brommy

i know its very weird for a guy off his size but he is. and im also pretty sure that paul lambert knows how to deal with tis indeed he always protected him from the media even when he putted in a transfer request. Lambert knows the success of Villa this season is closely linked to the success of Benteke's season. So do the Villa fans. Benteke's only apparent weakness is drifting out of the occasional game, something I expect will improve with his age. If Benteke stays focused and performs to his potential again, as I expect he will, he will get all the love and respect he needs.

Big season for Vlaar. The guy is not young but it was his first Premier League season. Hopefully without injury, with more consistent defensive partners and better protection from a stronger midfield, he'll prove himself to be more than capable. I'd swap a few great goals for a dozen clean sheets though.

Does Julie B inform him of imminent player transfers or does he have to wait for her tweets?

He won't get booed!

They will be hoping the report of a sell-on clause is true for a start! I'm really looking forward to seeing him cause massive problems for even the best defences. More Smalling like spasms please Christian!

I concur.

In your post 13540 page 677 you stated 'and an understanding that being excessively concerned can be viewed as a negative trait' so the implication is there brommy. Actually it is the possibility we disagree over. If i am correct your opinion is based on no possibility of Benteke moving due to signing a new contract and no-one meeting our original valuation within the allotted time period. In my opinion there is still a possibility that he might move due to other transfers going through and clubs involved in those transfers then being able to meet whatever our valuation would be now. That is why i cannot except your opinion that my concern is unnecessary. Morpheus, I've even given a percentage chance of Benteke leaving this summer, so how you equate that to me believing there is no possibility of Benteke moving is mind-boggling. You have often demonstrated that your reading of my posts is too selective and your subsequent understanding is deeply flawed. On this basis, you have made it very difficult to converse with you on this matter. I therefore won't bother.

Reference Mantis' 19th minute post above, I imagine the club will have consulted Stan in this regard. If the club decide not to promote the 19th minute this season, there will be plenty of home fans and nearly all the away fans who don't mark the minute. I hope those who choose to mark the minute respect those who choose not to and vice versa. I really hope it doesn't get argumentative in the stands as that's the exact opposite of any respect due.

He'll be gone by then remember. It is possible, although I'm not concerned.

My dearest Morpheus, I did not state that you posted you were excessively concerned. I am aware of the possibilities and understand you are concerned. I have stated why I believe the probability of the subject of your concern is so unlikely that the concern is unnecessary. It's now obvious that we disagree over the probability (not possibility) of Benteke leaving this window. I accept your concern (of any level ), please accept my opinion that your concern in unnecessary. Perhaps we could move on to looking forward to watching Benteke playing against Walsall?

^ Also Morpheus, you stated yourself that you were concerned. After examining the probabilities, it doesn't take a crystal ball to conclude your concern is unnecessary and excessive. Yep i was reading your post wrongly so my apologies concerning 'just didn't meet.' I will ask you again where have i stated in my post that i was excessively concerned. I mean its a simple question or is it that your conclusion is just based on assumption and therefore putting words in posters mouths. Apology accepted. You stated you were concerned. I examined the probabilities of the scenarios you listed as your concern. Scenarios which are possible but very unlikely. I equated it to being concerned about dying when driving; something possible but unlikely enough to deem talking about death whilst driving as excessively concerned. When making my analogy I did so hoping that you drive, knew of the possibilities of dying whilst driving but didn't think of a need to state your concern about it. You expressed your concern, I and some others questioned the validity of it. As you expressed your concern on an open forum I thought you would be open to discussion on it. I don't know if you enjoy your level of concern (excessive, unnecessary, call it what you want), but don't see what purpose it serves. I do appreciate your right to be as concerned as you want to be about Benteke leaving in the next few weeks, but don't be surprised if it's validity is questioned on an open forum.

^ Also Morpheus, you stated yourself that you were concerned. After examining the probabilities, it doesn't take a crystal ball to conclude your concern is unnecessary and excessive.

One of the two reasons George's father gave for being a Villa fan was because it wasn't 'obvious'. Supporting manu is too obvious.

Your suggested scenarios have been noted. Now I'm going to leave you to enjoy concern over the slightest of possibilities. Have fun! Exactly so please tell me how that suggests a deal was close? Your words 'just didn't meet'. In any case, ones interpretation of the word 'just' is a distraction from the main point of whether it is reasonable to be concerned over such a small possibility and an understanding that being excessively concerned can be viewed as a negative trait.

You asked, here's your answer Your suggested scenarios have been noted. Now I'm going to leave you to enjoy concern over the slightest of possibilities. Have fun!

But what if a club bids £40m?* We wouldn't turn that down at any time before September.** * ain't going to happen. ** possibly true but irrelevant without the bid.

Morpheus, I whole heartedly disagree with your supposition. If you read carefully, your question was answered. Still, as you wrote, 'no matter' and it is a digressive side issue. I care about Villa almost as much as life itself and I am capable of being concerned about Villa. I am aware of the dangers of driving and the measurable risk to my life that is present whilst I drive. Approximately 3000 people die on UK roads every year, mostly unexpected and many through no fault of their own. That doesn't mean I don't drive nor does it mean I waste any time concerned about dying behind the wheel. Sure, I buckle up and do my best to obey the highway code but fretting over my life will only shorten it. Villa turned down an approach for our 3 year contracted, possible 'one season wonder' player. I note your suggestion that the deal could have been close and raise you to find any reports that suggest the deal was close. Let us guess at numbers; I'll be interested in your guesses: 1) Villa's valuation after one season with 3 years left on contract? £25m? 2) Highest bid received (if there was one)? £18m plus add-ons? Possibly £20m total? 3) Villa's current valuation with 4 years on a new contract? £28m? 4) Villa's valuation if CB scores a few during the in 3 league games in August, possibly highlighting new suitors? £32m? To be concerned I need to look at the probabilities. I see the probability of 3) being met as very, very, very low. I'll throw a number in - 2% likely. At this time I see the probability of 4) being met as just as low (he hasn't scored the goals yet). IF he scores a few in the 3 games I'd raise the probability to 5%. I note your comment about Benteke having his 'head turned'. Well, he had his head turned last month but without a bid meeting Villa's valuation, he is still with us. As much as I stated I care about Villa, I'm not going to raise my concern over probabilities of 2% and 5%. I suggest you to consider the all the possibilities carefully (including many things such as - an injury in August, Benteke not being on form in what will be 3 tough matches, a ban in the league game(s), Villa doing unexpectedly well in August and CB thinking - I'm on nearly £3m/year and this could be the start of something big at Villa.) Either you are more neurotic than I am or you believe the probabilities are much higher (which may lead to the same diagnosis!). I'm not ruling out the possibility of his move next month, just ruling out the need for concern.

An interesting point TRO and one I'd genuinely like you to expand on. How many standing occurrences are acceptable in front of you during the course of a 90 minute match?

I wouldn't expect so. We wouldn't turn down the chance to even consider what could be a really high bid (£35m to £40m ???). As I've already posted, I'm not expecting any massive bids on the back of a few friendlies and 2 or 3 league games but I don't see the need for the club to restrict their options.

Oh dear, Morpheus! I understood your point; that I don't agree with it does not make it 'point scoring'. There are just three league games before the window closes. CB could play well in all three, which will be a good start but no guarantee he will play well for the rest of the season and not enough time to dismiss the second season syndrome (your point). Of course, if he plays well against two or three of the good teams we face in August, we'll be entitled to be enthused about what is to come, but I doubt there will be any clubs who were unwilling to bid even £20m a couple of weeks ago for a player on a three year contract, suddenly matching our valuation of a player who is now on a four year contract and who has just banged in goals against three good teams. I'm not ruling out media stories such as "(insert 'big' club name) to test Villa's resolve with £25m bid for Benteke" but I don't believe the jump in bid(s) will be enough to accept. In summary: No bids reaching £20m + (3 good games) does not equal bids of greater than £30m. Or, without the figures and ultimately what matters - The only team to value CB correctly this transfer window is Aston Villa.

Instead of wondering if CB will still leave this summer, is it certain he will leave next summer?

Not in two seasons and would show possible purchasers that he isn't just a one season wonder which was my point. Two weeks hardly count as a second season.

I think so. You would have £3 credit (10% of the £30 you spent in the shop) put on your card, to be used for future ticket or shop purchases.

So say I wanted to buy a home shirt that costs £50 I could get £20 off the shirt from my card. Making it £30. I could then get another 10% off merchandise purchase making the shirt £25. Correct? To me it reads like you're correct on the first part but the 10% discount in the shop has stopped and it is now put on your card to be used for future merchandise and/or ticket purchases.

Even if he plays well?