hippo

What £10m for Coutinho ? With £70m in the coffers from TV money, I reckon around half the clubs in the prem could afford that. The likes of Newcastle\Sunderland comparable clubs to villa, will be paying those fees this summer. You're forgetting that every club in the Premier League will be getting that extra TV money, and it's not just about the transfer fees but the wages. Don't forget we signed Benteke for £7m in the summer so it's not like we never spend anything. I am not forgetting. Every club will get that TV money as you state, my point is most of the other clubs will be spending it, where as we have been told not to expect any big signings - therefore another season of struggle seems invetiable. How do you know other clubs will spend more and we won't? Lambert saying not to expect any big signings doesn't mean much really because a) he always keeps his cards close to his chest b we don't know how future negotiations will turn out and c) what counts as a "major signing" and what doesn't? Your approach to transfers seems to be based solely around how much we're spending rather than the player we're getting. We spent a fortune on the likes of Davies, Reo-Coker and Warnock in the past (you could call all of them "big signings") yet it got us nowhere. Compared to where we are now - it can not be considered nowhere. Whoose really stood out for this season ? - not just held his own, but who has really looked like a player other clubs would kill for, and has frightened the opposition up and down the country ? ......(you know who I mean!!)......Now how much did he cost ? ................are we likley to be spending that amount on a single player this suumer ? So you'd rather us go back to the days of spending an absolute fortune on mostly mediocre players and almost bankrupt the club again? And this is the problem with your approach. You only care about how much we paid rather than how good the player is. It doesn't matter that we paid a lot for Benteke, he would've still been the same excellent player he is regardless of whether we got him for £7m or £1m. According to your logic Benteke is only good because we paid a lot of money for him. Also, Lowton and Westwood have proven themselves to be top signings and it isn't just Villa fans that are raving about them now. Not logic - Market Forces

What £10m for Coutinho ? With £70m in the coffers from TV money, I reckon around half the clubs in the prem could afford that. The likes of Newcastle\Sunderland comparable clubs to villa, will be paying those fees this summer. You're forgetting that every club in the Premier League will be getting that extra TV money, and it's not just about the transfer fees but the wages. Don't forget we signed Benteke for £7m in the summer so it's not like we never spend anything. I am not forgetting. Every club will get that TV money as you state, my point is most of the other clubs will be spending it, where as we have been told not to expect any big signings - therefore another season of struggle seems invetiable. How do you know other clubs will spend more and we won't? Lambert saying not to expect any big signings doesn't mean much really because a) he always keeps his cards close to his chest b we don't know how future negotiations will turn out and c) what counts as a "major signing" and what doesn't? Your approach to transfers seems to be based solely around how much we're spending rather than the player we're getting. We spent a fortune on the likes of Davies, Reo-Coker and Warnock in the past (you could call all of them "big signings") yet it got us nowhere. Compared to where we are now - it can not be considered nowhere. Whoose really stood out for this season ? - not just held his own, but who has really looked like a player other clubs would kill for, and has frightened the opposition up and down the country ? ......(you know who I mean!!)......Now how much did he cost ? ................are we likley to be spending that amount on a single player this suumer ?

What £10m for Coutinho ? With £70m in the coffers from TV money, I reckon around half the clubs in the prem could afford that. The likes of Newcastle\Sunderland comparable clubs to villa, will be paying those fees this summer. You're forgetting that every club in the Premier League will be getting that extra TV money, and it's not just about the transfer fees but the wages. Don't forget we signed Benteke for £7m in the summer so it's not like we never spend anything. I am not forgetting. Every club will get that TV money as you state, my point is most of the other clubs will be spending it, where as we have been told not to expect any big signings - therefore another season of struggle seems invetiable.

Id prefer Countino + Sturridge to Bowery and KEA. Something is wrong at the club when those players are out of our reach. Bannan is a young and hungry, but he comes with baggage. The discipline at the club comes from the manager. Lambert seems pretty good in that respect. Its the managers lot to manage those bad eggs, especially if they are brillaint footballers. I don't actually think thats the issue here - I am sure if Lambert were able he would have brought the likes of couthino here. One day he will move to club where he gets the backing he deserves. So would I but let's face it, Liverpool is nowdays much more inviting team for players than Villa and if we'd want to sign those kind of players we would need to pay much bigger salary than Liverpool to give them incentive to join Villa and we'd be back at the same place as we were before - players on too high salary compared to what they're worth. There are great players to find out there - Benteke, Lowton, Westwood and Sylla proves that, we just need to find them and I trust Lambo to get them. Bowery was very cheap player on very low salary so it's very low risk investment. Fair enough, if he chooses Liverpool over us, there ain't much we can do about that specific player. But for a club of Aston Villa's size, we shouldn't be soley relying on £2m pops from Peterboro and Chestrfield. There seeems to be more money coming into the club than ever before, conversley expenditure seems to be drying up at an alarming rate. Thats a recipe for on field disaster sooner or later.

What £10m for Coutinho ? With £70m in the coffers from TV money, I reckon around half the clubs in the prem could afford that. The likes of Newcastle\Sunderland comparable clubs to villa, will be paying those fees this summer.

Id prefer Countino + Sturridge to Bowery and KEA. Something is wrong at the club when those players are out of our reach. Bannan is a young and hungry, but he comes with baggage. The discipline at the club comes from the manager. Lambert seems pretty good in that respect. Its the managers lot to manage those bad eggs, especially if they are brillaint footballers. I don't actually think thats the issue here - I am sure if Lambert were able he would have brought the likes of couthino here. One day he will move to club where he gets the backing he deserves.

Yes but those player purchases took us to the brink of relegation. But yet youre happy with more, I d say thats madness

This season has been a disaster. OK not a disater that ended in relegation but a disaster none the less. Whilst we are all praising the signings from the lower leagues and how well they have done, we haven't actually won that many games. The defence is very leaky. Despite all this most on the forum feel Lambert is on the right track, and want more of the same ?, Count me out. We need premiership players to be a premiership force. Intersting that at the start of the season Liverpool were pursuing a similar philosphy, home grown, lots of young reserve players in the first team. They soon realised this wasn't the way forward, then spent £23m on Sturridge and Countino - surprise surprise results picked up, and they look set for a good season next year. (Not so good for there academy kids though!) I don't why a club the statue of Aston Villa is being forced to shop like Wigan, a very tiny club. And before you mention it, I know Hutton, Ireland, Warnock didn't cut with us. But blind faith in a load of Colchester, Peterborough bargains, isn't going to get us anywhere.

Yes, we will. That is more or less the going price for any half decent Prem players these days. My guess is that we see at least one player coming in this summer with a price tag in that area. Youre right that is the going rate. Its also the type of player Lambert has explicitly stated we won't be in for. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't sign anyone for half that amount. The big signings are gone whilst Lerner remains

I Very much doubt we will get 2 new CB'S, It would seem Clark is up for new contract, and will be strong contender for a place in next seasons starting 11.

I thought I was the only one who thought like this. I really don't see this new era that some are claiming - especially with funds for lambert being tighter than we hoped.

I thought some american team had recently been announced as our feeder club ?

Looked at fault for both goals yesterday. Hope he improves in the summer, because he isn't being replaced.

I'd say prepare to be disappointed then because I can't see us spending anywhere near that £40m you're predicting. My guess would be more around the £20m-£25m mark. I'd like to hope we'll spend more but I just can't see it. The days of paying £24m for a striker are long gone I would think (at this stage in the club's rebuild). I can see one Benteke-esque signing (around the £8M - £9M mark) - preferably a creative attacking-midfielder. And then probably a CB and LB around the £5M mark each. And maybe one or two more players (striker/winger) around £2m. Well it was wideley reported that we paid £3.5m for Lowton + £2.5m for Westwood. Lambert has recently said he only paid £1m each for these ? - I wonder why ? - Is it so when we sign a chesterfield reserve for £750k - he can say 'Well Matt Lowton was only £1m' I think your dreaming if you think we have £20m to spend , I reckon £10m spend and don't be totally surprised if the bulk of that comes from player sales

I kind of agree. His first few games I was impressed with how calm he was and also heard reports of very big clubs being interested in him. However he hasn't built on that, and I now I just can't see what he brings to the party + the high profile costly clangers have crept into his game. He's OK as Injury cover, but other than that, No thanks

Pretty sure his attitude is right. For me the problem is ability. I would looking to offload Albrighton, He can't keep getting buy of what he did for half a season getting on for 4 years ago. 4 years ago!? OK 3 years ago, that still doesn't redeem him though does it ?

Yep, and in terms of backing, the signs aren't good, with Lambert saying he is not expecting to make any big signings this summer, and the fact he wasn't backed when we were in dire straights in the Jan window, Is Lerner that bothered if we flounder for a couple more seasons, it would appear not.

Pretty sure his attitude is right. For me the problem is ability. I would looking to offload Albrighton, He can't keep getting buy of what he did for half a season getting on for 4 years ago.

Exactly.If we could get a few hundred grand for him, then everyone is a winner.

Baker yes he has some good qualities and there is something to work with. Clark I just don't see at all.

That would great. But Lambert has warned us not to expect any big signings - which rules out most of those. I think you have underpriced Kone and Dragovic !

Didn't we say this last year? And wasn't it the experienced players that let us down? Yes but you will notice i didn't just put experience i also mentioned quality The idea of going through another season relying on Vlaar Clark and Baker sends a shiver down my spine We need a quality CB and i don't think it will be cheap Agree totally. Clark I have no time for - Baker is OK , as is Vlaar. But we really need a top notch CB in there. James Chester at the very least. Although a lot of clubs will be after him, so he won't come cheap. To be honest I think the squad will be pretty similar to what we have now. With similar results.

Another season of struggle to be honest. Defence still needs lots of money spent on it. Money Lambert has indicated he doesn't have.

Clark turns down a new contract.

Stefan, youre pissin in the wind here mate:- First youre adamant he shouldn't be sold Then you offer no reason why you think he will come good Then your own expectations of him are so low, youre not sure if he will get games under lambert Then say if he doesn't get games next season we should sell him (Yet if an offer came in now , we absolutley shouldn't sell him) I can't see any reason why Albrighton should come good now. He did well for a few months under mcdonald\houllier, poor under mcleish, and has hardley featured under Lambert. If a player who has done so little in 3 years can justify a squad place, then anyone can.