Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Vanilla on November 07, 2011, 11:20:46 AM
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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Aston-Villa-manager-Alex-McLeish-slams-rumours-of-Darren-Bent-sale-article828178.html
Not that I want to trend a negative, but the manager did say something similar about Downing.
However, if we have to sell to buy, and we are still deficient in a number of areas, should this be considered?
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It just ain't going to happen. And even if it was contemplated I think it'd take something like the Carroll fee to prise him away.
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I wouldn't even consider less than £50 million.
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Valid figures, but if we had to raise funds to start fully rebuilding the team, then should we consider it?
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McL said only last week about the need to reduce the wage bill further. Bent ain't on buttons?
There are others I'd prefer to go first, but £50m would be extremely difficult for Randy to resist.
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i really rate Bent and want us to keep hold of him but if he left us who would he go to?
The only team I could think of maybe Arsenal but I couldn't see Wenger stumping up the cash
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Not under any circumstances. It would be the last straw for any remaining floating supporters and something like commercial (and footballing) suicide second only to selling Gabby.
We dont need to rebuild the team as such, just replace a few spare parts (defence mostly) and bring the youth through.
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He wont leave it's just paper talk I think we will keep him thank you.
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McL said only last week about the need to reduce the wage bill further. Bent ain't on buttons?
There are others I'd prefer to go first, but £50m would be extremely difficult for Randy to resist.
By next summer Heskey, Beye and Cuellar will be out of contract, which pretty much acheives the wages reduction without the need to sell anyone. Although I can see Ireland be flogged aswell.
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Regarding Downing, I think you'll find he was as good as gone when AMcL took over.
It was probably too far down the line to change his mind.
Don't think DB will go, he's begining to form a partnership with Gabby and I don't think Randy would sell, there's only so much cost cutting you can do.
If they want to make some money, rename the Witton Lane Stand.
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Not under any circumstances. It would be the last straw for any remaining floating supporters and something like commercial (and footballing) suicide second only to selling Gabby.
We dont need to rebuild the team as such, just replace a few spare parts (defence mostly) and bring the youth through.
Agree
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Not under any circumstances. It would be the last straw for any remaining floating supporters and something like commercial (and footballing) suicide second only to selling Gabby.
We dont need to rebuild the team as such, just replace a few spare parts (defence mostly) and bring the youth through.
Agree
We did hear that in the summer though: Bring in N'Zogbia, and develop Albrighton and Delph etc - job done.
But none of which has worked at the moment.
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Valid figures, but if we had to raise funds to start fully rebuilding the team, then should we consider it?
No. I'd rather cut my own face off.
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I could understand if Bent was less than happy having come to us with the prospect of service from Young and Downing and then losing that in the summer. If his goals dried up as a consequence he'd be worried about his England prospects, but he's still in Capello's squad this week. At the minute I'd not sell him under any circumstances or at any price. His goals could be the difference between us staying up or going down, and to sell him in January would be tantamount to commercial and footballing suicide.
If we need to trim the wages further there are others who could go before Bent - Beye, Ireland, Carlos (reluctantly), Heskey for example. My worry is McLeish might sell Bent and then renew Heskey's contract - and that would seriously test my loyalty for a ST next year.
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He wont leave it's just paper talk I think we will keep him thank you.
We have to accept that when a middling Premier League club have an excellent player, the press are going to be looking for stories regarding interest from other teams.
Tis just the way of things.
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A total non-story, some London based journo filling up space. He's scoring, at a club not going to do much, let's try and get him moved. Soon they will start linking him with clubs.
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Sadly, any player who's doing the business at B6 will now be rumoured to be on his bike now.
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How could we possibly need tor educe the wage bill further? Sure the likes of Heskey and Beye are on too much, but we have removed Young x2, Downing, Makoun and NRC from the books and received some £40m+ in transfer fees.
Gates will drop as will merchandise sales and our league position if we sell any more stars.
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This would be the Mirror who yesterday linked N'zogbia with a January move to Sunderland.
I honestly don't know how manager manage to give these Hacks a straight answer, mine would be "Yeah we're selling him to Gretna for £80 Million, should be a good bit of business that"
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Darren Bent scores goals, we aren't going to sell him at a loss, therefore we're right to demand at least £25mil+. Can I see a club stumping up huge money to sign him? No, honestly I can't. Look at the clubs bigger than us, Would they consider him? This isn't a knock at Bent, but the bigger clubs could probably attract a better all round player, who does score goals. Could I see Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Man Utd, City signing him? No. Probably not even Liverpool, so, where would he go then? There's not many choices left. Abroad? Doubt it. Does he want to keep moving around? He's got in the England side now from being at Villa, and he's scoring for us. He earns great money. I think he'll be with us for a couple of years at least.
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Non story lazy journalism.
He has said he's happy here and sick of moving. As has been said only Liverpool would be likely interested and they will prob have to give the pony tailed twat a bit longer before off loading him. Who else could afford the cash needed to get Randy semi erect - QPR??
My only worry is that he might get a bit restless re Eng spot if we start to fall down the table - fixtures before window opens look a little more tricky that what we have enjoyed to date - and let's be frank we have struggled against the poorer teams. I don't have any faith in our board to not cave in if the agent started to fuck around and there was a serious bid
Sat Nov 19 Tottenham Hotspur A
Sat Nov 26 Swansea City A
Sat Dec 3 Manchester United H
Sat Dec 10 Bolton Wanderers A
Sat Dec 17 Liverpool H
Wed Dec 21 Arsenal H
Mon Dec 26 Stoke City A
Sat Dec 31 Chelsea A
That said - confident he'll remain with us this year (and hopefully beyond, especially if we decide having a competitive midfield could be an idea and recruit accordingly in the summer)
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even if we did get £50m I seriously doubt it would be used to re-build the team, it would go into Randy's back pocket.
We'd be scrapping for Bosmans
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This will happen to us as long we are not challenging near the top. It makes sense for the press to come up with rumours related to top players at mid table teams wanting to achieve the "coveted" 4th spot somewhere else. Why would a player be happy unless he is earning the equivalent of the GDP of a small nation every week and not playing for one of the Sky 5 or 6 whatever it is now?
As for his England spot, it will always be in danger as long as the media obsesses about Wayne Rooney. He could score 10 times in the first three Euro Group games next summer and as long as Rooney is available to be picked thereafter Bent is going to be the fall guy. The nations obssesion with Rooney is repulsive and the likes of Sky and Talksport will be driving that bus as fast as they can.
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A total non-story, some London based journo filling up space.
Was the Evening Mail's backpage lead on Saturday. So a total non-story copied by an even lazier London hack. McLeish responding with indignance to rumours. If Bent keeps playing like he did on Saturday, there will be more rumours. Don't care about the rumours just that he keeps on playing like that.
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Sadly, I don't trust the board not to cash in on him, given the chance.
In the past I would have, but then I never thought they'd sell both Ashley Young and Stewart Downing in the same window.
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Sadly, I don't trust the board not to cash in on him, given the chance.
In the past I would have, but then I never thought they'd sell both Ashley Young and Stewart Downing in the same window.
To be fair to them, Ash was always going to go at some point and Downing virtually held a gun to the head of the club. It would have taken a brave owner to have told Downing where to go.
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Sadly, I don't trust the board not to cash in on him, given the chance.
In the past I would have, but then I never thought they'd sell both Ashley Young and Stewart Downing in the same window.
Id be suprised . Young had given us good service and went to a top team , I can understand and Downing is just a c**t ..
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and I still think 20 million for the c**t was good money
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Sadly, I don't trust the board not to cash in on him, given the chance.
In the past I would have, but then I never thought they'd sell both Ashley Young and Stewart Downing in the same window.
To be fair to them, Ash was always going to go at some point and Downing virtually held a gun to the head of the club. It would have taken a brave owner to have told Downing where to go.
How did Downing hold a gun to their head? By saying he wanted to go?
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He wont leave it's just paper talk I think we will keep him thank you.
I don't think its even paper talk. As far as I can make out it's speculation based on the chat of Villa fans on another forum who seem hell bent on selling our best players for us.
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Sadly, I don't trust the board not to cash in on him, given the chance.
In the past I would have, but then I never thought they'd sell both Ashley Young and Stewart Downing in the same window.
To be fair to them, Ash was always going to go at some point and Downing virtually held a gun to the head of the club. It would have taken a brave owner to have told Downing where to go.
How did Downing hold a gun to their head? By saying he wanted to go?
I get the feeling that at the moment Liverpool turned his head, he had no intention of staying. I also suspect that given the desire of the club to cut costs, they had no intention of keeping him.
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Sadly, any player who's doing the business at B6 will now be rumoured to be on his bike now.
This. Also heard Bannan is on his way to Man Utd or Arsenal and Gabby's off to Spuds.
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Bannan isnt good enough for Manure .
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I think Bent will only go if he wants to. If he's happy here then we'll keep him.
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Bannan isnt good enough for Manure .
Bannan isn't good enough for our first team let alone Man Utd's or anyone else's.
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Sadly, any player who's doing the business at B6 will now be rumoured to be on his bike now.
This. Also heard Bannan is on his way to Man Utd or Arsenal and Gabby's off to Spuds.
Gabby will never leave, unless we go down. The lads Villa through and through. He's also playing the best football for a few seasons too.
Credit to AMcL on his form
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Where has this 50m number come from, I could not see it in the Mirror piece?
That's an insane amount of money for Bent.
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No need to get Bent out of shape over this!
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Where has this 50m number come from, I could not see it in the Mirror piece?
That's an insane amount of money for Bent.
One of the earlier posters said it should be close to the Torres figure so it seems to have stuck.
Personally, after recent events, the only time I will think we are not selling Bent in January is when he is still in a Villa shirt on 1st Feb 2012.
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Sadly, any player who's doing the business at B6 will now be rumoured to be on his bike now.
This. Also heard Bannan is on his way to Man Utd or Arsenal and Gabby's off to Spuds.
Gabby will never leave, unless we go down. The lads Villa through and through. He's also playing the best football for a few seasons too.
Credit to AMcL on his form
That won't stop the rumours and press speculation though.
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Bannan isnt good enough for Manure .
Bannan isn't good enough for our first team let alone Man Utd's or anyone else's.
In three or four years he might be. That's probably the way managers look at things. I'd say he's on Fergie's radar. He'd have to become a top player for us first though. Sad, but that's the way it is.
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Bannan isnt good enough for Manure .
Bannan isn't good enough for our first team let alone Man Utd's or anyone else's.
In three or four years he might be. That's probably the way managers look at things. I'd say he's on Fergie's radar. He'd have to become a top player for us first though. Sad, but that's the way it is.
It wouldn't surprise me that Fletcher is having words with him every Scotland match. The rumours about Bannan going there have been around since he was on loan at Blackpool. He would definitely replace Scholes in their team.
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Rumours started by who though, deluded fans who think he's gonna be a world beater?
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Rumours started by who though, deluded fans who think he's gonna be a world beater?
No, rumours by the press. That is the point, as soon as someone shows something at Villa they'll be linked to other teams. If Herd has a couple more decent games it wouldn't surprise me if there is a rumour concerning him.
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Not sure I really care. Odd as he's probably going to be the first 20 goals in a season striker we've had for years. The only player I'd really be bothered about would be Gabby.
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I think we paid pretty much the ceiling price for Bent, especially if we pay all the add-ons and the fee turns out to be 24m. With all our other sales there were mitigating circumstances which to some degree justified their departures: with Milner and Downing we were given the opportunity to make huge profits and with Young and Barry they had run down their contracts. Plus, in all these instances the players had shown a desire to leave Villa.
As Bent does not tick any of the above boxes (profit, contract, desire to leave) then I cannot really see him going anywhere.
In my mind any sale would not make footballing or economic sense and therefore would prove that the club are in absolute financial turmoil. It will not happen.
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Rumours started by who though, deluded fans who think he's gonna be a world beater?
Re: Bannon - You only have to read some comments on this site a few weeks ago to see those sentiments.
Funny how things change.
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A bit more to his interview:
Budgets
McLeish said: "The position hasn't changed since I spoke to Mr Lerner in the summer. We are still trying to keep the budgets in control.
"The wages are still astronomical and we have to work together at the club to try and get them to where the chairman wants them."
The manager added: "The internet rumours [about Bent] are utter nonsense. It is utter rubbish. It is a phenomenon of the modern world - Twitter and Facebook - and it is not my world.
"Am I under pressure to sell a big name? No. It is not ever been thought about, let alone discussed."
If we're to believe every rumour, I've just read that Sunderland are about to table a £15m offer in January for N'Zogbia.
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I think if things carry on the way they are with his partnership with Gabby we've got nothing to worry about. If anything it'll be the heavy reliance on both of them. as far as balancing the books/squad go, flog Dunne or Collins because I'm fairly certain the if he doesn't get enough games Clark could be the next Cahill.
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Sadly, any player who's doing the business at B6 will now be rumoured to be on his bike now.
This. Also heard Bannan is on his way to Man Utd or Arsenal and Gabby's off to Spuds.
The frustrating thing is it seems to be Villa fans on Villa forums who are coming out with all this stuff. I mean, Spurs and Arsenal? Are they really that much of a step up as things stand? In twelve to twenty-four months' time the whole picture could be completely different and things could be looking a lot more rosy at Villa Park. I suppose Randy needs to come out and renew our optimism with a new statement of intent - that just might stop us talking ourselves into selling our best lads.
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He's scores a brace on Saturday and it's an international week making domestic club news thin on the ground. The two combined take it an easy story to concoct .
In any case, where would he go? The truth is he isn't top, top draw, so he isn't going to Manchester, Arsenal or Chelsea. He's given Spurs a crack and left under a cloud. So that leaves Liverpool, who one would imagine are currently spent up.
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Sadly, any player who's doing the business at B6 will now be rumoured to be on his bike now.
This. Also heard Bannan is on his way to Man Utd or Arsenal and Gabby's off to Spuds.
The frustrating thing is it seems to be Villa fans on Villa forums who are coming out with all this stuff. I mean, Spurs and Arsenal? Are they really that much of a step up as things stand? In twelve to twenty-four months' time the whole picture could be completely different and things could be looking a lot more rosy at Villa Park. I suppose Randy needs to come out and renew our optimism with a new statement of intent - that just might stop us talking ourselves into selling our best lads.
I read it on a gossip column about a year ago. I also heard fresh rumours from a united supporting friend. I don't think villa fans make up these rumours. And as things stand Spurs and Arsenal would be a step up. As you rightly point out things could well be different in a year. Spurs could be the next club forced on an austerity drive, who knows.
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From the moment he joined I didn't think Bent would be here more than a year or two, I'd be surprised to see him in the line up at the start of next season.
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No smoke without fire.
Given our track record, its only a matter of time.
And, the fact that McLeish knows nothing about it doesn't mean jack shit.
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He's scores a brace on Saturday and it's an international week making domestic club news thin on the ground. The two combined take it an easy story to concoct .
Very true, this time last week he was being slated for his miss against Sunderland. This week he's making a big money move in January.
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Bannan isnt good enough for Manure .
Bannan isn't good enough for our first team let alone Man Utd's or anyone else's.
In three or four years he might be. That's probably the way managers look at things. I'd say he's on Fergie's radar. He'd have to become a top player for us first though. Sad, but that's the way it is.
It wouldn't surprise me that Fletcher is having words with him every Scotland match. The rumours about Bannan going there have been around since he was on loan at Blackpool. He would definitely replace Scholes in their team.
what you on . replace Scholes , youre having a laugh
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Darren Bent wants to go to the European Championships. As long as he is in a team creating chances for him to showcase his finishing ability he'll be fine. Unless money is his primary motivator he'll be much better staying put playing each week rather than being rotated at a CL club or similar.
By way of example, Milner would be England's first pick central midfielder if he'd have stayed at Villa IMO. He's probably quite happy with things, but his international career has suffered from being rotated and being shunted out wide again.
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Not under any circumstances. It would be the last straw for any remaining floating supporters and something like commercial (and footballing) suicide second only to selling Gabby.
Spot on.
However, before the Summer I'd have complete faith Randy would have the same stance. However now, I'm not as sure.
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even if we did get £50m I seriously doubt it would be used to re-build the team, it would go into Randy's back pocket.
We'd be scrapping for Bosmans
Agree. Cue the "I can't believe the club let Marlon Harewood leave before I had the chance to get the best out of him" from McLeish after that.
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even if we did get £50m I seriously doubt it would be used to re-build the team, it would go into Randy's back pocket.
We'd be scrapping for Bosmans
Agree. Cue the "I can't believe the club let Marlon Harewood leave before I had the chance to get the best out of him" from McLeish after that.
You miserable buggers! You appear to be outraged that we haven't spent 50m from a transfer that hasn't and probably won't happen. Which somehow means McLeish will be wanting Marlon Harewood.
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Everyone has his price, EVERYONE at every club.
Will Bent be going to Newcastle - No, but if they offered Carrolls £35m, I'd take it
Will Sunderland offer £15m for N'Zogbia - No, but if they I'd take that too
Will Bannan go to Man U - No, he's not good enough to play regularly for us, so Man U is just a dream. Young Mr Bannan needs to keep his feet on the ground & become a premiership footballer first.
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Darren Bent scores goals, we aren't going to sell him at a loss, therefore we're right to demand at least £25mil+. Can I see a club stumping up huge money to sign him? No, honestly I can't. Look at the clubs bigger than us, Would they consider him? This isn't a knock at Bent, but the bigger clubs could probably attract a better all round player, who does score goals. Could I see Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Man Utd, City signing him? No. Probably not even Liverpool, so, where would he go then? There's not many choices left. Abroad? Doubt it. Does he want to keep moving around? He's got in the England side now from being at Villa, and he's scoring for us. He earns great money. I think he'll be with us for a couple of years at least.
I don't think he'll go but Liverpool, QPR and Newcastle are all potential places he could go. As are Spurs when Redknapp gets the England job and Adebayor goes elsewhere next Summer.
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We won on Saturday and there was a reasonable attendance. So obviously today's pessimism quota has to come from somewhere else.
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Bannan isnt good enough for Manure .
Bannan isn't good enough for our first team let alone Man Utd's or anyone else's.
In three or four years he might be. That's probably the way managers look at things. I'd say he's on Fergie's radar. He'd have to become a top player for us first though. Sad, but that's the way it is.
It wouldn't surprise me that Fletcher is having words with him every Scotland match. The rumours about Bannan going there have been around since he was on loan at Blackpool. He would definitely replace Scholes in their team.
what you on . replace Scholes , youre having a laugh
Scholes wasn't exactly setting the world on fire when he was first in the team with the rest. In fact I remember him being linked with us along with others before when Gregory was here but he stayed after talking with Fergie. He might not have the shooting ability of him but the passing side of can be as good. And they both are as bad at the defensive and ball winning side.
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As much as I like Bannan, Scholes was quite a bit ahead of him at the same age.
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End of the day AM can say what he wants because its not up to him. If we get a big offer in January or next summer he'll be off, and as we've given up trying to be anymore than also-rans, you couldn't blame the player. I'm not even sure he would have come to us if he'd known we'd be selling all the better players a few months after he joined.
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Bannan isnt good enough for Manure .
Bannan isn't good enough for our first team let alone Man Utd's or anyone else's.
In three or four years he might be. That's probably the way managers look at things. I'd say he's on Fergie's radar. He'd have to become a top player for us first though. Sad, but that's the way it is.
It wouldn't surprise me that Fletcher is having words with him every Scotland match. The rumours about Bannan going there have been around since he was on loan at Blackpool. He would definitely replace Scholes in their team.
what you on . replace Scholes , youre having a laugh
My thoughts exactly
I think Bannan is a good little player with great vision and an eye for a pass but let's be honest when he was at Leeds he was getting splinters in his arse and AM prefers to play Ivanhoe above him.
I expect Bannan, Albrighton and Delph to be on their way within the next 18 months simply because I think AM doesn't rate them and/or doesn't know how to get the best out of them
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End of the day AM can say what he wants because its not up to him. If we get a big offer in January or next summer he'll be off, and as we've given up trying to be anymore than also-rans, you couldn't blame the player. I'm not even sure he would have come to us if he'd known we'd be selling all the better players a few months after he joined.
What would you consider to be a decent offer?
I'm not positive what his contract situation is but I'd guess that it is not an issue for it to affect his price (yet). Therefore unless we get an offer in excess of 24m I doubt we will sell. A I mentioned earlier I think we paid pretty much Bent's Ceiling price so I cannot see anyone offering enough money.
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Bannan isnt good enough for Manure .
Bannan isn't good enough for our first team let alone Man Utd's or anyone else's.
In three or four years he might be. That's probably the way managers look at things. I'd say he's on Fergie's radar. He'd have to become a top player for us first though. Sad, but that's the way it is.
It wouldn't surprise me that Fletcher is having words with him every Scotland match. The rumours about Bannan going there have been around since he was on loan at Blackpool. He would definitely replace Scholes in their team.
what you on . replace Scholes , youre having a laugh
My thoughts exactly
I think Bannan is a good little player with great vision and an eye for a pass but let's be honest when he was at Leeds he was getting splinters in his arse and AM prefers to play Ivanhoe above him.
I expect Bannan, Albrighton and Delph to be on their way within the next 18 months simply because I think AM doesn't rate them and/or doesn't know how to get the best out of them
I don't think its a case that AMcL doesn't rate them.
Albrighton is struggling for form so is on the bench.
He is using Bannan, but was aware that he'd played quite a lot of games, inc Scotland, so rested him. BB then had his faux pas with his car and was suspended for a week.
Delph lost his place when he picked up a knock, If I remember correctly.
He's also using the squad, which is quite refreshing.
I reckon he's got his system now, so players can fit in and get used to it.
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But using Scholes as an example of breaking into a team, rather than a player, Bannan isn't too far behind. Scholes wasn't a regular by any means for the first few years of his career (admittedly the midfield/attack was a bit harder to get into but even so).
Bannan is still 21 - he can develop into a decent attacking midfielder with us even if it takes him another 2/3 seasons to become a regular.
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Bannan has played a lot of games so is being rested?????
Bugger me the kid at 22 should be in his prime and chomping at the bit to play twice a week.
AM doesn't know how to use him because he isn't a right ringer and why start Heskey above him?
I don't know where the rubbish about Scholes not being a first team regular has come from, he made his debut at 19 and in his first season he made 17 league appearances and from then he made at least 20 league appearances per season until he retired.
Compare that to BB who is 22 next month and has made 20 appearances for us
No comparison whatsover
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It is quite odd reading some of the replies that state we shouldn't sell Bent at any cost or for an extortionate amount. Yet when Young or Downing are mentioned, it is said we couldn't keep them as they wanted to go.
So all Bent really has to do is say, 'Hey boss, I wanna go.' Then we sell him, and the club and fans can blame the player.
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Bannan isnt good enough for Manure .
Bannan isn't good enough for our first team let alone Man Utd's or anyone else's.
In three or four years he might be. That's probably the way managers look at things. I'd say he's on Fergie's radar. He'd have to become a top player for us first though. Sad, but that's the way it is.
It wouldn't surprise me that Fletcher is having words with him every Scotland match. The rumours about Bannan going there have been around since he was on loan at Blackpool. He would definitely replace Scholes in their team.
what you on . replace Scholes , youre having a laugh
My thoughts exactly
I think Bannan is a good little player with great vision and an eye for a pass but let's be honest when he was at Leeds he was getting splinters in his arse and AM prefers to play Ivanhoe above him.
I expect Bannan, Albrighton and Delph to be on their way within the next 18 months simply because I think AM doesn't rate them and/or doesn't know how to get the best out of them
I don't think its a case that AMcL doesn't rate them.
Albrighton is struggling for form so is on the bench.
He is using Bannan, but was aware that he'd played quite a lot of games, inc Scotland, so rested him. BB then had his faux pas with his car and was suspended for a week.
Delph lost his place when he picked up a knock, If I remember correctly.
He's also using the squad, which is quite refreshing.
I reckon he's got his system now, so players can fit in and get used to it.
Quite right.
Delph started the first half dozen games or so for us, although IMO in the wrong position, Albrighton has been struggling for form and Bannan was worked into the team when Heskey got injured. They've all had their chances.
The only one I think does have some reason to moan is Clark.
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But don't forget AM saying that if players were rubbish they would be dropped.
I think Clark will be another one on his way.
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But don't forget AM saying that if players were rubbish they would be dropped.
I think Clark will be another one on his way.
I am not sure that Collins or Dunne has been consistently rubbish enough to justify dropping them though. They seem to share the cock-ups pretty evenly between them, and mix it all up with some sterling bits of defending too.
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But don't forget AM saying that if players were rubbish they would be dropped.
I think Clark will be another one on his way.
I am not sure that Collins or Dunne has been consistently rubbish enough to justify dropping them though. They seem to share the cock-ups pretty evenly between them, and mix it all up with some sterling bits of defending too.
Exactly.
I mentioned this in the Norwich post match thread, but I think the defenders are doing relatively OK individually (fullbacks not so much, but seem to be improving) and it's more the collective organistation that seems to be letting us down. Some problems in a football side are best solved by dropping players and/or the transfer market and some are best solved on the training pitch. I think our current defensive issues are the latter.
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Albrighton had an amzing debut season, Bannan has been one of the better players this season, Delph started well and has had injuries but has so much potential and Clark is third choice centre half who can play left back and midfield. I dont think any of them are going anywhere yet and if they do it's madness.
If Bannan makes a habit of driving half cut, perhaps.
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The thing is with Bannan is that he needs to be starting regularly and playing behind bent so he can break defences down with his passing
Coming on with 10 minutes to go and putting him on the wing isn't going to do this.
Our kids have been full of potential for perhaps 2 seasons but now at 22/23 they all need to start shitting or get off the bog
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Well, all the ones mentioned have figured in the premier league now (and others also). It doesn't mean they have to take the league by storm immediately. That's not even likely.
Now its about getting games and learning and improving.
But yes, there are more coming through behind them and they have to perform to stay in contention.
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With injuries and suspensions all the players mentioned in the last few posts will get their chance again. It's up to them to show what they can do. Predicting who'll go is premature to say the least.
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Now its about getting games and learning and improving
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Totally agree
Apart from Albrighton, Bannan, Fonz, Clark and Gardner aren't getting games.
Me predicting who will go is exactly that - predicting
Do you think that say Albrighton, Delph and Clark will be content sitting on the bench all season because I don't
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I mentioned this in the Norwich post match thread, but I think the defenders are doing relatively OK individually (fullbacks not so much, but seem to be improving) and it's more the collective organistation that seems to be letting us down. Some problems in a football side are best solved by dropping players and/or the transfer market and some are best solved on the training pitch. I think our current defensive issues are the latter.
A possible problem with the Collins and Dunne partnership is they're too similar. They both like to win the first ball rather than anticipate where any flick on may go and therefore do not necessarily compliment each other very well. Whilst this can be improved on the training pitch I think there could be an argument that one should make way for Clark.
Put it like this, If we still need to reduce the wage bill I would prefer to promote Clark and sell Dunne (how old now? 32?) AND keep Bent (Phew, back on topic...).
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"Do you think that say Albrighton, Delph and Clark will be content sitting on the bench all season because I don't"
And I would sincerely hope they wouldn't be or we have no use for them.
They'll get chances to play again, that is certain. Then it's up to them.
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Reading this it is quite clear that there is very little belief in the club at the moment from our own fans. I just can't see how any player of ours - even now when Randy is cutting costs - would want to go to Newcastle, QPR or Liverpool. Liverpool's owner is worth less than Randy and my take on them is that if they don't make the Champs League they will be cutting costs, too. As for Spurs and Arsenal, long term who knows where they will be?
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I mentioned this in the Norwich post match thread, but I think the defenders are doing relatively OK individually (fullbacks not so much, but seem to be improving) and it's more the collective organistation that seems to be letting us down. Some problems in a football side are best solved by dropping players and/or the transfer market and some are best solved on the training pitch. I think our current defensive issues are the latter.
A possible problem with the Collins and Dunne partnership is they're too similar. They both like to win the first ball rather than anticipate where any flick on may go and therefore do not necessarily compliment each other very well. Whilst this can be improved on the training pitch I think there could be an argument that one should make way for Clark.
Put it like this, If we still need to reduce the wage bill I would prefer to promote Clark and sell Dunne (how old now? 32?) AND keep Bent (Phew, back on topic...).
When they were at their best together it was mainly Dunne that did the covering/sweeping role, but you're right - they aren't a natural partnership in the Ferninand/Vidic mold. I'd like to see Clark play with one of them for a run of games and see how it works. Maybe not right now, with the tougher fixtures coming up, but if/when we're relatively safe and with no fear of challenging for anything, as I'd expect by around March next year.
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Its only a matter of time, certainly within the next couple of years, as he will want to actually win things and play in Europe... can't blame him for that!