Written by Damian Monday, 11 January 2010 11:31
We are well and truly into the transfer window and nothing has happened. No new players despite the manager saying he would be looking at one or two. He did say that didn't he?
Well, it all started with no new players in January, then it changed to one or two but we are now back to no new players in January. Does anyone actually know if we are going to strengthen in January? It all comes down to Randy Lerner.
Matty Kendrickson
I've got this little nugget of information from Matty Kendricson over that Birmingham Mail who, only a few days into the transfer window, is starting to get people thinking. His opening paragraph was fantastic.
Martin O’Neill has all but ruled out new arrivals at Villa in January after refusing to disclose whether money will be made available from chairman Randy Lerner.
Now, you can go read the rest of the post here but I'm going to summarise.
Martin O'Neill doesn't want to sell any players although he accepts he will probably be the last to find out if a player does want to leave. He is going to keep any conversations with Randy Lerner private and he isn't going to comment about speculation, although we've heard that before.
Basically, this January is very important and if O'Neill doesn't know that, then he is past helping. If Lerner doesn't know this then he is also past helping. Something has to happen and if it doesn't we are just going to stand still and all this flirting with the subject isn't doing anyone any favours.
I'm hoping that something does happen but I'm starting to accept that all that is happening is our expectations are getting lowered so when we pay £2,5mn for winger Wayne Routledge, we'll think he could be exactly they type of player we need, when in fact, that is likely to do more damage, because what is it going to do for the confidence of the players when they see that Wayne Routledge is the new star signings.
I'm using Routledge as an example and I've even increased the figure that we paid for him, but it's just an example. Look what Arshavin did for Arsenal last season. We need our own Arshavin. Right, coffee and early lunch and I'd love a player, really love it.
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email this
Comments (197)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Andi
said:
 |
...Something has to happen and if it doesn't we are just going to stand still and all this flirting with the subject isn't doing anyone any favours. Says who ? and what qualifications has this person to make this comment ? how many clubs have they guided to the champions league, titles and cup glories ? do they train or are the involved with the training of our players ? |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
 |
... Cheify he is right though. I actually think we were in with a far better chance this time last year as there was less competition for 4th but right now we are still short at least 2 key players to make a real push for 4th. After the last 2 windows when we failed to really consolidate our push for 4th by bringing in the needed reinforncements im not getting my hopes up one bit. We need to start showing some ambition but i just don't think we will. Stoke by the way are making an attempt to get RVN. They won't get him but at least they are making an attempt. That in a way shows that they have ambition. Pity we couldn't do the same. |
Rod Bentley
said:
 |
... Can the speculation. When did we ever get a hint of signing, or the real money available from MON or the club. I can only remember Ashley Young as a will he/won't he. All the rest have been '******* has signed for Villa' No more wish lists other than positional ones. i.e an attacking midfielder or a striker. Please  |
Chris Harper
said:
 |
... I won't be fussed if we don't sign anyone, I said it previous to the window opening and I'm going to stick by it. The reason: I think we have a strong enough squad to see us through the season and I think they can achieve. We have people on the bench that can easily be called upon to come and do a good job for the team i.e. Carew, NRC, Sidwell (maybe not) Delph, Delfouneso. If we were to make a signing, for me it would have to be a top quality player. Someone who will almost guarantee to make a big impact on the team. A great example of this would be Arshavin as you have already pointed out Damian. Forget your Boyd's (Sorry JPA) or you Kenwyn Jones, I think we already have better at the club. We need quality, not numbers. Over to you MON/Randy Lerner....Surprise us! |
Damian
said:
 |
... Chiefy Says me and I don't have to have guided any team to the Champions League (Martin O'Neill hasn't) or titles (Martin O'Neill hasn't) I'll hold my hands up - I've never won the League Cup like Steve McClaren or Graeme Souness - but I predicted we'd finsih 6th last season and the season before ... I guess what you are saying though, unless you've guided a team to Champikns League, won a title or the League Cup, is that you don't value your own opinion when it comes to anything football related. |
Darragh McGeown
said:
 |
... Am I the only one who thinks that buying a quality player may disrupt our performances? Let's we got S. Ireland for example - would this not lead to a change in team setup, tactics etc. I don't think this would be good for the team halk way through an already promising season but I could be wrong (it has happened before  ). |
Paul McMahon
said:
 |
... Chiefy is spot on. Why do we have to buy someone! Its rare enough a player will come in and make an instant impact, and should a player comein and get ahead of a young player trying to break through then it could have a negative effect. Have everyone fit and this "Winter Break" can only be good. Remember 95/96 we had loads of cancelled games due to freezing weather and finsihed 4th. Bring it on. |
Andi
said:
|
... Ak27 -- While to a extent i agree I also tend to think like this: Stoke making an attempt to sign RVN, pointless and unfair on the fans. Hopes get raised then by the end of the window they have signed no one worth talking about attendance drops and fans get fed up. We have no idea on how well Delph, Albrighton, Fonz, MULE etc are doing in training we got no idea what impact they will have on a game or even if they will have an impact. if we sign no one we have to assume that the FONZ is ready to smash them in along with the MULE and Big John in midfield if no one comes in we have to assume that DELPH, Albrighton and Coker are going to be enough to gett us through. We NO nothing of how the fringe players are performing or the impact they will have we only know what we think we know and our opinions on the players in question we never cut anyone any slack its always bang bang bang i want success as much as anyone but we cant make assumptions on what we think we know and make wide hitting DEFLATING comments like above when we have no idea of the capabilities of our squad only what we think. It would be nice to go out and sign HUNTLEARR or someone and if its right and needed i am sure we will do but the windows not shut and we only have opinions on the squad not facts lets not burst the bubble before the semi final or before the season ends, lets just cut some slack |
John Samuels
said:
 |
... Why is it imerative that we sign a player in Jan? We were in this position last year and all we signed was Heskey and we fell away etc and it was the best chance we'd ever have and we'd blown it etc, but lo and behold heere we are again proving that we are becoming a very consistent performer in this league and we are an improving side. The most important thing this season is how we utilise our new squad strength. This is something which will be seen over the coming weeks due to this fixture pile up. I refuse to believe we will have a capitulation of form like last year because the squad is so much stronger. My specualtion over a striker recently has been on the assumption that someone would leave and I do think Carew should be replaced in the summer while we can get a decent price for him, unless he suddenly pulls his socks up and starts playing well and scoring more. We can do very well in the second half of the season, I'm hoping all the big teams keep going in the CL as this could be good for us and I hope we can get this league cup won and out of the way. A trophy will take the pressure off the boys a little and who knows what we might achieve if they are just going out and enjoying it. |
Andi
said:
|
... Damo -- its not that I don't value peoples opinions but that's all they are, your opinions can change more opinions as this is your blog and as a trend what is normally on view is normally taken on board and stays in peoples minds, So for the comment of the Something has to happen and if it doesn't we are just going to stand still and all this flirting with the subject isn't doing anyone any favours pointless and deflating in my opinion why would we stand still ?? we are in the semis of a cup doing well in the league and if we dont sign anyone we have to assume that the guy who has got us where we are in the league and cups knows exactly what he is doing and we will be ok if not why is he in charge and why do we pat his back when we beat utd etc etc if really we dont have faith in his opinion we it comes to signings ? |
Damian
said:
|
... Juan Pablo Angel that is why i think it is important. last year, we signed heskey and he didn't help. the year before we signed routledge and it didn't help - we all sort of knew it wouldn't too it is important because you then see the likes of arsenal last year sign a real quality player who then helps them achieve 4th place. i think it is important because martin o'neill will use his key players. they will become tired, like they have every season under him and getting in a player that will even get the players excited - might have a positive effect on them you say, the most important thing is how we utilise our squad - well, is it good enough? are you then saying that we can not get better than petrov or milner or young or downing or carew or gabby? he;; - it doesn't matter - because i know we can and o'neill will not use his squad |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
 |
... Chiefy: Of course a lot of what you say is true, but then a lot of the feeling that we need that extra bit of class is based upon observation of recent matches, and a feeling of deja vue with regard to previous seasons. I guess there are four choices We don't need anyone else to get a top four finish, We can't afford anyone else to get a top four finish We need someone, and can afford it, but the right player is not available Randy is happy with a top six club, and although he has the money, is disinclined to invest further in the playing staff at Villa |
Steve Badger
said:
 |
... Tbh, I'm getting fed up of all this go and buy a top player rubbish. It simply isn't going to happen and here's why; The paper says Milner currently earns £40,000 a week – the same as Steve Sidwell – but may bid to up that to £75,000 if Villa want him to turn down interest from other clubs. So he will break it for Milner, but not by much. Pretty sure that quote comes from the NOTW, so it's probably not factual. But I'll bet it's not far from the truth. The top player that keeps getting mentioned would cost stupid wages. The example of RVN will probably cost £120k a week. And anyone who thinks that is going to happen at the Villa is living in cloud cuckoo land, imo. |
Abdul Kashif
said:
 |
... Kris Boyd is worth a punt. I'm not knocking Heskey but surely Boyd will be able to score more and even give Carew some proper competition up there. He'd only cost around £2M.. We definitely need a playmaker to give the midfield something a bit different. The club's been pretty quiet so far so let's see what happens.. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Chiefy i don't think its unfair on the fans at all. At least they know that they made a go but ultimately he wouldn't join. But you know this actually helps them as a club as other players who may have a doubt about joining Stoke will see this as signal of their ambition and this could help them sign other players who they previously would not have been able to sign. With us on the other hand we really have no idea if we make any attempts to sign anyone of a real quality. We make very little noise and i know many on here see this as a good virtue i do not. It doesn't send out any sounds of real ambition to the fans and more importantly to other good players who are 50/50 about whether they should join Villa. Take that Arshavin transfer last Jan for example. He was stuck in no mans land with the deadline closing in fast. He wanted out of his club but Arsenal wouldn't pay the £15m fee. They would only go to £12m. That was the perfect chance to go and put a £15m bid on the table. He might just have joined us at that stage rather then stay in Russia as if we had put a 15m bid on the table do you really think St Petersburg would then have accepted Arsenals bid? No chance. But as Arshavin isn't an English work horse MON probably had never even heard of him. At worst it would have blocked his transfer to our main competitor. But that is MON and how he operates. Frustrates the hell out of me at least. |
Andi
said:
|
... If we do sign someone you will wake up one morning (usually towards the end of the month) and find out MON keeps everything close to him and thats not a bad thing, if we dont sign someone so what we are still going to be there or there abouts if we do then guess what we will still be there or there abouts. We arent going to sign the shirt seller in Jan and who ever we do sign might not fit in straight away and it might take him months to settle out of interest what would happen then who would get the blame ?? the player or MON cause damn sure someone would |
Damian
said:
|
... Chiefy the thing is, if things don't change, we are just going to stand still and you will say that is just my opinion and it is, but it was my opinion that we would finish 6th last season at the start of the season and my opinion that we would finish the previous season 6th at the start of that one too. yes, just an opinion at the moment - but where do you think we will finish if we do not strengthen? reaching the semi finals of a knock out tournament is fantastic, but we need to win the tournament for it to have any bearing and we cant count our chickens we did all this two januarys ago - we need to strengthen to kick on. we bought wayne routlsedge and didn't kick on - anyone surprised? thing is. we did it again last january and actually we dropped off 3 places - anyone surprised? we are doing it again. will anyone really be surprised if at the end of the season, we haven't kicked on if all we do is sign wayne routledge or darius vassell back? will anyone really be surprised |
Andi
said:
|
...But that is MON and how he operates. Frustrates the hell out of me at leas With you there, I wish we did make a noise and sign people sooner if not for more season ticket sales than anything else. But for a poor old stoke fan being linked with RVN thats like teasing a child with a sweet or a toy, before PULLIS phoned RVN he knew the answer, we have been linked and tried for SNIJDER, that arsenal defender i think sometimes we are overly harsh and thats because it is our club and its expected |
Vijay Daryanani
said:
 |
... Villa do not have the money, and mon is under instructions to cut on the playing staff and wages, so i suppose he must be trying his best to strike a deal with Lerner, no one in , no one out! hence the reason he doesnt want to talk about Lerner |
Andi
said:
|
...but where do you think we will finish if we do not strengthen? if we do strengthen 4th or 5th if we don't 4th or 5th unless we spend silly money breaking wage structures and upsetting other players in the process it will be near impossible to sign someone who would have such and effect on the outcome of a game or the one person who could change or team totally. Even if we found that person could they change everything to suit this mythical player fast enough ? |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... A Big Name signing wouldn't guarantee top 4 anyway..... anyone remember the Man City fans singing 'we've got Robinho' on sky sports news. Thats what you call 'Egg on your face'!! Still makes me laugh. |
wkdvilla
said:
 |
... I remember when Newcastle flirted with winning the league under keegan, they strengthend their strike force with a bloke called tino, a big name player with a big reputation, that disrupted the team, and they ended up blowin an 11 odd point gap, it dosnt always work out like arshavin did for arsenal, just a thought. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...A Big Name signing wouldn't guarantee top 4 anyway Nobody is saying it will be it would surely inhance our chances. |
Mark
said:
 |
... i just think its funny how martin o neil has come out and said he is really excited about the 3 youngsters who are knocking on the door. dont get me wrong i am aswell but i think this is a cover up to take our minds off the lack of activity this january. maybe learner has ran out of funds lads? i hate to say this but have birmingham got more money thanus now? also, whats worse i dunno how much mon has spent in total, but its quite a lot, and they are still rite behind us? i am 260 odd miles away but are any of the locals getting worried? |
Elliott
said:
 |
... Damien you're wrong 2 Januarys ago we had an amazing run in, scoring 15 goals in 3 games, and took hopes of just a top 10 finish to coming 6th and, had the last 2 results been wins (we played badly against wigan due to Barry speculation, and drew away at West Ham despite leading 2-1) we would have finished 5th. That was DESPITE signing Routledge, as you keep pointing out. January signing are not a must. Why spend way over the odds for players like Kenwyne Jones. Sure he is good and maybe what we need, but we'd be paying near 15mil for a player worth probably half of that. |
Andi
said:
|
... Trezzy -- Birmingham having more money check the finicial background of grandtop holdings  |
Damian
said:
|
... Villa_Chris nobody is saying it would guarantee a top four place and just out of interest, seeing as you bring up man city - look at where they finish the season after all those top four players that haven't guaranteed a top four place |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... By the way im not talking about big name signings im talking about needed signings. But unless MON starts to look beyond the English Channel for these players the odds of finding these players are extremely slim to say the least. You cannot operate in the Jan window by focusing on English players without paying way over the odds. Any bargains out there are playing on the continent. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...Badger do you agree with this wage cap? I left a line off my post. It was going to say; "Lack of ambition, maybe. Sensible, definitely" Unfortunately I do agree with it. You have to cut your suit to suit your cloth or whatever the saying is. I saw an article over the weekend that mentioned the Spuds players wages and surprisingly to me, they're not on as much as you would think. If they can't afford to pay stupid money, I don't see why we should pay it. And they have way more income than us. I think we've probably made as big a push as we can for now. The players aren't available now and any that are, are way over-priced imo. Hopefully the balloon is bursting slightly, but the likes of Citeh will no doubt mess it up. I want us to push on as much as anyone else, but you reach a stage where you can't possibly keep throwing money at it. It's a bummer, but it makes financial sense, imo. |
John Samuels
said:
|
...that is why i think it is important. last year, we signed heskey and he didn't help. the year before we signed routledge and it didn't help - we all sort of knew it wouldn't too You make some fair points Damian, but i'd say that signing low risk bargain basement players hasn't harmed the long term outlook of our club. The right players obviously weren't available or didn't want to come. Arshavin helped Arsenal achieve 4th, but they also had a much bigger and better squad than us all season. Had we started badly and had a good run at the end the general feeling would have been different, but we had a sqaud that could only handle half a season. We were short of players and suffering from fatigue. If we'd had this squad last season I think we may have got there. You use last season and the season before an example that we usually fall away, but this season is the first time we've had a squad big enough and good enough to perhaps dispel these end of season troubles. We are on course for another european spot and in the semi finals of a cup. We have a larger squad, arguable with a little more quality than last season too. Freddie and Curtis are due back from injury soon to provide a little more depth for the run in and the youngsters that have come in recently have aquitted themselves well. I am optimistic as always and everyone wants a big player every window..... EVERY F***ING WINDOW. We didn't sign the marquee player in the summer and we're going along quite well indeed considering. We've never signed one yet we look stronger every season. Let's just see what happens over the next few months eh? There's nothing we can do about it anyway. We've been spoiled by our club. There are teams in the league who would kill for £30-£40m every summer and the quality of players we have. Calm down, cheer up and be thankful for a squad that is still challenging as we go into the business end of the season. MoN likes to do his business in the summer and I think it is fair to assume that he will strengthen again this summer as there are a few contracts up and we may be able to get a few fringe players of the payroll. Have a look at the fixture list and tell me there isn't a chance we could have a very good end to the season. |
Vijay Daryanani
said:
|
... Chiefy mate, just trust me I dont think top name signings guarantee top 4 but we need more quality, very difficult to get in January and especially as we dont have the funds. I am going to excuse Lerner this time around but if in the summer he doesnt back the manager to get the 2 top top quality signings we lack then the knives will have to be out. And i think we'll finish 7th......and win the Carling Cup! |
pepsi head
said:
 |
... vijay zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz |
Damian
said:
|
... Elliott yes, we had a few good games in that season. but we also lost to wigan in the second half of the season. we also lost to portsmouth and sunderland and fulham we also dropped points against west ham, everton, middlesbrough and blackburn in fact. knwoing that i'm wrong, in that particular second half of the season - we won 7 of 18 games - which is hardly surprising and is pretty much exactly what we are to expect from martin o'neill - if you look at his win % record since he has been in charge - hardly 'amazing' |
Andi
said:
|
...i hate to say this but have birmingham got more money thanus now? Taken from FT.com -- Year on year Grandtop International Hldgs Ltd had revenues fall 48.24% from 20.60m to 10.66m, though the company grew net income from a loss of 152.13m to a smaller loss of 91.68m. So i would say the ANSWER IS A BIG FAT NO, they are borrowing on the hope a la LEEDS |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...makes financial sense Yes but then we are going to have to get 4th by always having less gifted players. I just don't ever see that happening to be honest(its not like we have a really gifted tactical manager either). The wage cap to me is just another barrier we are putting up ourselves to a hard job even harder. I mean people always say that nobody wants to move to Birmingham. You put an out of date (as it really is) salary cap in place and we will struggle big time to ever attract the needed quality to this club. |
Elliott
said:
|
... So this has just turned into slating O'Neill now? I remember in the summer yo didn't like it when we hadn't signed anyone. His win % may not be good enough for you, but to get 60points + in two seasons running in my opinion is pretty good |
Elliott
said:
|
... And also, if 6th place wasn't good enough 2 seasons ago, what were your expectations? Champions League? |
Damian
said:
|
... No it hasn't turned into slating O'Neill - but you cant tell me I am wrong when actually, I'm not. The only statistic I have to back up is the win % while under O'Neill. It isn't about slating him - but it can't just be you're wrong, no you're wrong, no, you are ... you have to back it up. And two seasons ago - 6th was good enough. It won't be good enough, two seasons later. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...You put an out of date (as it really is) salary cap in place and we will struggle big time to ever attract the needed quality to this club. I'm not sure I'd call 75k a week out of date mate. I bet there are only a handful of clubs that pay that much in the whole league. That's not much under £4 mill a year. On one player. And while I partly agree with you, there's a lot to be said about not having such variances in wages. Someone earning twice as much as me would be annoying, but someone earning 4 or 5 times as much would piss me right off. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
 |
... Poxy Evening Mail reporter said Martin O’Neill has all but ruled out new arrivals at Villa in January after refusing to disclose whether money will be made available from chairman Randy Lerner. The second part of the sentence contradicts the first, so the reporter is just talking bollox for the sake of making a story through edging his bets. Honestly though. When has Randy not provided the means for Martin to do what he needs to do? I have a theory that maybe the funds required are not available. Well the funds needed to attract the type of players that will make us genuine contenders, that is. I think Randy and Martin accept that we now need to start looking at real class if we are to continue progressing. This will take huge ammounts of cash, and is maybe why Randy is openly looking at some outside investment coming in. Dont get me wrong, i do think we can go out and pay 20 million on a player, but i have a feeling that we may not be able to sustain the wage structure for these type of players over a long period. Remmember, that aquireing these type of players will push some of the other squad members wages up aswell, as players seek parity. So no point buying like for like in this window. Get the extra revenue in before the summer, then get the cream we all want and require. |
Vijay Daryanani
said:
|
... Ofcourse 6th isnt good enough, we should be improving, spending more money, buying better quality players, not just filling in the gaps, this summer is really crucial for Lerner, MON will be probably be gone to Man Utd or Arsenal in 2 seasons or so...... |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... Anything can happen in football so we should all just relax. Back-up: 1)Birmingham haven't lost in 12 games 2)Burnley beat Man u 3)Villa beat Man u on their own turf 4)Wolves beat a rampant Spurs on their own turf etc etc... |
Elliott
said:
|
... You can't just use stats and figures, you have to take into account where the club was at the current point in time a 30% win rate may not look good, but when we were vying for 11th place, then it would have, but now it wouldn't be because anything under 6th would b a bit of a disappointment. But as you like ur stats, show me the stat that PROVES you to be right, and that a signing this season is a must |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...Someone earning twice as much as me would be annoying, but someone earning 4 or 5 times as much would piss me right off That is the way it is in the world. I can tell you that a lot of people in my company are on 5 times my wages. But they getting that money for a reason the same way a really talented player would be on that ammount. I know where you are coming from and i see the value in this safety approach but i honestly just see failer at the end of it. By the way im not talking about marque signings i think there is a level of good footballer below these marque players where we have yet to really target as of yet. Janovic for example. Gettable players who would improve our club but would need to offered the going rate of wages in order to intice them here. |
Andi
said:
|
... I believe that the types of players that you are all talking about are coming next season and why do I believe this well we now have the foundations to sell the club for sponsorship which will bring in some much needed fundage for these players. Is it any coincidence that we are there or there abouts and our sponsorship deal is due for renewal ????? i think not, I think you will see a long sponosrhip deal on our shirts next one that will bring in a large amount of revenue but will be on the assumption of top four |
Damian
said:
|
... Elliott okay, i won't just use stats and figures. am i allowed to say that it wasn't as bad as you make out. we finished 6th under o'leary and yes, he had 2 bad seasons and yes, had lerner not ocme in, ellis would have fired him and yes, had lerner not come in, ellis would have hired us a manager who would have quite possibly gotten us 6th again sorry. you say i cant just use stats and figures then ask me to use a stat to prove that i am right and a signing is a must stats can not see into the future |
Elliott
said:
|
... you have completely mis read what i have said I said stats aren't the be all and end all, they don't prove you to be right, they just aid your point, but you have to take into account the time period we were in and where the club was. If you look again, I said you can't JUST use, no point did i say you are not allowed |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
... The Boss said had lerner not come in, ellis would have hired us a manager who would have quite possibly gotten us 6th again .....or relegated  |
Andi
said:
|
... What gets me is how can Liverpool be "interested" in Milner when they are skint ?? I am interested in Kelly Brook but I don't talk about it cause it aint going to happen RAFA is a knob |
Chris Harper
said:
|
...stats can not see into the future And nor can we. There is no reason why we can't go on a run of winning games, we do have the ability as we've all seen with this current squad. Its easy to forget about the 5 games we won previous to the Christmas fixture isn't it. Who knows, Sidwell might pull his finger out and score goals in the style of Lee Hendrie (remember all those cracking goals! ) Maybe I'm wrong to feel this way, I am an optimist at the end of the day. |
Andi
said:
|
...That is the way it is in the world. I can tell you that a lot of people in my company are on 5 times my wages you should see a union about that |
Andi
said:
|
...Who knows, Sidwell might pull his finger out and score goals in the style of Lee Hendrie or EMULE will start banging them in like TORRES, every time i get carried away |
Damian
said:
|
... Rios.Jockstrap and o'neill might get us relegated. history points to ellis getting us a manager that would have got us 6th Elliott i haven't misread what you wrote. you said i also had to take into account where the club was at the current point in time and i think that is irrelevant because it wasn't exactly 1970 pr 1980 or even the 90's it was as modern day as you can get and actually, if i wanted to take into account where the club was, under doug ellis, i would say that would actually work for my position if o'leary can get 6th under ellis but all o'neill can get under lerner is 6th - o'neill must be really shit is what i could be writing, if i take into account 'the time period we were in and where the club was' |
Car Frost
said:
 |
... Why we can't make that big signing in the middle of the worst recession in years is beyond me. And two seasons ago - 6th was good enough. It won't be good enough, two seasons later. I fancy 5th - 6th and would say we have progressed either way, others may just be progressing quicker now due to finances. Everywhere I look the race for top 4 really is Spurs, Liverpool and Man City then we're stuck in the smallprint with Everton as outsiders and I don't disagree with the exception of Spurs. |
Damian
said:
|
... Villa_Chris and i am not saying any of us can see into the future. but, hold on a moment, my cup just moved and my coffee is swirling and inside i am seeing something become clear ... we .. we ... we ... we wont win the league. we will win between 6 and 8 of our games between now and the end of the season .. i am seeing a number ... it isn't, could it be 4. no, its not it might be a 6 or could it be an 8. i'm not sure. maybe even a 7. its definitely not 1,2,3 or 4 and i'm fairly sure it isn't 5 but it is a 6 a 7 or an 8. of that i am pretty sure |
Chris Harper
said:
|
...Villa_Chris Thats more like it Damian!! A bit of humour/sarcasm doesn't go amiss! |
John Samuels
said:
|
...That is the way it is in the world. I can tell you that a lot of people in my company are on 5 times my wages. But they getting that money for a reason the same way a really talented player would be on that ammount. and what if he doesn't settle and just sits on the bench collecting his cash. Mon brings players in on a low wage and if they succeed he is more than happy to up it. I see what you're getting at ak, but it has it's pitfalls too. |
Damian
said:
|
... Chiefy liverpool are not skint they turned over nearly £160mn last year. they have cash. it is how they finance their money that is important and their debt is only £280mn - i say only because in the grand scheme of things - ot isn't hat much |
Andi
said:
|
...Why we can't make that big signing in the middle of the worst recession in years is beyond me. damn that common sense just damn it |
Damian
said:
|
... Villa_Chris i was just trying to point out that we all sort of know where we are going to finish this season becasue of the money we have spent and the manager we have |
Elliott
said:
|
... The time period now, as much as you may try and hide about it, is that Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham ALL HAVE MORE pulling power in the market. 5 seasons ago, when we finished 6th under O'Leary, we could have matched most clubs in the league except United Arsenal, and Chelsea, who had just cme into money. It wasn't as difficult to put a run together, and have one lucky season. Since O'Neill has come to the club, Tottenham have enforced their pulling power in the market (god knows how they have done it, but it seems players like Modric Berbatov etc see them as a great club), Man City have come into a windfall of money, even before this sheikh(sp?), Liverpool have become a big force again, and even now, Blues and even Sunderland have enough money. It is harder now, to come in the top 6 yet alone the top 4, and out of all of the clubs we are competing against, we are probably the weakest club in a number of areas. THAT is where we are, you could be a blind fan and say, you can't see any reason peopole wouldn't want to come to villa, but it's true. And perhaps, just perhaps, have you thought, we might not have money? However, it is not ONLY money that shows we wouldn't get into the top 6 with the same team O'Leary had. Sorensen Delaney Mellberg Ridgewell Samuel Hendrie McCann Davis Barry Angel L.Moore If you believe that team would compete now, like it did under O'Leary, then you are just silly |
Andi
said:
|
... Damo -- I see, but I didn't think they had money for transfers ? isn't the rule changes to UEFA going to screw some of the big four up ??? I read Chelski, Citeh would suffer |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... True Damian but progression is key. We are making progression, we have a bigger, higher quality squad than last season, we're still in the hunt for top 4, we're in a semi-final and still in the FA Cup. A cup and top 5/6 finish would give us even more solid ground to build on. Who knows what kind of player we could attract in the summer then?? |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...That is the way it is in the world. I'm not sure I know many companies that would lay out £75k a week for someone to not produce over a year, which is entirely possible in football, if they were to say, break a leg. And football is a different animal anyway, where results from a specific player are subjective usually. And you don't want to know my views on people who "earn" this sort of money anyway. Fortunately I can isolate football as some sort of fantasy world. Real life usually involves a certain amount of productivity. But I do see what you're saying. a lot of people in my company are on 5 times my wages No wonder, you're always on here! Only joking of course By the way im not talking about marque signings i think there is a level of good footballer below these marque players where we have yet to really target as of yet. This is fair enough, but I'd find it very difficult to believe that we haven't been looking. MON likes a certain type of player and there's nothing we can do about it. As you say, it seems we're going to have to do it the hard way. But I'd like to think that if we were to achieve CL, the investment would go up again. |
Martin Garner
said:
 |
...Something has to happen and if it doesn't we are just going to stand still and all this flirting with the subject isn't doing anyone any favours. Seriously the negativity from this site sometime amazes me  What is wrong with consolidating our position as a top six club with regular European football, good runs in domestic cups (so far this year) and being top four contenders? Before MON and Randy we were yoyoing up and down the league, we had no stability, we couldn't hold on to our best players, had no European football and we were no where near top four contenders. You need to learn to walk before you can run. Too much too soon can have disastrous consequences (see Leeds and Portsmouth). I don’t think people are giving enough credit to what effect solid foundations and stability actually have. The squad is SO much better than last year and I have faith it will continue to compete right up until the end of the season. Anyone who can’t see that is blind… And whilst we are talking of "progress", how about beating three of the supposed top four in the first half of the season? That to me, is real progress…. BELIEVEin the club, the manager and the players. If enough people BELIEVE, it will happen… UTV |
Andi
said:
|
...I'm not sure I know many companies that would lay out £75k a week for someone to not produce over a year, mine do ssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!! but seriously EMULE maybe not 75k but still ??? |
Damian
said:
|
... Elliott I don't mean to come across as rude but things are not that different but to respond to your post, as I feel I have to, are you saying that now, we have a big six and that five years ago we had a big three? Are you saying that the likes of Arsenal and United only came into money five years ago? What about Liverpool Times are not different Elliot to five years ago. Times are different to 15 years ago, yes. But 5 years ago, no. As for me thinking that perhaps we don't have any money - I'll have to give that some thought Elliot - that is something to ponder. |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Well said wonkeye, By the way im not talking about marque signings i think there is a level of good footballer below these marque players where we have yet to really target as of yet. I would say that Dunne, Downing, Ash and Milner all fall into this category and all could do a job at a top four club. Too many take the great players we already have for granted and just assume that because someone is foreign and we know sod all about them we should get them in and drop the very talented hard-working players that have propelled the club to the brink of top four this season by the wayside. |
Elliott
said:
|
... Time are different Damien There was a top 3, Man U Arsenal and Chelsea, then there was liverpool, then there was the rest - Us, Newcastle, Everton, Bolton, Tottenham. Bolton (Yes Bolton, with no finances), were able to get european football, and even as far back as 3 years ago, MONs first season, Reading managed to finish 7th, so times are different. Like someone else had said, to consolidate our position of 6th, wouldn't be moving backwards, with the competition set this season. And in my opinion, there is a big 7, and i have said all season, the top 7 will b the top 7 as it is now, with the first 3 (Man U, Chels, Arse) in any order, and the next four(us Spuds liv man c) in any order. |
John Jordan
said:
 |
... Damian You're supposed to use Tea Leaves!...Coffee grounds are rather unpredictable  |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...I'm not sure I know many companies that would lay out £75k a week for someone to not produce over a year The banks do. No wonder, you're always on here I was going to say the same myself. but I'd find it very difficult to believe that we haven't been looking Yes but where? Outside of England and Scotland? Unlikely. Take the playmaker situation. I can't think of many that would be gettable (for a fair price ) in jan if you focus solely on players playing in the UK. No English club would really want to sell a good player this time of the year to a competitor(and not many would do this in the summer either). So you either get nobody or a reject. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...I would say that Dunne, Downing, Ash and Milner all fall into this category and all could do a job at a top four club Dunne yes. Maybe Milner. Downing haven't seen enough of him yet to be honest but he never stood out to me before he joined us as a player i would put into this bracket of footballer. Ash sorry but on his performances over the last 14 months nope. I think he has taken a million off his price tag for every month that has gone by since the Everton away game. |
Joe Meredith
said:
 |
... The negativity is back, I did wonder how long it would take. I have never heard MON talk about possible signings nor do I want him to. It only brings disappointment if it doesn't happen ie Hull about 6 times in the Summer. I don't think we necessarily need new players and this January isn't any more important than any other. We have good players not getting in the team. We also have people on hear banging on about MON not trusting the youth players one minute, and then demanding a big name player the next! Make your mind up. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...The banks do. That's why I said "many". Don't start me on that one Yes but where? Outside of England and Scotland? Unlikely. Take the playmaker situation. I can't think of many that would be gettable (for a fair price ) in jan if you focus solely on players playing in the UK. No English club would really want to sell a good player this time of the year to a competitor(and not many would do this in the summer either). So you either get nobody or a reject. Which is why I think we'll get nothing and have said so all along. I know we have a scout who deals specifically with Scandinavia and another for Europe, so we must be looking. MON looks very closely at a player's attitude and temperament. Perhaps he just hasn't found anyone that fits his requirements abroad and it's as simple as that? Imo, MON knows exactly what is required and when the time/circumstances are right, he'll bring him/them in. I hope. I just believe now is the wrong time. |
Andi
said:
|
... Can i just point out that we have no idea if MON has found anyone or not its the 11th of January anything could happen between now and the end of the month and we know MON leaves it nice and late |
VillaNick
said:
 |
... I don't think we have the funds. Unless we spend 10M+, we might as well use players that are already at the club. I'm not too bothered about brining in new faces like Boyd, Keane or Beckford, we need to aim much higher to make any significant impact. |
stephen
said:
 |
... just over a week without watching villa play and this is what happens to us, mass brawl with insults flying everywhere...keeping me amused at mo agree with the one big player won't change our season argument |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Damien, I think what Elliot was getting at is that it was unfair to use MoN win percentage as a yard stick given the first two seasons our expectations were considerably lower and the squad was considerably lighter and lacked depth of quality. After the mid season injury of Kiraly and before our SUCCESSFUL january haul of Ashley Young and John Carew the team looked like this: ---------------Kiraly------------- Bardsley--Mellberg--Laursen--Bouma Gardner---Petrov---Barry---Maloney ---------Sutton--Agbonlahor------- Subs: Luke Moore, Didier Agathe, Gary Cahill, Gavin McCann, Stuart Taylor. People forget how far we've come under O'Neill and the side was nowhere near where we are now and had nothing like the expectation that comes with being a club in with a shout of making the Champions League. |
BermyVillan
said:
 |
... Damien, MON does not think like you, or conduct his business dealings like you would. He never will, so get over it and let the man do his job, which he undoubtedly will, despite your negativity. |
darrenvilla26
said:
 |
... isn't the most common sense thing to do a loan signing, avoid the astronomical transfer fee & signing on fee then offer to pay all or part of the players wages. It's world cup year, there are some gems out there who are only bench warming that would jump at the chance of regular football to get to the biggest stage in the world. why do villa never loan players???? ok not never, but u know what i mean...its so frustrating, i love villa, i always have and always will, and despite my frustration, we have (at present) progressed from last season) but we could have done oh so much by now, and i dont want january to pass and look back at the end of the season and say...if only....i'm sick of doing it as i'm sure all my fellow villans are. i love you all.... |
Vijay Daryanani
said:
|
... Although i agree that one player cant change the season i think that if we signed a top striker/goalscorer to play alongside Gabby it could make a difference, i also agree that players we've been linked to are no point signing, we have a very good squad, we lack 2 or 3 real real quality players to make a big difference and take us forward, they wont come in jan so forget it, in the summer we dont do that then Lerner is in trouble |
VillaNick
said:
|
...People forget how far we've come under O'Neill and the side was nowhere near where we are now and had nothing like the expectation that comes with being a club in with a shout of making the Champions League. Spot on, fans seem to forget the rubbish we had just 3 years or so ago. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... I've heard Torres and Gerrard might be sold if the price is right... Lerner must put in a bid or else we'll never get top 4. Seriously though, if they did lose those two, they would be well and trully buggered. Come on Barca, Madrid, Inter, AC Milan, stump up the cash and buy! |
paul mclafferty
said:
 |
... why all the bickering?? if anyone wants to be reminded of the big impact striker then think back to graham tayler when he bought tony cascarino because he didnt trust olney the lonely to do the job and we threw the league away!! i think we will lose players either in january but deffo in the summer as a lot of players will be shipped out eg shorey, salifou, harewood, gardner and a few youth fringe players. |
stephen
said:
|
... i really do think that last season was a bad season for us, as before last season was we given a remote chance of finishing top 4, not that i can remember, but the way it all happened last season: how we was unbeaten in so many matches, how we was so many points clear of Arsenal. It raised our expectations by too much in one season. This meant that to most fans the top 4 was the minimum we should have been aiming for this season. We can all talk about getting high reputation signings in but,in all honesty why would they want to come to us? We're not like man citeh and can offer them ridiculas sums of money for playing average(Robinho)we can't offer the glamour of London, hell we can't even offer the fact we always challenge for cups when the last we won was in 96. Which is why I feel with MON making us an established top 6 team, a team that is now starting to challenge for cups, and can now challenge the big 4, its onlt time till big players WILL want to start playing for us, but this January is too soon. (James Collins,Richard Dunne,James Milner, Ashley Young, Stan Petrov, Stephen Warnock, Luke Young, Brad 1+2, Carlos Cuellar) are just a list of "average" players that MON has brought to this club,and i'm sure most of you will agree that it is pretty damn good. So just relax its all part of a much bigger plan UTV SOTC YWC |
stephen
said:
|
...ok guys, it seems youre all happy with finishing 6-7th! I wouldn't be estatic but i wouldn't be too pissed off either, as long as we finish in top 6 i'll be all alrite with it in all fairness |
VillaNick
said:
|
... Aston Villa: Dwight Yorke sets his sights on becoming Aston Villa manager What is that all about! http://www.birminghammail.net/...-25572813/ |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...MON looks very closely at a player's attitude and temperament. I just think he has a certain (unfounded i feel) mistrust for players that aren't from these parts. I understand in a way where he is coming from but i feel it is an old fanshioned approach and one not really shared by better and more successful managers in our league. Something he picked up from Clough perhaps(Heard a comment on the docu on Ch4 last year by Brian Clough and it just struck home with regards to how MON operates). But until he starts buying form the other markets he will find it difficult to get the final pieces to our puzzle. Like i said i don't expect any signings as MON will more then likely be only shopping in the UK and players will not be available. Good call on the loan deals darrenvilla26 but again MON here doesn't seem up to speed with this avenue either. Like you said going into a WC year not too many good players will want to be sitting on the bench from here on in, |
Andi
said:
|
...ok guys, it seems youre all happy with finishing 6-7th! Exactly wouldn't be ecstatic but wouldn't be the end of the world throw a cup into that as well and its fairly nice. We will have a money coming into the club by the time next season starts big sponsorship deal and as long as MON keeps the team together bar one or two and makes some big signings, which will happen our wage structure is being changed due to the players we have now so when we bring in the glamour signing there wont be a problem, if we dont do it this season next season will be an assault on the top spot never mind top 4 !!! |
John Samuels
said:
|
... As I've said previously, as long as we're in the europa it won't have been a bad season. When MoN joined europe seemed so far away. Now it's a prerequisite, and even then some say we should be doing better. If Europa is the minimum requirement each year then we've come a long way in a short time. Ideally we'll win the league cup and qualify for europe that way so as the pressure is off for the run in. That may be enough to ease the nerves and really push us into contention for the CL. VillaNick, Thanks for the support, people forget we were relying on the likes of Gabor Kiraly, Scott Carson, Gavin McCann, Didier Agathe, Shaun Maloney, Jay Lloyd Samuel, Patrik Berger etc. We have a really decent squad with quality and cover in every position. We are so close to being reall contenders and we've done it the gradual and sensible way. We haven't wasted big money on a huge flop. Everyone we've bought in has done a job for however long and the crappy ones didn't cost the earth. We have a relatively low net spend, a good squad, a good manager, a good chairman and we have all the groun developments to look forward to over the next couple of years. |
John Samuels
said:
|
...Good call on the loan deals darrenvilla26 but again MON here doesn't seem up to speed with this avenue either. Like you said going into a WC year not too many good players will want to be sitting on the bench from here on in, He knows about the loans, what about Carson, Kiraly and Bardsley? I find it hard to believe there is anyone of the quality we require sitting on the bench at lower PL club and there is absolutely no way the likes of Spurs, Arse, Chels, Man U, Everton, Citeh will be loaning us their players with a tight run in coming up. No chance imo. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...and their debt is only £280mn - i say only because in the grand scheme of things - ot isn't hat much Damian, you say this as though it's pennies. I don't know exactly what pool is worth, but they must be about 100% mortgaged. I know their debt is sufficient for the banks to tell them they have to pay some of it back. And I also know that the owners are seriously struggling to service the debt. This can't be healthy. It is interesting to see the figures for man u too. They're £699 mill in debt. They made a profit of £48 mill, but that included the Ronaldo money. Without that, they'd have lost £32 mill. They paid £42 mill in interest on their loan alone. This, imo, is utter madness and can't go on. As with the false state of the economy we as a country have been living in over recent years, this bubble will burst eventually. Unless of course we subscribe to your view, which seems to be get a rich bloke in, let him pump millions in and if it doesn't work, get a richer one in (you've often hinted at Lerner not having the wherewithall). Oh that it were so easy. We're already seeing clubs all through the leagues on the verge of going bump because they've been living beyond their means. I for one don't want Villa to come anywhere near that situation. If that means we can't compete financially, well that's just tough. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...I find it hard to believe there is anyone of the quality we require sitting on the bench at lower PL club Nope im again talking about players from the continent who may be sitting on the bench at big clubs. I agree that you won't get any help from you competitors so this is why you have look further afield. |
Andi
said:
|
... Has anybody seen the rule changes that are going through at the moment for UEFA ??? when they have gone through it would mean Chelski and Man Citeh sso far would be unable to play in the C/L, I think that the rules are if the club has posted a loss for three years in a row they cant enter ?? anyone else seen that ? |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Chiefy i can't see that ever happening when the likes of Real are spending what they are at this moment. It should be brought in but the power of these big clubs will stop it from happening anytime soon. |
Tim Hillman
said:
 |
... On a different note, it was good to see James Milner was using the time off due to the inclement weather to get to the BDO World Darts Final! Good on him! |
Mike Carter
said:
 |
... Well said Badger. All things considered, we should be pretty pleased with where our club is football-wise and financially. |
Andi
said:
|
...Chiefy i can't see that ever happening when the likes of Real are spending what they are at this moment. It should be brought in but the power of these big clubs will stop it from happening anytime soon mate search for it platini is trying pushing to get the changes through Madrid dont post loses its far to big |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Surely Real have a post a loss this year after spending so much on transfer fee's and wages? Id be dissappointed if they didn't to be honest. I do agree with the move but Platini will find it hard to make that move as long as the big clubs in England are posting losses. |
Andi
said:
|
...Manchester City and Chelsea face being excluded from the Champions League unless they can work the huge losses both have announced over the past seven days down to break-even levels within four seasons. Uefa is working up formal regulations that will entrench Michel Platini's plan to ensure that clubs operate without making significant long-term losses. "If a club gets a lot of money or subsidies from a big backer and is still in deficit in two years then it is a problem and we don't want that," Platini said in August. the winds of change |
JakeB
said:
 |
... Don't forget that everyone was questioning the arshavin transfer when it happened as it was seen as very risky at the time which is why no one took him in the summer after the euro's. Look at palyvchenko (spelling?) at spuds, he's hardly set the world alight... Also again arshavin was right at the very end of the window. In fact didn't arsenal need special dispensation to sign him due to the snow? The fact is that the majority of players of that quality aren't available in January. Arshavin only moved because he threw his toys out the pram at zenit. Very risky gamble on wengers part, yes it worked but how often does it fail? Personally I'd rather we didn't risk that amount of money, unlike arsenal we don't have the same quality in the squad (yet) to be able to make that gamble. |
Andi
said:
|
... Diego Tardelli, from Atletico Mineiro has been scouted by the villa apparently along with spuds and bolton !!! no nothing about this dude BUT has someone found their passports ?? |
Alex Glynn
said:
 |
... Within four seasons Chiefty. City's bought glory will have paid off by then. Who knows about Chelski, where would we be? Well we'll have a different goalie and a different captain for sure. The rest is uncertain. Who knows if MO'N will make a signing this month? He likes to keep it under wraps. On reflection, I'm definitely glad that the Keane deal has been denied ["Robbie Keane? There's nothing in it" -MO'N]. I hope the scousers will lose Gerrard and Torres to Spain, but then I hope that Spurs, City and 'Pool will manage 3 draws between them, and that's against each other with all the rest being losses but that's not going to happen. Earlier I did the BBC predictor with a bit of a "worst case scenario" which had us finishing one pt above Scum in seventh place. I'm keen for that not to happen. Pulling in a top class striker would be lovely. No mids and no backs - waste of precious money. Guzan's practically ready to take over the keeping helm and hopefully Big Brad won't see much of the ball for the rest of the season. Most importantly, however, let's hope the players keep fit and we all keep positive: nothing like a depressed fan to bring you down. I wear my Villa tie with pride. UTV. |
Alex Glynn
said:
|
... N.B. With little capital at hand tied with the way Martin buys, getting a very good player is a lot about luck. He is never one to rush in early so if they all get snapped up for lots then we lose out. If, on the other hand, one slips through the mesh and we get a bargain on a better than expected player then the luck is in our favour. You know what to wish for when you cut your cake any January birthdays. Let's hope someone makes a last minute sell. |
Proxopera
said:
 |
... Villa like Everton have to hunt for players just short of top class who are either on the way up or possibly having been overlooked once they got there and now with something to prove. That is the reality. We could never attract the very top players because the 'business' end of the club is being run as a small to medium sized enterprise and quite rightly ,IMO. We have seen unbusiness like clubs such as spurs ,liverpool and utd waste ridicoulous money on players who just dont give a f**k , because they know a little flash every now & then will perpetuate their hype and thus their value . Alan Shearer took the decision of going home when he could have signed for anyone in Europe ,he did this for the love of his club and he must have known he was unlikely to win anymore silverware. That is the type of player that I personally want at Villa over bentleys,defoes, or berbatovs ! I'm quite happy that we have a good sprinkling of such players at the club and finishing 6th is ok by me if we retain the clubs current values. By the way , Boyd & Kenny Miller are a good comparison as to capabilities in the premiership. Do me a favour! |
Andi
said:
|
... Dwight Yorke set sights on managing Aston Villa manager is this bloke for real ???? He cant manage his kids never mind a football team |
Philip Arkinstall
said:
 |
... Good to see the club supporting Salifou through the aftermath of the shootings. I just wish he was more integral to the team on the pitch. Seems a waste to have a player on your books who doesn't appear to be anywhere closer to breaking into the first team. I'd sit on the Villa bench for the money they are paying to players like Salifou. Surely as a professional you can't be happy just sitting on the bench for years on end. It was the same with Stuart Taylor, he warmed the bench/stands for years at Villa now he is doing the same at City. Waste of a career. |
stephen
said:
|
...He cant manage his kids never mind a football team Reaction to reading this = tea sprayed all over keyboard..brilliant |
Andi
said:
|
...Seems a waste to have a player on your books who doesn't appear to be anywhere closer to breaking into the first team EMULE gets away with it and gets games !!! |
Les Smith
said:
 |
... Dwight has been making these noises for some time. How about making him a striker coach? We have a goalkeeping coach why not someone to work alongside our strikers to improve their strike rate! |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...I just wish he was more integral to the team on the pitch. Seems a waste to have a player on your books who doesn't appear to be anywhere closer to breaking into the first team. I've never quite understood this one, but MON made a point of saying that he's popular with the rest of the players. Perhaps it's a daft notion, but maybe MON keeps him on for "entertainment" value? A happy, laughing workforce tends to make a better workforce, in my experience. I'd sit on the Villa bench for the money they are paying to players like Salifou. So would I. Surely as a professional you can't be happy just sitting on the bench for years on end. I'd guess he's on about £7K a week. Nice work if you can get it and I could definitely live with it. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... Philark I've watched Salifou in quite a few reserve games and I have to tell you, he isn't a bad player at all. He has a great pass and shot on him. Shame he hasn't seen much pitch time. I was only saying the other day to my mate that its a shame for Stewart Taylor. He's decent enough to play in half the teams in the prem. Nice bloke too. |
Andi
said:
|
...Dwight has been making these noises for some time. How about making him a striker coach? We have a goalkeeping coach why not someone to work alongside our strikers to improve their strike rate Dwights strike rate will never be in question, stats taken from the CSA look at me rolling them off |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... Seriously where's Taglor? He loved the 'Money is ruining football' debate. Maybe he's locked in a padded room somewhere? |
John Samuels
said:
|
... With regards to Salifou, I believe it's a perfect example of the gentlemanly way O'Neill does business. He offered him a contract and explained it was purely as cover in midfield as we were very very light in that department before we brought in Sidwell, Reo Coker, Delph etc. He was only 24, had the right attitude and cost bugger all. Unfortunately he hasn't progressed as he or the manager would have liked, but he works hard in training, gets on with it and is a happy influence in the camp. Therefore why transfer list him or force him out of the club? He signed a contract and MoN will honour that contract. Much like the contracts of Harewood etc. It's the proper way to do business and I think MoN has things like this in consideration when he signs all his players. He pays sensible money for sensible players on sensible wages to play on a sensible team in a sensible manner. No prima donnas, no big transfer fees wasted, no disruption in the dressing room makes for a hard working team with a great spirit who will fight to the 98th minute for each other. Salifou is joked about as a talisman, but In a way he encapsulates the things I really like about Martin and the club at the moment. This also the reason why I believe thi kids will get a chance. It's the sensible thing to do. The same way it is sensible to have players that are proficient in a couple of positions and a couple of formations. |
John Clark
said:
 |
... As to available money, who knows. My guess is that MON, RL, etc., always have their eyes and ears open about players. They will know who's available, who they'd like to have. Of this I'm quite sure. They're not idiots. If we have ideas, so do they. And it does seem that MON has very deliberate ideas about certain players. When he wants a player, he goes and gets him. If the player can't be had, it's either wages, lack of CL, Birmingham, or that sort of thing. Not because we aren't inquiring, don't know they exist, etc. Of course Spurs are a bigger draw. They're in London, one of the world's great cities. Just like New York turns a lot of heads in the US sporting market, despite the pressure and brutal press, so too will being in London appeal to a lot of players. All things being equal, you have to have something else to offer. CL, considerably more money, a manager that you can't resist playing for. Now, I do think there's something to the wages business. All well and good to say, "Go get him, give him $120k a week." But then it does have the potential to throw the entire wage structure out of whack. I don't think this is a small issue, as your entire squad can all of a sudden cost a lot more just to maintain. I would like us to sign a player, all that said, a real poacher, or someone like Bellamy (package, not person). I think a different striking option to pair with Gabby would make a big difference. Is that player out there, will he he fit MON's ideas of who he wants? Otherwise, I'm not too worried in this window. There are players I'm sure we're looking at for the summer, but getting someone in who immediately makes an impact and is a dead cert to start...Most likely would be a striker, if anyone. |
Smithy11villa
said:
 |
... Money doesnt mean everything in football. MON says he is excited about the potential of the young villans and from our point we dont no anything near as much as oneill does about the younger ones, yeah we saw them impress in the peace cup but they will be getting better everyday. You dont always need big names playing for you to be a challenger. Take man city...Paid £25m for tevez and £25m on adebayor...£32m on robinho £12m on barry and £24m on the overrated lescott and have just signed a world class midfielder in viera with bags of experience but they are not much further ahead than we are and we havent spent a quarter of what they have spent. Believe in MON, we may not finish above 6th again but he is a successfull manager and he knows his trade in football. UTV |
Abdul Kashif
said:
|
... I reckon Salifou should get a chance ahead of Sidwell. I reckon he could offer us something in midfield, but it's difficult to perform consistently when playing in fits and starts. It's a shame we went out of Europe as he would have had a chance to impress. Anyone else got Salifou on the back of their shirt? I've got last season's with his name and number. Classic! |
Steve Oldaker
said:
 |
... roll on thursday when people can discuss something, instead of going on about the same things over and over again not your fault guys blasted weather ! |
Aaron Wilson
said:
 |
... My internet has been down so ive been living off SSN and BBC teletext! When it got back working today i was hoping to God a newsflash had escaped my attention. Sadly, none did. Still no signings... |
Steve Oldaker
said:
|
... for the record can't see any top quality players being released from there clubs that would come to us rather than the top 4 plus spurs and man city. if you know of any please tell me ! |
Geoff
said:
 |
... That BETTER just all be posturing. If they dont sign at least one decfent contributor to boslter the squad then they will not make the top 4 - period. |
Steve Oldaker
said:
|
... wait till the summer geoff, quality could be on its way then depending on where we finish or if we have won a pot |
fastbackace
said:
 |
... villa chris, jpa as for the player wages, i think we will all see that change when they do the construction to the stadium and fill in the corners. that will create a lot of money to be put to player wages. we could, in the next fee season, have 2 or 3 players making 90k a week, and the regular players making 60 or 70k. this might draw people in. and to people saying RL doesnt have money, just think about how much he does have, and how much he's putting into the stadium. he has money. i think i could fill a pool and swim in his money and it wouldnt put a dent in his pocket. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... i wonder if pompey have any players mon would consider signing after we allowed them to train at bodymoore today ahead of their f.a cup game at cov, any player would have to be impressed with the training facilities |
Mark
said:
 |
... Kohoutek, Very good post. I for one do not want us to win at all costs. Liverpool, Man.Utd and Chelsea are in huge debt for that very reason. However, because of their pedigree there will always be some business crook willing to bail them out. I would rather come 4th/5th knowing the club is run respectably and efficiently. I don't want to see my hard earned cash helping pay some materially imbued upstart. That's why most players who come to Villa are not put under any illusion as to what the rules are. Have your Timmy Tantrum, and you will be punted in to touch. If more clubs adopted our approach then Agents and Players would not be able to dictate to the club. I hope to see lots of home grown players at the likes of Citeh give their clubs the flick in protest at their Puppet Masters who have no sense of loyalty. - On the subject of Arshavin. Arsenal would have finished 4th with or without him. They are a better team than us for the reasons given by Kohoutek. MON is a gifted man, lauded by fellow managers, players, press and media. He is driven by an unstoppable energy to succeed. You will see this personified every time the ball nestles in the onion bag and duly leaps 'salmon - style', fifteen feet in the air. Villa till I die, 1st or 19th.!!!!!!!!!! |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
... Villa@Herts said this Dwight has been making these noises for some time. How about making him a striker coach? We have a goalkeeping coach why not someone to work alongside our strikers to improve their strike rate! Unless he can train our midfielders in the art of delivering a killer ball or how to support our forwards in offensive positions, then i think he would be better off clubbing Dont know if Dwight has his coaching badges, but i think the club could do worse than using him as a scout within the Carribean (i cant spell it so fook it!)area, where he is still quite a hero. Would be a great ambassador for us. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
... Fastbackace thinks this might draw people in Bigger stadiums need succesful teams to draw in the crowds. Otherwise they can prove to be a financial anvil around your neck, that always look half empty and offer little atmosphere. Team first, stadium increase later. |
villarobin
said:
 |
... Damian. Last year i would have agreed with you. This year however we need to have faith in what we have. We have the strength in depth. We will not be able to sign someone who will lift us a place in the league, not because of money but because these players are not available. Very occasionally someone like Arshavin comes along, and if someone like that was available at the right price im sure Oneil would buy them. However Villa is not Arsenal. Our team is based on an English core playing for each other and running 100 miles for the manager. I believe if we do crack the top 4 it will be because of sticking to our way of doing things, and not because of a trophy signing in January. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... i think it is very easy to look at the transfer market this january and feel a little aprehensive, manchester city with 500 billion burning a massive hole in their pocket went out and bought 33 year old patrick viera! i think this shows just what talent is on offer in january, dont get me wrong, viera is a very good player and is a winner but he is not the player he was at arsenal, thats for sure. so for all the lads on here wanting a marquee signing, i think you should turn your back because your pissing against the wind. the players are either contrcted up to the hilt or will cost a small fotune. maybe mon is ready to release fabian delph off the reigns and he might be what we are calling for, now we have got over his debut against wigan then blackburn when he played alongside a poor sidwell.. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
... Citeh winning again - seems Hughes was just a great big dork Now they got Mancini the competition hots up. I don't care what anyone says, we need the boost of a star player. You can only knock on the door for so long, then it's down hill back to the middle lands |
Spencer
said:
 |
... On an unrelated note I'm watching Blackburn vs the Blue Mancs and cannot believe what I'm seeing - some of the overseas Manc players (Tevez and Petrov) are actually wearing a form of scarf called a snood. Mainly ladies wear them, in fact my missus has been known to wear one on occassions... What next eh? Ok maybe 4th for them but where's the dignity? |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
... Bakewell: "a form of scarf called a snood" ha ha ha ha ha "where's the dignity?" ha ha ha ha ha |
fastbackace
said:
|
... im with pancho. arsenal got arshavin for 15 mil. and now he's worth... 30 mil? y cant we find those players. as pancho said... u can only knock for so long. |
John Clark
said:
|
... Mostyn: On the subject of Arshavin. Arsenal would have finished 4th with or without him. Exactly...And a player like Arshavin is looking to leave Russia for very bright lights. Could we have had him? I don't know. But as others have said, if we had got him, would we have been able to give him the service to make him worthwhile? As long as teams like Arsenal are in the hunt for a player, we'll almost always be second choice, especially for a player on contract who can engineer his move. We could've said, "Hang on, here's £20m..." and Zenit may have said yes please, and Arshavin would've said, "Hold the phone." And even if he did come to us, he'd have been with us one season, and if we didn't bully our way into the top4, he'd be off if he did anything at all. |
John Clark
said:
|
... And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we shouldn't show ambition. But there's "ambition" and reality. I think we have inquired about Sneijder, etc., and been told no. Stoke going after RVN...that would be the bollox PR Damian used to go on about. Bread and circuses. If he does end up at Stoke, well a) color me flabbergasted, and b) there's a reason MON didn't want him. We may not agree, but it's going to be MON's call, and we have to accept he's going to do it his way and not make moves just to placate the fans and make a splash in the press. |
frem
said:
 |
... We need to buy this january. Its as simple as that. For some reason the last three days ive been really worried about villa and thinking what we can actully do this season. I supose its only because we have not played for a while and if we had one them i would be feeling different. MON has to add quality in the strike force. Hesk and john have injury isues and gaby might get burn out. I hope there is still something in the Keane rumor but if not him santa cruz or Boyd. They will only help. |
Spencer
said:
|
... If Randy doesn't buy us a £20-30m snood in Jan then we're looking at finishing no higher than 8th! FACT!! It better be bloody French or Italian as well! |
frem
said:
|
... Bakewell- i agree but with learner and oneill we will never ever buy a player more than 15 mil. We should go for VDV but that will never happen. Learner has gave us as much monry as he can. |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
... If this Window carries on producing the amount of doom and depression thats being written above, then i think im going to hang myself.... Ask yourselves two questions. 1. How many times have you heared Martin say what he has been saying recently, and yet youve still be happy at the end of the window? 2. What makes you think Martin or Randy can not see what you see? Sod it, i will ask another..... 3. Why has Martin got to tell the world that he is interested in him, and would love to sign so-and-so, when he knows that by doing so will only alert others? Sorry, but you all have to accept that Man Cities wealth is dictating the how people operate in transfer windows, and unless every other club gets taken over by Arab oil tycoons, then its only going to get worse. And that, is neither Martins or Randies fault. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...And even if he did come to us, he'd have been with us one season, and if we didn't bully our way into the top4, he'd be off if he did anything at all. I think we have inquired about Sneijder, etc., and been told no. Stoke going after RVN...that would be the bollox PR Damian used to go on about. Bread and circuses. If he does end up at Stoke, well a) color me flabbergasted, and b) there's a reason MON didn't want him. Sense. We need to buy this january. Its as simple as that. Nonsense. |
Sasa
said:
 |
... Guus Hiddink is available, that's the best signing Villa could make in Jan! Seriously though, not expecting signigns in Jan. Also what is it with Villa's fascination about a '20 goal striker?' Even when we had Yorke, it was 'we need a 20 goal a season striker to help Yorkie.' I bet if we signed Torres and Drogba, it wouldn't take more than month before for one of us says 'we need another 20 goal-a-season striker!' |
John Clark
said:
|
...I bet if we signed Torres and Drogba, it wouldn't take more than month before for one of us says 'we need another 20 goal-a-season striker!' Obviously we just need a 40-goal-a-season striker to complement Gabby. |
paul mclafferty
said:
|
... mon plays the who wants to be a millionare trick in the transfer market by keeping things close to his chest, because as soon as that bluenosed git asks you which two you think it maybe hey presto they are the bloody ones left on 50-50 its a thing all managers need to do because as soon as mon says he likes a player david moyes is offering 2 million more. |
noel farragher
said:
 |
... After watching city tonight the best we can hope for is fifth which i believe we will be fighting out with the reds and spurs,its a fight i think we will lose as we wont be strenghting in January.I hope we can hold off everton for 7th and not get caught agayn like last year. i do believe we will win a cup this season. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
...If Randy doesn't buy us a £20-30m snood in Jan then we're looking at finishing no higher than 8th!It's MON's fault. He keeps his snoods close to his chest and under his hat. |
Darragh McGeown
said:
|
...Joe Cole's contract talks with Chelsea have stalled over the wage demands of the England international, who is free to leave for nothing at the end of the season. Who would have thought we would have seen the day that Chelsea don't want to pay the wages. His ddemands must be astronomical. |
Andi
said:
|
... Lets all wear snoods for the West Ham game  i got mine on now and boy arent they warm SNOODS are the future |
John Samuels
said:
|
...After watching city tonight the best we can hope for is fifth Nonsense, I guarantee there aren't many other teams who will let Micah Richards run through their midfield without putting a challenge in. Man City will get a rude awakening when they play someone good. Every team has a honeymoon period after signing a new manager. I remember a few saying Mon out and Martinez in...really? There is half the season left and anything could happen. City could win the league! We could win the league! Ok maybe not, but you see my point. |
Andi
said:
|
... Isnt it Blackburn where poor not Man City being good ?? it shows one thing Blackburn are going to get well and truly hammered Thursday and i will be there yah !!1 |
John Samuels
said:
|
...it shows one thing Blackburn are going to get well and truly hammered Thursday and i will be there yah !!1 Iwo uld be careful with that Chiefy, if anything it shows that they probably have one eye on the semi, which is going to be a HUUUGE game for them. The minute you don't respect them they kill you. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...it shows one thing Blackburn are going to get well and truly hammered I can't believe that you've jinxed us like that Chiefy. |
Andi
said:
|
... I havent jinxed us god damn : in the words of the x factor winner : "Don't stop believing" Claret and Blue snoods for everyone |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Well Chiefy if we don't win i know who to point the finger at and for once it won't be MON. You are under pressure now mate. |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Damian, Is there asnood maker out there that would stump up a couple of claret & blue snoods as a competition prize??? How much do you reckon Carlos Tevez would cost us??? |
Andi
said:
|
... JPA -- Have Blackburn got anyone we should be overly concerned about come on people if we want these big signings and we want 4th we have to think like a big club and believe we are a big club. We shouldn't be worrying about Blackburn ! |
Andi
said:
|
...Well Chiefy if we don't win i know who to point the finger at I will take the finger being pointed at me, and I was also take the plaudits when we stuff them good and proper...... at the beginning of the season i said on here about the WINDS OF CHANGE trust me this is our year !!!! |
John Samuels
said:
|
...We shouldn't be worrying about Blackburn ! We shouldn't, but they have already beaten us at Ewood this season. As for players to look out for, how about Gamst, Dunn, McCarthy, Robertson, Di Santo, Samba. In the words of Han Solo, 'don't get cocky kid'. |
Andi
said:
|
... Gmast i will give you one man dont make a team Dunn not that good McCarthy is that good they are selling him Samba ok I suppose Man Utd had already beaten us at old trafford but we know what happened there dont we ?!?!?! in the words of peter kay " hav it ! " |
John Samuels
said:
|
...Gmast i will give you one man dont make a team All dangerous players, that's five out of eleven. Don't underestimate them. I will happily take a score draw. |
Andi
said:
|
... I find it astounding that we debate on here about the "BIG CLUB" toys that we want (15mil+ players) yet when it comes to playing Blackburn who we have already beaten this season and convincingly, ok they beat us on their patch but if it was not for an individual error we would have won, we are "not jinxing it" if you want to be a big club think like a big club then someone might start listening but until we stop worrying about playing teams like Blackburn in what is arguably our biggest game in years then sorry but i dont think we deserve the "BIG CLUB" toys, are we only to think like a big club when we have a 20+ player on the pitch ??? If so i would argue we have 4 already in the team Young, Gabby, Milner, Downing never mind including one of the best back lines in the league |
Andi
said:
|
...I will happily take a score draw yes Mr Ribery could you just sign there after watching your new team draw with Blackburn yes you heard right Blackburn in what was the teams biggest game in years, NOW DO WE SEE WHY WE DONT GET THE BIG NAMES ?? |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Chiefy, Without meaning to anger you any further my short fused compadre, I do see what you're saying. However, I am a realist and am not trying to be negative. I have seen us lose to Wigan, Blackburn, West Ham, Arsenal and Liverpool this season and I am fully aware that we are capable of losing games we should probably win. I am confident over two legs that we will get a result, but Ewood park is a very tough place to go. Look at their record there and given it's also a cup game that they will be well up for I'd say we need to play well and keep the concentration up. They have players that can hurt us if we let them. It has nothing to do with being a big club. Blackburn knocked Chelsea out in the last round of this competition.....Convincingly too. Be on your guard sir. |
Andi
said:
|
...Be on your guard sir Its them that should be on their guard I am going and I am taking my SNOOD, if things dont go our way half time I will be on the pitch giving a DELIA style talk to the team !!!!! |
Andi
said:
|
...Without meaning to anger you any further my short fused compadre, I do see what you're saying Doesn't ANGER ME THAT MUCH !!!!! no but seriously every team loses games it should win and wins games it should lose but once the averages tip in your favour that is win the transition starts. I believe we are going through this now, Positive Mental Attitude in spreads and works. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
... Chiefy we really should have to much for them but for some reason i just find it difficult to be over confident in this team especially away from home. On paper we should beat them but i not sure if our CM can take control of this game. Still though i wouldn't be surprised if we won 3 nil. |
woody
said:
 |
... New signings?? i believe if we get a decent striker in that can score goals and give Carew and Agbonlahor some real competition which may put pressure on them to start scoring goals then we should finish top 6 top 5 idealy. If not i can see villa only reaching 7th maybe even 8th as our form towards this part of the season is appouling. If the blues can splash out some cash and buy in players surely we can, one or two players aint much to ask is it? |
Sean
said:
 |
... ...my view is that we are not signing players this January because of impending new lucrative contract renewals that we need to hand out in the next 6-12 months to the young ambitious players (A.Young, Milner, Gabby, Cuellar) that have got us into this excellent position in the first place and to replace the ageing ones that have got us into this position (Petrov, L.Young, Dunne, Friedel). Some of these players contracts are not even that old, but if we do win a cup and climb the league to 5th, or even maintain 6th, or a villa player shines at the world cup, we need money to help keep them and to replace the ageing ones next summer to keep the spine of the team solid I concede that we also need success to keep these players, so I guess signing in January could increase our chances of success, but I firmly believe the way MON works, a signing could possibly decrease these chances. I think if we lose 2 or 3 players this window (Shorey, Gardner, Reo-Coker/Sidwell, Heskey) then one signing is possible, but I think the only possible signing at the moment that wouldnt disrupt the team would be a big money (15mil+) striker, even though I think we are in more of a need of a creative midfielder but not until the summer, not when the team is reasonably balanced and Milner and Petrov are looking good together. If we dont sign anyone and lose a couple of squadies, I am not worried in the slightest, my ambitions are to see a good team play good football, so even if we get 6th, we have done so by playing more attractive/fluid proper football (not like Brazil, or Arsenal, but better than last 15 years), relying less on luck and set pieces, and getting 6th in a more competitive market, this to me is ample progress, however my main ambition is to watch better football overall, even if we lose the odd game |
Matt T
said:
 |
... Why the big concern? Since when did MON ever spend early in the window? He leaves it late 90% of the time - no reason to expect any different this time. Also, who exactly believes the rubbish the press spit out... 99 times out of a hundred the people we sign we only find out about last minute... presumably we keep a tight ship to save having the prices jacked up. As for all the past nonsense rumours... Let's just stick to seeing what happens... the window isn't closed yet lads (or even half closed) I'm just hoping we sign some kind of creative midfielder type, although it may become a winger to compete on the right what with Jimmy pulling strings in the middle. Why are our supporters seemingly so fickle? I thought maybe it's just because this is my club I support, but people wanting O'Neill out... get over yourself... He's done pretty well so far in my opinion... this isn't 1982 anymore... |
Write comment
Latest Aston Villa Wallpaper
Follow Us
More Posts
- New kit coming and Laursen on Gabby
- Milner back, Webcam staying and we are drawing a line
- The sun is shining, time to cash in on James Milner
- James Milner wants to be Citeh’s Habib Beye
- Peterborough video and Aiden McGeady rumour quashed
- Keane in talks, Petrov talking McGeady, warning for Milner from Downing and fantasy football time
- Sell to buy might not be so bad, new rumours, some news and a new kit
- New kit, Gabby talks the talk and Ashton and Bentley
- Pre-season, speculation, Martin O'Neill and Steve Froggatt
- Someone is in trouble: Aston Villa show interest in South Korea international Cho Yong-hyung
Lucozade Sport on Facebook
Lucozade Sport loves Football as much as we do. They’ve been fuelling Aston Villa players for over 15 years and using this expertise to support amateur Footballers across the country. Visit their Facebook page for expert advice, video clips and Football chat. 
Login
Latest AVFC Blog Tweets
AVFC Blog
avfcblog
- follow:
- updates:2942
- followers:496
Loading...
Last 4 tweets in past 30 days from avfcblog:
People talking about '@avfcblog':
Leaving Comments
Only registered users can post comments without the need for it to be approved. Registration is free and takes two minutes so if you want your comments to show up straight away click here to register.
Get your online avatar
This blog is Gravatar friendly. That basically means, if you use Gravatar and leave a comment, as long as it's the same email address you registered at both sites, we'll show your avatar. It's a cool little site, we like it. Register here! The Internet is Changing
Featured on Aston Villa Central
