Mazrim

I didn't say he was crap, just very limited. And I'm not questioning Fergie who I rate as the best manager ever but it doesnt mean anybody who has played for him is ace. I'm talking about Carrick in isolation and in this instance, Carrick vs Milner. The point being, Milner is a much better player than Carrick.

He's not crap, he's just been hidden amongst very good teams and now he's being found out. He cant get away with just giving the ball to Ronaldo, Rooney, Scholes and Giggs anymore. You need to have a bit more about you than that. I just had a peek at the Actim stats. Milner appears in the top 5 midfielders and 11th overall. I stopped looking for Carrick after 100. As for not going to the world cup if all those players were fit. Rubbish. Capello said Milner was the future of England didn't he? Must rate him quite highly then.

You can use as many capital letters as you like, Carrick isnt as good as Milner. Not now and certainly not in the future. All your stats tell me is that Man Utd are better than we are. Well thats not news. And Fergie paid £30m+ on Berbatov and Veron. So what? Carrick is a gutless wonder who does nothing but pass to the nearest player whether he's marked or not and mill about the centre circle. He's a good passer, I'll say that. But thats it. Milner is faster, smarter, provides more goals and assists, more energy, more determination... the list goes on and on. Thats why Milner is being talked about going to allsorts for massive fees and Carrick... isnt.

What does he do? Ive often heard about all these great things he does, then I particularly watched him and I couldn't see it. The real class in Liverpools midfield was Alonso and Gerrard and when they lost Alonso they became shite. What a suprise. There are lots of better players than him at what he's supposed to be best at, which is stopping the opposition. For me, he's all hype, has been found out and is a busted flush. Liverpool, I bet, wont be able to get rid of him quick enough. Anyway, dont want to get sidetracked here. Mascherano, no thanks. Keep NRC, get better players elsewhere.

Oh I dont know. I think Michael Brown is much better at running around fouling everyone and gobbing off to the ref.

Actually, I think Mascherano is one of the most overrated players on the planet and an odeous little shit to boot. So no, I wouldn't want him. Barcelona? My arse. He wouldn't get in their reserve team.

Carrick is as good as Milner? I think you're losing your mind mate. And the PFA represent him if he needs help. He doesnt have an agent.

The last time I recall him playing up front was when he scored a hattrick for England I think. He can play wide or up front and whilst we have good wingers, he would definitely add a lot to our team. Christ, it would be hard enough a job to get him here. We're not too good for him I assure you.

If you're already getting stressed then my god, you're in for a tough summer. Relax, enjoy the nice weather (when it arrives), watch the World Cup, Wimbledon, Test matches and have a few beers. It will be alright.

Barry had one year of his contract left and we had the best of him. £12m? Whoever got screwed over, it wasnt Villa.

It is up to the manager and/or owner. The player can make any decision he wants (and there's nothing to suggest he wants to leave), short of a completely ridiculous bid, he wont be leaving this summer.

If it is, we're **** for the World Cup.

Confucius say one chicken must have head. It would be interesting to see though. I've suggested Walcott before. It all depends how Wenger sees him though and if he has a future at Arsenal. If hes not going to pick him that often would he want to move? He'd know he'd be a regular and a big deal here. And lets face it, he has the attributes MON loves.

I wouldn't entertain any notion of playing Downing in the middle to be honest. Maybe occasionally as one of three in the middle with two wingers and one striker, maybe. I'd personally go for Kallstrom as he's a good player and free this summer. A bit of a no brainer really. We do well with Vikings. If we assume Sidwell, Salifou and maybe Reo Coker are off, plus Delph being out for a long while, we'll need a couple of others in too. So I'd go for Scott Parker and Stephen Ireland and that would complete our midfield. Young, Downing, Albrighton, Milner ©, Parker, Kallstrom, Ireland, Petrov. Plenty of strength in depth there and lots of options with Delph to come back in eventually. Then we obviously need a striker and thats where most of any money we have to spend will go. Ideally, Harewood and Heskey will be off and that will clear the way for a top striker to come in. I dont know who but say somebody in the Darren Bent bracket but from the continent. Carew, Agbonlahor, Delfouneso, Weimann and new guy. Finally we need to sort out who is playing right back. If Beye and Young are on their way then we need a specialist in with Cuellar covering the position. Nathan Clyne looks a good prospect and there have been rumours regarding Manolev, who I dont know much about but is supposed to be decent. I wouldn't mind one of Onuoha or Richards who may be on their way out of Citeh too. **** knows. It needs sorting anyway. In fact, if Shorey is off and with Bouma off we'll need left back cover too. Maybe a player who can cover both full back positions. Ideally, Luke Young stays then. Goalkeepers are fine. So with the outgoing players generating a bit of cash and hopefully a big new sponsorship deal, plus prize money and whatever Randy puts in, I think this is all very realistic.

They can have the Togolese Zidane for £15m and not a penny less. They'd have to get Johnny Ball to think of the number we'd charge them for Milner. Rest assured it would have more noughts than Stephen Hawking's score in Strictly come dancing.

Delfouneso is going to be top class I reckon but chill on the expectations a while. And just because a player hasnt acheived the same level another player acheived at a similar age, it doesn't mean that player wont eventually be as good. They all develop differently and at their own pace. I think the Fonz has it all but only time will tell if he makes the most of his talent.

Signed.

We were after SWP but not Defoe. As far as I know that was the only target we didnt get for reasons that were later made known. It could be that we go back for SWP. I suppose it depends on whether Chelsea see him as having a future with him. I see no reason why MON would have changed his mind in 6 months unless he has a better target in mind. Young can play on the left, SWP on the right with Maloney, Berger, Barry and Steiber for cover. Works for me.

It cant be us. We have a name. OH YEAH!

i'll move on if i ever see or hear of any proof. but at the moment all i have is hearsay if they'd made a bid surely it would have made the news at the very least ? i'm not suggesting he'd have even gone there if they did, but as far as i recall only Villa made a bid once he'd turned West Ham down its not really important now anyway as he's ours. i just don't think we fought anybody else off for him Well, you can take my word for it or not but it did happen. I said so at the time if anybody wants to check the archives. God knows I cant be arsed. I had a fantastic source for that one. If you think everything that happens makes the news....well. It doesnt.

Who has said anything like that? I dont see anyone questioning Villa, i just see people wondering whats going on. Which is fair enough, whats wrong with that? Everybody stressing about supposed transfer inactivity. Including yourself. All I'm saying is have patience and faith in the club. It is still very early days and I believe there is going to be some activity pretty soon. Even if we signed them, what would they do? The players dont report back for ages yet and the training ground is a couple of weeks away from completion. I personally think we'll do our business in one or maybe two busy weeks of frantic activity. That might still be two weeks away and it still would be in plenty of time. In the mean time, enjoy the cricket and watch the good times roll. :winkold: There's no rush. Remember the two Bulls story; "Dad, lets run down there and **** a cow!" "No son, lets walk down there and **** them all!" Up the Villa.

Tricella calm down, I wasnt even talking to you. It was in reply to the direct insinuation that Spurs didnt bid for Young which is something I proved wrong at the time if people remember and is now being ignored. I dont need your permission to post either, cheers. JohnGoodman. No I havent any names I'm affraid but I know there is some activity. Anybody could reaspn that out though I suppose if there was a little more faith in the club.

Have I not said many times that Spurs made an offer for Young? They were very serious as they wanted him to play on the left and had nothing to do with Lennon. I know its hard to believe for some of you but you're just going to have to accept that we won that one. Please move on from this one now.

Things are moving. Be patient. You wont know until its done and neither will the press, but things ARE happening. Now stop shaking like a bunch of shitting dogs and relax. You have nothing to worry about. Nothing.

I think the De Jong rumour has legs. He'd be a good signing and fits the profile MON seems to be after. 22-24, talented and versatile. A right back who can play midfield too. Sneijder and Huntelaar next then.....