Written by Damian Tuesday, 19 January 2010 10:56
It's going to be one of those days, I just know it. Tomorrow is an important day and a very important match. I'm not going to do a match preview, because I've already done one. It's just an important day and what was written for the first leg, pretty much stands for this one.
I do think we are destined for a final though and this is a competition Martin O'Neill does well in, so I am quite excited by it all, however I am not going to get carried away. Not yet anyway.
Carlos Cuellar
We do have a new desktop wallpaper for you. This time is is Carlos Cuellar. If you want it, all you have to do is click here. I quite like it.
Transfers
I for one think it important we bring in a player this month. I know some will say that you don't get the good players in January, but that simply isn't true; you just have to look harder and pay more.
It isn't nice, but if you don't prepare properly in the summer and your manager gets you in the position again, for a third season, where spending money might be a good idea and you don't, you can't really complain about not doing better than the season before.
Why do I mention this; well, I think we are going to spend and I think it will be a player to make us think it is possible. Don't ask me why, I'm in an optimistic mood.
I know I am likely kidding myself and getting myself excited for nothing and if anything, the evidence points to us not bringing in this player, but we are within touching distance and while it is easy to argue that now is not the time to buy, there is also a good argument for saying the right player now could really kick us on.
Links
Right, before I go, we have set up a new links page here. Basically, it's going to link to as many Aston Villa resources on the web as possible. If you have a page or website associated with Aston Villa and it isn't on the page yet, post a comment below or get in contact with me and we will probably add it.
That is it. I'm bored and can't wait for tomorrow. I'm going to go print out some flyers.
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Comments (315)
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Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... http://www.astonvilla.vitalfoo...?a=7503347 Interesting stats from the West Ham game. |
Andi
said:
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... Busy today ? what time you on till ?  Going away tomorrow gutted will miss the game but then again i missed the first leg, and i was there. Reckon we should do them 2-0 out our place. Fancy someone coming in late as usual but not sure MON needs to learn how to loosen them cards he has so close to his chest, only a little  |
conoravfc
said:
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... we do just need that extra bit of class upfront but how much is he willing to spend? will lerner be happy to splash the cash if we do make the carling cup final ? podolski or helmes are top of my list |
Damian
said:
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... ak_27 do you think it a coincidence that when the passing goes up our crossing goes up? also, no disrespect to ashley young but i've been saying for over a season now that he needs to practise his crossing - this isn't news, but i am sort of convinced this does't happen in training i also think, and this is way out there .. that if he knew he was a right winger (you have to fancy downing will get the nod over webcam on the left) then he might do better rather than spending tome on both sides |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...do you think it a coincidence that when the passing goes up our crossing goes up Possibly. But i think the article was trying to say that we are just too dependant on one game plan. As for Young well i think he should have been dropped by now as constant prasie over the last 15months has done nothing but give him a big head. He doesn't seem to able to cross like he could 2 years ago and that has to be down to practice surely? Albrighton deserves a chance to show what he can do on the right wing. He seems to have the ability to really put those dangerous crosses into the box and seeing as that is out number one (and only) game plan it would make sense having a player who can consistantly deliver quality into the box. Trouble is ,who in there do we have to get on these crosses. Like the guy said we are lost without Laursen and Carew attacking these crosses. There were our most dangerous atackers. That guy Zigic from Valencia would make sense if we are going to stick ith our current game plan as Carew just doesn't have the heart to fight for these crosses anymore. |
Chris Harper
said:
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... Bloody Hell, 50 odd crosses and nothing to show for it?? No wonder the 'boys were angry', because they hadn't put the ball in the net. I've changed my view on tomorrow...I think we're going to take it out on Blackburn and bang a few in. We'll win. Wouldn't mind Rodellaga at the Villa. |
Andi
said:
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...Carew just doesn't have the heart to fight for these crosses anymore. still he has a good song |
Keith
said:
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... Chiefy If you're not going to the match, make sure you watch it on a PC and then moan about how useless MON and all the players (except Dunne) are. Demand he is sacked before we are relegated - even when we are going to Wembley Haven't we learnt our lesson about buying forwards from Wigan? |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... Is that the same Dunne that you called fat,slow and useless and in the summer? |
Keith
said:
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... ak_27 I never called him fat. I called him slow - as proven Sunday, and clumsy - as proven by number of penalties he has given away and number of times he has been sent off in his career. I also said I was impressed with most of his performances for us and apologised. |
Chris Harper
said:
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... You know I was just going to comment on Dunne when I read the above. Anyway. I, along with Keef was against him signing for the Villa. I thought he was slow, dodgy etc. It did seem that way after the first half of the season he had with City to be fair (red cards, sending offs. I admit, I couldn't of been further away from the truth. The bloke is immense! (Keef you have to agree?!?). Not only is he solid in the air and in the tackle, his composure on the ball and in pressurised moments is second to none. He's a beast! I love him.  |
Keith
said:
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... Chris I have already said on this site that I have changed my opinion and offered an apology to both ak and Rocksteady. I think ak didnt quite understand the sarcasm intended in my comment. |
robb david
said:
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... I think O'neill now knows, if money is available i reckon we will see a player of the right quality, if no money is available we will se nobody. I dont think we are going to see another routledge or hesky signing. Its clear we need a new forward, to give us the option, ID like Krasic, from moscow, Or Vagner Love from also from moscow. But if we had Krasic then our options would be, Krasic/gabby for pace and trickery, one-twos setting gabby free of the last man. Krasic/hesky, when we need that little bit of space for milner, young, downing to play an inch perfect ball through, or that bit of magic that sees the ball fly in the top courner. Krasic/carew if our little man is being bullied off the ball, put on the wrecking ball to show these defenders whos boss. And then gabby/hesky if we need a 0-0 draw. Krasic could be replaced by different names their, jovetic, robbie keane (maybe), david villa (surely he fancies a move so his name coincides with the club) ((we could also have mon complain that we sing his name when hes not on the pitch)). The problem with all these players is they cost money, lots of money, will MON take a risk on a player for lots of money, who may or may not come off, i dont think its a particular risk, even if the player doesnt come off it will lift the rest of the team. To tommorow night, we can all hope for a nice 2-0, 3-0 score line, but we all know that this is Aston villa and nothing is that simple. Final score: 0-0 after Aston villa hang on for the last 75 miniutes of the game putting 11 men behind the ball at all times. Blackburn hit the bar and post in stoppage time, guzan saves another penalty, MON suggests it was a fabulous defensive performance |
Abdul Kashif
said:
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... Mornin' all. I've just seen on Sky Sports News that JAY BOTHROYD has 'talked down' being linked to Villa! I'm sorry but I had to put his name in capitals because that is just a ridiculous link! |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... Like i said in the summer the reason he had such a bad last season for City was down to having Richards beside him. Dunne had to cover for 2 players and was often left isolated with 2/3 players coming at him. Dunne doesn't take prisoners in those situations and thats why he got sent off so much. Still thank god as we wouldn't have him right now if that didn't happen. But MON should also take that into account if we looking at Richards as we have been linked with him a lot over the last 12 months. |
robb david
said:
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... On Richard Dunne fabulous as he has been this year, i am tending towards our best back 4 being young, cuellar, collins, warnock. |
Chris Harper
said:
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... I know keef, we are the mugs from that debate! Now, stand up and apologise... all those that moaned about Collins?? |
Abdul Kashif
said:
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... Here's the link for the Bothroyd story: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_5870236,00.html |
Chris Harper
said:
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... Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough. Bored. I just hope that the players don't tire too quickly else O'Neill needs fu**ig! Any takers? JPA? Badger? |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...I have already said on this site that I have changed my opinion and offered an apology to both ak and Rocksteady. I think ak didnt quite understand the sarcasm intended in my comment I undersood perfectly. I just ignored your sad attempt to start and argument. By the way i never once said MON should be sacked or that all the players are crap. I said that MON is weak tactically. I stand by that. He has his strenghts as a manager but tactically i think he suspect. You never answered my questions yesterday. Do you think MON is good tactically? Do you think he is utilising the squad correctly? As for watching on the PC i apoligise for not been born in Birmingham. I apolisgise for not being lucky enough to be able to get up on a sat morning and head to Villa park whenever i what. |
Keith
said:
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... What about Bentley on loan with a possible permanent deal in the summer? Offers us competition for Young on the right, the chance to rest or drop players and a very decent 5 man midfield in Damian's favourite 4-5-1 formation. Surely he would jump at the chance and have something to prove. |
Jimbo
said:
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... Its been mentioned before but I can see us going for Kris Boyd from Rangers. 19 goals already this season albeit in the SPL. At 26 he wouldn't be a bad shout, cheap, scores goals and Martin has the contacts north of the border to make it happen. I can't see any world cup starters risking moving unless they aren't getting played - Joe Cole would be nice but surely he wouldn't go anywhere that isn't guaranteeing big money and champs league. Its a funny year for Jan transfers...waiting for the World Cup tends to up players values so I reckon a lot of clubs will hold on, renegtiate contracts and hope their players score a goal or two and then go for silly money...Baros springs to mind. |
Steve Badger
said:
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...no disrespect to ashley young but i've been saying for over a season now that he needs to practise his crossing - this isn't news, but i am sort of convinced this does't happen in training http://www.birminghampost.net/...-22589988/ Breaking news, Villa are linked to a swoop for Getafe's Roberto Soldado. www.bullshitnewsforPancho.com |
Chris Harper
said:
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... Keef Not sure about that. We have some quality waiting in the wings on the bench but O'Neill seems reluctant to use them. Therefore no need. I would rather get a forward in. One that is the finished product and can score 1 in 2, possibly more. Bellamy? Realistic and decent. |
Chris Harper
said:
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...Young has been arguably Villa’s star of the season so far Ay?!? ARGUABLY indeed!  |
Car Frost
said:
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... AK - Completely agree about Richards he's like a defensive version of Gabby.. great athlete but not so good with a football. Rodellaga - thats more like it, the bloke can finish! Maybe a little biased as I was sat within 30 yrds when he chipped in at Villa Park and remember thinking how dangerous he looked all game. Bothroyd sounds like a new flavour of soup. |
Matthew Smith
said:
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... Damian - it's all very well saying that we need to sign a player this month. I'd like to see you put your neck of the line and be specific to a position(s) and player(s). The way MON has built the team regarding our attacking force is to have 2 wingers put balls into the box and a central midfielder picking out through balls for Gabby to run onto. We need a striker that can head the ball, whilst both Emule and Big jon and can be good in the air I don't believe either are actually any good with getting power behind a header or placement (please correct me if I'm wrong!). To be more specific we need an Alan Shearer type player, someone who can hold the ball up, lead the line well, score with their head and bring players into the game. I think Jones would be a very good buy, seeing as he fits all of the above but is also very quick. However, you're not going to get him for less than 12-15 Mil, I guess the question is MON willing to pay that and probably take a hit on his Summer budget? It's with no surprise we've seen us linked with Beatie as he was 'supposed' to be the next Alan Shearer but it never happened. I really hope we don't sign him, because the guy is a prat. In an ideal world we could offer a swap deal with Emule & 6-8 Million going to Sunderland and KJ coming to VP. I'd be happy with our strike force being Gabby with the fonz as cover, and Jones with Big jon as cover. |
Keith
said:
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... ak_27 Keep your hair on! I'm glad that you support Villa, I'm happy that people born and living in other countries follow Villa. I just get pissed off that the people who constantly moan about the manager and the team are the people who don't attend the games. I did answer you yesterday, MON is not a great tactician, MON is a great manager. MON uses the squad as he sees fit. People moan whatever he does, how many moaned that he rested Luke Young Sunday? You have constantly criticised MON, but don't want him sacked. That makes no sense, you either back him or you don't. |
Tim Hillman
said:
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... Ok who would everyones no 1 target be if MON had 12 million to spend on a striker. This has to be a realistic target which would want to join the villa and meet our wage structure. I would like to see Podolski or pavyluchenko. Pav is surplus at spurs and think is a good tecnical player who knows where the goal is. |
Jimbo
said:
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... not sure about rodellaga yet...scored 7 so far this season (one less than Gabby) and played most games. |
Andy Rock
said:
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... How about Van Nistelroy on loan to help him secure his spot in the Wordl Cup whilst firing us into the top four? |
SMCC1972
said:
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... i really hope ronrabbit is wrong about the 0-0 result but my god he knows Villa well it's my birthday tomorrow and i can actually watch the game on TV and not the internet. i really hope i can have my cake and eat it!!!! |
Steve Badger
said:
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...Badger you bugger, it means last season!! I know, but it's just to quell the stupid notion that players don't practise. I just hope that the players don't tire too quickly else O'Neill needs fu**ig! Any takers? JPA? Badger? I mentioned this yesterday. And he will. After seeing how we tired on Sunday, I'm concerned about this, because you know it's going to be the same 11 out there again. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...I just get pissed off that the people who constantly moan about the manager and the team are the people who don't attend the games And what exactly can you see at the game that i can't see on TV? MON uses the squad as he sees fit. Thats not an answer. Do you think he is using it right? Yes or No? You have constantly criticised MON, but don't want him sacked. That makes no sense, you either back him or you don't I don't rate the man as highly as others on here. Thats true. I don't think he is or ever will be a truely great manager. I just don't agree with his outlook on football. I just don't believe that it will end in success. Do i want him out? No. Would i be that bothered if he left? No. |
Andi
said:
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...Ok who would everyones no 1 target be if MON had 12 million to spend on a striker. This has to be a realistic target which would want to join the villa and meet our wage structure Kenwyne Jones, Falcao, Robbie Keane, Poldolski, |
Andi
said:
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...I just get pissed off that the people who constantly moan about the manager and the team are the people who don't attend the games I do |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...how many moaned that he rested Luke Young Sunday? Luke Young wasn't rested he just wasn't picked. He hasn't been played since the Liverpool game. That was a tactcal decision not a squad rotation decision and its one i just can't for the life of me understand. They had one young striker up front on his own so why did we need 3 CB's on the pitch? We missed Luke Young's over laps and better alround ability going forward againest West Ham. |
Andi
said:
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...We missed Luke Young's over laps and better alround ability going forward againest West Ham. I agree with that, Although there are arguments for and against the team selection Sunday all I would say is it is gone now cant change it, tomorrow lets hope it is got right and tomorrow might be the game we need the 3 cb's on the pitch although i can see Young starting |
Jimbo
said:
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... ak27, did you miss the 50 crosses? With Luke young overlapping we might have made 51. Still need to finish those. The tactics weren't wrong, the finishing could have been better all round. |
Steve Badger
said:
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...People moan whatever he does, how many moaned that he rested Luke Young Sunday? The question is though keef, why did he rest Young? It's not as though he's played loads of games is it? and I can think of 4 or 5 who need resting more. And you can't say it was tactical, as West Ham don't have much aerial threat like Blackburn. I wasn't fussed either way, as I don't mind Cuellar there (touchline balls aside), but many people thought it was a mistake. You do however have a very good point that MON will be wrong whatever he does. I'd guarantee that if we had played Fonz instead of Gabby and not scored, we'd all have been saying "how can you drop your top scorer"?, for example. ak, You don't like Gabby, you don't like Ash, you don't like our manager, you don't like his tactics, you don't like our football, you don't like Cuellar at RB etc etc. Is there anything you do actually like? It's not a loaded question or anything, but I can't remember a single thing about Villa you have ever actually praised? |
Steve Badger
said:
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... I should have thrown that question at Damian too, of course including the owner as well. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... Jimbo Luke Young over lapping would have attracted an extra person out to help the full back. That would have created extra space for Ashley to either run into or cross it into a box where their would be one less west ham body. Sunday all I would say is it is gone now cant change it, tomorrow lets hope it is got right and tomorrow might be the game we need the 3 cb's on the pitch although i can see Young starting I wouldn't be as annoyed with playing Cullar in this game as i can some reasoning behind it. |
Keith
said:
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... ak_27 I don't know what you can't see on your PC. But whatever it is it seems to be impairing your opinion. MON is an excellent manager who will become the greatest we have ever had if idiots like you don't drive him out first. To answer your question - YES! On the striker debate we do not want Kenwyne Jones or Kris Boyd. Not good enough. Bent is better than Jones and there isn't a player in Scotland good enough for the Premier League. Pavlyuchenko on loan would be well worth a punt, but if anyone dares mention Santa-Cruz I will send Chris round to sort you out with his rampant rabbit !!! |
Keith
said:
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... ak_27 "Luke Young wasn't rested he just wasn't picked. He hasn't been played since the Liverpool game." We have only played one f**king league game since then!!!! Why is it that MON drops players but every other manager rests players? Can someone please explain? |
Tim Hillman
said:
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... It's weird that MON plays a centre back at right back. he did it with Melberg (due to not having a right back) and is doing it with Cueller. I think he is just scared of Collins and Dunne! To be honest I don't think I would want to p*ss Collins off. A ginger 6ft 3 monster!!! |
Andi
said:
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... Benni McCarthy ??? on loan till end of season ?? as for Gardner I understand you want to play but really at the Blues arent you a Villa fan ? really ? Wolves come in for you why not dig your feet in and go Wolves ? no sympathy its your choice what will be will be |
bass
said:
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... i have been a villa fan long enough to know that we wont sign anyone but if we did it would be a token, a has been someone MON loves.....has neil lennon def retired??????? i bloody hope so!!!! i had a dream last night that Richard dunn was lifting the league cup at wembley as Gareth Barry was sat on the wembley turff with his head in his hands....could happen!!!! |
Tim Hillman
said:
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... How intimidated must opposition forwards be when they turn up and they have Richard Dunne (hiccup) and the Ginger bigfoot to play against!! Love it! |
Jimbo
said:
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... Sorry your right, had Luke Young been playing we'd have converted 10% of crosses and won by at least 5 - 0. I stand corrected. Perhaps he isn't in form enough to risk in such a big match..the way you talk you'd think we'd lost the game. And if we had that would have been three in a row and you'd want MON sacked, so don't come back saying only west ham, guranteed three points blah blah...he picked a team to win, we should have won, they defended well as did we in the second half. Cuellar played well and eanred his starting shirt for me if he wanted to play and O'Neill though he was better prepared mentaly and physically for this tie. Now get behind your team for once instead of sniping from the blogs. |
Andi
said:
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...Why is it that MON drops players but every other manager rests players? Can someone please explain? Al las we do rotate/rest players but yet we consider this to be dropping people, thought you could dropped when you where pants, not saying nothing Gardner. |
Steve Badger
said:
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...Why is it that MON drops players but every other manager rests players? Can someone please explain? Easy keef. You rest a player when they're looking tired and need resting after having played too many games. LY has made 9 appearances, including one as a sub. The poor lamb must be burnt out. Seriously though, I think ak has a point here. http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/Pla...39,00.html |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...but I can't remember a single thing about Villa you have ever actually praised? Badger i have said on numerous occassions that i think we hve the best defense in the league right now. I think Downing will be a very good signing and was our best player on Sunday. Petrov is quality and so is Milner right now. Goalkeeper is sorted. Thats 8 out of the 11 that i think are good enough. You don't like Gabby, you don't like Ash, you don't like our manager, you don't like his tactics, you don't like our football, you don't like Cuellar at RB etc etc. These are all linked. Gabby is limited as a player. He is all pace and no skill, Young is also limited. All pace and right now is the weakest of the midfield. He is not on the same wave lenght as the other 3 regarding linking and passing . You add Carew/Heskey to that up front and we lack any real technical ability, guile or vision. None of these have much skill on the ball. Cullar at RB also is not up to the job. He is a quality CB. But at RB his very average ability on the ball is a hinderence to the teams balance and threat going forward. Until we have front men that can link up with the midfield like Yorke and Saunders could we will struggle to get top 4. |
Andi
said:
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...LY has made 9 appearances, including one as a sub. he was also injured and didn't a member of his family die ?? |
keith
said:
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... andy rock i did say previously about rvn on loan, perhaps we could offer him top end of our wage structure plus a big bonus if we get top 4? |
Keith
said:
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... Badger Maybe rest is the wrong word. I will change it to why is it that MON drops players but every other manager rotates players? Can someone please explain? How fit is Luke Young? Do you know? He missed pre-season and the first 10 league games plus europa cup and league cup games through injury and then the death of his brother. What I am saying is none of us know why MON didn't pick him. Amazingly the manager of Aston Villa doesn't e-mail me to explain his decisions and get my approval. Which is odd really don't you think? |
Andi
said:
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...i did say previously about rvn on loan, having played in the premier league London or Birmingham ??????? unfortunately Subway at ONE STOP followed by the CROWN and CUSHION loses out to Fabric, Ministry of Sound, Claridges, Oxford Street etc etc |
Andi
said:
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...Amazingly the manager of Aston Villa doesn't e-mail me to explain his decisions and get my approval. Which is odd really don't you think? How rude of him , he does Vijay |
Mark Niland
said:
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... We sooooo better win tomorrow got my conditional tickets for the final confirmed today, IF we get to the final I will be with my cousin in the Royal Box...... oh yes its not what you know it's who you blow woo hoo. |
Andi
said:
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...at his age ne would probanly prefer the crown to the ministry of sound taxi for Rudd to the tower ball room !!! |
Steve Badger
said:
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...Amazingly the manager of Aston Villa doesn't e-mail me to explain his decisions and get my approval. Which is odd really don't you think? Calm down, I'm basically on your side and I did say I wasn't really fussed about it  Whichever way you look at this, LY wasn't rested is my point. If we want to talk resting, Ash, Petrov, Gabby are the ones who could do with resting imo. MON won't do it though, as they're probably the first 3 names on his sheet (and I don't disagree). A more relevant question might be "why do other manager rest players when MON doesn't?". |
Steve Badger
said:
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...oh yes its not what you know it's who you blow woo hoo. Are you that servant who worked for prince Charlie?  |
Andi
said:
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...AC Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has confirmed he may leave this month. Get your checkbook out for the lads RANDY !!!!! |
doubledown9
said:
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... We will not sign RVN or Huntellaar because they will demand almost twice what our highest earners are on. MON will be looking in the 8-15 mil + 40-60k per week bracket. Think Berbatov (for spurs) if the striker is to come from abroad. There is the argument that getting a player on a free saves money, however, Madrid want RVN off their wage bill so they will not send him out on loan when Turkish clubs will offer a permanent deal. Also what has RVN got to prove? He wont go to the World Cup so why come back to the EPL as a 30+ player with its level of physicality, it will only shorten his career. He will go where the money is and In terms of wages that is not us. |
scott harwood
said:
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... ive been slagging a.young for a while but ive started to turn around a bit.firstly his defensive work has come on leaps and bounds this season,his tracking back is immense.and 2ndly,correct me if im wrong,but hasnt he set up 4 of our last 6/7 goals with crosses.now if ur a stiker(like owen) and u do piss all for 87 minutes but score a goal ur a hero.isnt an assist as available? just throwing it out there |
Car Frost
said:
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... I think we can drop the RVN ideas, that horrid tax evading, pimple faced mo fo of a dirty slag has already tapped up his agent and wined and dined him .. http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/in...ooys-agent And look how pleased he looks .. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix...06x477.jpg |
Andi
said:
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... doesnt it depend on the terms of the loan on the amount of wages that have to be paid by the club loaning the player. This amount is surely based on how flexible the loan is, how and when they can recall the players if needed, if there is an option to buy the player or if the loaning club want the player back and kept in peek condition i.e 3 games a month or something similar, so on that bases is AC MILAN see Huntelarr as key to their future they will subsidise the wages as long as we meet the terms of the agreement so HUNTLEARR could be possible but without speaking to MON or LEONARDO we wouldnt know |
keith
said:
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... frosty this was only made public so inland revenue know its a legitamate tax deduction |
mjasghar
said:
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... This my 2penny worth about Jones, which as with all my posts will be ignored. He is another Yorke in the making - from the bad side. He will have one mayube even half a good season for us, discourage upcoming kids in the squad as he keeps them out, and then jump ship to one of the Sky 3 first chance he gets and spend the rest of his life slagging of the Villa. |
mjasghar
said:
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... This my 2penny worth about Jones, which as with all my posts will be ignored. He is another Yorke in the making - from the bad side. He will have one mayube even half a good season for us, discourage upcoming kids in the squad as he keeps them out, and then jump ship to one of the Sky 3 first chance he gets and spend the rest of his life slagging of the Villa. |
Steve Badger
said:
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...ive been slagging a.young for a while but ive started to turn around a bit.firstly his defensive work has come on leaps and bounds this season,his tracking back is immense.and 2ndly,correct me if im wrong,but hasnt he set up 4 of our last 6/7 goals with crosses.now if ur a stiker(like owen) and u do piss all for 87 minutes but score a goal ur a hero.isnt an assist as available? just throwing it out there It's a very valid point Scott. But I often wonder if his improved tracking back and hard graft is what's taking the edge off his attacking game. And you can't argue with his assists. Fwiw, I think he's a fantastic player, but whatever way you look at it, he's not been doing as well as we know he can. Indeed, we'd probably lose even more of our attacking guile if we were to rest him. But it's not about that for me. I agree with ak that he could be rested against one of the weaker teams and Albrighton on in his place would have been a good move for me. It has positives in that Albrighton knows he's in the frame and Ash has a little kick up the arse just to ensure he still has the "edge" and doesn't become complacent. |
Andi
said:
|
...Wolves are keen on Stoke striker James Beattie and Hull winger Stephen Hunt come MON we are going to miss out on him !!! |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...which as with all my posts will be ignored. What makes you think your posts are ignored?. If no-ones replying, it's probably just because you're not saying anything contentious. If you want answers you have to say something a bit more debateable. Don't be so paranoid mate. For me, Jones is not the answer. He's just a younger version of what we already have. |
Andi
said:
|
...which as with all my posts will be ignored. you get to use to it after i while, then you starting replying to your own posts dont worry it gets easier with time |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Now here's a cracking post about Randy lerner; When Tom Hicks Jr ventured into a Merseyside pub to socialise amongst the Reds fans, in a matter of minutes he was chased out of the establishment. http://www.thesportreview.com/...ton-villa/ Don't look Damian, trust me you won't like it |
Keith
said:
|
... mjasghar Put something about real fans don't miss a cup semi final to go on holiday with a woman. That will get a response |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...you get to use to it after i while, then you starting replying to your own posts Did someone say something? |
Andi
said:
|
...Put something about real fans don't miss a cup semi final to go on holiday with a woman. That will get a response no real fans go to the away leg get drunk get thrown out the ground and wonder around blackburn to the early hours trying to work out why he has missed the game |
Keith
said:
|
... Badger - that is a brilliant article. "He purchased Villa for £62.6million from the primeval Doug Ellis in 2006." "Some fans would suggest ‘spending’ was a non-existent word in the vocabulary of the former owner." "When you scrutinise Lerner’s actions it is difficult to find any faults." Damian read and learn |
Andi
said:
|
...Lerner has proven that not all Americans who arrive in England to purchase clubs are simply seeking to make a tidy profit from their investment. Lerner is at Villa for the long haul. |
robb david
said:
|
... keefvilla said: ... mjasghar Put something about real fans don't miss a cup semi final to go on holiday with a woman. That will get a response Real fans deffinatly do not miss cup semi-finals especially not for a woman. Real fans are there shivering, hopeing we can hold on to a 0-0. The fans in the north end all blowing in unison as a blackburn shot flies towards guzan's goal, hoping the wind they create will blow the ball back out of the box. |
j doyle
said:
 |
... we will never be a top 4 side with this manager he will not drop his pets week in week out it dose not matter how certin players play they will not be droped we have the 3 clowns up front pick any 2 from 3 they are all rubbish when will you villa fans wake up get rid of all of them play the fonz and some one else young is shot sinse his 50k a week he has been rubbish and is not worth a place in the team we have the best right back in england who gets dropped so the team is unblanced martin needs to go to specsavers before it is to late why buy players if he wont play them |
Andi
said:
|
...keefvilla said: Ok ok can we go back to me replying to my own posts please ??? pretend i aint here as usual GOD !!!!  |
robb david
said:
|
... Oh and my pick for a forward is Krasic from CSKA. Or Vagner Love also from CSKA. |
Andi
said:
|
...we will never be a top 4 side with this manager he will not drop his pets week in week out it dose not matter how certin players play they will not be droped we have the 3 clowns up front pick any 2 from 3 they are all rubbish when will you villa fans wake up get rid of all of them play the fonz and some one else young is shot sinse his 50k a week he has been rubbish and is not worth a place in the team we have the best right back in england who gets dropped so the team is unblanced martin needs to go to specsavers before it is to late why buy players if he wont play them over to Keef or Badger ........................ |
robb david
said:
|
... j doyle said: ... we will never be a top 4 side with this manager he will not drop his pets week in week out it dose not matter how certin players play they will not be droped we have the 3 clowns up front pick any 2 from 3 they are all rubbish when will you villa fans wake up get rid of all of them play the fonz and some one else young is shot sinse his 50k a week he has been rubbish and is not worth a place in the team we have the best right back in england who gets dropped so the team is unblanced martin needs to go to specsavers before it is to late why buy players if he wont play them What manager would you like? What evidence is their to suggest that the fonz is actually good enough. Yes Young has been shit for ages now. Yes luke Young should have started at right back. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...Vagner Love also from CSKA On 28 August 2009, following a run of poor form for CSKA Moscow, Vágner Love was signed by his former club Palmeiras on a one-year loan deal until 31 July 2010.[6] CSKA press spokesman Sergei Aksenov claimed that Vágner Love left Russia due to "urgent family problems demand(ing) his presence at home in Brazil".[7][8] On 14 January 2010 he was released from the loan contract with Palmeiras.[9] No chance there then. Courtesy of Wiki. |
robb david
said:
|
... What he is on loan so he is obviosly not wanted by Moscow. His family problems were like 4 months ago know. Also lets not forget the most important thing here, he has awsome blue dreads that he could convert to claret and blue dreads and be an instant cult hero. |
Damian
said:
|
... i actually think it is fair to say we will never get top four with this manager unless he is provided the funds to bring in the right players i dont think it has anything to do with the manager. i think it has everything to do with the owner the manager, given the manchester united squad and funding, would win the league. give him the money to bring in better players to aston villa and when i say better, i really mean proven players, then he will do it also - it is worth adding, that this can't happen over four or five seasons, because proven players, over that period of time, will not be as effective. its a bit like petrov - next season is probably his last but to do that costs money and there is a risk. it comes down to is randy lerner willing to take the risk |
Keith
said:
|
... Damian "the manager, given the manchester united squad and funding" An average squad and no money then! |
Keith
said:
|
... Damian Please explain why you don't rate Randy Lerner so much. If you are a Villa fan then surely you can see that Lerner is 100 times better than Herbert. Why are you so blinkered to what is happening at Villa Park? |
Damian
said:
|
... keefvilla well, you know the squad isn't average and you also know that they have money |
mikey18
said:
 |
... Ronrabbit, Vagner Love was loaned out of CSKA moscow following a poor run of form. He didn't cut the mustard at palmeiras and is now spending a second year out on loan with flamengo. He is also 5ft 7 which is definitely not what MoN would want and has made a porn video (going to a strip club nearly cost carew his future at villa). AK_27, didn't we go over this yesterday? Gabby is not all pace! not one of his goals this season has come from him using his pace. If you think he has no skill and non of his goals have come from pace then how is he our leading goal scorer? Damain i think its becoming harder and harder to find players that will genuinely take us forward. Chelsea, City and even tottenham seem to have never ending supply of funds, Wenger gets to keep all the money he makes off player sales to re invest in new players and wages and if you do the math he has quite abit at his disposal. It will be interesting to see how things pan out financially with Liverpool and Manchester United. |
Damian
said:
|
... mikey18 i think it is fair to say that liverpool need significant investment or a much larger stadium - an extra 20,000 seats at anfield could generate as much as 2mn a match - which is as much as £40mn a season which is hugely significant in the grand scheme of things, in so much that it can be leveraged over a long period of time united are a different beast - they have the revenue which will allow them to sustain their position. lets say they win nothing this season - they will spend and they will buy it back - it is the nature of how they do business and how we must - but for us, it carries a greater risk |
Andi
said:
|
...Was this moments after MON grappled with NRC in training?? Gardner has just told Stan he is going to Birmingham and THE MULE is starting tomorrow |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...AK_27, didn't we go over this yesterday? Gabby is not all pace! not one of his goals this season has come from him using his pace. If you think he has no skill and non of his goals have come from pace then how is he our leading goal scorer? I’m talking more about outside the box to be honest. I do rate Gabby. I just see his limitations as a player. He can still be a very potent weapon if we played to his strengths a bit better and he refound his shooting boots. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
..."the manager, given the manchester united squad and funding" Took the words out of my mouth keef. well, you know the squad isn't average and you also know that they have money I'd say their squad is decidely average now Ronaldo is not on the scene. I'll concede they do have some good players though. But so do we. What money? They have such a massive budget, they're hawking a £500 mill bonds job around to the staff, FFS Damian. They're borrowing more and more money to service their ever-increasing debts! If you want us to go down that route, carry on calling for more and more money to be spent. The good news is it won't happen though and rightly so, because Lerner is not going to play that game. And bloody good on him. |
Keith
said:
|
... Damian Oh so they have no debt of over £700 million and no massive interest payments that they cannot make forcing them to re-finance the debt then? They gave the manager all of the £80 raised by selling Ronaldo did they, or did they pay off some of the loan they have? They are not considering selling Old Trafford and the training ground and leasing it back in order to raise money either I suppose? And as for the squad, would Villa be interested in the likes of Giggs,Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson, Nani, Park, Obertan, Hargreaves. Yes they have some excellent players and a couple of world class ones, but their squad is nowhere near as good as it has been and if Rooney was injured they would be struggling. |
robb david
said:
|
... If you want to bring facts to this party then ive got some for you. Vagner Love would have the coolest hair in the premiership, that cannot and will not be left out of MON's thoughts. He has stared in a porn film, he would therefore fit in perfectly with big john and they would instantly form a healthy relationship. He doesnt speak any english so he would be able to comunicate with Gabby. He is only 5ft7 just the right height to latch on to one of ashley youngs crosses taht never beats the first 6ft tall defender. Did i mention that he has got extremmly cool hair, probably the coolest in world football. It could also cause havoc for defenders as his dreads swing into their faces, causing a distraction while Richie Dunne nods the ball home. He has starred in a porn film, MON will be thinking he could bring some ladies along to distract the opposition. He wears colourfull buts, thus fitting in with Aston Villas new fashion directive of enforcd colourful boots for forward thinking players. Vagner Love not starting to sound like such a bad shout now is he? |
mikey18
said:
|
... The interest payments on united debt is crippling, not only that when the United published there accounts last month it showed that the glazers had took 10mil in the last year from united. I read this morning that over the next seven years they plan to take 600mil from the club in fees, interest and bonds they hold! Despite them having 75,000 each week, holding a great position globally as a brand and turning over a lot through merchandise and the Champions league and premier league revenue you have to consider the expenditure on servicing 560mil of debt and the wages of a huge squad and managerial staff! They pay their stars nearly 3x what we pay ours! I was at the United Burnley game on the weekend and a lot of the supporters are aware of the bad financial situation the clubs in. The highlighted it with a rendition of 'Malcom Glazer...What a w****r what a w****r'! |
j doyle
said:
|
... so you all think that the 3 clowns up front are good enough to get us into the top 4 how meny goals between tham hav they scored as for is the fonze good enough play him and see 4 goals in 6 games is better than the other 3 also top scorer in the u19 euros is not bad he has been england center forward at every age level so play him |
Chris Harper
said:
|
...He doesnt speak any english so he would be able to comunicate with Gabby. Hilarious!! |
Damian
said:
|
... Badger/Keefvilla Yes, they have huge debts but they are serviceable, which is the point. Had they had these debts and not the money to cover them, then I would agree with you but they turnover so much money it is more than manageable. It is also worth noting that the £700mn. is mostly two debts - one of approximately £500mn which is bank dent and the other, approximately £200mn which is Glazer debt. The Glazer debt, the £200mn is "payment in kind" loans, effectively a form of equity. The £500mn is only double what the business generated a year - even in the UK you can get 3 times your annual income mortgage - so there is no worry that United won't get loans covered - or that is what we can take from what the club publish. As for their squad; Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Berbatov and Rooney would likely walk into any team on the planet - hardly average. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... Berbatov is a lazy Bulgarian pornstar, he wouldn't walk into any team. Ask Man U fans. |
antvillan
said:
 |
... I'm shocked that Damian would question Lerner to be honest. Since he has joned the club he has done everything correctly imo He has backed O'Neill and we have spent a hell of a lot of money the last 3 years, maybe not £20m on one player, but is that always the answer? MON has slowly built the squad and lets be honest the top players would not have wanted to come to VP. Now Villa are really getting noticed and talked about as serious top 4 contenders and showing we can compete in cups also. Better players will look at this and come the summer we should be in a good position to get those next players. We have the squad now (fair enough MON doesn't use it as much as he should), so won't need to spend 5 million here and there on 4-5 players. we can concentrate all that money on 1-2 players. Randy isn't stupid and neither he nor MON will put the financial state of teh club in jeopardy. MON will know we need a new striker and I have faith he will be biding his time for the right person to become available and want to join us. I can honestly say I'm so excited at the moment to be a Villa fan. Things are not perfect and we all want more, but we have to be patient. |
Graymo
said:
 |
... I think our midfield and defense is sorted (for now)so lets just forget about that for now. I think we have to prioritise here. Lets sell the dead wood and buy a striker. Who can we realistically buy to replace Heskey/Carew? and which of these two should we sell?(don't say both because we need some cover). Hugo Rodallega, Kenwyne Jones, Kevin Davies? I think the emphasis has to be on realistic here. We know MON isn’t going to spend a fortune. |
Damian
said:
|
... keefvilla if those five players joined our squad i'd put money on us winning the league. it isn't about 11 superstars. it is about balance and the right quality in the team. the point is their squad isn't average and anyone that says it is, well, i dont know what to say |
Mikey18
said:
|
... I don't think United won't be able to service there debt, but i do think that they will be slightly limited compared to previous seasons. Also if they don't win the league/champions league their revenue will be seriously dented as well. There financial position has seen speculation that they may have to sell rooney, and won't meet his wage demands! |
Damian
said:
|
... antvillan Randy isn't stupid and neither he nor MON will put the financial state of teh club in jeopardy.that, unfortunately, i think is the issue. the club, as of now is carrying £70mn worth of debt. sure - the debt it to another lerner company, but it is debt the guy that bought manchester city, it was revealed recently, put in nearly £400 but has since cancelled £305mn of that in return for shares i am not questioning lerner as a person, just his ability to actually make the investements to take aston villa to the next level by himself remember, there is talk of a new sponsor http://www.thevillablog.co.uk/...in-oneill/ (i'm going to guess cadbury) and that would help but there was also talk of further investment http://www.thevillablog.co.uk/...ton-villa/ which would also help and if these things happened it would be great but i just don't think lerner can do it by himself, because we were as good as told last week by the manager that we are working on a budget and it clearly isn't enough what i am saying is, it isn't about putting the future of the club at risk - it is about lerner taking a risk |
Keith
said:
|
... Damian Their squad is full of players who wouldn't get into Fulham's first team. They are either not good enough or too old. Take Rooney from out of that side and see how good they are. You have named five players that are very good, five out of a squad of thirty. Now name the very good players at Chelsea or Arsenal, about 16 each. Rooney is carrying that team at the moment, and I notice you didn't name any United midfielders. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...The Glazer debt, the £200mn is "payment in kind" loans, effectively a form of equity. The £500mn is only double what the business generated a year -even in the UK you can get 3 times your annual income mortgage- so there is no worry that United won't get loans covered - or that is what we can take from what the club publish. So a sign of prudence is that you borrow more and more money, till you approach your mortgage limit? Then what? Oh of course, you get an even richer billionaire in. Sorry I forgot your methodlogy for a moment. You can paint it any way you like, but Man U is now basically under orders from the bank, same as pool. I was reading an article in the Guardian, I think. A financial analyst was quoted as saying that Man U investors are being offered 7% if they invest in blocks of £50k. But he said what they aren't revealing is that this 7% is totally reliant on future success. In other words, the typical sort of financial bullshit that has got the global economy into so much trouble, based on predictions, false promises and basically living beyond your means. Like I said, you keep calling for it, Damian. But it simply will not happen. |
Stan Balaban
said:
 |
... I keep 'Babel'ling about some young, skillful Dutch attacker at Liverpool that's available and settled in England. What's his name again? |
Andi
said:
|
...Well Randy has spent a lot of time on the Brown’s problems and it is not clear if he has to direct money to the Browns to find these new and highly paid staff, but it shows he cares about the organisation from top to bottom and will try and recruit the very best in each of their field. interesting ?!?!?!? Randy at Villa Park tomorrow |
Keith
said:
|
... Randy Lerner and Martin O'Neill are building for the long term success and stability of Aston Villa. They have laid solid foundations and the club will continue to grow and improve, season upon season. |
Damian
said:
|
... keefvilla i dont know how to answer you. you are trying to pass off the manchester united squad as average yet they sit 2nd in the league its pointless. it will just go round in circles |
Andi
said:
|
...I was reading an article in the Guardian, I think. like that |
Andi
said:
|
...Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill plans transfer talks this week with club owner Randy Lerner. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...I'm shocked that Damian would question Lerner to be honest. Since he has joned the club he has done everything correctly imo So am I after the slug who used to run our club, but unfortunately it's a constant theme on this Blog. I guess if we agreed on everything though, it'd be very boring. |
Andi
said:
|
...Randy Lerner and Martin O'Neill are building for the long term success and stability of Aston Villa. They have laid solid foundations and the club will continue to grow and improve, season upon season Keef for PM i am with you |
Andi
said:
|
...I am saying that a long term injury to Rooney and they will not be top 4 or indeed a sell out to BARCA who want to pay him 8million yes 8million a year after tax !!!!!!! |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...or indeed a sell out to BARCA who want to pay him 8million yes 8million a year after tax He would melt in the heat over there. |
Damian
said:
|
... Badger look - i dont think it is right that this is the way to do things and i actually think that one day, maybe in the not to distant future, it will change and that seeing as we are playing a game - the rules might get changed also, but for now, the rules of the game say you can spend what you want so, to win the game, you have to push the rules to the limit; that is what the manchester city owner is doing and chances are, he will, in the not to distant future, win the game now - if the rules were to change - something i would love to see happen, then things would be different, fair and even, but at the moment they are not as for any investment; i dont think anyone can guarantee a return. it is like you buying shares in any company - the future success of that company determines the return on your investment and i dont know of any investment that doesn't carry a risk - if anyone puts £50k into manchester united thinking they are just going to get a 7% return guaranteed - well, actually, i dont think there is anyone with £50k spare to invest that woudl think that was possible as for it not happening (i assume you are referring to my call for investment) - none of us can see into the future. maybe we get an investor or a new owner and they want to push the rules of the game and can afford to. we just don't know and this new owner coming in 'splashing cash' about to win the league isn't a new thing, it's gone on for years and years and a long time before roman abramovich game into the game or - we could just all sit around and fool ourselves that it can happen without the need for significant investment |
Damian
said:
|
... keefvilla and that is a valid opinion and one based on intelligent thinking, but unless it happens, we will never know however - we can look at some stats. man utd have won 74% of games, in all competitions with berbatov this season but only 56% without him - i would suggest that berbatov is just as important and should rooney get injured, i could argue that they have adequate cover 'in the squad' to play a decent player and the ability to change things around to accommodate the loss. but, again, unless it happens, we will never know you can hardly call their squad average though when they are 2nd in the league |
Andi
said:
|
...or indeed a sell out to BARCA who want to pay him 8million yes 8million a year after tax He may well do as would he have terrible BO, he looks the smelly type, but for 8MILLION a year I would stink and risk melting hell i would do it for 500k a year |
Andi
said:
|
...Damian going once going twice .................. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...He may well do as would he have terrible BO, he looks the smelly type, but for 8MILLION a year I would stink and risk melting hell i would do it for 500k a year |
Damian
said:
|
... keefvilla it isn't about agreeing 'for manchester united' i'll hold my hands up and say ronaldo was a loss, but if they win the league again this season it will hardly be seen as a big loss in the grand scheme of things are they weaker than last season - yes, but i'd not say they were average gone |
Andi
said:
|
... AK27 -- not sure its the heat old ugly shrek boy would struggle with reckon it would be the whole learning a new language, he doesnt looklike he would catch on very quickly and would imagine he would be the type of english dude that just shouts loudly and points at stuff which would hamper him a little during the game i suspect |
Andi
said:
|
...keefvilla so close then someone comes in with a counter bid back to you KEEF |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...not sure its the heat old ugly shrek boy would struggle with reckon it would be the whole learning a new language, he doesnt looklike he would catch on very quickly and would imagine he would be the type of english dude that just shouts loudly and points at stuff which would hamper him a little during the game i suspect He doesn't come accross as a guy that would enjoy living away from England. They would have some team though if he did go there and he settled in. are they weaker than last season - yes, but i'd not say they were average They have their worst CM in the last 20 years. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...look - i dont think it is right that this is the way to do things Good, so we're agreed. Now please stop calling for it. however - we can look at some stats. This is the problem though Damian. You always go on about stats. But what you fail to take into account is that whereas Man U have peaked and are on their way down imo, having lumbered themselves with masses of debt and a squad that is ageing and not as good, Villa are a club on the up. Stats mean we should have lost at OT, for example. |
www.weneedastriker.com
said:
 |
... http://www.skysports.com/story...64,00.html MO'N sort it out mate. Get him on loan. Get Bouma to have a word with him |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...Man U have peaked and are on their way down imo They have looked like that on a few occassions over the last 10 years only to come back a year later with a better team. I hope you are right though but chances are Fergie has a few tricks left. He probably has another Vidic and Evra lined up to come in on the cheap and turn out to be world class. having lumbered themselves with masses of debt I don't think it was Utd that lumbered themselves with the debt. Man Utd itself are a hugely profitable club. It was the fact that the Glaziers were allowed to purchase such a huge club on the back of a huge loan that has put them into this position. Its the fact that the Glaziers are taking so much of Utd's revenue to now repay the loans they took out to buy the club that is putting Utd in such difficulty. It shouldn't have been allowed in the first place. Im enjoying it but it shouldn't be allowed. |
Andi
said:
|
... All this talk of Man Utd, Debt, Investing, Rooney and so on has got me thinking. Now i would love to be older than i am so i could have seen Villa when we was a power, when men where men and over 100,000 people watched the FA CUP final. When the English teams where English teams and you could leave your door open all day without anyone robbing you . Unfortunately I aint older and nor an i going to see them times again but what i am witness to is my club being run properly and i am proud to to be a villa fan. Our club is being run properly we have gained so much not just league places and potential stars for the future but respect within the game. We gave our sponsor to a charity, our owner paid out 4million to redevelop the pub at the back of the HOLTE, we are regularly treated to cheap tickets and family deals and still we are moving forward slower than some but we are moving forward knowing that we arent going to be financially crippled anytime soon. I am grateful to MR LERNER and I am proud to be a VILLA FAN. MR LERNER SHOWING THE YANKS HOW TO RUN A FOOTBALL CLUB ! |
www.weneedastriker.com
said:
|
... Chiefy / Villa Chris ... Suggestions of strikers we could sign???? Diego Forlan - Athletico Madrid - 6m Ruud Van Nistelrooy - Real - free Robbie Keane - Spurs - 6m Edin Dzeko - Wolfsburg - 15m Nikola Zigic - Valencia - 6m Mario Balotelli - Inter - 10m Luis Suarez - Ajax - 8m M. Jovanovic - Standard - 9m Gervinho - Lille - 7m Cardoza - Benfica -6m those are the types of strikers we need. Not Kenwyn Jones or sodding Jermaine Beckford look at the link i have put on y other recent thread. Are you telling me MO'N cant sign Huntelaar on ,loan til the summer????? |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... ak, They have looked like that on a few occassions over the last 10 years only to come back a year later with a better team. Well yes, it's a subjective thing, but to me they look weaker than they have for ages. I've been saying this for a good while. Agreed. This is the poxy premier league's fault for allowing the game to go down the "money is God" route. I just don't want us to go down a similar road. Chiefy, Our club is being run properly we have gained so much not just league places and potential stars for the future but respect within the game. We gave our sponsor to a charity, our owner paid out 4million to redevelop the pub at the back of the HOLTE, we are regularly treated to cheap tickets and family deals and still we are moving forward slower than some but we are moving forward knowing that we arent going to be financially crippled anytime soon. I am grateful to MR LERNER and I am proud to be a VILLA FAN. Spot on mate. All of these things, as the advert says "PRICELESS". |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... Carew is doubtful for tomorrow with an injured ankle from training. Apparently NRC is still out too. I would of guessed NRC would of featured against West Ham, if not Blackburn. Shame really. Hope Sidwell doesn't come in for anyone. Wouldn't mind seeing Delph and Delfouneso though.... Delfouneso being replaced after 60 mins with Gabby or Heskey if we need to. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... www.weneedastriker.com well we will not change the way we play so we might as well buy a bloddy striker who will get his head on one of the 58 crosses into the box. Nikola Zigic at 8ft 2 would surely do that. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
...Nikola Zigic at 8ft 2 would surely do that True. I've heard he's 9ft 1 with a 2ft schlong though. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Villa_Chris Carew is doubtful too. What substitution is MON going to do now on 60 mins? |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...True. I've heard he's 9ft 1 with a 2ft schlong though You're always thinking of cock aren't you. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... I quote myself.. Carew is doubtful for tomorrow with an injured ankle from training. |
Peen Vageen
said:
 |
...We have to sell before we can buy...MON on ssn hmmmm yeah i just saw that too....maybe randy is to blame |
Andi
said:
|
... I am off for a week so no blog action for a while 2-0 tomorrow THE MULE with a rare goal, corner will deflect of someone hit him on the arse and go in. UTV |
Chris Harper
said:
|
...You're always thinking of cock aren't you Yeah because I read your posts everyday! |
Damian
said:
|
... Badger you've taken what i've said out of context - while i think the game should be better managed/run, if the rules allow it and we want to compete, then if we don't do it we will never win it or even compete. if the rules change, fantastic - we will be in a good position - but a lot needs to happen first as for telling me to not go on about it, if i dont go on about it, someone else will, others already do. the fact is, if we were to all just sit back and be happy with what we have, none of us would be on here, or hitting refresh on our email for google alerts or refreshing newsnow for latest news or opinion if we dont go on about it. if we stop demanding better within the rules of the game - we will never get it. if we all just sit back thinking everything we have is perfect - then we will get no more as for manchester united - write them off at your peril and as for statistics - it is a basis for an opinion. they are not the be all and end all and i have never said they were. i dont know how many times to write that before it sinks in here you go badger, in response to your statement about manchester united as a club on the decline and us as a club on the up - if the rules do not change, as in limits or controls of what clubs can spend and aston villa dont get a new owner or new investment - my bet is we will still not be in the top 4 in 10 years time and manchester united will be |
Halfwit
said:
 |
... LOL o neill on ssn just saying we have to sell before we buy so we back to the ellis days ? Skint tight football club |
frem
said:
 |
... well, we are f**ked then. Oneill said before he does not want to sell anyone so were is the cash going to come from. We might sell gardner but who are we going to buy with the cash from him. I just get the feeling we are slowly going backwords. Ellis days again. Thanks learner and Oneill you tight gits. |
heskeyshead
said:
 |
... you seem to forget we had a terribly average team 3 years ago that were constantly yo-yo'ing around mid table to relegation, we had gavin mccann and steve davis in midfield for gods sake. since Lerner came he invested a fair bit into the team. we bought 2 DF, 1 LB, 1 RB, 1 LM, 1 LW. and that was just in the summer. nothing much happens in january and most teams will be looking to keep what they have got or do some loan deals/swaps. Harry wants a striker but only if he can get rid of Pav. it's just good sense not to overspend and owe more and more money for interest. We made 2 summers of big buys with around 12-15 players incoming. Let's just be patient and see what happens this season and in the summer. |
Damian
said:
|
... frem maybe o'neill doesn't want to sell anyone but some want to leave, namely and this is all speculation; gardner, harewood, reo-coker and shorey and i reckon we could get £12mn to £15mn from those four. add heskey to that list and i think you could confidently say £15mn with savings of approximately £130k a week from the wage bill all guess work and speculation and while o'neill 'doesn't want to' sell - he himslef has said recently he is often the last to find out and as an side - i wouldn't be surprised if curtis davies left for regular football too - he is too good not to be playing regularly heskeyshead when o'neill came in we had a team that finished close to relegation yes. the season before that was midtable and the season before that, it was as high as o'neill has got with us |
Graymo
said:
|
... Yea well MON shouldn't have wasted money on bench warmers then should he. E.g We have two RB's but play a CB at RB instead. Why did we need to buy Sidwell and Reo Coker? surely one would have done etc... |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... He might just be playing the we don't have any money card so as to stop any club taking us to the cleaners regarding transfer fee's? Hopeful wishing. |
frem
said:
|
... I dont get whats going on anymore. One minute MON saying hes not going to buy and the next he is. Just a few days ago MON said in a report that he willing to splash the cash but not to bankrup us. So thoughts that 10- 15 mil maybe spent. Learner said he coming back to England to show he still cares about villa. Again i thought we would be having 10 15 mil to spend. And today MON says he has to sell to buy, Learner that does not show you still love us. Sort it out you to. |
stephen
said:
 |
... ak_27 if that is true it is the single most brilliant idea ever, but i somehow doubt it too |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...if the rules do not change, as in limits or controls of what clubs can spend and aston villa dont get a new owner or new investment - my bet is we will still not be in the top 4 in 10 years time and manchester united will be I'd take that bet if you said 30 years. As Man U won't be here at all if it carries on. Sound stupid? Think of some of the worlds biggest clubs that have gone bump (albeit a long time ago). It's unsustainable Damian and you know it. Then again, I won't be here either, so what do I care? Yeah, come on Lerner you tight bastard, pump the money in until you're broke |
Damian
said:
|
... Badger a lot can happen in 30 years which is why i didn't offer that although in ten, i'd be fairly sure of what i've offered - ofcourse, when ferguson leaves it is going to be a huge challenge for united, but one i think they will overcome |
Damian
said:
|
... also - re what martin o'neill has said today (i've not heard it) - but i wouldn't worry - they are only words actions speak louder than words. or in some cases, lack of action but they are just words |
frem
said:
|
... Damian- Would we sell Reo, Gardner, Hare and Shorey this window and still have time to buy other players ? I hope we could but i cant see it happening. I dont know why we cant just spend 10/15 mill anyway because we have the money. |
John Clark
said:
 |
... Transfers: I'm imagining with all the various quotes, and RL coming to town, that something is afoot. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if MON is playing games with the "need to sell" line. Or that he's simply managing expectations. As noted, a lot of fringe players we could very well do without. But it could also be the case there's no one available that we want. I won't be surprised whether we make a big signing or not. Utd and money: The club is being prudently run, and the financial straits Utd and Liverpool are navigating are indeed cautionary. As we've mostly all said, we're probably two players away from being real contenders. Those two players will prove the toughest to acquire. If I were MON and funds are limited, I would take a punt on one of the more bargain-rated players we've discussed up front. I do think RL would spend the money if the right player is available. Not £30m, but 10-15. I've always thought the bigger issue is the wage structure. |
frem
said:
|
... ITS WHAT ONEIIL SAID. Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has admitted he will have to sell before he can bring in any new players during the January transfer window. O'Neill revamped his squad in the summer with the signings of Habib Beye (£3million), Richard Dunne (£5million), James Collins (£6million), Fabian Delph (£6million), Stephen Warnock (£8million) and Stewart Downing (£12million). But he has conceded he will have to offload before he can bring in new blood during the current window - with around £3.5million likely to be recouped from the expected sale of midfielder Craig Gardner to Birmingham. When asked if he was looking to sign a striker, O'Neill told Sky Sports: "We are not looking at players at this minute because we have to sell. "Do I have to sell to buy? We wouldn't be the only club in that position." O'Neill has faith in his current players to deliver the necessary firepower to sustain a challenge for honours. Villa have failed to score in their last three league games, with Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp claiming that striker Gabriel Agbonlahor looked short of confidence against West Ham at the weekend. |
frem
said:
|
... James Beattie 3 mil owen maybe Utaka Or MON might just be saying this and we might get a ten mil striker in. Robbie Keane |
Graymo
said:
|
... Am I the only one who thinks Kevin Davies could do a job for us? (in the short-term at least). I doubt he would be much more than £4 mill and is someone to get on the end of those crosses. Would also mean we could sell Carew/Heskey to save up for our super striker we're going to buy in the summer. |
Rob
said:
 |
... I've just read MON's comments about having to sell first. To be honest, there's quite a few we could sell or atleast get rid of (without being ruthless about it!): Shorey Harewood Gardner Salifou Osbourne We could probably get about £8m for those lot, and to be honest we really wouldn't notice them gone. We could bring in a decent striker with that amount. There's been a lot going on with the Cleveland Browns and we've spent a lot of money over the last few summers so it's fair enough really. We did get labeled as big spenders and MON has often mentioned we've had to spend over the odds for players so perhaps this is his attempt at lowering some prices on the incoming and increasing the prices of the outgoing. There's plenty of our youngsters who could make the step up anyways. |
frem
said:
|
... MARTIN O'Neill has refused to rule out splashing some cash this month – even though it’s not part of Aston Villa’s current budget. Last month the Villa boss was adamant the only way he could boost his high-fl iers during the mid-season window was if some fringe players left. But with his side just 90 minutes from the Carling Cup Final, and very much in the race for a top-four finish, O’Neill admits he would love to get active in the market. That subject is certain to be on the agenda this week when owner Randy Lerner jets back after a lengthy spell at home in the States. O’Neill said: “I understand about the need for prudence – and I believe in it. But I am a football manager. I get judged on results and not on the long term. Every single club I’ve been at, I have worked to the budgets given to me. That’s at Wycombe, Leicester and at Celtic, so I haven’t changed here." “I’m very happy with my squad but I’m no different to anybody – I’d like it to be stronger.” Despite those comments, O’Neill insists he will never risk bankrupting a club in the search for immediate glory and success. One day he says this and another we are back to tight cash. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...also - re what martin o'neill has said today (i've not heard it) - but i wouldn't worry - they are only words Agreed. And typically MON being as cryptic as ever. Fwiw, if I was Lerner, I'd be coming over and saying if you're not going to play your shite players, get rid of them. We all know the ones I'm on about and they need shifting before their value drops even more, imo. I'm not reading anything into what MON says to the press, as it could mean anything. Whilst not getting a striker in would definitely seem a bad move atm, it still won't surprise me if he doesn't. It'll just seem that MON has more faith in his players than we do. Frem, you ask if MON has time. We've seen how he works, so I'd say he has plenty of time. |
Damian
said:
|
... frem Damian- Would we sell Reo, Gardner, Hare and Shorey this window and still have time to buy other players ? I hope we could but i cant see it happening. I dont know why we cant just spend 10/15 mill anyway because we have the money.if i was a manager of a premier league football club i wouldn't just wait until janaury. i would have plans in place in october/november on who i wanted to strengthen the club and hope that in november/december my chairman told me we had funds. if my chairman then told me in december that we had to sell before we could buy i would hope that offers came in for my players and if they did, i would be ready to move as and when those things happened it isn't about reacting it is about been proactive. now martin o'neill has said he doesn't want to sell, but he has also said that managers are often the last to find out, so it is about been prepared |
beh
said:
 |
... Like Balaban`s shout for Ryan Babel. Play him up-front, could be the next Thierry or get him in the gym and we`ve got Alan Macinally back. While we`re up that way, take pinnear from Everton - he`s what Sidwell should be. Reckon we`d get both for under £20 mil and wages would n`t be daft. |
frem
said:
|
... Lets get Barry back for 4 mill. Sell graig and get Gaz, good bit of work. REo might go aswell, 5 mil for him, 2 mil for shorey, 2 mil for hare. ( mil on a decent striker. |
Car Frost
said:
|
..."Do I have to sell to buy? We wouldn't be the only club in that position." We wouldn't be - not we are although the line above states that we are. And typically MON being as cryptic as ever I'm sure there is good reason, if people think we're skint people will start looking at Milner, if they think we have money prices go up for our targets. I think the fact Brum have so much to spend is making others bitter but it's fine.. they're only buying rejects. |
Mark
said:
 |
... being honest, the players that play in the positions we are after are probably the most expensive and the hardest to find. |
Jimbo
said:
 |
... I'm sure oneil has been looking before now, hence why we employ scouts, you make him sound like a Sunday league manager. Not everyone wants to come and we're not told about them. Bring in 1 player on 100k per week and how long before Ashley asks for a pay rise? It's not as clear cut as you lot make out. Plus we, like America, are in recession. Randys dososable income is way down on 2 years ago and he hasn't got oil wells to dip into. Look at west ham, 100 million in debt, Portsmouth about to go bust, I suspect a few others are close behind. We're safe and strong and in better hands than many. Careful what you wish for, Lerner might sell and who buys? Who knows? |
frem
said:
|
... unfortunatley we have to forget the hope of buying players like Ireland, Defour, Keane and Babel this January. Instead we have realise it might be Beattie, Bexford or Healy. |
steve t
said:
 |
...You have constantly criticised MON, but don't want him sacked. That makes no sense, you either back him or you don't. ok so ive not posted on here for a while... so here goes in reply to this.... i will continue to moan at MON i want him sacked or at the very least if he dont go (which he wont!)to start learning from his mistakes and either use his squad or feck off! i was at the fa cup game against blackburn and thought our 2nd string team played so much better than our supposed 1st team... mon knows what the 2nd string can do and he must know by now that he needs to start using them.... delph will be some player give him games... maybe a new manager or at the very least a new coach could come in and finish the job mon has started by using the players that mon is affraid to use! there are so many things so many of us could say to agree and disagree to... but we all love villa and want the best... its frustrating that we can see it and the little bit of tinkering we need and that mon wont change from what he knows... if he fails for having a go at it then fine at least hes had a go... at the mo though hes failing himself the players and us by not giving it a shot! |
frem
said:
|
... ''I genuinely believe that there should be goals here within this squad of players. But everybody's looking for a 20-goal a season (striker)." Intresting thing that Oneiil said when backing up Gabby today. 'But everybody is looking for a twentey goal a season striker' Get one then. |
beh
said:
|
... If we get to the final, you`d have to fancy we`ll bring in one or two. That said, i think wes should off-load: Carew Sidwell Shorey Gardner Harewood Osbourne Salifou Bouma Beye There`s £2o mil + wages off our hands right there. Mon , i`m sure, would see it differently. |
Geoff
said:
 |
... Guys, did you watch that UNSPIRITED, UNINSPIRED SLEEPWALK at the weekend? Ashley did his typical, Robinho-esque coast and boast routine where he short legs a pass, dogs it, and then throws his arms up or takes a dive. You know what? get this freakin' bum out of here and find someone who WORKS. Gabby was by himself again and had no help. They need another striker, thats SO obvious. If teams are offering 20M for Ashley Young Id take that IN A HEARTBEAT. With the emergence of Milner, the return of Downing, if you found a solid replacement for Young and went out and got a striker with the money from selling NRC, Gardener, etc, then Villa would be in pretty good shape. |
Damian
said:
|
... Geoff based on young this season i'd take £20mn now - never will he be worth £30mn or considered 'world class' based on his performances this season but the lad does have something. i just hope we see it again |
steve t
said:
|
... put young up front with gabby to see what he can do... we know he can finish... we also know he cant cross!.... |
Jimbo
said:
|
... I agree that we need to put more faith in the whole squad. Brighton at the weekend so let's hope a few prove their worth and demand a start. Would love to see a top striker, but don't want to waste big money on a could be or has been. We all want or now, so close and yet so far. Fill the ground, cheer randys name, booing and not turning up does not help. If I was him I'd say you fill the stadium, I'll show you the cash. He's put a lot in, so have the players. We're not a selling club any more. That's got to be worth some praise. Up the villa. |
beh
said:
|
... Geoff - Hear where your coming from, but have you seen the stats for our assists recently ? Ashley`s right up there. Fewer chances set-up + our strikeforce ( agree Gabby not part of the problem ) and bugger me, the words brothel and score come to mind. |
Geoff
said:
|
... Um...you valued Edin Dzeko at 15M? Do you read? Wolfsburg have yet to accept an offer of 15-20M + Huntelaar, nor have they accepted the same 15-20 + Jankulovski & Kaladze. Total up the player values, and Dzeko is worth approximately 40M! Forget about it. Milan have had trouble getting him, what makes you think that he will come to Aston Villa? If they have to sell first. Sell Ashley YOung. If you dont want to incur too much debt and you want to finance your transfers...sell Carew, NRC, A. Young, Beye, and some other guys and they WILL have enough change to get a good scorer and a solid winger and a central midfielder to be a better sub than sidwell. |
Damian
said:
|
... beh i hate to burst the bubble so soon, but ashley young has 5 assists all season; the same as tyrone mears at burnley and kevin davies at bolton |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...I'm sure oneil has been looking before now, hence why we employ scouts, you make him sound like a Sunday league manager. Spot on Jimbo. I'm sure some people think MON looks at his calendar on January 30th and thinks to himself "F*ck me, I'd better start thinking about who I'm going to buy or sell!" It's absolutely laughable and frankly gets on my tits. Whilst it's somewhat frustrating as a fan, MON makes me laugh in transfer windows. He has an uncanny knack of saying everything and nothing and I bet he does it on pupose to just wind the press up. Careful what you wish for, Lerner might sell and who buys? Who knows? Oh god, yes. Wise words indeed. |
frem
said:
|
... We could sell : Hare 2 Shorey 2 mil Gardner 4 mil REO 5 MIL wITH GARDNERS 4 MIL GET BARRY BACK wITH 9 MIL ID GET ANDREW JOHNSON OR MAYBE JO OR SAHA |
Geoff
said:
|
... Oh, I agree. He is VERY talented. Not sure if the heart is there AND if someone ponies up 20 million and a player Lerner would advise the Manager to accept the deal. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...i hate to burst the bubble so soon, but ashley young has 5 assists all season; the same as tyrone mears at burnley and kevin davies at bolton But still up there and we know we're having problems getting goals! And we've been saying he's been not up to scratch thus far, so surely that's not bad? Only you could pluck a negative out of that Damian. I'm beginning to think you're a lost cause mate  |
beh
said:
|
... Damien - Bubble duly burst. Due dilligence not done. ( somebody else`s figures - they seemed sound ) I think the point still stands - no ashley = reduced threat. |
Tony
said:
 |
... So MON says we have to sell to buy. What's more important is what MON is not saying. I'm looking forward to a high quality loan player(s). |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...if he fails for having a go at it then fine at least hes had a go... at the mo though hes failing himself the players and us by not giving it a shot! Totally agree. Just try something diferent Martin with the players you have in the squad. You might be surprised how it works out. |
Andy Scarborough
said:
 |
...Damian That's just the midfield of a 0-5-0 formation. Probably good enough to finish top 4 though. |
Damian
said:
|
... Badger all i am doing is clearly pointing out the facts for the great ashley young. he has 5 assists from 20 games 'isn't right up there' and al i did was show who he is with i didn't mention that james milner has 3 more than him and is 6th in the assists league table and i am not a lost cause by any definition- but i need more than just words and hope |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Damian, Ash was Young player of the year last year. I refuse to believe he's suddenly crap. It's just form mate. We all know it comes and goes. Same as Gabby. Same as Hes.... er, well you get my point |
Paul Theiss
said:
 |
... First, once and for all, stop talking about Jo. Has anyone actually watched him play? He is poor. This season, he has 25 appearances and just 2 goals---neither of which came in the league. As for having to sell before we buy, can anyone reasonably fault the club for this? I can't. Lerner has spent bucket loads on players over the last 3 to 4 windows. Perhaps we need to ease back a bit this January, when it's historically difficult to find value for money. The fact is, we simply don't have the resources that the likes of Man City and Chelsea have; and that isn't anyone's fault. Yes, you need to spend to win, but sometimes fiscal discipline is commendable. The last team to spend beyond their means was Pompey---and now they can barely afford to pay their players. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...The last team to spend beyond their means was Pompey---and now they can barely afford to pay their players. It's not a problem, you just go and get another billionaire. It's easy. They're ten a penny and none of them are crooks either. (sarcasm mode off) You're right of course. |
Andy
said:
 |
... Ruud Van Nistelrooy 150 goals in 219 games : Emile Heskey 112 goals in 484 games. Need I say anymore? |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Utd are Buzzing tonight. Must have been Badger writing them off earlier that has got them going. Fergie probably printed out his comment and put it up in the dressing room. |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... I suspect that we will get through the season with much the same squad we have now. We will finish 5/6th, we will have at least one visit to Wembley. The summer will see quite a bit of activity with players coming and going. That is not exactly what I would wish for, it's what I expect. RL and MoN are doing an absolutely top rate job here at the Villa. If only people would look at the progress and agree that it is: a) in the right direction, and b) sustainable. RL will back MoN in the transfer market, do you remember that we were told if MoN wants £30 million for a player he would get it? Maybe that doesn't still stand but MoN definitely has RL's backing and will be in the market if the right man at the right price is available. Next season may be as "flat" as this one. I will not be too disappointed if that is the case, standing still is preferable to sliding backwards. Whatever does happen, you can be sure that our management will be doing their best to see us improve. In short; MoN is the best manager we could have got, and is about the best we could have. RL was hailed as the saviour of Aston Villa, and still is. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
 |
...xandeh said: Ruud Van Nistelrooy 150 goals in 219 games : Emile Heskey 112 goals in 484 games. Need I say anymore?I've just got the feeling MON is building up a head of steam and is just waiting for Randy to give the word. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... ak, Tevez missed an easy one then. I'd prefer Man U to win, I think. I see Citeh a sa bigger problem, if we face them. |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... Call me a day late and a dollar short, I have just discovered that the Pornographer in Chief has acquired 50% of West Ham. Should we have a minute's silence tomorrow for the death of decency, probity, honesty and taste? |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...I'd prefer Man U to win, I think. Yeah me too. Utd wouldn't be as up for it in the final as they are tonight. They might not even start their best 11 in the final. Plus would enjoy beating utd more if did get there and win it. City are coming back into it. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...Should we have a minute's silence tomorrow for the death of decency, probity, honesty and taste? Yep. First job at Upton park will be having Sullivan's office made more comfortable for his er let's call them "visitors". |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...Badger; we want to rub GB's nose in it, where better than Wembley? That would be a real bonus andy |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Some dodgy reffing to me. Citeh defender runs straight across Bell end. Blatent obstruction, not given. Tevez perfectly good shoulder charge, gets pulled up . 1 each |
beh
said:
|
... Andy - agree totally with post 239. Maybe a minutes silence for small heath and there army of 7000 fans- they`ve recently lost a kindred spirit Watched David Gold on sky all emotional and that. He was banging on about foreign owners ( fair point actually) and that he was a local lad. However, he did point out that R. Lerner was "excellent". He`s not the only neutral to praise our chairman. Given the tone of it all, Lerner is clearly respected for what he brings to AVFC. |
antvillan
said:
|
... I've been having the Ashley Yound debate at work, my colleague thinks he is having a rubbish season and should be dropped. I've been arguing that defenders double up on him a lot more now than before and he still gets the majority of our assists. So I'm surprised he only has the 5 assists. I still believe he should start, but the threat of at least being subbed occasionally for Albrighton might give him a bit of a kick up the backside, because he does need one. Young and Gabby know that however they play they will always play the 90 mins of every game, they need to be pushed. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... How has Bellamy not been booked. Good game in prospect for the second half. No way will this finish 11 v 11. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...Good game in prospect for the second half. No way will this finish 11 v 11. Proper game |
James Clift
said:
 |
... Does anyone know for definate how many season ticket holders we have? I've been looking for this for a while as part of a bet but can't find the answer anywhere on the net. |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... Bellend is one of those "red mist" players, fantastic footballer when he's not hyperactive. ManU certainly don't look too much like a side on the decline. Well, maybe a little below their usual high standards. Antvillan; the way Albrighton played pre season and the way MoN bangs on about the Fonz makes you wonder why they aren't used more. |
FalmouthVillan
said:
 |
... Heard part of a story on talksport on the way home tonight that spuds were thinking about Van-nistilroy but redknapp says 1 of the others will need to go (Robbie Keane yes please!)anybody else heard anything? After watching sunday we really need a quality striker not some muppet like beattie it must be the right man so might even have to wait till the summer for the best quality. Whats all the crap about us not having the resource i thought Learner owned MBNA? they bloody well charge me enough interest! will be there tomorrow night (500 mile round trip) we will win 3-0 UTV. |
tonky
said:
 |
... All this talk of young crap makes me laugh. Damien you say about his low assists this season and then question our goalscorers do the two not coincide a little perhaps? And then we've also got one of if not the best defence in the league, and he's helping back there. Please believe me downing and young are a constant threat to any defender every game they play. As for Gabby I really do think he could be a 20 goal a season striker if he just shot on site instead of looking for someone else to pass to when he's inside the area. Be greedy Gabby!'!! I'd rather you had a shot and it went wide or over than over play it and the attack just dwindle out!!! |
antvillan
said:
|
... andy5759 I know I don't get, or even bring on Deplh and push Milner wide. I was annoyed after MON said after the West Ham game how tired the players looked in the last 15 mins. So why not bring on Delph and Fonz?! They would have given us plenty of zip and they are both good players, who will never improve unless they are given playing time. At least one of them would have helped, typical MON wasting the use of his subs. I love MON generally and think he's doing a brilliant job, but do get frustrated at how little he uses his subs. |
Damian
said:
|
... tonky where am i questioning the goal scorers? as for the young stats, against west ham, only one of his 26 crosses/corners found an aston villa player - you cant hide from those numbers as for young helping out defensively - well, he is told to do that by the manager and he isn´t going to score or assist in a goal from his own half very often |
Devon Villan
said:
 |
... Think we're all agreed that we would like a striker. Think we also agree realistically that we're not going to spend a fortune on one because (a) we just dont spend £20m (b) a player of that value would cause unrest with wages to match. My mind harps back to the glut of missed chances against Blackburn. You could see in ONeil's face that he was annoyed. And that doesnt include Emile's farcical about-turn when Stan out him clean through. MON must have realised that we need a poacher that night. If we'd had one tomorrow would be a formality. The lack of poacher was confirmed on Sunday. Gabby for all his good points isnt one, he may be in the future but he isnt now. So, what do we do? We could just shrug our shoulders, sign no one and probably finish like last year.But we all know that this year is prob our best chance of 4th. Spurs/Citeh will get stronger, Liverpoool will come back, Everton (without that awful 1st half season) will be up there again. There is no right answer here. The best I suggest is Van Nistelrooy on loan. Still 33. 46 goals in 60 odd appearances at Madrid. Driven out not through lack of ability but because of the new Galleticos that have to play. What's in it for us? A poacher, proven, Real may well pay the bulk of his wages while on loan to us What's in it for him? Alreadt familiar with the country/league, has to be playing 1st team footie to stand a chance of getting to the WC. He could be our Dean Saunders Rest my case |
Damian
said:
|
... Devon i would actually prefer a link up man. a robbie keane type player over a striker. i think we have enough strikers and i think if more opportunities are created the ones we have will score more but that would also mean getting a bit drastic and playing 451 or 4411 - hell even 4231 and i dont think o´neill is ready to get that advanced although i wouldn´t say no to a proven goal scorer at the same time |
Devon Villan
said:
|
... Ha ha Damien. You've started your 'Santa I'd like..' in January! Take your point about link-up player. In an ideal world both. We have got a lot of strikers but not one of them over the last 2 years has suggested to me they can take those half chances regularly, the chances that can make the difference between 0 pts and 1, or 1 pt and 3. I dont worry about the 'link player' particularly after the way we carved out chances against Blackburn. Its the results against Blackburn-standard teams that are letting us down and probably because of missed half chances. Still RVN for me. However as a long-shot see Benjani's just come on for City. He's what 4th/5th in the queue there? Cant be happy. Didnt he have a good conversion rate at Pompey? |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...Take Rooney from out of that side and see how good they are. Having watched that game just, you'd have to agree. He's real class and so much of their threat comes through him. |
Damian
said:
|
... A class edition would be great, yes and maybe Milner really could be our link up player - but then formation has to change a bit I´ve just watched the United/City game and both started playing 451 - there has to be something in it .. |
FalmouthVillan
said:
|
... Have to agree with Devon Villan RVN would be worth it for a short term loan but we need the next Andy Gray/Dean Saunders/Gary Shaw we have not had that out and out type centre forward for a long time now infact Saunders was proberbly the last one imo.All we lack is someone with that killer instinct who can inject some tempo into the side. UTV. |
Stan Balaban
said:
|
... Frem i would replace young with wright philips. I think Man City may have something to say about that wITH 9 MIL ID GET ANDREW JOHNSON Hilarious Thank God you don't have 9 million pounds! |
Ammar
said:
 |
... Unfortunately I can only ever see the subs being used the way any other manager would use them once we hit a blip and go one a run of no wins in 5 or 6 games or any of so called first 1st eleven get inured. This will force Mr O’Neils hand and he will then change either the system and rotate the squad. Possibly bring on some of our hot prospects. Until then we will have to grim and bear it and watch our 1st eleven get run into the ground. I have never known a time as a Villa fan when I see the first eleven on the team sheet and pretty much know that at the end of the game win / draw or loose it will be the same eleven barring the odd predictable substitute. Sidwell or Carew to come on. Our squad rotation is based on Cueller for L.young. Our manager makes some bizarre comments like players looked tired but then refuses to squad rotate or even bring on substitutes. In the same breath he then says he does not want to sell any of his squad players but needs to sell to buy. Ermm Mr O’Neil we know you are not a idiot but neither are joe public or the Villa fans so stop treating us like we are. As for the comments about United being a average side and not financially stable what would I do for Villa to be in there position. I guess it will be last minute.com if at all for players coming in or going out. |
Alex Glynn
said:
 |
... I'm not dissappointed with City. Unt result. For me, either team will be hard, if i'm really lucky I'll be there either way. Whilst it'd be good to face Unt [who i think we have a 2/2 record at Wembley] City weren't hugely threatening in that match and if we won it'd be amazing to see GBs face... Either way, I'll be watching avidly wherever I am. |
S
said:
 |
... Thats wat ive thought all year bring RVN so he can continue the great work he did at Man U for us. |
Alex Glynn
said:
|
... Oh no! Guys, we have a problem, look at the veru last player on this list, how can we win now??: Aston Villa Suspended: None Doubtful: Carew (knee), Davies (fitness) Injured/unavailable: Bouma (toe), Reo-Coker (ankle), Salifou (compassionate leave) |
Alex Glynn
said:
|
... Final thing though I've asked it before. Guzan or Friedel for the final [if we make it of course ;]]. Personally, I'd definitely like to start Guzan. It'd be the test of his life but he's been so solid this whole cup [until admittedly last game he looked a little shaky with the whole running off the line thing]. Though Friedel we all know is amazing, and I love him and he may not get another chance at silverware ever... Tough decision for me peace |
VDV
said:
|
... rocky 5 and other t**t whats wrong with Andrew Johnson ? Who else better we going to get with our small budget. I think you two need flicking. |
keith
said:
|
... thats where mon can learn from saf, put scholes on in the 87th minute for the last 15 |
rocky marciano
said:
 |
... VDV you dick,so if you were mon you`d go and spend 9 mill on andrew johnson,you need to go have a threesome with vijay and frem.thank f*ck your not the manager |
amar Sunar
said:
 |
... o'neills said he needs to sell to buy so can we stop talking about getting a big money player because its not helpful and not going to happen unless we sell young, milner, agbon, and i dont really want that to happen. so lets just get behind the team. we have what we have |
fastbackace
said:
 |
... http://www.irishexaminer.com/s...10116.html guess mon has to sell before he can buy... so... guessing all were doing now is selling players.  > |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...guessing all were doing now is selling players. So what? They're dead wood anyway. |
Andi
said:
|
...Villa have been too often misfiring this season, with scarcity among their top goalscorers, apart from Gabriel Agbonlahor who has netted eight times in the league and O’Neill wants an improved performance from all over the park in regards to hitting the back of the net. last sentence sell before you can buy smoke screen maybe ?? |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
 |
...o'neills said he needs to sell to buy Do you have an actual link to where he says that? All ive heared off Martin is the usual irish gibberish he spouts in every window. Hes not going to tell you, me or anyone anything, so why would he tell the press? Please people, get a fooking grip!!!!! |
meangene
said:
 |
... Haha, fire MON? Young can't cross? As far as MON goes, forget about Lerner, and any player in the team over the past four years, Martin O'Neill is the single most important person at AVFC. As for anyone booing his team after a game or calling for his head, I can only hope he has a short memory and doesn't hold a grudge. Ashley Young can't cross? How many times have we seen him put a ball on Carews head, he has double the assists of any other player on the team, someone else can do the stats. He has had a bad season of course, but if you say he can't cross then I don't respect your comments. |
JG
said:
 |
... In response to the doubrts about Lerner earlier, this article is a good read http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/astonvilla/7029753/Aston-Villa-still-living-the-American-dream-under-Randy-Lerner.html |
Chris Harper
said:
|
...“I don’t know why they booed. Fans seem to think they are much bigger experts than ever before, so they portray their disapproval more vociferously. Well said Mr Allardyce |
Damian
said:
|
... Villa_Chris this is spin. booing isn't any worse than it was 20 years ago - in fact, i'd say it was pretty much the same - as for fat sam saying that we 'think we are much bigger experts than ever before' - that just goes to show how arrogant he is it is spin. if he and other managers say it enough times, owners and fans will think that maybe they are been a bit harsh - its bollox and why he has never won anything as a manager |
AB
said:
 |
... Hi and enjoy your thoughts. Am calling from Aussie and was hoping someone might be able to tell me how I can watch the match tomorrow - cheers |
robb david
said:
|
... 100% guzan for the final, he has earnt his place and it would be a traversty if he was dropped. andy johnson --> no where near good enough, and the wrong sort of player. we need a link forward, in the tevez, rooney, bellamy, keane, arshavin mould. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... But Damian its true. Fans think they know better than the manager when in fact its very unlikely that we do. Its their proffession, its our hobby/passion. Its like the government telling meteorologists that Global warming is fact (to charge us silly taxes), when meteorologist have evidence its bullshit. |
robb david
said:
|
... fans are bigger experts than they used to be, we watch countless football matchs on tv, go to the same number of live games as ever, and watch extended highlights of all the matchs. We see experts giving their opinions and most people will belive what they get told by alan hanson, so pass it on as their own expert opinion. |
paul
said:
 |
... As I've said before I think putting Guzan in the final could come back on us. Not that he doesn't deserve it. Anyway on Transfers I definately think Gabby is the next one to lose his place. The front line simply hasn't improved along with the rest of the team, Gabby is still missing chances and neither Carew or Heskey has shown enough to keep the other out of the reckoning. Gabby needs some competition for his place. Simple as that. Beckford, Kenwyn(!) Jones or Rodellaga would be nice. Dont expect anything till the very last moment though, we all know MON likes to make them late- and cheap! |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
 |
... How can we state we are a big club, with big ambitions, wanting to buy big players, when we can't even fill our 42,500 stadium for our biggest match in ten years?? Absolutely shocked and dissapointed we haven't sold out. These tickets should have been snapped up within days of going on sale and even more so after winning the first leg 1-0 away from home. Until we as fans act big, why should the board? |
Matthew Smith
said:
|
... Fat Sam's response should have been: "At least Villa have fanatics that follow them week-in-week-out, we'll be lucky if any Blackburn fans bother to turn up at VP". and "I guess it's my fault because my style of management dictates the worst style of football in the premier league" More seriously, I touched on boo-ing yesterday with a couple of posts, after last years collapse I just want to see the Villa fans get behind the team and support the manager. It really does hold a massive impact on the team. I can't wait for tonight. UTV. |
paul
said:
|
... As for Global Warming villa chris, you were obviously not on the ball 20 years ago when I first learned of the Greenhouse effect at school. The government has taken 20 years to even start doing something so don't try and say its all about taxes. You numpty they'd get more tax if we all used more petrol and energy! I bet you're one of these "King Canute" characters that says the tide isn't coming is and is so certain that they'll sit there until the water is around their necks. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... Anyone help? When will the tickets go on sale if we get to the final? Any idea on price? £50 like an England game?? |
John Samuels
said:
 |
... I'd take Jones (Sunderland want £12m - £15m), Boyd (£1.5m) or Beattie (£6m). Jones would be my preferred option, but I think he is the best player there. Young, powerful, a bit of a poacher who also has pace and good heading ability and a cracking shot. The complete striker we need, he would almost certainly improve and the money would turn out to be a pretty decent investment. Boyd would be a risk on the pitch, but financially it's a non brainer. Easy to recoup the cash and there's an outside chance he might actually score a load. Beattie is a player I'm actually alright being linked with. I often thought he would fit excellently into our team when he chose Everton over us. A mistake really because he didn't really suit the way they play. Stoke play long ball football, many balls into the box and lots of crosses fromn the likes of lawrence and Etherington and Beattie has done a pretty good job od converting them. His goal haul after he signed last Jan was excellent and helped Stoke stay up quite comfortably. I'd be worried about Beattie's age, but I think he'd score goals considering the way we play. He knows where the goal is and has scored at this level consistently over the course of his career. He may provide the few extra goals we need to push on this season. He is actually pretty decent at holding up play and bringing players in, an old school CF if you will. Any of those three i'd be happy with for different reasons, but i'd like Jones. The hardest to get tho, while Boyd would probably be the easiest. I don't want Beckford as he is just like Gabby but not as good, if anything his first touch is worse, he isn't as quick and I'm sure Gab would score a hatful in league one and he is four years younger than Beckford. Moses is worth a punt at £3m-£4m, but lots of competition there and we can't necessarioly guarantee a starting place. Zaki? No thanks, he's a racist dick who goes missing in games. Piquionne on loan till the end of the season? Yeah, why not, cost effective and looks a good player. He'd get more chances with us and he'd push Gab for a starting spot which might improve the lad. Permanently i'm not sire as he is pretty old and we already have two oldies. Of course the other option is to wait for Delfouneso, but this will porbably not happen till closer to the end of the season or maybe next season. I'm pretty sure we'll lose Carew in the summer anyway, so another striker now would probably be a good idea. |
Panos
said:
 |
... Villa_Chris, Its like the government telling meteorologists that Global warming is fact (to charge us silly taxes), when meteorologist have evidence its bullshit. Are you ExxonMobil's CEO in disguise? |
patrick37
said:
 |
... o neill says its the best team villa have had for the last 20 years Mmmmmmmm not to sure about that |
Chris Harper
said:
|
...Are you ExxonMobil's CEO in disguise? No I'm just pissed off with paying the highest tax band for my car! |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... JPA i haven't been to pushed about Jones. He has that Carribean attitude of i'll turn up when i want to. But after watching us put 58 crosses into the box on Sunday and barely getting a head on any i would not happily have him. No point in us playing the way we do if he have nobody in there who can win the headers. He is still a bit too expensive though for a guy who hasn't scored that many goals. The others no thanks. Hw about Vigic from Valencia? Less mobile then JOnes but more clinical. |
Matthew Smith
said:
|
... JPA I agree with most of what you said, although there are a couple of things I'd like to add. Beckford - He's really bad. I watch him a lot as my mrs is a big Leeds fan (haha!). You can't really comment about his first touch, because he simply doesn't have one. Everyone keeps saying that he scored against Man U, did anyone actually see the goal? It was pure luck, that first touch could have gone anywhere. Speak to any serious Leeds fan and they'll happily cash in on him, I'd rather have Marlon start than him. Victor Moses - I went down to watch the Plymouth vs Crystal Palace game at the weekend, terrible match but Victor Moses didn't seem anything special. If we had scouts at the game I expect they'd tell MON not to bother. He certainly doesn't have the potential like Fabian. Worth keeping an eye on him, but for me, I think we have enough players of equal or better ability/potential. Beatie - I can see why we'd be linked with him, we need someone that can pick up 10 goals a season just from set pieces. But he's lazy, arrogant and old. If he were in my squad I'd field Carew or Heskey in front of him. Jones - is the only viable option. He's strong in the air, quick, great vision and will only get better in time. He's like a young adebeyor(spelling), but with the potential to be better. He's going to cost 12-15 Mil and i don't think we have that money to burn at the moment. All of the above is circumstantial at the moment, MON said yesterday that he's not looking at players (let alone signing them!) and players would need to be sold before he'd spend any cash. I outside guess is that he's concentrating 100% on this semi-final. He'll worry about transfers after, and there is always a chance that Lerner may have said something along the lines of "get in the final and I'll give you some cash to play with". |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...Nice website for stats chaps. Is that where you got your stats on global warming? |
John Samuels
said:
|
...All of the above is circumstantial at the moment, MON said yesterday that he's not looking at players (let alone signing them!) and players would need to be sold before he'd spend any cash. If the Gardner deal happens I think we'll go for Boyd or Beattie. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... Hey lads, don't shoot me down about Global Shwarming, I only used that as an example because Damian can relate to it (touched on it in a post of his recently). |
Matthew Smith
said:
|
...If the Gardner deal happens I think we'll go for Boyd or Beattie. In that case I hope we hang onto gardner! That tit down at spurs said he's looking to shift Pav, think i'd rather give him a punt that those 2. Probably get him for a similar price. |
John Samuels
said:
|
... I'd take Pav, would Spurs sell to us? I thought he was off to Zenit. How much are they touting him for? anything more than about £7-£8, is stupid. |
Hamer82
said:
 |
... Can anyone confirm how things may work for order of priority for final tickets if we get through? I've been to every single league cup game this season with four mates. (league games are few and far between due to family commitments at weekends). 1 of these mates holds the ticket history for all 5 of us. Does this mean he'd get a single ticket for the final or would we all get them? And as Villa_chris said earlier, how much are they likely to be? I'll say around £50 from Villa or £500 if purchased from a money grabbing ticket tout. |
John Samuels
said:
|
...Beatie - I can see why we'd be linked with him, we need someone that can pick up 10 goals a season just from set pieces. But he's lazy, arrogant and old. If he were in my squad I'd field Carew or Heskey in front of him. I can see why too. You say he is lazy, but I always thought he put in a fair amount of effort. He has a bit more in his locker in the holding up play sense than Carew and I think he'd get a fair few goals in our side. He has a habit of being in the right place at the right time, and arrogance in moderation is a good quality for a stiker. I sometimes wish Emile was a bit up his own arse as he'd probably score more often. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... But is Beattie any good at attacking crosses in the air? I remember him scoring headers for Stoke but they were all free headers at the back post if im remembering correctly. |
Matthew Smith
said:
|
...You say he is lazy, but I always thought he put in a fair amount of effort. He has a bit more in his locker in the holding up play sense than Carew and I think he'd get a fair few goals in our side. He has a habit of being in the right place at the right time, and arrogance in moderation is a good quality for a stiker. I sometimes wish Emile was a bit up his own arse as he'd probably score more often. Again, I can see why we're being linked with him. But I think we'd only be acquiring him for the sake of it. I honestly don't think he's any better than what we have and I'd prefer to see the fonz being played. My attitude is simple really, we have 5 first team strikers at the club (1 on loan), If we're going to add to that at least get someone who is real quality or has the potential to be real quality. Pav - worth a punt if we use what we get for Gardner. No more than 4 Mil. Jones - worth every penny at 12 Mil, but I don't think we have the cash. |
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