RoyalVilla

Can currently get better odds on MON (16.5) than Moyes (17) on Betfair edit: as I posted those odds changed - now 21 for MON

He had unlimited funds, anyone could make those signings with unlimited funds - he won't be able to make signings like that here.

If we're going to be ambitious as a club we need an ambitious appointment. We need a manager with international gravitas who can source and attract players from around the world and get them to play decent football. Moyes, Huges Coyle et al are simply not good enough to work with our resources and achieve CL football. They will hit the PL glass ceiling. We need to look to someone like Ancelotti, Deshamps, Benitez, van Gaal etc. They can get, keep and motivate the players we need and play the football to achieve.

Good call

I think it's a shame Ged's gone. I think our goal has to be CL qualification and though we have a lot of money, we can't buy it like C£ty. Thus I think we need to be bold with our decision on who to appoint as manager. Assuming we don't go with a DoF model we need a manager with the following qualities: 1. Strength in transfer market – have a global view with strong contacts. Able to pick out promising youth players and have the gravitas and reputation to attract upcoming and established stars. Able to buy good value players from Europe & beyond so we don't have to rely on overpriced UK based players. Trading players can provide valuable revenue – see Arsenal and Spurs 2. Build ‘bottom up’ – instil a club wide football philosophy and promote youth development 3.Implement technical style of football, based primarily on skill and possession (but also pragmatic due to the physical nature of the Prem). Hoofball might get us to 6th but not int into CL spots. Football is also a commodity and attractive football will win praise, fans and hopefully revenue IMHO that rules out the likes of Huges and Moyes - I think they'll hit the PL glass ceiling. I think we need to go for the likes of Ancelotti or Benitez (possibly van Gaal) Let's be bold and take a risk and get someone with gravitas who at least gives us a chance to get to the CL spaces; it will be more exciting than the alternative

Bradley's odds have tumbled this morning - please god don't let this happen!

Svens odds are drifting a bit and Bradley is slight fave in the betting now. Personally think it would be a disastrous appointment.

I imagine that for clubs who might be interested in these players a late transfer policy would be prudent

I totally agree. Only issue with Bentley is his mentality. If MON can work with that and bring the best out of him he'd be a great player for Villa

I like LY but it's no surprise that those who can't get into the first team feel a bit sour. Playing a more defensive RB with our midfield is tactically sound and we've almost certainly won more points this season as a result. If we had a more mobile, defensive minded holding MF I'm sure we'd have seen more of him, but that's just the way it goes. Don't know how anyone can say he hasn't been treated fairly; he's been well paid, made loads of apps and treated very compassionately. Would be great to keep him for his versatility, but this seems unlikely. Good luck to him! Also, remember, this is just one side of the story - how often do you hear the club slagging of players and crying sour grapes?