cyrusr

Although I was going to respond to a comment in another thread; i was going to go way off topic! So probably felt better here. A number of people seeming to be wary this season and making comparisons to buying lots of players in a short amount of time. The problem with last season, and this is with MASSIVE hindsight we had 3 or 4 people fudging the transfers. Each signing individually had promise/reason; however the culmination was a fiasco and we had such an oddball team that really didn't gel together. The characters also is an exceptionally difficult one to judge from an outside perspective. We "mere mortals" have no idea how the players are in training and how they work. What again became apparent is that we signed players that either: 1. Wanted the money and that's it; 2. Based on previous reputation and were significantly weaker than we expected; 3. Mentally weak and had no fight in them to begin with; 4. Wholly inexperienced in England/Premier League; or 5. A combination of the above. Don't forget also we had the scraps from years gone by too. And add on top of that the fact that we had a completely inexperienced manager start of us off with his "pashan" rather than tactics and training followed by someone who was properly ill-equipped to work in England let alone deal with what he had got dealt. The reason this (feels) massively is that all the players appear to have a head on them and all fit into the team. There is a clear plan and clear identity. In essence, when they ar all fit we now have 10 out of the first 11 who played very little or no part in last years fiasco (Amavi injured and Grealish out of favour for most of it). In fact the only 1 who appears to remain is, by most accounts, the one player who came out of last season with any credit. Yes we have blatantly over paid but Dr Xia has ambition and is clear that we need to seek promotion this season. He is willing to pay over the top to make that work. Yes the pressure is on RDM but he cannot argue he hasn't been give the opportunity to do it. He has to deliver the goods; no question. Do I have a problem with that? Hell no! It gives me something to get excited about going to Villa Park again. It means we must challenge and we must fight and nothing less will do. Does it mean we've bought the league if we get promoted? Maybe. Do I care? No because it means Villa get back to where they belong!

Is he the same as our @villa_southerner?

We only scored 27 goals last season in total. He scored nearly 80% of that on his own let alone any assets he may have (not sure). £15m is a lot, given that we spent £12m on the purported best forward in the Championship but it's end of window, we clearly are lacking and unfortunately desperate to strengthen. Even without all the comments from RDM and Tony it's as clear as day this is our weak point. Clubs (and players) are going to take advantage of the situation and unfortunately if we want the player we are going to have to stump up the cash.

Saw the story, seen a lot of rubbish in this thread. Know Tony is trying to get a star signing and this is a position (albeit not priority) that needs strengthening. Better than Westwood?

Wishers on loan anyone? Wenger will allow him to leave. Before people say, yes there are likely a score of premiership teams after him and why would he drop to championship but maybe worth a punt? Would likely improve the midfield and he would get the first team football to prove his fitness. Could be beneficial for all parties.

Now f*** off to other football!!!

In sure there was something a week or so ago showing we have created the most chances in the league so far. Given what I've heard about the first half again same thing happened like at Huddersfield. Dominated but only 1-0 up at half time. A lapse in concentration and it's gone. The team playing together longer and someone to convert the chances and we will be up there. Don't forget we are only 8 points off the top and we have 41 games to go! A LOT will change.

I don't.

I think it is this. I think RDM is having him as a squad player. Certainly he has been involved with some of the positive press over the last 2 months I'm sure. I also thought he had picked up a knock; hence why not on the bench or is that not correct? Anyway still think he is in RDM's plans just not as first choice. The whole Eric Black thing; never will truly know, but I believe Okore over Black, he's a more "credible witness". However it certainly suggests Okore wants first team football. Would he get that at Copenhagen? Probably. I don't think RDM and Tony would keep him unnecessarily but because of the lateness are probably scratching around the loan market for a replacement as there's no point buying another CD when we have just bought 2 and we should only buy players to improve. Think we would loan a player for cover/competition. Anyway he certainly was not one of the worst; I would have wished Richards/Lescott gone before him. Hope he does well if he goes

See it as 3 too. AMC/R and striker as 2 options. Someone mentioned a few pages back Inzaghi said Morrison was available for transfer but can't find anything? Striker I'm not sure. Hernandez obvious link and given Tony's tweets someone we have at the very least enquired about. Interesting though to see Inter have a lot of strikers so *could* be one of those. Lljalic or Jovetic (from FM) would be fantastic - confess though do not really know the others at all or how Lljalic or Jovetic are in real life!!! Reckon the loan though is a central defender subject to whether Okore leaves or not (basing that on the Sun speculation). Okore from what I see/read appears to be in RDM's plans; just not as first choice; hence if someone like Copenhagen came in I'm sure he would be happy to go. If he does we need someone in but no need for first choice; hence a loan makes more sense; certainly until we see how Elphick/Chester get on longer term. If Okore stays; not needed but if he goes needed. That's "unpredictable".

A very chilled out evening that will be! Seen them a couple of times and they are great. Will have to miss this one though... Stupid parents wanting to "catch up" over dinner...

I understood it was something that was initially promised but then pulled back at the last minute; either finances or otherwise. I think the commute was something made up by the media IMO. It'll be down to whether they can afford his wages or not. So can anyone fly a plane to get him over there? Maybe do it on route to Turkey for Richards too?

I think I am actually in love with him! What the Luton game showed was that the squad before was clearly inadequate before and would have probably have been mid table Championship at best! He really is serious about promotion; cannot help but love the enthusiasm!

Ok, whoever did this own up! This is clearly the work of a VT: 4'2" - rubbish! He's got to be nearly 5'! Anyway, welcome Ritchie! Defence looks set now!

They did have that in the lower holte last year but it didn't really help. Changed to a regular dispenser this year. Absoltuely agree though, queues are a nightmare at half time. Would have thought pre poured pints would work though if possible.

But why use "until today"? He could have just said "he hasn't been on our list" and would make more sense. Until today, to me anyway, is purposeful. Maybe something they are looking at as alternative to other choices already identified. Certianly suggests the previous links/suggestions/twitter c*** were rubbish though! edit - what @useless said more succinctly.

Unfortunately shows how badly we need to sign an out and out striker. Needs to gain fitness back and the problem is ever since he has been with us has not been fit enough for a decent run in the team. His attitude though is good and that's why he is preferred to Gabby I'm sure.Maybe a loan move to say Walsall/Coventry would do him the world of good though when we sign another striker. Allow him some game time to really assess his value to the team.

Seriously? Lescott as a Villa "fan" you owe us! Even with Tony confirming not medical he will struggle to get any offers. I could see this being a payoff if no one comes in during this window. Whats funny is that they are considering Senderos as the alternative! Wish we did that last season...

Westwood. From what we've seen of Tshibola he is more box to box than certainly I thought. Jedinak will sit back and destroy the opposition with his Jedi mind tricks, allowing Tshibola to player higher up the pitch.

He's definitely in the category of "wouldn't mind staying but if he wants to go let him go". Had moments last season and felt RDM could have worked with; however clearly either a) not good enough (unlikely IMO) or b ) wants to go (very likely IMO). au revoir et bonne chance.

BBC reporting Medical too...: It's happening!

His ego would take up too much squad space.

Was searching in relation to Diawara as couldn't see a reference to him going to Napoli; however Sport 1 German News Site suggests Schalke could be in for him. In German: And in "Google English": No idea if that is even close, but if Schalke in for him also this is even less likely than before. Next!

Really you want to leave? Despite given a fresh start like everyone else? Fine, f*** off then. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Theres something there but he has never been off the treatment table long enough to show one way or the other. Should try and sell if we can and try to recoup most, if not all, of what we bought him for then would be content with that. Although, I can't imagine many clubs would match the 40-60k he is allegedly on. Those wages are ridiculous for "potential" and again show the incompentance of last seasons transfer dealings. A loan might be better; if he does good we get more money and someone is more likely to pay the wages. A couple million to loan him also is a lower risk than buying from the other clubs perspective.

Where's this come from??? This is news to me? Given he has played all league games, I got the impression he was going to be here this season???