brommy

Can you explain why you think CB isn't happy to consider all his options?

I don't think that.

Then one of his options is he'd be happy staying and none us know any different. Cool.

Not really sure what your point is? Ive acknowledged that this is possible for the last month or so.

Can you explain why you think CB isn't happy to consider all his options?

I don't think that.

That is one of the indicators of why I think he will leave/won't be 100% happy should he stay yes. Hardly going round insisting it is true. Just offering my opinion. I have looked at both sides of the argument and decided that I 'think' he is most likely to leave.

Can you explain why you think CB isn't happy to consider all his options?

What makes you think he wants to go? For someone who supposedly wants to leave he's doing a pretty good job of hiding it.

For someone who supposedly wants to stay he's doing a pretty good job of hiding it.

I still say he's open to all opportunities

Wouldnt that indicate that he may not want to stay?

Woodytom, I went to reply with my own words but read that Mantis had put it perfectly, thus:

he's happy to stay but open to leaving if the right offer comes in.

Can you explain why this circumstance appears not to be even a consideration to you?

 

It has

And yet you insist he wants to leave because he hasn't yet signed a new contract with us.

I think he will go and I think he will go for around £20m, not what people want to hear or want to believe but that is what I think will happen.

Why?

 

Because I suspect he will want to go and I doubt our ability to secure his actual worth.

Hate to do this but, why?

Went for a pee this morning and noticed this happy fella...

 

You pee in a basket?

I really don't think you need the card with you, just your client reference number. I've managed several times without the card which is cool as my number is as easy as xyyy. Don't turn up without it on a matchday though!

I've forgotten my card a few times. You can get a replacement ricket at the Main (North Stand) ticket office.

Good to know. My three are usually in my wallet which I have with me but I have needed to return home a couple of times. Not bad in over 20 year, I suppose but if it happens again I'll run straight to the North Stand office.

I think he will go and I think he will go for around £20m, not what people want to hear or want to believe but that is what I think will happen.

Why?

Still doesn't answer why Bowery was given preference?

Bowery didn't play up top, he played in the Gabby/Weimann role. There's no chance Bent could play there.

Exactly, not sure why Bowery is getting dragged into this

Bowery was an untried lower league striker yes? Bent is an international striker with a general ratio of 1-2 yes? Yet Bent didn't even make the bench while Bowery did and was Bowery a wide player, eh no.

Even if it were a valid question, I expect there would be reasons based on 'the full picture' we simply don't have. Given those factors, I expect I would agree with the decision. Unfortunately VT doesn't have the full picture and I won't bother guessing.

Didnt make it down yesterday but going today, however can you do it without your 'physical' ST or can you just take the reference number?

I really don't think you need the card with you, just your client reference number. I've managed several times without the card which is cool as my number is as easy as xyyy. Don't turn up without it on a matchday though!

Guzan pens a new deal on his first day back but we hear nothing about Benteke?

Two very different situations. I wouldn't read anything in to it, for or against CB staying.

Great news. I really hope this is our keeper position 'sorted' for the next 3 to 4 years, ideally more. It seems most good teams have a good/great keeper that sticks with them for season after season.

Two words -

Beer garden.

Even so, I still feel we should wrap this up sooner than quicker.

How?

Accept an early bid of around £20m?

Offer him a contract which is too good for him to refuse but we can't afford to sustain?

It's easy to claim Villa should have this sorted by now and if was purely up to the club it would be sorted by now.

What makes you think he wants to go? For someone who supposedly wants to leave he's doing a pretty good job of hiding it.

For someone who supposedly wants to stay he's doing a pretty good job of hiding it.

I still say he's open to all opportunities

Wouldnt that indicate that he may not want to stay?

Woodytom, I went to reply with my own words but read that Mantis had put it perfectly, thus:

he's happy to stay but open to leaving if the right offer comes in.

Can you explain why this circumstance appears not to be even a consideration to you?

20 MILLION IS A JOKE BID, THEY SHOULD EXPECT TO BE LAUGHED AT!

No need for them to expect anymore - we are laughing at them. Although I think it more than likely it's more media BS. I'm getting increasingly tired of media BS such as - 'preparing a bid', 'believed to be...' or 'expected to...'. Once in a very rare while they are correct and they shout 'we told you first!'. Well where are all the apologies stating 'Sorry but we really are full of sh!t'?

well if benteke retweeted it it looks like he made his decision to stay. his intention is to stay but i swear to god if the villa board accepts a bid of like 25Mil... he will be gone...

 

And you would no longer be a Villa fan

 

If I stopped supporting Villa every time we sold a star player I would have stopped supporting at 8 years old

Andy Lochhead to Oldham in '73?

well if benteke retweeted it it looks like he made his decision to stay. his intention is to stay but i swear to god if the villa board accepts a bid of like 25Mil... he will be gone...

I think the only way a bid for £25m would be accepted is if CB and his agent kick up a real fuss about not staying, not signing a new contract and being willing to 'strike'. The ball''s in CB's court on that front and I can't see that happening at the moment.

I can't believe we missed out on Anelka. Guy was on a free and could easily replace the loss of Benteke. The Baggies have done a massive deal there. Wish we could show that kind of vision.

 Not sure if serious 

Fairly sure not serious (I hope...). Age rhymes with wage. Two reasons he's incompatible.

It won't be serious!!

Quite a change for the boggies; swapping a then 19 year old Lukaku for Anelka who will be 35 before the end of the season.

I think we may miss out on some of our top targets if we can't shift the dead weight.

Problem is, I don't think it will be up to Lambert how much certain players (i.e. Bent) go for. If Randy wants £8m and nobody wants to pay it, we will probably be stuck with him or won't sell him till later on in the window.

It doesn't make sense for RL to keep paying £3m per year for a player who is not sufficiently utilised. Villa will hold out for the best price possible for now, but I suspect the biggest obstacle to a move will be Bent's desire to maintain a £50k+/week salary. The buying club will probably sit it out until Villa's nerve wavers later in the window. A couple of million saved (£8m down to £6m for example), will then be available to add £13k/week towards Bent's salary over a 3 year contract.

I don't think this guy will even be as good as his brother. One of the poorest academy players I have seen.

You need to qualify your statement by telling us how many academy players you have seen. Did you mean academy players that have made it to our first team?

If Benteke actually leaves us, it will just show what is wrong in modern day football. Last year he was a nobody but Lambert put faith in him and really helped turn him into a great striker but now he may just leave us? It really makes me angry. We are even willing to double Benteke's wages to keep him at the club. I know Lambert really really does not want to sell him and that is why Lambert said he wouldnt let him go for less than 40 million euros but it seems Randy Lerner has other intentions. That is likely why the price dropped to 25 million euros now.

 

I know realistically it is hard for a club that finished as low as we did to keep one of the best strikers in the league, but last year was a rebuilding stage. Why not stick around for another season and see where we end up? I really think this season will be considerably better than last. If you look at the statistics, we were a top 10 team in the 2nd half the season. It will only get better for us so I hope Benteke will stay with us. Without him, our season will likely be exactly like the last.

Your first paragraph seems to be based on made-up media talk. I don't think anyone knows Randy's intentions regarding Benteke.

 

 Your second paragraph is better, imo.

The first paragraph was based on what I have been hearing from media and a mix of my own thoughts. I know Lambert said we wouldn't sell him for less than 40 million but now that number has dropped significantly so I believe Lerner had a chat with Lambert. 

Question the accuracy of any reported price drops.

If Benteke actually leaves us, it will just show what is wrong in modern day football. Last year he was a nobody but Lambert put faith in him and really helped turn him into a great striker but now he may just leave us? It really makes me angry. We are even willing to double Benteke's wages to keep him at the club. I know Lambert really really does not want to sell him and that is why Lambert said he wouldnt let him go for less than 40 million euros but it seems Randy Lerner has other intentions. That is likely why the price dropped to 25 million euros now. 

 

I know realistically it is hard for a club that finished as low as we did to keep one of the best strikers in the league, but last year was a rebuilding stage. Why not stick around for another season and see where we end up? I really think this season will be considerably better than last. If you look at the statistics, we were a top 10 team in the 2nd half the season. It will only get better for us so I hope Benteke will stay with us. Without him, our season will likely be exactly like the last. 

Your first paragraph seems to be based on made-up media talk. I don't think anyone knows Randy's intentions regarding Benteke.

 Your second paragraph is better, imo. 

oh it isnt confirmed yet so it might be another rumour...

BG in 'worse than British Media' shocker!