Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Rip Van We Go Again on October 29, 2010, 04:07:52 PM
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Sky sports
Villa boss eyes new signings in New Year
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has confirmed he would like fresh faces at Villa Park come the New Year.
The former Liverpool boss was named the club's successor to Martin O'Neill in September after the summer transfer window had closed.
Houllier has therefore been unable to bring in any of his own players to the club, although results during his early tenure have been promising.
The 63-year-old is against spending in January, but will be happy splashing the cash providing a player of the right quality is available.
Although the Midlands outfit are believed to be in the market for a new striker Houllier is not ruling out strengthening elsewhere.
"I don't like January because January is not a good period," said Houllier. "But you need to be blind not to see that there are some areas where we are not blessed with numbers.
"If we spot a really good player with internationally-proven experience who can bring something to the team, particularly in some areas, we will take him.
"We need to bring some players in. That's it. I think we will have one or two coming in January. Will it be up front? Not necessarily."
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So its benzema then?
<winky thing>
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" Will it be up front? Not necessarily."
Christ, I hope he's joking.
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" Will it be up front? Not necessarily."
Christ, I hope he's joking.
what's he going to say though, really? If he starts naming positions the price goes up. He has to be general about everything. I think you'd have to be blind (his words) if a forward wasn't on his radar, as well as another central midfield player. I think we all know Stan is on his last legs, and Delph will only just be coming back.
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"But you need to be blind or Martin O'Neill not to see that there are some areas where we are not blessed with numbers."
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The fact is, we currently have four strikers in the first team squad which should be more than enough for the number of fixtures Villa have, especially when we play one up front. Lets not panic because we have a few injuries.
Personally I still think the CM is the most important area is CM, because even when everyone is fit I think that we're still a bit lacking.
If we can get Delf out on loan, or sell carew/heskey then the need for a striker increases however it may be hard to do all that in the January window.
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The fact is, we currently have four strikers in the first team squad which should be more than enough for the number of fixtures Villa have, especially when we play one up front. Lets not panic because we have a few injuries.
Personally I still think the CM is the most important area is CM, because even when everyone is fit I think that we're still a bit lacking.
If we can get Delf out on loan, or sell carew/heskey then the need for a striker increases however it may be hard to do all that in the January window.
But one is out injured,one is still young and unproven,the other is in form but far from prolific,and the last one looks like he's leaving very soon,so i hope its a priority. In an ideal world it'll be a forward and a midfielder,what we need is a couple of signings like the Young Carew scoop a few years back.
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So we're after Lenny Henry, Victoria Wood and the Chuckle Brothers?
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None of our 4 strikers are prolific at finishing off chances- we are crying out for a natural goalscorer and central midfielder who can create things- I'm sure gerard will make these a priority.
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None of our 4 strikers are prolific at finishing off chances- we are crying out for a natural goalscorer and central midfielder who can create things- I'm sure gerard will make these a priority.
Who are these mythical natural goalscorers? OK, so they do exist, but they all cost £20m+
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The fact is, we currently have four strikers in the first team squad which should be more than enough for the number of fixtures Villa have, especially when we play one up front. Lets not panic because we have a few injuries.
Personally I still think the CM is the most important area is CM, because even when everyone is fit I think that we're still a bit lacking.
If we can get Delf out on loan, or sell carew/heskey then the need for a striker increases however it may be hard to do all that in the January window.
the ones we got arnt good enough, thats why we need some more,
preferably ones that can score some goals
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I suppose my point is, that we are currently running marginally beyond our means, therefore in order to balance the books we need some "outs" to compensate for the desired "ins".
We cannot just keep throwing money at the problem as it will restrict us in the future (when there may be better players / better value available)
The huge caveat is that IF the right player became available then we should of course make the move, however I suspect that in January the "right" player will not be available and we could end up signing a player who in 6-12 months time will be another expensive signing sitting on our bench alongside Carew and Heskey.
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Shorey and Harewood have departed, Davies may or may not extend his loan stint at Leicester and there could be one or two more on the way out.
So if the wage bill was an issue (and by all accounts it was) it should be less of a factor now.
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Good point KG. Gardner too should be added to the list of outs.
Signing bonanza it is then!
Hang-on, I still think we should look to get rid of one of the strikers as we just don't need five, but the economics I was worried about are indeed less of a problem.
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So where is this money appearing from then? I thought we had none, hence no new MON signings, hence MON walking out.
Unless we sell Sidwell for £20m...
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you need to be blind not to see that there are some areas where we are not blessed with numbers.
can we use that as the word filter for martin o'neill?
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Benzema on loan ..
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Unless we sell Sidwell for £2
That is more realistic.
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We need a striker and cm so if we can bring in at least two players in january that should help us out untill the summer.
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seems its now obligatory to say that he replaced Martin O'Neill and is 63 each time there's an article or mention.
I reckon he's after another centre back and 2 wingers :)
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So where is this money appearing from then? I thought we had none, hence no new MON signings, hence MON walking out.
Unless we sell Sidwell for £20m...
The General has said that Houllier will be given time and resources to get it right. He made the point of stressing the resources bit. I assumed this meant that money would be made available to him, or maybe they were about to restock the stationery cupboard. hhmmmm.
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Tell me where anyone said there is no money for players. Surely what Learner said was we had to get a grip on the wage bill and lose some of the non-achievers that inflated our wage bill.
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Carew will be gone in January. That will free up a large chunk of wages for a new striker.
In theory we should have 20m sitting around from the sale of Milner and Gardner. I would hope that GH will have this to spend if he thinks that the right people are available.
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We'll be getting a back four of Marti Caine, Mickie Most, Tony Hatch and Roger de Courcey. Nookie the Bear will replace Sidwell.
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We'll be getting a back four of Marti Caine, Mickie Most, Tony Hatch and Roger de Courcey. Nookie the Bear will replace Sidwell.
I take it that was a New Faces reference BE? if so you missed out Rod Hull and Bob Carolgee.
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What no Spit the Dog?
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So where is this money appearing from then? I thought we had none, hence no new MON signings, hence MON walking out.
Unless we sell Sidwell for £20m...
I don't think MON was ever told we had none. The General confirmed something along the lines of........ MON was told HE would not be given any until the wage bill was reduced as MON had spent an awful lot of money and wages on players that were no where near the first team by HIS choosing. Is it that difficult to understand?
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I'm also interested in who is getting flogged in Jan too. Surely Osbourne & Salifou can't survive another transfer window.
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I remember after the Togo bus shooting incident MON saying what a great bloke Salifou is to have around the club. I genuinely think he was employed by MON in a player/sports phycologist role, in other words a very expensive comedian.
I doubt Houllier will agree, although we'd still have to find a buyer.
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" Will it be up front? Not necessarily."
Christ, I hope he's joking.
what's he going to say though, really? If he starts naming positions the price goes up. He has to be general about everything. I think you'd have to be blind (his words) if a forward wasn't on his radar, as well as another central midfield player. I think we all know Stan is on his last legs, and Delph will only just be coming back.
Unless he's he's trying in a reverse kind of way to motivate the strkers we have.
No need for mind games when it comes to what positions need to be filled - it's the semi-negative statement ("not necessarily") that is a bit of a concern, and a massive concern if true.
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Lees, as to goalscorers costing £20m -well we missed out on the likes of Defoe, bent and crouch who have all been sold for far less than that and all score more goals than any of our strikers- phil Thompson seems to think owen will be one of the players we need , maybe Santa cruz too?
It is clear we need someone who can put chances away and I'm sure that
gerard will address this - I think Carew will be one of players to depart the club soon.
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We need a proven goal-scorer and a creative midfielder.
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We have missed out on
Keane
Crouch
Bent
Defoe
Kenwyne
Gyan
Gudjohnsen
They have all moved to premier league clubs in the last few years, I'm no saying they are all great but we could sure as hell use one of those now.
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We did not miss out on Crouch. Which Gudjohnsen? Joey or Eidur?
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We need a proven goal-scorer and a creative midfielder.
True enough, but if it's a single signing in January, a proven goalscorer for me please.
£20 million will get us a really good striker and we should be able to contest for that level of player with the funds left over from selling Gardner and Milner.
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Benzema could potentially be available for loan, but if he were to do well he'd be off to Man Utd in the Summer.
Guillem Horau looks a bloody good player and potentially gettable too.
I think our team needs a lot of reshaping tbh.
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We did not miss out on Crouch. Which Gudjohnsen? Joey or Eidur?
Eidur, when I say miss out, I'm referring to strikers that have moved for around 10 million,
Anyway how refreshing is it too have a manager who can see what we can see.
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We did not miss out on Crouch. Which Gudjohnsen? Joey or Eidur?
Eidur, when I say miss out, I'm referring to strikers that have moved for around 10 million,
Anyway how refreshing is it too have a manager who can see what we can see.
Apologies.
Agreed.
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Looks like Santa Cruz is leaving city in January. He hasn't done much for a while but might be worth a shout if sensibly priced. Could fit in nicely with us in the short term.
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Can't see benzema coming here on loan, he'll stay with real madrid
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If there is one signing that should be a priority its almost certainly central (defensive) midfield. So much so that needing two of them would not be an exaggeration. After NRC we have nobody until Delph returns and Gardner comes of age. Petrov will return eventually but needed improving on already and Sidwell is worse than useless.
Of other immediate concern is left back cover, possible long term goalkeeper (if Guzan is not fancied and until Seigrist is ready) and yes, a finisher.
I think we'll see three in January, a midfelder, a left back and a striker.
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Looks like Santa Cruz is leaving city in January. He hasn't done much for a while but might be worth a shout if sensibly priced. Could fit in nicely with us in the short term.
Seconded.
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None of our 4 strikers are prolific at finishing off chances- we are crying out for a natural goalscorer and central midfielder who can create things- I'm sure gerard will make these a priority.
Who are these mythical natural goalscorers? OK, so they do exist, but they all cost £20m+
No they don't.
I don't really understand the fatalism about buying a goalscorer. It's never easy to find and acquire very good players in any position, goalscorers included, but I don't see why we shouldn't at least have a go.
Of our current strikers, one is injured for a while, one looks like he doesn't give a fuck beyond waving at the Holte End any more (much the pity), one is enjoying a rare spell of good form but will never be relied upon to provide goals, and one is an unproven kid.
It's difficult to find a decent striker, but if we don't try, if we just accept that we're not going to be able to find someone, we might as well pack up and stop even trying to improve, surely?
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None of our 4 strikers are prolific at finishing off chances- we are crying out for a natural goalscorer and central midfielder who can create things- I'm sure gerard will make these a priority.
Who are these mythical natural goalscorers? OK, so they do exist, but they all cost £20m+
No they don't.
I don't really understand the fatalism about buying a goalscorer. It's never easy to find and acquire very good players in any position, goalscorers included, but I don't see why we shouldn't at least have a go.
Of our current strikers, one is injured for a while, one looks like he doesn't give a fuck beyond waving at the Holte End any more (much the pity), one is enjoying a rare spell of good form but will never be relied upon to provide goals, and one is an unproven kid.
It's difficult to find a decent striker, but if we don't try, if we just accept that we're not going to be able to find someone, we might as well pack up and stop even trying to improve, surely?
Thou speaketh much sense, even Kennwyne Jones would be an improvement on our strike force at the moment, and Stoke signed him.
They're there, they're gettable - Wigan have one I wouldn't mind in Rodallega ( Santa Cruz would be great though).
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the problem is ecacerbated by the lack of goals from elsewhere
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Have any of our centre halves scored this season?*
*Dunne's own goal at Sunderland does not count.
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I am sure Houllier already has some major targets for Jan. Two midfielders and a striker i hope. Gary Gardner and Delph will also end the season as major "new" challengers ..........
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Dare I say that if Delph makes a comeback it will be like a new signing :)
I think he will definately go for a defensive midfielder, a spare left back and a striker and I hope its not Owen, he is injured again!! He is also taking about quitting football if Manure release him.
I do think given time though that Ireland can become a creative midfielder we need
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If only scotty Parker was gettable on the cheap, he is just what we need. But he is too expensive for someone his age.
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I'd love a regular goal scorer. But what are the chances we'll get someone who'll do a better job and get more goals than gabby? Not that obvious who we'd get to me.
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I'd love a regular goal scorer. But what are the chances we'll get someone who'll do a better job and get more goals than gabby? Not that obvious who we'd get to me.
That, with all due respect, is one of the reasons that you sir are not managing a football club.
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I'd love a regular goal scorer. But what are the chances we'll get someone who'll do a better job and get more goals than gabby? Not that obvious who we'd get to me.
That, with all due respect, is one of the reasons that you sir are not managing a football club.
MON managed a football club,
he bought Marlon Harewood, i dont give a shit what you think, but i could have done better than that
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It says in the Mirror (which I don't read) that:
John Carew's late pull-out from the Carling Cup win over Burnley annoyed Houllier, who quipped: "He seems to have recovered from his little flu - if it was flu."
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It was Man Flu. Deadly.