Was Stuart Taylor still our player? I'm not sure he was, in so much that I think his contract expired this summer, but it sort of doesn't matter any more, as he's joined Manchester City on £120k a week.

Okay, I've made up the wage but he has joined them and for the record, he was a decent keeper and didn't do much wrong when called upon.

So, how many players is that we are down now from last season; three or four? It doesn't matter though as Martin O'Neill is going to parade five new players next week, or the week after or more likely one every now and then until August 31st.

He does have to hurry though because pre-season starts soon and if the papers are to be believed this afternoon, we are leading the chase for Valencia right-back Miguel.

He is a 29 year-old international from Portugal and reports in Spain claim that we have won the race to sign him. If this is true, you can only assume that we're going to be playing Luke Young on the left and I know he did us proud there last season but what about Nick Shorey and Bouma?

Anyway, just speculation to see us through until the day Martin O'Neill does parade twelve players at Bodymoor for us all to see.

Comments (118)

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cjd10030 said:

... not been first ever !

Comment 1, made on June 23, 2009 at 4.42 pm

Mowgs said:

... Good luck to Stuart - always did a job when we need him. One of those guys who seems doomed to be a sub keeper his entire career. Ah well can think of worse ways to earn a living.

Comment 2, made on June 23, 2009 at 4.43 pm

cjd10030 said:

... Bit Like Martin No Deal in the transfer market !

Comment 3, made on June 23, 2009 at 4.43 pm

rob h said:

... old story repeating itself i think. Damian, you proabably read my posts on here and if you do you will see I am pro promoting the youngsters from the academy. i saw a few reserve games last season (dont know whether you did) and clarke the centre back is a proper prospect . IMO at least as good as cahill was. forrester the lad we signed from watford, dominated games and scored some quality goals from midfield. don't you agree that our squad numbers can be increased by giving clarke (eng u19 captain), forrester, o halloran, bannan, albrighton? these players are getting to that eage where they need senior football. If we added these players surely mon could concentrate on just adding say 3 quality players. personally I think clarke is the star. this boy is a serious centre back. what do you think damo?

Comment 4, made on June 23, 2009 at 4.48 pm

True villa said:

... Miguel not to join us I don't think. Due to his age, not a mon player. Well we did buy heskey who is 900 years old! I want kyle naughton at the villa, apparently we have won that race as well with a £7m deal. Everyone knows he was in Birmingham over the weekend speaking to mon. I am pretty much up beat for sone reason today even though we haven't signed anyone yet, I just think that mon has a big plan for villa this summer! He will replace barry and will have 5 players that are quality! I think it's because of the awesome weather why I am so up beat! Does anyone agree with me?

Comment 5, made on June 23, 2009 at 4.49 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... If we get miguel in I don't necisarily expect young to go over to the left permanently. It will just mean we have competition for places on both sides which can't be a bad thing, I mean how long have we been complaining about lack of cover on the right. It would probably mean that the move for naughton is not on though, so which paper is just making up complete bollox? answers on a postcard! Oh by the way, I reckon you 120k a week estimation for Taylors new wages is probably about right, maybe 150k?

Comment 6, made on June 23, 2009 at 4.51 pm

rob h said:

... true villa, I absolutley agree but I think it will only be 3 or 4 quality players (see my post above) we may not get the big name players but we will get the right players because that is what mon does He signs the right players for the club at that time. iknow some have not worked out but every manager in the world is guilty of that. arent they?

Comment 7, made on June 23, 2009 at 4.51 pm

Oscars Arse said:

... Best wishes to Stuart Taylor never had a chance did he? Another day another non signing just talk talk and more talk. I'm keeping faith - just

Comment 8, made on June 23, 2009 at 4.54 pm

eamo said:

... rob I agree with you 100%. I would far rather the few prospects we have been given the sub roles and buy 3 quality players than going out and getting 7 average players. I would like to see Naughton (sounds very likely), Defour and a top quality winger (robben maybe) being bought and use our quality reserves as much as possible.

Comment 9, made on June 23, 2009 at 4.57 pm

Peter Dragoonis said:

... Why buy a RB so that we can put our current RB at LB. Call me crazy, but it seems more logical to buy a LB and then play luke young in his natural position. This is just ridiculous. In Redknapp, Hughes & Moyes we trust to buy proper players to ensure they push on ahead of AVFC.

Comment 10, made on June 23, 2009 at 4.59 pm

Morton said:

... guys its going to be hard to take in but we are going to get 2 players of average quality but are work hourses, out and out quality just is'nt coming to villa with MO in charge... we will sell quality but not get any any in... thats they way it goes

Comment 11, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.00 pm

RayK said:

... rob h - I agree with you on Clarke and I think we're all for MON developing the kids but do you think that is likely? Other than Gabby who else has MON given a proper crack in the side? re Miguel. Very old story as linked with this guy two years back...does this mean though that Naughton going to Everton???

Comment 12, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.01 pm

Prash said:

... Miguel can also play Right wing as he is very attacking, he would give us plenty of options.

Comment 13, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.06 pm

i got georgie thompson pregnant said:

... mellberg has just signed for olumpicos for £2m, why didnt we sell knight nd get in olly. MON u are a twat.

Comment 14, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.11 pm

Nathan said:

... I'll sign for us just so we can say we've got someone new i.... HURRY UP MON!

Comment 15, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.12 pm

Matt T said:

... AVFC_Pete - If we get Miguel we will have Bouma and Shorey available for the left and Young and Miguel for the right. The fact that Luke can play both sides is just as beneficial. Not signing a right back would be insane though. That said we need a flair player to do something more for the team than just "graft". Why aren't we after Veloso?

Comment 16, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.20 pm

oldvillan said:

... we wont sign ayone until the BIG teams have bought who they want,we will then pick up the leftovers,everyone should forget a top four place and lets try and win a cup.new goalkeeper please

Comment 17, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.21 pm

VillaDude said:

... Im praying on July 1st we announce at least 2 signings! Looking at the sporting life Transfer centre that displays all the ins and outs... http://www.sportinglife.com/fo...er_centre/ A lot of clubs are starting to move in the transfer market and MON is probably just sent the scouts out!

Comment 18, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.21 pm

VillaMitch said:

... We were linked with Miguel before we signed Luke Young so it sounds like a load of paper rubbish to me and just linking him with teams who were interested in the past. I don't think there's any truth in it to be honest. We need competition for Young but surely that should come from a younger player like Naughton. As for Stuart Taylor, good luck to him but he has never been given a proper run wherever he has been. His career stats show that he is 28 and has played about 70 first team games in his whole career which isn't enough so you have gotta question his motivation if he is going for a pay day sat on City's bench. Surely if he wanted to get his career back on track he should move to a team where he has a real chance of getting games and impressing. Maybe Burnley or a Championship team etc. He is obviously a money grabbing idiot if he thinks a move to City will be better for him than a move to a team where he would actually get a game. Tommy Sorenson got slated by some Villa fans but I always thought he was decent and he showed Taylor what it takes to get off the bench last season when he was one of the reasons Stoke survived. If Taylor's happy to move to another bench rather than making something of his career then we are better off without him.

Comment 19, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.23 pm

confusedvillafan said:

... what league do olumpicos play in? sounds like a good club for huddlestone

Comment 20, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.24 pm

Matt T said:

... Can only assume that MON thought Taylor wouldn't get a game with Guzan being reserve. That said how many seasons can we (realistically) count on Friedel as our number 1?

Comment 21, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.28 pm

Matt T said:

... Kind of smacks of having a reserve like Taylor, and then repeating the same cycle with Guzan because when Friedel is too old, no doubt Guzan will be considered too young...

Comment 22, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.29 pm

VillaDude said:

... I think any chance of signing mellberg back was gone when Olly remembered MON played him at Right Back for a whole season... Silly idiot!

Comment 23, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.30 pm

RayK said:

... Anyone think that MON will promote one of the Academy keepers (Bevan, Parish or Dau)? No i don't think so either, why bother when you have NRC, Luke Young and Gardner ....

Comment 24, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.42 pm

FatKevs said:

... He seemed an OK keeper who never got a run. Good luck to him as if he needs it on Xka week. But we OK for 10 a penny keppers. Brad had an average season & is not going to get any better or perform like he did at blackburn. I guess though Stuart, in Mons mind, able to cover a number of outfield posisions aswell so he may be a greater loss than we think

Comment 25, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.43 pm

Matt T said:

... Why don't we put Carew in goal... He's tall enough and it would fit the "MON likes a utility player" logic

Comment 26, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.45 pm

FatKevs said:

... Is Sturrage the 1st of the many linked players to get away. Never mind clubs cannot sign players till the 1 july unless you are outside Aston

Comment 27, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.46 pm

daniel wheeler said:

... another out, at this rate we will be playing power league football next season.

Comment 28, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.46 pm

FatKevs said:

... It May Dawn on MoN Soon that the Window is open as more of his players dissapear

Comment 29, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.51 pm

deansaundersperm that's perm said:

... i'm not that happy the Brad the elder is still our 1st choice keeper, i say put Brad the younger between the sticks

Comment 30, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.51 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... We were supposed to be interested in the spanish u21 keeper wern't we? He looked top notch against England the other night and I can see him going on to be as bigger name as Casillas or Buffon. If we could pull that off it would be a great move.

Comment 31, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.57 pm

notsosilentbob said:

... @villamitch As for Stuart Taylor, good luck to him but he has never been given a proper run wherever he has been. His career stats show that he is 28 and has played about 70 first team games in his whole career which isn't enough so you have gotta question his motivation if he is going for a pay day sat on City's bench. you say this out of what sounds like bitterness cus its man city? i say this, taylor has two very ill children and being paid 120k odd per week or what ever it is will set his children up for life weather he plays or not is imeterial... if i were him id do the same thing to make sure my children are well cared for...wouldn't you?

Comment 32, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.57 pm

cavan said:

... haven't posted here for a while, but i do check this site daily, am from nottingham and i work with jermaine jenas cousin, hes just got back from holiday with him, and apparently oneil has been onto jj's aganet the whole time, but after speakin to his cousin, he said they jermaine has said that he would only come to villa for crazy money (100K a week)as he dosnt see villa as a step up from spurs, and that he wanted to go to inter milan but they cant really afford him as they dont have much money, and his gf and family is in london so he dont wanna uproot them to just go to a club same size as one hes at. just thought everyone would like to know the situation from the whole jenas rumour since i got lucky on abit of inside info lol

Comment 33, made on June 23, 2009 at 5.59 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... ok let me get this straight we had the smallest squad in the prem... its now smaller yet there is nothing being done about it yes stuart taylor wasnt exactly a prominent player but he was reliable when called upon.perhaps mon is interested in another keeper i really hope he stops listening to the new kasabian album and pulls his finger out in the transfer market pretty soon because the small squad excuse isnt going to work next season

Comment 34, made on June 23, 2009 at 6.03 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... Cavan - The world really is going mad if Jermaine Jenas thinks he should be on 100k a week, obviously just another money grabbing mercenary, go and join Man City.

Comment 35, made on June 23, 2009 at 6.13 pm

VillaDude said:

... Good. jenas is overated and won't get better! Any info on Huddlestone or Bentley?

Comment 36, made on June 23, 2009 at 6.15 pm

True villa said:

... Take jenas as far away from villa park as possible! Don't rate the guy at all! We have a similar player in gardener. We do need a passer who can deliver that killer pass! With the right guidance and confidence I think huddlestone will be the player I would low to see at villa, everytime I have watched him play he brings calmness to the team, I think villa didn't have that last season, it was all rush rush! So mon come on matey get him!

Comment 37, made on June 23, 2009 at 6.24 pm

gregdavillain said:

... its about time we sign players for competition for places, as much as i like luke if miguel or/and naughton came in a deserved their place, well that means were improving. if we start to see players coming in that we dont think we need well jhappy days, because that bodes well for the problem postions. Bring in decent squad members first, let the opposion think dats us done in the market and then spring 2 surprise major signings. here we go

Comment 38, made on June 23, 2009 at 6.45 pm

ak_27 said:

... rob h i agree with you but MON is not the best at bringing youth through now is he? It's mainly because he doesn't use subs. We should have seen far more of the likes Bannan by now. Who is the right back for the reserves? Surely he should have seen some first team action by nw also. I have seen O'Halloran play for the ROI in the states a few years ago and he looked handy. But he seems to jinxed with injurys though. But MON cannot just gamble on these players coming through though. He also needs to bring players in this summer. A top CB, a full back, a winger and 2 CM would do me at this stage. I don't think another striker is as important at this stage.

Comment 39, made on June 23, 2009 at 6.51 pm

kenvilla said:

... I think that Taylor was very unlucky in his time with us with injuries at the same time as our 1st choice keeper. He was by far the best 3rd choice keeper we have had. As for Miguel I think it would be a waste of money. We could buy in a youngish RB for a small amount to learn from Young. We do have other positions that need filling more like centre back and centre mid. Would love to see Craig Gardner get his chance but am not sure it will happen.

Comment 40, made on June 23, 2009 at 6.56 pm

ak_27 said:

... I hope that is true about Jenas as he is one of the most over rated players around. We should have signed Palacious when he was available. I think we really need a good combative midfielder who is also comfortable with it at his feet. Bentley i would be happy wih but Huddlestone?? As a sqaud player then yes but MON would be gambling big time if he brings Huddlestone in as Barry's replacement.

Comment 41, made on June 23, 2009 at 7.01 pm

Rich said:

... DON'T RATE JENAS either. Would be ludicrous to break our wage structure. I for one am glad MON (or our club) won't pay silly money in wages or transfer fees for average players.

Comment 42, made on June 23, 2009 at 7.02 pm

whitey said:

... Jenas isn't great. I have always been impressed with Zokora when Spurs have been on the back foot at Villa over recent seasons. Their man of the match in their 2 previous visits to Villa. I think we should go for him. Much as I am a massive fan of Petrov, I think we need a midfielder that can actually tackle rather than blaming our defence all the time for leaking goals. ITS BECAUSE WE HAVE NO-ONE IN MIDFIELD THAT CAN TACKLE! DanWilson - any news on Kyle Naughton's facebook status?

Comment 43, made on June 23, 2009 at 7.11 pm

mattyavfc said:

... Another piece of astute business there by MON. That's Taylor and Sorenson gone for nothing. At this rate, half the premiership goalkeepers will have been released on a free transfer by Villa. Still, if football management ever goes for MON, there'll be plenty of banks offering him a job.

Comment 44, made on June 23, 2009 at 7.12 pm

RayK said:

... Jenas would be a complete waste of money at £100k a week and that's why we won't sign him. ak_27 - you've reminded me that Wegner recommended Palacios to Steve Bruce when he was still at Birmingham City. Who did Wenger recommend to MON? Salifou ... do you think MON and Wenger get on?

Comment 45, made on June 23, 2009 at 7.16 pm

gregdavillain said:

... whitey u tool....(lol) Jenas isn't great. I have always been impressed with Zokora when Spurs have been on the back foot at Villa over recent seasons. Their man of the match in their 2 previous visits to Villa. I think we should go for him. Last trip to villa zokora played right back and was humilitaed by ashley young.... he was taken off b4 half time. i no blogs are about opinion and this i can handle unless ur simeon but it annoys da shit out of me how little people know about football but yet they think they'd all make gr8 managers

Comment 46, made on June 23, 2009 at 7.17 pm

monout.com said:

... MoN needs a wheeler and dealer by his side.He lets players go for nothing and then struggles to sign new players. For example we could have signed Glen Johnson two seasons ago for 3.5 mill and then sold him like pompy are now. but no. We could have signed luke young two season earlier for half the price. What a great busuness man he is. TIME FOR CHANGE

Comment 47, made on June 23, 2009 at 7.28 pm

Rich said:

... Wouldn't it be great for Sky to go the same way as Setanta and see all these average, greedy egotistical players forced to completely reassess their wage demands. Sturridge, Jenas - 100,000 a week!! I know its another era but my dad used to go to the match on the same West Midland Travel bus as the players. At least then they were committed to the club and not milking it. And the league was competitive - I'm sick of the so called big four.

Comment 48, made on June 23, 2009 at 7.32 pm

Altan Kargaci said:

... Is Sturrage the 1st of the many linked players to get away. Never mind clubs cannot sign players till the 1 july unless you are outside Aston Just seen what your on about ...Dam...!! Really wanted him at Villa.

Comment 49, made on June 23, 2009 at 7.44 pm

rake said:

... good point fatkevs,i wasn't particularly impressed with friedel last season either,he was much better at blackburn.bob wilson worked with stuart taylor and said he was one of the best 'keepers he had ever seen,and taylor always played well when called upon,so,like so many other weird happenings at villa,i can't understand why he's been given away to the richest club in the world!

Comment 50, made on June 23, 2009 at 7.46 pm

rake said:

... i've been hoping for ages that villa sign kirkland,one of the best'keepers around but it'll never happen,because mon refuses to pay more than £3m for a decent 'keeper!

Comment 51, made on June 23, 2009 at 7.52 pm

RayK said:

... MON will go for Wayne Hennessey this time next year if/when Wolves get relegated. By then Brad Snr will go and it will be Hennessey, Guzan and Parish/Dau as our keepers.

Comment 52, made on June 23, 2009 at 7.57 pm

deansaundersperm that's perm said:

... people want to leave, and nobody wants to come here if papers are to be believed, i hope to god they are wrong, because we ain't really sending out the right message

Comment 53, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.06 pm

Simeon said:

... Why are we signing another 29 year old right back? Luke Young had by far and away the best season of any of our defenders, and ought to be going to the world cup next year if he maintains his form. But he won't be going if he plays left back for us. If I were him, I'd be more than a little concerned if Miguel signed. I understand that we desperately need competition for places, and with only one recognised right back, another right back is essential (as it has been for three years now). But why sign someone the same age as Luke Young? Surely Marty should be looking at younger, cheaper options at right back so that we can spend the money elsewhere. I sincerely hope that Marty isn't planning on signing Miguel to play at right back and have Luke Young at left back, although I wouldn't be remotely surprised if this were the case. And if indeed this does happen, would it surprise anyone if Luke Young turned around and told Marty that he wanted to leave in order to give himself a chance of being in the World Cup squad? If you hadn't already gathered, I think signing Miguel would be idiotic.

Comment 54, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.09 pm

FatKevs said:

... It will be the clubs chefs, doctors & Masseurs next it really is Doug over again but this time in monthly timelines not Years. We have missed out on a big name stiker though, oh i forgot Heskey An average player was 2-3m a few years ago now it £8-9m with that logic we should now be looking at strikers around the £25m mark How low are our sites set with Randy,

Comment 55, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.15 pm

bass said:

... Another one leaves and still no-one coming in the door! great to see martin no-deal up to his old tricks! i like the idea of the comp of ' how much will we spend this summer' who fancies another comp what date will we get our first new player....i will put mu neck out and say 30th August!!!!!!!!! We are so slow it worries me!!!

Comment 56, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.16 pm

FatKevs said:

... Well at least we all know not to waste our money on cup games this season even if Randy hands out a plastic hand Great point simeon

Comment 57, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.19 pm

dredwards said:

... Stuart Taylor has always been a good keeper when he got the chance but with Friedel and Guzan first and second choice respectively his chances and wages are limited. He has gone to City for the chance to play first team football plus the better wages/terms he will get. With Hart looking like he will be on loan somewhere next season Taylor has moved from third choice at Villa to potentially second choice. We need a defender of significantly better quality than Shorey, and to be fair Luke Young although good last season hasn't go the quality we really desire to move forward as a team. Younger than a 29yr old portugese but not an 18yr old. Suggestions for a new defence? I suggest off loading Zat Knight and Nicky Shorey to maybe one of the newly promoted teams and try and recoup the money spent and maybe buy a young promising defender and a top quality right back.

Comment 58, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.23 pm

Simeon said:

... FatKev, I think Lerner's biggest problem is that he doesn't know much at all about football. Realising this, he has decided to put his faith in O'Neill and given him his full support. I think it's pretty obvious that Villa are neither able or willing to spend 'silly money' on players, but I don't think the manager is suffering from a lack of support. Lerner's mistake is that he's trusting the wrong man. I don't think it's fair to say that Lerner not being a mind-bendingly rich sugar daddy is a failing. But having said that, your point that we are about where we were in the Doug Ellis days, relatively speaking, isn't that far from the truth.

Comment 59, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.26 pm

PBVilla said:

... We wont sign Miguel that is bollocks. I am starting to get frustrated with the transfer market now. We all know what MON is like, he wont do anything until after the season has started. He seems to wait for everyone else to do business then pick the bones of whats left. We need a few players thats for sure. Laursen needs to be replaced unless Cuellar turns into the player he allegedly is. Im not so sure about a replacement for Barry. A lot of people will probably laugh in my face but I think our centre mid situation is good. We have Petrov, who outclassed GB last season, and I rate Reo-Coker and Sidwell. Sidwell can score us a decent amount of goals, and Reo-Coker is a good tackler and I think he will thrive given a run in the team. We also have Gardner who is a quality prospect. Perhaps we could do with 1 more but I think we should give Sidders and NRC a game first. Id rather we invested in a top CB (if we can find one!) and perhaps Bentley and some more attack minded players. If we can get someone who can play on the left so we can put Ash behind the strikers at times that would be good. Im optimistic for the season ahead because we have a great manager and some good players who are only going to be better for last seasons efforts. Top 6 again. UTV

Comment 60, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.26 pm

PBVilla said:

... monout.com MON is the best thing to happen to our club since Big Ron, why would you want to get rid? Because of his skills in the transfer market? Thats pathetic. There are not many managers who could have got us 6th last year with our squad. Your a knob. UTV

Comment 61, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.33 pm

sean jones said:

... Anyone else eard that we are playing Celtic on the 4th August (Tuesday) at Villa Park, and then we are playing either Roma or Fiorentina on the 8th of August (Saturday) at Villa Park. This is great news, 2 big freindlys at Villa Park to get us in the mood for the season and for Europe. UTV

Comment 62, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.34 pm

gregdavillain said:

... we need 2 players for every position as it stands we're lucky to have 1 recognised player in their proper position. As for the ridiculous calls 'why didnt we sign johnson 2 years ago and sell him for a profit' thats just a real childs reaction to our inactivity in the transfer market. So O'neill should know every player who is going to be bought cheap and sold dear yeah??? He should have bought diarra too so following that logic. I remember hoping and stating that we went for him and i was slated on here at the time. No1 wanted to touch him after he was seen as a flop at chelsea. Well we took our chance on another flop from chelsea and we just didnt get as lucky because in fairness johnson has blossomed and is hands down a better player than like young. Young is honest but how many goals and assists did he get compared to glenn johnston last year? we'd all like to see some action and it'll come. Hope we dont sign bently, hes a show pony who was good a b'burn for 1 season and he was given protection in the team a bit like ronaldo had in utd. Id like to see some 1 with pace and a bit of strength who can cross a ball and not afraid to to cary the ball. Cant see bently giving 100%

Comment 63, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.35 pm

Simeon said:

... Whilst we're on the topic of right backs, what's the deal with Kyle Naughton? I've never seen him play, so I can't comment on whether he's any good or not, but I do have a question. If he's that good (and with some reports suggesting £7m is the pricetag he really ought to be), why isn't he in the U21 squad? Apparently he's a versatile player (being able to play at left back and at right midfield), which should have improved his chances of making the squad, and yet he didn't. Now, maybe he's a good player, but apparently there are better players ahead of him at that age group. But that just begs the question, why aren't we signing them?? And finally, if he's not as good as Micah Richards, we shouldn't be touching him with a barge pole.

Comment 64, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.39 pm

confusedvillafan said:

... bentley is apparently a dead cert so stick him on the right wing young on the left and move milner inside as the attacking midfielder with reo coco and petrov and things look better allready ! the side doesnt need a mass influx of players, add maybe defour and a good centreback. i know we need squad players but we`re not as bad as some make out.

Comment 65, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.44 pm

ak_27 said:

... confusedvillafan how can you say that with a midfield trio of NRC, Petrov and Milner that things are looking better? NRC cannot pass to save his life and we have no idea if Milner could operate in the centre. Last season with Barry in there our CM wasn't good enough so bringing NRC and Milner in there will not improve things. Bentley would be a good signing but we need 2 CM to come into the squad with either NRC or Sidwell leaving. Hopefully Sidwell.

Comment 66, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.54 pm

Simeon said:

... Marty is a 4-4-2 man, not a 4-5-1 man. Unless Heskey is playing out on the wing of course...

Comment 67, made on June 23, 2009 at 8.56 pm

ak_27 said:

... gregdavillain your right that the logic of buying both Johnson and Diarra fo resale purposes is wrong. But they should both have been signed as they would have vastly improved the team for very little money. Johnson was available on loan when we had no right back in the club (mellburg wasn't a rb in my book) so surely that wouldn't have been such a big gamble? Then again i don't think MON knows that you are allowed to loan players in.

Comment 68, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.01 pm

gregdavillain said:

... i hadnt ever heard of kyle naughton till he was linked with us tbh. but since ive read n heard really good things, everton hada 5 mil bid turned down and in fairness they always get the best from the lower leagues, cahill to mention just 1. naughton is meant to be quick attack minded and composed on the ball,and although not the finished article oozes potential and is sought after by 5 r 6 prem clubs.... (cud be all agent talk)

Comment 69, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.02 pm

jaywillis said:

... Mellberg has joined Olympiakos. http://www.skysports.com/story...36,00.html

Comment 70, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.04 pm

gregdavillain said:

... dre edwards... taylour has gone to city for first team football?? i rate given twice the keeper, and although hart is going to scum on loan id rate him better too

Comment 71, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.04 pm

confusedvillafan said:

... ak, milner has looked good there for england u21s, try him there preseason perhaps? i think bentley would be better than him on the right anyway.reo coker could be the ball winner, i know some dont rate him but i do given a good run,add petrov/defour(if he`s any good)and young and things dont look so bad in midfield. i`m just trying to be positive.

Comment 72, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.14 pm

gregdavillain said:

... ak-27 i agree with because i cudnt understand for da life of me how pompey cus attract da likes of defoe crouch kranjar, diarra, distin, glenn johnston ahead of us, i hate to say really really hate to , but ol pie face 'arry rednappkin always had an eye for a player, gets great resale value, i think he tells em if they come he wont stand in their way to leave if a bigger club comes back in for em, its a hard one to figure out, look at pompey now.... alot to be said for continuity and loyalty

Comment 73, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.17 pm

Chiefy1 said:

... Can i just ask while everyone is getting stressed with no signings as yet can i just ask doesnt the window open July 1st maybe that would explain no news coming from villa park to stop harry, hughes, moyes and Co going for our targets. Only a though we know MON keeps his cards close to his chest when it comes to transfers !! In MON we trust

Comment 74, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.22 pm

ak_27 said:

... confusedvillafan it could work but i wouldn't put my house on it so MON needs to have other options. I really don't see MON only playing one man up front he would have to leave 3 out of Carew, Heskey, Gabby and Delfoneso on the bench. gregdavillain i think it shows MON's weakness in spotting talent and then managing to get them to sign. The real problem i feel is wages. Until this club gets with the times and pays what the going rate is then we will not attract quality. Is it MON that is not willing to pay the wages or is it not having the financial backing to offer these wages is a question i would love to know the answer.

Comment 75, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.29 pm

gregdavillain said:

... ak-27 Well i often wonder is he genius or lucky, because if u look at it we still finished ahead of city and spurs and we were just as worried about them this time last year. His methods may seem outdated and to honest and loyal for what has become a money hungry business, which is more about money and location rather than hard work and glory. I think the same quality of players are required down through the years and in fairness oneill gets players who dont complain and dive (well not much really in fairness), they play as a team , are proud to be wearing the shirt etc. Its all easy for us to sit back all day reading every detail on the net and forming our opinions, some based on computer games but it cant be as easy as we think. With access to the net football is 24 hrs a dat so that in itself breaths frustration and impatience becasue we check a hundred times a day with no news, so days feel like weeks and weeks months etc, sometimes no news is good news and im sure there are negotiations going on. But i think oneill knows whats he's doing, we are building, we fell short last year because we were short on numbers and being in a new environment but with 2 really good players and 2 r 3 decent squad players i think we can push on. ok we lost laursen n barry they have to be priority to replace, and maybe 3 r4 squad players. we've lost taylour and prob harewood but that wont make ne diff to us. im waffling now but idont think hes inept as many on the site think he is.

Comment 76, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.39 pm

Altan Kargaci said:

... On the official site there is headline that reads Exciting Emile ...it certinetly excited me as I originally thought it sais Exiting Emile.....Oh well we can but hope.

Comment 77, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.44 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... pay the wages are you having a laugh, spoil the team spirit we have by paying some unknown muppet to play for twice what we pay the others. Lets just wait and see what happens in July, until then we can't make judgement on anything as we have noidea as yet what MON has planned. We could have youths to come through or we could be making signings which MON will be confident will make the mustard next year.

Comment 78, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.45 pm

truevillan said:

... gregdavillan- pompey got these players by paying higher wages than us, old wax face has already stated that in the press, these days money is all that drives some of these players! while im not concerned with taylor going, its another out the door before the replacement is brought in. like most of us i hope MON has something up his sleeve, but 5 transfer windows suggest not! sturridge gone today, another one that was meant to want to come to us, instead, like so many before him, he has decided for quick bucks and shelve his football career for 2 years before being sold on! if miguel rumours true, i fancy he is as a cheap alternative to bentley, not as a right back, where i reckon we are still after naughton (again, for sale and wants to come, why the delay?!) the middle has got to be defour (if there is a god, this player please!) and if we pay 7mil and gardner for wheater than thats a joke! and england u21 midfielder + 7 mil for an u21 defender! how does that work? players of equal ability, in similar stages of their career, then a midfielder wil always cost more! i pray we have sme 1/7 signings lined up, cos every week that then passes without a signing will show we areust not competing for any decent players!

Comment 79, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.45 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... PBVilla said: 0 ... monout.com MON is the best thing to happen to our club since Big Ron, why would you want to get rid? Because of his skills in the transfer market? Thats pathetic. There are not many managers who could have got us 6th last year with our squad. Your a knob. UTV What is this monout.com??? am i missing something here???

Comment 80, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.46 pm

vogra said:

... You have to pay the wages, look how well Pompey have done out of it, they've make a killing on Diarra,Defoe and Johnson.. I understand Kyle Naughton was on loan from Sheff Utd to Wolves...why haven't Wolves mad an offer, and why did Sheff Utd loan him out...is he that good? Im glad to see other people thought Friedel gave them no confidence in goal, that's what i thought, he seemed half the goalkeeper he was at Blackburn. Good luck to Taylor, and you guys honestly think Miguel will sign for us...your having a laugh...

Comment 81, made on June 23, 2009 at 9.59 pm

ak_27 said:

... Mr_Motivator how come the team spirit is ok at Utd where certain players are on around 4 times the wages of others? This spoil the team spirit excuse is just a very weak way of excusing our clubs ambition.

Comment 82, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.00 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... And if Heskey is held in such low regard on this website then can anyone explain why he is in the England squad?? Are we not proud of that? Or is it that some of our players are successful that we have to put them down to make us feel better? I really don't understand this Blog, why do none of you support Manchester United??? it is only these types of players who you would be happy with within your team and it ain't going to happen. I am happy! Tennis was great today, lets celebrate that eh??? perhaps MON is there enjoying himself

Comment 83, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.02 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... AK - erm well some get first team football and some are a long way from it. Can you tell me what the wage scale difference is between the regular starting line up? then i'll happily answer your question

Comment 84, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.04 pm

gregdavillain said:

... about the wages i dunno if its the way to go, although i suppose it does stop real progression if you are not prepared to do it. On the other side i think the transfer fees were so high so they could recoup most of the money spent on the player an his wages and agents etc. could we risk getting stuck with that debt if it all didnt work out

Comment 85, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.05 pm

ak_27 said:

... John O'Shea was on about 30/40k a week and Ronaldo was on about 150k a week.

Comment 86, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.08 pm

ak_27 said:

... Ronaldo, Rooney and Ferdinand are (were in Ronaldo's case) probably on at least double that of the likes of Vidic, Evra, Tevez, Carrick, Park and Van Der Sar.

Comment 87, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.10 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... complete rubbish my friend, you read to much in the press. The wage gap is there for sure but most of it is commercial rights rather than wages and I think you will agree that Ronaldo was much more saleable than our O'Shea. Somethings are never as black and white as you might think, besides your figures are well out, not to mention that strikers generally attract much higher salaries than defenders. I'm glad Villa don't pay high wages, how would we afford it, we don't have a stadium like Man U let alone champ leaugue etc etc, we need to slowly build, just like we said 3 years ago. Tennis was great though wasn't it??? you do watch other sports don't you??

Comment 88, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.14 pm

Michael panizza said:

... Mellberg's been sold to Olympiakos..sorry if someone had already mentioned it, couldn't be arsed to read all the posts

Comment 89, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.16 pm

ak_27 said:

... Tennis is gay.

Comment 90, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.17 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... You obvoiusly play it then

Comment 91, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.19 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... and you think that bringing in a "super star" will bring team spirit to our youthful team? We have class in our team, all on reasonable wages, we don't need to spoil it we need to bring in some more like minded players who can keep it up over the season, not some plonker with a huge ego who is gready on the ball and out for themselves. I wont more like Milner, quality hard working and going to be a class act, rather than a class act who can only disapoint. Bet you're a couch slob aren't you?

Comment 92, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.24 pm

ak_27 said:

... Ronaldo was on that much in wages alone. The wage gaps exist in all top clubs and the players mostly just get on with it. You go about Utd when we were talking about competing with Pompy. Im not talking about paying 120k a week for a player but if a quality player is willing to sign for 60/70k a week then pay it. Its hard enough to attract players to VP without making it even harder by putting a low wage celling in place. We wouldn't pay the wages on Diarra. How much profit did Pompy make on him in 6 months? We have to be able to match the likes of Spurs in the transfer market who we are often after the same players with. By the way Mr_Motivator do they have Champs league football or a bigger stadium?

Comment 93, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.24 pm

ak_27 said:

... Who meantioned superstars. Diarra, Defoe, Distin are not superstars. The are good footballers who wanted the going rtae of pay. Then again if you rate many of our players as class then i guess they are superstars. What would call the likes of Messi and Ronaldo then?

Comment 94, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.29 pm

holte ade said:

... at the end of last season when on our poor run of form mon stated that tiredness was factor and the squad size was the problem. well all i can see so far is the squad getting smaller and losing quality to boot. mon is a great coach but very poor in the transfer market we could have bought luke young a year earlier for 2.5 mill but instead we played the whole season with no RB then bought him for 6 mill.and how many players have we missed out on through mon dithering about making bids. i like mon i really do but i can only see us going backwards with teams like spurs man city and everton showing far more ambition than us

Comment 95, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.29 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... no the don't have champs league or a bigger stadium but I ask you this, did it help them in the league position? who finished higher?

Comment 96, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.29 pm

Andy Dale said:

... At least four youngsters from the the championship winning reserve side are ready to step up. We don't want to block their path by just buying squad players. I actually think we need to say goodbye to Harewood, Salifu and Osbourne. We then just need to buy two top drawer players to replace Barry and Laursen. We don't need to buy five or six average players.

Comment 97, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.31 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... Andy - i personally don't think we're far off, we need a couple of good players at best, the rest is pretty much in place, i'm sure MON is a good chess player and had every move covered. Check mate as I'd like to call it, or top 4 here we come

Comment 98, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.36 pm

ak_27 said:

... They weren't too far off us after getting 2 points from the first 24. But what we were talking about is why other clubs in similar stature can offer the going rate in wages and we do not?

Comment 99, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.37 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... AK - you gone quiet mate? you looking at some warped stats to say how bad we were in the last 6 games or something negative to post? Or you now happy that perhaps having stability is a sensible option? Or you considering if like tennis now you've sorted out your sexuality?

Comment 100, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.39 pm

ak_27 said:

... Mr_Motivator your right we are not that far off top 4. I reckon we are only a left back, 2 centre backs, 2 midfielders and a striker off it. So basically we are only 6 players short of a team capable of pushing for top 4 this season.

Comment 101, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.41 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... don't make sense mate, if we had won our last 8 games we would have got 4th, but we didn't. If we'd have lost our first 10 games then perhaps our second half would have been brilliant. If only, if only, if only..... but it didn't happen. Simples

Comment 102, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.42 pm

Villa4life said:

... i for one don't believe we will get any players until the last few weeks of August.....like every year mon has been a MANAGER...... we will get the dregs left

Comment 103, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.42 pm

ak_27 said:

... What form doesn't make sense to you? That could account for some of your comments alright. I think you should stick to your gay sport of Tennis. It's probaly easier for you to understand.

Comment 104, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.46 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... don't be negative, watch the tennis relax and then when it's finsihed in a couple of weeks worry about it, just like most other normal people, you'll enjoy your summer so much more. There will be signings, you know it, I know it, MON knows it so stop whinging about it, it is quite boring to be honest. Get a grip it's a game and it don't start for quite sometime.

Comment 105, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.47 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... AK_27 - serioulsy you know nothing, your ideas change with the wind, you try to slag off people and get offended when you're put down. Chill enjoy something else for a couple of weeks, thing will then be diferent. You must be a right boring sod if the pub like, nothing positive to say beside we haven't done this that and the other, but look at Murray now there is something positive, his shirt alone was a modern day fred perry, now you can't hide your excitment from me, i know you want one

Comment 106, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.51 pm

ak_27 said:

... Mate don't worry we've got other proper sports over here in Ireland during the summer to keep us occupied.

Comment 107, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.57 pm

Martin Clabon said:

... Mr Motivator, you make me chuckle. Ak is right however, tennis is gay

Comment 108, made on June 23, 2009 at 10.58 pm

whitey said:

... gregdavillain, Alright hands up, Zokora was shit at Right Back, that had slipped my mind. Apologies. What I meant was the previous two visits to Villa he played DM and was excellent - a proper DM that can tackle. I think there is a recurring theme here about how good players are made to look shit by playing out of position. As for calling me a tool, well at least I use the word 'the' instead of 'da'. Da? Are you 3 years old or just desperately uneducated?

Comment 109, made on June 23, 2009 at 11.07 pm

Mr_Motivator said:

... if tennis is gay then so is Rednapp and I'd hate to think Louise is being fully appreciated. Just trying to get some sense into Ak_27 that perhaps she should chill for a while, god forbid she has a heart attack with all the worry....

Comment 110, made on June 23, 2009 at 11.13 pm

David G said:

... Andy Dale makes a really good point about Villa's young players. Inevitably at this time of year, speculation is white hot concerning who might be joining the club, but what really interests and intigues me is the situation concerning the likes of Bannan, Albrighton, Forrester and co. People speak with admiration about Villa's youth set up, but is the reality ready to match the hype? How long will it be before we start to see the introduction of some of the young blood into the first team, and who might be ready to step up? I'd really be interested to learn the views of others concerning how big a factor this might be in influencing O'Neill's dealings in the transfer market this summer. Any comments, anyone?

Comment 111, made on June 23, 2009 at 11.32 pm

ak_27 said:

... Mr_Motivator well just make sure you don't get a heart attack watching all those young men running around in tight shorts.

Comment 112, made on June 23, 2009 at 11.32 pm

Billy7 said:

... i'm also sick of hearing 'MON OUT' what the f**k? He hasn't got an eye for talent? Ashley Young, John Carew, James Milner, Curtis Davies (we will not lose money on him) Yes he has made mistakes, the best do. How much did Ferguson sell Mcgrath for? Well he was past it. Wasn't he? MON is taking time, too much time in our opinion but we will stregnthen. We dont know the full details but we judge at the end of every season. And 6th last season, most would have been happy with that, i was/am. 1 question......... If we sold all the players who MON has bought NOW, would we be in the red?

Comment 113, made on June 23, 2009 at 11.41 pm

Rich said:

... Why can't MON just speak out with one simple comment. i e The money is there, work is being done and deals are progressing. This would hopefully get those detractors off his back: put an end to all this mad panic and send out positive signals to members of our squad who may be questioning our ambition. It will also at the same time not alert our competitors as to who we are speaking to. I believe things will happen; I think most of us do likewise. The concern is that the players must have a decent pre season together so we hit the ground running.

Comment 114, made on June 24, 2009 at 7.15 am

David Lewis said:

... Rich, What I hope MON is doing is telling the members of our squad privately... thus alleviating any fears, but not giving our transfer targets away and handing them on a plate to David Moyes, Mark Hughes, or spudmaster Redknapp. I know being a fan means we want to know whats going on, but wouldn't it be all the sweater if signing a top player was signed of the blue. I do agree with you about the pre-season though. I'm looking forward to this magic 1st of July! Although I'm still not sure why 1st July is touted around so often. UTV!

Comment 115, made on June 24, 2009 at 8.14 am

VillaMitch said:

... Notsosilentbob reply to Villamitch: you say this out of what sounds like bitterness cus its man city? i say this, taylor has two very ill children and being paid 120k odd per week or what ever it is will set his children up for life weather he plays or not is imeterial... if i were him id do the same thing to make sure my children are well cared for...wouldn't you? I have no bitterness towards Man City whatsoever, they are planning on challenging the big boys so fair play to them. You obviously know Stuart Taylor a lot better than me but I think you are wildly missing my point. My point was that by going to Man City it proves that he has no interest in being a first team regular and is happy to waste his career as 2nd choice and you have basically confirmed this with the quote above. I sympathise with anyone who has sick children but at the end of the day his job is "professional goalkeeper" and he gets paid a lot of money for it. Surely being a first team regular at a Championship side would still pay him more money than any of us could ever earn so I don't understand the logic of moving to City. set his children up for life weather he plays or not is imeterial What does this quote mean? You are making him sound like a charity case. I know Man City are rich but I didn't realise they were signing players due to their family circumstances rather than ability. My original point was that by signing for City, Taylor is showing that he has no intention of playing regular 1st team football, Shay Given is better than him and rarely gets injured and I wouldn't be surprised if City signed another keeper as well, relegating Taylor to 3rd choice with no hope of a game again. You have confirmed where his commitments lie but I think bringing ill children into it was unnecessary and immaterial.

Comment 116, made on June 24, 2009 at 8.26 am

rob81 said:

... Can't believe there are so many people on here slagging MON off. These people must have short memories, it was only a few years ago that the scum finished above us, i don't see MON ever letting that happen. We might not challenge for the title this season but i think we will have another good season and finish above the likes of Man C and Spuds. Lets see who he buys before we start slating him.

Comment 117, made on June 24, 2009 at 8.58 am

dredwards said:

... gregdavillain I am no saying Given isn't a better keeper, he's probably top three in the premiership. What i was trying to say was with Hart gone it means taylor is on the bench. With the premiership, FA cup, carling cup to play he will most likely be seeing first team football at some point this year. I also don't doubt your point about Hart being better but he's still young and makes loads of mistakes and thats not what mark hughes is looking for in a second choice keeper. Plus sending Hart out on loan to get first team football will make him a better player. Good on Taylor leaving, any money in the pot for players that will never figure in Villa's first team is good. Lets just hope we get rid of Zat Knight, Shorey and Reo coker asap. I don't understand anyone who thinks they can still figure in a Villa team. Every time they take to the field they are a liability. Please O'neil, time to get rid of them and recoup some money.

Comment 118, made on June 24, 2009 at 4.40 pm

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