Written by Pete Wednesday, 08 July 2009 11:54
The comments and debate around Martin O’Neill’s transfer market dealings and ability (or lack thereof) and the subsequent post by Doc Bowles disagreeing with the criticism compelled me to offer an alternative view as I found myself, for the first time, disagreeing with Doc.
As Doc correctly states, the ‘smash-and-grab’ attack upon Lyon in which the great John Carew was snatched from their clutches in exchange for Milan Baros was a majestic piece of business. One that is only surpassed by the signing of Ashley Young. A significant number of eyebrows were raised when the deal was announced but now the sceptics have turned into green eyed monsters, wishing they had seen what O’Neill saw.
This however, is where the praise stops. Signings such as Sidwell, Reo-Coker, Cuellar and Luke Young, although all good players capable of improving the team/squad are not world beaters and they are not going to ruffle the feathers of the big four. They are especially not going to do this when not given the opportunity to do so.
Sidwell, signed for £5m was rarely given an opportunity. Reo-Coker, a dogged, battling central midfielder was deployed at right back or on the right wing. Luke Young, our long awaited right back who has played his entire career in England and was under our nose and available for £2.5m a year before we paid £6m.
At the time he didn’t fit the bill but a year later for £3.5m more he did. We were so delighted with our new right back that we would, in fact, drop our new £4m left back and play Young in that position instead. This would then mean our new £7.8m centre back could be played at right back. Genius!
Not many people would think up a dastardly plan like that. The signs of a master operator in the transfer market? I think not.
Although those signings are questionable, they might fair okay if given a chance in their natural positions but there are also signings that are, well, just wrong. Marlon Harewood; good workhorse, will always give 110%, but £4m to never be given a proper chance is a terrible signing and it was something that every Villa fan said when it was announced.
Yes, Harewood works hard for the team, but if that’s all we wanted, someone to work hard during the odd game it would have been easier and cheaper for our transfer market genius to simply choose one of the 42,000 people in Villa Park every other weekend. Any one of us would have been honoured and privileged to grace the hallowed turf of Villa Park and run ourselves into the ground.
The same can be said about Zat Knight. Shocking signing. Not good enough to propel us to where we claim to want to be. And it is made worse when we consider we have him instead of Gary Cahill. Someone any Villa fan would love to have in the team now.
There is more; Routledge, Salifou, Sutton, Agathe. People we always knew weren’t up to the job, yet O’Neill signed them and whilst he is busy putting his energies into signing players like that the biggest crime of all is taking place. He is missing out on players that would really drive is forward.
Joleon Lescott £5m, Phil Jagielka £4m, Marouane Fellaini £15m. These three players would walk into our first team. When O’Neill is signing the bumbling oath that is Emile Heskey, David Moyes is getting Jo on loan. No risk, no expense. If he had arrived and flopped we could have sent him back. Had he arrived and scored we would now be gearing up for the Champions league.
Instead we are all hoping and praying that rumours of Carew leaving are wrong as we know he will be replaced in the line-up with Heskey.
So far, I feel Martin O’Neill has been a dumbo in the transfer market. Two good signings in Young and Carew (a deal that was probably instigated by Lyon). An eventual good signing in Petrov and lots of potential in Milner and Davies don’t, I’m afraid, make up for the massive failings in signing poor players, signing players and playing them out of position and missing out on players.
Now is the time for Martin Snow'Neill to stand up and be counted. Now is his time to prove that he is the class of manger many (including myself) think he is. Now is the time for him to prove that he has what it takes to restore this great club to where it should be. Martin my son, it’s over to you.
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Damian
said:
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... We don't normally post responses to posts but the view on O'Neill in the transfer market is divided and this post from Pete, his first, does go some way to putting another position across. I for one like the idea of Cueller and Davies and think Young is a great player but we do need more quality and as Pete points out, this is a good time for the club to stand up and demonstrate their intentions for next season. |
Hadders7
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... I have to say Pete, as superb blog and I have to say, I agree 100%. You cannot disagree with anything in there and if any true Villain did, they are just kidding themselves. I am a great fan of MON...but some things you just cannot defend! Top stuff! |
Johnnyf
said:
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... I fear the worst to be honest, can see an influx of more mediocre players, and I think if we sign Downing, as is strongly rumoured today, I will be physically sick. I think a few more risks need to be taken in the market - someone like veloso or defour may cost quite a lot, but they are technically very good and O'neill should put a lot of effort into signing players of that standard, rather than playing it safe and signing mediocre players who he thinks he can mould a la half the players we are being link with. Lets just hope its paper trash |
scott
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... hi guys im a regular reader on here but this is my first post. the situation is starting to worry me now,weve got noone in and nothings happening fast.we cant wait for august 31st transfers again,we need to get in pronto b4 the 18th in my eyes.now you can summise 2 things from this (a) MON is keeping his targets under wraps because of city and spurs spending power or hes bumbling again.id like to think its a but with his track record im afraid its the latter.8th place here we come!! |
john
said:
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... Whilst I normally feel like i'm the 2nd pea from Doc's pod whenever he posts, and also whilst I think this post is a little more negative than I actually feel about villa/MON, esp when you combine the progress we've made under MON, I do think Pete is actually right... MON isn't all that special in the transfer market. Celtic fans did warn us. |
snake pliskin
said:
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... Agree with the L.Young and Cuellar bit. Cuellar was immense at Rangers, especially in their UEFA Cup (now known as "Lets change the name for no other eason than we can Cup"!!). So, for frigs sake let him play at the position he was bought to fill. Same with Young. He was England RB when we got him, now Glen "i've scored a couple of good goals, but still am pretty dodgy at defending" Johnson has overtaken him. I have the utmost respect for MON and believe he will continue to improve us, but at times he does make some baffling decisions (in his defence, he did quell the Bramble rumour pretty sharpish!!) |
peter haworth
said:
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... Excellent post.100% agree.MON is hopeless in the transfer market. I just cannot understand his decision making,he is inept.The ammount of excellent players he has missed out on is unbelieveable!! |
Ronan Kenny
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... Spot on Pete However i would disagree with you on the sidwell issue, he had chances to show his worth and fell short on most ocasions.A perfect example was the Everton game, he scored a cracker in the first few minutes and was pretty much a no show for the rest of the game. That said good post. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... Nice idea to post this view on things too. I guess I kind of sit right in the middle and I think it's good to have good points along with the bad debated provided there is fair reason behind both points of view. No matter what anyone thinks, I think we would all be more than happy for mon to prove us wrong and sign some tallent a.s.a.p. |
Vijay
said:
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... MON for me has been a total failure in the transfer market, ofcourse Young and Carew were great sigings but not ALL are going to turn our crap! As a man manager and tactician i think MON is one of the best and i was delighted when we got him in but i didnt have a clue how bad he was with signings. This summer is a prime example, we lose 2 of our best players and preseason starts tomorrow and he hasnt got anyone in, how can you explain that? he has had enough time to think about the replacements and time to put deals into place, it seems he has done nothing, this is a big danger, we wont make it to the top 6 next season, it is sad, other clubs are going to take the initiative, mon has to get his finger out and sort the sqaud out, i dont know about you guys but i wont be putting up with the same excuses that the sqaud is too small to cope with 4 competitions! |
snake pliskin
said:
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... Vijay...........Everton & Spuds haven't set the World alight with signings yet either. Outside of Man City, they are probably our two closest rivals for top 5 place. So there is still time for MON to redeem himself |
kieran84
said:
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... Most of The comments i have read on here today have been outright wierd.Its like i am reading a bolton website disguised as a villa one. Keep it going it provides a good amatuer study into the selective minds of infantile lunatics. |
Vijay
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... pliskin mate, i agree with you but then Harry gets going he wont stop! Everton probably dont have much money but today have been linked with a 13million bid for "our" Defour!! |
Paul Egan
said:
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... Firstly, to list some inaccuracies: 1. Lescott was signed before MON took over and would have cost a lot more than £5m if he'd tried to sign him later. Also, it wasn't known if Lescott was fully recovered from a serious knee injury which required the entire joint to be reconstructed. If you remember, MON only had time to squeeze in the signing of Petrov before the window closed. 2. Sutton did a decent job for us when we had no target man. He held the ball up for Gabby when we had no other strikers available. Shame he got injured. Also, he signed on a free so we lost nothing. I think MON is about as effective as Alex Ferguson in the transfer market. Some work out, some are genius and some are duds. He keeps the good signings on (until someone offers £80m for them) and sells the rest. Some more examples for Villa: Genius Signings: Carew - Swap A.Young - £10m Friedel - £2m Worked Out: Petrov - £7m L. Young - £6m Milner - £12m Could go either way: Davies - £10m Cuellar - £9.5m Shorey - £4m Sidwell - Free Reo-Coker - £7.5m Flops: Harewood - £4m Salifou - A bag of boots Routledge - £1m Knight - £4m Carson - Loan Bardsley - Loan Agathe - Free Maloney - £1.5m He tends to get rid of the signings that don't work out, so I don't think it's a problem. Also, they tend to cost less to begin with, so there isn't much risk. I don't have a problem with his signings at all; I just wish he'd buy them earlier in the window! |
oldfart
said:
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... I am sure that MON has severe reservations about Carew's character and bad influence on others on the training field and in the dressing room.The dubious'back' injury and the mystery as to where Carew actually was means I feel he will be traded to Spurs in some capacity. Mom better make sure his next buys appease the fans. |
Tim
said:
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... I agree here ! MON & Lerner need to prove to the Fans that he can buy real quality Players and not just numbers to make up the squad and warm the bench for 9 out of 10 games.I can possibly see the reason for Barry's departure now other than Money !! MON said it was a 5 Year Plan ! well you only have 2 left and at this rate you wont be here much longer after three and a half. Berg is a missed opportunity, Defour another, who's next !Borrowski !! This is like through the Keyhole !! MON & Randy prove us wrong but if you dont then expect the wrath of the Fans when we struggle this coming season. Dont say we did not warn you ! |
kieran84
said:
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... Your right tim europe in two ouot of three seasons is disgraceful after all our succses before he arrived. |
Martin Clabon
said:
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... Hadders 7, who says a true Villan can't disagree? I don't think MON is a genius in the transfer market but I disagree with many points representing the orthodox negative view: - Luke Young was a good signing even if we could have got him more cheaply - Zat Knight is one of the most unfairly criticised players ever at Villa Park. He may not be a great player but he is good on the ball and a good, strong defender most of the time. If (yes a big if) he could cure his lapses of concentrations would be a very good Centre Half. He has been miles better than Cuellar in my opinion although hoping Cuellar will show what fuss is about soon - Milner is a very good player and well worth the fee in these inflated times - Some signings are better than given chance to show and I don't know this isn't the biggest problem for MON, his lack of rotation, dropping players for months on end. I would put Sidwell, Shorey and ReoCoker in this category - Davies is a good Centre Half who has played with injury a lot and unsettled back line which makes him look bad - Heskey really hasn't done much to justify the level of criticism he gets - People don't get how hard it is to sign decent players who will fit in with the squad, ie £11m bid for Zaki turned down (got Heskey instead), Liverpool demanding £10M or whatever for Carson from us and selling to Baggies for £2 or £3 Million. You can not just flash cash and sign or if you do you pay well over the odds - A lot of players posters want us to sign are either out of our reach/ unavailable, mosts posters haven't seen in any depth, damaged goods/ unsuitable or just not as good as the clamouring masses make out, Downing no goals last season and hardly any assists. How may did Tuncay or Martins score? I'm not saying all rosey by any means and if we don't sign some serious quality players I expect us to finish around 8th this season. I just hate the negative consensus, being told what to think, assuming MON is an idiot and geniuses on this site thinking it's all so easy. |
Harry Stanton
said:
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... Good blog IMO Pete. I don't necessarily agree with all you've got there but much better than "O'Neil's a twat, get rid, why don't we buy Ronaldo, why can't he win the league... etc" |
In MON I Still Trust!! (well sort of!!)
said:
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... When it's down in print, you realise how badly he has done in the transfer market. I agree he has instilled some flare and hard work in our team but we are still way off the top four and he has spent a lot of money. Very worrying! All obvious quality signings that are available never seem to arrive?!?! This is a question that needs answering?!? Is it that he is just not interested in the obvious or is he just poor at selling the club? It's proven he's willing to pay over the odds if needs be (Milner is a prime example) but he doesn't do it for targets we all agree will improve our team. Surely we can't all be wrong? Surely Sergio Asenjo (Spain U21 keeper. Excellent prospect and can challenge Guzan for No1 spot in the future) Naughton, Distin, Haangland, Drenthe, Bentley, Huddlestone, Defour and Van Nistelrooy would be willing to join us and we have enough money to get them? They are the sort of players that will instantly improve the team and take us forward. With Knight, Osbourne, Salifou, Gardner and Harewood leaving (plus the money we got for Barry) would be around a £40mill net spend which I believe is available and is less than we spent last year. Also leaves us with great cover in all positions. Why does MON not see this or am I just living in a dream world? |
Doc
said:
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... H Pete, Not sure we're in that much disagreement! My point was that the stinging criticism of O'Neill's transfer activity is overdone: he has made some very fine signings (Carew, Milner and both Youngs) and one that has come good (Petrov) - but he has shot himslef in the foot by not really giving Reo-Coker, Sidwell or Shorey the chances to develop, settle and grow in their natural positions...even when the squad was stretched to its limits. You make very much the same points. If we're going to castigate him for the Heskey, Routledge, Knight and Harewood signings, that would be pathetic. The very best screw up: Juan Sebastian Veron, anybody? Fernando Morientes? Andrei Schevchenko? |
colm tarpey
said:
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... Agree with nearly all of what you said Sid (except the Zat Knight bit, a man mountain like that, a Villa supporter, playing at centre half...who turns his back to shots inside the box, makes me angry) I think convincing top player to come and live in Birmingham is more difficult..... think of the salarys the barcodes and sunderland and in the past Leeds have had to offer just to get guys to go north.. We are a fantastic club, but we have been dormant for a while now...Part of the 5 year plan is to raise our profile,facilites and quaility on the park.... MON wants us to be in the champions leauge as much as any of us...but he wont us into the ground to get there.... I agree that his tactics have been headscratching, and he nearly always makes substitues to late or not at all...but he is getting far too much stick here lads, far too much and it's not warranted. |
Andy Young
said:
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... I don't think Maloney was a flop. When he got a decent run in the team he always seemed to deliver. It wasn't O'Neill's fault that he couldn't settle in England. I also think it's pretty contradictory when people say they have "100% respect" for O'Neill and then just moan about his transfer dealings. At this moment in time I probably have 94% respect for O'Neill. The remaining 6% leaves me perfectly entitled to question his inactivity and dodgy selections. |
toastman
said:
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... game of cat and mouse. I have a funny feeling managers do tend to play a game of cat and mouse with each other. Spurs need to sell players to raise funds and they want downing but need to raise funds, but we don't so you get downing before spurs as they have to sell first, then you get your man (bentley) I'm sure this goes on a lot in the game. |
snake pliskin
said:
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... Vijay...Hopefully the taxman and Fraud squad will catch up with fire damaged lego face before he gets to do his stuff!! |
AVJon
said:
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... Rubbish post. You're major criticism is that he didn't buy players that could oush the top four. Two things to say to that: Neither did David Moyes - in fact he was lucky to finish in fifth at the end. Second, Villa can't attract those players yet, and so have to build a team capable of nicking a top four finish. Based on O'Neill's obviously meagre budget, he's done well enough. I can't remember now, but my memory of Sutton before he got injured is that he was excellent. |
Janne
said:
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... I´m also somewhere in the middle and agree with both posts. I´m however getting more and more puzzled about MONs signings or lack of signings. You get the feeling that the transferwindow takes MON by surprise every time. I´m pretty sure he knew that Barry would leave. Why not show the supporters we mean business by having the replacement already done and dusted? What´s he waiting for? We fans know of course nothing what´s going on behind the scene but all the more reason to show us the ambition and direction of this great club. |
Christian
said:
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... If anyone thinks Friedel was a 'genius' signing they obviously didnt watch the same goalkeeper as me last season. Indecisive and slow to react. Showing his age. Having said that, a lot, lot better than Carson!! |
Tom
said:
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... Hi guys, this is my first post, been reading this page for a while. There's a lot of decent stuff said on here about MON in the transfer window. However I'd just like to register that I couldn't disagree more with the post above. When MON took over, we were languishing near the bottom. What decent player would have wanted to come to us? Harewood, Knight, etc etc steadied the ship. Workhorses that would quickly slip into MON's tactics, and keep us up. We got Young cos he was a relative unknown. Each year the signings have improved to match where we are in the league, MON is obviously not going to do a Spurs, Leeds etc and shell out massive amounts for the sake of it. His is a work in progress....not a lot we can do about that. I think the bigger issue is where he's playing the people he's bought not who he's bought. There will be signings, Everton haven't got anyone yet, neither have Spurs. Man City are finding it easier cos they can just chuck cash at the problem. Have some perspective people! Who have Chelsea bought? I hope to see a return to 4-5-1 and if u look at the players we've been linked with, Bentley, J Cole, Downing, Tuncay perhaps that suggests we will... In MON I trust. |
Jason
said:
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...Could go either way: Davis was only £8million Cuellar had a £7.6million buy out clause so we didn't pay £9.5mil Sidwell wasn't free - he cost £5.5million (Chelsea got him for free) I wouldn't disagree with the way the list is split up - but I would say, anyone who cost £12million for Aston Villa had better work out. Lennon was available last summer for £8million and is now rated at £20mil, so while I'm glad we have Milner, I think we don't always get the best out of the transfer market - especially when you look at other clubs (Everton and Arsenal) who spend less but get more. Did you know Arsenal’s average net spend during the premiership is less than £5million a year. (Partially due to selling players like overmars and henry), but even so it shows that a manager who is great in the transfer market can achieve premiership titles. I only worry about O’Neill because like everyone says - he gets the best out of his players. We overachieve if anything with our squad. That leaves us in a difficult situation if Man U or another top club (or England) came in for his services. He might get us Europe every year, but if he left he wouldn't leave a team behind capable of achieving this under a lesser manager. |
Christian
said:
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... Everton have signed Peterlin and Jo. And have a had a confirmed bid for Defour turned down, allegedly now returning with £13m. So they are signing, and they haven't lost their star centreback and central midfielder. |
IrishVillan
said:
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... Don't really agree at all to be honest... We're not feckin' Real Madrid are we??! MON has brought in what he's had to to make us more solid and to slowly keep building (Barry excluded), and he's done a fine job so far...6th twice in row, Europe for a second season. What is all the negativity about??? What exactly are we supposed to have acheived by now? Champions League winners? People need a seriously reality check on here. As for the signings, HOW ARE THEY ANY DIFFERENT TO ANY OTHER TEAM!!!??? A few good ones (Carew, Young, Petrov, Milner etc..) A few OK ones (Sidwell, NRC, Cuellar, Heskey) A few bad ones (Salifou, Harewood, Routledge etc..) Show me any team in the PL that couldn't put signings into those 3 categories. The likes of Spurs and Mercenary City go out and spend ridiculous amounts of the kind "big-name" players, that everyone here seems to want, and what happens?? Who finished above them? All there "superstars" look average to me every time I see them in the PL, apart from a bit of Robinho magic (which doesn't make up for the fact that he doesn't even turn up for away games), or a half decent pass from Modric, who like shite when he first joined. And wow, Everton have Jo, what a signing he was for Man City, if we had him everyone would be complaining about him, loan or not, so he scored a few goals for Everton...Harewood scored some goals for us. Big deal. |
Ramon Maklouf
said:
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... I will say this, and only this.. Luke Young has been one of our best players this season.. At 6.5mill he is worth every penny.. Maybe we should have signed him at 2.5 but to criticise based on that reasoning is not far on the value L Young has brought to this team, and does not necessarily make MON a dud.. He needs to move quicker, but to compare his good signings to bad signings is not really fair.. We almost got chumps league with this terrible footballer FFS.. Maybe some of you 'fans' should do a good v bad table regarding every other manager in the premier league, and Villa's past managers.. How does MON fair now? Some of you fans disgust.. I question whether your blood is claret and blue, especially if you live in England.. UTV |
Ed Villa
said:
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... I agree with PaulE. Thats a good list. 50% good 50% bad. I would say most managers have this kind of record. |
Paul Bennett
said:
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... I said in a post yesterday that we cant focus on the signings of Harewood etc because they were the only type of players we could attract at the time. Noone wanted to come and play for us. MON has raised our profile over the last few years so much that we can now talk about big names coming to VP. I think it really is too early to jump on his back until we have seen who we bring in this summer. UTV |
Jinksy
said:
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... Excellent Post & spot on in 99% of what you have said. MON & Learner have until 31st August to prove they are up to the job & have the ambition to take our great club to the next level. If after this date we haven't got the 5 top class & 5 squad players we need then i'm sorry but i for 1 will turn & call for both heads. Can i add PaulE - You say Brad Freidel is a genius signing??? If old slow and past it is genius then i agree. |
Ed Villa
said:
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... agree with you 100% PaulVilla82. We are all frustrated at the lack of activity but its still so early. As I have said on a previous post we have to be very careful that this does not turn into the situation spurs had when Martin Jol was there. I would argue that if he was still in charge Spurs may of had a 4th place finish by now. |
Paul Bennett
said:
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... Oh and by the way noone was slating Harewood as a signing when he came off the bench and earnt us points in his 1st season. Feed the Hare and he will score we were all singing! All of MONs signings have played there part (apart from Routledge who cost about a mars bar and Salifou possibly 2 mars bars) and now its time to take it to the next level. UTV |
David Lewis
said:
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... I'd just like to point out one thing... Just because we have heard nothing it doesn't mean that MON is doing nothing. His ability can be questioned, but everyone seems to be questioning him this summer, whilst nobody actually knows what is going on behind the scenes. I'm not saying he's brilliant, I'm not saying he's poor, I'm merely saying too many football fans jump the gun with criticism and praise. Lets judge him at the start of the season, rather than now! |
jk92923
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... ceart agut irishvillian! i agree 100%! it would just be nice to have something happen to keep us buzzing instead of turning so clearly negative every day since june 1st. MON has us fans snapping at each other....we need a snew subject....like how a new signing would fit in after seeing him paraded around in a villa shirt... |
Aero-For-Villa
said:
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... On the signings... Luke Young - is a world beater in eyes. Hes a top class full back and could walk into the majority of back 4s in the Premiership. Why hes not in the England team is beyond me! Yes i agree with you on we could have signed him for much cheaper, but maybe he hadnt proved himself to MON by that stage and thats why he didnt by him! Reo Coker - Great buy at the time and could still prove to be an integral member of the team. Hes been a captain since he was a teenager. He could be our new captain too if he becomes more consistent in the center midfield. Agathe - Free wasnt he? Maybe MON just needed to get a few numbers into a tiny squad to have a hope of a good first season. He was gone by the next year wasnt he. Sutton - Same as Agathe... All in all, i think MON has done a good job in the transfer window. Except for Zat and a few others, and letting Cahill go! Cuellar - Was sensational for Rangers. MON took a gamble on him and it hasnt paid off... yet! He could still turn out to be a good bit of business. |
artball
said:
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... avjon - i agree with you about the 'meagre budget'. my thought for some time has been the stability of randy lerners fortune in the american economic meltdown - maybe? janne - a signal of intent and ambition i think would have been to replace Laursen and Barry immediately- with 2 quality signings! christian1983 - agree about Friedel, he is slow and blunt. |
Ramon Maklouf
said:
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... Continuing what you are saying PaulVilla 82, I also don't think too many people slate signings when they are made, but more the tactical decisions to employ certain players at certain times, in highly questionable positions. If players like Routledge, the Hare and especially the younger youth players are, or were given more of a run in the first team they may have been worth the dosh. I still think this is the case with Sidwell and NRC in their preferred positions. I am one of MON's biggest fans, BUT I must admit that some of his decisions make me scratch my head. Hopefully we can use this is as a lesson more then anything.. |
Martin Clabon
said:
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... Just saw this come up on News Now, thought Simeon would be getting excited until I read it. Still good to know there is a site more out of date and uninformative than the AVFC OS, even had today's date on it! Former Charlton Athletic boss Alan Curbishley is being hotly tipped to take over as the new manager of Aston Villa. Curbishley, who quit The Valley after 15 years at the end of last season, is believed to be among the top candidates set to replace David O’Leary who left the Birmingham club earlier this week. O’Leary left following an inquiry by the Villa board into a statement supposedly issued by the players criticising chairman Doug Ellis. |
Josh
said:
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...There is more; Routledge, Salifou, Sutton, Agathe. People we always knew weren’t up to the job This was the season we finished 11th, after previously finishing 16th. They were players who were cheap and offered a quick boost to a team lacking numbers and ability. Sutton was good until he went blind (or something..) Agathe was only there for 3 months and was free, Routledge cost 1.5mn and was worth a gamble as he does have potential, Salifou i have no idea what happened there, but hey he did well for the reserves...  I would say i am happy with almost all signings Martin has made. I don't mind the sale of Gary Cahill, i'd love for him to have stayed but what's the point in keeping a player who wants to leave, we've seen that with Barry. Maloney was a good signing but Martin didn't want to play him for some reason. Even 2 goals in 45 minutes against Chelsea wasn't enough to get regular football. I'm of the opinion that unless a player scores a ton of own-goals or upsets team morale then they cannot be a bad signing. They add numbers, options and ability to the squad. I don't know why you're complaining about Young, Sidwell, Shorey etc. If we're signing players for 5mn and can get 6th without having to play them much, that's more of a sign that we're doing well, rather than MON being shit in the transfer window. |
Mike Carter
said:
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... This might be an unpopular view, but Zat Knight was not a shocking signing at all. If you add up all the mistakes or bad games had by all of our defenders, Curtis Davies would come top of the list. Knight had a couple of nightmares in Europe but overall he was actually pretty average. I'd be happy for him to be a squad player next season. Fans bash him all the time but I can't help feel like they're a little uneducated. Either they're going purely by his past reputations or they didn't watch him play last season. |
Nick
said:
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... I dont understand all the fuss about getting the new signings in before pre season starts, yes it would be nice but it is not that important. Without injuries our first team is quite capable of beating Wigan and playing well until the new signings do settle in. My only concern is that the players are signed not when they sign. |
JSINGH
said:
 |
... Ok football-rumour.co.uk is one of the most heap on sh*t sites I've ever seen. The amount of bull on there makes me sick. I just read that Aston villa will not be signing in this transfer window.  |
Skab0y
said:
 |
... it is obvious to all connected to AVFC that the squad needs strenthing. we had a small squad before Ba££y left for Citeh and Laurson retired. Now is the time we need to invest and im sure Martin Slow Neill is fully aware. the reasons we are not buying are set out below 1 - Birmingham is not as attractive as manchester/london? 2 - we dont have the funds? 3 - cant offer the wages? 4 - 50% Tax bracket now for high earners (more attractive to play abrord?) 5 - Martin Slow Neill is just not good at the wheeling and dealing? Ska |
Rich Clark
said:
 |
... Doc the difference is...veron, shevchenko and morientes are all foreign and cost ALOT of money... heskey, harewood, routledge, knight, sidwell, reo-coker are ALL english, played in the premiership before, and didnt cost a fraction of the fore-mentioned lot. so they have NO excuse whatsoever for being crap. aside from the fact that MON shouldnt have bought them. atleast taking a risk in buying a shevchenko, or veron, you still get some quality (if you watched alot of football during the time those players played in the prem - then youd see that theyd quite often pull something special out the bag) can you really see heskey scoring a quality goal against chelsea, as shevchenko did against us? no. thats the difference. id MUCH rather have shevchenko on the bill than heskey. people forget how much money is wasted whilst buying these crap players. the money saved could have easily bought 2 quality players that would improve the squad. and i havent sene anybody mention the players he has sold on...im pretty sure that 100% of villa fans would love to see cahill and davis back. MON is bad in the transfer market. simple as. the difference between villa now and 4 years ago is one man. randy lerner. the sooner people realize this, the better. |
true villa
said:
 |
... breaking news in the birmingham mail, villa are ready to sign tuncy and downing within 24 hours apparantly!! |
Villain down South
said:
 |
... I have to disagree and all this moaning on this blog about O'Neil is starting to become very tiresome these days. If someone is not upset with his formations then they are upset with his transfer policy. From reading this post, we're not happy with half the players at the club and don't like O'Neil's selections in certain positions. I am confused by people's support for the club these days reading this blog. |
BIG_FAT_RON
said:
 |
... Great post - said what many of us have been thinking for months. This has to be the most depressing closed season since O'Dreary left. 6 weeks into the window, no signings, and linked with all manner of shite. MON lost me with the UEFA-Moscow fiasco. He really needs to pull something out the bag this closed season to prove me wrong, and I so hope he does. |
Doc
said:
|
... Rich Clark It seems you're thinking is upside down. You would be seething if O'Neill spent £20m plus on a big name who delivered nothing. Villa simply can't afford to take those sorts of risks. However, offering chances to less expensive players is an acceptable gamble imo. |
Andy Young
said:
|
... The article on the Birmingham Mail website looks identical to the one in the Middlesbrough Gazette. Lazy journalism. |
RichT
said:
 |
... Lets hope the Downing/Tuncay rumor is true. It would be a great boost for the guys returning to training to see some new faces (Downing could keep Freddie company in the treatment room). How are Ashley, Big John and Co going to feel if they come back to an empty dressing room? They'll make a great 5-a-side team! |
Barry Davies
said:
 |
... What the Bl00dy hell is going on here! MON is one of the best managers in the premier league, even rival fans will tell you that much. Sure he's made a few signings and played a few tactics that didn't work, but then again name me a top manager that hasn't done these things? If you really believe that MON isn't the right man for the job than please tell me who is?! I get the impression that almost all of the negative and reactionary comments that are written on these villa boards usally come from younger fans, and those who have only recently joined the villa faithful. If you are one these people then you seriously need to get some perspective. Believe me, we've not had this good for a long time. Let's not bicker anymore. |
Rich Clark
said:
|
... Doc Ash and milner were both expensive risks (or atleast expensive for a club with our funds) all i want is to see more of these signings made. or spending the same amount of money on proven quality, its not too much to ask for, weve been told several times the money is there, RL is a billionaire making millions per year off two massive franchises. we could use this new TV funding alone to buy atleast 1-2 quality players. but MON is simply incapable alot of people talk about MON as if hes a god or if hes achieved great things in his managerial career, lets all get this straight, he won 2 cups with leicester at a time they had a few decent players in their prime (and other clubs were alot smaller than now, with half the amount of money) and won a few things with celtic, when, lets be honest, if any of us went and took charge of celtic, we'd be able to compete. the difference in this club is randy lerner, we'd be in the same position right now if we had MON or O'Leary for the past 3 years. we need a manage who can offer a backup plan to the "hoof it up to the big man" tactic. somebody who can make a tactical substitution before its too late. somebody who can intelligently look at the way we are playing in december. and sign players in january that would aid that style. rather than changing tactics, formation, mid-way through teh season when we are lying in 3rd position. somebody who signs sufficient players (whether on loan or not) so he cant use the excuse that the squad is too small. there are alot of negativities in martin o'neills management ability. the only plus is the fact that he can get the best out of crap players. motivate them, and talk up to the press nicely. it takes alot more to be a great, all-round manager, just ask fergie |
Araujo
said:
 |
... A lot of good points and I reiterate that 2 or 3 of his signings probably haven't shown there full potential because they are constantly played out of position. In addition though, who exactly have we missed out on so far in this window?? |
Paul Bennett
said:
|
... People bleat on about MON selling Cahill and Davis a lot. At the end of the day he gave them the choice to stay and fight for a place or try there luck elsewhere. They opted to move on as did Maloney. I suppose people will start saying he shouldnt have sold Barry next. What are you supposed do when a player doesnt want to play for you? Find one who does. UTV |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Can't say I am excited by Downing or Tuncay, more pleased with Tuncay I guess as he would give us something different but not, I don't think a stack of goals. As we have been on the verge of signing Bentley for weeks I am not holding breath. Whoever signs i will get behind them once they are in Claret and Blue. I would prefer Johnson to Downing at about half the price |
JohnnyMcLeod
said:
 |
... One of the greatest pieces of business done by a Villa manager was when Brian Little signed Draper, Savo, and Southgate within a week of each other. He rebuilt the spine of the team in one go and we started the season like a rocket, finished 4th, and won the league cup, all in all a great season. We need exactly the same injection of talent again but I fear it will be mediocre dribs and drabs again. I know we have to stick with MON if only to show we can keep a manager for more than 3 years (1st time since Saunders), but it is very frustrating and we've had bugger all to cheer since about January. Come on O'Neill we deserve a lift. |
Altan Kargaci
said:
 |
... When do the squad numbers get announced ? That is always a good way of seeing how many players might be brought in . I seem to remember last year at least three of the first eleven numbers not being taken up and then subsequintly (sp) being filled with L Young , Milner and Cuellar. |
Rich Clark
said:
|
... Araujo youve just pointed out another point i failed to mention. the fact that he will openly buy two £8Million players, and play them out of position happily. i've come to the conclusion that MON is either incapable as a manager. or simply just insane. |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Johnny M,surely Draper and Savo were a disappointment, I must admit being pleased with signing these but not thinking they ever lived up to expectations |
Barry Davies
said:
|
... Rich Clark - Don't you think it's a bit early in the summer transfer window for all this negativity. If the window shuts and he hasn't strengthed the squad with a reasonable amount of quality then I too will be aiming some negativity in his direction. Who do you think we need as a manager? Do you not agree that almost every one of the top mangers (throughout history) has made signings that didn't work out, sold players that they shouldn't of, and played the wrong tactics on occasion? |
Evan
said:
 |
... I totally agree with Petes post. Most of the signings, and the use of those signings have been completely baffling. I would also add Brad Friedel to the list of questionable signings - much better than Scott Carson but far from convincing compared to his Blackburn days, plus we paid a decent amount for someone edging towards 40. Fingers crossed for much, much better signings (soon) this summer, especially after losing my two favourite players... |
Altan Kargaci
said:
|
...breaking news in the birmingham mail, villa are ready to sign tuncy and downing within 24 hours apparantly!! Firstly £20m seems a lot for these two , maybe 15-16 at a push. Secondly if Downing is brought in, this would get the alarm bells ringing regarding Ashley Youngs future at Villa park.  |
runtingz
said:
 |
... at least we are not the only fans who are panicing about buying players i saw today on the arsenal blog comments from there fans bleeting on about wenger not buying melo and how they should get rid of him puts things into contexed a bit |
Rich Clark
said:
|
... astonguerrilla sure, ofcourse they have, but in the 3 short years MON has been our manager, he has made far more mistakes, mis-calculations, and simply damn right strange decisions, than any of those other top division managers. who would i choose? david moyes or arsene wenger. without doubt. sure, wenger signs alot of foreign players, but motivates them and gets the best out of them, in a similar way o'neill does. BUT he buys them for pittance, and they become great players. im sure youve seen the arsenal fans bragging that we have signed heskey for the same amount they signed van persie etc etc etc. i dont like the guy as a personality, he moans far too much, but i think if i was an arsenal fan...id be able to look beyond that and as for david moyes, hes built everton up to be a fantastic club, with next to no money whatsoever, given the money we have im pretty sure everton would be a regular fixture in the champions league. they have a plan b and plan c, he can talk the talk, motviates his players, they all love him and want to play for him. he'd be my outright choice |
David Lewis
said:
|
... Draper was awesome in his first season and good until he bleached his hair... from then on he went down hill... coincidentally, this ran in tandem with him getting old and slow |
IrishVillan
said:
|
... The playing players out of position doesn't mean he's incapable as a manager. The Luke Young at left-back debacle was because Shorey was seriously off form and was a liability, therefore having to have one of the centre-backs go out to right-back (just like Mellberg did), and when we only had 2 centre-backs available, we would drastically have to push NRC or Gardner out there. Now at the time I would have preferred to have risked Shorey when only 2 CBs available and not have a midfielder fill in at RB, but MON obviously knows better because he's the manager of AVFC and well, I am not. Also EVERY MANAGER plays players out of position from time to time, once again its not one of these "only MON does this" scenarios. Jesus H Christ, I would love to see the kind of comments on this place had we been relegated. |
TheJohnnyVillan
said:
 |
... I can't see that we have missed out on any signings so far in the transfer window. Could anyone hazzard a guess at why that may be?? Im sure most, if not all of MON's targets have had offers from other clubs as well as Villa. How do we know that the ball isn't in the player's/agent's/club's court at the moment? In my opinion, im sure MON will have bid for all of his targets by now, and will be in the picture until the players/clubs make their decisions. It's wrong to assume that MON is being inactive when no-one can say they know what is happening. |
Harry Stanton
said:
|
...who would i choose? david moyes or arsene wenger. without doubt. Brilliant, problem solved. Let's get Moyes or Wenger then. |
Scrumpy
said:
 |
... I may be in a minority of one, but I'm going to defend Salifou... I've seen him play three times in person (so this is based on what I've actually seen - not read in papers or on some dodgy website/forum). I can't remember how much he cost or from where. I think he was touted (by his agent no doubt!) as the next Zidane (it may have even been Wenger that said good things about him). So he cost peanuts and is clearly there as a squad player. I saw him play away to Prague (giving one of the regulars - Petrov? a rest), and he was one of the best on the pitch. As the defensive midfielder, he gave good protection and looked good on ball. Same with the game in Moscow. In fact until half time when he went off injured and we had to revert to 4-4-2, he again looked one of the best on the pitch. Wagner Love and co didn't get a real sniff for the first half, and with a little more time on the ball in a 5 man midfield Salifou looked good. The other game was FA Cup replay against Donny, and again he played well, and freed Sidwell to have one of his best games of the season (before injury in Moscow pretty much ended it - and effectively ended our ability to play 4-5-1). So a squad player, who plays three (or more?) games in the cups (Euro or FA/League) and gives first choice players a rest, and when he does come into the side (especially Euro games where he has more time on the ball) has one possible two man of the match appearances, doesn't seem too bad a buy in my book. He's also young (22?) obviously has some talent (otherwise he would have gone by now) is probably still adjusting to PL (if it took experienced player like Petrov two years, it could take youngster even longer) and may still come good - even if it is in our second team for the Europa Daf Cup. Here endeth the Salifou defence...flame away! ps: Don't believe everything/anything you read in papers or websites - experience of last few years would show its 99% made up BS!! BTW this defence is in the 1% :-) |
woodinho
said:
 |
... Great post mate. For 2 years I've been saying there is something not right with MONs transfer strategy, and for 2 years I've been begging him to prove me wrong. Unfortunately he still hasn't. And with a day or so until pre season training starts he has, in fact, gone and proved me right... again! Slow is an understatement to describe MONs transfer dealings, for example, if Bentley can come out and say he is in talks with us then why the f**k have we not had him put pen to paper yet??? The player obviously wants to come so why not be "Pre(f**kin)pared" for once, and get the f**ker in b4 its too late and we end up buying more dross... again! Its almost like he is sooooo convinced he has to do thing the old fashioned way that it actually does us more harm than good! Its like every player has to be a MON pleaser and not a crowd pleaser. He always seems to go for the "hard worker but shit" player, the "can play a good square pass but never a defence splitting through ball" player, the "can run, but unfortunately not with a football at his feet" player. Our weaknesses on the pitch are so strikingly obvious but because MON shelters himself away dreaming of the "days of old" he misses the bus... again and again! Wow that feels better, been holding that in for a few weeks now trying to give the bloke a chance, but he missed that too... again! |
Filo
said:
 |
... I notice that whenever there is criticism of Martin O'Neill the comparison always falls on David Moyes. Yes David Moyes has done a better job with Everton that MON has at Villa and yes I would gladly swap the two but thats not going to happen. But would you swap any other manager outside of the top 4 for O'Neill? I certainly wouldn't. So quit your moaning and lets get behind the manager. Most of the Villa fans that post on this forum deserve a whinger like O'Leary more than a winner like MON. |
Barry Davies
said:
|
... Rich Clark - I agree that both Moyes and Wenger are managers of the highest quality, although I doubt that Wenger could be considered a serious option for us! Moyes has definitely proven himself to be ever-so-slightly more successful than MON over the last two seasons (and fair play to him in doing so with a limited budget). But remember Moyes has been at the Everton helm for 7 years now and his first three seasons ended with a 7th, 17th, and 11th place finish. MON has definitly had more success in his first three seasons. Patience is defineitly in order I feel. |
stephen
said:
 |
... how many of us actually realised that the transfer window opened at the end of the season....i always thought it was july 1st to be honest...TO MUCH FOOTIE MANAGER |
Mike F
said:
 |
... We all agree that Martin is a quality manager- the problem is that last year we were a small squad unable to compete in Euorpe (because of the size of the squad!) There will be no excuses for Martin if we are forced to field a weak team based on lack of depth. |
Paul Egan
said:
|
... Scrumpy - I think the only thing wrong with Salifou is that he doesn't have the sense of urgency needed for the pace of the PL. He just reacts too slowly. If we'd loaned him out he would have had the experience he needs to learn the pace of the game. I agree with you on his ability though - brilliant passer of the ball. Just as good as Barry in that respect. If he had Reo-Coker's pace and aggression he'd be very decent. It just hasn't really worked out for him and I doubt we'll see him offered a new contract. Shame. |
Paul Egan
said:
|
... Incidentally, surely you judge transfer policy on the progress the team makes? Ultimately, that's what transfers are for. I agree with the Doc. |
Matthew Clark
said:
 |
... I love how most of Martins signings seem to be to build up numbers and yet we still have a ridiculously small squad! Also, PaulE, Friedel wasn't a genius singing, he was a good one (also my brothers noticed how now if you shoot to his left you've pretty much scored) To claim Petrov has worked out after one good season in, what is it now? 4 seasons? at 7 million? Thats not working out. And to also claim milner at 12mn after a rubbish season has worked out, you should be ashamed. Shorey could go either way? We paid 4mn for a left back our manager would rather play half our defence out of position to avoid using. Thats a failure. £7.5mn for a midfielder we aren't even gonna use in Reo-Coker? And Sidwell may have been free but he is also a failure as he has hardly played, and when he has, he's been rubbish. Watch more games in future. |
jamie1308
said:
 |
... some of these comments about MON are such bullsh**. we have finished 6th for the past two seasons. compared to DO'L (nob) or taylor we are doing well. Some of the football we played in the 1st half of last season was awesome. ask any other fans. we ran out of steam because of lack of depth in our squad. which i believe MON is doing his best to sort out for this time around. he will bring the right players in. i think as fans we should support the guy not slate him, especially before this season has even started. UTV |
Gaz 74
said:
 |
... I reckon MON has been lined up for AF replacement at Man U. I think there isnt much money available for us to spend and MON will not rant and rave cos he doesnt want to upset our American owner,who is friends(so ive been told)with the manure owners? that would'nt go down well at all! I just hope im wrong and we do buy at least a couple.I drive from Norwich every week and have done so for the last 12 years since moving here.Please MON,I buy the best car i can afford for my trips so i dont miss a game,dont buy old bangers Martin,they only let you down. |
callum
said:
 |
... damo what do you think on us signing jermaine jenas i think he would be a great addition |
Josh
said:
|
...
*raises hand* |
Panos
said:
 |
..."It's absolutely fantastic to be back and with a club such as this. This is a fantastic challenge. I am well aware of the history of this football club. Trying to restore it to its days of former glory seems a long way away - but why not try? It is nearly 25 years since they won the European Cup but that is the dream." Just throwing this into the discussion...hope you people don't mind. |
Panos
said:
|
... callum, whats the relevance panos O'Neill is an honest man and he probably wants to see Villa to succeed as much as any one of you here. He is not perfect, but I don't think, Villa can find a better manager to replace him...that's all. |
davo
said:
 |
... I don't remember seeing Pete on here before and yet his very first post is not a comment in the blog but a full posting. Is he really completely new to this site Damian? |
Steve Badger
said:
 |
...there are alot of negativities in martin o'neills management ability. the only plus is the fact that he can get the best out of crap players. motivate them, and talk up to the press nicely. it takes alot more to be a great, all-round manager, just ask fergie What absolute rubbish. How long was SAF at Manure before he won anything? |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Bloody hell!! We've turned down a formal bid from Spuds for Carew. We'd better not sell him or I'll have the right hump. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Just saw that Carew story on News Nows too. There have been forum postings on another Villa site about it since 9.30 this morning, yet there is nothing on the Sky Website and no link to any story. I havn't seen it on Sky Sports either? Is it a wind up? Story - "According to Sky Sports News Spurs have formally put a bid in for Villa and Norway striker John Carew a bid that Villa have turned down. Not much detail at the moment, according to The Times Appy Arry was willing to use Jermaine Jenas and David Bentley as part of the deal." |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Hmmm looking into it, the times story appeared yesterday, in the same way all this transfer speculation is appearing randomly. It's nothing more than a rumour which sky sports probably repeated as a rumour, nothing official in it at all and like I said before, not even mentioned on Sky Sports website under Villa or Spurs. It's bollox, just someone trying to get website hits. |
Jake
said:
 |
... I can't get my head round the people who seem convinced that downing coming would mean Ashley leaving. Surely if downing comes in then either milner or Ashley move I to the centre of the park and the other one plays in the centre? I know people have short memories but does no one remember the end of the season before last when Ashley was playing behind the striker? 4-5-1 anyone? |
TrueVillan
said:
 |
... news now carryin story about carew, seems spuds will only deal with us if we send a player the other way wax face stating today, that if no decent targets can be bought he will go into the season with what he has this could be the reason for the bentley delay, ha wont release until he can buy a replacement of swap kinds scotches the robbie keene rumour though, otherwise why not swap him for carew we CANNOT lose anymore quality players, even to try and strenghen, it would be one step forward, one step back! |
THE AV VILLAN
said:
 |
...... Great Minds Think Alike Mate!!!  |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Well said Jake, Downing coming would just give us more options. At the moment if Ash moves inside we don't really have much else to put out wide, especially now that Barry has gone. We need good squad players like downing, love him or hate him, he can do a job at the top level. |
Ben
said:
 |
... MON is without doubt one of the worst managers I can think of when it comes to transfer dealings. Why on earth doesn't Randy get somebody in to deal with this side of the club. I can't believe yet again pre-season starts and he's done nothing. We're down on numbers again. I for one think Villa don't have money to spend. Why do we dither when it comes to getting offers in for the likes of Defour (Great player) but we'll miss out. Naughton will miss out as we've taken too long and now others are sniffing and the list goes on. Some of the players we've been linked with are terrible and I hope its only paper talk Crouch, Downing etc. Why have we not been scouting around the globe? I for one think its down to the fact we don't have a scouting network even though the club say we do. I think on what happened at the tail end of last season the loss GB & ML we'll be lucky to finish top 10 next year. As we've done NOTHING to solve it. I was really happy when Villa got MON in but I for one do not think he's the man to take us to the next level. I'd love to be proved wrong but apart from Ash and Milner I think he's dealings in the market are so poor. |
kohoutek, home now and name still not working properly
said:
 |
... For all Moyes' supposed brilliance, he and MON have obviously been neck and neck the last two seasons. So, I don't know how brilliant he really is. Seven years in, getting the same results as MON, basically, three years in. So, Moyes is brilliant, and MON's an idiot. That adds up. Wenger...He's a rare bird. In US sports, there's often a "general manager," which is the equivalent of "director of football" or what have you. They're paid a lot. Their job is to spot talent, make the deals, etc. The ones who stand head and shoulders above the rest...very rare. They're revered. And they most often can't produce the same magic for different teams. Big management argument in sports in the US is, guess what? Should the manager/coach have all control? Do the players run the game? Is it too much coaching/running the team as well as finding the talent, etc.? Sound familiar? Basically, here's the deal: Most of these pro players are about the same level of quality. Various factors make one seem a bit better than the other at certain points in time...setup, players surrounding them, confidence, whatever. The real difference-makers are few and far between. Everyone is trying to find the next diamond in the rough. Or just buy the finished article. There aren't many Iniestas, however much we'd like to have one. Or van Nistlerooys. That's why people are throwing around silly money to buy someone proven. There are just about enough of these true difference-makers to go round for the CL teams. You think you've got one at Wigan, then you put him in the Utd lineup, and suddenly, he doesn't look quite so dominant in an away leg at Barcelona. Now, say, David Bentley...If Harry does want to sell him, why would he want to sell him to us, why would he want to sell him quickly, why would he want to sell him for anything less than the most ridiculous amount he could get? Then think about why maybe a deal hasn't been announced yet even though we're sick of the speculation. Yeah, he'd take a £20m offer, and do the deal. Because instead of strengthening a rival, then he'd be weakening the rival. MON knows that, too. |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... If it's right that we turned down Bentley and Jenas (not sure about cash either way) for JC that appears to mean MON/RL are: - valuing Carew at close to 20Mill - pretty serious and not scraping about for players /money - puts paid to rumours about MON looking to get rid of JC (could still happen but not exactly giving him away) In a strange way this has lifted my spirits a little, not because we are keeping JC but it hints at money in the background and signings ahead - or am I just Baaaahing at the moon? |
Platypus
said:
 |
... It appears we're not just sitting about after all: The Guardian is reporting that we've put in a double bid for Tuncay and Downing. Bring it on - let's hope we get em... |
RichT
said:
|
... The Guardian- Aston Villa have made contact with Middlesbrough concerning a possible double swoop for the Turkey forward Tuncay Sanli and the England left-winger Stewart Downing. Boro would want £20m for the pair but Villa are understood to have a somewhat lower sum in mind. Downing will not be fit to play until October after suffering a broken foot at the end of last season. Following a visit to a specialist he has been given clearance to start gym work and is due to have a pin, which was inserted in the fracture, removed in September. The specialist is said to be "very pleased" with Downing's progress and is confident he will make a full recovery. Middlesbrough value Downing at around £12m and Tuncay in the region of £8m. Everton are also understood to have made an informal bid for the Turk which fell short of the Teesside club's valuation. Come on MON! Lets do a deal before someone with ambition arrives with their cheque book! |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Platypus, it looks like an enquiry rather than bid. I think £20M for those 2 is way over the top. I would rather concentrate efforts on Hangeland (or Distin if we need the cheap option), Veloso, Defour, Falcoa, Naughton and at a push Bentley or at least some of these - forgive the spelling. Downing is the poor mans Ash Young and we have the real thing, why are we strengthening the area where our best player plays (and we have Bannan, and Forester who could play there at a push) when we have other glaring holes. Tuncay is tricky but does anyone think he will score a shed full of goals? I don't buy in to this small squad stuff, would rather buy 3 good first teamers, 2 youngsters with promise and use the kids more (and a bit of general rotation and subbiing). What's the point of increasing squad size if we just rely on usual suspects the whole time any way. In brief, quality not quantity |
THE AV VILLAN
said:
|
... Thought i'd share my current claret tinted views with you all: Current rumours: The latest four players we have been linked too in Downing, Tuncay, Veloso, Haangeland and Bently i beleive can and should all be signed asap!!! Keepers: I'm happy with both Brads Centre Backs: Davies, Cueller, Haangeland, Knight/Clark Left/Right Backs: Young, Shorey, Bouma Centre Mids: Petrov, Gardner, Sidwell, NRC, Tuncay and Veloso Wingers: Young, Milner, Downing and Bently Strikers: Carew, Gabby, Heskey In summary i think that this squad combined with the likes of The Fonz and maybe Bannan, Ciaran Clark or Albrighton coming through we might just have a small chance of making progress. Net spend about 38 million would do it!! However chuck Joe Cole and Wagner Love into the Hat and Top 4 here we come!!! UTV!!!!!! |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Av Villan - still leaves us exposed at Full back? Still, doesn't look a bad squad though change Tuncay for Defour and Downing for Joe Cole and we are in business |
pjvilla
said:
 |
... Bang on Pete, although Cahill didn't want to stay to sit on the bench which goes some way to justifying the Knight signing! |
THE AV VILLAN
said:
|
... SID I was gonna mention that Milner can cover at full back but only if we sign Bently and Downing. Also would prefer Defour over Tuncay anyday of the week!! I see Everton have appantley offered 13m for him today (papertalk). However i think that MON wil go for Tuncay due to the fact he has played in the Premiership for a while now. But how i wish MON would take risk just evry once in a while. He gambled with Young Ashley and look how that has turned out!!! Come On MON spend spend spend!!!! UTV |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... AV Villan, with a bit of money spent wisely and a bit of luck we could be good next season. We will see |
RayK
said:
 |
... Trying to read between the lines here (always dangerous I know), but MON seems fairly intent on getting Bentley and either Jenas or Huddlestone. We probably put in a straight cash offer for both of them 2-3 weeks ago when the speculation was at its highest. Spuds no doubt felt that the offer was too low and a stalemate arose. We're sticking to our valuation (good to see) and I think Spuds are probably being a little underhand (surely not....) in trying to tie in Young initially and now Carew into the deal. Its underhand because the speculation unsettles the player. Whilst I'm sure the Spuds would love Young or Carew I don't think they seriously think we're going to trade our best player for a couple of middle ranking players. I think their real intent is to get us to up our cash offer in order to bring an end to the unwanted speculation re Young or Carew. Assuming there is a stalemate with the Bentley deal, that would explain the apparent interest in Downing but for the life of me I can't imagine we'd buy an £8m - £10m player who's injured. |
THE AV VILLAN
said:
|
... Fingers Crossed. I really hope Randy and MON splash the cash!!! We all deserve it!!! |
Ben
said:
|
... £20 million for the 2 Boro lads - what a joke if true. Downing is a waste of space and if I were Villa I'd stay clear of players from Turkey as they're more trouble than we'd like. Also centre back must be priority? Veloso and Defour would be great but I think we'll miss out on both. Naughton would be very good. Bentley not sure about but maybe worth a gamble if cheap enough. I don't know what Villa should do with centre backs. I wish we'd get Cahill back. Also not sure about people being happy with the goalie situation. Brad Snr cost us a load of points last season and can't have more than 1 season left in him? |
Smithy
said:
 |
... I agree about MON. he makes 1 good signing in 5 signings but that should be 5 good signings out of 5 signings. i check the papers/net every day hoping we have signed some one and i always realise he leaves it to the last couple of days. i think his main problem is that he wont pay over 12/13 million on a single player, he needs to change his ways in the market and spend big, even if he thinks its " over the odds" , he will start to realise that paying big makes the club bigger and better. he knows the team needs quality back up players incase another gets injured, eg. arsenal have eduardo/walcott/bentder on the bench if adebayor/v.persie are injured, man u have players like anderson/nani/hargreves for midfield back up. that is what MON needs to think about carefully and spend big but smartly this summer to boost the team. lets just hope he can do it and not cock up and leave it late again. UTV |
Mr_Motivator
said:
 |
... really annoys me to read post such as this, complete rubbish. MON has turned the club around but as we haven't had a signing you want to jump around singing get MON out, bring in the big signings bring in the debt, it's all so easy. Come the end of the year and we finish 6th you'll be calling for MON's head, get rid we can do better. I bet most don't even have a season ticket at the Villa and never have had. What would make anyone on here happy? why are you not happy? It's pathetic, nothing more to say than that reading this as a long time true Villa supporter just makes me wonder why I would want to join such fickle supporters such as you lot, I hope MON jumps ship and we go down so you lot of bloody wingers have something proper to moan about. PATHETIC. |
Holte102
said:
 |
... Good post, I think maloney was a bargain too but for personal reasons it didn't work out. Guzan will be a good one long term & Freidel will act as a good mentor to guzan. I really don't want tuncay but I think downing would hopefully allow Ashley young to play in a free roll which would finally give us a plan b that we need. |
knowone
said:
 |
... An alternative view on MON? What's alternative about that view? It's just the same doom and gloom and cheap shots at MON that nowadays makes about all Villa-related fora uninteresting and tiresome to vade through. Spoilt brats, shut up. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Mr Motivator, your just the equivalent of the doom and gloom merchants, just the other end of the scale. If everyone was so certain that everything is perfect as you are then where is the motivation for the club to push on. People have their own beliefs, and wheather right or wrong, aslong as there is reason behind them I think most people are more than happy to listen. This site would also be bloody boring is everyone just licked mons ass all day and complimented him on the fact that it's pre season tomorow and there are no new faces and were 2 men down. |
Mr_Motivator
said:
|
... no10 - you can't even spell so grab a life and get back to school, then you might get a job and be able to afford a season ticket |
Platypus
said:
|
... Tuncay is at least the SORT of forward that we've been missing - a creative 'number 10' type attacker. At least he wouldn't have to rely on Afonso Alves to put it in the net if he were at the Villa and when I've seen him for Turkey he's always looked good. As for Downing, he doesn't excite me all too much but you must admit he's a very effective old-fashioned winger and I think MON would get the best out of him. Also, we can't 'concentrate' on getting a centre-back to the point where we miss out on opportunities to sign other players and at the end of the day a manager can explore more than one signing at a time. I'm saving my judgement until the first game of the season. |
Altan Kargaci
said:
|
... Will be well happy with Tuncay , have rated him for ages now. Really will give us a new option in attack. Works his socks off and has a lot of creative ability . A bit of a Turkish Robbie Keane. Turkish captain for around £6m , bargain. Come on Martin get it done. As for Downing only for about £8m max . UTV |
RayK
said:
|
...Mr_Motivator said: Mr M, you may not have intended this but it sounds to me you're more a fan of MON than the actual club. |
RayK
said:
|
... oh, and Mr M again before having a pop at someone else's spelling check yours - its whingers, not wingers... Although with spelling like that you may lose that job of yours and you're season ticket |
Leic3stershire AVFC
said:
 |
... here what i have found on sport.co.uk Lazio captain Cristian Ledesma has put Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Everton on red alert after confirming he wants to leave the Rome club. The 26-year-old Argentinian is available for €15m, and is open to all offers – although his preference is to remain in Italy. "I am leaving because I feel it's time for change and not because I think Lazio is a small club or that I am better than my team-mates." "I want to change and it is a personal decision. There are no offers and I will not make any names as there is nothing yet," the midfielder told Lalaziosiamonoi.it "I would prefer to stay in Italy, but we will see what happens." Ledesma has 7 goals in 99 appearances for Lazio since joining from Lecce in 2006. 9 days to go until we sign our first player |
Leic3stershire AVFC
said:
|
... damian i have had an activation e-mail and follow the validation link? yet could you send me one please |
callum
said:
|
... i agree david moyes is probably the best manager in the premier league everton were a massive club going downwards and he came in and rescued them and now they are a massive club who have a very good side im sorry to say MON isnt nowhere near as good as david moyes. |
Leic3stershire AVFC
said:
|
... i can't wait for the Sky Lounge to be done, Breaking news Birmingham city are upgrading there tuck shop, they now sell crisps has well has sweets 9 days until we sign our first player 17th july |
jay76
said:
 |
... we guys heres one 4 u! a bloke at our work whos doing our firms catering this week, has over the past month been catering at villa park. the word going round there is that martin o'neill's on the way out!?!? word is his wife is ill again??? cud be bullshit?? but this bloke swears by it!! |
simondgm
said:
 |
... and the noses are piping-up about all their big signings...only thing making me smile at the moment - barton possible and bowyer already! should make for an interesting team spirit. am thoroughly bored though................ |
RayK
said:
|
... I think its ridiculous to say Moyes is a better manager than MON. Sure MON has his faults but to say Moyes is a better manager is plainly ridiculous Take a look at MON's record - 2 League Cups, UEFA Cup runner up, shed loads of Scottish honours, Division One (now Championship) title: http://www.4thegame.com/club/a...neill.html Okay Moyes is younger but I think all he's actually won is the Division Two (now League One)!! As someone else has said MON has achieved in 3 years what has taken Moyes 7 years. Okay I think MON has probably has a bit more dosh to spend than Moyes, but Moyes has made some truly awful sigings in his time at Everton. The Premier League managers I rate more highly than MON are actually those at the Top 4 clubs and guess what, they ain't gonna come to Villa. |
Leic3stershire AVFC
said:
|
... I was wondering if the blues are going to get away with charging £45 per ticket again for the shed end of the ground, every time i go down i end up paying £45 and when there travel to vp we charge 28 9 days until we sign our first player 17th july |
Halfwit
said:
 |
... This is what i dont like about our club to secreative They are more than fast enough to inform us about stuff that involves us spending our money but when it comes to other stuff its all hush hush Why cant O Snail just come out and say carew is going no where and put the matter to rest Or just admit to the fact he wants him out cause of the strip club thing thats the only reason he could want him out cause carew had a good season When you start selling fan's favourites your going to have a problem and probably get a bit of stick for it so be careful O Snail |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
...Why cant O Snail just come out and say carew is going no where and put the matter to rest Carew came out and did just that a couple of weeks back, it's all paper talk. Don't believe anything until it's on the official site, it's all just an attempt to get site hits and paper readers. |
Leic3stershire AVFC
said:
|
... Halfwit im ashamed to call you a fan, no one likes you, lets see who like you yes or no 9 days until we sign our first player 17th july |
Leic3stershire AVFC
said:
|
... DanWilson82 almost 8 days until we sign our first player, what day do you see us signing our first player 9 days until we sign our first player 17th july |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... not for a long while unfortunatly, i'm certainly not listening to what any papers have to say any more, they have all proved their worths over the last month |
Altan Kargaci
said:
|
...can we please get a spell check put on this site I second that , I can't spell either ..!  |
callum
said:
|
... oh come on rayk open your eyes there arent too many awful signings moyes has made he has made the most bargain buys ever in the premier league everton was his first big job you say its took him seven years to get where everton are now but he took over when everton were on the brink of relegation thats why its took him seven years and he hasnt exactly had a lot of money has he you forget hes the only manager in recent years thats broken into the top four oneill was 8 points clear of fifth place at one stage this season and his bad management blew it were as moyes lost 3 key players to long term injuries and still managed to finish above martin oneill and get to an fa cup final beating villa liverpool and man utd on the way.you say martin oneill has won bagfuls of scottish trophies well thats not exactly hard is it even gordan strachan managed that and look whos got the managers job at celtic now a guy who took the baggies down last season thats the credentials you need for that job.everton played us 3 times last season and any true villa fan would admit they battered us every time we were just lucky to take 4 points off them.david moyes job at everton is a lot harder than martin oneills job at aston villa and moyes still manages to out do martin oneill every season.bottom line rayk is your just biased this isnt an attack on martin oneill im just simply stating that david moyes is a better manager. |
Leic3stershire AVFC
said:
|
... dan i sit in the hotle stand and i have a beer bet with you too see who we sign on that day are you up for it |
Mr_Motivator
said:
|
... RayK - i'm not just a fan of MON i'm a much bigger Villa fan, always have been, since I can remember. Just that everyone on here moans about what signings we haven't made and how easy it is to sign such and such a player. I remember last transfer season reading this site and how useless MON is, then we come 6th and still everyone moans. It's all moan moan moan, bloody depressing. You all moan about MON and his transfer dealings, but yet he produced the goods last season, the most exciting we have had in a long time, best season I witnessed with my own eyes for a long while. Just gets my goat that all this rubbish being typed about how the club is being run and how we should have signings by now. If I was MON i seriously would consider other optionsm you lot never have much positive to say, for every positive you have 30 negative. Just pathetic to me after a great season, you can't wait to put the knife in, not excited just depression. Bunch of bankers to me! |
Mr_Motivator
said:
|
... Leic3stershire AVFC - i'll take you up on that bet, in fact i'll add an additional £50 to it if you're up for it? |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Leic3stershire AVFC - if we sign anyone on the 17th I'll buy you a pie aswell. Last time I went to Villa park they had run out of beers by the time I got served in the North Stand. |
callum
said:
|
... we didnt even get served ale when we were in the doug ellis upper in february.always go the cap and gown though when we come to villa every season good pub that. |
Halfwit
said:
|
... Leic3stershire AVFC The wonnabee insider with all the info How in a blue monkeys hell would you know when and who we are signing you ? You just cant handle the truth we have a snail of a manger FACT....And proof is there just look at the past 2 seasons |
Leic3stershire AVFC
said:
|
... Mr_Motivator if i want to bet £50 i get better odds at william hill, its a shame i don't gamble has its a mugs game, dan if we sign anyone before, i swap numbers with you if we are at the game EG birmingham shity, i will get you want ever you want |
Mr_Motivator
said:
|
... Leic3stershire AVFC - you don't bet cos you know that you have no idea when the first signing will be announced, you're trying to make us think you do but......... i know more than you, that I know for sure and I know nothing!!! take the bet if you're so sure, take my money.... please |
Leic3stershire AVFC
said:
|
... i don't know if anyone has talk about berg having a medical at hamburg this week after having a bid accepted, almost 8 days until we sign our first player 17th july |
Leic3stershire AVFC
said:
|
... Mr_Motivator i would get better odds than 2-1, guess what you prob know more than me, guess what i aint that bother, i really believe when we sign our first player iv been saying this since the 1st july, also what day did buy sidwell, reo coker almost 8 days until we sign our first player 17th july |
Leic3stershire AVFC
said:
|
... halfwit you should change your name to village clown, im not a wonnabee has you put in your comment did you mean wannabe, i have my own forum for ps3/xbox360 gaming and there are alot of hardcore fans who know alot about football so i get emailed when something become good about villa |
Leic3stershire AVFC
said:
|
... callum, i haven't got a clue who Lazio captain Cristian Ledesma is,if i will take a look on redtube dam i mean youtube almost 8 days until we sign our first player 17th july |
Andy Scarborough
said:
 |
... I really can't understand the negativity on here, it must be peculiar to Birmingham. MoN has done well, maybe, just maybe someone else could have done better. I hope to McGrath that MoN doesn't read these bogs, he'd piss off like a shot. There are some sensible remarks above, the most notable being that from Kohoutek. I seem to have a spell checker on this site (I am using Safari), whenever I misspell a word it is underlined in red. If you guys want a chit chat and make personal bets try the forum - that's what it's for. BTW; I bet that we announce our first senior signing before Saturday. |
Anthony Laud
said:
 |
... lets get something straight. oneil got us to within 11 points of champions league. we werent close with 6 games to go! oleary actually got us to a position that if we won our last 2 games against southampton away and man utd at home we would have qualified. far nearer. and before anyone says points are irrelevant oleary got us closer to champs league and thats a fact! |
Halfwit
said:
|
... Leic3stershire AVFC You ar in dreamland son theres 100s of hardcore fans on this site yet you dont see them going around pretending to be a insider fact is nobody knows when martin will sign a player because he keeps all that to himself and does it all himself Wake up and smell the coffee son |
Rich
said:
 |
... Will be well pissed off if we spend anywhere near the quoted £20 million on the Middlesboro pair. Am hoping that MON is playing a canny game in feining interest in Downing, knowing he is a Spurs target. Arry likes a deal. How about agreeing to give him a 'free run' at Downing if he accepts a more realistic price for Bentley. |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... Rich, I think you may have hit the nail on the head. If that's the level of the wheeling and dealing it takes to sign just one player, imagine how busy MoN is to sign half a dozen. We really should take a deep breath and wait for new face to be unveiled holding aloft the new Villa strip. |
Halfwit
said:
|
... Back in training soon aswell would have been good to have a few in by then i still cant see signing someone for another month or so yet remember what the celtics fans said ? O Snail always leave's it late |
Doc
said:
|
... I would actually pay £20m for Downing and Tuncay. Why? Because Tuncay is the lock-picker we need and could be awesome behind Carew and also because Downing could take the left flank and allow Ashley Young to play right wing. With Sidwell and Reo-Coker playing in front of Petrov, the whole set up looks class. |
pete
said:
 |
... for get about transfers for a moment how about gabby and ash up front, ash could play the free role and if gabby could improve his finnishing they could be deadly.would have to play more of a passing game thou. |
Halfwit
said:
|
... Doc what about milner where does he fit in ? I think our currents wingers are great and should not be changed bring in back up yes but young and milner should be first choice |
spitorswallow
said:
 |
... back to training for the lads tomorrow i hope there are enough players for a 5 a side game .mon out now!!!!!!!!!!! |
Rich
said:
|
... Don't think Milner is a winger either, but definately deserves a space in the starting 11. |
Keith
said:
 |
... I think Milner came of age against Everton at VP. Ash Young wasnt delivering at free kicks and he took over, smashing a wonderful shot past Howard. This lad will prove to be a steal. Tend to agree with Doc and can see Milner play in a central midfield 3. |
Rich
said:
|
... Doc And would prefer a midfield five of: Bentley, Milner, Defour/Jurado/, Petrov, Young with just JC up front than the one you suggested. Reo and Sidwell OK for the bench and can't see the value of Downing. Rich |
pete
said:
|
... my team would be gabby ash downing reo milner sidwell bentley dont know about defence just yet. |
RayK
said:
|
... callum - Sweet Jesu, your first sentence is over 140 words long  . i don't mind agreeing to disagree but I think you are just plain wrong. Don't get me wrong Moyes is a good manager but to say that Moyes is obviously a better manager than O'Neil is just care in the community stuff. Lets talk facts. Other than the fact Moyes has won NOTHING, when Moyes took over Everton were 16th, same as Villa. In his first few seasons Everton were like a yo-yo's 15th, 7th, 17th, 4th, 15th. MON has taken Villa from 16th to 11th to two 6th positions. O'Neil took Leicester into the Premiership and won two League Cups in the process. Had Moyes taken Preston to the Premier League and won two League Cups you may have an argument but he didn't, and you don't. As for bargains, sure Lescott, Piennear, Jagielka, Gosling and Howard are good singings, but so the hell are Young, Carew, Milner, Petrov, Luke Young and Friedel. And are your really trying to tell me Fellani at £15m is a bargain??? That makes Cuellar and Davies a real snip. And Nuno Valete, Andy Van der Meyde, Per Koldrup and Andy Johnson?? All massive flops, especially given Everton's transfer budget. Take a look for yourself: http://www.evertonfc.com/match...from=0#out Put simply you have brain fever. |
ak_27
said:
 |
... Doc if we played that formation it would leave us with 3 at the back. A midfield of NRC, Sidwell and Petrov would be brutal. No creativity at all. |
Rich
said:
|
... no10 No room for Petrov????????????? How about a defence of Young, Dunne, Hangeland, Shorey ? Rich |
ak_27
said:
|
... I meant to add that Tuncay is eactly the type of striker we need as like you said he would pick the lock. He could drop back deep into mid and become the 5th midfielder. |
pete
said:
|
... rich it might just be me but i think petrovs a bit slow ,hes alot better than barry but its time to give reo and sidwell a chance. |
RayK
said:
|
... Mr M - I can tell you're a proper fan so apologies if a little harsh but relegation is not something i'd ever wish on Villa. As much as i can't stand the senseless MON bashers I equally can't stand those who think the sun shines out of his jacksy. I've said it before but MON is definitely too conservative in the transfer market - frustrating the hell out of me - and his rotation policy is a nonsense but he's still the best manager for Villa pure and simple. And thanks for not pointing out my own spelling mistake (grammatical rather than gramatical) UTV |
ak_27
said:
|
... Rich swap Shorey with Naughton and the that would be a good defense. Bring in a playmaker and bentley and fabian delph and lastly Tuncay (i say lastly as i don't think another striker is really our most pressing need at the moment) and i would be a happy camper. |
Billy7
said:
 |
... RayK......... I'm glad you pointed a few FACTS out regarding O.neil - Moyes. So many people want perfection, as i do but people dont understand ALL managers make mistakes, EVERY one of them. O.neil has, (as we hear EVERY day on here) but he has done/is doing a fantastic job, i'm getting anxious as most are wondering why we ent signed him, him or him, but i'll leave it to MON and i'm sure he'll prove every one wrong who has knocked him, but we cant judge until May 2010, and i'm sure i for 1 will be happy as opposed to 70% of people who are on here that probably wouldn't be even if we hijaked the top 4. |
pete
said:
|
... naughton at lb and ash lw to predictable,ash was getting found out all the time last half of season.he needs a free role behind a front man. |
RayK
said:
|
... ak_27 - Hangeland, Dunne, Naughton, Bentley, Delph, playmaker and Tuncay - that would pretty much make a new team! We'd be a poor man's Man City with that many changes to the team! Young and Shorey are just fine as full backs. By all means add Naughton as cover but he's not ready for the first team just yet. As for CB's, as much as it pains me to pay 4 times what Fulham paid for him, Hangeland is a must and I'd be happy to see him alongside Davies or Cuellar. Ideally i'd love Hangeland to partner Cahill, but unless Bolton would do some sort of swap+cash for Knight, I'd be happy with just Hangeland for now. As for midfield, either Bentley or Downing would be just fine by me, as both would give well needed competition down the flanks. I agree we need more creativity, but not 100% convinced that CM is the place we need it. Personally, I think that assuming we get Bentley or Downing and a more creative forward i actually think we're well stocked in CM with Petrov, Sidwell, NRC and the Gardner brothers next season. I'd rather use the £12m from the Barry sale to get Cahill back, get Bentley or Downing or get a genuinely creative forward rather than blow most of it on Jenas or Huddlestone. Tuncay is certainly an option but I'm not sure how many games he'd actually play. |
Halfwit
said:
|
... So our first signing could be a injuerd player lol it just gets better and better NOT |
Platypus
said:
|
... Oh dear. The Sky Sports News generation show themselves up again. In the close season 24hr sports news channels have difficulty attracting interest from viewers. Viewers as we know, watch adverts which pay the channel MILLIONS of pounds. So, these channels try and think up ways of getting us to sit through the close season to watch these adverts (notice how breaking stories that are 'coming up' don't get covered until an hour after they're mentioned?). Luckily for SSN we have a thing called the transfer window which through hype upon hype upon hype (the newspapers are up to it too), some people have been tricked to think that this is the entire point of football. Before we're given a chance to celebrate another excellent league position - considering how close to relegation we were 3 years ago - we're being bombarded with BUY! SELL! BUY! SELL! and all the silly people fall for it. Yes, we do need new players but I really couldn't give a flyer if Bob Earnshaw pulled on the jersey if it helped us get a better finish. In short, SSN generation, the game you're after isn't football. You want to play Top Trumps. |
TrueVillan
said:
|
... if we spend 12mil on downing, then i cannot see us going for defour as well at 15mil, and he is twice the player of downing! in fact if the rumours are true and we sign naughton and loan him back to shef utd, then with downing injured we will start the season with £20mil worth of players not even on the bench!! now that, with our small squad would be suicidal!! yet i can kinda see him doing it!! once we decided to sell barry we should have had a replacement lined up, to show our intent and settle the younger players watching one of our top players and their one time captain leaving! spuds are doing just that, thats why they will not sell bentley yet, they want to see the replacement lined up or a swap deal, annoying for us, but shows there fans they will not weaken there squad until a replacement sorted! MON needs helpin the transfer windows, im sure he can pick the right players, what im not sure of is can he then deal with the agents who represent them!he is old fashioned and expects to hear commitment to the club, eagerness to join, very nice but in the modern game unrealistic, simple fact is the best players are mercenaries, you hire them, they do a job and eventually move on, even manure have that problem (ronaldo) but they would not sign some average player just because he talks about loving man utd and respects the manager! he has to be gifted too! so come on MON get some quality players who can and will actually kick a ball for us come august, you have spent enough of villas money on bench warmers, dont get 2 more p.s. im ok about signing naughton, just not loaning him back!! |
kohoutek, home now and name still not working properly
said:
|
... Platypus: In short, SSN generation, the game you're after isn't football. You want to play Top Trumps. Truer words... |
kohoutek, home now and name still not working properly
said:
|
... Keef Tend to agree with Doc and can see Milner play in a central midfield 3. I'm going to get hammered for this, but Milner could end up being a home-grown Tevez in the middle. He's tenacious, untiring, looks to make things happen, and can score. Not saying he's as gifted. But settled down in there, I think he could do a real job. |
RockSteady
said:
 |
... I haven't commented all summer cos i promised myself not to get too wrapped up in transfer talk too early like I did last season on here. But MY GOD, MON needs to extract his dick from his ear and get moving with some quality signings. Pre-Season i massively important for fitness and team bonding. I'm starting to get concerned |
Doc
said:
|
... RockSteady Calm down, son. You're going to give yourself a heart attack. It's 9th July and we're not playing in the Mickey Mouse rounds of the UEFA Subbuteo Jammie Dodgers cup. Chill. |
RockSteady
said:
|
... Ok ok, too much coffee this morning. I agree that its a bit too early to starting panicing but I am really concerned that we will end up with less quality next season. Barry and Laursen are not easily replaced. Anyway apologies for the early morning freak out  |
Rich
said:
|
... Can I at least ask for one thing next season. Play people in their proper positions. I really don't want to see Milner, Cuellar, Reo or Gardner playing at right back or Young at left back. If we do this then already we begin to look stronger and more settled. Working on the basis of having quality cover in each position then I would settle for an 'up and coming' RB; two commanding,authorative CB's (not Sol!); a top quality wide man who can cross a ball and a 'top draw', creative midfielder. |
Altan Kargaci
said:
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... Great, pre season starts today minus of course Barry , Laurson and Taylor . Add to those Gabby , Milner and Gardner who have been given extra time off after there England U21 Tournament. Bodymoore will be buzzing with excitment......Not .! Mr O'neil the transfer window is open you know. UTV |
Rich
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... True villa. You post comment on lending Naughton back to Sheff U and buying an injured Downing is spot on. Comment 207 IS NOT. |
Altan Kargaci
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... Was just thinking, if we really are interested in signing Downing how it would work bearing in mind he is injured. He wouldn't be able to do a medical . Can't think of any other players that have moved while being injured. Example, we sign him he returns to full fitness , plays a couple of games and then f**ks his ankle and is out for a year! |
Rich
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... I have to agree. I can't remember anne buying an injured player. He may never be the same player again- or is this a good thing |
ak_27
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... RayK if we go into this season with no new CM on board we are going to drop down the league like a stone. Even if Barry had stayed i would have said we needed to improve the CM. We need 7 new faces at VP this season. WE need a sqaud capable of being rotated on occassion and it is no point bringing on the crap like we did last season. If not i really expect us to finish 9th this season. |
confusedvillafan
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... dont listen to anything Truevilla posts he is a proper TWAT.this dick is a bullshitter probably a nose |
RayK
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... ak_27 - unless that CM is someone like Joe Cole I just don't agree. I think Bentley/Downing on one wing, Milner on the other and Webcam in the hole should provide enough creativity - especially if Petrov given a bit more of a creative role. |
RayK
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... AND a the £12m we got for Barry to go towards another deeper lying forward / 'hole' player. |
TrueVillan
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... rich thanks for agreeing, but truevillan and true villa are 2 different people! i dont want MON out! |
ak_27
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... I think we really need a playmaker type who will come deep and be confident to take the ball to feet from the back 4 even under pressure and start the passing move. Petrov is our def mid and i just don't think NRC or Sidwell have the ability to do this. The ball usually goes from the FB into the centre of the park. We need a link player there or we will end up watching missiles being lauched up field again. |
GG
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... I agree on Zat Knight & Gary Cahill, and my heart sank when I heard Heskey had signed as his diving is an embarressment to the game, but most of your criticism is actually aimed at his tactics of playing people out of position - the majority of his signings are quality players who probably would've fared better given an extended run in the position they're used to playing in. His transfer dealings are actually as good as any other manager, given the limited appeal Villa still have as a "nearly" club. Players don't dream of playing for us like they do of the top four, and even Man City are overtaking us in the glamour stakes now (has Tevez ever mentioned Villa?). If we got half the hype Spurs get in the national papers, we might be a more attractive proposition, but we don't and never have. If we're going to get success we have to do it the hard way, which is making the best of what you can get. MON probably tinkers a bit too much, and thinks a bit too much, but there's no way he's a transfer dumbo! |
Villa4life
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... mate....have to agreee, but we all know this so it was pointless.....we all know that MON will buy in the last week......he always had..... I think he has it in his mind that the best beals can be done when transfer market will close!...... but we know this is not true because look at Harewood, Salifu and the others we bought on a whim. |
jerry
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...Martin my son, it’s over to you. Pete, you are a pompous w****r. You are a moron. The article is pure drivel. Damian, what are you doing giving fifth columnists the platform to write this stuff. Sid I don't buy in to this small squad stuff, would rather buy 3 good first teamers, 2 youngsters with promise and use the kids more (and a bit of general rotation and subbiing). What's the point of increasing squad size if we just rely on usual suspects the whole time any way. Point well made. |
croni
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... some of these comments are truly baffling what statement of intent are people expecting? some of the richest clubs in the world are struggling to make a statement of intent and people are now expecting Villa to start making headline grabbing signings? we are not going to financially compete with the likes the top 4 or city the market is really quiet because it has been distrorted by Real's major signings. so why is it that we should be barging in and paying over the odds? most of the players we have been linked with have been decent players with great potential. we are not going to be able buy ready made stars. so this is where martin o'neill's genius comes in. he's able to buy players and improve them. Milner has never had a better season. Ashley Young is unlikely to have flourished as much in at any other club. Gabby has been a revelation as a sole striker. Yes O'Neill has made a few mistakes eg. Heskey and Knight. But don't tell me that the great managers like Ferguson and Wenger haven't bought their fair share of duds. Any person with a brain would expect that O'Neill would also buy his fair share as well This post is inane. It likes to have its cake and eat it. The whole right back centre back left back argument is totally out of context. We know Shorey had real attitude problems and it wasn't because of his lack of talent that he wasn't picked. O'Neill's priority is the team and he's not one to compromise team ethic. it's why we are where we are in the first place. As for not givinng other players a chance. 1) there's only a number of limited places so you pick your best players 2) O'Neill ultimately picked his best midfielders 3) Sidwell was given a few chances and he didn't really take them 4) Reo Coker starting in midfield is not gonna bring a step up in quality or improve our possession game. He's not going to win us games with his defence splitting passes, because he has none and he's not going to not scare defenses with breathtaking pace cause he's a slow coach. Often it takes time for players to settle in or develop and people seem particularly impatient with regards to the development of players such as Sidwell, Davies and Cuellar. As for Sutton, well he did a more than satisfactory job. Malone was decent, could have been a revelation, but showed he lacked true character and was obviously not up for it and was homesick. The only problem I have with O'Neill's transfer policy is the purchase of Heskey. He really did not deliver. It also coincided with an insistence on playing 4-4-2, which contributed to the derailment of our season. O'Neill has already acknowldged that he will be considering using 4-5-1 as his main formation. Some people are suggesting that he's gonna get rid of Carew and start with Heskey. There is no way I can see this happening. O'Neill is no fool and he can clearly see that Heskey is no Carew. You know what what would be nice for a change from all the boring bashing of O'neill's tansfer policy is something on past Villa players, something like what is on at the times football web site. There you can find Villa's 50 best players of all time. Great read. Really reccommend it. There are a lot of impatient fans out there and I know we live in a world of instant gratification, but jesus, give it a rest. I have full faith that O'Neill will deliver and I'm not worried one bit. |
Bouba123
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... Martin O'Neill is one of the most respected managers in Europe and has the perfect character to get us where we need to be. He is intelligent, well mannered and prudent financially. In saying all this, I think that Martin needs to start thinking about talking a risk with some players. He knows full well that Downing, Tuncay, Jenas and Huddlestone are solid decent top 6 premiership players but none of them would get into the top 4 teams' sides. If we are to finish 4th (which has got to be our aim), he needs to sign players that are worthy of being in the top 4 and would get into the bigger sides teams. Otherwise, by definition we won't finish above them. Given we are not Man City, in order to do this Martin needs to try and sign a few gems. Like Wenger did with Van Persie and Toure and like Fergie did with Ronaldo, Evra and Vidic.With all these players, they were relative unknowns with immense promise that went on to become top drawer and then develop a market value far higher than what they were signed for. In order to achieve this, there are going to be some dud signings as not all of them will come off. Fergie got it wrong with Kleberson, Veron and Forlan for example as did Wenger with Jeffers and Adebayor. However, we'll forgive him for that as long as he shows some imagination and the hope is there for us all to feed off. He did this with Young but Im not sure about the others. There is no way Sidwell will be a world beater and players like Harewood and Knight will go for less than they were signed for. The crucial point is Martin knew this when he signed them. I am not convinced that Downing (if he signs) could be sold for more than we paid for him for example. MON, needs to scour the continent and look for these gems. MON also needs to make sure he signs players that he believes in and that he will be prepared to stick with - the bench is full of players that the fans know nothing about because Martin isn't convinced by them. Salifou - I couldnt tell you what I think of him if I tried. Additionally, I'll never be able to tell you whether NRC is actually capable in the middle of the park. We were not on the cusp of the top four until recently and so we can forgive the safe bet signings as we needed to solidify before cracking on. However, we've since achieved that and we now need an imaginative transfer policy to give the fans and the club a real spark of enthusiasm for next season. For a start, 6 Million for a lad of Delph's promise would do nicely. |
Timmy
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... We can't expect every signing to work out. That's just insanity. We're all impatient for some new signings but don't start slagging off MON's transfer record. If we have to root through 20 bad signings to uncover 1 Ashley Young then i'm happy to do so. |
Rich Clark
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... Rubben... im unsure if this has already been answered, but i THINK the holte, as far as i can remember, got its name from the family who lived at the location for centuries |
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