Condimentalist

Don't let pesky facts get in the way, we're signing Beckham next week.

I don't think Milner would be available. He's a decent enough player with the right attitude though, I would be very comfortable with his signing.

On the strikers fornt, if Carew gets a knock (which he may well do) and Gabby is a bit burnt out (which would be understandable) then we would be stuck with Luke Moore and a square peg next season - and if we want to seriously gun for Europe next term then that would be a major setback. It's not about replacements, it's about options.

It was just an example - I'm not saying that he's the best possible right back we could sign. Don't worry.

I think the best possible side we could hope for next season would be something like: Boruc McShane Laursen Distin Bouma Nasri Appiah Barry Young Bent Carew

Fernandes is a good player but I'm not sure he's worth the £12 million that Benfica want. Still, if the price doesn't matter...

5M for the pair. I'd want at least 6M for the pair.

why? it doesn't take a genius to see that at present, spurs are a much better side people seem to think that because things are looking up for us, that everythings going to stand still for other teams things are looking up for Spurs just as much as they are looking up for us, but at htis present time they have the much stronger squad, with better players and they are in european competition and are financially much much more well off. They haven't got the greatest manager, but they have plenty of things going for them in order for them to attract the top class players Wasn't aimed at you Sam - aimed at the idiot who wants to tell everyone that he's a better fan than them because he doesn't 'shake his pom-poms' for Spurs, which when translated, means we have two braincells to rub together.

This thread has descended into Spurs fans, people who are secretely Spurs fans, idiots and people who make non-sensical statements whilst addressing themselves in the 3rd person. I give up.

The media dont know everything you know, especially not until it actually happens. I believe at the moment Bent is fav for Spurs but until he signs anything could happen. You seem to love Spurs so i tend to digress your opinions on this subject. Of course, everyone who doesn't think we're favourites to sign every player under the sun must be an opposition fan :roll:

Defoe would be a very astute signing in my book - would prefer Bent to be honest, but if we sign Defoe I wouldn't be suprised to see Moore go - perhaps someone like Viduka coming in on a free.

Average, must do better.

I quite like GlastonSpurs contributions and, though I sometimes don't agree with him, I think he always does his best to make intelligent, positve comments, which, frankly, is more than can be said for some of the Villans on here. I'm not sure that he has said anything wrong so let's not be hostile.

He's been playing very well at Chelsea recently. I think they'll keep hold of him.

More realistic squad IMO: GK: ? - Boruc Taylor Olejnik DF: ? - McShane/Young Hughes Mellberg Cahill Laursen ? - Distin Bouma O'Halloran/? - Baines MF: ? - Nasri/Milner/SWP Young McCann Petrov Barry Gardner Osbourne ? - Appiah/Sidwell Maloney Berger FW: Carew ? - Viduka/Smith ? - Bent/Defoe Agbonlahor

So'ton because they play the most attractive football. If not, WBA.

The badge is just fine. I like it. I hope those that don't will learn to accept it. An opportunity missed? Depends on your opinion on the badge. If you love it, it's an opportunity seized. It's a well written and enjoyable article, well done Paul, but it's not saying anything new really.

Living in London is not a big consideration for any motivated footballer. Far bigger are money, a good manger, an ambitious club and a good current standing. We can offer almost all of that. And if you can top that off with the finest training facilities in all of world football then that also helps I don't think we're going to struggle to attract players this summer.

I'd sign Viduka on a free as cover for Carew as well as Bent/Defoe if I could.

edited, sorry, but please, keep this thread for direct comments /questions to the General I would say that pointing out the negatives is arguably even more important than pointing out the positives, because it's the negatives that need to be addressed. I'm sure that the General didn't join this message board to recieve adulation, he joined because it's a fantastic way to hear what the fans have to say (including any issues) and to let them know what is going on. Of course, we should never stop being grateful for the wonderful things this board has done and is doing for the club, all 'complaints' are made in full perspective of this, I doubt there is a single Villa fan who isn't amazed by the way we are being treated, but just saying thanks should not be where the communication ends.

7 days???? Really? I thought it was June. Perhaps you're right.

I'd prefer Bent to Defoe but I would be very happy with the latters signing also, even if it means the end for LM. We shall have to see. 7 days until the window opens...

With both head and heart I think they will be going straight back down unless they do some seriously good business in the summer.

If I were the manager (and thank goodness we have MON) I would be doing the following: OUT: Sorenson Delaney Samuel Davis Ridgewell Sutton Bardsley Djemba-Djemba Hendrie IN: 1x GK, RB, CB, LB, RM, CM, 2x ST

General, Again, just got back home from a weekend out. I had a great night last night and a good day today but the highlight without question was the game on Saturday. And I wasn't even there, I had to watch the thing on TV but it just looked like an absolutely phenomenal day for everyone. A very special celebration of the 'Proud History, Bright Future' and a fantastic symbol of this clubs rejuvination under Randy and the board's leadership. I am not articulate enough to express quite how I feel about the club at the present time, but it's wonderful. On the pitch we havn't even come close to winning anything (yet) but off it we have won the best behind-the-scenes team that any club could possibly wish for. When we were taken over in August, I was chuffed to see the back of the previous owner and delighted that we would now have some more backing in the transfer market. We have had SO much more than that. I can't thank you enough for the work that you have all done. Randy Lerner is already a Villa legend in my eyes, and there is SO much more to come. Proud History, Bright Future - Absolutely. Patrick