Daholteend

IMHO the "substantial" or "significant" funds affair can probably be traced back all the way to the Chairman's office. It won't be the first time that some one from that office may have jumped the gun . This is the same office that claimed that Newcastle had accepted our offer for Bellamy. Likewise that same office may have been counting the profits from the property development,that the City Planning Department eventually rejected, prematurely. That may have been the source of the notion that "significant" funds were going to be available. A prudent individual might have stepped forward at the time of the Planning Departments rejection and informed the shareholders that these funds were not going to be available as expected. In the meantime, the Chairman had heart surgery and the issue of substantial funds was deflected. Langham resigned and DOL and Stride had a couple of weeks where they looked as if they were going to spend those "substantial funds" . As soon as some one came out of the anaesthetic the opportunity was lost and the status quo at Villa Park returned. If DOL and Stride pull a couple of rabbits out of the hat before the transfer window closes and spend 12M on a Striker and Center Back then this whole issue will be moot and many of us will be very happy supporters and/or shareholders because that will, for Villa at least, be "significant funds" I voted No because I have been a Villa supporter for so long now that unfortunately, I know that anything that certain people say may have to be taken with a grain of salt. After all, according to Ron Atkinson's memoirs, this is the same man who claimed to have been the first football player to have invented the bicycle kick ... Gimme a break !!! The great thing about AVFC is that the club survives and sometimes thrives notwithstanding who the Chairman is. Why ? Because we are the Best Fans a club could ask for . When I was a kid Tommy Docherty said that if Villa Players hung their washing out to dry at Villa Park on a Monday Afternoon (washing day) 15,000 supporters would pay to come and watch. That was a measure of how great this club is and still is . I wouldn't worry about the substantial funds much longer. This club is going to have a new ownership before too long, either by purchase or default. In the meantime DOL & Co. probably have done enough to bring about a top six finish this season and then next summer we can argue whether our spend will exceed 4M or better

Looks like Man Citeh are putting in a 5M bid for Fredi Kanoute . Kanoute made mincemeat of our defence and Liam Ridgewell in particular in that drubbing we got at White Hart Lane scoring 2 goals. Since 5M seems to be about Villa's budget for a forward why make a bid for him ?

Phew !! Denis! If we thought the Baros affair goes on for ever , can you imagine how long the Michael Owen negotiating will take ? I am laughing so much at the mere thought of that one I won't be able to eat my cornflakes for another ten minutes this morning !

Now I wish I had studied to be a Doctor. I could have made a fortune off us Villa fans prescribing Prozac and Vallium for depression . Oh and for the Small Heath Crowd it would have been Viagra! The old line " You don't have to be nuts to be a Villa Fan but it helps if you are " definitely applies. I am going to always remain optimistic where the Villa is concerned. The alternative isn't worth the energy. Up the Villa!

This season Angel may have an advantage with the new offside rules where officials may let play continue until an offside player actually touches the ball or is deemed to obstruct an opponent. Of course the offside rules won't help him at all if he insists on playing deep in the midfield. He is never going to be as fast as Vassell was but his finishing was always better. Angel went on record saying that he is hoping for European football at Villa Park. He will have to do considerably better than last season if he hopes to see that happen. I hope that his form from 2 seasons ago returns.

I agree Jez . With Baros it maybe that his best games are behind him at the Euro Championships. With Daz his best games are ahead of him at Villa Park.. even if it is for only 11 to 13 goals a season plus the assists .

Sell ? They wouldnt even rate a Bosman.. there wouldn't be any takers except maybe Under Takers :roll:

LancsVillan wrote I understand the frustration LV but it's inevitable because that whole affair symptomises some of the poor management choices made by the Board over the years. That one may turn out to be just a bit more obvious than others. It shows a true lack of a coherent business expertise time after time. Why would we be so surprised ? As long as the One who controls the pursestrings continues to throw out peanuts monkeys will appear . Nothing has changed at Villa Park. I just have to keep reading Ron Atkinsons memoirs and blink and realise this is so . Back to the thread. I sincerely hope that DOL doesn't repeat the same type of transaction with Daz. If he does ask nothing less than 8M for him and insist on a sell on clause !

I agree Richard :roll: It wouldn't be so bad Richard if they replaced the players with better players, but to take a better club player and replace them with something similar or worse doesn't make any sense. But I keep forgetting who the gaffer is .... 'nuff said

Damiand, we would all love to see Daz score 20 goals , in fact as Villa fans we love to see anyone in claret and blue score 20 goals a season but you know that doesnt happen nearly often enough. Just for a comparison looking at scoring averages for players currently being discussed on this forum here is an approximate average for each player in the last few seasons. Baros = 9 Phillips = 11 Angel = 10 Vassell = 8 and Lancs Villans favourite Crouch = 11 Expecting Daz to score 20 goals is unrealistic. In fact demanding it of any of the above players is over the top. I am not saying it can't happen but lets be realistic. Form tells us that a healthy Vassell is worth 10 to 13 goals on a good season and goodness knows how many assists. How many goals would Angel have scored two seasons back without Vassell diverting the defences ? I know we have all heard a lot of rhetoric about Daz's career but it's a lot more positive than you allow and if he stays healthy this season and given the opportunities to play by DOL and Aitken I believe he will come good with between 10 and 14 goals. If he doesn't I will gladly buy you a pint but if he does I hope the favour will be returned BTW I enjoy your blog

It is no secret that I am a big Daz fan and have said as much in an earlier post. The key to Daz might very well be to negotiate a new contract now before he starts to come into his prime and make and score goals once again. Daz strikes me as the kind of player that needs endorsement from the club's management and the fans. It is my belief that if he is fit and over his injury and with more back up we are about to have a golden season from Daz. The incentive is there. World Cup is a year away and wherever he plays next season that alone should encourage a return of form. Don't give up on Daz.. the best is yet to come. BUT.... if the board aren't savvy enough to extend his contract we should expect one of two things.. either he will be given away foolishly a la Crouchie or he will go of his own accord on a Bosman next season. Neither of those last two options is desirable for us fans or for Daz!

Daz has to stay ! He has proven himself at Villa Park. Last season was an anomaly and with a broken ankle against Fulham and disappointment in Portugual who wouldn't be depressed. What I don't get though is how the media are talking a valuation as low as 3M for Daz!! Come on, get real! If Crouchie is worth 7M to Benitez and Lyon wanted to pay 10M for Baros, then 3M for Daz is a joke,, even worse an insult. If Manchester City want Daz why shouldnt we ask for Distin and while we are at it why not be cheeky and ask them to add a bit of cash on top. Personally I would rather see Daz stay. He is bound to find that blazing form again and with our support he will terrify a lot of defences this season! As for the media, all I can do is shake my head and remind myself it must be a slow news day for even the likes of the Mirror to write such drivel about Daz at 3M! Daz me old mate.. make your future at Villa Park look very BRIGHT! I hope you sign a new 2 year contract very soon and return to scoring 13 + goals this season . Who amongst us remembers Daz's games like the ones with Stromsgodset ? That's the Daz that I believe in! On top of all this he is a Brummie and everyone knows that every good brummie is born with claret and blue blood. He was born to play for the Villa. If you think he was depressed last season imagine how depressed he will be if he signs for a club that is only Number 2 in their city and plays in Blue ? Give me a break! Let's get behind Daz this season and help him get more England caps!

Ruben Corcobado Soto from Numancia's B team a young promising striker who has played a few games with the first team. Numancia were relegated from the Spanish Primera Division last season. The news on the street is that he is flying to train with Aston Villa this week where Roy Aitken and D'OL will assess his merits. Ruben is said to be excited at his opportunity ..so at least he fits one of D'OL's criteria for bringing in new players.. he wants to be here!

Does anyone know who heads up Villas Scouting Team ? I wonder if he has taken a look at Preston North End's David Nugent, a sharp, fast, tricky centre forward. PNE acquired Nugent for a bargain 100K from Bury and narrowly missed getting into the Premiership with him. Nugent joined them in January and proceeded to score 9 goals. He has been been with the England U-20's . Since DOL and Stride like bargain hunting, they should take a good look at Nugent . IMHO Nugent might be great investment for the future for any Premiership team and maybe even the present . Have any of you Lancashire Villa fans seen the lad ? What are your thoughts ?

I voted yes and as much as I would love to see CB at VP and DOL do the villafan quote I can't visualise it happening.. can you ? It is amazing how quiet CB has been throughout the last few months. I can't help thinking that he is playing smart by not signing on for any other team while he still holds a perfectly good contract with the Toons. All he has to do is turn up and he gets paid. It is also very possible that Souey's own situation at St James will be terminated if they dont start the season by winning. If CB waits it out he may very well see the end of Souey and be forgiven by the good 'Shepherd' and received as the Prodigal Son. For CB outlasting Souey and then signing elsewhere might actually be what he is looking for. If that is the case then he may very well sign another loan deal with the likes of Celtic... or maybe even Us! Whichever way it goes it's been great entertainment over an otherwise lack lustre Summer. Good Luck to DOL and Steve Stride. I hope you get your man 8)