P3te

Yeah, after so long doing everything the wrong way, it actually looks like we're doing it the right way. The take away line from Sherwood's quotes there is the one people keep ignoring "he can only back us to the tune of financial fair play" That goes for a new owner too. As things stand right now with domestic FFP, all we can do is spend what we're allowed to spend and get the behind the scenes stuff right. If we can do the latter, we'll have more of the former, regardless of who the owner is

Given QPR's position, I don't think they have the clout to look for a ludicrous fee. 18m would be the top end of what they could expect I think I would consider £18m us being taken to the cleaners. I'd consider it to be very good business

Given QPR's position, I don't think they have the clout to look for a ludicrous fee. 18m would be the top end of what they could expect I think

Can't argue with that! Let me know when you guys are planning to play and I'll see if I can manage it timewise

If clubs are unwilling to pay the asking price for Benteke, there certainly won't be any big boys lining up for Austin. If we go in for him we'll get him for 15-18m I think, and we'll probably have little trouble completing the signing

I'm down to play at some stage today, but given my geographical location I fear I might be a bit of a lag monster

I honestly think we'll have Austin in by the end of next week if CB leaves in the next couple of days

You can coach certain skills though, and I think adequate dribbling is one

That all depends on whether he's been focusing on it in training or not previously

If the clause is triggered and he wants to sign for Liverpool (I'm hoping, for the lols, he very publicly says no chance to try to spur Man U into a bid), then it's gotta be time for a Stone Cold Stunner of a bid from Sherwood surely?

From that, I'd take the following: Winger: Crossing and athleticism already there, passing and dribbling can be coached Fullback: Crossing and athleticism already there, tackling can be coached to a certain extent, positioning not quite so much CM: Athleticism already there, range of passing can be coached, technique can be improved but only to a certain level For me, that points at winger being the best position for him at Villa - the others just need a little too much work. However, there's a fourth option: wing back, should we play with 3 centre backs. He's got the athleticism and crossing, the positioning shortcomings can be offset somewhat by playing Richards on his side of central defence, getting back and hassling players would be more relevant than straight up tackling, and it plays to his ability to pick a ball as opposed to just crossing. IF, and it's a big if, we do play that system, I fully expect Leandro to be the RWB with Richards behind him, serving as both CB and RB depending on where Bacuna is on the pitch at any given time. You're very dependent on having a LWB who can play as a regular LB in that situation though (letting us change shape to a flat back 4 if/when Bacuna is too far up the pitch to get back and we're hit on a break), and we haven't got one at the moment who can do that. Additionally, you need to be quite strong on the left hand side of the pitch further up in this case, too. Otherwise everything is coming from our right and it's too easy to defend against. Jack to take a slightly wider role on the left hand side to balance that out perhaps?

If we're going to take a player in part exchange, it's surely got to be a deal that represents a saving over selling Benteke for the clause value, and buying the p/ex player for their market value. No point at all, IMO, taking 26m for Benteke, and then a player Liverpool value at 6.5m. 28m plus that player would be fine, but we've got to be getting something extra if there's a player coming

Played a good bit the last few nights, just single player to practice for online. Got most of the trophies already and an probably ready for online now after half a dozen 20 goal wins

Do you think maybe the first part of the quote above has something to do with the second?

Yeah, that's exactly how it works.

Also said on his instagram that he's not in Portugal because he's injured

If there is, the chances of it being discussed with players is pretty slim

Doesn't necessarily mean he's left though does it?

Examples? Robbie Savage? Garth Crooks? Mark Lawrenson?

What gives you that idea? Because it makes no sense. If he wanted to stay why would he have a 8M clause in his contract? I said all those things about the club because of that clause. It's a ridiculous clause for a player that doesn't want to leave. Secondly if there is a clause why aren't their bids coming in left right and centre for an England International. 8M is peanuts for such a player! When bids come in we normally hear about it. I honestly don't believe any bid had been made. Why have the clause? Because maybe his agent insisted on it, or maybe he was thinking about down the line rather than this summer. It might have been that he wanted to stay loyal as long as possible and give us another 2 years to see if we can turn things around, but when it came time to go he wanted it to be easier rather than more difficult? The clause was then activated this summer when nobody thought it would be, delph had a chat with city to see what they were offering, and then decided that the original plan was the original plan? We really don't know. There obviously IS a clause, because he was able to go talk to City How do we know he spoke to City? Where is the evidence the clause was activated? Perhaps because they had interviews set up for him when he signed? Is that fact or did Sky Sports tell you this? Considering I live in Canada, some 4000 miles away from a box with sky sports on it, no, it didn't

What gives you that idea? Because it makes no sense. If he wanted to stay why would he have a 8M clause in his contract? I said all those things about the club because of that clause. It's a ridiculous clause for a player that doesn't want to leave. Secondly if there is a clause why aren't their bids coming in left right and centre for an England International. 8M is peanuts for such a player! When bids come in we normally hear about it. I honestly don't believe any bid had been made. Why have the clause? Because maybe his agent insisted on it, or maybe he was thinking about down the line rather than this summer. It might have been that he wanted to stay loyal as long as possible and give us another 2 years to see if we can turn things around, but when it came time to go he wanted it to be easier rather than more difficult? The clause was then activated this summer when nobody thought it would be, delph had a chat with city to see what they were offering, and then decided that the original plan was the original plan? We really don't know. There obviously IS a clause, because he was able to go talk to City How do we know he spoke to City? Where is the evidence the clause was activated? Perhaps because they had interviews set up for him when he signed?

What gives you that idea? Because it makes no sense. If he wanted to stay why would he have a 8M clause in his contract? I said all those things about the club because of that clause. It's a ridiculous clause for a player that doesn't want to leave. Secondly if there is a clause why aren't their bids coming in left right and centre for an England International. 8M is peanuts for such a player! When bids come in we normally hear about it. I honestly don't believe any bid had been made. Why have the clause? Because maybe his agent insisted on it, or maybe he was thinking about down the line rather than this summer. It might have been that he wanted to stay loyal as long as possible and give us another 2 years to see if we can turn things around, but when it came time to go he wanted it to be easier rather than more difficult? The clause was then activated this summer when nobody thought it would be, delph had a chat with city to see what they were offering, and then decided that the original plan was the original plan? We really don't know. There obviously IS a clause, because he was able to go talk to City

What gives you that idea?

Why? Maybe because in the last 24 hours we learned that Fabian is a bit shit really. He's overrated, inconsistent, offers nothing to the team and can't pass... among other things Based on that there'll clearly be lots of disappointed Villa fans with the news that he's not actually leaving now

I hope now a lot of posters on here take a long hard look at themselves for calling him all kinds of names. The upside is that my ignore list got a nice upgrade yesterday