Written by Damian Thursday, 31 December 2009 11:45
We ultimately failed in the last two January transfer windows and another one opens tomorrow. Will it be third time lucky?
We will find out, but one of the players that won't be coming to Aston Villa, well, not for the rumoured £8mn, is Scott Parker. Does his agent this this is still 2004 and people are willing to pay stupid money for his player?
Don't get me wrong, Parker has something, but he is 29 years old and he has only once played more than 30 games in a league season, mostly because of injury.
Scott Parker has something, don't get me wrong, but it would be like signing Emile Heskey last January or Wayne Routledge the one before; nice idea and we would understand why, but he isn't going to make the impact at the club that we need to complete for a top four place.
The type of player that will make that impact I fear will cost a little more money. But, it is just a rumour, so I'm going to take it with a pinch of salt.
Moving on, there is growing speculation that Craig Gardner is leaving in January. I don't think he has ever had a proper run in the team and I don't think he would necessarily disappoint if he had it, in his preferred position, but O'Neill has his favourites in the middle and nothing will, okay a training ground fight might, change his mind.
It won't be nice to see Gardner go, as he is Villa, but if he does, you can't blame him and with talk that O'Neill needs to raise funds before he can buy, it sort of makes sense.
Last one today is Paul Downing. He is 18 years old apparently and plays for West Brom. Hands up, sorry, never heard of him. But if you have, a little bit of information below would be nice. I'm off for lunch, but as we are coming close to January, I'm going to 'rate the rumours'.
Craig Gardner leaving; if I were a betting man, I'd put money on this happening. Not nice, but almost a certainty. Four out of five.
Scott Parker coming; there is as much chance of this happening as there is I will win the lottery in January. Martin O'Neill is no mug. One out of five.
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paul mclafferty
said:
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... i have said it before and will say it again, gardner will end up being mons other mistake as was cahill, the lad will flourish in the centre of the park given the chance which i think he will at another club. |
Nick
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... Gardner could be way better than Scott Parker, no disrespect to Parker who I think is a good player. Gardner has shown a fair amount of ability always playing out of position for us. Would hate for him to leave, would hate for him to waste his career in our reserves. From what us the fans have seen he deserves a better run. Cant see how he could be too far behind the likes of Sidwell and NRC/ Delp etc. And I cant see us making a big move this January. MON doesnt like to pay big and January is all about paying big. |
Mike Carter
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... Oooh Damian, you've done it now. You've really done it now. I've been campainging for us to sign Scott Parker for the best part of two months and then you write this. Why I oughta... I'm not going to go over why I think Parker would be a perfect fit for us (again), but I will say this. This is going to sound a little rash to some people and it might even offend others: Scott Parker is better than Stiliyan Petrov. I don't care how much flak I come under, I believe it to be true. I'm not interested in some homer Villa fan dashing that statement just because Petrov is a Villa player and Villa captain and they probably haven't watched West Ham play more than once. If anybody has I'd be interested in debating this because for me, Parker has been absolutely outstanding this season. Without him West Ham would be bottom of the table, I don't doubt that for a second. |
paul mclafferty
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... heres a poll for you damian, how many fans think mon would be wrong to let gardner go or even give gardner a chance? to be fair he does see him every day on the training ground but i think he could be the next stevie gerrard. |
paris rob
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... holtend paul you are blind yes of course cahill and gardner will flourish at sides like bolton and wolves/blues whoever but they would not and will not give us the edge that we need to push for top four Cahill was exposed against us at villa park and was awful against hull the other night hope craig moves on and does well he has served us well Agree about parker if gardner went to wolves would love to see doyle coming the other way as backup to gabby he is impressing at wolves UTV happy new year |
James
said:
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... We will not sign anyone in the window. None of the big teams will make big signings in the window. They may pick up the odd bench player who we wouldn't want. The weaker sides will sign benched has beens to try to keep themselves in the PL. City may make one or two big money signings that will prove to be equally as effective as Robinho has. Good players do not leave their clubs in the middle of a campaign unless there are really unusual circumstances. Not signing in this window IS NOT a failure. Some are just setting MON up for some more 'window abuse' |
Mike Carter
said:
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...i have said it before and will say it again, gardner will end up being mons other mistake as was cahill, the lad will flourish in the centre of the park given the chance which i think he will at another club. If this does turn out to be true (I personally don't think it will), can we just clear something up now, so 6/12 months later we're not all at MON's throat in utter disbelief he sold another star? Gardner isn't good enough to be playing for Villa at the moment. There is no room for him in the starting XI, barely even the bench. We've seen enough of him to know there are better players than him already at the club. Good, now that's out of the way, nobody can blame MON. |
Mike Carter
said:
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... Nan is probably right anyway. A lot of the big clubs have already stated they won't be making and transfers in January - Ferguson, Ancelotti, Redknapp. Rafa probably won't be able to muster up enough pennies and Wenger is a tight-wad anyway. I don't think we're going to lose any ground on our rivals and I certainly hope nobody blames MON. Of course Mancini will be given the keys to the bank vault where the Sheikh keeps all his gold, but what's new? |
James
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... I meant I'm with Viva on Petrov/Parker. Not so sure on Gardner. Not seen enough. Don't see him being sold unless he asks to go or we need cash in order to add. Both of, I assume are unlikely. |
Damian
said:
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... vivavilla i apologise - but i can see your view, but at 29 and injury prone - i just cant see it happening and while you say scott parker is better than stiliyan petrov - somebody could also say, that if craig gardner were to be given a proper run in his preferred position, that he might be better than stiliyan petrov also |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... Scott Parker would be a good signing. I like the idea of having 2 out and out CM playing in the centre(both capable of tackling and also being comfortable on the ball). If he does come then that means Milner will probably stay on the right wing. £8m seems excessive for his age so i think £5m would be enough to get him. I really don't think we are interested in him though. Regarding Gardner we might as well sell him. I don't think he has been given a fair go in his favoured position but at this stage we know that MON does not rate him so we might as well cash in. He could very well come back to haunt him. The guy has a great shot and is a well rounded player. Can see him developing well at another club where he gets time on the pitch in the centre. I would also be very surprised if NRC does not leave to be honest. I would say a swap for Parker if there wssn't such bad history there for NRC so perhpas a swap for a Spurs player may be on the cards?? Jenas? I don't rate Janas that highly but i wouldn't be surprised if he arrived especially going into a WC sqaud selection period. |
Adrian Kilgallon
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...I don't think we're going to lose any ground on our rivals and I certainly hope nobody blames MON Its not about losing ground it should be about making up ground on our rivals by bringing in what we are short at the moment. |
Mike Carter
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... ak My point is, we shouldn't be disappointed if it turns out we don't spend, because it's looking like nobody is able to anyway. |
Damian
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... I dont think it is about blame and transfer windows, I believe, come very much down to the owner/chairman and how much money they make available. I think Lerner will tell O'Neill he has X£'s and anything else he wants on top - he has to raise himself and I think that is what he is going to do this January. BUt it is an important one and as ak says - it is about making up ground. Arsenal did it last January, Liverpool will do it this one. We need to also. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...My point is, we shouldn't be disappointed if it turns out we don't spend, because it's looking like nobody is able to anyway Probably not. Not if you are only looking to buy from this league at least as nobody really wants to sell to a competitor mid season unless forced by financial constrants(eg Ham and Pompy). I really don't expect anyone to arrive either to be honest. |
mikey18
said:
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... Of our rivals we are in a worse position in terms of squad we have available. We need a quality 14, not sure a quality 11. Scott Parker would be a great by. I think the 'better than Petrov' shout isn't far from the mark but Petrov in my opinion is having a bad season and Parker is having the best season he's had for awhile. I do think Petrov is getting old and this might be his last season at the top of his game. I do however think NRC is an apt replacement. Whenever he has come in he has played quality. He won us the game at Anfield. |
Steve Oldaker
said:
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... for me signing parker and taking petrov out of the team will make not an ounce of difference to how we play, why do people think parker is so great? i've seen no evidence to think otherwise, we all know what we want and that is top top quality players (striker/midfielder) and sadly i doubt we will sign one in january |
George Bryan
said:
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... Scott Parker is a good player dont get me wrong but he is no better than what we already have , why buy some one like scott parker when we have playters like craig gardner dying to get a chance & prove what his worth. In my opinion if we where to sign one player this transfer window it would be robbie keane , spurs want to let him go & well he is that kind of player that we lack who will take chances when they come about like torres the another night. ( most likely we wont spend ) |
villa82
said:
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... Kenywn Jones to Villa by next thurs - you heard it hear 1st, Heskey going to Sunderland as part of deal...deal 90% done. Other possible news - Cokey to Bolton as Hughes first signing, and will be replaced with Dorrans from WBA, Gardener on loan, not sold! |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... Would Victor Moses be worth a bid? If not for this season for next? There seems to be a lot of clubs lining up to go for him so maybe we should try and bring him in this Jan before others pounce. |
Adrian Kilgallon
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...Kenywn Jones to Villa by next thurs - you heard it hear 1st, Heskey going to Sunderland as part of deal...deal 90% done. Its starting early.  |
Mike Carter
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... Damian But can we really blame Lerner for not providing any funds, when all around the league other rich chairman are going to be doing exactly the same thing? There is obviously a bigger picture we need to be aware of here, if they're all following suit it has to be the most sensible thing to do. Steveo Have you seen him much this season? I personally wouldn't hesitate to put him in the England team in place of Steven Gerrard. Nearly every game I've seen he's really stood out and been fantastic. Think a combination of Petrov, Reo-Coker and Gareth barry - that's the kind of player he's been. He's the first player to any loose ball and he'll run his ass off to get to it. There was a moment in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea where he made a goalline clearance from a corner, then sprinted 20 yards or so outside the area to make a challenge on a Chelsea player when there were a good dozen or so West Ham players closer to the ball. The guy just has an amazing engine (something MON clearly holds in high regard), he's a superb tackler and I've seen a great range of passes from his as well. He ticks all the boxes as far as I'm concerned. |
mjasghar
said:
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... We need an instinctive striker who can take those chances we kep setting up but missing... Rangers are dying cos of debt..... They have an instinctive striker in Boyd.... No one else in England is gonna go for him as the top clubs have that position filled (Defoe etc).... Let's get Boyd!!!! |
SuperBox
said:
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... Nanwasafan wrote We will not sign anyone in the window. Couldn't agree more. As i asked yeaterday, who, realistically, not on a fantasy wish list, will actually move, who we actually want? I personally don't have any ideas to solve this. January is about "sticking plasters" not marquee signings. |
Steve Oldaker
said:
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... viva have you been drinking this morning parker ahead of gerrard???? petrov breaks up play and passes just as good if not better than parker as i say not an ounce of difference would be made to our side sorry bud to dissagree tho |
John Samuels
said:
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... Parker is good, I'd be quite happy with that, but it's depth and is going to make us better defensively and posession wise. We are still lacking something in the final third and this is what needs to be addressed. Not now, but in the summer. Kenwyne Jones would be a good addition too. Jones and Parker in amd Gardner, Harewood, Shorey out would be reasonable business this window. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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...I personally wouldn't hesitate to put him in the England team in place of Steven Gerrard.Sorry, but that statement invalidates your opinion on Parker, and probably on football in general. |
Martin Garner
said:
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... To all those that say business can't be done in January, what about: Ashley Young Brede Hangeland Emmanuel Adebayor Patrice Evra Andrey Arshavin Nemanja Vidic All players brought in during the January transfer window. The thing is, if you look at the all those players, apart from Ashley Young they were all brought in from Europe and I don't think MON even knows where that is...  |
John Samuels
said:
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...They have an instinctive striker in Boyd.... It's unlike me but that lad might be worth a punt. How much would he cost? |
Mike Carter
said:
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...Sorry, but that statement invalidates your opinion on Parker, and probably on football in general. Nope, Gerrard has been tosh in recent weeks. I'll admit that this is highly unlike him to be playing so poorly, of course an on form Gerrard and it's no question. My point is, on form, Parker is currently one of the best midfielders in the Premiership and if I was picking the England team on form alone, he'd get in without question. |
pete
said:
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... saw boyds 5 goal spectacular cant take it away from him he knows were the goal is how old is he |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... Boyd? no no no no no no no no no no. He is just another typical championship standard player. Put it like this Antony stokes looks good up in Scotland and the guy couldn't even score in the championship. |
Mike Carter
said:
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... It's true, any average Joe becomes a world beater in the SPL. Steven Davis and Pedro Mendes are two of Rangers best players for crying out loud. John Hartson was seen as a great striker up there. John Hartson I tell you!!! |
baz
said:
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... my opinions on the above debates for what its worth: craig gardner isn't that good. he's an OK player to have in the squad because of his "versatility" but versatility just means OK at a lot of things, but not good at any of them. and I agree with viva & nanwasafan - parker is better than petrov who, this season, has been awful imo. always turning to face our own goal when unnecessary and increasingly playing suicide passes. |
Martin Garner
said:
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... I think Parker would be quality in the middle for us. With age comes experience and composure and that's just what we are crying out for in the middle sometimes... |
John Samuels
said:
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...parker is better than petrov who, this season, has been awful imo. Garbage. Parker is good, but so is Petrov. I'm fed up with people rubbishing our players as soon as we're linked with someone else. Parker would be a handy addition and would mean we could afford to let Stan have a rest considering he is instrumental to our side. Really, a last minute wonder goal against a side we had the beating of and people are calling for us to remove our Captain, last seasons club player of the year and one of our most consistent performers. WRONG! John Hartson was seen as a great striker up there. There was that other shit striker who did well in Scotland, Henrik something? Petrov and Cuellar have both come down and done well, Sutton was good for us before he retired and I think if you are good, you are good. If Mon thinks he could do a job then fine. I no longer have any preconceptions or expectations of the transfer market because we buy very very well imo. Not always the ones expected or desired, but we have as good a SQUAD as Liverpool, we weren't outplayed, could have won and Rafa has spent £228m in five years. Mon has spent a fraction of that. |
beh
said:
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... If milner, petrov and gabby we`re out for any length of time, i think we`d struggle big time. We need first eleven quality on the bench or starting. We`ve been very lucky with injuries so far, that won`t last. I`d take parker and keane for above reasons. There not world beaters but can give us plenty. We `ve got enough players developing, (milner, ashley, gabby, delph, the fonz,gardner ) a few proven players that won`t break the bank could shore us up when injuries happen. I don`t think two £20 mil foreign players could help us much now or for the next 12 months tbh. Keane is young enough to get a second wind and do a kevin phillips. Would probably still have sell on value in 2 years time so i think he`s low risk. I can remember mon taking tony cottee at leicester, well well past his sell by date and getting a bag of goals out of him. A few proven, older heads could shore us up at worst, if they play near there max, we`d be flying. Following season we`d be well placed to take the few "next level" players we need to keep us with the elite. The elusive game-changer might be in our midst already , ( ashley,gabby,delph) just need time to develop their game around solid pros. |
John Samuels
said:
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...John Hartson was seen as a great striker up there I forgot to mention that Hartson was actually a f**king awesome striker. He scored at every club he was ever at, was determined, hard working and came through Arsenal. A very good, premiership quality player. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... JPA Hartson was a good striker and Larson was one of the greats but the standard of Scotish football is miles below where it was back then. Boyd has a bad attitude also which is why he got droped by Burnley from the Scotish squad. |
adam
said:
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... De Graafschap's Pior Parzyszek is someone we supposedly interested in never heard of him and maybe jovanovic but he wil probably go spuds for big wages |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
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... Whos to say whether Liverpool or Man City strengthening will be as succesfull as Wengars dip last January? Is Benetez or Mancini as astute as Wengar? Dont think so. Two frigging defeats seems to have gotten everybody jittery again. It would help if people took out my philosphy at the start of the season. Any points gained against the top four should be treated as Bonus Points. Beating them does not mean we are the real deal, and losing them to them does not mean we are shite either. Its the Wigans, Portsmouths and West Hams that are vital. And how we do against either Man Sheiky or Spuds that will shape our campaign. A link player will go down nicely this window, but really...who will be available that will make any difference? Why waste what Money we have on another signing that will not be the quality of Fabregas are Torres. Thats the the type of class we should now be looking at. Not flipping Scott Parker and the thunderbirds. Keep the faith guys....jeeeeezzz |
crazyhobo
said:
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... Mick's forehead isn't helping them http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8435823.stm |
Mike Carter
said:
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... JPA nobody is calling for us to remove Petrov. He's a good player, but in my mind he hasn't lived up to the very high standard he set last season yet. He started off very well but in recent weeks he's been quite poor. I don't want him out the team, I just want better players overall in the squad, is that wrong to ask for? Also disagree entirely about Hartson. Never rated the bloke. |
Glyn
said:
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... I am laughing my head off at some of the comments here about Gardner. The next Steven Gerrard?!? give me a break, i don't know what people see in him, all he has is a hard shot. I don't rate him and would be happy to see him leave. He looks like one of those evil geniuses that you see in films as well. Thought i'd add that |
John Samuels
said:
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...He started off very well but in recent weeks he's been quite poor. Do you mean week? because he played well and we won the previous five games. Two games against top four opposition and all of a sudden Petrov is having a bad season? WRONG! |
Car Frost
said:
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... Reo Coker > Fulham sounds the most likely to me but it would be a bad move as they're not that far behind us. Parker > is definately no better than what we have already imo. Adrian Mutu for me as he can play the linking role.. though he is getting on he could be good for 1 - 2 seasons. |
Steve Badger
said:
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...Why waste what Money we have on another signing that will not be the quality of Fabregas are Torres. Thats the the type of class we should now be looking at. Not flipping Scott Parker and the thunderbirds.  I agree with this. I really don't believe any of the names mentioned will make us any better. Deeper maybe, but not better. I expect a couple out and maybe one in, in this window, but I don't see any big deals done by us. It's getting to the stage where we need someone really top notch to improve us, which shows how far we moved on, but I just don't see big bucks being spent. Much more likely in the summer imo. But MON does have a knack of surprising us all, so who knows? Not Kenwyne Jones for me though, I don't see he offers anything different to what we have, just younger. That's who we'll buy then  |
James
said:
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... In terms of the market I agree with Nanwasafan. I can't see there being many big signings at all this window (apart from perhaps Man City and maybe Man Utd with their Ronaldo cash). The fact is that football isn't immune to the recession. I would guess that if there is a recovery next year then the following January (2011) may seem some bigger signings as clubs might feel it's a more secure climate to get into debt. It's not fair to expect a benefactor to stump up loads of money in an uncertain market, despite what Man City may do. Plus the fact that MON doesn't really need to buy for the sake of it this window. He could buy some young players this window but he's better off waiting till summer for the big signings. Although, that said, if we were to sell this window then obviously purchases become more likely. |
Mike Carter
said:
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...Two games against top four opposition and all of a sudden Petrov is having a bad season? WRONG! Didn't say that did I? Jumping to your own conclusions again. He was particularly poor against Arsenal and Pool, yes, but he was pretty anonymous against Stoke and didn't stand out for me against Sunderland either. Again, I'm not calling him a poor player or for him to be dropped. But by the same token, just because he's our captain and player of the season, that does not make him immune from criticism. |
lknkn
said:
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... lil' kenwyn has to be a reasonable target- when i saw adebayor play against us i was impressed,, and mr jones has similar abilities. we can always bid in january, unsettle him, release some salacious gossip to damian's mate mr howell, and then a quick wodge to dirty harry and job's a good 'un by the summer window. if only there was someone english and technical though; sort of like joe cole, eh? these players would be hard to get,,, but i'd rather fantasize about them then didier agathe. |
John Samuels
said:
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... I thought he played well against Sunderland and he was unbelievably good against Man U and Hull. Like I said, bringing in another CM would mean we could give his 31 yr old legs a bit of a rest from time to time. Some of players set the bar so high that they have to play the best game of their lives every match or come in for criticism. |
Michael
said:
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... if reo-coker goes id happily have scott parker - much better than steve sidwell. id still like robbie keane to cum aswell. but i wouldnt want either of these players for the silly money that is being suggested - parker £4m and keane £5m would be about there worth. |
John Samuels
said:
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... If we sell a midfielder, i.e Osbourne, Gardner or NRC I expect a replacement to be brought in. If it's Parker then happy days, another sign that the quality of the bench is becoming more like that of the first team. |
DC110980
said:
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... Am i the only person who thinks we should go for Andy Carroll from Newcastle?? We all know MON likes a target man, and he appears to be having one old, and one younger for every position (where possible!?!) - i think he is a good, young target man - who in my opinion has done very well in the campionship for newcastle (and seemed to do well in the last few games of the relegation campaign when he broke into the team). He'd probably only cost £5 millionish and Newcastle need the money - id think hed be perfect for continuing MON's team philosophy for the future... |
Nigel
said:
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... I would like Ruud Van Nostrilboy or Chris Boyd as I believe any of those two would get 20 plus a season. |
Chrisodon
said:
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... Trust me we do not want Kris Boyd, I Live just outside glasgow and every rangers fan i know say he's a footballer that can't actually play football. Apart from score he does nothing else for the team. It's pleasing to see Davis do well though. |
Chrisodon
said:
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... I'd like to see us try and sign Santa cruz, As i think Mancini will be shipping a few out. |
Steve Badger
said:
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...We could offer Sidwell and Reo plus around £10m for Arteta. You never know Now you're talking. And actually not as daft as it sounds, imo. I don't think Everton have any money do they? Would help out with their injury crisis too. He's out for months though isn't he? I do like that sort of angle though. |
keith
said:
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... so far i think rudd is the best call. past his best would not interest big teams but could help us for a season and half and has that killer instinct in front of goal |
GPalmer
said:
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... Scott Parker's a class act who works hard and reads the game brilliantly... but we don't need any more midfielders - all we need is a bloody decent goalscorer. The only difference between us and Liverpool the other night was Torres. Give him half a chance and he scores. Give our strikers half a chance and they don't score. Same thing with Fabregas on Boxing Day - I wouldn't put money on any of our strikers finishing the goals we conceded in the last 2 games (except maybe Arsenal's third). Unless we can bring in a top class finisher, we're going fall behind Spurs, Man City & probably even Liverpool and end up with Birmingham  & Fulham, as teams with a great defence but no heavy duty firepower... unless Milner's left in central midfield where he could turn into the new Bryan Robson with a bit of luck (i.e. goalscoring marvel, not morose, monotonous has-been!) |
Greg
said:
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... Graig Gardner will necer ever make it as a top player even if you gave him 100 consecutive games. He is not and never will be a top premier league player, he lacks phisical presence, pace and unlike some of the smaller arsenal players he isnt blessed with great technical ability. He has a good pot shoot. Him and gary cahill will never be top players, and using players like them would be detrimental to the club. Il wish craig best of luck, he personifes a martin oneill player, hard working, good attitude and is a fighter, but damian your often saying these qualities arnt enough and im afraid craig gardner isnt a top of the league player |
GPalmer
said:
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...Trust me we do not want Kris Boyd, I Live just outside glasgow and every rangers fan i know say he's a footballer that can't actually play football. Apart from score he does nothing else for the team. That's exactly what we need! We've got strikers who work hard, I'd just like one who does nothing but score! |
tubbydunne
said:
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... On Craig Gardener, He is a central midfielder. Central midfield is a weak spot for us, yet this guy still can't force his way into the team, I'm sorry this just goes to show that he is not going to cut the mustard at a top six club. I would feel sorry for him if we were blessed with talented central midfielders and he couldn't get a look in, but if he can't impress the manager enough to give him a go in a problem position it's time to cut him loose. I wouldn't fear about him coming back to haunt us. I'd love to see Scott Parker coming great engine and also plenty of ability with the ball at his feet. Parker and Milner together in the middle would be interesting. Petrov still has plenty to offer but his legs struggle in a two man center mid. Dorrans from W.B.A would be exciting a young Scottish attacking midfielder. Then we would start to see some depth in a problem position. But of course this is all pie in the sky. |
pete
said:
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... chrisodon gary lineker would not tackle track back run his balls off. but how many times did you see him pop up and get that all important goal even at international level if boyd done that i think wed be happy |
Geoff
said:
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... There is NOTHING wrong with getting Parker, because he is better than Sidwell and NRC (who will be heading to Fulham most likely, maybe Bolton depending who their new manager is). He will fill A need, but he cant be the only buy. People say "oh dont expect that much out of them" - nonsense! If they want a top 4 place they need to improve the team, period. Milner has to stay as the Central Attacking Midfielder...Dowming has to stay on the right. It wouldnt hurt to bring in someone like Parker to upgrade the midfield, and who can play a few positions to get himself some playing time. Petrov is like 30 and isnt getting any younger, having someone else to help out wouldnt be bad... they need a new right back, Warnock and the Centre Halves have been the best part of the team all season long, particularly Cuellar - who better get called up for Spain the World Cup but may not. But if there is one part of the back line that needs a bost its Right Back. Marcel Schafer and Miguel have been mentioned, Ill take Schafer out of Wolfsburg... but those are two needs, but the biggest need really is Center Forward. Heskey and Carew are not consistent enough to play on a top 4 side. They really need a maestro who can link up with Milner and get the ball to Gabby OR put the ball in hismelf. Sergio Floccari just went on loan to Lazio. He would have been nice. Ezequiel Lavezzi probably wont be made available. Any other ideas? Those guys are NOT easy to find. It looks like they wont even land Jovanovic now and it looks liek Edin Dzeko will cost too much as well...anyone want to throw some realistic names out therE? |
shemmanz
said:
 |
... You can not say Gardner is better than parker no way parker is a hard working Midfielder and if he comes to villa that will be great and i honestly think he will take Petrov's place no doubt about it. |
pete
said:
|
... Geoff theres not to much out there in the jan window so imo if its not keano i think we will wait till the summer |
Damian
said:
|
... Right lads - I have to make my way to dinner. I am hoping to consume a large about of wine during said dinner so with a bit of luck I fall asleep on the sofa at about quarter to midnight. Back in 2010, happy new year. Up the Villa! |
Geoff
said:
|
... Id take Keano...fine. Thats decent enough given the market out there and the budget, to be honest. Hed out do Carew for playing time... Ill take Keane and Parker and I wouldnt be upset really. Given the money they likely WONT spend, those two guys would be a decent haul...I wonder if Inter would consider selling the young Davide Santon...that guy would really look good on our back line for several years to come. They have been looking to find someone to compete for his job, so it cant be too well - L. Young I mean... |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...We need a new right back Only in your opinion, I'd say Geoff. I think the vast majority think Luke Young's done a very decent job. Plus we have beye as back up, or even Cuellar, who imo, hasn't been as bad as some make out. Whatever, RB is well down the list of priorities, I'd say. |
Geoff
said:
|
... Yeah - which is why I said they need a striker first, and a midfielder second, right back third... i didnt say that in this thread though, it was the other day.. |
arsene wenger
said:
 |
... you lot like us lot could never afford a fabregas so youwill have to buy a youngster and give him the chance to become a top player? you need creativity its what you lack but will never afford the wages nor the fee, why not buy a fran merida for 10 mill or go for that ozel geezer for 15 mill, or even loan jack wilshere and try out a midfielder with a brain? |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... you lot need creativity but like us you cant afford a proven play maker so why not take a punt on a fran merida for 8-10mill or ozel for 15odd mill,or maybe a jack wilshere on loan, all thisparker talk, just another player to win the ball and not do anything with it |
John Samuels
said:
|
...Whatever, RB is well down the list of priorities, I'd say.Definitely. With Albrighton waiting in the wings i'd say in midfield we have plenty as long as MIlner stays central. We'll only buy there if we sell someone. The most pressing position is a forward option. Either an out and out 20 goals a season striker or someone who can link Gabby more effectively with the midfield. We need more of a cutting edge. We run out of offensive options too quickly in games and need another dimension up front either for the first team or to bring off the bench after an hour if we're struggling to make a break through. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...happy new year damo and thanks for the blog this year Agreed VB, excellent entertainment/debate  |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Jermiane Beckford could become a really good striker, but we need someone instant really. A good buy to bring on and hopefully make some money on, but someone like Benni McCarthy on a season long deal would be a good move I think. |
John Samuels
said:
|
...Pavlyuchenko anyone? At the right price, he is a very very good player with the ball at his feet. Would be a good buy, but at the right price. Spuds won't get anywhere near the £16.5m they paid for him. |
John Samuels
said:
|
...Beckford is off to Newcastle apparantly in the next few days! A good move for him, they need a striker and he'll play regularly there. He might find himself in the EPL next year and when they get relegated again we can buy him with a years EPL experience |
Adey Stuttard
said:
 |
...At the right price, he is a very very good player with the ball at his feet. Would be a good buy, but at the right price. Spuds won't get anywhere near the £16.5m they paid for him. Spuds are looking for £12M, if they want NRC, then £7-8M plus? |
John Samuels
said:
|
... If we swapped NRC for Pav and signed Parker in CM to replace him I would be pleased tbh. Pav, Kenwyne or Cole would be my choices, all tall, all technically decent, all fairly good in the air and on the ball and all have premier league experience and speak the lingo. We could get any of them for about £12m ish. I'd swap Heskey for Kenwyne, NRC for Pav and loan Fonz to Spam for the rest of the season as part of the Cole deal. |
daza
said:
 |
... i dont know anything about mikey mouce scottish football but i think it is a matter of time before someone in the premier league signs Kris Boyd i dont know much about him except that he scores goals why not take a punt on him, hes gotta to score more goals than heskey even though i was impressed by heskey at the emirates. |
daza
said:
|
... completley off topic does anyonefind it funny that liverpool payed 18 l for a full back where that now portsmouth have hardly any money that now thy could have bouth him fo a third of the price. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Apparently Bentley might be off to the scum, according to the Mirror. What a comedown for him, if true. Still wouldn't surprise me if we were in for him. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... viva... we all have our oppinions on certain things but today i havent agreed with your top two as parker is a good player but at 29 is probably too old and at 22 i feel gardner given the chance would prove a good player also and would as like parker stand out in a relegation threatened club like west ham. the second one, kevin doyle?? enough said this player is nowhere near the likes of heskey,carew,gabby or even harewood all these players have scored more goals in a season when doyle had his purple patch with reading 4-5 seasons ago!. any way i would also like to take this oportunity to wish all the villa boys on here a very happy new year and look forward to many a new argument next year. |
Chrisodon
said:
|
... We are all setting ourselves up for a fall, I Doubt mon will make any moves this month. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... i personally doubt we will sign anyone in the january rip offs, but maybe a youth player who is up for grabs but nothing more. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Chris and Paul, I seriously think you're right. And if we don't sign anybody I'll be slightly disappointed, but not gutted. |
heskeyshead
said:
 |
... how many people on here have season tickets or have even been to a game this year? just out of interest? anyway i havent seen enough of scott parker to pass judgement but i assume he is more of a natural defensive midfielder which might give us more balance to the midfield and allow us to play a more varied midfield line up. Milner-----Petrov-----Parker-----Young --------------Parker---------------- Downing---Petrov----Milner------Young ----------Parker----Petrov----------- Downing-------Delph-----------Young as you can see there are several possibilities for different situations. i think parker would be a good signing, maybe 8m is a bit of a stretch but in january you have to pay over the odds. |
Eamon McElwee
said:
 |
... this january window can prove difficult, clubs not wanting to relaese players mainly because they either..A -need them for an upcoming relegation battle or B - they need them to maintain a title/uefa cup push so it tends to be mid-table teams with not much to play for or players who have 6 month left on contract that leave clubs my new years shopping list: we obviously need a natural goalscorer and an attacking midfielder...the question is who??? attackers - we could do worse than mccarthy of blackburn but age is not on his side...dont like the idea of kenwyne Jones unless we sell heskey...bellamy would top my wish list but i dont think Citeh will sell...luca toni wants away at bayern - again age not on his side and we'd have to sell heskey - but he'd score goals...ruud van nistelrooy?? age a factor again...Bellamy the pick of the bunch - Tuncay could be worth a bid also as hasnt had much playing time at Stoke Attacking midfield...i like the idea of Delph being given a shot but just not his time, another year or 2 and hes a cert...Eden Hazard(lille) would be awesome, bags of talent and v v highly rated...theres not many i'd look at in England in this area so we have to shop foreign here i believe...scotty parker could happen, hes young(ish), english and could prosper under O'Neill |
Michael panizza
said:
 |
... Parker: another player good at passing the ball sideways. We have enough pedestrian types in midfield, including passengers like Salifou still getting a wage God knows what for. Gardner: if he was good enough, he would have made it into the 1st team by now. Loan him out to someone for a season or two if you really wanna hang on to the hope he may realise his potential but, to negative old me, Craig Gradner adds nothing to our midfield either than the usual running and mostly average passing (and we have enough of that already in central midfield). Finally, Happy New Year to all of you, even to Taglor. Here's to a 2010 Claret and Blue (and to some passing football at last). UTV!!!!! |
Eamon McElwee
said:
|
... ohh i forgot to mention robbie keane as a possible striker and spuds look like they might be keen - no pun intended - to sell.. happy new year all..UTV |
Eamon McElwee
said:
|
... to an earlier comment - i'd have bentley if the Christ-killers wana sell...his attitude is questionable but he was great at blackburn and it would free milner to play permanently in the centre |
James
said:
|
... Right, I've started early. Like Damian, I hope to be asleep/passed out prior to Big Ben Bongin. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the boss and all contributors. I love this blog and long may it continue. Happy New Year. (Ps. I hear 2010 is the Chinese year of the Mule. You heard it here first) |
pete
said:
|
... heskeyshead strange question but i miss about 5 home games a year but it makes me no better fan than the ones who dont go. families morgages and current climate have to come first thats life |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
...Nanwasafan said: I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the boss and all contributors. I love this blog and long may it continue. Happy New Year. Yes Indeed ! Thanks for the blog Damo, and for the laugh everyone else. Happy New Year Everyone UTV |
frem
said:
 |
... parker would be good but he is 29 and we dont need a center mid. WE have to get a top striker and one that is not a target man. I am fed up with are thick strikers that dont know how to play up there. Robbie Keane would be perfrct. 10 - 12 mil, he gets goals garenteed and he knows how to play upfront. He is a must buy. If we get another target man are strike force will be shit. |
Eamon McElwee
said:
|
... giovani dos santos another option for midfield..hasnt worked out at Spurs but hes undoubtedly talented and i wonder if Barca would consider selling/loaning Bojan - hes not getting game time at Camp Nou |
Eamon McElwee
said:
|
... well said villabiker...the amount of games people attend has no bearing on being a fan...some have money issues, some, like me live in Ireland or further afield and makes it pretty expensive/difficult to make games regularly...i assume ur trying to get at the fact that if we arent at VP each week, we arent real fans or that we dont see the full picture but i stream every single game and have supporter Villa all my life so i think its a mute point ur making |
frem
said:
|
... giovani and keane would be good. Keane gets goals and Giovani has flair gial and vision. |
pete
said:
|
... u asume right bosnich13 there were several years i did not go up through the morgage and kids but i never ever stopped my passion for the club and ther were no streams in those days |
Fatkevs
said:
 |
... I Guess Ashley could be on his way out in Jan. Our fans have not made him feel like the Star he thinks he is we do not even have a decent song. GB may have already put the word in hence his form |
Geoff
said:
|
... I saw a blurb claiming Ashley Young was spotted getting out of a car at Spurs'' complex.... he is kind of a ####head though, i think his leaving would help the locker room, as long as they properly replace him. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
... JPA said The most pressing position is a forward option I keep hearing this and its not THE pressing problem from what ive seen so far this season, and more so in our last two games. In those games, we could have had both Defoe and Torres up front, and we would of still struggled to score since other than a few half chances, we dont create anything from central positions. For large portions of those games, our strikers have been starved of anything close to decent service. Thats our need right now. |
Simon
said:
 |
... First Off, Happy new year. Second, i think Bosnich has touched a point that should be explored. How many of the top European clubs have players that could come on loan to Villa? There must be a few surely? |
Icklechuck
said:
 |
... Happy New Yr all first and foremost! If we were looking to buy a striker who isnt quite in the 'marquee' range (Jones/Santa Cruz/McCarthy etc) Id like to see David Nugent get some development in at VP under MON - he's young,hungry to prove himself after a dissapointing time at Portsmouth under Harry. I know he is on loan at Burnley but his confidence is growing and i feel he is cetainly more mobile than Heskey - just a suggestion, and id rather him than some of the players mentioned. I wish you all you wish for in 2010 - great blog/banter/debate etc. |
frem
said:
|
... James Beattie? No No No No No. He is a awfall striker, has no pace, he is very lazy and he cant finish. If Oneill goes in this transfer window and gets a Beattie, nugent or jones villa are in real trouble. All the top four, city and spurs all have at least one top striker but we dont and it shows. Goals win games and gets points. Top strikers get goals but it seems Oneill is dcared and belives it will be bad if he gets a Defoe, Keane or Vagnar love. He has been here at least 6 transfer windows with plentey of cash and still does not go and get a top striker. Every season the fans say we need a strilker but Oneill never, ever delivers one. This season it has shown badly that we need one but will Oneill see it or again by shit . |
Lew Chatterley's Lover
said:
 |
... Kenwyne Jones would be a super buy, strong, great in the air, and with service will get 15 to 20 a season, also more of a MON sort of player than Bellamy or Keane. We also need competition for Gabby who seems assured of his place regardless of how he plays, Jones would fit the bill in this respect as well. I feel very sorry for Craig Gardner, he's probably spent years as a kid and youth team player concentrating on being a central midfielder, as soon as he gats a sniff of a first team place its either as an emergency right back or right winger, how the hell will we ever know what he's capable of ? He has a great shot on him and an eye for goal, would probably get 6 to 8 goals a season from that position (as much as Petrov, Reo, and Sidwell put together), on the down side he does give the ball away a little to easily but maybe that's because he's not obsessed with passing sideways, and knows that its only the killer pass that will keep him in for the next game. An oppurtunity missed if he does leave. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... heppy new year lads, and no to james bloody beattie he chose everton over us so i dont think he deserves a second chance, and to be honest he is nowhere near good enough! |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Sounds like Blackburn are going to be fielding a much changed side for the cup match. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... how about martin petrov on the left this could enable ashley to play behind gabby. this could work as downing, petrov and milner could carry on switching and young could interlock. this would also be good to confuse the opposition even more as it could be young to young to petrov to petrov |
daza
said:
|
... I dont think that o'neill will make a big mistake in signing beattie, i think scott parker is a good player, not outstanding but i think he could break up the play better than petrov, in the summer i saw lots of villa fans talking about moutiniho and veloso, never seen them play are they any good and what type pf midfielders are they defensive or attacking. Dont send me any youtube links because they mean nothing i could put together a compilation of cameron jerome's best goals for example dont mean that hes any good. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
 |
... Happy new year Villans! Looking forward to the cup the weekend and a bit of squad rotation! Really hoping Delfouneso, ALbrighton and Delph get starts along with Clarke along side Collins at the back. These younguns need to get some match play in otherwise they will sit and rot. Delfouneso especially could be exactly what were looking for before spending 15 million on someone like Jones and watching him move clubs because there is no first team action for him! Come on the Villa, heres to a successful 2010! |
frem
said:
 |
... Meanwhile I'm told that Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has had enough of life in London and due to his major interest in roads and motorways, fancies a move to Villa so he can push us into the Champions League and also study Spaghetti Junction more closely. |
scott harwood
said:
 |
... hi ya guys,calmed down now lol.sorry if i upset anyone but the game genuinely gutted me.i havnt been down that much about a villa match for a while. anyone early indicationa are that mon is gonna play the strongest team possible while blackburn play their "b" team.curely this must be a bit of kidology with the cc match3 days later.anyone know anything? |
Stan Balaban
said:
 |
... Happy new year lads! Whether or not we add someone like Parker is not going to make or break our season in my opinion. If you look at the top teams around us they all have that sort of player that the opposition always look to keep quiet. The 'give him half a chance and he'll bury it' player. Drogba, Rooney, Torres, Tevez, Bellamy, Defoe, Fabregas, Arshavin. The only other one I can think of that comes near is Bent I suppose, but that is the type of player we do't have, but the other 6 teams around us do. Kenwyn Jones looks like he'll need a few chances before he scores one, same with Keane. It's not easy to get someone with that ability to come in at all, let alone in Jan, but we definitely need someone with a killer instinct so van Nistelrooy or even McCarthy as stop gaps would be good additions imo. UTV!!! |
Stan Balaban
said:
|
... Having said all that, the NRC + Sidwell/Gardner + cash for Arteta would be brilliant too. He could be the perfect string puller and link-man that we've been after. Never been a better time to test Everton's hand, but anyone know how long he's out for? |
Sam Vicary
said:
 |
... We have a squad to beat any Blackburn side on both occasions whilst using the full depth IMO. The Carling Cup should be considered more significant, we should rest most of our top players with a starting line up like... Little Brad Beye Collins Clark Warnock Albrighton NRC Delph Downing Heskey Delforneso ...and the CC match should be Big Brad L. Young King carlos Dunne Warnock Ash Milner Petrov Downing Heskey Gabby ...or something to that effect. |
Stan Balaban
said:
|
... HolteEndersinDubai - I've been in Dubai for nearly 3 years now and I'm still looking for a Villa bar! Any suggestions? |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Oooh my head hurts. First time in 25 years I feel shite after beer Did someone say Beattie???? I saw a blurb claiming Ashley Young was spotted getting out of a car at Spurs'' complex.... Bollox. And please don't mention it again. I can't believe I'm actually wasting my time in saying that |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Well O'Neill certainly didn't deny that we'd be involved in the transfer market when asked, but he didn't really fill me with much hope that we will be either. |
frem
said:
|
... vivavilla- Oneill wont buy even though we need to add. He did not say that we would definetly be involved because he knows he wont. He did not say he would not be involved because he wants something for the fans to cling on to untill the last minute when we finaly realise he wont add. Anyway, still hoping i agree with arsene wenger on here. We lack creativity and should go for ozil or marida. Parker is a good player but does not have flair, gial and much creativity. He is 29 and he is not what we need. Mountino is good aswell or dos antos from spurs. Robbie Keane is a must buy. |
frem
said:
|
... Jack Wilshere- ( spelt wrong) we should loan him out. The villa fans should sing his name every game. The players should make him really welcome. And then he finds a place in his heart for us after having a great loan and on the last game of the season on the lap of hounor he has a tear in his eye. After that he comes out in public and says he wants to stay at villa for ever. |
Carl Main
said:
 |
... My wishlist would be..... Maxi Rodriguez Aguaro Hulk But I know im living in dreamland expecting MON to land those players! I realistically think we could get Carlton Cole, which would be a good addition! |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... I don't think there's any point in trying to kid the fans, it will never work out in your favour. If a club aren't going to buy, they'll usually come out and tell the fans straight, like Ferguson and Daniel Levy did. If a manager keeps his fans on edge for 31 days and doesn't end up signing anyone, he isn't giving them anything to cling onto at all. All he's doing is giving them a reason not to like him. |
frem
said:
|
... oneill does not sound convincing when asked about the transfer window. he said something like ask me again in two or three days or two or three weeks, maybe in 31 days. |
Knighty
said:
 |
... Hi I'm a Man Utd fan who has a soft spot for Villa. In my opinion Martin O'neill likes his English players too much for you to be considered serious title challengers. Its good for England but sadly not for Aston Villa. |
Car Frost
said:
|
... Happy New Year fellow Villains... In my hung over state this morning I read that Redknapp wants to go to Afghanistan to meet the troops... don't know if it was too much booze last night but I was actually sick a little but managed to swallow it... what a way to sidestep the fact you are a twisted, tax evading crook! Anyway starting to believe the Parker rumours, it's everywhere and there's no denials as yet. JPA et al I'm starting to agree he could be a cracking signing for a year or two. Article worth reading imo.. http://www.guardian.co.uk/foot...ham-united Have a great new year all! |
Linden
said:
 |
... The busiest MO'N has ever been during a January transfer window was his 1st season in charge, when he signed Carew and Ashley Young. In the subsequent seasons, little or no transfers have happened during this month. But in all honesty, its quite a dull month for transfers for most teams. MO'N makes all of his major signings during the summer months. Yes we know he should sign a striker and a creative midfielder, but given the previous January windows as a guide, it is highly unlikely. Martin will go with what we have got until the end of the season. However, with the World Cup approaching, there has never been a better time to sign a few players on loan. Many players on the continent, who are not getting regular first-team action, might be interested in joining on loan. This would help their chances of being selected for their nations World Cup Squads. Surely we could sign a few players on 6 month loan deals for this purpose, obviously with a view to buying them. Some of the major teams in Italy, Germany and Spain have quality benches. A Klaas Jan Huntelaar of AC Milan or even a Mario Balotelli of Inter for example. Its worth a gamble. The bottom line is that I dont expect any full transfers in January. I know MO'N too well. We all should by now. |
Car Frost
said:
|
...The bottom line is that I dont expect any full transfers in January. I know MO'N too well. We all should by now. Yup he's a funny bugger.. wouldn't be suprised either way tbh. |
Linden
said:
|
... Frosty - i wouldn't either but i tend to side with him signing nobody. I just hope he rectifies the problem areas in the summer. I do however have major concerns that we will fade away like we did last season. I really hope i am wrong, but with the high tempo game we play and the fact MO'N uses the practically the same 11 players for each game, i fear burn out will catch us up once more. |
Fatkevs
said:
|
... Heskey Head why do you ask I have a season Ticket but in honesty a fans view is as Valid as a Supporters I admittedly feel you add Value being there cheering on your team but we all have our own vision of the game. TV watchers have the benefit of replays close up at the game we see the actual conditions & movement pros cons for both |
avfclavo
said:
 |
... Just like AC Milan i think we should get an experienced player over from America on loan for a couple of months. How about Juan Pablo Angel - we need a striker |
Linden
said:
|
... avfclavo said: ... Just like AC Milan i think we should get an experienced player over from America on loan for a couple of months. How about Juan Pablo Angel - we need a striker Mate, what planet are you on???? JPA gave his all for the Villa but left because he was past his best, and that was 3 years ago !!!!! |
heskeyshead
said:
|
... I just get a bit sick of fans on here coming out after two defeats and spouting crap about the team! fair enough if you can't afford a season ticket but maybe you should e a bit reserved in your judgement! focus your dissapointment from midweek into cheering the team along at the weekend! that's the problem with villa park! apart from the Holte end there are 30000 supporters who EXPECT us to be playing a certain way and challenging for this and that! maybe if we made VP a fortress and a cauldron of noise we could turn those draws into wins or defeats into draws more often! NO, instead up have trinity and doug ellis stand people who sit on the sidelines and clap if we score and then moan when we don't |
James Clift
said:
 |
... Whats all this talk of James Beattie?? We are seriously going in the wrong direction if we sign him. What we need is for Lerner to give O'neill £20m to buy a striker that will bring us CL football. |
beh
said:
|
... I hear what your saying heskeyhead but if you were out of work/ had to move away, would that make you less of a a fan ? less entitled to comment on avfc ? agree about the atmosphere, seems like it at most prem clubs aswell, unless they`ve just got promoted. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
...... I agree with this....... Unfortunately, it will only get worse as we get more successfull. Some of our support are just embarrassing when you sit in the stand next to them. Half have never played the game and worse, understand it. Players are robots that only require the switch to be turned on for them to perform. If not then they are shite, and the Manager is a tosser for buying him. There are still a lot of diehards left, but its something that is now irriversable as the modern game pampers to the Middle Classes rather than the working Man... Money destroys everything |
Fatkevs
said:
|
... HH I think you are mistaken thinking the Holte End are doing a great job Far From it, the North Stand probably give more £ for £ confronting the away fans. The Holte end was great when standing, but if we get 15mins a game that is it i am afraid I am now in the Trinity Library, when that was knocked down it lost its slight presence, Randy finally killed it kicking out fans for the faceless. We have a long way to go as fans, i do not care about the away fans excuse. The shame we have to bear from the likes of foreign fans in the europa filling our ground with noise is too much to take |
Fatkevs
said:
|
... HH i am just as tired of fans talking as if we play great football when if honest it has only been great results Just like the fans not prepared to give up there time in the past to coment on how our club was being run when we had a slight chance of influencing things |
Fatkevs
said:
|
... Good on MON insisting Ashley Young is not a cheat when he was booked the other day, the only trouble is i feel he looks to go down a bit to often always looking for protection. If he was to get on with his game instead of all the faces we may have more joy We all know what a great player he could be, I guess he feels he should be in Englands Eye, he must forget thinking how great he is & get on with it like milner a much more likeable trait |
Fatkevs
said:
|
... The other key factor is the football we play,one can feed off the other in the old days we had fun songs movement songs like nigel spink throws it out to platty today it would have to stop there, i suppose we could cheer ahhhh hooof aaaaah aaaaah hoof aaah Fun on the pitch fun in the stands The Noses have had adversity to build on we have past glories |
Fatkevs
said:
|
... Half have never played the game and worse, understand it. Good Job we have you then maybe we should get you two a partyline with MON & access to the Address system to advise the less knowledgeable fans |
heskeyshead
said:
|
... why arent their any songs for james milner? i think the praise john carew gets is a bit OTT, like MON said "some of the younger players would die for that sort of hero's worship" |
AVFC DAN
said:
|
... me and my mate have been to season ticket holders in the holte for years but this year we both had a promotion in our jobs so we decided to go in the trinity and get a few fans cheering on the lads, now i know the trinity is hardly the holte but the past few games more and more fans are actualy cheering this maybe because there we have been winning up until tuesday. By the way all my mates are noses and they take the mik out of VP because of the lack of atmosphere,but im back in the upper holte tomorrow and the lads are getting the biggest cheer they can get! UTV |
VillaDan
said:
 |
... Heard bout one for a while bout jimmy milner goes like this, jimmy milner is Brazilian we won't sell for 20 million on the ball he's fu**in brilliant jimmy jimmy milner! |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
... FatKev said Half have never played the game and worse, understand it. If im allowed to drink beer, fart, burp and be generally un-politcally correct, then why not lol |
George Templeton
said:
 |
... Happy New Year to everyone on this wonderful blog. Thank God the aughts are over. Here's to a new decade, one that will be full of better times for everyone and the best times for the Claret and Blue! |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
...Liverpool are set to sign Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy next week and also hope to bring in his Real Madrid team-mate Rafael van der Vaart on loan until the end of the season. Rafael van der Vaart on loan ? Come on MON, if he's available slap a bid in. And while you're at it, how about playing Delph, Albrighton, & The Fonze today. |
tubbydunne
said:
|
... -------------------------Friedel---------------------------- Beye---------------Collins------Ceullar-------------Warnock Albrighton--------Delph----------Downing------------Young ---------------Delfonsencou------Carew-------------------- |
bass
said:
 |
... I dont expect us to sign anyone in the first 3 weeks of jan and then we will get the token signing of someone 2nd rate, beni mcarthy or someone that will just sit on the bench forever as MON knows who he loves and could never drop young, petrov god forbid gabby!!!! i think gardner will go along with harewood and NRC, would be good to see heskey go and look for regular football at maybe 'The Ship inn' in my village as i think they are looking for a striker and he has half a chance of getting on their bench!!!! I dont really think there is anyone that would come to us at this stage because if they are playing at a club like spurs or man city they will not want to drop down to us and there is not much else in the league that will make us better so if i had put money on it i would say i would like to see someone from spain or holland or if it was someone from this league have a go at kenwyn jones, i think he would do ok for us??? any thought? |
jason parkes
said:
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... richards from man city sounds like hes up for sale could be good for us spuds in with 12 mil.vdv on loan,top stiker i would be happy but same old mon plays his cards close to his chest again |
Darragh McGeown
said:
 |
... Pancho - I think it would be very good for the club and MON as a manager to try a bit of foreign creativity in our team. However, I don't think its good business getting such a player on loan. Every player we have signed from outside the EPL (including the SPL) have taken at least 6 months to settle. To get the best out of a loan deal you must sign a player who is used to the EPL. |
frem
said:
|
... I thought liverpool were 350 mil in deubt so why are they being linked with top players ? We should have more money avalible then liverpool and is it not about time Oneill starts getting or even loaning players like VDV and snapping up vannistory which will make a huge diference ? Or will he just get james Beattie because he is cheap and shit ? same old same old with Oneill in the Market. |
Mark
said:
 |
... frem Van Nistelrooy is on about £140,000 p/week, so forget that one. Let Liverpool try and buy there way out of trouble. Once the American duo jump ship, they'll be further in the brown stuff. Same rule applies to Chelski. MON has done fairly well with signings, most of whom have increased in value. Personally, I'd like to see the Fonz have a proper run in the team and give Gabby a rest, as he's still far from the finished article. The Liverpool result still hurts because we looked good to win. For the first time in years we played like the home team and were actually favourites to win against a Top 4 team. We, along with most other managers are looking for prolific goalscorers. MON, right or wrong, will not pay silly money for anybody, however, he has got us tugging at the big boys shirts without the necessity. I don't think he will buy anyone in Jan, but look long term for someone in the summer that has the right motives to play for AVFC. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
... The Window should be scrapped anyway. All it does is drive up fees and frustration. Cant see for the life of me that when we have clubs in financial meltdown, concerns about excessive wages, the role of agents and back handers....why its still here. It favours only the very rich, and hinders all. |
Connor Wright
said:
 |
... We dont need to sell but i can see kenwyne jones coming in and heskey going to sunderland, garnder on loan to wolves or that scum across the road. I like the idea of MON keeping things british but if we are going to push for top four positions then we need to look at europer and maybe add some flare from south america |
boumavilla
said:
 |
... Dorrans from west brom- I'd say 3/5 cos it has been repeated time and time again but i wud say he's a new routledge, he isnt young and has not too much potential but when given his chance cud do sumat special Pavlyuchenko from spurs- 3/5-- Possible as he is leaving but he is rumoured leaving for elsewhere... but a good finisher at that Kenwyne Jones from sunderland - 2/5-- who knows but a good player there was another 1 but me no remember UTV!!! good win 2day!! |
Magicnick
said:
 |
... Wonkeye: To all those that say business can't be done in January, what about: Ashley Young Brede Hangeland Emmanuel Adebayor Patrice Evra Andrey Arshavin Nemanja Vidic All players brought in during the January transfer window. The thing is, if you look at the all those players, apart from Ashley Young they were all brought in from Europe and I don't think MON even knows where that is... ----------------------------------------------------------------- You don't really get it do you. The argument behind the January Transfer Window is that it acts as a "top up", you bring in some fresh legs, a bit of quality to help maintain you're form, bolster your injury stricken squad, fight desperately against regulation. It is not a place for good value, it is buying players for NOW as opposed to next season. Arshavin aside, all those players have require time to adapt to the premiership. Yes, we ca buy someone from Europe, but we cannot expect them to help us maintain our top 4 push. So why not wait until the Summer when more shops our open. I'll finish with the obligatory "dream" transfers list. But first let me prefix it with this; I do not think we'll buy anyone this January, I don't think we need to buy anyone this January and will not be at all upset if we don't. The quality in this window simply isn't available. And in the grand football tradition of supreme hypocrisy, i'd like us to sign; Scott Parker Kenwyne Jones Van der Vaart |
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