Written by Damian Friday, 05 June 2009 07:30
By the time I publish this post you won't be able to comment on the competition post I did yesterday about net spend on transfers this summer, but there have been a number of good guesses. Some I think are fairly optimistic, especially after what the owner has told us, but there is no harm in having hope.
I asked the question, not only because I thought it a good one, but because having a discussion on this will sort of put things into perspective when some start asking for O'Neill to be replaced and I start asking Lerner to start looking for investment.
For the record, I'm going to pick £7.2mn. because that was what we actually spent in the 1999/2000 season and when you factor in that in the 1997/98 season we had a higher net spend on transfers than we did in 2007/08, I don't think it unreasonable.
But this isn't a negative post, it is one of renewed optimism in Randy Lerner and I don't want to see him go. I think all I want him to do is search out investment.
There is talk this morning of Ashley Young and he is 'believed to be concerned that the club will struggle' to replace Barry and that Chelsea and Real Madrid are circling. No, we don't have quotes and yes, it was in the Mirror.
If Ashley Young is sold, regardless of the letter he writes to us and publishes in the paper and regardless of what the club tell us, it will be because he doesn't believe it is possible to break into the top four with Aston Villa. If Ashley Young is allowed to leave then the attention will turn fully on Lerner and his ambition.
I'm not knocking Lerner because how he has got people feeling about the club again is wonderful and the way he has looked to our history to develop certain aspects of the club is fantastic. But it has just dawned on me, much like it did with David O'Leary; it isn't his fault we're not spending.
It isn't his fault that he doesn't have the money to make the necessary investments to challenge for a top four place. He has tried, but in reality we could have all told him, that a net spend of £65mn. on players over three seasons, wasn't going to be enough to get top four football.
Now, the hype that surrounded Lerner was very much created and when you look back there is nothing from him, just suggestion and PR from the club and representatives, so he has done nothing directly wrong. However, some are now questioning it. I read something on VillaTalk the other day that someone wasn't going to renew their season ticket and they were likening our January this year to a Doug Ellis January. That isn't the whole story, he did renew, but the whole story is a good read.
They're not wrong about last January though, it was frustrating and it's also worth noting that it wasn't just last January, it was the January before too. However, the author does go on to suggest if is all down to O'Neill to improve the team, although I think O'Neill will get what he can get with the funds provided and for that, I don't think he can be blamed.
What I'm actually hoping for is that what Lerner said recently about not spending as much this summer as last is Doug'enomics, because we've just seen what spending £45mn. gets you in this league and my biggest fear is that Gareth Barry was right and Manchester City finish above us, which would be the biggest kick in the teeth.
In fact, I'm going to say that it was just all bluster and that we are going to go out this summer and bring in numbers and real quality. I have faith it will happen. It has to happen.
So, I have renewed my faith in Lerner for this summer and I want Ashley Young to have his faith renewed and players like Ashley Young will only have his faith renewed by new players, quality players coming in.
I guess what I'm saying is, this isn't a defining summer for Martin O'Neill, it's a defining summer for Randy Lerner and until September 1st, I'm going to have faith.
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VillaDude
said:
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... Damian - no mention of the Cahill/Barry bust up? Bring Cahill back i say - I really think we have first option on the player, i remember saying MON saying we had clauses in all the young players we sold. |
Jackie Henderson
said:
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... What we need is a marquee signing. I mean truely huge, a coup if you will. Someone who is expected to go to the big boys, someone who is destined to win multiple trophies during a glittering career. Someone of the calibre of say one David Silva or dare I say it, Villa. |
Damian
said:
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... VillaDude I wanted to but they're not our players any more and Barry probably had it coming  |
Gwhizz
said:
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... Dare I mention it but Trezeguet has said there is English interest and even if he didn't come it would be a sign of intent if we could match the fee and wages offered by others. |
Jackie Henderson
said:
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... I'm sorry don't know what came over me there (that's what she said!) Will have to settle foe huddlestone, bently and maybe naughton, if we're lucky |
ak_27
said:
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... Young v Malouda? I would say Malouda is the better player. Real Madrid after Young? Not a chance. They are after Ronaldo, Kaka and the like. Sorry but Ashley's performances for the most part of this season haven't exactly shown that he would be good enough to get a starting spot at any of the clubs being linked with him. I think it is easy journalism. What other good villa players are left that can be linked with big clubs?? Probably just Carew and Young so expect odd articles linking them with someone every few days. |
Marcus
said:
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... Go Gary Cahill!!! Quality.....if we do have first option on him we should get him back ASAP. |
swanseas villan
said:
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... ok iv had a very long thought about all this all the comments from lerner was made barry b.c. but now its barry a.c. obviously his stance must have changed now. he probably wasnt expecting to have to replace one of his big name players with another star name as well as streangthen the squad now plans are all changed I hope |
Woz
said:
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... $hit, I get more and more worried with every passing day! Need to check when the next Season Ticket payment goes out  |
Tony
said:
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... I am going to repeat what I said last year on the subject of MON and RL. MON is a winner. His career has been all about winning. MON believes in his own abilities but he seems a pragmatic chap and must realise that in order to break into the big four you need to spend big. Not in a Chelsea type way but in a progressive manner. I like to believe that MON joined AV on the basis that RL would continue to supply funds provided MON was "successful" on the pitch. Also MON joined AV because he believes that as a winner he can break into the big four provided that the funds are available. If MON joined AV knowing that the funds would not be available I have to conclude that MON is using AV as a stepping stone to further his career - does this seem likely? I would answer "no". So my conclusion is that RL will get his hands in his pockets and the player investments will continue. Of course it's one thing having the funds but it's another thing attracting the right type of player. GB leaving will not help the situation neither does our failure to grasp the European Champions League place. But that's football. |
VillaDude
said:
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... There is no chance Young will leave this summer, but thats not to say next season he won't. His recent form has dipped and Real are looking at Kaka, Ronaldo etc and Chelsea have Malouda who has been on excellent form and Joe Cole who can play left wing. Other than that - they have been linked with Zhirkov who is a left winger. MON will not sell Young for less than 25m - and to be honest, if we got that then we should consider it. Only team that will bid that much is Man City - and they have Robinho and Martin Petrov on the left wing. |
VillaDude
said:
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... Am i the only one worried that MON has not made any comments since the Barry transfer? He has said nothing to the fans or media about Villa's future and potential targets (he usually dismisses them) I small part of me thinks he is pissed off about the Barry transfer - and maybe the club accepted the bid behind his back - any thoughts?? |
Nick
said:
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... You could survey 50 avid Premiership fans and I doubt anyone of them would even try to compare Ashley Young to Malouda. Apples and crap. You are having a laugh my friend. I mean even when Ashley is playing poorly he has about 10 times the impact on a PL game than Malouda ever has, sorry. But I dont expect Young to leave, just yet anyways. |
ak_27
said:
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... nick_not_nicky have you only watched Villa games for the last 6 months or what. Malouda is probaly the most in form winger in the PL at the moment. I suggest you take off the villa blinkers for a while. |
Michael
said:
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... first option means nothing, we still have to pay the full fee and then if another team shows an interest he can still reject us and go to them. what was that about the cahill/barry bust up? |
Michael
said:
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... found it, thought you meant theyhad a bust up when they were at villa and thats why cahill left. |
Nick
said:
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... The PL ended quite a while ago, so im not sure what that exactly means. Whenever I have seen Chelsea play which is quite a lot, although admittedly I have not seen all their games (or the even the FA cup final) I have never been impressed by him. Im not saying he isnt a good player, but I have never seen him do anything really. Maybe its just me and im blind to what he does. Can we dig up some stats on him because I honestly do not know that much about him. I do know Young has been one of the better players in the PL for the past 2 seasons, with the obvious slump to end this season. But he has terrific stats, and has won the player of the month more than any other player in that time right. I probably dont even know enough about Malouda to really debate it, but 2 or 3 bad months from Young does not mean he is suddenly trash. My bet is if he did move to Chelsea he would be instantly ahead of everyone on the wings except Joe Cole. |
Mike Carter
said:
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... I hate to say it, but I can only pick out a handful of games last season where Young was a star player. Plenty of average performances, and unfortunately plenty of games where he was absent. |
Damian
said:
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... VillaDude O'Neill is on holiday. I suspect, when he gets back, we will hear from him on the Barry saga. I don't think he was sold without O'Neill agreeing to it and knowing full well that Barry wanted to go. But, he's having his holiday and well, what can he say about it that we don't already know? |
Nick
said:
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... MONs on holiday in America I believe, so I expect he's on the golf course avoiding reporters rather than coming out and talking about it all. I'm sure he's allowed a holiday, just as long as our scouts don't have one! |
villaforever,,
said:
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... Just seen a article by Harry Redknapp on the Barry transfer, and i now firmly believe its money alone thats wins things, the likes of Villa,Spurs,Everton,are now only cannon fodder for the teams who can pay silly money,even Liverpool were priced out,the whole way football is run needs to be changed to make it a level playing field |
lewis-dp
said:
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... I honestly can't see Young leaving... I think O'Neill rates him higher than anyone else in the squad, and I think Young is quite settled and enjoys being here too (he doesn't live too far from me, and his house isn't up for sale yet..lol). Young is no Barry, as with Barry becoming an england regular, he started to believe he was better than the team. On a signings note, whilst I think I touted our net spend to be 19million, i don't think that would be difficult to achieve without signing any major names... Ok lets say we get Bentley (or another midfield equivalent) for around 10, a solid centre back for say 10-12, you only need two other signings of 4-6 million to reach it. Where is the international superstar there? There may then be one or two other squad additions, but they would probably be at the expense of squad players leaving. Hesky is the new Harewood... and will eventually get passed on to Wolves or another midlands commutable championship side. I do think there is exciting times ahead though, and think that a more attacking midfielder will provide us with a much better balance in the team, and hopefully strike up a great partnership with Petrov. I wonder if (other than the money) Barry didn't like being outshone by Petrov!? Any thoughts? |
pete
said:
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... imo selling barry as improved us,who in the right mined would pay 12 mill for him. if i was a man city fan i would be pissed off with hughes ,all that money and buying 2 rate england player ,who next heskey.ashely young can go aswell another big head. |
ak_27
said:
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... nick_not_nicky outside of the Everton away game his performances all season have been for the most part been well below what he did last season. His crossing from play and from dead balls has been terrible (he might have caught something from Milner) and he is now one the most predictable wingers in the game. he needs to get some tricks because most full backs have his number at the moment. Malouda had been terrible until Hiddink took over and im nearly positive his goals and assets stats for the last 4 months of the season would be up there with most. He was probably Chelsea's best player for the last part of the season. Young on the current form is a long way behind him. |
RayK
said:
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...VillaDude said: I totally agree. It is very interesting that there has been no 'official' comment from MON or Lerner - especially when you consider how vocal they both were on the Barry issue recently. Isn't this exactly the time we want some comment from the club, if not about the Barry sale itself then some commitment on spending to ease the fans concerns? Obviously an actual signing would be better... From what I've read on here and other sites it seems clear that Barry's departure was very sudden. Given MON's conservative nature I'm sure he would have liked to have had Barry's replacement lined up before allowing Barry to go - and he may have been over ruled on that by Lerner mindful of the fact that the offer was too good to risk losing. |
RayK
said:
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... Damian - I don't buy the holiday excuse. I'm not begrudging anyone a holdiay. I work in an environment where some of the senior people earn as much as MON and I tell you they are always available holiday or not. I'm not expecting MON to jet back from America for some press conference. There are things called Blackberrys where he could approve a press statement drafted up by the PR department...same for Lerner. |
Jackie Henderson
said:
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... Haven't noticed Malouda's impact? You're probably getting him mixed up with I haven't got a Kalou |
Nick
said:
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... ak_27 I mostly agree with you about Ashley Young. He has been well below par for the second half of the season (especially his dead balls and crossing), although I think he did start the season quite brightly. On his day he can have a magnificent impact on games in every way possible. But even when Ashley is playing poorly he still is a bit of a threat and does contribute a little bit. I cant speak anymore about Malouda, but im going to pay more attention to him next season to see what he's really all about. anyway utv and I hope Cahill gets another shot at Barry in england training. Jackie I can tell the difference between them and I think Kalou is actually awful, while on the other hand im just questioning how good Malouda really is, in comparison to someone who has all the player of the months, pfa young player of the year and etc. But I will take everyone's word for Malouda, and wait until next season before I attack him again  |
WOFFER
said:
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... Sorry, but this Young-Malouda debate is ridiculous. As someone stated Malouda was terrible until Hiddink took over and yes once he took over he scored a couple of goals and got a few assists, but his actual performance over 90minutes in games was still pretty poor. In The FA Cup final he had chance after chance to take on the Everton right back, I think he did that once and yes he set up the goal and had a great strike come off the bar - but that's it, otherwise his crossing and dribbling was poor. Young was the PFA young Player of the year and is the only player to have won the player of the month three times in one calendar year (last year). Young is strides ahead and has years and years ahead of him. Malouda is very average. Been looking in to stats and I think this is one to look at. on SKYsports.com they have last season's average rating by the "expert". Malouda = 6.4, Young = 7.3. If we lost Young it would be a travesty, not only because he one of our best players, but also we already have to replace Barry and Laursen. |
woodinho
said:
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... MON is on holiday guys, but what is he going to say anyway? It'll just be the same old "we are trying to strengthen the squad if at all possible" - "we want to add quality to the squad not just numbers" not that we ever do!. |
ak_27
said:
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... nick_not_nicky hopefully the summer rest will do Young the world of good and come back and score more goals like he did againest Odense at home. As for Malouda he might be a nice player to put in your fantasy football team for next season. Then again you never know Ancelotti might not fancy him and drop him. Kalou is rubbish though. |
pete
said:
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... young has been crap but i dont blame him ,he only does what he is told,on the other hand i cant see him getting any better sell him and gabby. |
Damian
said:
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... rushe thats a bit harsh, can you please call him gary cahill in future otherwise some might get confused |
Jedi
said:
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... What has happened to the Dutch lad we signed this season, i think his name is Arsenio Halfhuid, spelling might not be right but is'nt he supposed to be a good layer, also a year older. |
woodinho
said:
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... no10 - I dont think young is "told" to put crosses into row ZZ of the upper Holte. I just think he and the rest of the team had a bad case of burn out, plus the arrival of E-mule didnt help, in a regular season when he doesn't have to play so many extra games he would be top class! |
Nick
said:
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... no im quite sure it was Heskey who was telling ashley to put crosses into row ZZ to spare him the embarrassment of missing sure goals! |
John Clark
said:
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... Graham Taylor's comments today refer to "leftovers" between MON and Barry from last summer, and that the City bid was sudden and unexpected. My guess is that it came in, Barry wanted to go, we made a counter, he still wanted off, and MON said, "Don't let the door hit you on the way out." Naturally, the players will be watching the dealings. It just may simply be that RL doesn't have the money to truly compete for top4. Would another route, as Doc has discussed and i've believed in, work? I'd like to think so, but you never know. Be curious to see if RL will seek some outside cash/investors. It must be obvious that even going slow, developing young players, etc., will be tough going, given the state of the game. I think it's a well reasoned post, Damian. RL wants good things, but it's become such ridiculous amounts of money required to bust through that he may be a bit taken aback as well, seeing it firsthand how difficult an ask it is. |
RayK
said:
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... on the Young vs Malouda point, I think if you put Young in a side like Chelsea, playing alongside the like of Anelka, Drogba, Essien, Lampard, he'd be awesome and have a greater impact than Malouda has had. Stick Malouda in our side and he'd be even worse than he has been at Chelsea. My last point on the lack of comment from MON or Lerner ... the official website comes out with such nonsense propaganda most of the time and when there is the need for some upbeat propaganda (the sort that Churchill seems to crave for on here from you Damian) there isn't anything. Obviously give me news over propaganda but I find the lack of anything a bit disrespectful to the fans. |
ak_27
said:
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... RayK it doesn't matter who you are playing with if you can't put a good ball in or take a good shot. He has been getting into great positions only to do very little with it. |
Keith
said:
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... I hope this Ashley Young story is just usual Mirror bollocks, I felt sick when I heard it on Talksport this morning. What us Villa fans need now is for a statement from the club saying that Young is not for sale at any price and then a exciting new signing. Most top players are away from their clubs for world cup qualifiers so I dont expect to hear of any transfers until the beginning of next week anyway. |
rushe
said:
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... haha damian apparently Gary Chaill got judas back for a reckless tackle that judas made on him a few weeks ago against bolton, I say get him back, we need a player that puts himself on the line like laursen, Cahill would be perfect!!! MON has surely got a buy back clause or first refusal on him, but to be fair it's MON and he doesnt have a chuffing clue when it comes to transfers, I would also like to see Veloso as a replacement for judas, cracking left foot on the lad. |
oldnick
said:
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... I also would sell young and gabby if silly offers were made. I dont think gabby is gonna make the grade, he hasnt got the nouse, and young even though he is a good player, i think the money he could sell for would enable us to buy a just as good as player and maybe a few more. |
Keith
said:
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... Those criticising Young seem to forget he is the first ever player to win 3 player of the month awards in the same calendar year and he was named in the PFA player of the season team. |
woodinho
said:
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... no10 - true, but we started a lot earlier than everyone else in the inter-scroto! - just to throw it away in Jan! We did pay a lot of extra games and started a lot earlier. A regular season would see Young (and everyone else) perform better. Simples. |
Imran Patel
said:
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... if we sell young then that is it we are a selling club and there is no plan ever to try and crack the top four we will be back to square one back to where we were when MON took over i dont think he will leave (well maybe not this year anyway) he came out and said it last january when the real link came about. he will stick about to see who we will sign if anyone. he qould be mad to go to chelsea they have Joe Cole, malouda and him unless they play him on the right. |
GG
said:
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... Blimey, all this gloom! Anyone would think we just avoided relegation. By all rights Man City should finish above us next season because they have unlimited funds to spend, but then they should have finished above us last season and didn't. If we hadn't suffered a confidence crisis in front of goal, we'd be playing Champions League football next season. We fell away simply because we didn't convert our chances - all we need is a goal poacher or two and some quality in defence. How much you spend achieving that is irrelevant. We can't compete financially with the top four (and one or two others) so we have to trust our management & talent spotters to skin the cat a bit differently. |
Az
said:
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... Young story is running on skysports.com now as well. If he wants to go and we get silly money for him then whatever. We can get Hleb for half the price and then strengthen in other areas. Not saying Hleb is a better player but he does offer something else, i.e. great passing. Maybe we could get Joe Cole and Carvalho in an exchange. Can't see Carvalho going anywhere but Inter though to be honest. |
Altan Kargaci
said:
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...Most top players are away from their clubs for world cup qualifiers so I dont expect to hear of any transfers until the beginning of next week anyway. What makes you think we will be signing top players ?! By the end of the day we could have all our summer signings wrapped up !  |
oldnick
said:
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... sellin a player for a stupid fee should not class us as a selling club. im not pretending to know all about transfer dealings but i cant see the villa letting young go for anything less than 30 million, like i said young is a decent player(i dont see him improving) but for that amount i money i know what i would do. |
RayK
said:
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... ak_27 - I'm sorry I don't buy that. I'm not saying Young is a world beater or that is delivery isn't sometimes poor but playing alongside more top quality players who can make bad balls look good and would give Young more options on the pitch and I think he'd be even more effective than he is. At Chelsea he would have Ashley Cole behind him and Lamps/Essien to his right and Drogba and Anelka ahead of him - you can't tell me that's not going to make a difference? |
ak_27
said:
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... RayK maybe you are right but i don't think Ashely would be a guarinteed started at Chelsea if he went there. |
Pip
said:
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... unfortunately at the end of the day, every team outside of the top 4 (+city) are a selling club |
RayK
said:
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... ak_27 - you're right on that but then probably only Petr Chech, Essien, Lamps and Terry are. where we may differ though is that I think he would get the nod over Malouda more times than not especially if they paid £25m for him (for example). |
VillaDude
said:
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... Has anyone got any inside info on transfers? Im so bored at work at there is nothing in the rumour sections other than Bentley and Huddlestone. But the way that MON handles transfers, we will be lucky if they are done by the first day of the season. |
gregdavillainake at least 30 million to even consiod
said:
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... ashley young would be phenomenal foe chelsea, with cole supporting left back. Hes a smashing player. if we lose him il be f**king pissed== laursen, barry and young gone would leave our team in tatters, it would take at least 30 million to even consider letting him go and at that id probably keep him. |
Altan Kargaci
said:
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... Hah, have you seen Evertons new home kit ...I think I'm going to be sick .... http://www.footballshirtcultur...kits.html |
IAN SWEENEY
said:
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... Has anybody seen the Hleb link being played down on Sky? When it's played down it usually means there an element of truth in it! I for one will be forgetting the Barry story if we pull it off! Class signing! |
mikey18
said:
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... Players play better in better teams, FACT. Look at Anelka, awesome for Arsenal, Liverpool and even now looks a world beater at chelsea. But when h avingspells with Bolton and Man city he looked like he'd lost his class. Ashley young is the best left winger in the premiership. 9 assists and 7 goals, which is more the Malouda. Malouda is 27, Ashley 23. If we lost Ashley Young who do we replace him with? Realistically we will not Attract a better left winger than Ashley Young. Realistically we will not attract a better centre mid than barry! i just hope his departure allows this team to evolve and we play better as a unit, because lets face it our midfield is poor! We ship goals because they don't help the defence, i think mainly due to barrys lack of desire and pace and they offer little support in way of goals! Hopefully now barry is gone we can get a more dynamimc midfield! It will require a different type of midfielder, but i doubt he will be of the footballing class as barry. |
Peter Dragoonis
said:
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... Gary Cahill has done what all of us want to do!!1 i personally would have been delighted if he would have put barry out for the season!! |
Woz
said:
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... lol, thats a bloody horrible Everton Kit, as posted on the site... it looks like a ladies evening dress!! |
gregdavillainake at least 30 million to even consiod
said:
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... mickey18 do u know anything about football? anelka scored a sack full of goals for man city and he was class at bolton earning a move back to chelsea. look up his stats, although ur point is probably right you should be better with good players around to help you out but ur facts stink |
mikey18
said:
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... He showed glimpses of brilliance at both man city and bolton yes because hes a GREAT player but my point is he didn't demonstrate his abillity to the extent he did at Chelsea and Arsenal and to some extent liverpool. He was one of the hottest footballing talents in the world! Top scorer in the toughest league in the world with chelsea this season, and was sold by arsenal for 20mil+ back then which would be the equivalent of 30 million now! which i think illustrates my point! |
Joe
said:
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... hi can someone tell me about what happened between barry and cahill? I would love to sign hleb but he left arse because he didnt likelife in england |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... Sounds like there could be something in the Chelsea Young thing as its up on Skysports.com and they usually don't print bull shit. However Ash is contracted for 3 years and MON doesn't have to release him at any price (unless there is a buy out clause I don't know about). MON would be stupid to let him go anywhere as he would instantly lose all the faith he has worked so hard to get from the fans, he would be absolutly crusified. Even if they offered 30 million I can still see them being turned away, we couldn't get close to replacing him and after last summer with Barry we know MON wont just be letting his prized assets walk because of a bit of pressure from the top 4. Can I just take this chance to say f**k OFF CHELSEA you scum, I hate you with a passion you plastic terds. |
RayK
said:
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... okay, how about this for a cunning plan. Bolton say that they are looking for £15m for Cahill which probably means they'd accept £12m. Given that there was sell on clause when we sold him to Bolton of say 20% then that £12m gets reduced to £9.5m? Bolton would want a replacement so how about offering them Knight as part of the deal - say £6.5m + Knight? I don't know about everyone else, but I'd be quite happy at that .... but if only things were so simple! |
Marty
said:
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... Its good to know that Gary Cahill is still a Villa boy at heart, would any of us not done the same given the chance? Barry has made a huge mistake, but its clear he didnt want to stay at Villa so good to have gotten rid of him. He could of stayed at Villa another year and then got his dream move to Liverpool on a free, as it is if Man City break the top 4 he will be replaced with a world class player and watch champions league games from the bench or stands and end up moving to a team like Blackburn. Young is the next Barry though, he is being linked to big money clubs and its clear he wants to be winning things. I cant see him going this summer, but next summer if we are no closer to the top 4 and no trophy in the cabinet then he will go and I certainly wouldnt blame him. |
mikey18
said:
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... I think bolton would take knight, he was a decent defender for fulha, and centre backs mature with age well! knight is better than danny shittu hu they signed in the summer. Although i like any product of the youth system playing in the first team, i do wonder how good cahill actually is? i haven't really seen him play! But if hes priced at 15milion then thatsa the same bracket as Vermalen from Ajax and Hangeeland from fulham, how do people think he compares tho those two? |
Joe
said:
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... none of this would be happening if Mon or RL hasd pulled their finger out in january and sealed us top 4 |
AV4EVER
said:
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... Re: ak_27 £15 million for Hangeland would be a bargain, isn't the saying "build from the back" ever more relevant to Villa considering that's where we fell down this season. A Top class central defender should be our top priority. |
VillaDude
said:
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... I actually think Mellberg might return to villa park. Has anyone read his latest interview? Juve have now 3 italian internationals in his position and Cannavaro has returned. If MON is struggling to find a replacement - Olly will jump at the chance to come back. |
RayK
said:
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... I wouldn't sell Young for £30m either - it would send out the wrong message completely and the loss of Carew, Barry and Young would just be far too much. Unless we start making some quality signings and break into the top 4 (or win a Cup), then Ashley Young will go over the next 12 months. And so will Carew... |
jim
said:
 |
... IN wish-list (pipe-dreams/whims, whatever, but this has to be the minimum number of players we get) David Silva Joe Cole Bentley Roman Pavlyuchenko Owen Micah Richards Giles Barnes Raul Albiol and 1 other in defence with the stature of Mellberg/Laursen, till Davies and Knight are up to the job. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... f**k me, people on here moan about the possiblity of Milner playing 12 months straight, he desperately needs a break. But oh no, Martin O'Neill isn't allowed one. |
Dan Naylor
said:
 |
... Im trying not to get too frustrating because its only a week into the window but we seem to only be linked with the Huddlestones of this world, when we need the players that will improve us, not to keep us stood still |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Villa dude, don't worry about that too much, Mons entitled to a holiday like everyone else, and I can guarantee that his business line is constantly on and he is still hard at it even though he is away. Did you see the Mark Hughes interview after signing Barry? he was on a gold course carrying his clubs between holes with a reporter following him. Mon won't just be laid back on a sun lounger catching rays without contact for 2 weeks. Atleast I dloody well hope he won't be or i'll set Cahill on him like I did with gareth Barry! |
VillaDude
said:
|
... No hes not allowed a break - not when his captain and vice captain have left the club and now our most exciting attacking player is being linked with Chelsea. Do you not understand? do you really think MON is going to replace these players with equal or better quality? No - he will start thinking about transfers in august and try and bring savage and matt elliott out of retirement! |
jim
said:
|
... how is it the Barry deal went though with MO'N was holiday, yet he can't provide the fans with even a sound-bite to explain how it went through so fast? |
Martin Clabon
said:
 |
... Jim, I think dream on is the phrase, although we may well sign Owen, the one player on the list I dfinitely don't want Knight not Cuellar? |
VillaDude
said:
|
... Anyone see Mark Hughes having a holiday or Harry Redknapp?? No - both are bidding and trying to sign players that they see as a priority! |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Villadude, yes Hughes was 'on holiday' when he signed Barry, read the above. |
VillaDude
said:
|
... Also MON has mentioned numerous times - spurs and man city will be a big rivals next season. So while hes on holiday - the competition do their business? Wonder who is still available when MON decides to wake up! |
RayK
said:
|
... just another thought... everyone know's Chelsea's team is ageing and Ancellotti will want to come in and build a team for the next 5 years. Look at all the players they are being linked with - Pato is 19/20, Sturridge is 19 and now Ashley at 23 - so it does start fitting together. Now assuming Young wanted to go would anyone on here accept a swap for Young of £10m plus Ricardo Carvalho and Joe Cole (again assuming (and the players wanted to come and wages not silly)? |
jim
said:
|
... I can understand the slow start with the internationals to get out of the way, but as has already been stated, it's not stopped deals being done. Surely MO'N advises the players he wants, others do the deals while he's away and if the player needs the manager to convince him he flies in and out to clinch the deal. >> Knight not Cuellar? - I think Cuellar is good enough, but not a player who can 'carry' others. He needs a solid-proven pro alonside him, and then he and whoever can have Davies/Knight as their back-up. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... RayK - that would be a great deal, Joe Cole at his best I'd rate higher than Ashley, but I think a lot of the Chelsea fans would too and his management. My best mates a big chelsea fan who goes every week and i've asked him jokingly to send us Cole over a few times but apparently it aint ever going to happen and he is totally loved by the fans, one of the best players and an integral part of the team, he's just had injuries this season. |
VillaDude
said:
|
... Dan - do you not think the fans deserve even an short interview after the Barry transfer? It was not like we sold Salifou or Harewood. Barry was our captain and played over 400 games for us. It's like Gerrard, Lampard or Rooney leaving their clubs. Now with Young being linked with Chelsea, MON staying quiet just adds to the speculation. Maybe Ashley Young also needs to hear MON's thoughts? |
TheJohnnyVillan
said:
 |
... Don't the comments show that losing Ashley Young would be much more damaging than the departure of let's say..... Gareth Barry?! Replacing Barry will not be a problem. Im sure MON and Randy know that to make the best players want to stay at Villa Park, they have to show ambition with the signings they make and give the players fresh team mates and therefore fresh ideas. |
Tom Smith
said:
 |
... i want chelsea to f**k OFF for starters. dont know what to make of huddlestone might get him in to make up the numbers, but we need a centre half and a centre mid and a heskey replacement. bring back gazza cahill. anyone got a link for what he said to money grabbing bastard UTV  |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Thats the thing though Villadude, i'm sure Ash does know mons thoughts. Most of the 'real' transfer stuff goes on behind closed doors, we don't hear about it until someone in the club leaks it, which is very rare at Villa park (We don't have a manager like Redknapp who announces to the world every single player he admires on a daily basis) or until it actually happens. This transfer period is going to be no different. So far I've heard one good bit of info from a source that seems to get everything right (posted on yesterdays blog if you want to read) other than that it's just about sitting back and waiting and hoping. If Come august were still waiting, we will all have the right to be wandering what the hell is going on, but right now, a week or so after the windows opened anyone getting this upset about proceedings needs to sit down, relax and have a kit kat (other chocolate snacks are available). Sure it would be nice to hear from Mon but to be honest, what could he say about Barry that we don't already know. Lerner made a statement recently about funds and weather or not we liked it, and in which ever way we interpreted it, it was a statement so there has been some contact. Chill Winston... |
Max
said:
 |
... Should be another competition of guess the date of our first signing. 19th July 10.30am is my guess, when we sign Bentley. |
VillaDude
said:
|
... Ok Dan - im starting to chill Just when i read Chelsea are sniffing around Ashley Young the worst came to thought. Especially when they are reporting that Young himself is questioning MON's ability to replace fat boy baz. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Also just occured to me that we were linked with a south american striker yesterday, and mon is holidaying in america. most probably completely unconnected but a miniscule chance it is. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Villadude, I felt like that too when I woke up and read it!! your not alone! but then I thought, how the hell is the press going to get any quote or info from young while he is with the england squad, managed by Mr 'stay the hell out of our business or ill pop you' Capello |
IrishVillian
said:
 |
... Hi everybody,been reading the comments and articles from Damien for a number of months now. Although it did take me a while to find this new site from the old one on o*****e. (Can i just say that the site is completely crap now,they didn even post anything on the Barry transfer until yesterday i think). Anyway,its only now that iv decided to post a comment of my own. Without stating the obvious,this is going to be the a big big summer for villa,in my opinion. Unless we get the numbers,and more important the quality up within the squad i feel we are going to be seriously left behind. While i believe that last season was probably our best of ever breaking the top 4, in order for us to at least stay top6 we need 4 top quality signings. the likes of huddlestone and Bentley dont really cut it for me as i dont think by not getting into the spurs team means you are good enough for a top 6 team never mind a top4. Players like Carvalho and defour would send out a msge that we mean business,this is the type of quality we need. Damien i would be interested to know if you have heard anything about a possible move for Joe Cole? |
RayK
said:
|
... Dan - I agree with pretty much everything you say about Cole. I also think that he's far more likely to go to the Spuds under Redknapp that come to Villa Park ...but if Ancellotti does want a clear out and he wants Young, then it would probably be our best chance of signing Cole and Carvalho and if we did (plus had another £10m) I think it would be a good deal on the whole - certainly better than £30m in cash. There again I thought the Barry deal might involve Richards and Sturridge so what do I know. Over the past few weeks I thought all we needed was one central defender but I'm convinced two are essential and I think they should be our 1st singings. There are plenty of names we could go for but for me it would be two from Albiol, Hangeland, Cahill with Knight (and maybe NRC or Sidwell too) being used as bait for the latter two - there I go again! |
Keith Leonard
said:
 |
... I regularly read all these comments and feel some people need to move in to the real world. Money is key in the current football climate and all clubs are somewhere on that ladder. we are forunate at Villa in that we are well above half way in terms of the Premiership but to get in to the top 4 and start competeing for the Premiership, you have 2 routes neither of which will guarantee success. Firstly, with immense wealth and money no object, you can buy your way there - eg Chelsea and now Man City. Secondly, you can invest in the right plaeyrs and try and evolve but realistically this will take a number of years. The gap bewteen the top 4 and the rest is huge(althogh not convinced that arsenal are up with the other 3). Everton are a good team like us but Chelasea won at a canter in the Cup Final. Ask yourselves how many of our players would start regularly for any of the top 4. It is time for us to wake up and smell reality. We have an excellent chairman who respects both the Club and the fans but although wealthy, is NOT prepared to throw silly money at trying to achieve top 4. I'm not sure I would want to be like Man City and Chelsea - there is not a quick fix except for the exceptional few. I am saddened by the continual sniping and criticism - it is a long time since we have finished in the top 6 for two seasons in a row. There is much to be done to be put right but get real - we are not spending the money of the likes of Man City, Chelsea real Madrid etc and it's not going to happen. Get over it. Don't be surprised if Ashley Young goes - there is a league of Clubs bigger than us and if they come calling with their chequebook it will be difficult to resisit. I certainly don't begrudge Gareth Barry his move - he has been a fantastic player for this Club and particualrly in the DOL years he was key to us staying in the divison. Start supporting good people - people like Gareth Southgate was a fantastic player for this Club and should be applauded back. We need to really get behind MON and Lerner as they have a rough tough summer ahead. Stop moaning and get supporting. |
Rich
said:
 |
... Selling Young is more than about his contribution., it sends out all the wrong signals. It would be negative to any quality player considering joining the club. MON should act fast. Put out a strong, conclusive statement that Young is not for sale and (without mentioning names) reassure us supporters that things are in hand. At the moment this is too much negativity. |
Kinsale Villan
said:
 |
... Selling Ashley Young would be a disaster no matter what price is recieved and whatever way the club explain it. |
Stantinio
said:
 |
... I'd accept Young leaving if we got Joe Cole +£5/10m in return, then went and got someone who can cross the ball with a point to prove - Bentley. |
sam4villacilla4life
said:
 |
... we wont loose ash young not this year anyway ive jus thort about a replacement for barry. wat bout jermaine jenas hes alot more attacking than barry is |
Swiss Villa fan
said:
 |
... tranquillo barnetta from bayer leverkusen ist free......he is a got player and plays for our country..... hope we can take him¨ greets from switzerland |
carl
said:
 |
... MON will not sign any big name players we will get the usual £2mn or 5mn players as always and he should make some sort of statement holiday or not when was the last time MON ever spent 15mn or anything like on a prove quality player ?? for any of his clubs |
gregdavillain
said:
|
... i think the club have kept quiet because outside of villa park its considered we just lost our best player ( i dont believe he was) so in order to nullify the effect it has on any potential targets its good not to talk it up. |
Tom Smith
said:
|
... joevillian, i have to disagree. luke young and petrov i thought had great seasons |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Please, point out to me the games where Barry stood out last season. I think if you try, you'll struggle. |
Keith
said:
|
...What makes you think we will be signing top players ?! |
Joe
said:
|
... yes luke young and petrov did have great seasons but neither are top class but barry does have class and alhough he doesnt always stand out he is still very good. |
Keith
said:
|
...Can I just take this chance to say f**k OFF CHELSEA you scum, I hate you with a passion you plastic terds. |
Joe
said:
|
... i dont know why i am complementing him becuase if i was cahill i woulkd have dine a lot more!  |
Adey Stuttard
said:
 |
... Has anyone got a link to this Cahill thing? I can see NRC and Barrys £12M going to Spurs in return for Huddlestone and Bentley (net spend zero, and improvement to the squad?) keefvilla, you need to sort your "quotes" out! |
adam
said:
 |
... mate just text me he reckons the fonz is going on season long loan to leeds anyone heard anything similar or the usual load of bollox dya think |
Alistair
said:
 |
... I can't see Young going, and if O'neil is on Holiday, he deserves a break, I think if we sign Defour, which I think will happen, then all can worry less as that is a good signing and a sign for things to come, Hangeland or Vermuelan are necessities we have to get one good CB in |
oldnick
said:
|
... Change of subject i know but i just anaylised our team and here is my personal view on each player in the frame. guzan-untried. friedal-can be good shot stopper but who cant! to old. shorey-decent going forward, terrible defender most times. bouma-a good defender but distrubution of the ball out of defence is bad. knight-apart from laursen i think our better defender last season. davis-will he live upto his original tag of young talent? cueller-he looks sometimes he might be good but its few and far between. young-not a world beater but a decent premiership player. petrov-made me eat my own words by having an outstanding season, quite often lookin classy. sidwell-i just dont know. reo-coker-im sorry but i think he is hopeless, good graft and determination though. young-on his day fantastic milner-like coker great graft and all but i think he will get better and better, should play a more central role. carew-fans love him, hit a good run latter part of season but injury and disappearing to often in games lets him down. gabby-should of been a greyhound, maybe being harsh but i dont think he is good enough. heskey-what do u reckon!! gardner-i think should be given a chance next season in a PROPER POSITION. harewood-again what do u reckon!!! the fonz-heard he is good, looks the part but yet to see anything to believe . when i read it to myself it just shows how we lack the quality of other premiership teams. oneill got that team working well and it proves his ability in putting confidence in his team, but we seriously need to add some class, otherwise in my view we very well might struggle next season. |
Alistair
said:
|
... I think NRC can be as good as Huddlestone so we don't need him, but Bentley would be a good addition. |
ak_27
said:
|
... Villian_Within NRC and Huddlestone are nothing alike as footballers. One can tackle but can't pass to save his life and the other is a great passer but is lasy, immobile and can't tackle. If you could morf the 2 into 1 player we would have a good player then, but both as indivuals are not top 6 quality first team starters. |
Simeon
said:
 |
... I think the best case scenario is this: Excellent player though Ashley Young is, and unquestionably our best player now that Barry has left, a silly-money offer of, say, £40m would leave us well placed financially to rebuild. But here's where there's real hope. Young leaves, O'Neill becomes disillusioned (as unpalateable as the idea that the architect of our demise holds any credence is), resigns, and we bring a manager in who can spend the money wisely. Someone with connections in Europe, where I'm sure there is plenty of young talent available at reasonable prices, would be an excellent move. Claudio Ranieri, having managed in Spain and Italy, is just one name. His familiarity with English football would be beneficial, and I have no doubt that he wouldn't be interested. Roberto Mancini is someone else who would be interested. Apparently he went on Italian TV and practically begged for the Sunderland job! And this is a man who won the title in Italy. I'm fairy sure that these aren't the only two guys who could do a real job at Villa. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of European football could suggest other candidates. Unfortunately, I can't see the scenario I've just outlined translating into reality. Lerner loves O'Neill, and whatever you can say about O'Neill, he does seem to have a bond with both the chairman and the club. |
oldvillan
said:
 |
... huddlestone would be a good signing,he can see the simple defence opening pass just a little lazy,but does that remind you of a certain player before mon got hold of him........... |
ak_27
said:
|
... Simeon the man to make this club great again is Roberto Martinez. I have no doubt if he was given a few years to get his possession philosphy into the club along with his knowledge of the European market we could then even having constraints on spending maybe chellenge the top 4. I don't see us doing so with our current set up. |
Tony
said:
|
... Keith Leonard is stating what we all know that there is a massive difference between the top four and the rest. This may have been noted before but in numerical terms let's look at the difference: In terms of position AV were just 5 places behind Man Utd (Champions) and 12 places above Newcastle Utd (relegated). But in terms of points difference AV were 28 points behind Man Utd and the same number (2  in front of Newcastle Utd. Based on the above and as a bit of fun you could say to win the Premiership next year AV need another 5.6 points (28 points / 5 places) per place. But to avoid relegation AV must not drop 2.3 points (28 points / 12 places) per place. So it will be over twice as difficult to win the Prem as it is to avoid relegation! No doubt that this is not statistically correct but it does emphasis the difference in effort to move up the table as to moving down. |
Simeon
said:
|
... ak_27, I too thought of Roberto Martinez, though he is on his way to Wigan is he not? The kind of players he was able to bring into Swansea makes you wonder who he would be able to bring in to Villa. With the financial position we're in, we're not going to be able to compete directly with the clubs above us, as they have more money, and also can offer Champions League football (either now, or imminently). We therefore must compete indirectly, which in terms of signing players means picking up players who aren't on bigger clubs radars, or players who are quality, but whom the big clubs wouldn't sign because they'd be, at best, fringe players. That is the strategy we have to adopt if we're going to achieve anything more than what effectively amounts to Premiership survival, which, under the current management, is all we will get. |
RayK
said:
|
... b30 - you're right, if the Delf does go to Leeds on loan then the Delph (headline writers will love that)could be signing for Villa ). I'm convinced we won't sign anyone until MON gets back from hols (anyone know if that's next week or the week after?) and then its likely to be Owen on a free.... followed by Huddlestone and then Wheater and that'll be it ... |
gregdavillain
said:
|
... simeon wouuld u screw your head back on O'Neill for ranieri, or are u just one of those guys who speaks before they think???? look at the state of the italian leagues, do u want a load of dossenas at villa park? ranieri spent 140 million and cudnt win the league so why on a modest budget would u bring him in. The likes of them would f**k off to a bigger job if they were offered, at least oneill has the clubs interests at heart, and after reading someones post earlier outlineing our relatively mediocre squad o'neill is getting the best out of what he has, he aint afraid of the hard graft. Chow bambino |
RayK
said:
|
... Give me MON over Ranieri any day but i sometimes think MON is better working on a small budget where he can pick up the Izzets or Lennons and make them work...I just don't think that will work if Villa want to break into the Top 4. |
Steve Badger
said:
 |
... Simeon, do us a favour mate and stop talking about MON getting the sack. You're in a very small minority who want him sacked and it isn't going to happen for a while at the very least. And for all those panickers, AY is going nowhere this season. I'd put money on it. And certainly not for a poxy £20 mill |
Simeon
said:
|
... That's your view gregdavillan. Interesting that you focused on Ranieri but didn't mention Mancini. And this would be Dossenas opposed to Shoreys and Sidwells? You believe O'Neill has what it takes to achieve success (whatever you're defining that as) at Villa. I don't. I guess we just have a different take on the evidence. But to finish on Ranieri, he is still held in fairly high regard by Chelsea fans, which, given that he was replaced with Mourinho, says alot. And if you want to criticise him for failing to win the league and only reaching the last four of the CL pre-Abramovich, then that's your prerogative. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Simeon, you should support spurs, what you've written has got tottenham written all over it and look where it got them  |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... Simeon - Premiership survival? Are you having a bubble mate? This club has finished 6th and going into Europe in back-to-back seasons. You're views are somewhat deluded. |
Simeon
said:
|
... That's a rather silly comment Dan, compounded by your failiure to explain or justify it. As far as I'm aware, Spurs had a director of football who was in charge of player recruitment, and a manager in charge of team affairs. I'm not advocating that. And as for where that got them, well, they did manage to finish fifth in consecutive seasons. But then you're probably referring to the appointment of Ramos - who was not in charge of player recruitment. Yes, his time at Spurs was a failiure, and he should take his share of responsibility for that, although it would be too simplistic to lay all the blame at his door. But just because Ramos failed, does that mean that every foreign manager is doomed to failiure? Surely you wouldn't suggest something so stupid when Wenger, Mourinho and Benitez have all had success in recent years? |
Simeon
said:
|
... I'm deluded vivavilla? You're living in the past (albeit the recent past)! Unlike many it seems, I was bitterly disappointed with a 6th placed finish this season - and certainly wouldn't have taken 6th place at the beginning of the season. We've just lost not only our two best players, but out two most influential players. We have a manager who has a poor record. We don't have pots of cash to spend. We have the prospect of Sidwell and Heskey featuring more prominently next season. If you have confidence that we will consolidate (again), then good luck to you. I just hope that the disappointment you experience isn't as bitter as that which I've endured in the past few months. |
gregdavillain
said:
|
... simeon u sound like britney spears but she knows more about football i suspect. I choose to hone in on ranieri because i view him as a failure, didnt he get sacked from his job in spain b4 he took up his post in turin. he is held in high regard by chelsea fans because in a funny way he reminded people of manual from fawlty towers and he handled himself with dignity when he was sacked. He was known as the tinkerman and im sick of reading some of your posts where u complain that if o only oneill would play players in there right position we would be better etc. well now u want the man known as the tinkerman. all im saying is im happy we have a manager who has the clubs interests at heart, mancini cudnt get the sunderland job and you want him here. Oneill has done a fine job, he first steadied the ship and then made us a top 6 team, now its time to push on and add some qualilty, we'll wait and see what happens. But your always cribbing and im sure your a young fan with a short memory. O neill has a five year plan and ive faith in it, the first signs of a club with money and you're terrified and not up for the fight. why not try n keep the faith pal |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Simeon, I am refering to Spurs sacking a perfectly good manager, who had taken them to a very decent league position, and who had built a good squad, to recruit someone else. Selling their best players and buying lots of expensive players from here their and everywhere, who on paper sounded good, but in reality, just thrust into the deep end together, not understanding one anothers games and most likely languages, fell apart and as a unit provided the whole nation with jokes such as 'what do tottenham and a cocktail stick have in common - 2 points' Our manager has taken us from 16th to 6th two seasons running. Surely you wouldn't suggest something so stupid that the sale of Ashley Young & MON becoming dissalusioned and leaving would be a good thing. It's your opinion, your entitled to it, as i'm entitled to think that for you to think that after a week since the market opened and no purchases, your over reacting, just a little bit, perhaps? |
Simeon
said:
|
... But I should clarify what I mean by Premiership survival. I'm not suggesting we'll be in a relegation dog-fight next season. I think that we'll be solid mid-table, and because of that may even have a run in Europe (for whatever that's worth). But we won't win anything, we won't challenege the upper reaches of the Premiership, and there will be no sign of progress being made. We will be merely surviving, albeit with a cushion. |
Mike Carter
said:
|
... I'm sorry Simeon but I stopped reading your response after I saw the line "we've just lost our two best players". That goes for anyone who suggests Barry was one of our best players again. To those people, I suggest you track down all 38 of our league games from last season, watch them all, come back on this site, look me square in the eye, and tell me you still believe that. I'll save you the time - you won't. Newsflash - Barry wasn't one of our best 5 players last season. |
Leroy
said:
 |
... Good to see Simeon back to his usual "shit yourself statements", i mean Ranieri....are you serious? I suggest you re read what you have written, take one or two breaths and think about what you have just said. May i suggest proof reading your posts in the future to avoid unnecessary embarrassment... Ranieri......f**k me |
Simeon
said:
|
... I'm not overreacting because I'm worried we haven't signed anyone. As a Villa fan, I realise it will probably be a fair while before anyone is signed. My criticsms of O'Neill and his capabilities are, I'm sure, well known to you already. But let me refute your characterisation of my proposal - a proposal which certainly didn't go into as much detail as you imply with your parody of it. I'm not suggesting that we sack O'Neill, spend lots of money on good-on-paper players and degenerate into a farce. I was simply saying that there are managers out there who, after you've interviewed them, and got a handle on their strategy for success, might well prove to be a significant improvement on what we've got. If you want to insist that O'Neill is a perfectly good manager, as I said to someone else, that's your prerogative. It seems that O'Neill's greatest perceived strength is his track record of progress up the table with Villa. I wouldn't deny that O'Neill's been an improvement on O'Leary, under whom we underachived in his last season. But I would seriously question the magnitude of an achievement that essentially involves finishing above clubs who have less money than us to spend, or whom have been victims of gross mis-management. I was someone who thought that O'Neill was doing a perfectly fine job (though like most others, I had doubts about the transfers). But this season has opened my eyes to short-comings I hadn't realised he posessed. This is natural. As you learn more about someone or something, you are able to form a better informed opinion. I was wrong about O'Neill before. I am now much closer to the truth after a particularly revealing season. |
Simeon
said:
|
... Well, in the absence of any intelligent debate, I'm off to pursue more interesting pastimes. As much as I'd like O'Neill sacked, I'm well aware it's not going to happen. Him resigning is feasible if Ashley Young were to be sold - and it's his future that was the genesis of this thread. What will express more eloquently than I can O'Neill's deficiencies and the direction this club is going in under his guidance is our performance in the coming season. |
gregdavillain
said:
|
... simeon that was a beautifuuly constructed post and im sure you'd get an A in English, but tell us all so, if Oneill is so bad in the transfer market why did you last season have hopes of a higher finish than 6th??? U must have been happy with the signings yes? So i cant understand your point there at all mate. Another reason we are doing well and improving, and have been in the best position than we have been in over ten years, is because of ONeill. You dont like to see that for some reason. We arent down the table because some one mismanaged us because we have a fine and ambitious manager in O'Neill. How many premier league clubs have signed players already? Not many. And if you are not suggesting that we sack O'Neill, spend lots of money on good-on-paper players and degenerate into a farce. Why does is always sound like you want to sack him? after all u did Suggest ranieri oh and god help me dont forget u wanted mancini instead too!!! Ur just looking for attention with ludicrous views and claims id say |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Dan silly comment? - well you started it Simeon. I've seen some crap on here but yours is something else. You were up the teams arse when they were doing well and now we're going to be relegated. I've never heard a posh accent come through on a Blog before, well done |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... In the absence of Simeon I am going to stay on as the standard of debate has suddenly got miles better |
gregdavillain
said:
|
... and as i go to pursue more interesting pastimes, let me just finish on this note u some nob jockey mate enjoy ur emroidery with mumsy for the afternoon, cheerio |
RayK
said:
|
... Simeon - MON can be maddening sometimes. His tactics, player position, moaning about a small squad and yet no rotation and yes his transfers...BUT I'm convinced he's still the right man for the job. He 's got us from 16th to back-to-back 6th positions, the quality of our squad has improved dramatically and he deserves another crack at getting into the top 4 - to sack him before he's had a proper crack at it and be back at square one with a new manager would be madness. |
Fitzy_7
said:
 |
... simeon havent you ever heard the phrase steady progress 16th 11th 6th and 6th... seems pretty good improvement as far as i can see hopefully we can concentrate on winning cup competions next year(even the carling cup would be lovely). and i have 100% faith o'neill will bring in quality players this summer keep tha faith were doing ok |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... greg, spot on, no football fan talks like that - I'm all for intelligent debate but "express more eloquently than I can O'Neill's deficiencies and the direction this club is going in under his guidance is our performance in the coming season." my arse |
vogra
said:
 |
... Young aint going nowhere guys, MON or Learner would know there would be one serious backlash by the fans. NO NO NO NO NO to Tellytubby Huddlestone, slow,no skill.. |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Vogra, Huddlestone slow, yes, lazy, maybe, no skill, no chance, name a better passer in the Villa side |
gregdavillain
said:
|
... hahahah sid mu man!!! i think that kid just likes to drum it up, and when people disagree with him he try's to show off his command of the english language as if to say he is superior and we should all be amazed by his wonderfull vocabulary!!! and in teh process he contradices everything he says. carlsberg don't do dummies.... i can understand his point Oneill has had to make some tough calls and unfortunately for him a lot of those went against him, i think he'll learn from any mistakes and in fairness he hasnt had huge amounts of money, nearly every season we've had to add but with so many players leaving we've just improvedd the squad not the numbers. That lad simeon saying oleary only had 1 bad season, cmon mate cop on he was taking us downn, he hadnt money eith but at least wee know if the money did dry up completely we wud always be compeditive under oneill and cheque book managers just dont have that. im sure he will prove people some of the doubters wrong if hes given the funds this again this year. even know dont forget its difficult for us to attract the players we want imagine how much harder it was the last 3 years when we were coming out of the dark days |
RayK
said:
|
...Simeon said: I think that means his Mom's called him for tea. |
lewis-dp
said:
|
... Heh, I agree Greg... I think Simeon is actually in some kind of covert operation to build some solidarity within the villa fan base. Whats next Simeon? Replace O'Neill with Gordon Brown? So Barry has gone, and there is talk of Young following him... i personally don't think Young will go this season... but even if he did, we've won things before he was a villa player, and we'll win things after he's a villa player (lets just hope we win something whilst he is a villa player too!) |
mikey18
said:
|
... I think simeon is gettin abit of stick! He maybe in the minority of people who want oneil out but his in the majority of people who are begining to wonder and doubt if we will continue to progress! In fact it seems top 8 is a 'realistic' ambition for many, and will we still sit here and debate over progress? I'm afraid a top 8 finish would show signs of the opposite! |
gregdavillain
said:
|
... nicely put rak k!!! hey lewis i think ur right id hate to see him leave but life goes on. I remeber when dwight yorke came out and said he wanted to go to utd i was devasted but he went and we moved on. In fairness yorke was class look what he went on and achieved, and i think young would be perfect for chelsea, that bit of pace they need in centre mid. but hands off chelsea go way and buy jerkoff f yerselves!!! its boring checking the net all day when theres f**k all happening must say tho i love end of season and cant wait for it to hot up |
Joseph
said:
 |
... Young is better than Malouda, he is 5 years younger, scores more, creates more and does more for the team. I think Malouda has definatly improved over the course of the season but tbh I feel the Chelsea team have carried him about. In a team full of superstars you can be average. As someone else said if Malouda was in a poorer team people would see. Young has been in the PFA team of the season twice thats shows how highly rated he is. We cant lose Young, that would be an admission that we cannot challenge and then what hope do we have in attracting some realy quality? Just read about what Cahill did to Barry and have to admit my reaction was abit "good one" even though im not usually like that. I still feel let down by Barry and perhaps Cahill does too, or maybe it was over something else. Id definatly have Cahill back at VP but he would be expensive. I hope we sign a top quality player within the next couple of weeks to show us a sign of things to come, but we all know in reality most of the transfers will be done within the last week or two, as is ususal with MON. |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... greg I can remember Simeon being a bigger happy clapper than nanwasafan (no offence Nan, love your stuff) when Villa were winning games, on the old site. We were going to win the league and dominate Europe. Lose a few games and suddenly we're garbage. We're all disappointed but what annoyed me was the way he was desperate to be proved right the other day by Villa being shit next year. Even our biggest paranoid depressives (Tonebone etc) clearly want the team to do well and would love to be proved wrong. A villa fan does not put his own ego ahead of the club, end of. Plus he sounds like he's never been to a game in his life and would try to have a reasoned debate in a Kenneth Branagh voice with a pack of zulus while they were beating the Sh1te out of him Still, he got some of the borderline depressives (Fitzy, RayK) saying positive things as they were so outraged by his foolishness so I guess there's always a silver lining |
RayK
said:
|
... SidCowanslovechild - there's no doubt he has a sweet pass on him but if old 'Arry can't get the best out of him then I wonder if MON could do any better (same goes for Bentley to be fair and I've said on here I'd like Bentley at Villa Park). I think the problem with our midfield is that we seem to be collecting midfielders with different skill sets - NRC for his tackling, Sidwell for his 'box-to-box' play and Huddlestone would be for his passing skills. But if we spend £6m on him then we'll have spent £21m on the three - and we'll only play one alongside Petrov. Surely it makes more sense to now spend £12m on one player who is either a defensive but has excellent distribution skills or buy a truly creative / attacking midfielder? Huddlestone doesn't really fall into either camp. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Got to agree, I'm not keen on Huddlestone either. I'd definitely have him as a squad player, but I suspect he'd be a starter and that's not good enough, imo. As for Simeon, I'd agree he's probably young and impatient (perhaps you can confirm that mate?) Well, on a positive note, I see a few sites are saying we have £30 mill plus the Judas fee to spend. This has emanated from the Star (a paper I wouldn't wipe my proverbial with, so it's utter tripe), but I'm going with it as that's a juicy £40+ mill, which gives me a nice warm feeling inside So it looks like I might get the 15 mill plus player I want  and 5-6 in the 5 mill class. Ok, so I might be dreaming, but it's a footy fans prerogative, and if you think about it, it might be near the truth. Stay with me here. Mr Lerner is a typical businessman. My view is he would have sat down with MON and said "ok, why didn't we make the CL?" In which case, MON would have obviously cited the reasons. I strongly suspect the next question would be "what are our chances, in your opinion, if we were to invest x mill?" And MON would say whatever he thinks. It seems perfectly reasonable to me that Mr Lerner would either say a) OK, we'll make another attempt or b) we pull the plug for now, consolidate and have another attempt in a couple of years, depending on MON's answer. I'm hoping it's a). The question is am I living in dreamland? |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Sidcowans, loving your segregation of people into groups of paranoid depressives, manic depressives, borderline depressives etc I happily take my place in the opposite group, for some reason I think were going to really push on next season, depending on 1 or 2 good sinings that is! |
RayK
said:
|
... Sid - given the season we've had probably been more bi-polar and in the close season I develop OCD...constantly checking to see if we've signed anyone |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Irishvilladon, he went in hard on Barry in training and had a minor bust up, although skysports just reported it as upson??? maybe it was both of them haha RayK, I have the same ocd, sky sports news has been on constantly for the last 4 days, news now is on constant refresh and my head hurts... |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Mikey18 I think simeon is gettin abit of stick! He maybe in the minority of people who want oneil out but his in the majority of people who are begining to wonder and doubt if we will continue to progress! In fact it seems top 8 is a 'realistic' ambition for many, and will we still sit here and debate over progress? I'm afraid a top 8 finish would show signs of the opposite! A fair question. It's very difficult. I've said on here that Citeh have to come into it and Spurs, if you look at their record since Mr Twitchy came in are also going to be a threat. I suspect 8th is not unrealistic. The only manager you could say has done better maybe is David Moyes. But even then, I'd like to know what he's spent in his tenure. You could make a claim for Wenger too, but the point is all managers make mistakes. Think of some of the money the top 4 have lost. There is some comfort that with all of our signings we aren't going to lose massive amounts of dough if we want rid of them. I suspect this is why MON won't go for the top notch signings. It does also make me worry slightly, because that Judas money has to be spent with 5 mill on top to show our ambition, imo. I think if we do spend we can surpass everton, so 7th might be achievable? I'm hoping MON surprises us |
southgatescrookednose
said:
 |
... think downing would be a good barry replacement,maybe score more than barry and has a great left foot. |
Leroy
said:
|
... I agree with you Sid.....i cant stand the sunshine brigade. It seems a waste that Simeon doesnt wish to be constructive, he seems to have a passion for thrashing out a maximum word capacity piece on here every time he posts.....he just needs to use his powers for good not evil... I must say that i think that this is one of the most exciting times of the year. I love "doing the rounds" on newsnow, this site or skysports on the hope that weve signed someone. I can remember this time last year when the whole Ashton/De la Red rumours were started.....3 or 400 posts each time...... My opinion is that we need two guys in the MF, Bentley and Defour is the first option, however unlikely that is, but i think Bentley and one of these younger South Americans being mentioned, would hold us in good shape in the middle...... Now for a defender or two...... |
Leroy
said:
|
... Speaking of defenders............http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNGMF9RwJWc&feature=PlayList&p=FC3E68C0B9A25284&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4 Oh how i miss Gary Cahill |
gregdavillain
said:
|
... sid yeah some people cant take the good with the bad. but we'll leave simeon off for now since he aint here to defend himself!!! zulus or no zulus hahaha i for arnt keen on huddlestone no doubting his passing ability on his day but his phisique will always hold him back, we need legs, energy n pace, with trickery and heart. i dont like bently either he seems like a ponce and id find it hard to support a gut who uses tubs of lard to comb his hair sideways, how do footballers become so gay just because they've got money, no doubting his ability when on form but i think bburn had to play with some 1 close to him a bit like danny murphy at liverpool to give him protection and at a bigger club like spurs he cant hold his own and i think he'd end up like sidders all promise but no follow through. Now that real have identified their targets we should go after valencia imo. hangeland should be signed now hes tried in the premier league, defour who i no nothing about but have seen his name on for months now. we need a leader in the middle, a no-nonsense leg breaker who can keep it simple, im tired im rambling on a bit now..... |
gregdavillain
said:
|
... haha i hope not!!! some1 who can run break legs and pass 5 feet to the left or right!!! ol smiler was good into the crunch, what is it with bolton and our selves, jlyod, mcgann, gary cahill and i think im 4getting 1.... |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Vogra, Knight a better passer than Huddlestone? That's a joke right? Don't get me wrong, I'm not young Tom's agent or anything and Zat's passing is the least of his worries (positioning and staying alert for 90 minutes are) but Huddlestone can pass superbly - and strike a ball harder than just about anyone I've seen. Agree he is deficient elsewhere |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Greg, maybe we (me) has been too hard on Simeon. If he comes on and says he wants to be proved wrong and hopes MON leads us to glory then all forgiven, not that he probably gives one what I think anyway. The thing is, we are a decent size club with great history but only moderate recent success and less mmoney than at least 8 other clubs in our league so finishing 8th is not necessarily a failure caused by shit manager/ chairman. I can buy an argunment that says zero tolerance, you fail to get top 4 and manager/ owner must go because our ambition is greater than that but not that finishing 6th or worse is a sign of incompetence. We are punching (slightly) above our weight at the moment but of course we want more and why should we be satisfied with anything other than trophies? Just don't tell me it's a fair assessment (fans aren't reasonable and why should they be)or that it doesn't risk us doing a whole lot worse than we are doing at the moment - or to achieve it we might have to put the club's future at serious risk Maybe it's right and life just isn't fair and the risk is worth taking, just acknowledge that and don't give me any shit about how we should be in Champs League and winning stuff by rights or our manager and owner are shit as it just isn't true. Back it up at least if you do. |
vogra
said:
|
... Sid..that was a BIG joke, i dont think Zidane Knight could pass a ball 5yds in a straight line. I do agree Big Tom can pass a ball, i just dont rate him in the slightest,Im coming round to the idea of getting back Cahill...Spurs get back there players when they realised they f**king ballsed up and let them go..the only set back could be Bolton would want 10mill plus for him.. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Sid, and less mmoney than at least 8 other clubs in our league When you think about it, this is highly disappointing isn't it? I know it's a bit off topic, but you have to ask why it is that a smaller city (Manc or Pool) can have two clubs that get better crowds than by far the most popular in Brum. Especially when our tickets are so cheap. I blame Ellis myself, fwiw. |
RayK
said:
|
... Vogra - at the risk of insulting every single Northerner but both Liverpool and Manchester are shit holes and they have nothing to do but watch the footie. Sorry, but its the same in Newcastle, and Glasgow. |
pete
said:
|
... i know some sad brum lads who go and watch man u all the time,wonder how many mancs come to watch us? |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... B30 on you own on your own on your own sorry badger couldnt resistsmilies/grin.gif Thank f*ck for that, an answer Simeon talks shit and get loads of answers, I am positive and get f*ckall???? Hmm, I'm building myself up for an outpouring |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Weve been linked with Jenas in the mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/spo...l?ITO=1490 I was never a fan of him, infact on facebook i'm a member of the 'I hate Jermaine Jenas and his stoopid f**king face' group. However he has impressed me recently and I think I could learn to like him, maybe?! what d'yall reckon? |
Imran Patel
said:
|
... dan i dont like jermaine jenas either i think he is just another overrated central midfielder. he is average at best we need to get something that will set us alight but i'm just dreaming. we need a iniesta lol |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... RayK I just realised you might have been answering me there, but f*cked up the name; Vogra - at the risk of insulting every single Northerner but both Liverpool and Manchester are shit holes and they have nothing to do but watch the footie. Sorry, but its the same in Newcastle, and Glasgow. Nah I disagree mate totally. All big citys are shit holes, imo |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... I will personally fly to Barcelona or which ever golf course Mr Iniesta is currently sunning himself on, out of my own life savings, and pick him up if he fancies it. Something tells me he doesn't though  |
Imran Patel
said:
|
... on a serious note though dan who do you actually think villa will sign to replace barry? |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... I posted a link to a forum post yesterday. It was by a guy that has got stuff right before, who apparently knows a couple of people in the club, and it said we had enquired about Defour, so thats the name i'm waiting to see on news now! I seriously hope it's not Huddlestone because I think both Reo-Coker and Sidwell could do better, plus it would completely sould destroying for them if a Tottenham sub walked into the team ahead of them. Wouldn't mind Jenas either, I think when he's knuckling down he's good. Think he's one of those people who loves the London lights a bit too much, put him in Birmingham with John Carew as his only bad influence and I think he will flourish. |
Andy Scarborough
said:
 |
... Holte 1970, comment number 13. That says it all, I have to agree with you 100% mate. Let's just wait and see what happens over the next few years. Rome wasn't built in a day (nor Chelsea for that matter). |
Imran Patel
said:
|
... i read that post and if the guy is right the summer holds some excitement i would like for villa to sign a few players show some intent. |
avfc1979
said:
 |
... Am i the only one that thinks oneil hasnt got a clue why do people love him so much? He cant find and by players because he dithers like an old woman.He cant make substitutions because he dithers like an old woman.HE IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO MANAGE VILLA. Carew and Young will be next to leave wait and see.He cocked it up last season this season i reckon 10th if we are lucky. |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Badger and Ray K - as a proud Brummie I am sorry to say Birmingham is a bit shit for sport. Our school sport is average, and professional sport below average. We have no decent Rugby team and no Rugby League Team, no ice hockey or basketball. We have a cricket team which is decent occasionally and when it comes to football we are outgunned by smaller cities with even Villa only selling out the bigger games with more Man U and Lpool etc fans around than Villa or Blues. We don't have a great tradition in boxing either, nor swimming, hockey or cycling. I know most people don't care about these minority sports but nevertheless, we ain't great Don't know why but we are just not strong as we shold be in sport |
RayK
said:
|
...avfc1979 said: no, see what Simeon said before he had to have his tea. |
Panos
said:
 |
... Sid, -as a proud Brummie I am sorry to say Birmingham is a bit shit for sport You don't need more sport...you have the Villa |
avfc1979
said:
|
... Thats 2 of us then.2 players in by this time next week or we can forget any good times at villa. |
mikey18
said:
|
... I think people are starting to get VERY crtical of MoN but i think alot of it is unjustified. I doubted his tactical nouse but when you think about it he obviously knows what hes doing. But its getting harder to beleive that hes doing something completely different to how i'd or most villa fans would do it, due to the fact hes on a different level of footballing knowledge! His transfer dealings havent actually been that bad. Carew straight swap for baros 10/10!! Ashley Young 9mil 10/10, Petrov took a couple of seasons but on last years performance 10/10. Luke Young bit pricey but great first season 10/10. Nigel Reo-Coker has played Centre Mid, Right Mid and Right Back hasn't moaned neever gives less than 100% hes a great leader and i personally would like to see him get more of a chance, maybe hasn't hit the heights i would of hoped but still a good signing 8/10. Davis looked a world beater next to laursen but found it difficult without him, maybe he played poorly because he was next to Knight? look alot more comfortable next to cuellar! but a honest bloke and a great charatcter at the club. 8/10. Milner looks like hes close to a world beater. Hes demonstrated he has the ability that free kick against everton, and he must of showed sum ability in training to be put on free kicks ahead of barry and young. i think he will develop into a prized asset 9/10. Shorey not seen enough of, good desire tho and has looked a better signing that wayne bridge! 6/10 Cuellar need more time to adapt to the english game and learn the language, when we signed him all the rangers fans said we had a world beater!. 6/10. Heskey, Knight, Salifou, Sidwell, Routledge and the like not good signings but probs lil over 10million spent on all of them! squad players are needed. Heskey Knight and Sidwell are very good squad players! what im trying to say is in MoN we trust! |
Benny Tallis
said:
 |
... Quoted from Holte1970 I am going to repeat what I said last year on the subject of MON and RL. MON is a winner. His career has been all about winning. MON believes in his own abilities but he seems a pragmatic chap and must realise that in order to break into the big four you need to spend big. Not in a Chelsea type way but in a progressive manner. I like to believe that MON joined AV on the basis that RL would continue to supply funds provided MON was "successful" on the pitch. Also MON joined AV because he believes that as a winner he can break into the big four provided that the funds are available. If MON joined AV knowing that the funds would not be available I have to conclude that MON is using AV as a stepping stone to further his career - does this seem likely? I would answer "no". THEN WHY AFTER 3 SEASONS AND SHIT JAN TRANSFERS WOULD HE STILL ONLY BE ON A 12 MONTH ROLLING CONTRACT. UD THINK THAT HED BE ON A 5 YEAR CONTRACT AS HE WLD BE PAID OUT IF RANDY WANTED TO GET RID OF HIM..... WHICH WOULD SUGGEST HE THINKS THERE IS NO WAY THAT WOULD HAPPEN AND HE WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO LEAVE IN THE MIDDLE OF A LONG TERM CONTRACT STEPPING STONES YOU SAY??? BOULDERS IS MORE LIKE IT |
Fitzy_7
said:
|
... has anyone seen this.... made me giggle http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2467653/Bentley-bait-for-Spurs-Ash-bid.html |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Fitzy, was just about to post the same link, either someone at the sun got very bored or Redtwitch has actually lost the plot. That would be the stupidest deal in footballing history. Jog on spurs. Is it just me or are spurs connected with every single transfer deal rumour out there??????? |
Simeon
said:
|
... I have no problem saying that I would love to be proved wrong and see us, under O'Neill, give it a real good go next season and challenge for a top 4 spot. I would be very pleasantly surprised - and not at all put out - if we managed to finish sixth again this season. I'm a Villa fan. Believe me, I wouldn't be posting on here if I wasn't. Of course I want success for Villa. It's not that I WANT to see us fail next season. It's just that I can't see us finishing any higher than 8th. The point about me being optimistic about our prospects earlier this season needs to be addressed. I make no apologies for being happy with the position we were in at the end of January (although I was never convinced that Heskey was a good signing). We had got there with a fair amount of ability, and more importantly a great spirit. I saw no reason why this couldn't continue, and I was excited at the prospect of Carew returning and improving the team further. We were clear in 4th by six or seven points, had great momentum, and Arsenal looked like a team who had no answer to us. In fact, I believe that the biggest factor in Arsenal's late-season resurgence was the shot in the arm our appalling run of results gave them. And who could have forseen that our form wouldn't just tail off, but fall off a cliff? I didn't, and I don't remember even those who suggested that our lofty position was essentially luck, suggesting we'd win just 11 points from our last 13 fixtures. The UEFA Cup was a debacle, and though I understood the rationale behind prioritising, the players clearly didn't. O'Neill as manager was in a position to make the right judgement on how surrendering in Moscow would affect his players, and he made completely the wrong call. It was clear to me that, after Moscow, the players didn't have the belief that they'd previously had in O'Neill and themselves, and it seems clear with hindsight that it was the togetherness of the manager and his squad that had papered over the cracks that then became all too evident in the latter part of this season. The fact is that, as a direct result of O'Neill's actions - and inaction at certain times - we gave away a Champions League place that was there for us to take. The negative consequences of this are already becoming apparent. (We'll never see what the positive consequences of getting Champions League football would have been.) It is perfectly reasonable for a Villa fan to be angry at O'Neill for making elementary errors that have proved so costly. Things wouldn't be so bad if there was evidence to suggest that O'Neill can learn from his mistakes and turn things around. Indeed, were O'Neill to turn things around from where we are now (which I guess would mean a top 6 finish next season, or even some silverware and therefore a mandate to push on the following season) then I would be ideally placed to recognise that achievement, being that I understand just how badly he messed things up this year. But I can't be dishonest and pretend that I believe O'Neill is capable of doing that. I'd love to see him prove me wrong, because doing so would actually convince me that he is indeed this football genius he's often cracked up as being. But I refuse to get my hopes up when there are no grounds to do so. That doesn't mean that I'm a pessimist, or that I want to see Villa fail. This is simply my reading of the situation. Maybe I'm wrong. Better men than me have been wrong before, and football's a funny old game. Only time will tell. |
Leroy
said:
|
... Believe it or not Simeon, i like most other fans of AVFC were not happy with the way the season panned out. From my understanding i think most would have liked stronger cup runs,a couple more reinforcements and ultimately a champion league birth. Guess what? We are looking to the future now. No amount of whinging, complaining, moaning, assessing, reassessing or praying is going to change the fact that we had the best chance in a decade to crack the top four and we were unable to capitalize on it. As a result, the inevitable loss of Barry. I mean none can really be that surprised with that, he told us many times and everyone was aware that he wanted to leave, for what ever the reason...... I think if we go into this season without having learned anything from last season, then questions will start to be asked - i will be one of those people asking.......but for now we just have to wait and see what plans (if any) Randy and MON have drawn up to continually improve the club.....step by step.... Its far too early to be calling for MON´s head, as the only thing that has transpired this off season is the selling of a player (a good one at that of which we got top dollar) who didnt want to be here....... |
Rich
said:
|
... Looks like 'Arry' is up to his old tricks AGAIN. Does this mean he believes Bentley is worth £22 million?? |
swanseas villan
said:
|
... the only reason we blew it this season was our squad was not big enough and we burnt out simple as that our team has learnt from last season and i believe next season we will be stronger for it just keep hold of ash for christ sake!!! we need alot stronger bench in all departments plus one or two major signings id like a spanish playmaker like that jurado or defour |
Simeon
said:
|
... I'm also looking to the future Leroy, and what I see depresses me. Looking back and drawing conclusions from the evidence of the past doesn't mean I'm stuck in the past or not thinking about the future. In my opinion O'Neill should have been sacked already, but I fully understand that is not going to happen given that he has the full backing of Lerner. We therefore face a future with O'Neill in charge, and that is exactly the future I'm looking at. |
HATE THE NOSES
said:
 |
... NO TO ANY DEAL INVOLVING YOUNG, HE IS OUR BEST PLAYER WE NEED HIM AND WE ALL KNOW IT, WITHOUT HIM WE ARE NOTHING SPURS WILL SELL SO GET THE CASH AND BUY HIM AND JENAS ITS A MUST IF WE ARE GOING TO CHALLENGE FOR ANTHING, AND BUT VAGNA LUV ASWELL AS HE HAS STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO COME TO THE PL. UP THE VILLA |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Hate The Noses, love your passion but sort your communications skills out. You can't shorten Love to Luv when it's someone's name and enough with the caps already, have you been drinking? On the other hand we must keep Ashley and MON sign up Vagner so I'm right with you Simeon, I'm losing patience with you again, don't make me come and find you |
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