the affect of getting us the goals for 4th place! Aint ever going to happen because his agent has said he will only consider a move to London. |
Villa Deltic
said:
 |
... I'd like to see Sully Muntari brought in as an extra Midfielder ! Also say Robbie Keane as another Striker. Dont want to see Carew or Heskey sold either. Gardener i would sell to Wolves if anybody !! |
PaulMcGrathsGoneAWOL
said:
|
... JPA I have seen Arsenal a few times this year and have mates who are Arsenal fans. I dont need to look at wiki, why dont you tell us as you obviously have already. I imagine he played about 40-50 times last season and he scored what 13/14 goals. That to me isnt prolific. We have players who can score that many already. We need a 20 a season man. Dont get me wrong Im not saying he's a bad player, I just dont think he's what we need which is what I said above. |
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