Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: JJ-AV on July 13, 2011, 10:37:24 PM
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Liverpool FC tonight announced they had agreed a fee with Aston Villa for the transfer of Stewart Downing.
Liverpool have now been granted permission to discuss personal terms with the player and arrange a medical.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/reds-agree-downing-fee
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Oh well.
Lets go out and buy N'Zogbia.
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Only annoying because we've recently said he isn't for sale. I'm glad he's going. We better spend this money wisely.
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Jesus fucking christ!!!
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Agree. Assuming it's close to £20m, we should prioritise a keeper, n'zogbia, dominating centre midfielder and another wide option.
Will be very pleasantly surprised with anything other than a long hard season
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Awesome.
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Thank god for that, I could have never liked him again after this as I have said previously a la Barry. Not that I ever liked him much in the first place. Always nice to have an extra reason to despise and laugh at the bindippers as if I really need another...
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He's not for sale at any price......oh ok £20m
Fuck off Downing you ******
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Oh, I was just wondering why Liverpool never met our prices. Am I to gather they now have?
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20m according to SSN. As good as he was last season, that's above his value tbh. N'Zogbia now please.
This money better be spent on the squad, otherwise I will be asking serious questions about RL.
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Tackle-shy pussy.
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Good. That's McLeish's golden handshake and the next manager's fee paid for.
Jesus wept.
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http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=43970.0
Downing staying unless its 50 mill !
Brilliant, we've really got some money to spend now.
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20m according to SSN. As good as he was last season, that's above his value tbh. N'Zogbia now please.
This money better be spent on the squad, otherwise I will be asking serious questions about RL.
This money AND the Ashley Young money, I hope.
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I dare say you might have his replacement in-the-bag already.
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Mcleish creates rod for his own back. He's not for sale! What a prize t###
Watch Wigan take the Mick now.
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I dare say you might have his replacement in-the-bag already.
I wouldn't be banking on that.
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Isn't most of the young money not for transfers? We've got 3 managerial compensation claims to pay plus presumably several million on the bent transfer still pending
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20m according to SSN. As good as he was last season, that's above his value tbh. N'Zogbia now please.
This money better be spent on the squad, otherwise I will be asking serious questions about RL.
This money AND the Ashley Young money, I hope.
There's no question that we'll spend now, because we'll have to.
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I fuckin' hope so. But who...SWP, Bentley....Stuart Ripley? Hopefully none of them but someone decent.
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Shame but after he was tapped up was always on the cards. All we can hope is that we've got a good fee andvtat the manager is allowed to spend it. If it brings us three players then it might even be a positive.
Now fuck off you ungrateful twat.
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Mcleish creates rod for his own back. He's not for sale! What a prize t###
Well quite. What he should have said was "Of course he's for sale, we're that sort of club."
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We over paid for him and so have Liverpool,he is such a nothing footballer.I certainly won't miss the non tackling run down to the corner flag pansey.Ta-ta.
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I'm glad it's sorted & hasn't dragged on for too long he wants to leave so I just think its important we get the fee we want & Invest it along with the money for Ashley on strengthening the squad.
N'Zogbia & Given will be a good start & show what calibre of player we are looking for.
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Which transfer will be completed first? Downing to Liverpool, or Given to Villa? ::)
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The rumour on here was that the Bent transfer was paid for by the Milner money. Then we started to hear people saying it is the Young money (in advance) that paid for Bent.
God only knows which is true, I just know it is depressing as fuck to have sold our four best players in the last three seasons.
And, incidentally, I don't care if Arsenal sell Fabregas to Barcelona or Nasri to Man City, I care about our seeming susceptibility to this every year.
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This is brilliant news. £20m for a player that we all know is worth £12m tops. N'Zogbia is a better player, younger and avaiable for around the £10m mark at the most.
Bloody steal ;D
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Oh I've just had a reminder to re-new my season ticket.....my cheque's in the post.
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I fuckin' hope so. But who...SWP, Bentley....Stuart Ripley? Hopefully none of them but someone decent.
If Randy's involved it'll be Andy Sinton. If it's McLeish, probably Thomas Gravesen. Gah.
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Nigh on £85 million for Downing, Adam, Henderson and Carroll
Dear oh dear oh dear me, poor old King Kenny paying so much money for such average talent because no one really decent will go there. That's a lot of money to finish no higher than 5th. Remind of you of anyone?
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I dare say you might have his replacement in-the-bag already.
I told you it would be £20m mate.
And that's a ludicrous price for him in usual circumstances but about right in this crazy summer.
Enjoy him, he's a decent player but I'm struggling to give a toss about him for some reason. He'll do well for you.
I honestly think N'Zogbia is better though so hopefully we'll nab him now. We'd better have somebody lined up.
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I dare say you might have his replacement in-the-bag already.
I wouldn't be banking on that.
Ever since the Downing story broke, i said that we should'nt consider selling him until we had lined up someone else. I personally think that we have got someone done and dusted, McCleish is'nt daft enough to run the risk of leaving us with only one winger.
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Nigh on £85 million for Downing, Adam, Henderson and Carroll
Dear oh dear oh dear me, poor old King Kenny paying so much money for such average talent because no one really decent will go there. That's a lot of money to finish no higher than 5th.
Maybe, but at least they're giving it a go. We appear to have given up entirely.
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Not as bothered about this as I thought I'd be.
We only saw 12 months of anything approaching decent form, so it's not as if he felt like part of the furniture. Maybe that's it.
It's a pisser, in so far as we look like we're about to lose one of our better players for the third time in 12 months, that's pretty much the only reason I'd have been against this deal.
But his departure virtually guarantees that we'll be bringing a few players in (I always felt we'd spend regardless, but there can be no excuse now). This is ultimately what Big Eck will be judged on, how he puts those resources to good use and moulds his own side.
As far as Liverpool are concerned, I think it's a risk. Not just this deal in isolation, but their spending to date. Adam had a surprisingly poor pass completion rate last year - and that was meant to be his best ever season. If he gives the ball away that much in a red shirt I'm sure there will be catcalls from the bestest most patient fans in the country. Henderson? plenty has been said on that already and Carroll still looks like an absolutely mental purchase.
Speaking of which, buying a targetman and then looking for a winger to bang crosses into him is all a bit 1980's/ MON esque, isn't it? But I'll end the Redscouse talk there, for fear of a deluge of bombastic Redscouse posts insisting the title will be sown up by Christmas and so forth.
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Nigh on £85 million for Downing, Adam, Henderson and Carroll
Dear oh dear oh dear me, poor old King Kenny paying so much money for such average talent because no one really decent will go there. That's a lot of money to finish no higher than 5th. Remind of you of anyone?
Better wait and see how they get on first.
Did you omit Suarez deliberately? ;D
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Nigh on £85 million for Downing, Adam, Henderson and Carroll
Dear oh dear oh dear me, poor old King Kenny paying so much money for such average talent because no one really decent will go there. That's a lot of money to finish no higher than 5th.
Maybe, but at least they're giving it a go. We appear to have given up entirely.
Fast forward a couple of seasons Hilts and see where this will have got them? I guarantee you not very far at all....
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Anyone got the video of Downing standing off the pitch while we concede?
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The maggot finally wriggles free. A decent fee, but it will be meaningless if we don't spend it, and spend it wisely, on a replacement.
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£20m... result!
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It depresses me that another one of our players has been plucked from us. Again. However, the club could lift some of that if the proceeds are spent wisely.
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Mcleish creates rod for his own back. He's not for sale! What a prize t###
Well quite. What he should have said was "Of course he's for sale, we're that sort of
club."
It would have been wise for him to avoid the statement. With a we will do all we can to keep Stewart. Rather than lie.
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I dare say you might have his replacement in-the-bag already.
I told you it would be £20m mate.
And that's a ludicrous price for him in usual circumstances but about right in this crazy summer.
Enjoy him, he's a decent player but I'm struggling to give a toss about him for some reason. He'll do well for you.
I honestly think N'Zogbia is better though so hopefully we'll nab him now. We'd better have somebody lined up.
You said £20m min, I said £20m max. Let's call it a draw. :P
It is a lot of money - too much for my liking. But if that's who Kenny wanted, so be it.
He's hardly irreplaceable.
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Nigh on £85 million for Downing, Adam, Henderson and Carroll
Dear oh dear oh dear me, poor old King Kenny paying so much money for such average talent because no one really decent will go there. That's a lot of money to finish no higher than 5th. Remind of you of anyone?
Better wait and see how they get on first.
Did you omit Suarez deliberately? ;D
No, I forgot about him, not sure about him either. I'll have £20 with you that you'll finish no higher than fifth...
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Shame but after he was tapped up was always on the cards. All we can hope is that we've got a good fee andvtat the manager is allowed to spend it. If it brings us three players then it might even be a positive.
Now fuck off you ungrateful twat.
Echo this.
And yes, I am also petty enough to hope the fucker breaks a knee cap in dust up with Gerard in the first training session. Ungrateful scrote.
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Fast forward a couple of seasons Hilts and see where this will have got them? I guarantee you not very far at all....
You guarantee that do you? I'm not so sure. But you can guarantee where selling your best players will get you: absolutely fucking nowhere.
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I don't think McLeish has much say anyway. Randys made him look a ****** already by selling Downing after the manager said he wasn't for sale. Is there any fucking point having a manager when the bloke who owns the club makes all the decisions......
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Given,Parker,Nzogbia for the price of Downing. Oh and Milner in on 12 month loan deal
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The rumour on here was that the Bent transfer was paid for by the Milner money. Then we started to hear people saying it is the Young money (in advance) that paid for Bent.
God only knows which is true, I just know it is depressing as fuck to have sold our four best players in the last three seasons.
And, incidentally, I don't care if Arsenal sell Fabregas to Barcelona or Nasri to Man City, I care about our seeming susceptibility to this every year.
It is depressing but I'm not sure what we can do about it. Players clearly see us a stepping stone and unless we can match the spending of the clubs who are poaching them it will keep happening.
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Fast forward a couple of seasons Hilts and see where this will have got them? I guarantee you not very far at all....
You guarantee that do you? I'm not so sure. But you can guarantee where selling your best players will get you: absolutely fucking nowhere.
Yes, sorry, thought I had said that already Hilts. I guarantee it. Every team, bar possibly Chelsea that I can think of, sells its best players in the premier league...
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Mat Kendrick thinks we're looking at McGeady. Pass the Luger.
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Downing is a good player, but £20 million? Thanks Liverpool.
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I don't think McLeish has much say anyway. Randys made him look a c*** already by selling Downing after the manager said he wasn't for sale. Is there any fucking point having a manager when the bloke who owns the club makes all the decisions......
Saying he's not for sale is just part of the negotiations. It's telling the player and his agent that we're not a soft touch.
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The next few weeks are now (as if they weren't before this) absolutely massive for villa. Get the fucking finger out and start sorting some transfers.
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I really hope if it is going to be Ngobia (and I hope it is) that we have already agreed a price otherwise they have just added a min of £2m on to what they wanted for him
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Good riddance Downing you ungrateful shitehawk.
Arrives at the club on crutches, adds little or no value in his first year and then finally hits his stride for us so on the back of this he decides he needs to play at the highest level (alongside the great Jonjo Shelvey and Jordan Henderson) so secures his dream move to the Dippers
Not great timing with Ash having left already but no room for players who don't want to wear the shirt and hopefully we will see this money reinvested on some new faces who are willing to play for us
Now fuck off Downing and thanks for not a lot
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I have to say, for a player I moaned, and moaned, and moaned at from my seat fro at least 10 home games of the 18 last season, 20 million quid is a miraculous piece of business.
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Mat Kendrick thinks we're looking at McGeady. Pass the Luger.
Fuck me that's a wind up isn't it?
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Mat Kendrick thinks we're looking at McGeady. Pass the Luger.
Oh the irony.
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By the way I think anything above 15m for Downing is a great deal. Just didn't think this club would take the direction it has the last couple of seasons. I don't trust Lerner in the slightest with this club anymore, he's made tidy profits on selling our prized assets 3 years running now.......
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Young and downing. Good luck to Alex buying replacements that can create as many or more chances than these guys... On a budget. Blimey he better buy well. Or buy a tin hat.
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The rumour on here was that the Bent transfer was paid for by the Milner money. Then we started to hear people saying it is the Young money (in advance) that paid for Bent.
God only knows which is true, I just know it is depressing as fuck to have sold our four best players in the last three seasons.
And, incidentally, I don't care if Arsenal sell Fabregas to Barcelona or Nasri to Man City, I care about our seeming susceptibility to this every year.
It is depressing but I'm not sure what we can do about it. Players clearly see us a stepping stone and unless we can match the spending of the clubs who are poaching them it will keep happening.
And match the aspirations of the players.
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Yes, sorry, thought I had said that already Hilts. I guarantee it. Every team, bar possibly Chelsea that I can think of, sells its best players in the premier league...
Four times in three seasons? Come off it.
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I don't see the point in sounding off at Downing. He's a modern generation footballer.
In the time he's been at the club our ambition has utterly nosedived so if he has the chance to jump ship he is going to do it.
In the modern game clubs such as ours have to work very hard to keep their best players, and the anger thats felt by the fans following a poor and unambitious managerial apointment is because we know what it will inevitably lead to.
Put your loyalty and support to one side for a moment and consider how attractive Villa currently are to potential targets.
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Also - an odd time for a fee to be agreed. Hm.
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To lose one England winger in a summer is unlucky. To lose two is just rank crap ownership and a sure sign that the flame of ambition at Aston Villa was snuffed out long ago.
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We must keep hold of Bent.I don't care what it cost's Randy just do it.
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How very 'Villa' to finally sign a top striker, then lose our two main providers within weeks of each other. *Sighs, cries, vomits*
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He'll only need to supply Bent for this season because he'll be gone this time next year. Why would anyone seriously want to stay or even sign for this club, I'm honestly not trying to wind people up here! Please give me a good reason???
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About this reported £20m fee, I'd wait for a bit to see if that's accurate or not.
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Yes, sorry, thought I had said that already Hilts. I guarantee it. Every team, bar possibly Chelsea that I can think of, sells its best players in the premier league...
Four times in three seasons? Come off it.
You're moving the goalposts now hilts, that isn't what you said originally. Actually, come to think of it, Everton is a club who are remarkably good at hanging on to their best players...
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Mat Kendrick thinks we're looking at McGeady. Pass the Luger.
Oh the irony.
Ha, won't this place be fun if that happens.
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About this reported £20m fee, I'd wait for a bit to see if that's accurate or not.
To be honest, I wouldn't really be going down that line this evening, Redman, it'll end in tears.
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Sickening. I'm no great fan of the big soft shite, 20 million for him is great business and I think we can replace him with better. That being said, he's down there with Hodge in my eyes because of the way he's gone about this. F*cking tosser
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By the way I think anything above 15m for Downing is a great deal. Just didn't think this club would take the direction it has the last couple of seasons. I don't trust Lerner in the slightest with this club anymore, he's made tidy profits on selling our prized assets 3 years running now.......
In fairness. the three that have left (Young, Milner and Downing) all wanted to leave and when that happens, there's not much you can do. Let's not forget, he spent £24m in January, so before we start slagging Randy off, let's see how much he gives Eck to spend this time round.
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The next few weeks are now (as if they weren't before this) absolutely massive for villa. Get the fucking finger out and start sorting some transfers.
Agreed. We really need to make at least three or four solid acquisitions on the back of this.
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Just had a text saying that he had handed in a transfer request. Anyone else heard anything?
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No animosity towards Stewpot, this is business. An excellent price for a decent>good player. How much did we sign him for, £11 million wasn't it?
I must say I found it a bit odd that after one decent season, he gave that interview up north where he said he wouldn't be signing a new contract - and he wanted to play CL football ASAP. Maybe he'll surprise us all, but I don't think he's at that level.
I'm not even sure Milner is at that level TBH, and he's an infinitely better player than Downing. I'd say both are a notch or two down from what you'd class as elite players. Both good enough to be big players for teams in and around 5-8th, but wouldn't be guaranteed starters for the sides directly above that.
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It's the number of our better players shifted in the last few summers, that makes this annoying. But if players are determined to go they do now, simple as that. At least we appear to have stuck out for his market value (Crazy as that market is.........but, hell it's been like it for years now in truth).
The weeks before the season starts are pretty big ones now alright, whatever happens the season ticket is bought - but I'd like a little cheer before we get the season started (Just a little........Though I'll clearly accept a lot more were it to appear).
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Yeah he did Chris. Fuck him, although I'm not sure we can complain considering he did the same to come to us.
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Just had a text saying that he had handed in a transfer request. Anyone else heard anything?
The club have said he did, according to Kendrick
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We've been fucked over by Daglish.
Hopefully the board have learnt from the Ashley and Downing situations and 18 months into a four year deal an extention be offered. It doesn't matter, we need to get our better players tied down for long term contracts.
2 years left does not leave a club in a position of strength.
Positives, in theory this transfer fee (and the wages saved from Ash and Downing) could pay for a Parker and N'Zogbia.
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The next few weeks are now (as if they weren't before this) absolutely massive for villa. Get the fucking finger out and start sorting some transfers.
True. This summer has started badly: Houllier replaced by McLeish; Friedel and NRC leaves; Young sold and now Downing. The club have to work hard to get the good feeling back.
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SSN reported the weasel handed in a transfer request, well that doesnt surprise me at all.
Downing you ****
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By the way I think anything above 15m for Downing is a great deal. Just didn't think this club would take the direction it has the last couple of seasons. I don't trust Lerner in the slightest with this club anymore, he's made tidy profits on selling our prized assets 3 years running now.......
In fairness. the three that have left (Young, Milner and Downing) all wanted to leave and when that happens, there's not much you can do. Let's not forget, he spent £24m in January, so before we start slagging Randy off, let's see how much he gives Eck to spend this time round.
Agree totally. Like Sunderland we now have money to buy players, over to the new manager.
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Details along these lines will in be in The Times in about an hour:
TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
Fee "in the region of £20m" but yet to be confirmed.
12 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
Downing put in a transfer request today to force the move through.
14 minutes ago
TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
Villa will now move for Charles N'Zogbia, another winger who's just enjoyed a really good season.
16 minutes ago
TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
#LFC make another statement of their intent by agreeing a £20m fee for Downing who was outstanding last season.
18 minutes ago
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By the way I think anything above 15m for Downing is a great deal. Just didn't think this club would take the direction it has the last couple of seasons. I don't trust Lerner in the slightest with this club anymore, he's made tidy profits on selling our prized assets 3 years running now.......
In fairness. the three that have left (Young, Milner and Downing) all wanted to leave and when that happens, there's not much you can do. Let's not forget, he spent £24m in January, so before we start slagging Randy off, let's see how much he gives Eck to spend this time round.
To be fair he didn't have to spend anything when Mon walked out. We'd sold milner and one or two others, now we've sold young and downing. He must be loving it.
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Here's hoping we have the last laugh on him and Milner. I don't see the dippers finishing any higher than 5th purely because I don't see the players they have signed as being any better than the ones they will replace. And Milner will, I suspect, be a very peripheral figure this season at Man City...
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TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
#LFC make another statement of their intent by agreeing a £20m fee for Downing who was outstanding last season.
18 minutes ago
Oh dear. I think I've wet myself.
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I agree with KG, I don't blame Downing at all. It's pretty clear what the extent of our ambition is so at his age he wants a better chance of winning something. What price Bent still being here in 18 months?
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It's the number of our better players shifted in the last few summers, that makes this annoying. But if players are determined to go they do now, simple as that. At least we appear to have stuck out for his market value (Crazy as that market is.........but, hell it's been like it for years now in truth).
The weeks before the season starts are pretty big ones now alright, whatever happens the season ticket is bought - but I'd like a little cheer before we get the season started (Just a little........Though I'll clearly accept a lot more were it to appear).
Agree, Mike, we all need a bit of a lift now. Although you can guarantee that within 5 minutes of our next decent signing somebody will post that he'll be off to Man City in 2 years. Sadly, it will be difficult to argue with it.
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So we need to sign players equal to Young, Downing and Friedel to consolidate 9th place. Players are leaving Villa because they want success, something they will never achieve staying at Villa Park.
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Downing for N'Zogbia plus Parker plus Given (more or less)? Bang on.
Fuck him. Spare no thought to him. Just another millionaire drifter passing through.
Onwards to bigger and better things (or to storm the gates if that cash,plus more besides, isn't reinvested in the squad Rikki fucking tick!).
A big clusterpositive wouldn't go amiss about now Villa.
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TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
#LFC make another statement of their intent by agreeing a £20m fee for Downing who was outstanding last season.
18 minutes ago
Oh dear. I think I've wet myself.
I don't think that's very fair Bentman. They have clearly made a statement of their intent to finish somewhere between 5th and 7th by buying mediocre, over priced British talent which is never going to break the top four in a million years. All this must be as sobering a wake up to reality for bindipper fans as it is for us
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I really hope the money we've raised this summer goes into a rebuilding programme similar to those seen post-Platt and post-Yorke. I don't want to see like-for-like replacements, I don't want just to two new wingers and a goal-keeper, I want to see half a dozen new, exciting players - even if one or two might seem like a bit of a risk.
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I agree with KG, I don't blame Downing at all. It's pretty clear what the extent of our ambition is so at his age he wants a better chance of winning something. What price Bent still being here in 18 months?
I don't think he will be here next week.
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It's gonna take one hell of a season not to lose Darren Bent next summer. :(
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Lots of work to do now just to get the holes in the first team filled, let alone improving on last year's players. Scott Parker would be a good start.
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Here's one for the cynics... Wasn't the last day for renewals today?
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Well thanks again Mr Lerner - happy now with the £20M in your pocket? Thats it, sell off all of the best players - who's next? Darren Bent? Disgrace the way the squad - sorry ''small'' squad has been ravaged. Is this the start of the new 5 year plan, I wonder?
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good riddance to Downing the little worm,aslong as we get Nzogbia ill be happy!
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Just had a text saying that he had handed in a transfer request. Anyone else heard anything?
Matt Kendrick saying he handed in a transfer request yesterday (on Twitter)
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He's asked for a transfer request, he did'nt want to stick around after we paid his wages while he got himself fit and back in the england side, and while it's frustrating, we have got a very good price for him. It's up to Randy to give Eck the money to bring some replacements in.
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Here's one for the cynics... Wasn't the last day for renewals today?
No, tomorrow.
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One thing I will say is, does it take a circa £80 million spend to even just ensure the heady heights of 5th-7th now? Top flight football in this country really is in La La Land.
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Well thanks again Mr Lerner - happy now with the £20M in your pocket? Thats it, sell off all of the best players - who's next? Darren Bent? Disgrace the way the squad - sorry ''small'' squad has been ravaged. Is this the start of the new 5 year plan, I wonder?
Bit harsh when the player asked for a transfer. The test is if he allows McLeish to spend it.
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I hope Alex have some ideas who to buy outside the obvious choice. Is there someone we are interested oversea ?
Milner 23 millions plus downing 20 millions plus Young 18 millions and say 3 millions for Davies, that is 64 millions and we spend about 25 millions for Bent and Makoun. So where the money gone (39 millions). I reckon we have 50 millions pounds in Transfer kitty, but we are keeping it very very quiet. This can buy 7 quality players.
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Downing for N'Zogbia plus Parker plus Given (more or less)? Bang on.
Fuck him. Spare no thought to him. Just another millionaire drifter passing through.
Onwards to bigger and better things (or to storm the gates if that cash,plus more besides, isn't reinvested in the squad Rikki fucking tick!).
A big clusterpositive wouldn't go amiss about now Villa.
That's the understatement of the century.
Something nice and positive, nice and quick, please.
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Right - on the positive side at least its done early and won't drag out until September, but Randy and 'Eck had better pull their thumbs out of their arse and get signing some players quick. All the talk of evaluating the squad is all well and good as an excuse for not signing anyone, but it doesn't wash when the same isn't true when it comes to selling our best players.
Distinctly unimpressed at the moment.
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Well thanks again Mr Lerner - happy now with the £20M in your pocket? Thats it, sell off all of the best players - who's next? Darren Bent? Disgrace the way the squad - sorry ''small'' squad has been ravaged. Is this the start of the new 5 year plan, I wonder?
Lets see what business we do by Sept 1st before we get the pitchforks out.
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Here's one for the cynics... Wasn't the last day for renewals today?
I can beat that: Does anyone think that we appointed a manager the owner knew would be unpopular to act as a scapegoat for any unpopular decisions?
I don't genuinely believe that but it is a theory and it will be one I might start to subscribe to if we don't see some serious moves. As much as some would disagree I feel McLeish deserves better than that.
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I'm glad it's done. He can do one and we can move on. He will very vaguely and rarely be remembered as a Villa player in years to come and probably the same as a footballer generally. We can and will do better.
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good riddance to Downing the little worm,aslong as we get Nzogbia ill be happy!
I wouldn't bet on N'Zogbia joining - I've zero faith in this board now. Lerner has banked £36M from these two sales plus getting rid of others off the wage bill.
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No offence intended to anyone on here but I was with some complete ****** tonight and they thought selling Downing to Liverpool was a good deal.
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This is canny business, I reckon. We're getting our fire-sale in BEFORE we get relegated to get a better price for our best players. Nice one Mr Faulkner.
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No offence intended to anyone on here but I was with some complete c***s tonight and they thought selling Downing to Liverpool was a good deal.
So relations between you and Paul Faulkner have thawed?
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good riddance to Downing the little worm,aslong as we get Nzogbia ill be happy!
I wouldn't bet on N'Zogbia joining - I've zero faith in this board now. Lerner has banked £36M from these two sales plus getting rid of others off the wage bill.
Before we sold Ashley, Lerner's net spend since being here was 80m over five years. It is, now we've sold downing, 44m over that period.
What will tell us what kind of owner we've got is how he reacts now. That's 36m pounds recouped in the last two weeks. If he spends a good deal on that - and, let's be honest, he needs to - then some faith will be restored.
if he thinks he can hold most of it back, then he's playing a very dangerous game, as well as making us less attractive to potential signings, as we look like a selling club, and just making it harder for us to hold on to Darren Bent in 6 or 12 months time.
We need to put down a definite marker very, very quickly to show that we are something other than a club on the slide, because the last 12 months have had us look like a club going one way and one way only.
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No offence intended to anyone on here but I was with some complete c***s tonight and they thought selling Downing to Liverpool was a good deal.
Hello, c**t here. What a good deal for Downing.
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£20m for Downing is excellent business. He's not worth much more than we paid for him.
If McLeish get's all of that cash plus the Ash cash then I think that it's an excellent bit of business.
You never want to see good players leave but I firnly believe that if they want to go then let them.
Downing is now up there with dog breath monkey poo shit for brains Hodge in my all time list of despised former players.
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No offence intended to anyone on here but I was with some complete c***s tonight and they thought selling Downing to Liverpool was a good deal.
So relations between you and Paul Faulkner have thawed?
I'm open to persuasion .
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I dunno Paulie.
I don't necessarily think it's imperative that Big Eck blows most of the proceeds from those sales this summer. It could be a case of sort out some of the most obvious gaps (GK, Left wing) and assess the rest of the squad over the first part of the season.
If we spent £20-25 million this summer, I wouldn't automatically view it as RL giving up. If bulk of our incoming deals are budget priced stop gaps/ over the hill types I might revise that however.
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£20m might be good business, but two things:
Repaying debt doesn't really help us as a team, and
I bet we don't replace Young and Downing with anybody anywhere near as good.
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good riddance to Downing the little worm,aslong as we get Nzogbia ill be happy!
I wouldn't bet on N'Zogbia joining - I've zero faith in this board now. Lerner has banked £36M from these two sales plus getting rid of others off the wage bill.
Before we sold Ashley, Lerner's net spend since being here was 80m over five years. It is, now we've sold downing, 44m over that period.
What will tell us what kind of owner we've got is how he reacts now. That's 36m pounds recouped in the last two weeks. If he spends a good deal on that - and, let's be honest, he needs to - then some faith will be restored.
if he thinks he can hold most of it back, then he's playing a very dangerous game, as well as making us less attractive to potential signings, as we look like a selling club, and just making it harder for us to hold on to Darren Bent in 6 or 12 months time.
We need to put down a definite marker very, very quickly to show that we are something other than a club on the slide, because the last 12 months have had us look like a club going one way and one way only.
Agree with all that, it's possibly Randy's biggest test so far. He's already disgruntled a lot of fans with Eck's appointment. I can't see him making himself anymore unpopular by not giving him a fair chunk to spend and with the ST sales already down, he can't afford to do that really.
It's going to be an interesting few days.
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I wouldn't bet on N'Zogbia joining - I've zero faith in this board now. Lerner has banked £36M from these two sales plus getting rid of others off the wage bill.
This is like January all over again. The board get's a load of stick before they make a great signing and then it's a love in! Downing won't be missed as much as Ashley Young and it's amusing that we actually seem to have got more money from him. I'm not too bothered that he's gone and after last year's fiasco I could understand why he would have been unsettled.
Once we get a couple of good players in we can forget about him until we play Lplop at VP and then we can just laugh at him as he avoids any sort of challenge and reminds us what an uncommitted wuss he was.
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Relegation beckons
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Assess the squad over the season?
This squad spent most of last season flirting with relegation - we weren't mathematically safe until the last but one game of the season. Take out two of the three best players in it, and you're way, way back on where you need to be to stand still, let alone push on.
I understand Randy arriving at this point, but it is pretty hard to avoid the conclusion that we've given up even pretending we're going to try.
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Relegation beckons
That's the spirit.
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good riddance to Downing the little worm,aslong as we get Nzogbia ill be happy!
I wouldn't bet on N'Zogbia joining - I've zero faith in this board now. Lerner has banked £36M from these two sales plus getting rid of others off the wage bill.
Before we sold Ashley, Lerner's net spend since being here was 80m over five years. It is, now we've sold downing, 44m over that period.
What will tell us what kind of owner we've got is how he reacts now. That's 36m pounds recouped in the last two weeks. If he spends a good deal on that - and, let's be honest, he needs to - then some faith will be restored.
if he thinks he can hold most of it back, then he's playing a very dangerous game, as well as making us less attractive to potential signings, as we look like a selling club, and just making it harder for us to hold on to Darren Bent in 6 or 12 months time.
We need to put down a definite marker very, very quickly to show that we are something other than a club on the slide, because the last 12 months have had us look like a club going one way and one way only.
This sad excuse for a board have pissed the majority of fans off big-time this summer. They've given no grounds for optimism at all. Just negative news and actions all the time - sell, sell, sell with no strategy whatsoever. They can't be arsed to make any statement to put us in the picture.
Completely shit PR!!
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yes once a player wants to go fuck him.
having said that i'm one of the few on here who thought he was our most consistent last season and quite liked him. Tough on bent when you sell the two players that supply him most.
Hoping this gives allbrighton more chances, we will see what develops.
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No offence intended to anyone on here but I was with some complete c***s tonight and they thought selling Downing to Liverpool was a good deal.
Hello, c**t here. What a good deal for Downing.
Is that you Tom?
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I liked him, he did very well this season. I thought he might show us some loyalty though after us gambling a huge some of money on him when he was broken. Fecking twat can join the Liverpool revolution of paying over the odds for English men. They might just reach the lofty heights of 6th like we did with the rich brits on board.
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We HAVE to have 30 million to spend now though. 10 of the Ash money, and 20 for Downing. 2 wide players, a truly good passer through the middle, and a top quality holding player for me after Given.
Although Reo Coker coming back would save a lot of money on the last one.
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Assess the squad over the season?
I don't think the rag tag collection of players we have left could realistically be described as a squad anymore.
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My mate is redscouse and he's distraught they've signed him. We should make a triple bid at Wigan for N'zogbia, McCarthy and Rodallega.
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Well thanks again Mr Lerner - happy now with the £20M in your pocket? Thats it, sell off all of the best players - who's next? Darren Bent? Disgrace the way the squad - sorry ''small'' squad has been ravaged. Is this the start of the new 5 year plan, I wonder?
Bit harsh when the player asked for a transfer. The test is if he allows McLeish to spend it.
Are you happy with a recycling or sell-to-buy strategy? Don't you think there should be any further investment in the squad?
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Disappointed. I'm glad it's being settled quickly rather than dragging out, but from being Player of the Year to all of a sudden wanting out. It's quite shit really.
It's over to you Alex to get the players with the coin hopefully burning a hole in your pocket.
Break a leg Stew. I mean that sincerely.
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Everything (bar the players leaving) is speculation. I think we all need to see how the next couple of weeks go and if there is no positive news I think it would be more appropriate to start the wailing and gnashing of teeth than now. Friedel can be replaced, NRC can be replaced (if he hasn't been already with Makoun and Delph), Young is a toughy but can be replaced and Downing I think is straightforward to replace. Let's see what happens.
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I bet we don't replace Young and Downing.
Fixed.
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I'm sure he will get a warm reception when he comes back to B6, unless he bottles it.
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We HAVE to have 30 million to spend now though. 10 of the Ash money, and 20 for Downing. 2 wide players, a truly good passer through the middle, and a top quality holding player for me after Given.
Although Reo Coker coming back would save a lot of money on the last one.
I'll bet you, err, 30 million pounds we don't spend anything anywhere near 30m.
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Oh well thats the last major asset gone from the MON era. Lets hope AM gets to see the money or we've got very little to show for the whole unfortunate episode
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Downing's a good player but he's not good enough for where Liverpool want to be. He's not good enough to be remembered with any fondness by us. I don't wish bad on him but I don't wish him well.
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I'm sure he will get a warm reception when he comes back to B6, unless he bottles it.
He'll be bottling plenty that day.
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I'm sure we wont spend that amount on replacements, I'm hoping AM can show some awareness and bring in players just as good as Stu or better for less. I'm sure they'e out there somewhere.
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Agree with all that, it's possibly Randy's biggest test so far. He's already disgruntled a lot of fans with Eck's appointment. I can't see him making himself anymore unpopular by not giving him a fair chunk to spend and with the ST sales already down, he can't afford to do that really.
After recent events.Do you really think he gives a shit
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Think we will miss Young more than Downing to be honest. I think as long as we get Nzogbia/good replacement in, its great business.
Although he was Player of the season last year, I dont think he is a £20m player.
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I'm sure we wont spend that amount on replacements, I'm hoping AM can show some awareness and bring in players just as good as Stu or better for less. I'm sure they'e out there somewhere.
This is Alex McLeish we're talking about. Sniffing out bargains isn't exactly one of his strong points. Not that he has any strong points.
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Disappointed. I'm glad it's being settled quickly rather than dragging out, but from being Player of the Year to all of a sudden wanting out. It's quite shit really.
It's over to you Alex to get the players with the coin hopefully burning a hole in your pocket.
Break a leg Stew. I mean that sincerely.
You're probably right with the ''coin'' quote - Lerner will scrape around the back of the sofa to give AM a pittance to re-invest if we're lucky. After all, AM did say there is ''no pot of gold'' to spend - so don't think by selling Downing there will be money to spend. Billionaire owner? A complete joke!
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Liverpool are spending a lot of money on good players, but not great players. Will they be happy with a fight for the 8th to 5th spot? King Kenny my arse.
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Liverpool are spending a lot of money on good players, but not great players. Will they be happy with a fight for the 8th to 5th spot? King Kenny my arse.
Yeah but who gives a fuck about how Liverpool do.
Right now, we're looking like we're going to be all about 18th-15th, not 8th-5th.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
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I'm sure we wont spend that amount on replacements, I'm hoping AM can show some awareness and bring in players just as good as Stu or better for less. I'm sure they'e out there somewhere.
This is Alex McLeish we're talking about. Sniffing out bargains isn't exactly one of his strong points. Not that he has any strong points.
I don't know, maybe not. We found out MON couldn't and its about time we had someone who could sniff a bargain, I'm still hopefull that we can.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
Does any other club manage to fuck up their PR as much as we do?
That's either terrible management, terrible PR, or both.
I also love that "we're trying really hard to buy a goalkeeper" line.
Stuff like this just makes me even more convinced that the biggest problem we have isn't the chairman not being willing to spend, it is the chairman being surrounded by absolute fucking idiots.
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One thing I will say is, does it take a circa £80 million spend to even just ensure the heady heights of 5th-7th now? Top flight football in this country really is in La La Land.
Needless to say, Liverpool intend to finish higher than 5th-7th.
I appreciate the transfer policy seems unorthodox but it would be wrong to think this is just Kenny Dalgish going mental with a chequebook. On the contrary, it's a highly rational and scientific approach, believe it or not. And transfers are decided by committee.
It's about making the numbers work in your favour. To use an over-simplified example, 35% of all goals are the result of set-pieces. So buy Andy Carroll and Charlie Adam because the stats prove these players are more likely to convert set-pieces than any others.
Whether it will work or not, we'll see. But similar methods have revolutionized other sports.
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Assess the squad over the season?
This squad spent most of last season flirting with relegation - we weren't mathematically safe until the last but one game of the season. Take out two of the three best players in it, and you're way, way back on where you need to be to stand still, let alone push on.
I understand Randy arriving at this point, but it is pretty hard to avoid the conclusion that we've given up even pretending we're going to try.
First part of the season was key there.
Ireland and Warnock might become key parts of the side, or Makoun might be better for a full pre season under his belt and a midfield three of Delph Makoun and Petrov might hit it off.
I'd be keen to exhaust those possibilities before we throw money about, gambling on players that might not even match what we already possess. Though obviously if a deal like Parker or Milner presents itself, we need to be flexible in our approach and seize the opportunity.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
I'd say that was almost an unbelievable quote if the board hadn't demonstrated time and time again that they are completely clueless.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
Does any other club manage to fuck up their PR as much as we do?
That's either terrible management, terrible PR, or both.
It don't fill you with confidence does it?
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
Does any other club manage to fuck up their PR as much as we do?
That's either terrible management, terrible PR, or both.
I also love that "we're trying really hard to buy a goalkeeper" line.
Stuff like this just makes me even more convinced that the biggest problem we have isn't the chairman not being willing to spend, it is the chairman being surrounded by absolute fucking idiots.
Idiocy loves company.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
What do you expect from a jerk like Faulkner? No strategy or planning whatsoever. These are not football men running Villa - they haven't a fucking clue!!
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One thing I will say is, does it take a circa £80 million spend to even just ensure the heady heights of 5th-7th now? Top flight football in this country really is in La La Land.
Needless to say, Liverpool intend to finish higher than 5th-7th.
Oh I'm sure you do.
But do you really think Man U, Chelsea, Citeh or Arsenal are worried/ envious vis a vis most of your business to date?
I don't think Tottingham will be particularly miffed either. That's five for the kick off.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
Does any other club manage to fuck up their PR as much as we do?
That's either terrible management, terrible PR, or both.
It don't fill you with confidence does it?
Not to mention now clubs now knowing they can now rip us off blind
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At least he put a transfer request in, which means he forfeits the right to a pay off from us. Unlike Gareth Barry.
Although saying that, after we signed him when he was injured, how much of a ****** does that make him?
They are all a bunch of ******
I feel much better now
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Liverpool are spending a lot of money on good players, but not great players. Will they be happy with a fight for the 8th to 5th spot? King Kenny my arse.
Yeah but who gives a fuck about how Liverpool do.
Right now, we're looking like we're going to be all about 18th-15th, not 8th-5th.
I might as well deflect attention from our problems for the time being. I'll speculate on Liverpool going tits up before taking my head out of the sand. ;)
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Disappointed. I'm glad it's being settled quickly rather than dragging out, but from being Player of the Year to all of a sudden wanting out. It's quite shit really.
It's over to you Alex to get the players with the coin hopefully burning a hole in your pocket.
Break a leg Stew. I mean that sincerely.
You're probably right with the ''coin'' quote - Lerner will scrape around the back of the sofa to give AM a pittance to re-invest if we're lucky. After all, AM did say there is ''no pot of gold'' to spend - so don't think by selling Downing there will be money to spend. Billionaire owner? A complete joke!
Let's have a bit of perspective here for a second. The three players that have left over the past two season's (Milner, Young and Barry) cost just under £35m to bring in. Throw in all the other money he has spent and the £24m he spent in January, then i think 'a complete joke' is harsh.
Let's just see what happens between now and the end of August. If the money has'nt been re-invested, then he'll know about it i'm sure.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
Does any other club manage to fuck up their PR as much as we do?
That's either terrible management, terrible PR, or both.
It don't fill you with confidence does it?
Not to mention now clubs now knowing they can now rip us off blind
If we go for N'Zogbia now, it gives Dave Whelan the chance to make us look utter fucking mugs twice in a month.
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Surely Mcleish has not let Downing go without a replacement already in place ? Hope we have done a deal with Nzogbia. And it is announced very soon. Nzogbia, Parker (on loan) Canales (on loan) Dann, and Foster would turn everything totally in to a very positive season ahead .........
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Why the hell to we bother? What is the point? I'm usually one of the optimists around here who believes we'll win a title in the next 20 years or that Champions League will come to us within the next 5 years.
But really? Is football at a point now where no team except the existing rich guys need bother showing up?
Let me go away and cool down.
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What do you expect from a jerk like Faulkner?
Faulkner is deeply unimpressive.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
That statement says it all.The club are a joke at the moment.PF really should not be allowed to make any statement, he sounds like a prick.
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One thing I will say is, does it take a circa £80 million spend to even just ensure the heady heights of 5th-7th now? Top flight football in this country really is in La La Land.
Needless to say, Liverpool intend to finish higher than 5th-7th.
Oh I'm sure you do.
But do you really think Man U, Chelsea, Citeh or Arsenal are worried/ envious vis a vis most of your business to date?
I don't think Tottingham will be particularly miffed either. That's five for the kick off.
It depends whether they understand the policy or not and whether they think it'll be effective.
To stress the point further:
OptaJoe Opta Sports
56% - Downing, Adam & Henderson created 239 chances in the PL last season, equivalent to 56% of Liverpool's 2010-11 total (429). Blueprint.
and
(http://basstunedtored.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/top-15-chance-creators.jpg)
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For me it is the end of the Lerner/Mon dream. A dream where it was just possible that we could be a force again.
Now we are just also-rans again. Bent must be asking himself what he has done.
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Disappointed. I'm glad it's being settled quickly rather than dragging out, but from being Player of the Year to all of a sudden wanting out. It's quite shit really.
It's over to you Alex to get the players with the coin hopefully burning a hole in your pocket.
Break a leg Stew. I mean that sincerely.
You're probably right with the ''coin'' quote - Lerner will scrape around the back of the sofa to give AM a pittance to re-invest if we're lucky. After all, AM did say there is ''no pot of gold'' to spend - so don't think by selling Downing there will be money to spend. Billionaire owner? A complete joke!
Let's have a bit of perspective here for a second. The three players that have left over the past two season's (Milner, Young and Barry) cost just under £35m to bring in. Throw in all the other money he has spent and the £24m he spent in January, then i think 'a complete joke' is harsh.
Let's just see what happens between now and the end of August. If the money has'nt been re-invested, then he'll know about it i'm sure.
I can't believe you're still making excuses for this board! Have a good think about what's been going on since MON left. I'm beginning to see why he quit now.
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Redman just fuck off.
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Anyone think we'll doing anything more than making up the numbers next season at best? Carcrash waiting to happen. But then people slow down on the motorway to watch car crashes so it should boost ticket sales. Lerner must have so much faith in AM he's willing to sell all our good players just so he can amaze us with his re-building job.
Or he's clueless.
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One thing I will say is, does it take a circa £80 million spend to even just ensure the heady heights of 5th-7th now? Top flight football in this country really is in La La Land.
Needless to say, Liverpool intend to finish higher than 5th-7th.
Oh I'm sure you do.
But do you really think Man U, Chelsea, Citeh or Arsenal are worried/ envious vis a vis most of your business to date?
I don't think Tottingham will be particularly miffed either. That's five for the kick off.
It depends whether they understand the policy or not and whether they think it'll be effective.
To stress the point further:
OptaJoe Opta Sports
56% - Downing, Adam & Henderson created 239 chances in the PL last season, equivalent to 56% of Liverpool's 2010-11 total (429). Blueprint.
and
(http://basstunedtored.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/top-15-chance-creators.jpg)
Shouldn't you be celebrating your signing on RAWK ??
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Well the next few weeks will let us know if AM was bought in to manage on a low budget or if he will have these funds made available. And I ain't holding my breath, it's all very depressing right now.
Maybe this will be the transfer that sets a few others off...most of them probably going to Spurzzz of course.
Given, Hutton, Nzogbia and Parker and selling Downing for £20 million would be an absolute result....if the board have even thought about buying a player or two yet? "players who may be available" are you f*cking kidding me...
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Redman, please take the night off. I don't think anyone on here gives a flying fuck about Liverpool's so-called scientific transfer approach right now.
Perhaps another time.
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Redman, please take the night off. I don't think anyone on here gives a flying fuck about Liverpool's so-called scientific transfer approach right now.
Perhaps another time.
I think this is true.
Redman, take the night off, please.
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Dispiriting that Milner, Young and Downing have gone and yet Beye, Heskey, Warnock and Ireland are all still here.
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Redman, please take the night off. I don't think anyone on here gives a flying fuck about Liverpool's so-called scientific transfer approach right now.
Perhaps another time.
Fair enough.
Sorry folks.
I'll lie low for a bit.
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You've obviously missed a trick there then.
If we're taking a Villdawg painting by statistics approach to football, you could have got Kevin Davies for a fraction of the cost.
Because it's obviously as easy as looking at the ratios from the season previous and assuming the exact same conditions, formation and opposition strengths/ weaknesses will be in play again.
Which is probably why Man Citeh thought they were getting a goalscoring midfielder last year. Milner was our nominated penalty taker, but I won't tell them if you don't. ;)
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Disappointed. I'm glad it's being settled quickly rather than dragging out, but from being Player of the Year to all of a sudden wanting out. It's quite shit really.
It's over to you Alex to get the players with the coin hopefully burning a hole in your pocket.
Break a leg Stew. I mean that sincerely.
You're probably right with the ''coin'' quote - Lerner will scrape around the back of the sofa to give AM a pittance to re-invest if we're lucky. After all, AM did say there is ''no pot of gold'' to spend - so don't think by selling Downing there will be money to spend. Billionaire owner? A complete joke!
Let's have a bit of perspective here for a second. The three players that have left over the past two season's (Milner, Young and Barry) cost just under £35m to bring in. Throw in all the other money he has spent and the £24m he spent in January, then i think 'a complete joke' is harsh.
Let's just see what happens between now and the end of August. If the money has'nt been re-invested, then he'll know about it i'm sure.
I can't believe you're still making excuses for this board! Have a good think about what's been going on since MON left. I'm beginning to see why he quit now.
All i'm saying is, let's just see if the money that's come in is re-invested. If it's not, then i'll be joining you in wanting to know what's going on.
At the end of the day, Randy did'nt deny MON or Houiller money to spend, so let's see if it's going to be any different this time.
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Dispiriting that Milner, Young and Downing have gone and yet Beye, Heskey, Warnock and Ireland are all still here.
Heskey is going to sit on his useless arse for another year and a bit or whatever it is, picking up his 65k a week until he's 35, as will Beye with his 40k.
Depressing as fuck.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
That statement says it all.The club are a joke at the moment.PF really should not be allowed to make any statement, he sounds like a prick.
I don't read much into press releases. The proof will be in what happens between now and August 31st. It could be a PR error in the wording, or it could be the club being coy. I have no idea. Sign Given and N'Zogbia and it starts to chip away at the deficit of faith.
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Dispiriting that Milner, Young and Downing have gone and yet Beye, Heskey, Warnock and Ireland are all still here.
yep. we're basically left with a squad two thirds full of MON's mistakes
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All i'm saying is, let's just see if the money that's come in is re-invested. If it's not, then i'll be joining you in wanting to know what's going on.
Four top players sold in three seasons, O'Neill replaced by Houllier and then by McLeish, squad at the right end of the table turned into squad fighting relegation and you're still not yet at the point where you want to know what's going on?
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One thing I will say is, does it take a circa £80 million spend to even just ensure the heady heights of 5th-7th now? Top flight football in this country really is in La La Land.
Needless to say, Liverpool intend to finish higher than 5th-7th.
Oh I'm sure you do.
But do you really think Man U, Chelsea, Citeh or Arsenal are worried/ envious vis a vis most of your business to date?
I don't think Tottingham will be particularly miffed either. That's five for the kick off.
It depends whether they understand the policy or not and whether they think it'll be effective.
To stress the point further:
OptaJoe Opta Sports
56% - Downing, Adam & Henderson created 239 chances in the PL last season, equivalent to 56% of Liverpool's 2010-11 total (429). Blueprint.
and
(http://basstunedtored.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/top-15-chance-creators.jpg)
If that was the case then wouldn't you be better off spending on Barton, Etherington and Chris Brunt? All right up there on the OPTA stats. No offence but I think you might interpret creating a chance as sticking a pinpoint cross on the bonce of the centre forward six yards out right in front of goal. OPTA probably view creating a chance a little different.
Envious of Liverpools spending right now, but would be dissapointed if we spent £40 million on the likes of Downing and Henderson..assists or not.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
That statement says it all.The club are a joke at the moment.PF really should not be allowed to make any statement, he sounds like a prick.
I don't read much into press releases. The proof will be in what happens between now and August 31st. It could be a PR error in the wording, or it could be the club being coy. I have no idea. Sign Given and N'Zogbia and it starts to chip away at the deficit of faith.
The club haven't got the first clue about PR - that's been evident for the last 12 months and particularly over the summer. How are we going to replace influential players like Young, Downing, Walker and NRC??
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Aye. Brunt was only one chance behind, and probably seen less of the ball in a team like the Olbiyun.
Brunt, Barton and Davies up front. Maybe bust the bank for Malouda and the world is your lobster. Or something.
The system is foolproof.
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You've obviously missed a trick there then.
If we're taking a Villdawg painting by statistics approach to football, you could have got Kevin Davies for a fraction of the cost.
Because it's obviously as easy as looking at the ratios from the season previous and assuming the exact same conditions, formation and opposition strengths/ weaknesses will be in play again.
Which is probably why Man Citeh thought they were getting a goalscoring midfielder last year. Milner was our nominated penalty taker, but I won't tell them if you don't. ;)
Of course it's not easy. All I've done is give you an oversimplified example based on a single variable - chances created.
That's me done for a while. Ta-ra.
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All i'm saying is, let's just see if the money that's come in is re-invested. If it's not, then i'll be joining you in wanting to know what's going on.
Four top players sold in three seasons, O'Neill replaced by Houllier and then by McLeish, squad at the right end of the table turned into squad fighting relegation and you're still not yet at the point where you want to know what's going on?
Well said Hilts! Exactly my thoughts.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
That statement says it all.The club are a joke at the moment.PF really should not be allowed to make any statement, he sounds like a prick.
I don't read much into press releases. The proof will be in what happens between now and August 31st. It could be a PR error in the wording, or it could be the club being coy. I have no idea. Sign Given and N'Zogbia and it starts to chip away at the deficit of faith.
TV this has '87 written all over it.Time for Randy to step up.
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
That statement says it all.The club are a joke at the moment.PF really should not be allowed to make any statement, he sounds like a prick.
I don't read much into press releases. The proof will be in what happens between now and August 31st. It could be a PR error in the wording, or it could be the club being coy. I have no idea. Sign Given and N'Zogbia and it starts to chip away at the deficit of faith.
The club haven't got the first clue about PR - that's been evident for the last 12 months and particularly over the summer. How are we going to replace influential players like Young, Downing, Walker and NRC??
Apparently from raiding the likes of Wigan and Blose. *FACEPALM*
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Redman, please take the night off. I don't think anyone on here gives a flying fuck about Liverpool's so-called scientific transfer approach right now.
Perhaps another time.
Fair enough.
Sorry folks.
I'll lie low for a bit.
Redman. Think you have every right to have your opinion on this forum. The majority of the people on here wanted Downing to leave anyway. Myself included. Now we have got our asking price i cannot see the problem .... Statistically your analysis looks good, but we all know football sometimes is not that simple ........
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Dispiriting that Milner, Young and Downing have gone and yet Beye, Heskey, Warnock and Ireland are all still here.
That will be after the board selling three of the best players to play at Villa Park in a long time
yep. we're basically left with a squad two thirds full of MON's mistakes
Dispiriting that Milner, Young and Downing have gone and yet Beye, Heskey, Warnock and Ireland are all still here.
yep. we're basically left with a squad two thirds full of MON's mistakes
I think thats very harsh. Name this two thirds of mistakes. Of what is left, I would only say that Beye and Heskey are mistakes. One day, you are going to have to stop blaming him for everything Greg
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
That statement says it all.The club are a joke at the moment.PF really should not be allowed to make any statement, he sounds like a prick.
I don't read much into press releases. The proof will be in what happens between now and August 31st. It could be a PR error in the wording, or it could be the club being coy. I have no idea. Sign Given and N'Zogbia and it starts to chip away at the deficit of faith.
TV this has '87 written all over it.Time for Randy to step up.
I agree, it's time for the club to restore the faith, but come on, this isn't close to 87. 87 was as bleak as it gets. The players in that squad were fucking mince. I know we've lost some quality, but this squad is way better than that lot.
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Dispiriting that Milner, Young and Downing have gone and yet Beye, Heskey, Warnock and Ireland are all still here.
That will be after the board selling three of the best players to play at Villa Park in a long time
yep. we're basically left with a squad two thirds full of MON's mistakes
Dispiriting that Milner, Young and Downing have gone and yet Beye, Heskey, Warnock and Ireland are all still here.
yep. we're basically left with a squad two thirds full of MON's mistakes
I think thats very harsh. Name this two thirds of mistakes. Of what is left, I would only say that Beye and Heskey are mistakes. One day, you are going to have to stop blaming him for everything Greg
Ireland isn't looking too hot, truth be told.
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All i'm saying is, let's just see if the money that's come in is re-invested. If it's not, then i'll be joining you in wanting to know what's going on.
Four top players sold in three seasons, O'Neill replaced by Houllier and then by McLeish, squad at the right end of the table turned into squad fighting relegation and you're still not yet at the point where you want to know what's going on?
The McCleish appointment left me as baffled as much as everyone and i think the majority of us have questioned the board on that one. I'm just giving the board the benefit of doubt over the funding that's all. That said, it does seem to have all gone a bit wayward since MON left.
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All i'm saying is, let's just see if the money that's come in is re-invested. If it's not, then i'll be joining you in wanting to know what's going on.
Four top players sold in three seasons, O'Neill replaced by Houllier and then by McLeish, squad at the right end of the table turned into squad fighting relegation and you're still not yet at the point where you want to know what's going on?
The McCleish appointment left me as baffled as much as everyone and i think the majority of us have questioned the board on that one. I'm just giving the board the benefit of doubt over the funding that's all. That said, it does seem to have all gone a bit wayward since MON left.
I think a big part of the problem is that it behind the scenes it was going wayward when MON was here
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I can see it now..... Randy can get a squad of 12 on his private jet for the 5-a-side pre-season tour (sorry 11-a-side) and save on the airfares!
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http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html)
So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.
That statement says it all.The club are a joke at the moment.PF really should not be allowed to make any statement, he sounds like a prick.
I don't read much into press releases. The proof will be in what happens between now and August 31st. It could be a PR error in the wording, or it could be the club being coy. I have no idea. Sign Given and N'Zogbia and it starts to chip away at the deficit of faith.
TV this has '87 written all over it.Time for Randy to step up.
I agree, it's time for the club to restore the faith, but come on, this isn't close to 87. 87 was as bleak as it gets. The players in that squad were fucking mince. I know we've lost some quality, but this squad is way better than that lot.
If we lose Bent which I think we could,we are in it deep.
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Dispiriting that Milner, Young and Downing have gone and yet Beye, Heskey, Warnock and Ireland are all still here.
That will be after the board selling three of the best players to play at Villa Park in a long time
yep. we're basically left with a squad two thirds full of MON's mistakes
Dispiriting that Milner, Young and Downing have gone and yet Beye, Heskey, Warnock and Ireland are all still here.
yep. we're basically left with a squad two thirds full of MON's mistakes
I think thats very harsh. Name this two thirds of mistakes. Of what is left, I would only say that Beye and Heskey are mistakes. One day, you are going to have to stop blaming him for everything Greg
Ireland isn't looking too hot, truth be told.
I will just about give you that. 3 players then. there are approx 25 players in the first team squad according to the website. That is nowhere near two thirds
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Dispiriting that Milner, Young and Downing have gone and yet Beye, Heskey, Warnock and Ireland are all still here.
That will be after the board selling three of the best players to play at Villa Park in a long time
yep. we're basically left with a squad two thirds full of MON's mistakes
Dispiriting that Milner, Young and Downing have gone and yet Beye, Heskey, Warnock and Ireland are all still here.
yep. we're basically left with a squad two thirds full of MON's mistakes
I think thats very harsh. Name this two thirds of mistakes. Of what is left, I would only say that Beye and Heskey are mistakes. One day, you are going to have to stop blaming him for everything Greg
look at who's left from the MON era. Hardly a squad you'd be confident going into a new season with.
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Just back in Blighty from my honeymoon drinking, eating and stuff along the West coast of Ireland. In that time the bloke in charge of the B-lose is arrested, and, well, thats about it. Get back and we sell the not for sale Downing (that'll show em'!) and we are left with huge holes throughout the team. I am sure there is a master plan to appointing a relegated manager, selling all our best players and taking an age to get a goalkeeper, but I am buggered if I know what it is. On the bright side Ireland was fun and I love a good moan!
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Mind my grief. The last thing I need at the moment is a list of who's left in our squad.
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Can we get Petrov to trip him up on his way to the exit?
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That wasn't the point Greg, the squad isnt 'two thirds full of MONs mistakes is it?
Currently, we could line up with
Guzan
L Young
Cuellar
Dunne
Warnock
Albrighton
Makoun
Petrov
Ireland
Bannan
Bent
Gabby
Delph
Delfonueso
Heskey
Beye
Collins
Marshall
I admit, it isnt the strongest, but with some sound management, and hopefully some signings, it isnt an awful team on paper.
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It isn't an awful team, but it s an awful squad. That's the killer.
Actually, it is an awful team too. Guzan? Relying on lazarus style events from Warnock and Ireland?
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I admit, it isnt the strongest, but with some sound management, and hopefully some signings, it isnt an awful team on paper.
Not a lot to show for five years and £100M+ is it?
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That wasn't the point Greg, the squad isnt 'two thirds full of MONs mistakes is it?
Currently, we could line up with
Guzan
L Young
Cuellar
Dunne
Warnock
Albrighton
Makoun
Petrov
Ireland
Bannan
Bent
Gabby
Delph
Delfonueso
Heskey
Beye
Collins
Marshall
I admit, it isnt the strongest, but with some sound management, and hopefully some signings, it isnt an awful team on paper.
I'd say 11 of them are either not good enough or coming to the end of their careers so my apologies. not quite 2 thirds
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Dispiriting that Milner, Young and Downing have gone and yet Beye, Heskey, Warnock and Ireland are all still here.
Heskey is going to sit on his useless arse for another year and a bit or whatever it is, picking up his 65k a week until he's 35, as will Beye with his 40k.
Depressing as fuck.
That depresses me far more than Downing leaving. Personally I can't see the point in Liverpool signing him, nevermind paying all that money for him when they have a similar but better player in Dirk Kuyt. If they bought him to supply the crosses for Carroll, are they in for a nasty surprise.
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It isn't an awful team, but it s an awful squad. That's the killer.
Actually, it is an awful team too. Guzan? Relying on lazarus style events from Warnock and Ireland?
I did say on paper, and I did say with some sound management. It isnt beyond the realms of possibility that Warnock will come to his senses, and Ireland becomes that 10-15m player that he is capable of being.
Guzan doesnt fill me with any confidence at all, and it is very cler where the holes are.
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The next few weeks are now (as if they weren't before this) absolutely massive for villa. Get the fucking finger out and start sorting some transfers.
True. This summer has started badly: Houllier replaced by McLeish; Friedel and NRC leaves; Young sold and now Downing. The club have to work hard to get the good feeling back.
I don't think they really give a shit.
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I admit, it isnt the strongest, but with some sound management, and hopefully some signings, it isnt an awful team on paper.
Not a lot to show for five years and £100M+ is it?
Not after the board have sold our best three players, no.
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That wasn't the point Greg, the squad isnt 'two thirds full of MONs mistakes is it?
Currently, we could line up with
Guzan
L Young
Cuellar
Dunne
Warnock
Albrighton
Makoun
Petrov
Ireland
Bannan
Bent
Gabby
Delph
Delfonueso
Heskey
Beye
Collins
Marshall
I admit, it isnt the strongest, but with some sound management, and hopefully some signings, it isnt an awful team on paper.
I'd say 11 of them are either not good enough or coming to the end of their careers so my apologies. not quite 2 thirds
Its a shame that isnt it, players getting older! If only they could stay 26 forever. Not being good enough is opinion, not fact.
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From that list, I can work out two that would definitely be counted as mistakes with one other possibilty (Heskey and Beye in the first column, Warnock in the second).
I'll put this down to standard Nash-style idiocy.
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3? They've sold 2 players and we're probably looking at a 17m profit vs all the million pissed up the wall on players who walked away on frees or on knock-down prices.
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That wasn't the point Greg, the squad isnt 'two thirds full of MONs mistakes is it?
Currently, we could line up with
Guzan
L Young
Cuellar
Dunne
Warnock
Albrighton
Makoun
Petrov
Ireland
Bannan
Bent
Gabby
Delph
Delfonueso
Heskey
Beye
Collins
Marshall
I admit, it isnt the strongest, but with some sound management, and hopefully some signings, it isnt an awful team on paper.
I'd say 11 of them are either not good enough or coming to the end of their careers so my apologies. not quite 2 thirds
Its a shame that isnt it, players getting older! If only they could stay 26 forever. Not being good enough is opinion, not fact.
erm....why spends millions on players who will only last 2 or years if you ain't got the money to buy replacements? Exactly the mistake Gregory made.
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I see Modric has handed in a transfer request tonight aswell. If Mcleish is allowed to spend and spends well I believe selling Downing is a great deal.
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3? They've sold 2 players and we're probably looking at a 17m profit vs all the million pissed up the wall on players who walked away on frees or on knock-down prices.
James Milner, Ashley Young, and the chap who will be imminently leaving, makes three. Not very good at maths Greg?
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3? They've sold 2 players and we're probably looking at a 17m profit vs all the million pissed up the wall on players who walked away on frees or on knock-down prices.
James Milner, Ashley Young, and the chap who will be imminently leaving, makes three. Not very good at maths Greg?
Mon sold Milner. He even let the cat out the bag at the time and he left with his full agreement, and bought the duffer Ireland as his replacement. Nowt to do with the board.
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That wasn't the point Greg, the squad isnt 'two thirds full of MONs mistakes is it?
Currently, we could line up with
Guzan
L Young
Cuellar
Dunne
Warnock
Albrighton
Makoun
Petrov
Ireland
Bannan
Bent
Gabby
Delph
Delfonueso
Heskey
Beye
Collins
Marshall
I admit, it isnt the strongest, but with some sound management, and hopefully some signings, it isnt an awful team on paper.
I'd say 11 of them are either not good enough or coming to the end of their careers so my apologies. not quite 2 thirds
Its a shame that isnt it, players getting older! If only they could stay 26 forever. Not being good enough is opinion, not fact.
erm....why spends millions on players who will only last 2 or years if you ain't got the money to buy replacements? Exactly the mistake Gregory made.
Why are you creating another tangeant? Why cant you stick to the point you were arguing?
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That wasn't the point Greg, the squad isnt 'two thirds full of MONs mistakes is it?
Currently, we could line up with
Guzan
L Young
Cuellar
Dunne
Warnock
Albrighton
Makoun
Petrov
Ireland
Bannan
Bent
Gabby
Delph
Delfonueso
Heskey
Beye
Collins
Marshall
I admit, it isnt the strongest, but with some sound management, and hopefully some signings, it isnt an awful team on paper.
I'd say 11 of them are either not good enough or coming to the end of their careers so my apologies. not quite 2 thirds
Its a shame that isnt it, players getting older! If only they could stay 26 forever. Not being good enough is opinion, not fact.
erm....why spends millions on players who will only last 2 or years if you ain't got the money to buy replacements? Exactly the mistake Gregory made.
Why are you creating another tangeant? Why cant you stick to the point you were arguing?
doesn't spending millions on the likes of petrov and heskey when you haven't got the funds to replace them in 3 years time, class as a mistake then?
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What is our net spend now?
Also be interesting to claculate our wage bill as it stands too. Surely it must be looking a lot healthier, and will even more so next summer, when Beye and Heskey are out of contract.
Guzan 15k
L Young 40k
Cuellar 35k
Dunne 55k
Warnock 45k
Albrighton 15k
Makoun 40k
Petrov 50k
Ireland 50k
Bannan 10k
Bent 60k
Gabby 50k
Delph 20k
Delfonueso 10k
Heskey 50k
Beye 50k
Collins 40k
Marshall 10k
Roughly 650k a week I reckon?? So 34 million ish a year. I reckon 5 players on around 50k would swell it to 45-50 million. A long way off the 80 million and surely much healthier. I still reckon off loading Beye for free and Heskey for bugger all and replacing them with the likes of Clyne and AN other wardrobe youngster from the Championship would be worthwhile and cut another couple of million off the pie.
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Well, Petrov has played consistently for us for 5 years. pretty good service that. he is still under contract, so if he leaves will comand a transfer fee, granted less than what was paid for him, but its not like we paid 8 million for him, and used him as a steward. He is the captain, and he is going to age, thus depreciate in value, but we have had some worth from him. Heskey is shit, I classed him as a mistake, remember?
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What is our net spend now?
Also be interesting to claculate our wage bill as it stands too. Surely it must be looking a lot healthier, and will even more so next summer, when Beye and Heskey are out of contract.
Guzan 15k
L Young 40k
Cuellar 35k
Dunne 55k
Warnock 45k
Albrighton 15k
Makoun 40k
Petrov 50k
Ireland 50k
Bannan 10k
Bent 60k
Gabby 50k
Delph 20k
Delfonueso 10k
Heskey 50k
Beye 50k
Collins 40k
Marshall 10k
Roughly 650k a week I reckon?? So 34 million ish a year. I reckon 5 players on around 50k would swell it to 45-50 million. A long way off the 80 million and surely much healthier. I still reckon off loading Beye for free and Heskey for bugger all and replacing them with the likes of Clyne and AN other wardrobe youngster from the Championship would be worthwhile and cut another couple of million off the pie.
Great post and would sum up the clubs strategy. Let's hope the 5 players are up to scratch.
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Story in The Graun (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jul/13/liverpool-stewart-downing-aston-villa)
Those quotes are fantastic. They believe there are replacements? I'm sorry but I don't trust Faulkner's judgement at all. In fact, it's all gone down hill very rapidly since his introduction. He knows fuck all about football and it shows.
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Well, Petrov has played consistently for us for 5 years. pretty good service that. he is still under contract, so if he leaves will comand a transfer fee, granted less than what was paid for him, but its not like we paid 8 million for him, and used him as a steward. He is the captain, and he is going to age, thus depreciate in value, but we have had some worth from him. Heskey is shit, I classed him as a mistake, remember?
Petrov was bobbins for his first season - the last two he's been in rapid decline, so a couple of seasons out of him at his peak really Doub't we'd get a million for him now.
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Maybe MoN was informed that this might have to be a recurring situation year on year by Lerner and so decided to walk.
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I'm not happy. At all.
But... Ashley was owed a move, and if we replace Ashley and Downing with N'Zogbia, a half motivated Ireland and Parker I'll be ecstatic.
Makoun and Bent are quality that we didn't have this time last year too.
I just hope McLeish can get it out of them. Although I have my doubts.
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Well, Petrov has played consistently for us for 5 years. pretty good service that. he is still under contract, so if he leaves will comand a transfer fee, granted less than what was paid for him, but its not like we paid 8 million for him, and used him as a steward. He is the captain, and he is going to age, thus depreciate in value, but we have had some worth from him. Heskey is shit, I classed him as a mistake, remember?
Petrov was bobbins for his first season - the last two he's been in rapid decline, so a couple of seasons out of him at his peak really Doub't we'd get a million for him now.
I actually dont think he was bobbins in his first season. I think he has been consistent. The perception in the first season, was that he was bought as a goalscoring midfielder, and was judged as such. I distinctly remember watching him week in week out in his first season doing the same work (breaking up play, simple passing game etc) that got him player of the season in 08-09. I think you have picked a bad example of a 'mistake', and are now trying to fill things out.
Im off to bed. You will never listen anyway.
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Well, Petrov has played consistently for us for 5 years. pretty good service that. he is still under contract, so if he leaves will comand a transfer fee, granted less than what was paid for him, but its not like we paid 8 million for him, and used him as a steward. He is the captain, and he is going to age, thus depreciate in value, but we have had some worth from him. Heskey is shit, I classed him as a mistake, remember?
Petrov was bobbins for his first season - the last two he's been in rapid decline, so a couple of seasons out of him at his peak really Doub't we'd get a million for him now.
I actually dont think he was bobbins in his first season. I think he has been consistent. The perception in the first season, was that he was bought as a goalscoring midfielder, and was judged as such. I distinctly remember watching him week in week out in his first season doing the same work (breaking up play, simple passing game etc) that got him player of the season in 08-09. I think you have picked a bad example of a 'mistake', and are now trying to fill things out.
Im off to bed. You will never listen anyway.
Isn't just my opinion. From memory there was a big thread about his uselessness bobbing along the top of the forum for most of his 1st season here. i certainly didn't start it, nor did i contribute much if anything to it. He was rather like Dowining in that respect, except he came good to a certain degree while Downing has been just okay last season IMO
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l. Just didn't think this club would take the direction it has the last couple of seasons. I don't trust Lerner in the slightest with this club anymore, he's made tidy profits on selling our prized assets 3 years running now.......
selling players who have clearly stated they don't wish to stay seems like sensible management to me. don't be such a reactionary wally and see what happens over the next 2 months. Randy cares, have faith
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Not really bothered that SD has gone, but if we dont spend the £30m to replace and improve the squad then next season is going to be very long and very depressing.
We've lost 4 of our best players from an average team last season (including Walker and Friedel) so we need to bring in at least 5 or 6 players this summer to maintain top 10. Realistically I cant see it happening.
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l. Just didn't think this club would take the direction it has the last couple of seasons. I don't trust Lerner in the slightest with this club anymore, he's made tidy profits on selling our prized assets 3 years running now.......
selling players who have clearly stated they don't wish to stay seems like sensible management to me. don't be such a reactionary wally and see what happens over the next 2 months. Randy cares, have faith
I haven't seen much evidence this summer that Randy cares. It's brilliant telling people to have faith when the club has been going backwards for a full year, with this summer being the icing on the shit cake. Manager with dubious track record appointed after an absolute farce of an interview process where the best candidates weren't even considered, the two most creative players in the team sold and a CEO who doesn't know the first thing about football advising RL and dictating how much the manager can spend and where.
I don't trust the board to do the right thing or sign the correct players. They've been found wanting when the chips were down so many times over the last season and this summer, the signing of Bent aside, obviously. Why do we have a CEO who knows nothing about football? Why are we having to rely on someone with no experience in the game? It's criminal.
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I feel oddly calm about it all. We're going to win the FA Cup next year and that's all that matters to me.
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What is our net spend now?
Also be interesting to claculate our wage bill as it stands too. Surely it must be looking a lot healthier, and will even more so next summer, when Beye and Heskey are out of contract.
Guzan 15k
L Young 40k
Cuellar 35k
Dunne 55k
Warnock 45k
Albrighton 15k
Makoun 40k
Petrov 50k
Ireland 50k
Bannan 10k
Bent 60k
Gabby 50k
Delph 20k
Delfonueso 10k
Heskey 50k
Beye 50k
Collins 40k
Marshall 10k
Roughly 650k a week I reckon?? So 34 million ish a year. I reckon 5 players on around 50k would swell it to 45-50 million. A long way off the 80 million and surely much healthier. I still reckon off loading Beye for free and Heskey for bugger all and replacing them with the likes of Clyne and AN other wardrobe youngster from the Championship would be worthwhile and cut another couple of million off the pie.
I'm quite excited about the future. We've almost got ourselves back in a position where the wages are under control and we can grow again. Personally I'd have hoped for a different manager but you never know McLeish could click with us and i still think he'll be well backed by Randy.
As Ozzjim has said there is room for 4 big signings this summer and a few next year when Beye and Heskey's contracts expire.
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if he has gone for more than ashley young then the world is truely mad. ta ta Stu, if i could be arsed i'd get a t-shirt printed with 'tackles like a girl' on it, back frankly i'm just not that fussed.
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What weasel. We commit to him by buying him for squillions when he's got a busted leg and he clears off before seeing out his contract. Crap first season, decent last but no more than that. Another schister who just uses the Villa as a stepping stone. I have never seen a weaker player in the tackle (not that he ever made one) and just hope he bombs. Get lost Downing.
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Story in The Graun (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jul/13/liverpool-stewart-downing-aston-villa)
I'm sorry but I don't trust Faulkner's judgement at all. In fact, it's all gone down hill very rapidly since his introduction. He knows fuck all about football and it shows.
in total agreement. He is Jez Moxey light.
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Story in The Graun (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jul/13/liverpool-stewart-downing-aston-villa)
Those quotes are fantastic. They believe there are replacements? I'm sorry but I don't trust Faulkner's judgement at all. In fact, it's all gone down hill very rapidly since his introduction. He knows fuck all about football and it shows.
I have been suggesting this for nearly 12 months, since the departure of MON.
While everyone has been focusing on MON, Hou, Lerner, Downing, Young and the man that removed the Witton End screen, amongst all this there is the presence of our Chief Exec.
I may well be wrong (again), but the evidence is growing by the day.
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Don't worry chaps,I was only reading the other day that according to our new manager,Downing was not for sale at any price.I also was listening to our president or whatever they call him on the radio and he said no way are Villa a selling club,so this is all a bad dream and we will wake up in the morning and find out it never really happened. I wish !!!
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Not worried about Bent, where is he going to go? none of the top four need or want him so anywhere else would be a sideways step. Completely agree about Faulkner, Lerner really needed someone who has premier league experience, he may well be a nice bloke but too many things have gone rung under his stewardship. If we get Given, Nzobia and Scott Parker as Captain with the money for Downing we would be way ahead.
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Why do people keep on accusing MON of signing Ireland?Ireland was swapped for Milner after the first game of the season, when KMac was already manager.
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Why do people keep on accusing MON of signing Ireland?Ireland was swapped for Milner after the first game of the season, when KMac was already manager.
The story goes that the deal was agreed before MON left. Randy, being an honourable gentleman (and foolish) did not want to negate on what I assume was a verbal agreement.
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I thought mon wanted straight cash and it was the board who wanted Ireland?
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..... Anyway, time to buy now .
Thank you Stewart and goodnight .
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I think the club handled this quite well. We named our price and wouldn't budge + Downing handed in a transfer request (so waved goodbye to so called loyalty bonus which is too bloody right). Sod him.
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I think the club handled this quite well. We named our price and wouldn't budge
Did we? I thought we said he wasn't for sale?
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I'd leave his kit bag outside the gates at BH for him to pick up,
Hope the medical doesn't show up his lack of heart though
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or spine
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Everyone has a price for christs sake. Spurs said Modric isn't for sale but he will be at Chelsea soon. We got a good deal for Downing.
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No congratulations to the club for getting such a return on a spineless, faint hearted one footed nobody
Guess it's not hard to detect that I never really warmed to the guy
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Everyone has a price for christs sake. Spurs said Modric isn't for sale but he will be at Chelsea soon. We got a good deal for Downing.
So why bother insulting our intelligence by saying he's not for sale? The club should either name the price or put a sock in it.
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Well 20mil for Stu, 16mil for Ash. Is Stu really worth more than Ash? Crazy money.
Now we need to spend it very wisely. AM must have that belief from our management. I hope so, fingers crossed all who needs to knows what they are doing.
As regards the above comments to raise the fee you have to be convincing in saying they are not for sale so we at least mug them for as much as possible.
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That additional year on the contract makes the transfer fee difference
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I thought mon wanted straight cash and it was the board who wanted Ireland?
Nope. O'Neill wanted Ireland alright.
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I can't believe anyone seriously believes the "not for sale" phrase in this day and age, it's only used to push the price up.
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As regards the above comments to raise the fee you have to be convincing in saying they are not for sale so we at least mug them for as much as possible.
Come off it, this is the Premier League not an Arabian souk. We're a club that's known for selling its best players year on year, so we should just name the price and stick to it instead of engaging in some ridiculous pantomime.
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At least we got the shitbag to put in a transfer request which will have saved the club a few million. With the increased fee we can't be far off the N'zog fee?
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In the context of how things have unfolded since the end of last season, this looks a bit shit.
But on it's own, double our money for a player who still hasn't convinced me in a Villa shirt is a good deal. Especially if it's re-invested in N'Zogbia.
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My car isnt for sale, but if somebody came up and offered me 25% more than it's worth I would sell it.
As fans, we cant cheer a big load of cash on the pitch though so the club had better turn this around Rikki Tick.
At least that new scout bloke is there (I hope) to advise where best to spend the cash. If we play our cards right we could and should still come out of this stronger than last season overall.
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I am not unhappy about this to be honest. The player called the shots here, not the club. The fee is very decent but as has been mentioned several times since this began, it's all about how we spend the money. It could just freshen up the side and be exactly what is required to give us a fresh impetus, or it could all go massively tits up of course.
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TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
#LFC make another statement of their intent by agreeing a £20m fee for Downing who was outstanding last season.
18 minutes ago
Oh dear. I think I've wet myself.
I don't think that's very fair Bentman. They have clearly made a statement of their intent to finish somewhere between 5th and 7th by buying mediocre, over priced British talent which is never going to break the top four in a million years. All this must be as sobering a wake up to reality for bindipper fans as it is for us
Ah, the MON Villa Method of circa 2006-2009. Yes, we know that story well. Good luck Liverpool.
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Downing his going then if we can get N'Zogbia as his replacement then I will be really pleased.
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Ah, remember the good old days when N'Zogbia was going to be Young's replacement?
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If the reports are true and we've really pushed the fee up to 20 million and Downing has been forced to submit a transfer request, that's very good business. Downing certainly isn't worth that much. I'm not worried about our earlier refusal to sell him. Like it or not, that's how transfers are done: you refuse to sell at any price to force the offer up. For me the first big test of the new regime is not keeping Young and Downing - if they want to go, let them, but get the best possible price. The test is how much of this money we spend on new players, and how wisely.
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Especially if we can get him for half the Downing fee.
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As regards the above comments to raise the fee you have to be convincing in saying they are not for sale so we at least mug them for as much as possible.
Come off it, this is the Premier League not an Arabian souk. We're a club that's known for selling its best players year on year, so we should just name the price and stick to it instead of engaging in some ridiculous pantomime.
I imagine it is more to do with encouraging the player to put a transfer request in.
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How much did we pay him a week. £8m on top of what we paid for him seems like good business but must be at least £5m in wages?
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I agree with the club's statement about replacements being available. And that, in my opinion, is the most important action after our recent departures.
It is going to be an interesting few weeks at VP.
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I thought mon wanted straight cash and it was the board who wanted Ireland?
Nope. O'Neill wanted Ireland alright.
Nope. He didn't. I was told it was part of the reason for the bust up.
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The statement is so far from convincing its incredible.
Basically they say this: "we think there are other players out there, and we are trying to sign a goalkeeper".
What the f**k has signing a goalkeeper got to do with Downing leaving? It just shows a muddled mindset. I am rapidly being pursuaded that our CEO in particular hasn't got a clue what he's doing. The PR coming out of the club has been absolutely dire since MON left almost a year ago.
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TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
#LFC make another statement of their intent by agreeing a £20m fee for Downing who was outstanding last season.
18 minutes ago
Oh dear. I think I've wet myself.
I don't think that's very fair Bentman. They have clearly made a statement of their intent to finish somewhere between 5th and 7th by buying mediocre, over priced British talent which is never going to break the top four in a million years. All this must be as sobering a wake up to reality for bindipper fans as it is for us
Ah, the MON Villa Method of circa 2006-2009. Yes, we know that story well. Good luck Liverpool.
If they manage to keep the players together and they develop as they think they could then they have a chance. Imagine if we had Barry, Milner, Young and Downing as the core of our team now (as MON obviously envisioned) - we'd be challenging for sure. This is now officially the end of the O'Neill era, lets see what the future brings
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The statement is so far from convincing its incredible.
Basically they say this: "we think there are other players out there, and we are trying to sign a goalkeeper".
What the f**k has signing a goalkeeper got to do with Downing leaving? It just shows a muddled mindset. I am rapidly being pursuaded that our CEO in particular hasn't got a clue what he's doing. The PR coming out of the club has been absolutely dire since MON left almost a year ago.
It is as if they don't really have control of what is going on, and they think, "shit, we'd better say something, anything".
Like that pointless one during the manager search, "we are trying to find a manager who befits the status of the club etc etc etc", which served no purpose and then looked daft when we appointed AM.
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We're galloping backwards, we seem to have nobody at board level with the slightest clue about football.
We've now sold 2 out of our best 3 players.
Enjoy Bent in a Villa shirt this season, it will be his last.
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I would hope that having sold Downing the board/manager will have immediate replacements lined up.
*Touches rabbits foot*
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Fucking hell - £20million for a player like Stewart Downing. And I thought £25m and £35m on Henderson and Carroll was ridiculous.
Now we have the money, let's go and buy a player for half the amount who's as good on the ball AND actually tackles.
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We're galloping backwards, we seem to have nobody at board level with the slightest clue about football.
We've now sold 2 out of our best 3 players.
Enjoy Bent in a Villa shirt this season, it will be his last.
The summer's not over yet.
He must be wondering who's going to give him his assists next season, with one eye on the door already. And I don't blame him. Any decent player who isn't a Villa fan like Gabby must be considering a move at the moment.
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I would hope that having sold Downing the board/manager will have immediate replacements lined up.
*Touches rabbits foot*
Don't put your house on it.
I wouldn't trust these fuckers to sit the right way on the toilet.
We're worrying about them spending the Young and Downing proceeds, they should be spending that + £10m-£20m if we're going to get anywhere.
Amateurs.
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The statement is so far from convincing its incredible.
Basically they say this: "we think there are other players out there, and we are trying to sign a goalkeeper".
What the f**k has signing a goalkeeper got to do with Downing leaving? It just shows a muddled mindset. I am rapidly being pursuaded that our CEO in particular hasn't got a clue what he's doing. The PR coming out of the club has been absolutely dire since MON left almost a year ago.
It is as if they don't really have control of what is going on, and they think, "shit, we'd better say something, anything".
Like that pointless one during the manager search, "we are trying to find a manager who befits the status of the club etc etc etc", which served no purpose and then looked daft when we appointed AM.
Or, they don't want to give away who it is we actually want to sign and will just get it done. I honestly believe we'll have a number of additions to the squad come the start of the season.
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I should bloody well hope we have some additions to the squad come the start of the season otherwise Bent will be waiting a long time for a ball to come his direction.
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Downing. I will miss your pace, crossing, assists and goals. I wont miss you though you ungrateful little turd, thanks for the cash, now piss off.
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I would hope that having sold Downing the board/manager will have immediate replacements lined up.
*Touches rabbits foot*
Don't put your house on it.
I wouldn't trust these fuckers to sit the right way on the toilet.
We're worrying about them spending the Young and Downing proceeds, they should be spending that + £10m-£20m if we're going to get anywhere.
Amateurs.
Totally agree RIP
In any business you should have a contingency plan.
I am almost expecting the OS to say during the middle of next week that we are look "at signing some footballers soon, perhaps"
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PROUD HISTORY, BRIGHT FUTURE
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We seem to be slow signing players but there's never any delay selling them is there?
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In Villa's defence, I would have been disappointed if we had conducted ourselves like Liverpool to prise Downing away. The first I want to hear about a signing is that its done and dusted (pretty much like Bent), not dragged out over weeks, seeing the price pushed up, talked up, hyped up. I think Dowing is a very very good player, but 20million?, I know the market is skewed, but thats a lot of money for him. Have faith in what Villa are up to
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Liverpool fans saying downing is better than ash young ..fook off ..
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Anyone who things is a good sign from the club is kidding themselves.
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Liverpool fans saying downing is better than ash young ..fook off ..
Downing is a good player who will be sorely missed, but he doesn't have the work rate of Ashley.
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The bit that really upsets me is the down right lies from players thinking we're stupid. I don't have a problem with players moving on. They always will do. But it's the way they conduct themselves.
Young. Gives us 4 years. Worked bloody hard. Gave everything. But moved on. He wanted to move to a bigger club to test himself on the champions league stage, so he moved to Manchester united. Fair play to you. Good luck with everything and thanks for the memories.
Downing, only a few months ago said he isn't going anywhere. Happy here and can see the bigger picture. He didn't have to say that. If he really had no intention of staying he should of kept his mouth shut. He has had ONE good season with us and now thinks he is Billy big bollocks.
The bit that really, really upsets me is the old "I want to play champions league football" line. Knowing it's the get out clause with clubs like us as it's something we can't offer. Ok off you go. Play for Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City or Arsenal.
Wait, you want to go and join Liverpool???
Cockhead.
Don't treat us like idiots, admit you're nothing more than a prostitute. I'm glad he handed in a transfer request as to pay him a loyalty bonus otherwise would of been an insult.
Sorry. Rant over, I feel a bit better now.
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I read the quotes on the Beeb, haven't seen the OS yet and my initial reaction from reading them was that we had a replacement lined up. Reading this thread now has given me my doubts, but I really don't think AM would allow the deal to be tied up without having an agreement in pace for someone. He's on a hiding to nothing anyway, he would be committing suicide otherwise! We all hope and assume it's N'zogbia, let's hope so because that would be good business for half downing's price.
It is a very very important couple of weeks for AVFC and Mr Lerner now. Play it wrong and he'll lose any good faith he has built up in the space of a couple of months.
Faulkner does seem to have the touch of a rapist on everything he deals with mind!
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Downing is an ungrateful c unt.
He is a rat approaching Hodge proportions.
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Anyone who things is a good sign from the club is kidding themselves.
It is amazing how so many people seem to think selling our best player of last season is a good thing.
20m may or may not be good money, but I can't beliieve how many seem to think we are going to spend that plus the Ashley money on six or seven players. The club have made it clear as day they are reining in the spending even in that daft "we are looking for a manager" statement they mentioned the need for the candidate to run the club in a "sustainable" way.
Look at who we ended up with as manager. There is a big reason it was him and not some of the more convincing candidates. Or even the manager of Wigan.
We have also constantly been told we need to reduce the wage bill. Selling two players and buying seven increases it, it doesn't bring it down.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
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Utter shambles at the moment, we need a statement of intent very quick.
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One of the General's rallying posts would calm us all down.
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Positives -
N'Zogbia is better, cheaper and chases the money (so if we can throw a shedload at him we'll get him tied down for longer).
We've been left with a young, hungry squad and a massive profit for the new man to build his own team around them.
Number 6 on a winger was an annoyance anyway.
With the money for Downing alone we may be able to get Given, Parker and N'Zogbia.
Like with Milner, Barry and Ashley it's the biggest money they'll ever go for.
Negatives -
Makes us look even more of a selling Club.
For a year it feels like we've been unable to maintain any momentum.
We've got a tag of a stepping-stone Club.
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I don't see how SD asking for a transfer can be used as a rock to beat the board with.
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The only big player that we've actively sold was Milner. The rest we had no option, and the opportunity presented by the Milner transfer was too good to turn down.
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@Paul: In a nutshell....................Its all very well people saying Downing is this and Downing is that, fact is he wanted to go and despite AM's machinations that he's going nowhere just a couple of days ago only says to me that was a rouse to up the price, depending on what that is.
Few things that concern me, there seems to be a drip feed of misinformation coming out of the club at this time with the club saying one thing and meaning something entirely different, the other thing is we have now lost some very prolific players, Ash Young, Stuart Downing, Brad Friedal, and of course at this time last year James Milner, the MON squad is being dismantled.
Question is what effect will this have and the bigger question who could be next that simply says this club is going in the wrong direction, the next few days are crucial, we need to show real intent and we need to make our move in the transfer market, its being rumoured that AM is going to make a move for Scott Parker, lets do the business now.
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I don't see how SD asking for a transfer can be used as a rock to beat the board with.
Becuase if the board had shown a single bit of ambition, maybe our best players wouldn't be forming a queue out of B6. It's not like Liverpool are in the Champions League, therefore Downing must see them as a better bet than us, which in truth, they are.
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One of the General's rallying posts would calm us all down.
Nicola Keye will be busy.
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So you're saying the board haven't shown a single bit of ambition?
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I'm still calm. No point losing your cool over all this bollocks. We all knew this was likely to happen so it's still a case of seeing what happens next and despite Randy and his subordinates making a complete fucking horlicks of this pre season, has plenty of credit with me and deserves a chance to put all this shit right before making any damning judgements.
I'm really not impressed at all though and if there isnt some good news and plenty of it soon the club hasn't so much dropped a bollock as developed a nuclear fusion weaponised bollock, accidentally setting it off somewhere near spaghetti junction.
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So Stew has gone to play for the so called Masters of the Universe. Good player, we'll miss him. Done and gone.
Now Faulkner needs to wake the fuck up and go tie up a few deals and restore some "glass half full" atmosphere around here fairly soon. A goal keeper and a direct replacement for Young or Downing would be a good starting point.
I still think we are keeping our powder dry and Randy will back the manager despite the reportage to the contrary.
The club made some conflicting noises last week re Stewart, but what else were they to do, he wasn't for sale for 15mil, they put a price of 20mil on him. A huge ammount. We have done well out of this.
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I don't see how SD asking for a transfer can be used as a rock to beat the board with.
Becuase if the board had shown a single bit of ambition, maybe our best players wouldn't be forming a queue out of B6. It's not like Liverpool are in the Champions League, therefore Downing must see them as a better bet than us, which in truth, they are.
Also you have to look at the facts, Villa have just lost there last remaining capacity to play wide, that's it, nobody in there right mind can make claim that Albrighton as the capabilty of Young or Downing, Albrighton is still learning his job, Young and Downing are proven Internationals, Downing more so, so we lost ability, a part of our game and real experience.
The club needs to act we are on a countdown to that start of the season, ffs we don't even have a goalkeeper bedded in yet.
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Quote scum bag Downing a few months back, " I'd stay at villa even if they go down" must of gone on England duty and had his head turned, like what Paul Scholes was saying.
Yeah he's a half decent player, but goes missing if the crowd get on his back, plus would never go in for a 50 % - 50 %....................Pussyclot!!!
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So Stew has gone to play for the so called Masters of the Universe. Good player, we'll miss him. Done and gone.
Now Faulkner needs to wake the fuck up and go tie up a few deals and restore some "glass half full" atmosphere around here fairly soon. A goal keeper and a direct replacement for Young or Downing would be a good starting point.
I still think we are keeping our powder dry and Randy will back the manager despite the reportage to the contrary.
The club made some conflicting noises last week re Stewart, but what else were they to do, he wasn't for sale for 15mil, they put a price of 20mil on him. A huge ammount. We have done well out of this.
Half full or half empty would be a luxury IMO.
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Anyone who things is a good sign from the club is kidding themselves.
It is amazing how so many people seem to think selling our best player of last season is a good thing.
20m may or may not be good money, but I can't beliieve how many seem to think we are going to spend that plus the Ashley money on six or seven players. The club have made it clear as day they are reining in the spending even in that daft "we are looking for a manager" statement they mentioned the need for the candidate to run the club in a "sustainable" way.
Look at who we ended up with as manager. There is a big reason it was him and not some of the more convincing candidates. Or even the manager of Wigan.
We have also constantly been told we need to reduce the wage bill. Selling two players and buying seven increases it, it doesn't bring it down.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
I think you are distorting it a bit here ....selling 2 and bringing in 7 will not bring the wage bill down? We have not just sold 2, - Friedl, NRC, plus numerous fringe players have also left, so there are those wages off the bill now. And why do we need 7 players in - yes it would be very nice but I think that we have the nucleus of a good squad and should be looking to add quality to it. There have been innumerable threads about the players we have and we all know that if the defenders on the books play to their potential then we are ok. A goalkeeper is a necessity but everyone knows that will happen, whoever it is that comes. We have some good young midfielders, together with Makoun who hopefully will step up to the mark, and Ireland who could well turn out to be a top class player as he was at Man City. So 1 or 2 quality players there would be enough. Up front we have Bent plus Gabby and Fonz with Heskey as back up. Another 1 or 2 quality players there would also be quite enough. So 4 quality players in plus a keeper and very probably 1 or 2 (Heskey/Petrov?) out would make up a decent squad to push on and challenge in the top half of the table without looking over our shoulders at the relegation zone.
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So you're saying the board haven't shown a single bit of ambition?
Not lately, know. No business sense, no ambition. Completely hopeless the lot of them.
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Anyone who things is a good sign from the club is kidding themselves.
It is amazing how so many people seem to think selling our best player of last season is a good thing.
20m may or may not be good money, but I can't beliieve how many seem to think we are going to spend that plus the Ashley money on six or seven players. The club have made it clear as day they are reining in the spending even in that daft "we are looking for a manager" statement they mentioned the need for the candidate to run the club in a "sustainable" way.
Look at who we ended up with as manager. There is a big reason it was him and not some of the more convincing candidates. Or even the manager of Wigan.
We have also constantly been told we need to reduce the wage bill. Selling two players and buying seven increases it, it doesn't bring it down.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
Couldn't agree more
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I don't see how SD asking for a transfer can be used as a rock to beat the board with.
Becuase if the board had shown a single bit of ambition, maybe our best players wouldn't be forming a queue out of B6. It's not like Liverpool are in the Champions League, therefore Downing must see them as a better bet than us, which in truth, they are.
Also you have to look at the facts, Villa have just lost there last remaining capacity to play wide, that's it, nobody in there right mind can make claim that Albrighton as the capabilty of Young or Downing, Albrighton is still learning his job, Young and Downing are proven Internationals, Downing more so, so we lost ability, a part of our game and real experience.
The club needs to act we are on a countdown to that start of the season, ffs we don't even have a goalkeeper bedded in yet.
That isn't in question, I said how can SD wanting out, to the point of losing money, be used to attack the board.
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Anyone who things is a good sign from the club is kidding themselves.
It is amazing how so many people seem to think selling our best player of last season is a good thing.
20m may or may not be good money, but I can't beliieve how many seem to think we are going to spend that plus the Ashley money on six or seven players. The club have made it clear as day they are reining in the spending even in that daft "we are looking for a manager" statement they mentioned the need for the candidate to run the club in a "sustainable" way.
Look at who we ended up with as manager. There is a big reason it was him and not some of the more convincing candidates. Or even the manager of Wigan.
We have also constantly been told we need to reduce the wage bill. Selling two players and buying seven increases it, it doesn't bring it down.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
I think you are distorting it a bit here ....selling 2 and bringing in 7 will not bring the wage bill down? We have not just sold 2, - Friedl, NRC, plus numerous fringe players have also left, so there are those wages off the bill now. And why do we need 7 players in - yes it would be very nice but I think that we have the nucleus of a good squad and should be looking to add quality to it. There have been innumerable threads about the players we have and we all know that if the defenders on the books play to their potential then we are ok. A goalkeeper is a necessity but everyone knows that will happen, whoever it is that comes. We have some good young midfielders, together with Makoun who hopefully will step up to the mark, and Ireland who could well turn out to be a top class player as he was at Man City. So 1 or 2 quality players there would be enough. Up front we have Bent plus Gabby and Fonz with Heskey as back up. Another 1 or 2 quality players there would also be quite enough. So 4 quality players in plus a keeper and very probably 1 or 2 (Heskey/Petrov?) out would make up a decent squad to push on and challenge in the top half of the table without looking over our shoulders at the relegation zone.
Joker in the pack there for me is Darren Bent, he's known to be petulant, the very same sources that people are quoting now in terms of what Downing said as to his commitment to the club a few weeks ago, wasn't those same sources quoting Bent as saying if the club lost Young and Downing he would be very concerned.
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So you're saying the board haven't shown a single bit of ambition?
Not lately, know. No business sense, no ambition. Completely hopeless the lot of them.
Quantify lately please, pre or post Bent, pre or post Downing, pre or post Young.
Blame the board for somethings ok but can you blame them for the mindsets of players they signed who then turn their backs for more money than we can imagine having?
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I'm still feeling positive. If we can keep hold of Bent after the January 2012 transfer window, we'll stay up.
I'm only half joking.
As for Downing, I'm pleased we've reached a conclusion swiftly. Yes, let's hope we've been waiting for Liverpool to offer the required fee so know exactly what we've got to spend. We now need arguably two wingers or wide midfielders to make the squad competitive - on top of other areas that need strengthening. Lots to do.
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I'm happy the Wankers has gone to be honest ..
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Meant to say wanker , but my net is down and on my mobile
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Here, here,
At least we'll hopefully have a player who wants to be here rather than a half hearted pussycat with little spine
Well done to all concerned in making a profit on the deal
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@JP....Fair enough, but surely the point is we are rapidly approaching kick of, the club should at least be starting to look settled and players club and fans alike should be looking forward who coming in to build on what we've got.
Fact is we are still losing our better players.
This week will be interesting.
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Anyone who things is a good sign from the club is kidding themselves.
It is amazing how so many people seem to think selling our best player of last season is a good thing.
20m may or may not be good money, but I can't beliieve how many seem to think we are going to spend that plus the Ashley money on six or seven players. The club have made it clear as day they are reining in the spending even in that daft "we are looking for a manager" statement they mentioned the need for the candidate to run the club in a "sustainable" way.
Look at who we ended up with as manager. There is a big reason it was him and not some of the more convincing candidates. Or even the manager of Wigan.
We have also constantly been told we need to reduce the wage bill. Selling two players and buying seven increases it, it doesn't bring it down.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
Respect your post. But what control do we have over the situation? Downing pressed hard for this move to Anfield, as his transfer request testifies. Do we keep an unhappy player to strop thus creating more negativity at the club? There is more to this deal than the perception of ambition and success. All I want is players at our club to respect and show pride in playing for us, regardless of Aston Villa’s media status.
Randy’s sustainable model was part of the plan since he joined; Randy does not want the club to be reckless and simply spend on player investment, he has been quite vocal in that respect over the past seasons. Why would Doug have sold him the club? Randy believes we have progressed to our natural size and is unwilling to bankroll the club further to reach greater heights. He has not changed his stance from what I have heard from him, it has always been the sustainable way.
In my opinion, the only way we can progress any further is - IF we are bought by a mega rich person this summer. I do not see it occurring unfortunately.
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Glass half full, id take where we are now than where we were last year at this point. At least we have all the shit out of the way now, and can look forwards. Last year we had no idea what was about to happen, and remember who we were being linked with then.... We also have a 20goal plus striker on the books. Now. Goals win games. If we can stop them going in at the other end, (insert great goalie here) we are away. Yes Bent needs support, but remember his goals at Sunderland and Charlton, hardly world class support.
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Heard an old quote the other day by Harold Wilson describing Ted Heath and it put me very much in mind of Downing - " a shiver in search of a spine". Looking forward to giving him a warm welcome back to VP on 17th December
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I think that we have the nucleus of a good squad
That must be the most over-used cliche on H&V and I've been hearing it every pre-season for 5 years. Along with "a couple of quality additions in January and we'll be not far off a very good side".
The point is we seemingly never acquire and sustain anything more than a nucleus of a good squad and never will, so long as we keep selling our best players.
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Downing was one of our better performers last year. Maybe that's his forte - better player in an average team which is what he was at 'Boro. I've said it before but I just can't get too uptight about it. As usual, he went to play for England, did the obligatory press conference saying how he 'wasn't sure' if he'd be at Villa next season and that "all players want to play in the Champions League and I'm no different". Just like Young wanted to 'concentrate on his football'. We all know that when Bent comes out with something similar he has ALREADY left and the rest is just down to how much we can get.
Who we replace them with will show where we are as a club. If we're still willing to pay 5th - 8th wages we'll get adequate replacements. The thing is though, without a MASSIVE slice of luck we will never qualify for the Champions League and thus, by the very fact we have signed adequate players, we'll lose our better players to a CHampions League club or one willing to pay slightly more in wages.
The really depressing thing for me isn't Downing going, he's replaceable. It's the utter predictability of it all and then the backlash of fans against a board who have given it a proper go. Where are we actually supposed to go when you have Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd all able to spend £30 - £50 million on a single player and Arsenal and Spurs with superior squads and money to spend? Liverpool have just done a Villa and bought a fuck load of British players for hugely OTT prices. Dalgliesh and O Neill could be twins.
We had a go at what Liverpool are doing, it didn't work and so we're having to re-group.
What I'm looking forward to is seeing a different team - I just hope it's worth watching and we, dare I say it, enjoy watching the Villa again for a bit.
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I think that we have the nucleus of a good squad
That must be the most over-used cliche on H&V and I've been hearing it every pre-season for 5 years. Along with "a couple of quality additions in January and we'll be not far off a very good side".
The point is we seemingly never acquire and sustain anything more than a nucleus of a good squad and never will, so long as we keep selling our best players.
We were not far off a very good side for three years. Then you got your wish of MON leaving and it's been downhill ever since.
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its a lot easier seeing Downing go when you never rated him in the first place,
for me he will go down as the most overated player by supporters i've ever seen at Villa,
i'm actually laughing my bollocks of at the prospect of getting 20 mill for the piss useless fella,
i rate Allbrighton as a better player already, of the two i would start MA every time anyway.
Liverpool have made a major rick here if they think Downing is the man to make them challengers for the league, i reckon they'l do well to make the top 4
i accept all the stuff about selling your best players, but it all depends on who you think are your best players, and Downing isnt one of them for me, i wont miss him one bit,
20 mill for Downing - best bit of bussiness in the transfer window so far by anybody,
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Then you got your wish of MON leaving and it's been downhill ever since.
Not really. We signed Bent in January and showed decent form at the end of the season. However, since GH left, this summer has been almost a complete disaster.
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its a lot easier seeing Downing go when you never rated him in the first place,
for me he will go down as the most overated player by supporters i've ever seen at Villa,
i'm actually laughing my bollocks of at the prospect of getting 20 mill for the piss useless fella,
i rate Allbrighton as a better player already, of the two i would start MA every time anyway.
Liverpool have made a major rick here if they think Downing is the man to make them challengers for the league, i reckon they'l do well to make the top 4
i accept all the stuff about selling your best players, but it all depends on who you think are your best players, and Downing isnt one of them for me, i wont miss him one bit,
20 mill for Downing - best bit of bussiness in the transfer window so far by anybody,
Agree to an extent but it really is all down to who we now go and sign isn't it? Loans and bargain basement players and I think it's fair to assume we're also rans until Lerner sells. Rreplace with quality and great, new look team with a new manager and we're competitive again and maybe some enjoyment (hopefully not too much to ask)
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We were not far off a very good side for three years. Then you got your wish of MON leaving and it's been downhill ever since.
My wish, as you well know, was for O'Neill to be replaced by a better manager, which demonstrably hasn't happened. And let's not forget, the man you thought so highly of needed replacing because he treated the club with complete and utter contempt, walking out as he did.
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1. Better he goes now, rather than a dragged out, summer long saga that distracts everyone at the club.
2. £20 million? Bite the hand off that.
3. This should mean £20 million EXTRA goes into the transfer kitty for Big Eck.
4. If Albrighton doesnt fulfill his potential or suffers from a 2nd season syndrome, we are in big trouble. A lot of weight on his shoulders now.
5. N'Zogbia is now a must buy as opposed to someone we would like to sign. Another wide player will be required, maybe from abroad, maybe Matt Jarvis or maybe to give a nice sense of symmetry we'll be linked to Aiden McGeady again (although he is probably out of our price range at this stage if it's true Zenit St. Petersburg want him.)
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The level of denial on this thread beggars belief.
How can selling two of our three best players in one summer be good for AVFC?
Why do most of you assume that all the Young and Downing money will be reinvested in the squad?
It’s clear what is happening here. O’Neill left because the Milner money was not being reinvested but used instead to service the Club’s debt, which was spiralling up towards the £100 million mark. Lerner had to use this money unexpectedly to buy Bent to get us out of the shit in January and has now recouped that money from the sale of Young. He was only willing to use some of it for a Keeper out of necessity.
This is why there have been no approaches for any players, because AM has to generate his own transfer funds.
And before you accuse me of re-hashing Mat Kendrick’s articles, see my previous posts on the ‘Lerner FFP’ thread and the ‘Summer Transfer Spend’ thread, which were both prior to Kendrick’s reports and tweets. (In fact I’m considering suing him for plagiarism!).
This is why the statements ‘Bent was bought with the Milner money’ and ‘The Ash money was used to pay for Bent’ are not conflicting statements!
Btw, my prediction on the ‘Summer Transfer Spend’ thread, of a net spend of minus £10 million is looking pretty good right now. In fact at the moment it’s looking like wild optimism.
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1. Better he goes now, rather than a dragged out, summer long saga that distracts everyone at the club.
2. £20 million? Bite the hand off that.
3. This should mean £20 million EXTRA goes into the transfer kitty for Big Eck.
4. If Albrighton doesnt fulfill his potential or suffers from a 2nd season syndrome, we are in big trouble. A lot of weight on his shoulders now.
5. N'Zogbia is now a must buy as opposed to someone we would like to sign. Another wide player will be required, maybe from abroad, maybe Matt Jarvis or maybe to give a nice sense of symmetry we'll be linked to Aiden McGeady again (although he is probably out of our price range at this stage if it's true Zenit St. Petersburg want him.)
Already being reported in the Mail: "Alex McLeish has also earmarked Aiden McGeady as a possible target with reports the former Celtic winger is unsettled at Spartak Moscow."
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Totally predictable really. However, to make a £7.5m profit on the cowardly weasel is excellent. Lets get our signings in NOW so that we can have a productive pre-season.
Goodbye Stewart, you WON'T be missed. :D
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20 million isn´t exactly "I´ll drive him there myself" money but it´s certainly not far off. If re-invested wisely, of course.
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The level of denial on this thread beggars belief.
How can selling two of our three best players in one summer be good for AVFC?
Why do most of you assume that all the Young and Downing money will be reinvested in the squad?
It’s clear what is happening here. O’Neill left because the Milner money was not being reinvested but used instead to service the Club’s debt, which was spiralling up towards the £100 million mark. Lerner had to use this money unexpectedly to buy Bent to get us out of the shit in January and has now recouped that money from the sale of Young. He was only willing to use some of it for a Keeper out of necessity.
This is why there have been no approaches for any players, because AM has to generate his own transfer funds.
And before you accuse me of re-hashing Mat Kendrick’s articles, see my previous posts on the ‘Lerner FFP’ thread and the ‘Summer Transfer Spend’ thread, which were both prior to Kendrick’s reports and tweets. (In fact I’m considering suing him for plagiarism!).
This is why the statements ‘Bent was bought with the Milner money’ and ‘The Ash money was used to pay for Bent’ are not conflicting statements!
Btw, my prediction on the ‘Summer Transfer Spend’ thread, of a net spend of minus £10 million is looking pretty good right now. In fact at the moment it’s looking like wild optimism.
I think you know I dont agree with a lot of what you're saying. But you havent been proven wrong yet either.
I hope you will be and I know you do too.
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. If re-invested wisely, of course.
This is the key. Will it be? And what is wisely? Wisely to us as fans is not necessarily wisely to the owners of the club.
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I would say Downing's value is at its absolute highest now, so from a purely pragmatic point of view, it's the best time to sell: two years left on a contract, still an attractive age for a new club, back in the England squad, off the back of a good season. We overpaid for him in the first place, at least we're making money on him.
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. If re-invested wisely, of course.
This is the key. Will it be? And what is wisely? Wisely to us as fans is not necessarily wisely to the owners of the club.
It already has been spent... Manager and his staff
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If we can get in two quality players ( Parker,Nzogbia,etc) for the price of Downing,then its a good deal. We need four or five players who can go straight into the first team,so the next few weeks are vital,cause if we don't sign quality,the already large pressure on Mccleish,will only increase,and a iffy start could bring a meltdown to VP.
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The level of denial on this thread beggars belief.
How can selling two of our three best players in one summer be good for AVFC?
Why do most of you assume that all the Young and Downing money will be reinvested in the squad?
It’s clear what is happening here. O’Neill left because the Milner money was not being reinvested but used instead to service the Club’s debt, which was spiralling up towards the £100 million mark. Lerner had to use this money unexpectedly to buy Bent to get us out of the shit in January and has now recouped that money from the sale of Young. He was only willing to use some of it for a Keeper out of necessity.
This is why there have been no approaches for any players, because AM has to generate his own transfer funds.
And before you accuse me of re-hashing Mat Kendrick’s articles, see my previous posts on the ‘Lerner FFP’ thread and the ‘Summer Transfer Spend’ thread, which were both prior to Kendrick’s reports and tweets. (In fact I’m considering suing him for plagiarism!).
This is why the statements ‘Bent was bought with the Milner money’ and ‘The Ash money was used to pay for Bent’ are not conflicting statements!
Btw, my prediction on the ‘Summer Transfer Spend’ thread, of a net spend of minus £10 million is looking pretty good right now. In fact at the moment it’s looking like wild optimism.
I think you know I dont agree with a lot of what you're saying. But you havent been proven wrong yet either.
I hope you will be and I know you do too.
Too many Mazrims there, it's messing with my head man.
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. If re-invested wisely, of course.
This is the key. Will it be? And what is wisely? Wisely to us as fans is not necessarily wisely to the owners of the club.
It already has been spent... Manager and his staff
With a bit leftover for McLeish's compensation package when he's sacked at Christmas.....
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. If re-invested wisely, of course.
This is the key. Will it be? And what is wisely? Wisely to us as fans is not necessarily wisely to the owners of the club.
It already has been spent... Manager and his staff
With a bit leftover for McLeish's compensation package when he's sacked at Christmas.....
Plus the compensation paid to West Ham for poaching Sam Allardyce. ;)
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The level of denial on this thread beggars belief.
How can selling two of our three best players in one summer be good for AVFC?
Why do most of you assume that all the Young and Downing money will be reinvested in the squad?
It’s clear what is happening here. O’Neill left because the Milner money was not being reinvested but used instead to service the Club’s debt, which was spiralling up towards the £100 million mark. Lerner had to use this money unexpectedly to buy Bent to get us out of the shit in January and has now recouped that money from the sale of Young. He was only willing to use some of it for a Keeper out of necessity.
This is why there have been no approaches for any players, because AM has to generate his own transfer funds.
And before you accuse me of re-hashing Mat Kendrick’s articles, see my previous posts on the ‘Lerner FFP’ thread and the ‘Summer Transfer Spend’ thread, which were both prior to Kendrick’s reports and tweets. (In fact I’m considering suing him for plagiarism!).
This is why the statements ‘Bent was bought with the Milner money’ and ‘The Ash money was used to pay for Bent’ are not conflicting statements!
Btw, my prediction on the ‘Summer Transfer Spend’ thread, of a net spend of minus £10 million is looking pretty good right now. In fact at the moment it’s looking like wild optimism.
I think you know I dont agree with a lot of what you're saying. But you havent been proven wrong yet either.
I hope you will be and I know you do too.
Too many Mazrims there, it's messing with my head man.
I'm good Mazrim, he is evil Mazrim.
It's more exciting than James and Tom.
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I agree with the club's statement about replacements being available. And that, in my opinion, is the most important action after our recent departures.
It is going to be an interesting few weeks at VP.
4 weeks until the start of the season. They need to get interesting really quickly.
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Fast forward a couple of seasons Hilts and see where this will have got them? I guarantee you not very far at all....
You guarantee that do you? I'm not so sure. But you can guarantee where selling your best players will get you: absolutely fucking nowhere.
It all depends who they are replaced with and how the replacements perform - lets wait and see eh?
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I agree with the club's statement about replacements being available.
Wow!
How astute is our Chief Exec? He's just sold our Player of the Season but he knows - just knows - that there are replacements available...out there...somewhere...
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I agree with the club's statement about replacements being available. And that, in my opinion, is the most important action after our recent departures.
It is going to be an interesting few weeks at VP.
4 weeks until the start of the season. They need to get interesting really quickly.
Interestingly the chairman of Wolves said yesterday they had been negotiating the deal for Johnson ever since Blues were relagated yet I hadn't heard a single link until he was having his medical.So who knows who we're in for and how long it will take
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Liverpool fans saying downing is better than ash young ..fook off ..
Well to be fair, they would say that. He's not, obviously. He can't cross as well, isn't as fast, doesn't track back, doesn't tackle, isn't as good with the ball at his feet and doesn't have AY's vision for a pass.
They need to tell themselves that because Man U got the better player. And for less money. Liverpool have to pay big money to get what they want now, the lustre has gone.
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The level of denial on this thread beggars belief.
How can selling two of our three best players in one summer be good for AVFC?
Why do most of you assume that all the Young and Downing money will be reinvested in the squad?
It’s clear what is happening here. O’Neill left because the Milner money was not being reinvested but used instead to service the Club’s debt, which was spiralling up towards the £100 million mark. Lerner had to use this money unexpectedly to buy Bent to get us out of the shit in January and has now recouped that money from the sale of Young. He was only willing to use some of it for a Keeper out of necessity.
This is why there have been no approaches for any players, because AM has to generate his own transfer funds.
And before you accuse me of re-hashing Mat Kendrick’s articles, see my previous posts on the ‘Lerner FFP’ thread and the ‘Summer Transfer Spend’ thread, which were both prior to Kendrick’s reports and tweets. (In fact I’m considering suing him for plagiarism!).
This is why the statements ‘Bent was bought with the Milner money’ and ‘The Ash money was used to pay for Bent’ are not conflicting statements!
Btw, my prediction on the ‘Summer Transfer Spend’ thread, of a net spend of minus £10 million is looking pretty good right now. In fact at the moment it’s looking like wild optimism.
I think you know I dont agree with a lot of what you're saying. But you havent been proven wrong yet either.
I hope you will be and I know you do too.
Too many Mazrims there, it's messing with my head man.
I'm good Mazrim, he is evil Mazrim.
It's more exciting than James and Tom.
Ha! Your SuperOptimism ShieldTM is no match for my MegaNegativity BombsTM
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Actually, I'd say Downing's crossing is better than Young's but that's about it. Young is notably superior.
Let's not forget Young had an average season whereas Downing probably had his best.
Anyway, they play for somebody else now. Bastards!
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Here, here,
At least we'll hopefully have a player who wants to be here rather than a half hearted pussycat with little spine
Well done to all concerned in making a profit on the deal
Awesome. What formation will this side, shorn of its creativity, play this coming season? I really hope we get some replacements in soon or I can see a desperate season coming up.
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Bent will be handing in a transfer request at Christmas... why would he hang around now the two of the main reasons he signed have left.
£35m for him, no doubt people would "snap their hands off" for this money.
Can this close season get any worse...
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The level of denial on this thread beggars belief.
How can selling two of our three best players in one summer be good for AVFC?
Why do most of you assume that all the Young and Downing money will be reinvested in the squad?
It’s clear what is happening here. O’Neill left because the Milner money was not being reinvested but used instead to service the Club’s debt, which was spiralling up towards the £100 million mark. Lerner had to use this money unexpectedly to buy Bent to get us out of the shit in January and has now recouped that money from the sale of Young. He was only willing to use some of it for a Keeper out of necessity.
This is why there have been no approaches for any players, because AM has to generate his own transfer funds.
And before you accuse me of re-hashing Mat Kendrick’s articles, see my previous posts on the ‘Lerner FFP’ thread and the ‘Summer Transfer Spend’ thread, which were both prior to Kendrick’s reports and tweets. (In fact I’m considering suing him for plagiarism!).
This is why the statements ‘Bent was bought with the Milner money’ and ‘The Ash money was used to pay for Bent’ are not conflicting statements!
Btw, my prediction on the ‘Summer Transfer Spend’ thread, of a net spend of minus £10 million is looking pretty good right now. In fact at the moment it’s looking like wild optimism.
I think you know I dont agree with a lot of what you're saying. But you havent been proven wrong yet either.
I hope you will be and I know you do too.
Too many Mazrims there, it's messing with my head man.
I'm good Mazrim, he is evil Mazrim.
It's more exciting than James and Tom.
Ha! Your SuperOptimism ShieldTM is no match for my MegaNegativity BombsTM
Then taste molten philosopherays, miscreant!
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I agree with the club's statement about replacements being available. And that, in my opinion, is the most important action after our recent departures.
It is going to be an interesting few weeks at VP.
4 weeks until the start of the season. They need to get interesting really quickly.
Interestingly the chairman of Wolves said yesterday they had been negotiating the deal for Johnson ever since Blues were relagated yet I hadn't heard a single link until he was having his medical.So who knows who we're in for and how long it will take
It was reported in the Mail weeks if not months ago.
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I agree with the club's statement about replacements being available. And that, in my opinion, is the most important action after our recent departures.
It is going to be an interesting few weeks at VP.
4 weeks until the start of the season. They need to get interesting really quickly.
Interestingly the chairman of Wolves said yesterday they had been negotiating the deal for Johnson ever since Blues were relagated yet I hadn't heard a single link until he was having his medical.So who knows who we're in for and how long it will take
Have Wolves just lost four first teamers as well?
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Bent will be handing in a transfer request at Christmas... why would he hang around now the two of the main reasons he signed have left.
£35m for him, no doubt people would "snap their hands off" for this money.
Can this close season get any worse...
If Albrighton, N'Zogbia and somebody else is supplying him just as well, why should he care?
It's not like Downing, Young and him were bessie mates. I doubt he joined just because they were here.
We do need to make sure we have players that can get the ball to him though. AM said as much.
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Liverpool fans saying downing is better than ash young ..fook off ..
Well to be fair, they would say that. He's not, obviously. He can't cross as well, isn't as fast, doesn't track back, doesn't tackle, isn't as good with the ball at his feet and doesn't have AY's vision for a pass.
They need to tell themselves that because Man U got the better player. And for less money. Liverpool have to pay big money to get what they want now, the lustre has gone.
I just had a quick look at a Liverpool site and I thought they had signed Ronaldo
Give them until Xmas and see what they think of the ponce then
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On its own I'm not particularly sad Downing's gone. It was going to happen either this summer or next so at least we've got the money for someone who hasn't been that good. Plus he's really showed himself in his true light in the last month. Expecting a bit of loyalty after saving someone's career is perhaps a bit naive of me but the way he's jumped ship the second Liverpool flirted with him confirms all my worst suspicions about the modern day footballer. So overall he's not a big loss individually.
However, given whats happened in the last 12 months and especially since the season's ended,, this just adds to the feeling of decay at the club. 12months ago i wouldn't have been worred that we'll get the full amount to spend and that it will be spent on quality players. Now, I'm not so sure it will and i'm quessing people like Bent are thinking exactly the same.
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I agree with the club's statement about replacements being available. And that, in my opinion, is the most important action after our recent departures.
It is going to be an interesting few weeks at VP.
4 weeks until the start of the season. They need to get interesting really quickly.
Interestingly the chairman of Wolves said yesterday they had been negotiating the deal for Johnson ever since Blues were relagated yet I hadn't heard a single link until he was having his medical.So who knows who we're in for and how long it will take
Have Wolves just lost four first teamers as well?
I don't get your point ? All I was saying is who knows who are targets are and how far down the line we are with them
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I agree with the club's statement about replacements being available. And that, in my opinion, is the most important action after our recent departures.
It is going to be an interesting few weeks at VP.
4 weeks until the start of the season. They need to get interesting really quickly.
Interestingly the chairman of Wolves said yesterday they had been negotiating the deal for Johnson ever since Blues were relagated yet I hadn't heard a single link until he was having his medical.So who knows who we're in for and how long it will take
Have Wolves just lost four first teamers as well?
I don't get your point ? All I was saying is who knows who are targets are and how far down the line we are with them
I mis-read your post. I dread to think of the time-frame Villa require.
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No wonder villa fans have a reputation as moaners, christ how depressing is it to be a Villa fan right now? I desperately try not to read negative posts/articles and be positive but to be honest I havent got the will to fight it anymore. Permission to slit my wrists?
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No wonder villa fans have a reputation as moaners?
So unjustified as well, we've got nothing to moan about.
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No wonder villa fans have a reputation as moaners, christ how depressing is it to be a Villa fan right now? I desperately try not to read negative posts/articles and be positive but to be honest I havent got the will to fight it anymore. Permission to slit my wrists?
Permission granted
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The twats just arrived at 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' now
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I agree with the club's statement about replacements being available. And that, in my opinion, is the most important action after our recent departures.
It is going to be an interesting few weeks at VP.
4 weeks until the start of the season. They need to get interesting really quickly.
Interestingly the chairman of Wolves said yesterday they had been negotiating the deal for Johnson ever since Blues were relagated yet I hadn't heard a single link until he was having his medical.So who knows who we're in for and how long it will take
Have Wolves just lost four first teamers as well?
I don't get your point ? All I was saying is who knows who are targets are and how far down the line we are with them
but you used a very bad example. Johnson to Wolves has been reported since the end of the season. From the reports I have read I'm only confident that we will sign Given, Hutton and perhaps Nzogbia if none of the top 8 want him.
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VTM sorry permission denied.....too messy
try Paracetamol....that'll really be a miserable way to go
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I am delighted he is going for 20m. I would value him at 8-10 at best. He has good delivery and can pass but when the chips are down he goes missing. He also cant tackle and runs down blind alleys too often.
We need to reinvest wisely. NZogbia for 10 million is worthwhile anything above not worth it.
Perhaps consider Tarrabt from QPR.
We need to get Given as a priority and Id get NRC back rather than sign a 30 plus Parker for 7m
We need to get rid of Heskey and then move for another Striker - perhaps Sturridge on loan
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I agree with the club's statement about replacements being available. And that, in my opinion, is the most important action after our recent departures.
It is going to be an interesting few weeks at VP.
4 weeks until the start of the season. They need to get interesting really quickly.
Interestingly the chairman of Wolves said yesterday they had been negotiating the deal for Johnson ever since Blues were relagated yet I hadn't heard a single link until he was having his medical.So who knows who we're in for and how long it will take
Have Wolves just lost four first teamers as well?
I don't get your point ? All I was saying is who knows who are targets are and how far down the line we are with them
but you used a very bad example. Johnson to Wolves has been reported since the end of the season. From the reports I have read I'm only confident that we will sign Given, Hutton and perhaps Nzogbia if none of the top 8 want him.
Apologies that must have gone completely over my head.A lot of Blues supporters I know were shocked he went there.Anyway by this time next week I'll be happy if the three you have mentioned have signed and would be ecstatic if we could land Parker
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We need to reinvest wisely. NZogbia for 10 million is worthwhile anything above not worth it.
Oh, don't worry, Dave Whelan is now just waiting for us to approach him with what he thinks is 36m in our pockets.
He'll be reaching for the surgical gloves to stick his fist up our arse again over this one. And they're probably still slightly slimey and pungent from the last time he fucked us over, over Martinez.
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We need to reinvest wisely. NZogbia for 10 million is worthwhile anything above not worth it.
Oh, don't worry, Dave Whelan is now just waiting for us to approach him with what he thinks is 36m in our pockets.
He'll be reaching for the surgical gloves to stick his fist up our arse again over this one. And they're probably still slightly slimey and pungent from the last time he fucked us over, over Martinez.
Why is everyone so certain that we'll get N'Zogbia? I'll believe it when it happens. If it does happen, then as Paulie says, it won't be on the cheap.
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The amount of people that bang on about resale value, well today is the very summit of that. Top dollar for a resale. Thsi is what people must be talking about, making money off of players when we punt them on. So if you've ever spoken about resale value being vital, please don't moan when the resale happens.
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. If re-invested wisely, of course.
This is the key. Will it be? And what is wisely? Wisely to us as fans is not necessarily wisely to the owners of the club.
It already has been spent... Manager and his staff
With a bit leftover for McLeish's compensation package when he's sacked at Christmas.....
Plus the compensation paid to West Ham for poaching Sam Allardyce. ;)
Hughes would have been compo-free by now. Then again, he might have wanted to buy some players.
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All I have to say on this matter is, 'Wanker'.
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We need to reinvest wisely. NZogbia for 10 million is worthwhile anything above not worth it.
Oh, don't worry, Dave Whelan is now just waiting for us to approach him with what he thinks is 36m in our pockets.
He'll be reaching for the surgical gloves to stick his fist up our arse again over this one. And they're probably still slightly slimey and pungent from the last time he fucked us over, over Martinez.
Why is everyone so certain that we'll get N'Zogbia? I'll believe it when it happens. If it does happen, then as Paulie says, it won't be on the cheap.
Exactly. Tbh we got a good deal for Downing and Im not that sad to see him leave. Im more pissed off of the fact that we have let him leave with no replacement. Why cant we say to teams " yeah we'll agree to that deal but we want to get our replacement in first". At least that would soften the blow with most, if not all fans. Do they not realise this when trying to get the fans to buy season tickets?
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All I have to say on this matter is, 'Wanker'.
Thinking about it, that was my immediate response, in that we signed him when he was on crutches, blah blah, he told us a few months ago how he wouldnt want to leave, etc etc, but to be entirely honest, I don't really blame him or any other player for wanting to leave us now.
Look how utterly pessimistic the vast majority of people on here are about our prospects, then put yourself in his shoes.
Stopping players leaving by demanding top dollar is one thing but you also need to make them feel that there is a chance their ambitions can be realised here. Not too long ago, we were talked about as challenging to break the top four. No matter how realistic we may have thought that was or was not, right now, we're universally talked about as a selling club which is on the slide.
Now, that may or may not be true, but we've had a long sequence of events adding to that impression, and have done next to nothing to break it.
So, imagine yourself being a player asked to hitch your career to us, or given a chance at a club which is spending a lot of money and trying to get somewhere. It's a no brainer.
That's absolutely nailed on to be the same situation we will have with Darren Bent in 6 or 12 months, and the end result will be the same.
If i were Downing, I'd have done the same thing, and to be honest, that is the thing that scares me the most about the club, right now.
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We need to reinvest wisely. NZogbia for 10 million is worthwhile anything above not worth it.
Oh, don't worry, Dave Whelan is now just waiting for us to approach him with what he thinks is 36m in our pockets.
He'll be reaching for the surgical gloves to stick his fist up our arse again over this one. And they're probably still slightly slimey and pungent from the last time he fucked us over, over Martinez.
Why is everyone so certain that we'll get N'Zogbia? I'll believe it when it happens. If it does happen, then as Paulie says, it won't be on the cheap.
Precisely
Parker - ah yes a bloke over 30 on massive wages with no resale value. Just let RL think about that for a minute
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All I have to say on this matter is, 'Wanker'.
Thinking about it, that was my immediate response, in that we signed him when he was on crutches, blah blah, he told us a few months ago how he wouldnt want to leave, etc etc, but to be entirely honest, I don't really blame him or any other player for wanting to leave us now.
Look how utterly pessimistic the vast majority of people on here are about our prospects, then put yourself in his shoes.
Stopping players leaving by demanding top dollar is one thing but you also need to make them feel that there is a chance their ambitions can be realised here. Not too long ago, we were talked about as challenging to break the top four. No matter how realistic we may have thought that was or was not, right now, we're universally talked about as a selling club which is on the slide.
Now, that may or may not be true, but we've had a long sequence of events adding to that impression, and have done next to nothing to break it.
So, imagine yourself being a player asked to hitch your career to us, or given a chance at a club which is spending a lot of money and trying to get somewhere. It's a no brainer.
That's absolutely nailed on to be the same situation we will have with Darren Bent in 6 or 12 months, and the end result will be the same.
If i were Downing, I'd have done the same thing, and to be honest, that is the thing that scares me the most about the club, right now.
Could you please stop making sensible, thought-provoking posts? My head hurts.
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Why is everyone so certain that we'll get N'Zogbia?
If it's posted enough times, it'll happen.
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I'm furious at him, but at the same time the club is showing no ambition at all so can't entirely blame him.
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I'm furious at him, but at the same time the club is showing no ambition at all so can't entirely blame him.
I agree wth this.
Scholes was right wasn't he?
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Thinking about it, that was my immediate response, in that we signed him when he was on crutches, blah blah, he told us a few months ago how he wouldnt want to leave, etc etc, but to be entirely honest, I don't really blame him or any other player for wanting to leave us now.
Look how utterly pessimistic the vast majority of people on here are about our prospects, then put yourself in his shoes.
Stopping players leaving by demanding top dollar is one thing but you also need to make them feel that there is a chance their ambitions can be realised here. Not too long ago, we were talked about as challenging to break the top four. No matter how realistic we may have thought that was or was not, right now, we're universally talked about as a selling club which is on the slide.
Now, that may or may not be true, but we've had a long sequence of events adding to that impression, and have done next to nothing to break it.
So, imagine yourself being a player asked to hitch your career to us, or given a chance at a club which is spending a lot of money and trying to get somewhere. It's a no brainer.
That's absolutely nailed on to be the same situation we will have with Darren Bent in 6 or 12 months, and the end result will be the same.
If i were Downing, I'd have done the same thing, and to be honest, that is the thing that scares me the most about the club, right now.
Absolutely right on the money. I suspect the die was cast when we marched straight past a good number of decent managerial cadidates, floundered for a bit and then appointed McLeish. If Lerner isn't acting in the best interests of the club, why should anyone else?
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Parker - ah yes a bloke over 30 on massive wages with no resale value. Just let RL think about that for a minute
Can we add his name to our list of pension funding signings:
Habib Beye, 31 years old, fee £2.5m, 3 year contract, £40k wages
Emile Heskey, 31 years old, fee £3.5m, 3 and a half year contract, £65k wages
Stiliyan Petrov, 29 year old, contract extension, 4 year contract, £55k wages
Richard Dunne, 29 years old, fee £6m, 4 year contract, £50k wages
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Re. N'Zogbia.
McLeish wanted him before. He wants to move. Wigan want to sell. We need a winger. His only other offers are from the two North East Clubs, who we're bigger and better than and it's been said he wants to be as South as possible for easier access back to France and London.
It almost makes too much sense.
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@JP....Fair enough, but surely the point is we are rapidly approaching kick of, the club should at least be starting to look settled and players club and fans alike should be looking forward who coming in to build on what we've got.
Fact is we are still losing our better players.
This week will be interesting.
well we will see..
get in Parker , Nzogbia and Given and we will forget about Downer and move on .. If nothing much happens , then it could get frustrating. At least we got a bloody good deal with Downer and good riddance to the c**t , has he gone ? as Ive not been on net ...
the next 7 days is going to be be massive for the club and we wil see what direction we are going , Im still being patient but that Faulkner guy does look like a muppet at times ..
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One thing I would like the board to do in future, is before funding new signings get our best players tied down like Everton and Spurs do.
So in January get Bent a contract extention. And next Summer, if they've progressed get Clark, Delph, Marc and Bannan extentions.
When a player gets to 2.5 years left on his deal he holds all the power, 'cos that Summer it's 'Well its your last chance to get big money...'
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One thing I would like the board to do in future, is before funding new signings get our best players tied down like Everton and Spurs do.
So in January get Bent a contract extention. And next Summer, if they've progressed get Clark, Delph, Marc and Bannan extentions.
When a player gets to 2.5 years left on his deal he holds all the power, 'cos that Summer it's 'Well its your last chance to get big money...'
Give Bent a contract extension? After current events I doubt he'll touch it with a bargepole!
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If i were Downing, I'd have done the same thing, and to be honest, that is the thing that scares me the most about the club, right now.
Uh-huh (nods sadly). I think something changed in the strategy at VP about 18 months ago. Something that made O'Neill walk, Milner leave, Young halt contract negotiations, Downing change plans to extend his contract in a matter of weeks, the managerial search to eschew some outstanding candidates and settle on McLeish. Yes - before anyone says it - I realise we broke our transfer record in the middle of all this to sign Darren Bent but even so, I can't escape the feeling that we're heading down a certain road. To a town called 'Mediocre'.
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We should have negotiated for a player plus money exchange. They've got 45 midfielders, so somebody like Kuyt would have been good business... Or is it just that I'm desperate for players to join us?!
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We should have negotiated for a player plus money exchange. They've got 45 midfielders, so somebody like Kuyt would have been good business... Or is it just that I'm desperate for players to join us?!
Kuyt was one of their best players last season.
I can't see them letting him go, or him wanting to come here.
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Fair comment, but maybe one of the remaining 44 could have been viable? At one stage, we were in a position of negotiating strength.
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We should have negotiated for a player plus money exchange. They've got 45 midfielders, so somebody like Kuyt would have been good business... Or is it just that I'm desperate for players to join us?!
Kuyt was one of their best players last season.
I can't see them letting him go, or him wanting to come here.
He's 31 next week. The last we need are more pensioners on high salaries.
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So this not for sale at any price Faulkner bollocks turned out to be exactly bollocks and now whoever we are after the club will bump up the price knowing how much we got for downing - when will Faulkner learn to get deals for replacements before selling the jewels?
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Has Faulkner issued a statement claiming 'Heskey is not for sale, at any price' yet? Fingers crossed.
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Hehehe.
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Has Alex McLeish said anything about the Downing sale? I can't find anything.
Who's in charge of the team?
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Thing is about the "not for sale" statement, whichever club it is, it really means fuck all anymore. Every player has a price, or if the player is refused a move they act like a prick until they get it. Levy came out the other day with a bold statement. He's either going to stick by it, or now that Modric has handed in his transfer request he'll try and avoid further distraction to their summer, get the best price out of Chelsea and move on. When they do invariably you'll get fans saying they are selling out, those hating Modric for forcing a move, and those who accept it but hate what's happening in the game to allow it happen as easily as it does.
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We need to reinvest wisely. NZogbia for 10 million is worthwhile anything above not worth it.
Oh, don't worry, Dave Whelan is now just waiting for us to approach him with what he thinks is 36m in our pockets.
He'll be reaching for the surgical gloves to stick his fist up our arse again over this one. And they're probably still slightly slimey and pungent from the last time he fucked us over, over Martinez.
Why is everyone so certain that we'll get N'Zogbia? I'll believe it when it happens. If it does happen, then as Paulie says, it won't be on the cheap.
Exactly. Tbh we got a good deal for Downing and Im not that sad to see him leave. Im more pissed off of the fact that we have let him leave with no replacement. Why cant we say to teams " yeah we'll agree to that deal but we want to get our replacement in first". At least that would soften the blow with most, if not all fans. Do they not realise this when trying to get the fans to buy season tickets?
Because if you're a manager who's been told that you have to generate your own transfer budget you can't get a replacement in first.
It's a simple concept. It's called 'sell to buy'.
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Has Alex McLeish said anything about the Downing sale? I can't find anything.
Who's in charge of the team?
what would you expect him to say? He'll say he's disappointed to have lost a quality player but he's confident in the sqaud that he has and will try and sign players to replace him. It's standard fair. No point getting upset from his perspective because it serves no purpose. When we sign a replacement e.g N'Zogbia we'll be the same to someone else.
Manager and players don't see things like fans. It's a business, and I'm sure after a while most of them get pretty cold to it all.
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Great news. I would have been disappointed if the t*wt had stayed after his recent attitude towards us. Never rated him never liked him combined with the fact we get £20M I am delighted.
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Bye Bye Downing.
Looking for David Bentley
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What's the betting that Lerner and Krulak achieve Hicks and Gillet status soon? I wish we had Liverpool's new owners!
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Bye Bye Downing.
Looking for David Bentley
He did sign for McLeish before...
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Has Alex McLeish said anything about the Downing sale? I can't find anything.
Who's in charge of the team?
what would you expect him to say? He'll say he's disappointed to have lost a quality player but he's confident in the sqaud that he has and will try and sign players to replace him. It's standard fair. No point getting upset from his perspective because it serves no purpose. When we sign a replacement e.g N'Zogbia we'll be the same to someone else.
Manager and players don't see things like fans. It's a business, and I'm sure after a while most of them get pretty cold to it all.
I'd rather the manager of the team made comments about player sales and aquisitions than the CEO. That's what he's supposed to be employed for isn't it, to be in charge of the team?
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What's the betting that Lerner and Krulak achieve Hicks and Gillet status soon? I wish we had Liverpool's new owners!
Not a chance. Hicks and Gillette really were a couple of chancers.
It was all very different when we were spending money.
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If we got £20m for a footballer with no heart, we have done a great bit of business imho.
The most important thing is we now start to spend some of the money, to show we are not a club in decline, and to reassure supporters that we are still ambitious.Signing N'Zog would be a start in my eyes.
Every player has a price, and if he handed a transfer request in, even better for us.
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All I have to say on this matter is, 'Wanker'.
Thinking about it, that was my immediate response, in that we signed him when he was on crutches, blah blah, he told us a few months ago how he wouldnt want to leave, etc etc, but to be entirely honest, I don't really blame him or any other player for wanting to leave us now.
Look how utterly pessimistic the vast majority of people on here are about our prospects, then put yourself in his shoes.
Stopping players leaving by demanding top dollar is one thing but you also need to make them feel that there is a chance their ambitions can be realised here. Not too long ago, we were talked about as challenging to break the top four. No matter how realistic we may have thought that was or was not, right now, we're universally talked about as a selling club which is on the slide.
Now, that may or may not be true, but we've had a long sequence of events adding to that impression, and have done next to nothing to break it.
So, imagine yourself being a player asked to hitch your career to us, or given a chance at a club which is spending a lot of money and trying to get somewhere. It's a no brainer.
That's absolutely nailed on to be the same situation we will have with Darren Bent in 6 or 12 months, and the end result will be the same.
If i were Downing, I'd have done the same thing, and to be honest, that is the thing that scares me the most about the club, right now.
I thought this was a thought provoking, sensible response, then I thought more and it's bullshit. When you change you position as fast as Downing did; when you knew the manager was probably going to be replaced but you didn't even hang on to see who the replacement would be before announcing you want out; when you had the opportunity, as player of the year that you to show you were grateful by maybe taking some leadership on behalf of the players but instead start engineering your own move; when you do this after one decent season, as opposed to the others who at least gave more, then nobody should be even attempting to give hop-along Downing any kind of understanding.
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20 million for Downing? I should Coco.
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What's the betting that Lerner and Krulak achieve Hicks and Gillet status soon? I wish we had Liverpool's new owners!
Not a chance. Hicks and Gillette really were a couple of chancers.
It was all very different when we were spending money.
What's the betting that Lerner and Krulak achieve Hicks and Gillet status soon? I wish we had Liverpool's new owners!
Not a chance. Hicks and Gillette really were a couple of chancers.
It was all very different when we were spending money.
That's the con though isn't it? Lerner basically stopped spending two years ago. The net spend last year was about £2M. If you take into account £26M from the Milner sale less £8M for Ireland and £18M for Bent, £5M spent on Makoun less £3M for Curtis Davies leaves £2M spent plus I suppose loan deals for Pires, Walker and Bradley. It proves we sell to buy.
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What's the betting that Lerner and Krulak achieve Hicks and Gillet status soon? I wish we had Liverpool's new owners!
Assuming all this paying over the odds for players doesn't come back to bite them in the arse. They aren't as rich as the owners of Chelsea or Man City are they?
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What's the betting that Lerner and Krulak achieve Hicks and Gillet status soon? I wish we had Liverpool's new owners!
Not a chance. Hicks and Gillette really were a couple of chancers.
It was all very different when we were spending money.
What's the betting that Lerner and Krulak achieve Hicks and Gillet status soon? I wish we had Liverpool's new owners!
Not a chance. Hicks and Gillette really were a couple of chancers.
It was all very different when we were spending money.
That's the con though isn't it? Lerner basically stopped spending two years ago. The net spend last year was about £2M. If you take into account £26M from the Milner sale less £8M for Ireland and £18M for Bent, £5M spent on Makoun less £3M for Curtis Davies leaves £2M spent plus I suppose loan deals for Pires, Walker and Bradley. It proves we sell to buy.
We got £3m for Sidwell too, and released Carew. £3m in for Gardner the previous Jan also and no incomers. We must have roughly spent £15m plus in Lerner's first 3 yrs but the last 2 zero net spend and actually up on sales.
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I think that's harsh on Lerner. He gave O'Neill full reigns in dealing in the transfer market and we fought tooth and nail to keep Barry and an emerging team together. Like it or not O'Neill bought, if not poorly, then certainly unwisely with certain players and the high wages he put them on. we have simply struggled to move them on. Last season would have been back to the drawing board whom so ever was in charge.
Undoubtedly we have fallen down the pecking order and it will make Mcleish's job all the more difficult because fans really are not happy at the moment as the optimism o the past few years has been replaced by disappointment, suspicion, anger, and worst of all an age old Aston Villa resignation that once again we came so close and yet again we're back to mediocrity.
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What's the betting that Lerner and Krulak achieve Hicks and Gillet status soon? I wish we had Liverpool's new owners!
Assuming all this paying over the odds for players doesn't come back to bite them in the arse. They aren't as rich as the owners of Chelsea or Man City are they?
I don't know about their wealth, but what I do know is they're showing a damned sight more AMBITION than our board are! We were within an ace of going past Liverpool 2 seasons ago, but now? They're miles in front of us and in my opinion will seriously challenge the top-four this season. We're going backwards fast! Wake-up!
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HAS HE FUCKED OFF YET !!!
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I don't know about their wealth, but what I do know is they're showing a damned sight more AMBITION than our board are! We were within an ace of going past Liverpool 2 seasons ago, but now? They're miles in front of us and in my opinion will seriously challenge the top-four this season. We're going backwards fast! Wake-up!
I'm fully awake thanks, and I know we are going backwards - but showing ambition now does not mean there will not be consequences later as we have seen time and time again - I'm not saying this will happen but I don't know it won't. Try to think outside what is happening in the current 5 minutes.
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I'm fairly sure Liverpool's board are no wealthier than Randy Lerner and the Lerner Trust. It strikes me that the Liverpool board are giving it a go like Randy did a few years back. If they don't make the Champs League within a couple of seasons I would expect them to start cashing in on some of their investments, starting with Suarez. (I think Downing is very risky at the price they are paying because they will never recoup the outlay for him.)
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Yeah.... Liverpool are showing ambition alright but if I were a Liverpool fan I'm not entirely sure I'd be delighted at seeing the club spend £85m on Carroll, Henderson, Downing and Adam. Can only see Carroll and Downing's transfer values going down from here on in, Adam arguably so (Henderson, I'll argue, could blossom and, at just 20, be worth slightly more in the future, though I have my doubts) and I don't think that quartet are good enough to take Liverpool to where they need to be. Which, let's face it, should be higher than top six - top four minimum, title challengers again in a couple of years.
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Surely the journalist is a villa fan? - http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/jul/14/stewart-downing-stuart-james-blog
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I think that's harsh on Lerner. He gave O'Neill full reigns in dealing in the transfer market and we fought tooth and nail to keep Barry and an emerging team together. Like it or not O'Neill bought, if not poorly, then certainly unwisely with certain players and the high wages.
But surely Mr Lerner Sir has to take equal blame, he sanctioned the deals, he's the head honcho.
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Surely the journalist is a villa fan? - http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/jul/14/stewart-downing-stuart-james-blog
Like this bit at the end
'Downing, however, was happy to lead supporters up the garden path, saying all the right things until the moment he left Villa Park on the final day of the season. It is something he might be reminded of when he returns with Liverpool in the middle of December.'
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After the massive PR disaster that was our managerial search you'd think that the club would be smart enough to announce a signing or 2 before announcing the decision to sell Downing. It leads me to think that we don't actually have anyone lined up to sign imminently. Hope I'm wrong.
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Surely the journalist is a villa fan? - http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/jul/14/stewart-downing-stuart-james-blog
Like this bit at the end
'Downing, however, was happy to lead supporters up the garden path, saying all the right things until the moment he left Villa Park on the final day of the season. It is something he might be reminded of when he returns with Liverpool in the middle of December.'
The comments below are littered with plastic Liverpool fans trying to convince themselves that Downing is better than Ashley Young. Based on one season.
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HAS HE FUCKED OFF YET !!!
NEARLY, HE'S JUST FINISHING OFF SHAVING HIS LEGS
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HAS HE FUCKED OFF YET !!!
I believe not, he's apparently searching feverishly around his house for his spine. He's even blaming his Missus for putting it somewhere safe. She on the other hand is denying all knowledge of ever having seen it.
Weasel: I left it here next to the car keys, where have you put it?
Mrs Downing: Spine? I haven't seen that since we moved from Middlesbrough, you must have left it there.
Weasel: I specifically took it out just after I recovered from my last injury and placed it here next to where I keep the car keys, I had no need to put it anywhere else as I wouldn't be needing it anytime soon during my short stay in Birmingham.
Mrs Downing: You must have put it back in when you played for England last?
Weasel: Yes I did, but promptly removed it again, yes, I'm fairly sure I did as I can't remember making anything like a meaningful tackle since I've returned to training.....oh where is it?
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Goodbye Downing you twat, football pisses me right off now. >:(
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Don't usually say things like this but I hope he has a miserable time at Liverpool.
Enjoy your Champions League football Stewart... oh wait.
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I'm sure the anfield crowd will soon suss his lack of bravery
but they might not be pleased if some full back does 'finish him' (legknackwise)
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Does anybody actually wish a broken leg on him? Really? He is modern day footballer with zero scruples, just like all his pals. The Liverpool fans will suss him out soon enough and that will be humiliation enough. He just aint worth £20 mil and we've just robbed them (ahem, no pun intended).
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HAS HE FUCKED OFF YET !!!
Reports in the Liverpool Echo say he's been parked up at the edge of the river Mersey for the last few hours, unable to get to the other side as he doesn't know how to cross.
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Does anybody actually wish a broken leg on him? Really? He is modern day footballer with zero scruples, just like all his pals. The Liverpool fans will suss him out soon enough and that will be humiliation enough. He just aint worth £20 mil and we've just robbed them (ahem, no pun intended).
I don't. He'll be a bench-warmer, though.
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HAS HE FUCKED OFF YET !!!
Reports in the Liverpool Echo say he's been parked up at the edge of the river Mersey for the last few hours, unable to get to the other side as he doesn't know how to cross.
BOOM BOOM!
Maybe he could use his collection of crutches to make a raft and then his removable spine as a kind of paddle?
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HAS HE FUCKED OFF YET !!!
Reports in the Liverpool Echo say he's been parked up at the edge of the river Mersey for the last few hours, unable to get to the other side as he doesn't know how to cross.
*like*
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he'l be more use to us when he's on the pitch, he's no way the player he thinks he is, most of my Liverpool supporting mates are very depressed about it, ha ha
on the Liverpool forums they are probably trying to make the most of it like we were when we signed the great Harewood, with 'he could be the next Withe' and he's ' MON's masterstroke',
thats what fans do, try and build a case,
when in reality all they have done is spunked 20 mill up the wall
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Yeah I had to laugh one of my Liverpool supporting mates is devastated about their lot paying £20 million for him.
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Wishing anyone to have their leg broken is a something a white van man would say, but as long as he doesn't shine at Liverpool not getting to play Champions League football we will have come out much better in this deal, despite selling our best player last season.
I wonder how much he'll go for... surely it'll be £25 million at the MINIMUM. It'd be a joke to sell him any less considering how much they spent on Carroll and Henderson.
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HAS HE FUCKED OFF YET !!!
Reports in the Liverpool Echo say he's been parked up at the edge of the river Mersey for the last few hours, unable to get to the other side as he doesn't know how to cross.
*like*
As much of a cnut that he is, we wouldn't be this angry if he was a crap player. He was our best player last season.
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HAS HE FUCKED OFF YET !!!
Reports in the Liverpool Echo say he's been parked up at the edge of the river Mersey for the last few hours, unable to get to the other side as he doesn't know how to cross.
*like*
As much of a cnut that he is, we wouldn't be this angry if he was a crap player. He was our best player last season.
And he still did my head in with his half-hearted attempts at tackles, no tracking back, not marking opposition players and not fancying actually running very much if he didn't feel like it. Very glad to see the back of him for 20 mill. Liverpool will be as disappointed as I have been.
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They paid £20m too for Acquilani, so I'd say Downing is well worth that sort of money. It's a sad fact footballers these days haven't the bottle to put in transfer requests, they just let the agents do the work, maximise their income and move on, regardless of being under contract. We are a stepping stone for the better ones. I just think the wheels will quickly come off the King Kenny comedy truck.
Don't care much about loyalty (what's the point?), only that McLeish gets all the money back to spend and we get 100% from those still in Villa shirts. I don't think I'll ever see a testimonial at Villa Park again, unless it's for some old kitman or a pie seller who makes it to 100.
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Seems as if people are sad about the loss of personnel rather than the quality of player next to leave. I don't give a shit about Downing going as I never really rated his input anyway but the fact remains he needs replacing, hopefully with a player that offers significantly more.
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There is no way we will get Nzogbia, Parker or Given!
Look at it from a players point of view, the 2 best players have left, along with Carew, NRC and Friedel.
A new manager who is hated by 50% of the fans, a new backroom staff, no european campaign and an owner and chief executive who have lost the plot! No Ambition and a club definateley in crisis!
Anyone who says different should take off their rose tinted glasses!
Oneil walked - lack of funds? Benitez apparently was told there was no money and youngy and downing would be sold so he fucked us off and martinez decided to stay at a club with more ambition!
We will be avoided like the plague by these players, the money we've accumulated is more likely going towards the 80m in wages we have spent over the last couple of seasons, and of course the 10m we've paid to the managers!
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A new manager who is hated by 50% of the fans
Whilst I too am in the gloomy camp, that's the biggest load of nonsense I've ever read on here.
Plenty of us disapprove of his appointment, but "hate" him?
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Ok fair enough a bit strong! Strongly dislike him as a manager?
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I dont even hate him as a manager, just where he's come from
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I'm not in the least bit bothered about where he's come from. It's his capabilities (or lack of them) that worry me.
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A new manager who is hated by 50% of the fans
Whilst I too am in the gloomy camp, that's the biggest load of nonsense I've ever read on here.
Plenty of us disapprove of his appointment, but "hate" him?
Agreed paulie... "hate" is the wrong word for most of us. It's easy to be feeling down at the moment. The next week or so should give us a much better idea of the direction we are heading in under AM and we need to give him some time to put his new house in order. "hate" him or not, he's still Aston Villa's manager and I hope he'll be a successful one!
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Thats the thing legion, is he a manager who can attract big names? And more importantly keep them?
It takes a long time to shake off a reputation of managing/playing boring defensive football?
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I don't hate McLeish. Far from it: I actually feel a great deal of sympathy for him because of the pressure that he has been put under by Lerner in being appointed to do a job I believe he isn't equipped to do. If this goes wrong it will be Lerner's fault, not McLeish's.
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Thats the thing legion, is he a manager who can attract big names? And more importantly keep them?
It takes a long time to shake off a reputation of managing/playing boring defensive football?
I don't think he is and I don't think he can. As Hilts points out, Mr. Lerner Sir is far more culpable.
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I echo what others have said, I don't hate Mcleish it's his credentials that are the concern. I've made my peace with him being manager now, it's who he can sign that's important.
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I'm not in the least bit bothered about where he's come from. It's his capabilities (or lack of them) that worry me.
and me,
his footballing DNA is negative boring football,
no matter what players we buy or dont buy his default position is that, theres nothing we can do about it, i very much doubt he will change, so the best we can hope for is better results built on teamwork and stealth, no matter what players we have,
i remember when Allardyce had quite a few skillfull creative players in his team at Blackburn, but they were still absolute shit to watch, because his football philosophy is hoof ball.
thats the biggest problem i have with McCliesh, otherwise he seems a top guy,
i dont think randy will be able to moan about low attendances at VP mind, not after his appointment
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fair play Hilts, i suppose if you look at it from AM's point of view, if i was offered 6m over 3 years and manage a club like ours i would have had randy's hand off aswell.
No lose situation isnt he?
Sometimes my frustration takes control of what i write ;-)
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There is no way we will get Nzogbia, Parker or Given!
Look at it from a players point of view, the 2 best players have left, along with Carew, NRC and Friedel.
A new manager who is hated by 50% of the fans, a new backroom staff, no european campaign and an owner and chief executive who have lost the plot! No Ambition and a club definateley in crisis!
Anyone who says different should take off their rose tinted glasses!
Oneil walked - lack of funds? Benitez apparently was told there was no money and youngy and downing would be sold so he fucked us off and martinez decided to stay at a club with more ambition!
We will be avoided like the plague by these players, the money we've accumulated is more likely going towards the 80m in wages we have spent over the last couple of seasons, and of course the 10m we've paid to the managers!
What's the opposite of rose tinted glasses?
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I'm not in the least bit bothered about where he's come from. It's his capabilities (or lack of them) that worry me.
Ditto
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There is no way we will get Nzogbia, Parker or Given!
Look at it from a players point of view, the 2 best players have left, along with Carew, NRC and Friedel.
A new manager who is hated by 50% of the fans, a new backroom staff, no european campaign and an owner and chief executive who have lost the plot! No Ambition and a club definateley in crisis!
Anyone who says different should take off their rose tinted glasses!
Oneil walked - lack of funds? Benitez apparently was told there was no money and youngy and downing would be sold so he fucked us off and martinez decided to stay at a club with more ambition!
We will be avoided like the plague by these players, the money we've accumulated is more likely going towards the 80m in wages we have spent over the last couple of seasons, and of course the 10m we've paid to the managers!
What's the opposite of rose tinted glasses?
A shit smeered monocul ?
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There is no way we will get Nzogbia, Parker or Given!
Look at it from a players point of view, the 2 best players have left, along with Carew, NRC and Friedel.
A new manager who is hated by 50% of the fans, a new backroom staff, no european campaign and an owner and chief executive who have lost the plot! No Ambition and a club definateley in crisis!
Anyone who says different should take off their rose tinted glasses!
Oneil walked - lack of funds? Benitez apparently was told there was no money and youngy and downing would be sold so he fucked us off and martinez decided to stay at a club with more ambition!
We will be avoided like the plague by these players, the money we've accumulated is more likely going towards the 80m in wages we have spent over the last couple of seasons, and of course the 10m we've paid to the managers!
What's the opposite of rose tinted glasses?
A shit smeered monocul ?
Bravo Sir!
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I'm not in the least bit bothered about where he's come from. It's his capabilities (or lack of them) that worry me.
Ditto
Eeeexachly, as our Scouse friends might say (keeping it current).
I'd have had no qualms about the B-lose connection if he'd rebuilt his reputation elsewhere first, say taking a Wigan or Bolton to mid table/ top 6 for a few years in a row.
It's the two relegations in three years -and the awful, awful defensive football his SHA side played that should have set the alarm bells ringing. That, and the duff signings when they actually had a bit of money for the first time in their existence too.
But that's by the by.
He's here, he has a decent squad and he has a chance to make his name with us. He's not completely lacking in credentials based on his track record as Scotland manager, manager of Rangers and Hibs and somehow even bringing a degree of success to the plebs down the road.
By all accounts (and personally I don't think it should have been a major factor in the selection process) he and RL have apparently got on well for a while. Maybe that will help, maybe it won't. We'll soon see.
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So that's it. £20m in bag plus Young etc.
Where are the top grade replacements?
Liverpool Arsenal Chelsea and Man U will make for excellent and thrilling games along, I suppose, with Tottenham, Man C and Everton as the other contenders..and wee Aston Villa will be struggke along vying for a finish in the Top half of table for next five seasons until the debt is paid off.
Jesus I'll be past retirement age before we are back amongst them at this rate.
Up teh Villa..as always!
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I don't think he is and I don't think he can. As Hilts points out, Mr. Lerner Sir is far more culpable.
[/quote]
However, should AM's appointment prove to be an inspired choice, can Mr Lerner expect the same people who are so critical of the appointment to acknowledge they were wrong? I guess only time will tell, I'm willing to give the man a fair chance before I get critical.
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Well said John.
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I confidently expect to be pissing and moaning whatever happens. Don't listen to me, that's just what I am like.
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It's a good job you pointed that out Damon, may have gone unnoticed.
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It's a good job you pointed that out Damon, may have gone unnoticed.
*seals turd in envelope*
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All the best Stewart. And I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
All the best for a shit career. Hope it fucks up and stabs you in the back.
Wanker of the highest degree.
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All the best Stewart. And I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
All the best for a shit career. Hope it fucks up and stabs you in the back.
Wanker of the highest degree.
Bit harsh eric! Bit harsh!
But I agree with every word you say about the snivelling little twat!
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A Liverpool supporting mate of mine just posted up a picture of his 3 year old son with a ball at his feet and holding one of his sisters handbags.
Brilliant timing.
"Look Dad. I'm Stewart Downing " was quickly added under the photo.
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I don't think he is and I don't think he can. As Hilts points out, Mr. Lerner Sir is far more culpable.
I'm willing to give the man a fair chance before I get critical.
[/quote]
Good point. Let's wait and see if we appoint a top manager and keep our best players before passing judgement.
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has anybody got that video of him hiding off the pitch when we concede, cant remember the game. It would be a good time to watch it I think. Remind us of the spineless p*ick
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Citeh away.
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I honestly am not sorry to see Downing go, especially for 20M. Let's re-invest it and move on.
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has anybody got that video of him hiding off the pitch when we concede, cant remember the game. It would be a good time to watch it I think. Remind us of the spineless p*ick
Yeah, Man Shity at Wastelands when a result would have kept us in contention for 4th place. He tried to block a cross in the box but the citeh player dummied him and he slid over the byeline. He then got to his feet and casually strolled towards the near post whilst watching the player cross for Adebayor (I think) to score.
I remember thinking that if he'd run to the near post he'd have blocked the shot but he never even got back on the pitch. I remember saying to by brother at the time that I could imagine MON tearing him a new one in the dressing room afterwards.
Lack of skill you can forgive. Such a total lack of effort when your goal is under threat, is unforgiveable.
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Yep, what a lambhearted shithouse.
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I have to admit, I'd be pretty chuffed if my club just got £20m for Stewart Downing.
Needs to be reinvested though.
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I don't get the bitterness in all this (well I kinda do).
Downing isn't a local lad, didn't grow up with pictures of Gary Penrice on his wall -unless he has a thing for Freddie Mercury lookalikes- and has netted us close to double the fee we spent in 2009.
Thanks for one decent season and we move on. Don't wish him any ill will, but by the same token I don't think he'll be getting a rapturous reception on return. In contrast to someone like NRC who probably will. Despite quitting on a Bosman and generating no fee. Such is life.
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I understand why people are annoyed, what with him stating he'd like to sign a new contract a couple of weeks before ruling it out, but someone from Liverpool's clearly had a word during that period.
I think I've just become immune to it all, which is probably a good thing the last couple of years considered.
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if we get n'zogbia, Parker and Hutton with this money, plus given from what we'll spend of the young money and manage to squeeze in a backup wide player for cheap or on loan I reckon that's about as good as we're going to get and pretty good work from mcleish under constrained circumstances
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HAS HE FUCKED OFF YET !!!
Reports in the Liverpool Echo say he's been parked up at the edge of the river Mersey for the last few hours, unable to get to the other side as he doesn't know how to cross.
*like*
As much of a cnut that he is, we wouldn't be this angry if he was a crap player. He was our best player last season.
And he still did my head in with his half-hearted attempts at tackles, no tracking back, not marking opposition players and not fancying actually running very much if he didn't feel like it. Very glad to see the back of him for 20 mill. Liverpool will be as disappointed as I have been.
Totally agree
I could never forgive him for "postgate" against Arsenal
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Wasn't it Man. City?
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Heart of a lamb, face of a weasel, spine of a jellyfish and disposition of a maggot - sod Liverpool, we should have sold him to the Smithsonian Institution.
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Postgate was Arsenal at home a night game in jan/Feb 2010, he had a free header in front of the Holte but bottled it because his momentum would have meant him running into the post.
Average last season so 20 million is a great deal, wait until Christmas when the dippers realise how 1 dimensional he is. They are such fuckwits, one of them posted yesterday that he had scored 17 goals whilst at VP!
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Postgate was Arsenal at home a night game in jan/Feb 2010, he had a free header in front of the Holte but bottled it because his momentum would have meant him running into the post.
Average last season so 20 million is a great deal, wait until Christmas when the dippers realise how 1 dimensional he is. They are such fuckwits, one of them posted yesterday that he had scored 17 goals whilst at VP!
Gotcha. I was referring to where he sauntered off the pitch and casually watched as the opposition player scored a goal that he could quite easily have blocked had he been in play. The spineless wanker.
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I don't get the bitterness in all this (well I kinda do).
Downing isn't a local lad, didn't grow up with pictures of Gary Penrice on his wall -unless he has a thing for Freddie Mercury lookalikes- and has netted us close to double the fee we spent in 2009.
Thanks for one decent season and we move on. Don't wish him any ill will, but by the same token I don't think he'll be getting a rapturous reception on return. In contrast to someone like NRC who probably will. Despite quitting on a Bosman and generating no fee. Such is life.
Not like me then. I loved Gary's tache...
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Postgate was Arsenal at home a night game in jan/Feb 2010, he had a free header in front of the Holte but bottled it because his momentum would have meant him running into the post.
Average last season so 20 million is a great deal, wait until Christmas when the dippers realise how 1 dimensional he is. They are such fuckwits, one of them posted yesterday that he had scored 17 goals whilst at VP!
Gotcha. I was referring to where he sauntered off the pitch and casually watched as the opposition player scored a goal that he could quite easily have blocked had he been in play. The spineless wanker.
I can honestly say that having followed the Villa since 1976 he is probably in my top 3 hated players - mainly because of him being a spineless wanker.
I can forgive players being a bit shit but his whole girlieness I can't.
That Liverpool midfield of Adam henderson and Downing is going to be frightening!
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At one time Stewart Downing was a popular winger at Villa Park, now most their fans just think he's a blank
Boards up please.
(http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/blanketyblank.jpg)
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At one time Stewart Downing was a popular winger at Villa Park, now most their fans just think he's a blank
Boards up please.
(http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/blanketyblank.jpg)
Liverpool Player?
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"Is it 'Gutless Bastard Shit-Out', Les?"
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"Nonce"
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(http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3059/bblank.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/43/bblank.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
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Aah Wendy, she'd be the equivalent of whatever a MILF was back in the day!
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(http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/3232/blankety.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/849/blankety.jpg/)
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At one time Stewart Downing was a popular winger at Villa Park, now most their fans just think he's a ******-monkey?
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He'll get some flak certainly but just the usual boos I reckon. Come December we'll probably have more on our minds than a player who played a season and a half for us.
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I don't get the bitterness in all this (well I kinda do).
Downing isn't a local lad, didn't grow up with pictures of Gary Penrice on his wall -unless he has a thing for Freddie Mercury lookalikes- and has netted us close to double the fee we spent in 2009.
Thanks for one decent season and we move on. Don't wish him any ill will, but by the same token I don't think he'll be getting a rapturous reception on return. In contrast to someone like NRC who probably will. Despite quitting on a Bosman and generating no fee. Such is life.
Ya know that song, "It Ain't What You Do It's the Way That You Do It"?
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There is no way we will get Nzogbia, Parker or Given!
Looks like the shit smeared monocle has got 2 out of 3 right (at this point in time).
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(http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd515/spudzer/downinghand.png)
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Risso and Mr. Lochhead, thanks, I'm feeling rough as a dog today but you have cheered me up no end.
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We asked 100 people....."Give another word or phrase to describe Stewart Downing"
And our survey says !
(http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/6038/bygravesduhduhh.jpg) (http://img534.imageshack.us/i/bygravesduhduhh.jpg/)
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"and you've won a prize! Is it a Goblin Teasmade, no it's a pair of Downing's soiled pants from the last time he went in for a 50:50".
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(http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3012/downing.jpg)
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Likes.
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(http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3012/downing.jpg)
Top work!
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Is it just me or does that look almost like a West Ham scarf?
Probably a glimpse into the future.
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Is it just me or does that look almost like a West Ham scarf?
Probably a glimpse into the future.
I can see what you mean.
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This might be of some interest: obviously reading h&v. Not sure whether I don't want to believe the top six part of this blog or I don't go along with it. My head says maybe it's the former.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/jul/14/stewart-downing-stuart-james-blog
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(http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/1566/whowantstobeamillionair.jpg) (http://img846.imageshack.us/i/whowantstobeamillionair.jpg/)
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(http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/4483/scde.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/851/scde.jpg/)
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Good work, chaps.
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(http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx30/Conye/downing.jpg)
Pathetic little 'tache
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I have just had a fit of giggles looking through the last couple of pages and I haven't even been drinking. Don't remember the last time I couldn't stop laughing!
Particularly loved the Terry Wogan Blankety Blank image.
Great work fellas and thank you for making my sides hurt.
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Just seen a report which says that Liverpool offering player plus cash...Joe Cole. Don't think i'm that keen on him if its true
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I do think we lack someone who just knows how to get things done in the football world.
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"and you've won a prize! Is it a Goblin Teasmade, no it's a pair of Downing's soiled pants from the last time he went in for a 50:50".
Just spotted this one. Brilliant!
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Just seen a report which says that Liverpool offering player plus cash...Joe Cole. Don't think i'm that keen on him if its true
I fucking hope not, I've just used him as my top example of Liverpool players who have provided less value than Ivanhoe.
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(http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx30/Conye/downing.jpg)
Pathetic little 'tache
5 hands, 1 foot and no spine.
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or are the dippers trying to nick his shirt already?
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or are the dippers trying to nick his shirt already?
I shouldn't but... hoho.
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Just seen a report which says that Liverpool offering player plus cash...Joe Cole. Don't think i'm that keen on him if its true
I fucking hope not, I've just used him as my top example of Liverpool players who have provided less value than Ivanhoe.
If we sign Joe Cole I'll give up as the board will have obviously learnt nothing from the last five years. Nobody could that that stupid.
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Keep your part exchanges Kenny. Money talks and donkeys walk.
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The fee has been agreed. It's the only reason Downing was allowed to go and talk to them. I very much doubt the board will accept money plus an old player making a 6 figure salary. Cole would also need to accept coming here and very likely a significant wage cut. It would have held this deal up for ages. It's straight cash, nice and tidy.
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Just seen a report which says that Liverpool offering player plus cash...Joe Cole. Don't think i'm that keen on him if its true
I fucking hope not, I've just used him as my top example of Liverpool players who have provided less value than Ivanhoe.
If we sign Joe Cole I'll give up as the board will have obviously learnt nothing from the last five years. Nobody could that that stupid.
This is the board who after appointing Gerard Houllier (who it has to be said hardly met with universal approval), thought it would be a good idea to appoint Alex McLeish. Expect to see him on a six year deal soon.
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Cole on the last day of the season gave a performance against us so utterly, utterly anonymous, he made Sidwell's usual 15 minutes look positively Messian.
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Cole on the last day of the season gave a performance against us so utterly, utterly anonymous, he made Sidwell's usual 15 minutes look positively Messian.
Cole is done as a footballer at this level. In fact he's been done for a good while. Yet, when he signed up there it was like the rebirth of a phoenix.
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No to Cole, just no.
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Cole on the last day of the season gave a performance against us so utterly, utterly anonymous, he made Sidwell's usual 15 minutes look positively Messian.
Cole is done as a footballer at this level. In fact he's been done for a good while. Yet, when he signed up there it was like the rebirth of a phoenix.
The national media have always wanked themselves silly over Joe Cole for some reason.
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Suely if we'd given them permission to talk to Downing and wave their shitty shirt around, we'd have agreed the deal beforehand in any case?
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Just seen a report which says that Liverpool offering player plus cash...Joe Cole. Don't think i'm that keen on him if its true
I fucking hope not, I've just used him as my top example of Liverpool players who have provided less value than Ivanhoe.
If we sign Joe Cole I'll give up as the board will have obviously learnt nothing from the last five years. Nobody could that that stupid.
This is the board who after appointing Gerard Houllier (who it has to be said hardly met with universal approval), thought it would be a good idea to appoint Alex McLeish. Expect to see him on a six year deal soon.
Don't tell me the idiots have now appointed Martin O'Neill as Director of Football?
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All completed.Good riddance
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All completed.Good riddance
And off he slithers. Break a leg Stewie...as they say in the acting business.
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I won't wish injury on a player, but I hope he has zero success.
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Daylight robbery, he was over priced at the 10/12m we paid, 20m is an astounding amount to recieve for a player of Stuart Downings ability, invest it in Given, N'zogbia and Parker and we will have the deal of the summer.
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Daylight robbery, he was over priced at the 10/12m we paid, 20m is an astounding amount to recieve for a player of Stuart Downings ability, invest it in Given, N'zogbia and Parker and we will have the deal of the summer.
Spot on brother.
When he signed for us I got a text when I was in work saying he cost 12 million.
I replied " Overpriced and Overrated."
Dick Turpin would be proud of the 20 million deal we have just got.
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wonder if the Villa negotiaters have taken of there Lincoln Green suits yet
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Daylight robbery, he was over priced at the 10/12m we paid, 20m is an astounding amount to recieve for a player of Stuart Downings ability, invest it in Given, N'zogbia and Parker and we will have the deal of the summer.
absloutely, he will have 1 good game every 3 games for them
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I won't wish injury on a player, but I hope he has zero success.
Not even a dead leg? Come on, Stu could be given one of them bastards ya big brothers used to dish out.
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if the Parker, Nzog, Given deals come off, maybe we should just say a big thanks to Stewie, and then think who used who as a stepping stone here
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You lot are far too nice people I tell you. I hope Stevie G goes through his knee cap and ruptures his scrotum in the first training session and Stew cries till Christmas, the little Judas. Of all the players to leave over the last few years, this one is the most anger driven for me, simply due to the duplicitus nature of his statements 2 months ago, then requesting a move 2 months later. I hope Liverpool, and Downing have very poor seasons, and Albrighton goes to the Euros next summer in his place, twice the ability as Downing could dream of. Adam Johnson likewise.
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You lot are far too nice people I tell you. I hope Stevie G goes through his knee cap and ruptures his scrotum in the first training session and Stew cries till Christmas, the little Judas. Of all the players to leave over the last few years, this one is the most anger driven for me, simply due to the duplicitus nature of his statements 2 months ago, then requesting a move 2 months later. I hope Liverpool, and Downing have very poor seasons, and Albrighton goes to the Euros next summer in his place, twice the ability as Downing could dream of. Adam Johnson likewise.
I think you're mellowing in your old age OJ.
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From Twitter:
MatKendrick Mat Kendrick
Stewart Downing seems to have forgotten to thank #avfc for the opportunity and support during his injury lay-off in his first #lfc interview
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Bye Stewie.
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I think he may have left under a cloud
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2394035,00.html
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You lot are far too nice people I tell you. I hope Stevie G goes through his knee cap and ruptures his scrotum in the first training session and Stew cries till Christmas, the little Judas. Of all the players to leave over the last few years, this one is the most anger driven for me, simply due to the duplicitus nature of his statements 2 months ago, then requesting a move 2 months later. I hope Liverpool, and Downing have very poor seasons, and Albrighton goes to the Euros next summer in his place, twice the ability as Downing could dream of. Adam Johnson likewise.
You and I seem to find common ground most issues Ozz. I see there is no need to change that with your latest post.
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Hahaha £20million for that spineless judas tosser. I always thought it was the scousers who were experts on robbing people.
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I hope he slips on a dog turd at melwood and breaks his ******, ruling him out for 4 years, the shit tinted fuck.
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From Twitter:
MatKendrick Mat Kendrick
Stewart Downing seems to have forgotten to thank #avfc for the opportunity and support during his injury lay-off in his first #lfc interview
yeh, there's a surprise. The two line statement on the OS suggests a lot bad things were said during this transfer. Amazing how quickly he gave up on us. Where were Liverpool when your foot was fucked you ungrateful bastard? As disappointing as it is losing a good player, he'd have been a major distraction during the season and I would have put money on his form dipping.
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What a pillock.
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I was absolutely gutted when Yorke left, again when Barry wanted out (though not nearly as much as Yorke). I was again gutted off when Milner left. Now with Downing when I heard a few weeks back he wanted out I was pissed off with him and again fell out with the modern day footballer.
And then Liverpool give us 20 Million.
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who cares what downing thinks of us, i don't. He was an average player for us, in my opinion.he was good in a shit season.we have got some decent wedge for him, now we can get a winger who can put a tackle in! up the villa.
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The two line statement on the OS suggests a lot bad things were said during this transfer.
Hopefully the two line statement on the OS suggests that the club now understands that a simple two line statement is better than a two line statement followed by inane ramblings by Paul Faulkner.
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Can't we buy a real hatchet man right back to kick this fucker 16 feet in the air when we play them next.
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The two line statement on the OS suggests a lot bad things were said during this transfer.
Hopefully the two line statement on the OS suggests that the club now understands that a simple two line statement is better than a two line statement followed by inane ramblings by Paul Faulkner.
see that's the thing. I didn't see that recent club statement regarding Downing as anything other the club being coy about their targets. Normally when a player leaves, on decent terms, like Ash did, we write something nice and wish them luck. This was very cold for someone who only a couple of weeks back was presented our Player of the Season award.
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The two line statement on the OS suggests a lot bad things were said during this transfer.
Hopefully the two line statement on the OS suggests that the club now understands that a simple two line statement is better than a two line statement followed by inane ramblings by Paul Faulkner.
Absolutely spot on.
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Didn't say a lot on o/s good riddance wank stain
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Funnily enough not a single mention of the Villa and how he should be so thankful for us taking him on when injured
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Thats a lot of cock for 20 million quid.
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Fuck off you graceless, spineless, ungrateful, two faced ******.
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The two line statement on the OS suggests a lot bad things were said during this transfer.
Most of us could have done it in two words.
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(http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/7231/stewartdowning001.jpg) (http://img841.imageshack.us/i/stewartdowning001.jpg/)
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Fuck off you graceless, spineless, ungrateful, two faced c***.
...and the horse you rode in on.
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£35m for Carroll
£20m for Henderson
£20m for Downing
At least £40m more than they are worth.
Another player of the season goes for £20m, looking forward to welcoming you back to VP in December you spineless c**t!
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Reading the Beeb, I didn;t realise we paid £10 million rising to £12 million on appearances. Do you think he made enough, or have we made a £10 million profit on the little twat. If we have, that is some negotiations - I can only presume someone other than Faulkner did them!
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It always was £10m.
O'Neill said that it was £10m when we signed him, so why people have been reporting for the last two years that we paid £12m I have no idea.
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Apologies if it has been reported before but at last a Mirror sports writer has been accurate and objective when writing up a Villa story..
Derek McGovern wrote on Friday "Aston Villa supposedly cracked in their game of bluff with Liverpool over Stewart Downing when the bidding hit £20 million. There is a word missing in that sentence - it's "up" and should immediately follow "cracked". Paying £20m for Downing is the worst bit of transfer dealing since paying £20m for Jordan Henderson."
Could not agree more.
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Apologies if it has been reported before but at last a Mirror sports writer has been accurate and objective when writing up a Villa story..
Derek McGovern wrote on Friday "Aston Villa supposedly cracked in their game of bluff with Liverpool over Stewart Downing when the bidding hit £20 million. There is a word missing in that sentence - it's "up" and should immediately follow "cracked". Paying £20m for Downing is the worst bit of transfer dealing since paying £20m for Jordan Henderson."
Could not agree more.
And he's a Liverpool fan, is he not?
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(http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/7231/stewartdowning001.jpg) (http://img841.imageshack.us/i/stewartdowning001.jpg/)
WHAT A FUCKING WANKER.
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Are Liverpool not bothering with defenders then? I mean, they've hardly got the best have they?
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Thanks for using us to get to a "big four club", we payed you wages while you sat on your arse for six months, one decent season and suddenly we`re not good enough for you, Young, Barry, Milner i could take but you owed us big time. i genuinley hope you have an absolute mare up there you backstabbing, skinnly little shite.
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He clearly is just a rat faced little scrotum, see you later.
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When all is said and done, we'll probably have a better player and £10m from him so a big hearty fucking "lol" all round.
I'd like to wish him good luck. But I'm not going to.
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Yep good riddance,if we can get Nzobia for half the price of that piece of shit we'll be laughing. In 12 months time,Liverpool we'll see that he aint that good,and will end up playing for Bolton.
I'm not one for abusing ex players,even Barry,Yorke as they always gave us good service,but this cnut deserves a middle eastern style buring effigy being parading towards the holte.
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I dont think he's worthy of that kind of reaction. I just dont care about him. I knew he was a good player here but never warmed to or particularly admired him.
He's just a weasel. He wanted away from his boyhood team as soon as they struggled, instead of helping them out of the shit and now after we took a big chance on him he's off as soon as a percieved (its not even like he'll be playing a higher level) better offer comes along.
I very much doubt he'll ever prove good enough but should a better offer come in for him whilst at Liverpool, like a champions league team, he'll drop them like a hot shit too.
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What an absolute bag of monkey ******. Ungrateful little worm, I hope he breaks his other foot.
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He will probably start off well then decline into the very average player he is. Good business by Villa but we must get Nzogbia and quickly ......
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Thanks for using us to get to a "big four club", we payed you wages while you sat on your arse for six months, one decent season and suddenly we`re not good enough for you, Young, Barry, Milner i could take but you owed us big time. i genuinley hope you have an absolute mare up there you backstabbing, skinnly little shite.
They're not a big four club.
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I know a few Liverpool fans. Not one of them is happy about this move.
None of them were happy about Henderson either.
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When we play them it just needs Dunne, or anyone, to hoof him in the first 5 and it'll be goodnight Downing for the rest of the match.
At least we know Young will keep getting back up, to be fair to him.
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When we play them it just needs Dunne, or anyone, to hoof him in the first 5 and it'll be goodnight Downing for the rest of the match.
At least we know Young will keep getting back up, to be fair to him.
Young would get back up but spend the next 20 mins bitching @ the ref with his hands on his hips
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When we play them it just needs Dunne, or anyone, to hoof him in the first 5 and it'll be goodnight Downing for the rest of the match.
At least we know Young will keep getting back up, to be fair to him.
Young would get back up but spend the next 20 mins bitching @ the ref with his hands on his hips
Ha! True. He'd still come back at us though, once he'd finished moaning.
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I know a few Liverpool fans. Not one of them is happy about this move.
None of them were happy about Henderson either.
Liverpool are trying too hard. If you've got City's money you can force your way into the top four. If not, the only way is to be ready to poach once one of the usual members start to waver. Arsenal might do that, but those who think that Arsene Wenger is just going to lie down and die (even if Nasri and Fabregas leaves) are deluded. If the Chelsea team start to show its age, Roman will find his chequebook soon enough.
With the exception of Suarez, none of Liverpool's recent signings are much better than what they have already got. Also, while I think Dalglish was the right person to unite the club in its mid-season crisis, I suspect he might not be the man they need to push on from sixth.
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They've spent an awful of money on good British players,not outstanding players,but it won't get them any closer to the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea,possibly Arsenal as well.
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They've spent an awful of money on good British players,not outstanding players,but it won't get them any closer to the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea,possibly Arsenal as well.
Didn't you know King Kenny can achieve anything according to Mickey Quinn,which will make it all the funnier when they end up 6 th again
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I have two Liverpool supporting mates. One knows his stuff and is not happy, the other knows a lot less and is over the moon. He'll soon find out. I wouldn't be too unhappy if he picked up an injury before he's even played for them as suggested already.
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I have two Liverpool supporting mates. They are both idiots.
(Sorry Spud, but not to you Moz).
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They've spent an awful of money on good British players,not outstanding players,but it won't get them any closer to the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea,possibly Arsenal as well.
Didn't you know King Kenny can achieve anything according to Mickey Quinn,which will make it all the funnier when they end up 6 th again
I heard that fat prick say the other day,that Liverpool have got a better deal with Downing,than Utd have with Young. I cant see them improving on last years position.
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Liverpool have spent a ludicrous amount of money on some decent players.
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Downing isn't worth the time or effort to get worked up about -
I've had the honour to meet Ian Taylor, Cyrille Regis & Ken McNaught in recent weeks -
are these type of guys going to be non existant in the future ?
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Dalglish is spending the kind of money and procuring the type of players that MON would have if he'd have been appointed. The 'Sky' Liverpool fans have been sucked into the hype machine and blindly believe the glory days are back. Ask a Dipper season ticket holder and I wager the reaction will be a bit different. That said, I can't see them finishing below sixth.
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I know a few Liverpool fans. Not one of them is happy about this move.
None of them were happy about Henderson either.
none of mine were until it looked like it was actually going to happen...
now its happened, all of a sudden, hes fucking brilliant...
bin dipper fans are hilarious...
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Liverpool's fan Paul Tompkins is happy
"A certain player happens to have completed more successful crosses in the past three seasons than anyone else in the Premier League; he is the top-flight’s 5th-most successful chance-creator over the past seven seasons, and the only one of that top five to not be in a Champions League side over the duration (the other four being the world-famous quartet of Fabregas, Gerrard, Lampard and Giggs). His club’s Player of the Year, he is someone who has regularly registered in excess of ten assists a season throughout his career, with as many as 14 in 2006/07, and is capable of getting double-figures in goals (he did so in 2007/08, and was just one shy of last season). All this, and on average fit to play in all but three games a season over the past five years. (Stats courtesy of Opta Joe.)..."
Tompkins - Clicky (http://tomkinstimes.com/2011/07/is-stewart-downing-actually-stanley-devastating/)
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I know a few Liverpool fans. Not one of them is happy about this move.
None of them were happy about Henderson either.
none of mine were until it looked like it was actually going to happen...
now its happened, all of a sudden, hes fucking brilliant...
bin dipper fans are hilarious...
Hang on, he was our player of the season, and now all of a sudden he's shit?
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I know a few Liverpool fans. Not one of them is happy about this move.
None of them were happy about Henderson either.
none of mine were until it looked like it was actually going to happen...
now its happened, all of a sudden, hes fucking brilliant...
bin dipper fans are hilarious...
Hang on, he was our player of the season, and now all of a sudden he's shit?
He wasn't great. He didn't deserve the player of the year. And even so, to be named best player when the majority were shit, isn't really something to shout about.
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Who deserved player of the year then?
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Who deserved player of the year then?
If I can't choose nobody (which is what I would prefer to do), then, at a push, possibly Friedel.
However, I can honestly say I do not think we had a "player of the year" because they were all pretty dire throughout the whole season.
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I know a few Liverpool fans. Not one of them is happy about this move.
None of them were happy about Henderson either.
none of mine were until it looked like it was actually going to happen...
now its happened, all of a sudden, hes fucking brilliant...
bin dipper fans are hilarious...
Hang on, he was our player of the season, and now all of a sudden he's shit?
With no great competition,if Bent had played a few games more,he would've won it. Maybe he should've anyway.
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There's little doubt that Downing was POTY last season. He has obvious weaknesses, but so has almost every player that's not world class. He's good at what he's good at, and that served him well last season.
However, he has treated us badly since he decided to move, so his weaknesses are bound to be highlighted. But I sometimes I suspect that if Xavi played for Villa, we would had complained about his lack of pace.
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I know a few Liverpool fans. Not one of them is happy about this move.
None of them were happy about Henderson either.
none of mine were until it looked like it was actually going to happen...
now its happened, all of a sudden, hes fucking brilliant...
bin dipper fans are hilarious...
Hang on, he was our player of the season, and now all of a sudden he's shit?
we never really had a player of the season last year, there was no one who was head and shoulders above anyone else.
yes i know Downing won it, but in a average season he was as average as at least 6 or seven others, maybe because he was so shit the season before people noticed it more
to keep carping on about 'player of the season' is just ludicrous,
he was an average player in a average side, even Liverpool fans are quoting us trying to build some belief that they have bought a top player rather than the tossbasket that he actually is.
i saw most if not all the Villa matches last season somewhere or other, and not once did i say after any game, 'wow, that Downing pulverised them out there'or 'they just couldnt handle him'today' no , there were times he did one or two decent things a goal here and there or a decent cross, but as i have said before, he is the most overated player i have ever seen at Villa.
i have seen Young, Barry Laursen, Millner, Allbrighton in there own way destroy the opposition at times, i have yet to see Stuart 'player of the season' Downing do that or anything that comes close
i am delighted to see the back of him,
if he's the standard of player people want to keep at Villa then you ought to raise the bar on the standard of what is good and what is decidely average in a player
he will be an atomic failure at Anfield, i have no doubts about that, i couldnt care less about him being player of the season, he is the ultimate average pro,
overated, overhyped and gladly over at Anfield, good riddance, dont rush back
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...
i am delighted to see the back of him,
if he's the standard of player people want to keep at Villa then you ought to raise the bar on the standard of what is good and what is decidely average in a player
he will be an atomic failure at Anfield, i have no doubts about that, i couldnt care less about him being player of the season, he is the ultimate average pro,
overated, overhyped and gladly over at Anfield, good riddance, dont rush back
Why do you think that no other player has put in as many successful crosses as has Downing during the last 3 season, even though Dowing missed half a season?
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...
i am delighted to see the back of him,
if he's the standard of player people want to keep at Villa then you ought to raise the bar on the standard of what is good and what is decidely average in a player
he will be an atomic failure at Anfield, i have no doubts about that, i couldnt care less about him being player of the season, he is the ultimate average pro,
overated, overhyped and gladly over at Anfield, good riddance, dont rush back
Why do you think that no other player has put in as many successful crosses as has Downing during the last 3 season, even though Dowing missed half a season?
Because he was used as a winger, received the ball out wide and his job description would have been something along the lines of "cross the ball somewhere near one of players in the box". Downing played all 38 league games last season...can you name any other player in the league that was consistently deployed as a winger and played as many games as Downing in that position? As for the last 3 seasons, can you name any other team that has consistently relied upon and excessively used crosses into the box as our main (and often enough only) game plan and tactic?
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After the last season we had I really think we shouldn't have awarded a POTY.....
perhaps the least Crapiest Player of the Year would have been more appropriate
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Whatever you want to call it, Downing would have won it.
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Some honour
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The most disappointing aspect of the Downing affair for me is the fact that we rescued him from 'Boro after they had been relegated, despite the fact that he had a long-term injury, looked after him, gave him the opportunity to regain his form and re-establish himself in the England set-up and he repays our faith in him by pissing off at the first sign of what he perceives to be a better offer. I know this makes me sound old-fashioined, but the lack of morality makes me despair. Still, with any luck, he won't be the first departing player to find out that the grass at other grounds is not necessarily greeener than at VP.
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Is the steve hodge word filter still in use, in which case, can we have a suitable one for downing??
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C**t.
(http://assets.liverpoolfc.tv/uploads/stewart_downing_09.jpg)
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We need to stop pretending that Downing was shit as if to help soften the blow of his departure. Having said that, he's not so far ahead of the likes of N'Zogbia that we cannot replace his production. What is without doubt is that Downing is a prize wanker.
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Downing wasn't shit.
This time 12 months ago I'd have took £10m for him & fucked him off anywhere.
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I've been tied up with lots of end-of-term stuff at work, so not had chance to comment before now.
Downing = typical football mercenary circa 2011. One good season and he/his agent have illusions of grandeur and the next big pay day. If the money is sensibly invested, he won't be missed.
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We need to stop pretending that Downing was shit as if to help soften the blow of his departure. Having said that, he's not so far ahead of the likes of N'Zogbia that we cannot replace his production. What is without doubt is that Downing is a prize wanker.
He's not shit, but neither is he great. I think that N'Zogbia is at the same level as him already.
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We need to stop pretending that Downing was shit as if to help soften the blow of his departure. Having said that, he's not so far ahead of the likes of N'Zogbia that we cannot replace his production. What is without doubt is that Downing is a prize wanker.
Agreed tv, Downing wasn't shit but he wasn't 20m worth of footballer either!
For that money I'm glad to see the back of him. Wanker for doing what he's done, but a wanker on the pitch as well...for all the reasons already posted on this site.
I reckon N'Zogbia/Vargas would be superior team players and far more effective individuals than the spotty part-time DJ (apparently!). Full time tosser more like!
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When I think of Downing all I can think of is Judas.
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When I think of Downing all I can think of is Judas.
Is that like when I think of the chap in Casualty, I think of Jesus?
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Downing was our player of the season although considering we are talking about last season that does not say much!
Having said that when you look at the quotes attributable to him and the total shift after obviously being tapped up then he deserves every single Eff and Jeff Villa fans will give him. No thanks to the club or anything. The only player I have ever wished injury on previously is Roy Keane. Add to that Downing - wanker.
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Downing was just a little less shit than most others last season.
Even at his best, his poncing around meant he would never be the world beater some seem to think he is.
The amount of tackles he bottled, the amount of times he did not track back or help to protect his full back was there for all to see.
£20millon for that !!! We have absolutley robbed those scouse fuckers !
We should be laughing all the way to the bank.
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The most disappointing aspect of the Downing affair for me is the fact that we rescued him from 'Boro after they had been relegated, despite the fact that he had a long-term injury, looked after him, gave him the opportunity to regain his form and re-establish himself in the England set-up and he repays our faith in him by pissing off at the first sign of what he perceives to be a better offer.
I've heard that reference to his injury a few times (that he owed us because of it) and I'm not entirely sure I agree. We weren't signing an Owen Hargreaves, Jonathan Woodgate or even a Paul McGrath - all who could be considered major risks due to the nature of their previous injuries.
Downing's injury was serious enough, but it's the type that players come back from all the time now and his career was never in threat. It just meant a few months before we could access the goods -effectively instead of the start of the season in August 09 we had to wait until November. Because of the injury, we also benefited from a good few million shaved off the asking price -and had less competition for his signature.
Two years later, he's doubled in value. I'm as miffed as anyone that three of our better players have wanted out in the past 12 months -and I do wonder if things had been different had we made more of a stand on Barry. But when a player decides that the club I support isn't worthy of him and wants out, they're dead to me. You can point to Fabregas staying at Arsenal despite wanting to go to Barcelona as proof of a successful alternative approach. But Arsenal has been a big part of his life and -by all accounts- he's torn on the decision as he has a degree of affection for them.
Maybe Barry and Ash did regarding us, Maybe even Jimmy did too. But I never felt Downing was in for the long haul.
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I have told everybody on here how shit Downing is all season.Do
I win a prize.
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I bet all the fans who are slagging him off fell in love with him when he came out and said he would stick with us even if we were relegated. Fickle springs to mind.
Downing would have been sold even if we was relegated anyway. We know how tight Randy Lerner is at the moment.
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Downing's injury was serious enough, but it's the type that players come back from all the time now and his career was never in threat. It just meant a few months before we could access the goods -effectively instead of the start of the season in August 09 we had to wait until November. Because of the injury, we also benefited from a good few million shaved off the asking price -and had less competition for his signature.
Two years later, he's doubled in value.
He was all set to join Spurs for £12m before the foot injury. We signed him for £12m, so not a case of "a good few million shaved off the asking price". I don't need to tell you that we sold him for £20m, thus not doubling his value but indeed a healthy profit.
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I recall something about a £14/15 million bid going in from Tottingham in 08/09, but it being rejected as Downing was obviously central to Boro's attempts to stay up. That obviously worked. The suggestion was 'arry would then follow it up in the summer. But he never did.
There seems to be confusion over the exact amount we paid, as I've seen it listed as £10 and £11 million previously.
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Spurs bid rejected (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/4144048/Tottenhams-Stewart-Downing-14.5m-bid-rejected.html)
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Downing wasnt shit last season (player of the year) leading scorer until Bent signed.
Kenny Dalglish has looked at the stats and signed 2 of the best midfielders/crosses of the ball from last season so they can feed into Carroll , and they're English.
They are planning for when this European rule comes in about overseas players.
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Spurs bid rejected (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/4144048/Tottenhams-Stewart-Downing-14.5m-bid-rejected.html)
That was in the January window. The report I've just read (but can't bloody find now) from when we signed him mention that the price was down to £12m, probably based on the probability of Boro being relegated.
As for what we paid.. Downing joins Villa (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/8151447.stm)
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Well he treated up appallingly but unfortunatley that's the way in 'modern' football - perhaps we should add that to the list of Murdoch crimes.
One decent season in three before pissing off to underchieve at 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' for 20 million quid, looks like fecking great business for the Villa imo.
Providing it's re-invested well I don't see the problem. Although inevitable in the current football climate, I was disappointed to see us lose Milner, Barry and Young. I just don't really feel that with Stuart Downing. That probably says it all.
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Liverpool fans are fantastic. (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-sign-Stewart-Downing-Aston-Villa-cant-wait-to-play-in-front-of-amazing-fans-article769173.html) Mr Downing, I salute you, in the sense of having so much money you believe your own hype.
At the risk of sounding bitter and twisted, the demise of Rupert Murdoch's empire gives me hope [admittedly not miuch] that some of the over paid prima donnas will one day receive their just desserts. Thought in reality I doubt that'll happen.
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Downing was not shit last season, he put in some very decent performances. He allways seemed to have the attitude that he was doing us a favour by turning up. The bloke has talent but he does not have the drive and attitude to be a great player just a good one on his day.
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Downing has skill but what he lacks is character, as he has made abundently clear with how he has conducted himself recently.
What are the odds that he will 'come down with a virus' or 'be rested' when Liverpool next visit Villa Park?
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Like I've said previously provided we sign the right players we have a great deal for him and I wish him no injury. However I still think he's a spineless excuse for a person, who has no sense of loyalty.
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I recall something about a £14/15 million bid going in from Tottingham in 08/09, but it being rejected as Downing was obviously central to Boro's attempts to stay up. That obviously worked. The suggestion was 'arry would then follow it up in the summer. But he never did.
There seems to be confusion over the exact amount we paid, as I've seen it listed as £10 and £11 million previously.
O'Neill believes the 24-year-old will prove to be a bargain. He told the Sunday Mirror: "£10m is a bargain. It's great value and he's a superb acquisition. He's got pace, although he admits he could add a few more goals to his game. I'm delighted to have him
No need for any confusion, from the mouth of the man who signed him.
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I recall something about a £14/15 million bid going in from Tottingham in 08/09, but it being rejected as Downing was obviously central to Boro's attempts to stay up. That obviously worked. The suggestion was 'arry would then follow it up in the summer. But he never did.
There seems to be confusion over the exact amount we paid, as I've seen it listed as £10 and £11 million previously.
O'Neill believes the 24-year-old will prove to be a bargain. He told the Sunday Mirror: "£10m is a bargain. It's great value and he's a superb acquisition. He's got pace, although he admits he could add a few more goals to his game. I'm delighted to have him
No need for any confusion, from the mouth of the man who signed him.
Almost Dave, the article in full:
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has hailed the signing of Stewart Downing as a "bargain" and expects the winger to be a great addition to his squad.
Downing became Villa's first signing of the summer when he joined from Middlesbrough last week and O'Neill is delighted to have landed the England international.
Villa paid Boro an initial £10million, with a further £2million due dependent on appearances, but O'Neill believes the 24-year-old will prove his worth when he is fully fit.
Downing is currently recovering from surgery on a broken foot and is not expected to feature until October.
"£10m is a bargain," he told the Sunday Mirror. "It's great value and he's a superb acquisition."
"He's got pace, although he admits he could add a few more goals to his game. I'm delighted to have him.
"He's had a nasty injury and won't be available for a considerable time, but he'll be sensational when he is."
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Does anyone know if the smoggies get any of the £20 million?
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I remember seeing MON on SSN stating we paid £12m for Downing. Interviewed after a pre-season friendly.
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Best of luck to him, I wouldn't take him to war with me, my daughter has more bottle.
Sorry when Barry, Milner & Young went, only apathy here, looking forward to seeing what we do with the dough.
Milner back would be good. Or a Messi, Iniesta and Xavi triple swoop with female Swedish porn stars hired to serve naked at the bar of the Holte Suite....
These mindbending drugs are good, any body want some...?
" Nurse........"
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I recall something about a £14/15 million bid going in from Tottingham in 08/09, but it being rejected as Downing was obviously central to Boro's attempts to stay up. That obviously worked. The suggestion was 'arry would then follow it up in the summer. But he never did.
There seems to be confusion over the exact amount we paid, as I've seen it listed as £10 and £11 million previously.
O'Neill believes the 24-year-old will prove to be a bargain. He told the Sunday Mirror: "£10m is a bargain. It's great value and he's a superb acquisition. He's got pace, although he admits he could add a few more goals to his game. I'm delighted to have him
No need for any confusion, from the mouth of the man who signed him.
Almost Dave, the article in full:
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has hailed the signing of Stewart Downing as a "bargain" and expects the winger to be a great addition to his squad.
Downing became Villa's first signing of the summer when he joined from Middlesbrough last week and O'Neill is delighted to have landed the England international.
Villa paid Boro an initial £10million, with a further £2million due dependent on appearances, but O'Neill believes the 24-year-old will prove his worth when he is fully fit.
Downing is currently recovering from surgery on a broken foot and is not expected to feature until October.
"£10m is a bargain," he told the Sunday Mirror. "It's great value and he's a superb acquisition."
"He's got pace, although he admits he could add a few more goals to his game. I'm delighted to have him.
"He's had a nasty injury and won't be available for a considerable time, but he'll be sensational when he is."
Obviously it's all just conjecture, but do you think that in a season and a half he will have played enough games to trigger that clause?
I don't.
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I remember seeing MON on SSN stating we paid £12m for Downing. Interviewed after a pre-season friendly.
I remember MON being interview d after that Everton game, saying Young was 'world class' !
He could talk some bollox our Martin !
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I recall something about a £14/15 million bid going in from Tottingham in 08/09, but it being rejected as Downing was obviously central to Boro's attempts to stay up. That obviously worked. The suggestion was 'arry would then follow it up in the summer. But he never did.
There seems to be confusion over the exact amount we paid, as I've seen it listed as £10 and £11 million previously.
O'Neill believes the 24-year-old will prove to be a bargain. He told the Sunday Mirror: "£10m is a bargain. It's great value and he's a superb acquisition. He's got pace, although he admits he could add a few more goals to his game. I'm delighted to have him
No need for any confusion, from the mouth of the man who signed him.
Almost Dave, the article in full:
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has hailed the signing of Stewart Downing as a "bargain" and expects the winger to be a great addition to his squad.
Downing became Villa's first signing of the summer when he joined from Middlesbrough last week and O'Neill is delighted to have landed the England international.
Villa paid Boro an initial £10million, with a further £2million due dependent on appearances, but O'Neill believes the 24-year-old will prove his worth when he is fully fit.
Downing is currently recovering from surgery on a broken foot and is not expected to feature until October.
"£10m is a bargain," he told the Sunday Mirror. "It's great value and he's a superb acquisition."
"He's got pace, although he admits he could add a few more goals to his game. I'm delighted to have him.
"He's had a nasty injury and won't be available for a considerable time, but he'll be sensational when he is."
Obviously it's all just conjecture, but do you think that in a season and a half he will have played enough games to trigger that clause?
I don't.
My guess is 50 games, so yes. Boro needed the money.
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50 games could have been one of the stipulations. But equally, it could have been 100 or 150 appearances, England caps, CL qualification or a combination of all of those.
All conjecture, of course. But £10 million is the figure we've definitely covered up front it seems. The rest is doubtful.