Fight Like Lions

Did he get any playing time during Everton’s preseason? Is he likely to be match ready straight away?

I wonder if something has come on up the medical that we’re not happy with?

His pass completion percentage must be awful, most of the passes he made forward tonight went straight to the opposition. No point being good in the air if you bring it down only to give the ball straight back.

Also he turned his back to the ball on the first goal.

Watching this experiment unfold in important games is painful. I can’t believe he is enjoying playing there either.

He’s young, he will make a few mistakes. His confidence has probably taken a hit at the thought of 2 new wingers coming in on loan that are a lot more experienced than he is. 

If Bruce is going to reduce him to 20min sub appearances then a loan would probably be the better option for everyone concerned.

Different gravy

I thought he was great first half when we were on the front foot but looked a bit naive second half when we had more defending to do.

Having said that, I’m not having it that he was at fault for the second goal. Elmo went awol leaving him with 2 players running at him, he had absolutely no chance. 

5 minutes ago, DaveAV1 said:

Am I right in thinking we are allowed 5 loans in total?

5 in any match day squad 

+ Januzay

48 minutes ago, Mic09 said:

Maybe - unless it's just an improved cash deal for the remainder of his current contract. 

I'm really intrigued what they come up with

I think our new owners have already proved they are more shrewd than that

1 hour ago, Mic09 said:

If there is a release clause to let him go should we not get promoted, it will not be anywhere as high as some of you mentioned. I guess it will be no more than £20million.

Jack will be in the last year of his contract so regardless of how good he is, no club would be willing to pay any more if that winter they could pick him up for pennies/talk to as a free agent.

This summer we made a statement by keeping him, but its a real possibility this was the last chance of picking up decent $$$ for him. Unless he decides to stay when we are in PL.

He wouldn’t be in the last year of his contract as this non-promotion release clause is rumoured to be part of a new contract that he will sign to make him one of the clubs top earners. 

16 minutes ago, rodders0223 said:

He's horrific.

Worse than Jedinak and Elphick then? In what sense?

If the policy is younger players then it’s difficult to see us finding someone the right side of 30 to play CB. It’s a position that needs experience imo.

Danny Batth didn’t make Wolves squad yesterday. I’ve not seen much of him but I know we’ve been linked to him before. Worth a try on loan?

20 minutes ago, pete101 said:

Transfer deadline really is pointless today when a team can easily bring in a player after 5 and dress it up as a loan with an option to buy

Premier league teams can’t, which is great for us as we’re in a great position to grab anybody decent that wants to stay in England.

It’s been mentioned elsewhere on the forum but worth putting here I think. Can the idea of a preseason friendly with Hibs for next summer be suggested at any future meeting please?

Thoroughly impressed with how friendly their supporters are and it’s quite rare nowadays to see such positive exchange between 2 fan bases. Both sets of fans seem keen from what I’ve seen.

I know there are lots of factors to consider when putting together a preseason but this would be great!

It’s time he was sold for a modest fee. He’s never going to reach the standard we need to play regularly, he’s not getting any younger either. Persitently loaning him out isn’t helping anyone.

2 minutes ago, Herman22 said:

I was thinking the same. But it's a long season and we always seem to get our fair share of injuries. 

Looking at how SB sets up with three in the middle you would think it will be two of Grealish, Hourihane, McGinn and Lansbury and one of Jedi, Whelan and BB. 

Lansbury isn’t anywhere near the starting 11 at this point and it wouldn’t surprise me if we sell BB before the end of the month either.

If the owners say he’s not for sale, then he’s not for sale.

I think most of us know better than to judge Jack’s mood/body language/apparent opinion/disappointment via the London media.

I’d be very surprised if we don’t get a social media update from the man himself around 6pm fully emphasising his commitment to Aston Villa for this season. 

As if the last few weeks couldn’t get any more bizarre today we have the story of all stories with Bruce apparently chasing down Bryan on the M1 in Dr Tony’s clapped out Mondeo. 

You’ve got to love being a Villa fan!

He seems really focused and keen to impress and develop his game.

Neil Lennon is singing his praises even now, not often you see players leave on such good terms. 

All the best to him, I really want him to do succeed now having watched his interview.

McGinn is McDone

1 minute ago, El-Reacho said:

Wonder what's happened? We must have been open to selling him otherwise what's all the fuss been about? Maybe we've confirmed a mechanism to get round the FFP issue.

Fairly obvious what’s happened- we value him at a lot more than Spurs are willing to pay. Our new owners have had enough of Levy’s nonsense and pulled the rug. Fair play to them for not being messed around. Great sign of intent and hopefully will be good for Jack to know where he stands too.  

On 06/08/2018 at 11:52, Fight Like Lions said:

Spurs are not going to pay £30m+ for Jack. 

End of story.

He stays

1 minute ago, PieFacE said:

Hypothetical situation - Spurs don't meet our valuation for Grealish and he stays. 

Do you think he'd sign a new contract? Or wait til January to see if Spurs are still interested? 

I don’t think he would sign a new deal as he’d probably want to see whether we have any chance of promotion first. If we get promoted he’d sign a new deal next summer, if not he’d take his pick of several clubs if his performances have warranted it. We’d obviously get less money next summer but possibility of a bidding war pushing the price back up. 

I think he’d only go in January if FFP is an issue for us and we need the money. 

(Hypothetical as you say as I expect he will go for £30m later today or tomorrow)

Had never heard of him before but he seems to be highly regarded and on paper the type of player that meets the new criteria of ‘young and hungry’. Hope he proves to be a bargain and settles in early.