pete165

Thoughts so far:

-They started much better than us, if they'd scored first I'd have been concerned the way the game was going

-Carew still not quite fit, but has won some stuff and proving to be useful, especially in a game where a lump is actually a good out-ball

-Laursen tackle looked a pen to me - think we got a bit fortunate - if it was the other way i'd have been screaming, I can tell you

-We could've really done with another goal, Carew and Gabby both close

-Impressed with Petrov; think he's done pretty well

-Would like to see more of NRC winning some stuff in the middle third, but he does cover some ground and is protecting in front of the back four wuite well

I believe MON will buy Curtis Davies for 8m pounds.

Ask me on Sept 1st. Until then I'm not only sceptical but more than a little confused.

Show some guts and spend some money Martin. Please.

I think it's showing more guts not spending it to be honest.

I believe MON is a clueless clearing in the woods when it comes to the transfer market and his scouting is pathetic. I believe this cos the evidence is there for all to see. His buys have been ineffective and he has shown himself to be lagging behind in team planning. I cannot believe people are still making excuses for him when we are about to start a season without 11 recognised players?? **** useless, clueless, outdated, uninspired dickhead. Yes i saw us play Inter and no i'm not convinced, who is more fooled the fool or the fool who follows the fool!

oh come on mate - you do believe really don't you,

in all seriousness, I understand the frustration, but the transfer window isn't shut yet. His main buys so far have been reo coker and ashley young - I wouldn't have called them ineffective on saturday mate, but you're entitled to your opinion.

if he's so clueless, why was he greeted at villa park on his arrival as a legend? was it on the strength of his transfers or his ability to manage and get results? hmm....

I like the fact that this thread has become increasingly religious.

In reality, all we need is him to buy someone to keep people happy for a while.

I'll stick my neck out and say it'll be BOSINGWA

yes, but I like 'I BELIEVE......'

oh yeah, loving the vibes in here....

glad I'm not the only one

BELIEVE!!!!!!!!

cut the caps lock. ta. blandy

If we've decided not to pay the fee, it's a decision. We have to trust those in the position to make these decisions. Personally I wouldn't have paid for Ash Young at the time. MON knew better than me.

*signs*

I will continue to believe until the 1st of September. That is when the window closes, and that is when the **** will hit the fan if MON hasn't made the signings. For the interim three weeks, we will continue to try and improve, and I believe we will be successful in this attempt.

Agree completely. Infact this thread is intended as a haven for those sick of the other threads and their hyperbole.

Ain't that the truth. We've allegedly missed out on a goalkeeper. We've not been sold to Peter Ridsdale. All should yet be fine.

hehe. genius. love it.

I am also going to confess that my optimism may also be due to the fact that I've barely watched 90 minutes of Craig Gordon in action. I also think Sorenson isn't a bad keeper.

*signs*

I will continue to believe until the 1st of September. That is when the window closes, and that is when the **** will hit the fan if MON hasn't made the signings. For the interim three weeks, we will continue to try and improve, and I believe we will be successful in this attempt.

Agree completely. Infact this thread is intended as a haven for those sick of the other threads and their hyperbole.

I still believe because:

1) MON spent 9.5 mill on Ashley Young - he isn't afraid to spend

2) Newspapers link us with players we don't always want

3) We're playing good football at the moment

4) The transfer window hasn't shut

5) We're not the only club struggling to sign players

6) We've bought dross in the past and can't just sign anyone

7) Everything behind-the-scenes is improving

8) MON has publically stated that he KNOWS we need players (RB, etc.)

Pete

Must back JCs question here General. There is, I hope you're aware, a very large amount of dissent growing on these boards. We are watching LOTS of others teams spend big money on big players and not doing the same ourselves, despite selling 8 potential first team players. We are genuinely concerned and worried. This needs to be passed on.

there is now ay in this world we're getting wes sneijder. totally out of our league. he's world class and will more likely go to arsenal or spurs. and why spurs? because they are BETTER THAN US. and I'm a villa fan.

I know we're not allowed to mention spurs, but the Sun are running a story today saying Jol is deifnitely after Sneijder.

was just on their breaking news - NRC 7m bid.

Now he may not agree, but having watched his interview about not being wanted at West Ham, it's very sensible for us to make the first move for him.

It may eventually come down to the fact that we've shown our own desire for him.

look, let's get this straight. IF Reo-Coker signs, it'll be an excellent signing. No question at all. Forget him being linked with the top 4 over the previous season. He's just a very decent little player indeed.

Not only is he strong and with an unreal engine, but he does have a real will to win, perfect 'athlete' to inject energy into a game, and the idea that he can't pass is ludicrous. He's just a box-to-box player, and a young one that can definitely be moulded.

The idea is surely to play him with Petrov, and to give the latter more license to show he can deliver goals and killer passes. And don't forget that Reo Coker DOES drive forward too.

Anyone that questions this guy's ability is going to look foolish in the future. He had a duff few games and became a scapegoat because he mentioned a 'dream move' to a bigger club in the middle of a poor west ham season. Even the most ardent west ham fan will tell you that he's got bags of potential and they'll be very sorry to let him go. He could easily play for England in the future.

Whether we sign him is another matter. Spurs may still, in my opinion, get him.

Zokora is absolute cack. And he's a diving pussy too.

Jol's not daft. He realises, as do the Spurs fans, that Zokora hasn't delivered what he'd wanted - hence they may well nip in for Reo Coker.

I can see it happening.

It's getting stronger - basically it seems that if Barton goes to Newcastle, they won't want NRC as well. Still think Tottenham need a midfield carrier in the Zokora mould, and they do buy young british talent. So if they bid, I think he'll prefer to stay in London and would see them as a more attractive prospect. Other than that, he looks like being ours. Hope so.

Express and Star now running the story.

I don't get why more people aren't upset we appear to be missing out on Scott Parker... Surely we can out attract West Ham? I think he's a quality player, and I would have him over Barton and NRC.

And thank God the Bellamey rumour is dying down... Bent would be a much better bid...

If you don't bid, you've not missed out. MON just has other people he wants to sign more. That's his job, surely. If he's only supposed to jump on bandwagon's of other clubs, could we not all do his job? Anyway, Parker has done what? Played well in a poor charlton side, then struggled to break into Chelsea, then struggle for Newcastle.

World beater, obviously...

oh my god - what is going on here?

People have gone mad.

Look, can some of us just grow up and cope with the fact that other teams also want to buy good players. We have no divine right to be buying all and sundry. This attitiude of 'west ham are buying......why didn't we?' is quite frankly ridiculous.

We have our OWN targets. MON built successful sides int he past by choosing his OWN men to play in certain positions. The evidence since he took over is that we will spend money and aren't afraid to splash out if needs be, even on someone unproven like Young.

Calm down, for god's sake. I think some of you need to go on holiday. Spending all day on here makes it seem to you like weeks are passing every day. Season's only just ending...!

Daft.

leighton baines?

carlos tevez might be the best player in the world on today's form. Am watching west ham on net and he has been quite incredible.

Assuming you can bring in a couple of players:

-----------------------------------Sorenson-----------------------------------------

--*New RB?------------Laursen------------*NEW CB---------------Bouma----

---Young/Maloney-----*NEW DMC--------Petrov------------------Barry--------

-------------------------------------------Agbonlahor/Moore----------------------

---------------------------Carew/*New FC----------------------------------------

Obviously with Young/Maloney, the 4-4-2/4-3-3 is flexible.

But who for positions of Centre Back, Centre Mid and Centre Fwd?

I'd be looking at:

CB - Distin, etc.

CM - Sidwell? (need a tackler but also someone reasonably creative)

CF - Bent? (need some height more than a defoe - we have gabby for that role)