MagicMushroom

Still hard to say since there will be more incomings and outgoings, but if Benteke stays and the squad remains the same...anywhere between 9-12th for me.

knowing Lambert, it will most likely be somebody well off the radar Seriously though, with extra cash to play with, don't rule out a more established player(s), since we should be able to pay the wages. As long as the attitude is right and they suit the way we play, then im pretty sure Lambert will do that.

Precisely!

It does not mean anything though, since when the real stuff comes along, the players will be 100% fitter than they are now, and that's all its about. Its just practice at this moment in time. The only friendlies that will have any type of cutting edge will be the final two/three where the Manager will have them playing the way he wants them to. But even then, I would not read to much into it.

He wont be going anywhere for less than the 25m that has been stipulated. He can do what he likes, but that's not going to change. The nearest example to what will happen is the Gareth Barry/Liverpool saga. If Spurs are indeed serious, then there is only one way this will go.... Randy will not fold on this, and neither will Lambert. Its about setting an example to certain agents and telling others that Villa do not roll over when one of their best players is tapped up. And like I said earlier, whilst this has been rumbling on in the media for the last fortnight, Spurs have not put in a bid, which a little strange if you accept that the media are correct. To me, it looks like Spurs are merely using this speculation, and perhaps feeding it, whilst having another target in mind. Also, until a firm bid comes in from somebody, the actual club that has tapped him up will not show there hand, since it will be pretty obvious. We already know who has been tapping him up. im pretty sure of that. Smoke and Mirrors, guys.

I think we are, but things are probably on hold whilst Lambert waits to see exactly how much he has got to spend on one.

Personally I would prefer ALL that money to be re-invested into the squad and not be used on people like Ireland. Why? Say he doesn't get signed he would be on the books until next year taking home £3.1 million from us. Offer him a million out of the 25 we'd hopefully get from Benteke, not really a big deal. I know what your saying, but for me, it would be wasting it. Remember, its not Irelands fault his earning what he is, that's down to the muppets who agreed to sanction it in the first place.Besides, im not convinced that Benteke will be leaving, so we should just pay Ireland off in anycase. Im a strong believer that funds raised from player sales, go directly back into the squad.

he's worth £30 million + to us and we have no reason to sell for any less. I still think he's mainly trying to get a better pay deal with us or see who comes in for him. I'm not convinced he actually wants out, after all he seemed to enjoy the games he played for us and got on well with team mates and fans etc. Asking for a transfer is the best way for him to get what he wants / better wages etc. .If he replicates or improves on last season maybe a ridiculous offer in January could prise him away, however we could be pushing for Europe / silverware ourselves this year Thing is, the club are in a sticky position whilst they have people like Bent and Ireland sitting around doing nout for 60+ k a week, and we are offering our best player and one that arguably saved the club millions by scoring the goals to keep us up, is offered considerably less. All it does is give his weasel Agent something to bite on.

Personally I would prefer ALL that money to be re-invested into the squad and not be used on people like Ireland.

Yes, but sooner or later we are going to have to look at things if these are still around. Lambert will want all his plans in place by the time the season kicks off. I cant see anybody touching Ireland with a barge pole, Givens wages and age are another stumbling block on shifting him, so that leaves only Bent out of those three that may be gone any time soon. We may have offers for other players to come, i.e Bannan, but I think sooner or later we need to push on with our own plans.

what do you mean? Im guessing hes saying that a certain player we all used to love, may be on the funny stuff if he believes his agent has his career at heart.

Now that's a way to annoy benteke to the point he refuses to play for us if spurs didn't match the 30m. It would also make us look incredibly small time. Bad idea I say For us and the player Im still convinced its Chelsea. All this Spurs stuff is bluff for other targets they may have. If they really wanted him, then they would of approached us by now.....they have not. All this media spin suits them I guess.

Would be nice to make a signing this week. Would take all the attention away from other things!

Its very plausible that Spurs are using the Benteke situation has a smokescreen since no bid or approach has been made by them.

Any fee below 25 million is treason. Ive learnt tonight that Benteke is going no where unless that fee is met........common knowledge. Thing is, ive also been told that the reason we wont budge is his agent. People at Villa are pretty annoyed because the player had given no intention that he wanted out. In fact, what ive been told was Benteke was happy with staying for another season and thinks well of Lambert. Feelings are the player is taking to much from what is agent is telling him. He is to close to his agent and feels loyalty towards him. The other bit ive heared is,Spurs are not the club that he will end up at......though it will be in London. The guy is 50-50 with what he tells me, but ihas been within football for a long while, and a personal friend of Doug. I think Benteke will stay for another season. He is happy.

All in all, Paul is having a very eventful summer, so far

Wish they would **** off and bore somebody else tbh.

Danny Crowley, 'The Next Wilshere', moved to Arsenal for a measly £200k. Cheers mate, damn that sucks.. I think it's time that we just **** off producing English talent and just buy cheap talent where ever we can find it. Football has ceased to be a sport and become an entertainment program for sky, who then peddle the rights to the highest bidder. Honestly, its fast becoming a gimmick like Wrestling and the Harlem Globetrotters. And we fans are equally guilty since its us that give sky our subscriptions and pay the inflated prices at matches. Well don't, it's the easiest thing in the world to stream matches, and in high quality to. Must admit that when im not paying through my nose through the gates, its my first port of call. I have my sky box, but ive refused to pay them for two years so am restricted to free view.

Football has ceased to be a sport and become an entertainment program for sky, who then peddle the rights to the highest bidder. Honestly, its fast becoming a gimmick like Wrestling and the Harlem Globetrotters. And we fans are equally guilty since its us that give sky our subscriptions and pay the inflated prices at matches.

Thing is, the league is structured in a way so that it benefits the richer more successful clubs. The Premier league has only ever cared about cash, and until these richer clubs finally piss off and join a European super league then it will continue to be like this. Outside of Villa, I no longer have interest in others results, cant be arsed with the league table, and can no longer stand watching it on TV due to the constant milking of clubs like Manure. What im saying is, we should not be surprised that this is filtering down to the youth set ups and academies. I fully endorse Bryan Jones standpoint, and to be honest, the job he has done at Villa,if anyone knows whats needed then he does.

How much is Sigurdsson on and would he drop it? These type of players are out of touch whilst we have our current pay structure.

All in all , Paul is having quite a good summer so far

Only if we can catch them

Exactly, since we only get cast offs for a reason. Deal is simples:- 25-30m No installments Money up front Sell on clause agreed No part player exhanges If any club is reluctant to meet that, then **** off. We will sell him for more next term.

Lazy journalism since we will be looking for someone with a sell on value.