thunderball

This is why Freddie is out on loan, getting his value up ready for sale so Kesler replaces Elmo next season?

I would take anything you read with a pinch of salt, anything can and will likely happen. We need 2 forwards (because we cant rely on Davis, Trez and Wes) and Watkins needs support, a permanent replacement for Ross Barkley and to be honest until the last few games, we were crying out for a big central midfielder that breaks up play and carries the ball. Plus another keeper, back up CB, back up LB and RB if Freddie is to be sold. Thats sounds busier than Dean is letting on.

Our weakness is midfield/forwards, and depth of squad. Expect 3 first teamers and 3 ones for the future. The big money goes another AM and wide forward plus another forward, Nakamba may have given them a decision to make now but we do need a ball carrying big man in the middle.

Last two games very good, every time he’s played this season I thought he’s been solid. He has edged ahead of Luiz on performance, he starts next season for me.

If Brentford lose today will they sell anyone: Toney? Henry? Would you prefer £30m ish on Ivan Toney or £40m on Tammy, or neither of these? Would be a brave move to spend £70m on Toney and Buendia, or is that the price of British football nowadays? (not saying this is on the radar, just asking. But I do think we will recruit a mix of UK based talent and unearthed foreign potential).

It’s a quandary, he needs a decent run with this team to show what he can do, but this is unlikely to happen as the stakes are too high. I think there is a decent player in there, he just needs some luck which sadly he’s had none so far. He isn’t ousting Watkins, he needs to play alongside him, but I would rather take a chance on him in the squad than persevere with Davis. I think we buy another forward, loan out Davis and keep Wes in the squad next season.

Other than the error that lead to their goal, he had a pretty solid game vs Spurs. Every appearance this season has been effective, I think he is very unlucky not to have played more. I really like him, i’d play him ahead of Luiz at the moment, I feel McGinn plays better, it’s a better balanced team. He is one of a handful of players I hope they can coach into fulfilling a more effective role (traore also) to realise their potential. It would be such a waste if he left, I bet he would kick on on and we would regret it.

Funny how we all got behind Norwich then, not sure there is that sort of sentiment nowadays wih football saturation. Europe (European Cup AND UEFA) was a big deal then, its just a money go round nowadays.

Contracts have no bearing on loyalty - he had an offer of doubling his money, a signing on fee and 5 years security, he'd be a fool not to? If he wants to leave whilst the club would try and persuade him otherwise the club would let him go, he owes us very little in fairness. I say this without any embarrassment: he is one of the best players in the world at the moment, he deserves to play at the highest level in all competitions and he turns 26 this year, he is at prime value for selling himself, if we cant deliver what he craves, then this summer or next summer is when you move. His agent will be in his ear constantly and coupled with his desire to fulfil himself professionally he would be forgiven looking for a move to one of the biggest clubs. I desperately want him to stay, its crucial to our fast tracking to champions league and beyond.

I think it’s evens for him leaving this summer. I think the player’s ambition suggests he would quietly like to go and that would be the only factor in him leaving. I hope he is persuaded to give one more season to see where we are. A big summer is so important as buying very good players after finishing bottom half is so much harder without the pull of one of the best in Europe, our prospects are hugely diminished. Money means nothing at this point.

Interesting names so far. Lange and scouting/recruitment, plus the requirement for sustainable recruitment and ones for the future suggest we will be spreading the net further than England?

Cool. Looks raw, but we lack back flip celebrations through the squad so it’s a yes from me. Would certainly add the pace we lack. incidentally I would prefer a very quick forward before Tammy, a Vardy style forward would be great.

“Mainly” leaves plenty of wriggle room to sign a couple of Johnny Foreigners

But no takers, I saw £18m mentioned but no one was willing to take the chance

I really don’t think they will get more than £35m, he was available for less than £20m last year after his season in the prem, and yes he has yet again shown his worth in the championship but there will still be question marks and not many teams will be willing to spend that much on anyone at the moment.

They’re mostly playing champions league nowadays after we sold them. There’s plenty of very decent talent in France who would improve us.

There is a retired professor of mathematics David Jordan at Yorkshire University. Could be the same guy?

‘Professor” Dave Jordan. Look up Aston Villa Supporters Trust “Jonny Gould’s Football Channel” podcast, episode 15th Sept 2020.

I think the £260m comes from the temporary relaxation of FFP, I heard a similar figure mentioned by that YorkshireVilla guy who pops up on podcasts now and then. We could spend that in one window but would have to spend nothing the next summer/season as they will average out the losses across two seasons rather the usual annual limit.

He’s solid and great at set pieces but for the money he is likely to command as an England player there is far better out there.

It’s beginning to point to this but i think he deserves to start next season and see how he gets on but Christmas ahead of the Jan window is a key review point. Stability is very important, but managerial success is never guaranteed and you have to be wary of what you wish for. The more we spend the more expectation there is on his performance, we will soon be one of the biggest net spenders in the league and that deserves and expects significant success.

Gutted, arrived home at 6pm intending to watch but naturally got distracted with my kids and missed it, but can’t find any decent highlights other than the goals. Great goals from us though! The future is bright

I am sure it will kick off as the end of this season, Smith is never in a rush to blood new players, but come the seasons end I am sure it will be quite different.

I think everyone barring Jack are in danger of losing their starting place this summer. If they spend big it could be 4 new midfield/wingers/forwards purchased for starting positions. Something has got to give....

I thought he was sloppy and for all his running was inneffective again. But saying that everyone was tonight. I am worried* he wont regain his form and may get replaced in the summer, relegated to squad player rather than first 11. *actually I am not really worried.