allani

Just looking at what has been happening in the states - major stadium rebuild, massive increase in season ticket sales. Looks like these guys have BIG connections who will see the bigger picture and potential to invest in a brand. Welcome to WES Villa Park, sponsored by Adidas.

Is the fact that Tony is the third name on the list significant? I think so. This is not two guys adding in some investment. This is a takeover.

Do it now!

Is he? I've put his name to friends who are fans of Swansea, West Ham, Everton (who were in big trouble at the time), Southampton, Leeds, Millwall and Sunderland and none of them wanted Bruce to even be on their short-list of potential managers. Maybe they all have unrealistic expectations but they all regarded Bruce as old school, past his best and dull. I don't see many clubs coming in for him - I think the appeal of a younger manager, imposing a new style with young players who wouldn't need replacing within 12 months is going to make Bruce a difficult appointment for another club to get the fans behind.

Yep - but trying to stay under the radar!

Good to hear!

What's the new kid like?

**** me I thought he'd been red carded for simulation!!!!

Another match against a team in / around the play-offs where we have managed the sum total of 1 shot on target so far. So negative. Hoping that we now bag three late goals to make me look like a right plonker!

Bye bye Steve. Don't bother trying to close the door on your way out.

I can't see how, after being backed so heavily in January, Bruce won't be given a bit more than 2 weeks to turn things around. His argument will be that he's only had 2-3 weeks with the players that he wants and that it takes time for them to gel. I don't know how much time exactly that buys him - probably another 3-4 weeks? If we fail to pick up many points in that timeframe we may be staring ever more closely at a relegation battle - which would almost certainly destroy Xia's business plans and potentially set us back 4-5 years at least (you'd imagine that with wages / income / etc we'd have to sell most of the squad to be able to survive financially). After all the complaints down the year about how our owner has frustrated our attempts to develop and challenge as a club by not backing the manager (other than a couple of bright year's at the start of Lerner's tenure) it is a particularly cruel form of irony that we now have an owner who is doing everything he possibly can whilst the team seems intent on some form of spectacular self-destruct.

We might get promoted next season. But only if we get relegated this season.....

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/neil-taylor-reveals-left-aston-12538335 Doesn't say a whole lot about the reasons why he left - but posted it as I think it is an interesting insight into how the player conducts himself. Lots of positive messages about how he enjoyed his time there and was keen for a new challenge. Comes across pretty well. Of course part of the criticism from some Swansea fans was his close relationship with the press (apparently he could always be relied on for an exclusive for Swansea or Wales) - so it will be interesting to see how we feel about that in the coming months / seasons.

Without quoting the whole message - my mate (Swans season ticket holder) has said almost exactly the same as @SwansFan. Good player when he first arrived - not quite recovered the same form after his injury. He also mentioned that much of the "criticism" has almost been because the local press have been very pro Taylor (for both Swans and Wales) and so he seems immune from fault. Maybe being away from Wales might do him some good? Overall I'm thinking he sounds like a decent Championship player. Not sure he's PL class - would be slightly surprised if he is dropping a division to be back-up - so I am a bit worried that this might result in Amavi getting less playing time (as I still think Amavi could be a PL star). If he has been signed as back-up then I actually think it's pretty good and will definitely strengthen our options.

Bruce seemed to be more confident that we were much closer than just "interested in" the mystery player. So either this is old news (i.e. he was one of the 60-70 players that we considered) or it is out of date (i.e. we are closer to having agreed a possible deal). I don't think Xia will hold back on the transfer value - if Bruce and Round say that he is the striker we need to get promoted then I think Xia will find the money.

Won't be that long before we all start speculating on the summer transfer window!!! :-) Can you imagine how nuts that is going to be after the last 3 weeks????

Would seem to tie in with Bruce's comments earlier. Taylor & Bedeau tomorrow - and an unlinked striker today???!!!!

Is it also possibly a "condition" of Henri coming to us at a decent fee? Give him to us and we'll loan you Tish once we have secured 2 more signings that are just being finalised? Bit of a leap of faith given the time between the two deals on their part but if we had enough coals in the fire then can see us having been pretty confident of completing on our side. Possibly just over-thinking the situation....

I wonder whether the player swap could be Rhodes for Ross plus cash? Would seem to make more logical sense?

I've assumed (possibly wrongly) that Jedi will be on the bench and coming on for the last 20 minutes or so - or rotated with Grealish depending on the opposition. I think as super sub he will play a vital role - as well as slipping into the starting XI as/ when tactics / injuries / form / suspensions kick in.

I agree with this. Jedinak and Gardner as bench options with the new midfield we will have be tomorrow (hopefully) will be pretty good for this division. I have a hope that surrounded by good players (which we seem to have now got) Gardner might kick on. I think others will be on their way much sooner.

I agree mate. Scoring in any league as a midfielder is a great attribute that we've not had for a while. Not quite sure exactly how Bruce will have them lined up but a midfield of Adamoh, Henri, Thor, Connor and Grealish - has goal threat written all over it. And most of them look like they can put in the legwork, make a tackle, read the game and have a bit of bite about them too. Been a while since you could associate our midfield and goal threat together (except to our own defenders). I'm hoping that these additions give Grealish the kick up the **** he needs and also afford him a little more freedom. I think this is an important 3-4 months for him now. Not quite make or break but getting close. I've got my fingers crossed.

Having watched a few Serie B matches this season - I wouldn't get too excited about stats from that division. It is generally not very good. My local team is Bari (in a bizarre Villa twist) and Westwood would walk into their starting midfield (but I hope he doesn't come here!).

There's a reply on the Facebook post announcing his arrival from a guy called Fabien Seiler who says: "As a FC Basel fan, I am kind of sad he is going. Because he is very strong in the midfield area and has a good ball protection. Scored a lot of goals for a midfielder as well. Wish him good luck at Aston Villa!" Not sure that tells us much more than we already knew but...

I don't know whether I am more excited about the fact that we are signing players or that Tony is keeping us all up to date with his enthusiastic tweets.... God I hope he doesn't lose interest / run out of money / patience - because I love his updates. I'd want to be doing the same thing if I was the boss! Go Tony!