rubberman

His reasons for leaving him out completely from match squads still make little sense to me, but at last he's seen what the rest of us have seen in Gil.

I'd think it was probably the language barrier - TS didn't have time to really work with him in detail while he was trying to get a system in place to ensure safety.  Whatever - Gil & Grealish behind a striker is going to be exciting.

I still think it'll be a rollercoaster season, with a few thumpings, but hopefully significantly more wins.  Bring it on.

Hutton, Richardson and N'Zogbia can all ride the Do One train for me.

Well looks like he is part of sherwood's plan and not being ostracized or sold or out of favour as we were constantly reminded - was just not what Sherwood thought would handle a relegation battle which is much more difficult in the PL than in Spain. 

 

Once he starts or is in the match day squad can we now move on and accept that he's now here and is staying (I suppose until the first time he is not in the match day squad) then the same old same old will start again.

 

Looking forward to seeing the lad along with the new guys in the famous shirt!

What?  There was no conspiracy after all this time...say it ain't so.

Getting the club back to being profitable, means we can spend more.  Success leads to bigger income both from commercial side and premier league / sky cash as well as increased gates and season tickets.  All of which feed into more cash to invest under FFP.

We've been moving in the right direction (financially) over the last year and this summer will see more invested in the playing side, hopefully leading to an upward spiral.  New owners wouldn't massively change the outlook I don't think.

Mid-table next season, kick on to top 10 the next and we'll be back on track and a more attractive and valuable asset to sell.  If the takeover is dead now, Lerner needs to keep the team in place (plus an experienced chairman) to deliver that.

I keep coming on here hoping to see that this thread has suddenly added 50 pages.  Sadly not yet.  Patience isn't easy with the season looming, but I'm still just about siding with the view that it will happen in the next week or two.

Mind you, as was mentioned a while back - with the way things seem to be being handled these days and the transfer targets / dead-wood being shipped out, I would be less devastated if it doesn't happen.  Really don't want to see too many other clubs getting ahead of us though.

 

The Man City transfer policy is not really a good reason to judge a player Mangala, Javi Garcia, Rodwell, Sinclair in recent seasons and its not a great England midfield either

 

Delph really is very average. Doesnt score enough, create and cant tackle and has no consistency. 1 good game in every 5 game. Delph is one of reasons we are a shit team and if he goes good luck ot him but I wont miss him

Delph certainly is not 'very average', he's an above average premier league midfielder who has been punching below his weight at this club for the past 2 seasons, he's easily good enough for a lot of top half sides.

 

Now, I don't for a minute think he's Man City quality, but at the end of the day, he's clearly a confident bloke who wants to test himself at the highest possible level. No one can blame him for moving to club like Man City, not only will he get a lot more money but he will have the chance to compete for trophies and play in the champions league, he'd be dumb to turn down such an opportunity. 

 

Alternatively, he could take the view that he's got himself a spot as an England starter playing in a crap, underperforming team.  He might see that Tim has decent plans in place for players to come in and that captaining a resurgent Villa side every week will make him even more valuable in 1-2 years time when he will be peaking as a player and will then be able to cash in AND get a starting spot in a CL team, rather than the promise of cup games and 18 starts. 

It sounds like it was a case of stick a low clause in, or I can go for free at the end of the season.  It would be a real shame to see him go - particularly for such a low fee.  Ridiculous for an current England international.

That does sound like a rubbish offer.  OK - £100k a week for 4 or so years would be nice, but just getting established as an England regular and knowing you'll only get a handful of games would be career suicide.  Add to that playing under a manager who's a dead man walking.

Better to hang on for another year, be part of a resurgent Villa (well, hopefully mid table) and impress during the Euros (at least till England get knocked out) and see if Pep wants you. 

The list of crap they are rumoured to be throwing into a 'deal' is very revealing about the state of Liverpool's squad.  I'd take Can, Coutinho, Henderson, maybe Sturridge but he's a bit of a sicknote.  Not sure there's many others.

 

 

Apparently Nani going to Turkey for 3.5 mill. Worth a punt? Surely wages could be subsidised with some sort of signing on fee?

 

 

Please God no.  Luckily he's the absolute opposite to the type of player Tim says he wants at the club.

 

 

 

Not sure what the problem is with him to be honest mate, enlighten me? Is he lazy? A premadonna etc? Genuine questions. I just thought he was a good player with a high ish profile going for cheap so would be good.

 

You've hit the nail on the head for me.  Always seems lazy - never really involves himself in games or seems up for it.  The kind of luxury player Tim doesn't seem to rate.  Certainly wouldn't be up for a relegation scrap (if we get into another one) IMO.

Apparently Nani going to Turkey for 3.5 mill. Worth a punt? Surely wages could be subsidised with some sort of signing on fee?

Please God no.  Luckily he's the absolute opposite to the type of player Tim says he wants at the club.

I keep hearing it as Tja-do-ron ron in my head.

^^ Wilkins coaching CV is way ahead of Keane's.

Liverpool chucking in a derisory low bid is exactly designed to have the effect it seems to be having to some on here - OMG they're not going to pay full whack so we better accept less plus some player instead.  Well, No thanks.  There's no-one there that I'd want (that they'd chuck in).  Put up or do one.

He may not ideally want to be here next season, but if he is he will want to perform to a) make sure he's still first choice for the euros and b ) to prove he is worth the fee to clubs in CL positions - whether that's January or next summer.   There be no lack of incentive for him to perform well and a distinct possibility that with a stronger, better performing team around him he will excel.

Excellent appointment.

Does he rate Gil though?

If (big if) he signs a new contract, I'd expect it to be either a lowered release clause and/or a specific clause for if a CL club comes in for him.

Guzan's fine.  Not brilliant, but easily good enough for where we are.  We have far more pressing issues to sort out and spend money on.

 

Seems a lot more likely he'll be staying now, which I 'll be more than happy with.  A full season, injury-free, with an improved squad behind him and we could start to forget the last four years.

 

Why is it more likely he'll be staying? 

 

Liverpool looking elsewhere and not seeming inclined to offer more than £20m.  Falcao to Chelsea, Wenger seems happy with Giroud.  Really don't think Spurs will cough up enough either.

Just seem to be fewer links being made. (Apart from the Utd one ^^ - can't see that happening though).

May just be feeling optimistic today though...

Seems a lot more likely he'll be staying now, which I 'll be more than happy with.  A full season, injury-free, with an improved squad behind him and we could start to forget the last four years.

 

 

My problem isn't with Townsend himself, just that you could probably buy two more technically gifted European players for the same price.

 

We could sign 4 Carlos Gils!

 

 

C. Gil

Carles

Carles G

Gil

 

Good bench.

 

C. Gil - Dead Leg

Carles - Manager doesn't fancy him.

Carles G - Forrin

Gil - Left the ground after being dropped, never to be seen again.

Such a waste...

Names are a bit underwhelming but then in the context of us finishing 17th what can we expect.

 

Our aim next season is to hover around midtable ,getting into top 10 would be a great achievement.It's not flashy or that exciting but its where we are currently and once we get into a more respectable position

we will be able to attract better players.

True.  This lot of signings need to NOT be on long contracts.

I've managed to persuade myself that Richards, despite being a sicknote, can do a job for us.  Is def a risk, but could well improve on what we've got.

I might be able to persuade myself that Huddlestone, if he can be got fit and into form, can improve things, but also is a risk.

I'm really not sure I can come to terms with Townsend at anywhere near that price. Seems just to run fast without anything coming from it and what we desperately need is good quality delivery from crosses (and from dead balls / set pieces - we don't score nearly enough from the opportunities we get).

That's a pretty good fixture list.  Obv Arsenal away at the end could be rough if we have another stinker, but at the moment I feel slightly more optimistic and we should be able to regularly pick up points and not get to a stage of losing game after game.

 

 

It's only been just over a week since the 4-6wk non-disclosure, exclusivity period started.  It's a bit mental to start conspiracy theories because nothings been heard yet.

How do you know this? Where has it been confirmed that there is an exclusivity arrangement let along how long it is?

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33053539

 

Exactly.  I think it's unlikely the club would confirm anything more concrete while the due diligence is going on.  If nothing more comes out by the end of the month I'll start to get worried it's not going to happen.  

As has been said before, there's been a couple of years to make sure the club is in good order for a sale so if a decent offer is there I'd expect it to progress pretty quickly.