Villafan101

I hope he doesn't go to Spurs, the whole of the rest of the transfer window will be them offering £15m, us saying no, then £15.5m and so on. Spurs are tight wads and we always get screwed when we deal with them.

 

Its a travesty that wasn't a contender for the beebs GOTS!

Unbelievable. 

 

Lowtons was better than all of the contenders. It just so happened to occur in the same month as RVP's offside 'wonder' goal that he scored almost identically in the season before when he was at arsenal. Not so rare...

 

also they didn't take into consideration the fact he is a defender!

 

 

Am i the only one who thinks he looks like the bloke who plays spartacus

Kirk Douglas? Nah.

 

No, the one on the left.

 

 

HE is Spartacus!

 

That's Tony Curtis FYI.

Thanks, got it about 10 seconds after I posted.

Philosopher, with all respect what are you on about?

 

Firstly, do you know both Murphy and Bacuna well enough to declare that Bacuna is a better prospect? Secondly, completely different midfield players.

 

Regarding Cresswell, we went in for him twice IIRC and the asking price was too high. So we went for Bennett. Lastly, you follow Ipswich closely enough to know that Cresswell had an average season?

Old fart here, could someone pls explain IIRC, its been driving me mad, Thanks.

Ahh is it "if I recall correctly" ?

 

 

Meanwhile, Villa remain in the hunt for Crewe’s Luke Murphy and Max Clayton.

 

Luke Murphy would be a great addition. More highly rated by Westwood within Crewe. And Clayton is a good young player. Neither will be expensive and both will offer something.

 

Also They're just that. Links. I bet you've never seen either of them play. But anyway, you're not worth the time. You spent all season slagging off Westwood so I wouldn't expect you to see the positives in the potential.

 

You must be a troll. Nobody can be this sincerely negative about everything.

 

 

We can't keep signing lower league players and progress - If that worked everyone would do it. I am all for securing the odd bargain - or taking a punt on some raw talent - but that won't work all the time.

Thats not negative - its just a different viewpoint (something you seem totally Interollent to)

 

 

People seem forget that these younger less experienced players will improve (some more than others) with more experience and coaching. Just like some people forget that it takes time for these players to get to grips with the premier league as well as a new team. IMO Lambert will follow this trend but in the next season or so add that little bit more quality gradually when we are in a position to afford that quality as well as being in a better position in the league.

The likes of Westwood & Sylla have had a great season considering where they have come from, hopefully they will be even better next season and so on. With regards to Bennett he has not adjusted as quick and has struggled this season but who knows he could come right next season, give the boy a chance.

I am surprised at some that are slating the likes of KEA and Bennett and the performance of the team in the first half of the season. PL and RL have obviously decided to take Villa in a new direction buying young hungry players and getting rid of the older dross and last pay day mercenaries. It was certainly a risky ploy this last season, changing almost the whole team for untried youngsters and some experience but mostly not in the premier league. I would have thought it would be fairly obvious that it would take some time for new players to bed in (even premier league experience players have to get used to playing in a new team) and considering where we bought these new players from (lower leagues) they would need time to step up in quality. Out of the players bought only 2, KEA & Bennett, seem to be taking a little longer to adapt but you can't knock their committment. Give them time and maybe by the end of next season they will make the grade.

I would like to say that after the first two performances I really thought we would go down this year even though I was excited about getting younger, hungrier players in, especially those that want to play for Villa. The amount of money our club has wasted on has beens or just plain rubbish over the last decade or so has been mind blowing.

The Newcastle game to me was a relevation, the first 10 minutes or so I was getting really annoyed at the lack of movement and some of the passing was woeful, then suddenly it seemed to click, confidence grew and we started to look like a football team again for the first time in 3 years.

What impressed me the most was the effort and energy the players showed and even though he was at fault for their goal, Holman was everywhere breaking up their play in the midfield. I haven't seen a Villa side play 90 mins at that intensity for a very long time, including during the MON era. We have been a team that could only play for 45 mins for many seasons and last season that came down to about 15 mins.

If we can keep that intensity and effort for most of our matches this season we will be fine. There will be plenty of losses and big ones at that, but the football will be exciting. The youngsters need time, they will make plenty of mistakes but they need time to learn. I also believe the likes of Clark and Bannan need a good run in the team this season, not just an odd game here and there, to see if they can hack it at this level.

All in all I think this season should be exciting and it will be a pleasure to watch the Villa again.

Lambert seems to a man that says it how it is. Words like 'difficult' and 'might' do not feel me with confidence.

Its' going to be a tough year but then hopefully with 6 months to a year of top scouting we will have plenty of targets on the cheap come January and next summer. If we are near the bottom come January than Lerner will have no choice but to spend.

IMO This season is all about keeping our premier league status and nothing more.

Even if we do manage to bring 1 or 2 players in the next week unless they turn out to be hidden gems its not going to be enough. We need a complete overhaul and as it seems it needs to be done on the cheap, it will take several years.

I agree with this. I think premiership survival is all the club are looking for this season while we scout cheaper better players and get rid of the final few over the top earners.

I'm trying really hard to remain positive as i was really pleased we got Lambert. However, IF we do not sign anyone else before the end of the transfer window, I really believe we will be in a relegation fight this year. A couple of injuries like last season and we will have no chance, the squad is just too thin at the moment. The youngsters are not really youngsters anymore and have to produce something this season or they need to be shipped out. I dont want to be negative but I just dont think this squad is good enough.

To add my penny's worth. IMO a LB is an absolute must as well a striker to cover if Bent gets injured. However I do think that at some point both Ireland and N'zogbia need to be shipped out. As our only really creative players they both are just not good enough or producing consistantly enough. For the wages they must both be on I am sure we could do a lot better. I would imagine that Paul Lambert has a set wage bill he has to work within and its not so much a sell to buy but more a get rid of deadwood and high eaners that are not producing before bringing in replacements. If Dunne goes we definitely need another CB.

I actually think OGS was our number one choice and the deal was as good as done but the Molde financial backer changed his mind.

Moving back to the area before the next season starts, if we get a decent manager I'm in.

I was really excited about the prospect of OGS and was disappointed he seemed to change his mind. I'm not bothered about RDM but do think he deserves some credit for the Champions league win. People dont seem to be giving any thought to the fact he might have improved/learned a lot since his West Brom days. I would like Poyet with either Zola, Wilkins or Steve Clark as his assistant.

Don't know whether it has been suggested before but what about, Poyet with Zola as his number two.

4 pages of great comedy! Now we are in the mood for fun, lets not let it go stale! Next!

You beat Liverpool, ha ha ha!!

and Newcastle ha ha ha, no stop it my sides are hurting

and Arsenal you say, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!

Your a really funny guy Robby, ha ha ha!!!

and Utd......, now your just been silly.

Come on Villa fans...for godsake....Lets not look at the negatives. I don't know, people complain, complain, complain that we havent signed anyone. They complain we are getting rid of our better players too easily because we are not providing them with longer contracts......Then suddenly, a signing which we were all expecting, finally happens, and what do you know; there is something to be annoyed or moan about. We have just signed in my opinion arguably on the best keepers in the Premiership, if not europe and we are finding ways to knit-pick something that doesn't sit quite well with us. Can't we just be happy we have signed a very hungry, profressional keeper who offers a great presence and is someone who is going to be a fantastic ambassador for our great club. He has taken a wage-cut so the contract was always going to be longer. I was expecting 4 years, but I am more than happy with 5. Contrary to what people think, he is not a keeper that is injury prone, and also goalkeepers can go on until their 40's now....just ask Brad Friedel who is still going...Or Van der Sar who has just retired at the age of 40. Lets just enjoy having him with us....It is a great first signing and for the £3.5m reported to be paid; is a fantastic coup and bargain for the club. For that price, I cannot think of anyone better. Well played RL & AMc for making this happen.

Couldn't have put it better myself!

They are considered good players when Sunderland sign them but would be considered crap if we did!

Not all keepers are still playing at top level when they get beyond 35 years old. I remember we signed Schmeichel when he was about 36-37 yrs old and was one of the best keepers in the world at Man United, yet not all that great for us. He declined and ended up retiring not long after leaving us.

Is this where we have got to as a club, that we cant even go out and find a decent keeper that can stay with us for a few seasons, bonding with the team? Why are we looking at has-beens? Yet another player using Aston Villa for his last pay day..Great work!

It would be interesting to see where he goes if we back off..Because I doubt many clubs will be after him. Or will pay anywhere near the wages he seems to think he is still worth.

The best value and bet is Kusczkak on a free..Offer him a 2 year contract with average wages(thats all he will get at WBA) If he does well great, if he makes a few mistakes then replace him. At least its not a high risk long term contract AND HIGH WAGES...Chances are that he will blossom at a club like Villa. He may re-find the kind of form under McLeish that caught Fergie's eye in the 1st place. Especially as he is very hungry for 1st team football to impress for the Polish National team in the European Championships.

Given is 5 years too late..

Although I think Given is still a quality keeper you make some good poin ts. Kusczkak or Al Habsi represent good value for me.

Hang on, why the hell does Albrighton need to be treated with kid gloves? The guy is ready, just put him in there. He's done his apprenticeship and passed with flying colours.

I agree with this. Arsenal haven't been afraid to throw in Jack Wilshere and play him regularly.

I just think we need to play Albrighton in the right system to make the most of his ability.

I agree too. however, I would only play him for about 20 games of the season to help him along and to keep his consistancy. So a good rotation between the three would be best IMO. I think Albrighton will be immense in a year or two.

General,

I am not criticising, but it seems we are now about to lose a player with 2 years left on his contract. Would it not make sense to start tying players to 5/6 year contracts so we can at least get 4 years out of them before selling to the bigger clubs?

I only mean the best players obviously or we end up with the likes of Beye who do nothing but pick up their fat pay cheques.

I wouldn't sell him for £.20 m. He has two years left.... two seasons. **** him, we don't need the money. Tell him he's not going offer him a new contract and let him know we are prepared to let him see his contract out. Who knows what will happen in that time.

You can't roll over every time and have your tummy tickled, sometimes we should bare our teeth. People will say well his heart won't be in it and he won't play well. Well as a professional player that would reflect badly on him, and let's see him make England squads if he's not playing well enough to start for us.

It's 2 years FFS. He's not about to run out of contract.

In 2 years time he will be 29, not many players get big contracts at that age, and he carries the risk of running down his contract I.e no increase in salary.and the risk that you get injured in the final year of your contract you may not get another anywhere, just look at Ashton.

Let's grow some balls and use the advantages we have.

How long is Cesc Fabregas' contract. It seems every transfer window Barcelona try to get him but Arsenal say no. Maybe we need to start tying players to 5/6 year contracts so we can get 4 years out of them before they move on!

People that keep knocking Mcleish because of the football, can we please just see what he can do with a half decent team before we make so many assumptions!

exactly, give the man a chance, lets see who he brings in. Showing the guts to come here should at least give him the right for a bit of grace.

Aston Villa are a bigger club that to be hiring Alex McLeish..

Its got to the stage where we are all trying to now convince ourselves he is a good guy..

This is a sh_t appointmant make no mistakes..

Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal would not accept McLeish.

Well today Apathy reigns for me. I give up and accept itSadly I totally agree with you.

Apart from wanting Doug back, hopefully we can get someone new with money and

ambition for our club.