Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: N'ZMAV on February 07, 2012, 09:06:28 AM
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the biggest for a while.... or do we always say that?.... Depends on if the Managerial situation stays the same, and/or what funds Randy gives McLeish...
squad list taken from BBC website.
Goalkeepers
1 Given - Stay. Has had a decent start to his Villa contract, not vocal enough for my liking, quality though.
22 Guzan - Unlucky to be back on the bench. Could look to get first team Football elsewhere, has enough quality to stay in the PL.
33 Marshall - Contract will expire, Probably kept on in some sort of coaching role.
Defenders
2 Hutton - Not been a great start to his Villa career. I expect he'll stay. Improvement needed. Can't see anyone taking him off our hands if we decide to cash in.
3 Warnock - really off form lately, could see him leave this summer. Hasn't lived up to his £8million price-tag, thanks MON.
5 Dunne - I think he'll leave. Not sure where he'd end up though. Big wages and in his 30's.
6 Collins - Not as good as he was last season. Past his best I believe. I think he'll also leave.
21 Clark - Will stay. We'll have a problem hanging on to him in 2-3 years time. Top class centre back in the making.
23 Beye - GONE!
24 Cuellar - Contract is up this summer. Don't think he'll get another one. Don't really think he deserves one. Average defender. Terrible right back. Hasn't had a good run in the side since he signed though. Probably go back to Spain or Rangers.
29 Stevens - Stay. New signing.
30 Lichaj - Stay. Could push for first team RB slot next season.
32 Baker - Stay. Could push for first team LB or Centre Back slot next sason.
Midfielders
7 Ireland - Depends on how much first team Football he's going to get. He's done well the past couple of months. Niggling injuries keep coming back. I think he'll stay.
8 Jenas - Won't come back.
10 N'Zogbia - Recently had a moan and stated how unhappy he is. Despite starting to show some good form. Strange. I think he'll stay and work his differences out. I think if he does want to go we'd manage to find a buyer, probably wouldn't make a profit on him though.
12 Albrighton - Depends on how much first team Football he get's between now and the end of the season, took a long time to break in to the team this season. I think he'll stay, but may want reassurances on his long term future.
19 Petrov - Will leave. Think he'll have had enough by the end of the season. Back to Bulgaria, or even Celtic?
25 Bannan - Seems to have fallen out of favour a bit after his drink driving act. I think he'll stay. Although, I'd sell if a good offer came in.
31 Herd - Stay. Will end up a first team regular, Clark will move to centre back and Herd will play midfield role.
38 Gardner - Stay. But, it's only a matter of time till the bigger clubs come sniffing. He'll probably be here a few more years yet though...
Forwards
9 Bent - I think he'll be off this summer.
11 Agbonlahor - Stay. Loyal. Also, can't see anyone coming in for him either.
14. Delfouneso - Could be useful. Think he may go. Championship may be his level.
18 Heskey - Bye, Emile, end of contract.
20 Keane - Unfortunately, won't be here much longer.
36 Weimann - Not seen enough of him to know if he has a future at the top level or not...
When you go through the squad there doesn't seem to be many players that you expect to stay...
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A good analysis but it all depends which league we are in next season. A lot of these players would be quite good in the Championship if we could keep hold of them.
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What I imagine next years squad to be:
GK- Given, Guzan, Siegrist.
DF- Hutton, Lichaj, Stevens, Williams, Baker, Clark, *New left back*, *New centre half*, *New centre half*.
MF- Ireland, Gardner, Johnson, Carruthers, N'Zogbia, Albrighton, Delph, Herd, Bannan, *New midfield general*
F- Bent, Agbonlahor, *New #10 forward*, Delfouneso, Weimann, Burke.
I've heard that Warnock is off regardless. I expect Dunne and Collins to leave. I would offer Cuellar a new contract but I doubt that will happen. So we need at least two experienced centre halves and a senior left back.
One of Weimann or Delfouneso may have to leave but perhaps not.
So out from this years squad will go:
Marshall, Beye, Warnock (I've heard he is definitely off), Dunne, Collins, Cuellar, Jenas (although I reckon McLeish might try and sign him), Petrov, Keane (see Jenas) snd Heskey.
The resulting squad should see a very young group that will need very selective additions to guide them and take pressure off them.
But that's a saving in the region of 400k p/w before any acquisitions.
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If you've heard that about Warnock (and fingers crossed it's true) do you think we'll see him blooding Baker/Lichaj/Stevens there for the rest of the season. If the decison has been taken and his form is so wretched, I don't see any vlaue whatsoever in keeping him in the team.
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Once we've a few more points on the board maybe. I agree it would seem pointless to persist with him otherwise.
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Warnock is costing us points on a regular basis. I've rarely seen a player deteriorate so badly.
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I think we could be a little too eager to get rid of some players. I'd like a new CB and DCM to stiffen the spine of the side and hopefully stop us leaking goals, but I don't want it to be just kids to replace them, so I'd be looking to keep Petrov and one of Cuellar, Dunne or Collins as the experienced back up, with the likes of Clark, Gardner and Herd being the more regular starters alongside the new men. New LB, too.
Forward wise, once Heskey goes, it'll be any 4 from Bent, Gabby, Ireland, N'Zogbia and Super Marc and Bannan, with the Fonz and Weimann as the juniors. Keane has shown us what an extra addition of quality can bring, but for me another forward would be bottom of the list of priorities after getting the defence sorted.
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Not sure why people are saying sell Dunne and Collins and bring in the likes of Bassong and Dann. I'd rank our duo better than those two. Wouldn't be averse to the likes of Petrov and Cuellar staying for another year. Fair enough the likes of Dunne are on big wages and on the wrong side of 30 but defo don't think the players linked are any better.
Warnock has to go. Lichaj and Baker didn't do enough last season to convince me that we didn't need to bring in another left back or right back.
Big issue - we need to find a player with presence, stamina, capable of taking the ball off the back and winning the ball. A Xabi Alonso type player for about 5m lol
Makoun will leave too.
Honestly think we have the makings of a good side. If Delph could discover form it would be a big benefit. Nzogbia has huge ability but so frustrating. Ireland is a cracking player but injury prone. We still need a manager to make a team out of them though. That might mean replacing some MON loyalists but I'm not sure the players we are linked with are any better.
Keane would be a great permanent signing as captain. He is a Villa type player and a lot of people on here got it badly wrong about him. Would be surprised if it happened though. We need experience too and he has it in droves.
It's so frustrating at the moment as I think we are almost there in having a good side.
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Makoun & Delph are interesting. There's decent players in there somewhere, it's just finding the right role for them in the team. Delph as a tackling or holding midfielder isn't going to work, a box-to-box player... maybe?
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Warnock is costing us points on a regular basis. I've rarely seen a player deteriorate so badly.
What's more he's forcing others to do double their work, or be pulled out of position in trying to compensate. Other coaches have picked up on the "let's target Warnock" strategy and it has become our Achilles heel. This team, with it's attacking potential is more than capable of winning games but is undone week after week by stupid goals for a number of different situations. We it those out, the confidence will improve, and not only will we start climbing the table, remarkably all the back chat and general malaise will quietness down too.
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Makoun & Delph are interesting. There's decent players in there somewhere, it's just finding the right role for them in the team. Delph as a tackling or holding midfielder isn't going to work, a box-to-box player... maybe?
Yes, playing a more attacking role suits him, but with Ireland and Gardner in his way I can't see how he'll get much game time here.
I'd reluctantly sacrifice him and Makoun in order to help release the funds, both fees and wages, for what we need to do at the back.
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Out of the squad id like to see leave;
Petrov - For his benefit more than ours. He has been a great servant and captain. I want to remember him with fond memories rather than a player that stayed too long. If he was prepared to take a hit on his wages and drop to a squad player with a view to joining the youth/coaching team id love him to stay but I think he still has a lot to offer another team full time at a slightly lower level. Its time for a changing of the guard though as a lot of the younger lads may seek a move away otherwise (like Cahill did)
Heskey - Ive never minded Emile and he gives alot IMO but large wages combined with not fitting our system mean its time to go, tumbling bear.
Collins - Meh. I cant put my finger on why, but this guy was a trojan under MON and has never been the same since he left. Sunderland is calling Ginge....
Dunne - The complete 85min footballer. Too many errors and too many points dropped. again see, collins - why is he so different to the player we had under MON or that we see for Ireland?
Warnock - A dropping in confidence by this much should only be rectified by moving on im afraid -a shodow of the player we had. I hope he goes somewhere fresh and gets it together again as ive nothing against him...
Beye - Obviously.
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Makoun & Delph are interesting. There's decent players in there somewhere, it's just finding the right role for them in the team. Delph as a tackling or holding midfielder isn't going to work, a box-to-box player... maybe?
Yes, playing a more attacking role suits him, but with Ireland and Gardner in his way I can't see how he'll get much game time here.
I'd reluctantly sacrifice him and Makoun in order to help release the funds, both fees and wages, for what we need to do at the back.
Me too, if we could (somehow) get £10mil for Delph & Makoun then that would be excellent.
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Warnock is costing us points on a regular basis. I've rarely seen a player deteriorate so badly.
I think he has developed unprofessional "lifestyle" and that is letting him down on the pitch. I wonder how long before he seeks help?
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So reading between the lines Warnock is a piss head? Collins and Tonne have both got previous there. Get Peter Barlow in to complete the set! On a more upbeat note Joshua Webb Callum Robinson and Jordan Graham all performed well for England U17 the weekend.
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Collins, Cuellar and Warnock will leave, I think, but I'm not too sure about Dunne.
Also, I think Petrov will stay, as our midfield just looks unstable without him, and even if a potential replacement is signed or identified (i.e. Gardner), I think they'll keep Petrov and use him more sparingly.
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Will future funds be generated by cash saved on wages or transfer fee we can get in? If its the latter,well struggle to get much in,what would Makoun,Collins and Warnock get in? 10 million?
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Just had a guy come in to our place who says he knows some people connected to the club. I won't say who just in case. I didn't speak to him but some others did. I can't personally vouch for him.
Reckons that Lerner is selling up in March to some mega-rich folks. Mentioned "3rd richest" (in the world?) which could be (at the moment) Warren Buffet or could have meant Bernard Arnault. Maybe it is the Qataris as rumoured?
Yes, yes, pinch of salt but I thought I'd pass it on. Like I say, I didn't speak to the guy.
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I get the feeling that we are not going to see the extent of squad makeover that we want unless something changes at the club.
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Will future funds be generated by cash saved on wages or transfer fee we can get in? If its the latter,well struggle to get much in,what would Makoun,Collins and Warnock get in? 10 million?
If we're relying on slaes only then things won't get much better, but if Randy is prepared to release more funds, within the wage structure he wants, then we have a chance.
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I dont want new owners I just want Warnock, Collins, Tonne ,Hutton, Petrov ,Ireland, Nzogbia and Heskey to feck off..
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Defence -
Guzan and Cuellar are on a frees
Warnock, Dunne, Collins all will only have 1 year left in the Summer. So will be looking for their last big contracts. I reckon Warnock and Collins will be off. I'd be surprised if he let Dunne go as well. Stan will see out his deal, I reckon.
Given, Hutton, Clark and Dunne will be here, I think. So a new sub 'keeper, left back, centre back and another versatile defender needed to with the kids
Midfield -
Ireland has 2 years left, and if he does want out he'll see that out, he's still young and he'll get a load more money for a free transfer. Anything could happen with him. My feeling is he'll stay though.
I reckon Stan will stay and see out his deal. Marc will be here, as with Gardner, I think Delph will return.
I reckon Makoun will be sold, wouldn't be surprised to see Bannan go. Couple of CM's.
Forward - 2 forwards needed, Keane and another ideally. Gabby and Bent will stay, I reckon. Only Liverpool is a realistic destination for Bent and I can't see them going for him in the Summer.
Squad is surely going to get a big overhaul this Summer.
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I dont want new owners I just want Warnock, Collins, Tonne ,Hutton, Petrov ,Ireland, Nzogbia and Heskey to feck off..
Bit harsh on those three. Possibly Hutton too, who's been improving.
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I reckon Dunne and Petrov will stay, but Collins, Warnock, Makoun, Guzan, Cuellar and Heskey will go.
I then think 1 new centre back, probably Dann will be signed. A left back of quality will be searched for, and a real holding midfield player that can cover the back 4 will come in. Plus Keane.
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I was being slightly sarcastic john. We would need new owners to replace the ones mentioned. In an ideal world I would love to see the back of Warnock Tonne and Collins. As a team I think Petrov needs to be replaced, keep him but with our costcutting we cant afford a squad player on 50k a week. Ireland playing well but in my view injury prone and again with our budget we cant justify his salary. Nzogbia is the player i just dont get? Loads of talent but his work ethic needs looking at. Hutton I believe is getting better and will probably escape the cull.
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New owners - mmmm, imagine McClown with billions to spend!!
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Well, I wouldn't get carried away but I daresay he wouldn't be the one spending the money.
It would be interesting to see it though, even if I would be baying for Guus Hiddink.
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Nzogbia is the player i just dont get? Loads of talent but his work ethic needs looking at.
I thought N'Zogbia had improved greatly since Christmas, culminating in goal against QPR.
Ireland has also come on leaps and bounds.
I agree Petrov's shelf life is limited now but he's been a great servant to the club so wanting him to "feck off", even in jest, seems unfair to me.
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One man has to stay and that is Darren Bent. 19 goals from 39 games better ratio than Withe or anyone since who has played over 38 games.
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Goalkeepers
1 Given - Unless somebody big comes in, I think he'll be here for a long time.
22 Guzan - Impressed me during his spell whilst Given was out, great to have as a number 2 but I'm not certain he'll be happy not playing regularly.
33 Marshall - Will never make a first team appearance.
Defenders
2 Hutton - Out. Tricky one, truthfully I think we can get so much better, but can't see him going anywhere.
3 Warnock - Out. Unless something drastically changes I'd be pretty eager to get rid of him in the summer.
5 Dunne - Out. Has been a pretty good servant to the club especially given that he was forced out by Man City, the club he loved, but that said I think he's lost a bit of form and would be worth getting rid of.
6 Collins - Out. Again, lost what he once had and probably worth clearing out.
21 Clark - Keep. Bags of potential.
24 Cuellar - Keep. Not a right back but he's been our best defender this season.
29 Stevens - Keep. Seems like a bit of a MON signing to me, I feel that we'll never actually see him in the first team.
30 Lichaj - Keep. I've been impressed with what I've seen.
Midfielders
7 Ireland - Keep. Probably the stand out player of the last few months, finally beginning to settle into a role within the team and show us what he's capable of, hopefully he has the determination to stick things out even when we're struggling.
10 N'Zogbia - Undecided. Has potential but attitude might get in the way, he needs to keep performing as he has done in the past few weeks. That said, reports that he's unhappy are circulating and if that's the case then it might be worth cashing in and moving on.
12 Albrighton - Keep. He has a few critics but I really like Albrighton, he loves the club and can dominate full backs, he can go a little bit quiet but I think he'll be a big player for us in seasons to come.
19 Petrov - Keep. Petrov's scored quite a few this season and he's been a great servant, he has his detractors but I think he'll be here next season which will probably be his last at the club.
25 Bannan - Keep. I've been disappointed with Bannan this season, early on he played some lovely stuff but the last few appearances as a sub he's been very poor, Newcastle at the weekend he did barely anything. A good young talent but you have to question how much he wants it.
31 Herd - Keep. One for the future.
35 Johnson - Keep. I think this is the kid with dreads? He's looked really sharp when I've seen him.
38 Gardner - Keep. Will be a test of how much he really is a "lifelong villa fan" when the big clubs inevitably come sniffing.
Forwards
9 Bent - Keep. I honestly can't see Darren leaving, mainly because he's such an important player for us and we'd want a pretty fair whack to prize him, the only clubs that could afford him wouldn't be interested.
11 Agbonlahor - Keep. He'll never leave, it's that simple.
18 Heskey - Out. Bye Emile, thanks for the 14 goals.
26 Weimann - Out. Not seen anything to suggest he's good enough, and the same goes for Del Boy.
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We've been saying it's a big summer for a few years now. During O'Neill's time it was about getting the final piece of the jigsaw and keeping our better players (which we failed to do), now it's replacing most of the first team defence and retaining the better players (Bent, Gabby) and the more promising kids (Gardener).
Will we do those things? If so we can expect higher mid-table.
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i'm depressed just reading this thread
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I think thats a very good assessment NZ.
For me Petrov, Heskey, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Cuellar would all go in the summer.All are past their best, and none of them are that good at the moment.
For me, Clark has to play at CB, so a good foil for him is essential, GG would be ,eventually, a central midfielder first teamer, so a Frimpong/Capoue alongside him.Up front, Bent, N'Zog , Ireland and Gabby is as good as we are going to get.Must say an offer of over £25m for Bent would tempt me though, Jay Rodriguez at Burnley would be a player i would be looking at.
I think we hve a good basis of a good team tbh.
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Just had a guy come in to our place who says he knows some people connected to the club. I won't say who just in case. I didn't speak to him but some others did. I can't personally vouch for him.
Reckons that Lerner is selling up in March to some mega-rich folks. Mentioned "3rd richest" (in the world?) which could be (at the moment) Warren Buffet or could have meant Bernard Arnault. Maybe it is the Qataris as rumoured?
Yes, yes, pinch of salt but I thought I'd pass it on. Like I say, I didn't speak to the guy.
Mazrim do you work in a place called Heaven?
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Getting rid of Petrov would be madness. When you are in transition, get rid of the deadwood and the troublemakers and keep that which is good. I grant you, he's not one for the future and we should not be building our side around him. However, it is important to have some degree of continuity, particularly somebody who was an important part of what was a very good villa side.
Striking a balance between continuity and change is what makes success in my opinion. Getting rid of Petrov, for me, would constitute a step too far towards leaving us a totally new outfit that could sink or swim. Plus, I reckon he'd be good with the youngsters for another season or so.
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I was glad when last season ended and will be just as glad when this one has too. assuming we can muster another 10 or so points i think it could be an exciting summer. a case of shipping out the shite left by mon and buying some hard working experienced players to complement the kids.
To my mind it is critical that the kids are kept together as a unit and the team built around them. they could be the basis of a good villa side
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Just had a guy come in to our place who says he knows some people connected to the club. I won't say who just in case. I didn't speak to him but some others did. I can't personally vouch for him.
Reckons that Lerner is selling up in March to some mega-rich folks. Mentioned "3rd richest" (in the world?) which could be (at the moment) Warren Buffet or could have meant Bernard Arnault. Maybe it is the Qataris as rumoured?
Yes, yes, pinch of salt but I thought I'd pass it on. Like I say, I didn't speak to the guy.
Mazrim do you work in a place called Heaven?
apparently it's not a secret that Randy would sell if the right offer came in. I think as a business person you would have to consider that whether you are actively looking to sell or not. Given some of his issues away from the game, having to dedicate more time to his family in the US, I think he is closer than ever to making a deal. What I convinced about though is that he is a good man, and that he does have a lot of affection for the club. It won't be just about the most money for him in my opinion. I think he'll want to ensure the club goes to a new owner that in some way can realise his dreams and make us great again. I believe he truly came in with the right intentions, was somewhat naive in the man he trusted with his gold and along with other factors got burnt. But I don't think for a second he would just ditch the club. I think it means a lot more to him than that. In a roundabout way it adds some validity to what Maz might have heard.
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Just had a guy come in to our place who says he knows some people connected to the club. I won't say who just in case. I didn't speak to him but some others did. I can't personally vouch for him.
Reckons that Lerner is selling up in March to some mega-rich folks. Mentioned "3rd richest" (in the world?) which could be (at the moment) Warren Buffet or could have meant Bernard Arnault. Maybe it is the Qataris as rumoured?
Yes, yes, pinch of salt but I thought I'd pass it on. Like I say, I didn't speak to the guy.
Mazrim do you work in a place called Heaven?
Not for about 50 years or so. Hopefully.
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I have a gut feeling that not much at all is going to happen in the summer. I believe the plan from on high was to put us in suspended animation
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Just had a guy come in to our place who says he knows some people connected to the club. I won't say who just in case. I didn't speak to him but some others did. I can't personally vouch for him.
Reckons that Lerner is selling up in March to some mega-rich folks. Mentioned "3rd richest" (in the world?) which could be (at the moment) Warren Buffet or could have meant Bernard Arnault. Maybe it is the Qataris as rumoured?
Yes, yes, pinch of salt but I thought I'd pass it on. Like I say, I didn't speak to the guy.
Mazrim do you work in a place called Heaven?
apparently it's not a secret that Randy would sell if the right offer came in. I think as a business person you would have to consider that whether you are actively looking to sell or not. Given some of his issues away from the game, having to dedicate more time to his family in the US, I think he is closer than ever to making a deal. What I convinced about though is that he is a good man, and that he does have a lot of affection for the club. It won't be just about the most money for him in my opinion. I think he'll want to ensure the club goes to a new owner that in some way can realise his dreams and make us great again. I believe he truly came in with the right intentions, was somewhat naive in the man he trusted with his gold and along with other factors got burnt. But I don't think for a second he would just ditch the club. I think it means a lot more to him than that. In a roundabout way it adds some validity to what Maz might have heard.
Good post TV.
I still trust in Randy, I just wished the bloke had taken external advice from the start on all things football instead of letting that prick O'Neill run with the show. It may of been different.
I really think he understood the club from the begining on what matters were important to the fanbase, and gave his all in trying to achieve them.
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i cant see too much happening really,only the obvious ones going ie Guzan,Heskey,Cuellar,Makoun all going. we have got to keep hold of Bent and Gabby and get a couple of quality midfielders in.
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i cant see too much happening really,only the obvious ones going ie Guzan,Heskey,Cuellar,Makoun all going. we have got to keep hold of Bent and Gabby and get a couple of quality midfielders in.
Agreed. We've lacked a commanding central midfielder for a few years, but I have a feeling AM will bolster the defence if anything. It's his "strength" if he has one!
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Way I see it...........
Keepers- No problem here, in an ideal world Given and Guzan would be the two keepers next season. However having had a taste of prem football, I think Guzan will leave on a free. So maybe a younger number two from the lower leagues to learn from Given?
Defence...where do you start! The main thing I want to see when we kick off the first game in August is a more athletic and younger back 4. To me that means binning out Collins, Dunne and Warnock and bringing in the likes of Nat Clyne, Onouha, Samba, Scott Dann, that Mariappa from Watford prem teams are trying to sign.
Midfield...actually pretty happy with things. This is a "potential" area in that we have lot of young players like Bannan, Gardner and Albrighton who could come good and make an impact at prem level and we also have N'zogbia and Ireland who are enigmas but on a good day can unquestionably win us points and games. I'd replace Petrov with someone like Diame from Wigan, yes not technically as gifted but certainly has more energy about him. I'd also give Makoun anothe chance and move Delph on, don't think it will happen for him here.
Forwards....Happy with Gabby and Bent as our front two. Would move the Fonz out, maybe bring in Rodallega from Wigan to replace him. If Keane can keep his form up, I wouldn't be adverse to signing him in the summer but no more than two year deal please!
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We've been saying it's a big summer for a few years now. During O'Neill's time it was about getting the final piece of the jigsaw and keeping our better players (which we failed to do), now it's replacing most of the first team defence and retaining the better players (Bent, Gabby) and the more promising kids (Gardener).
Will we do those things? If so we can expect higher mid-table.
I think if we'd sign Bent at any point in MON's reign, we'd have made the top 4 in one of those seasons.
Ridiculous MON never went in for him when he signed for Sunderland for 10m and we signed Downing for 12m with a broken leg.
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Just had a guy come in to our place who says he knows some people connected to the club. I won't say who just in case. I didn't speak to him but some others did. I can't personally vouch for him.
Reckons that Lerner is selling up in March to some mega-rich folks. Mentioned "3rd richest" (in the world?) which could be (at the moment) Warren Buffet or could have meant Bernard Arnault. Maybe it is the Qataris as rumoured?
Yes, yes, pinch of salt but I thought I'd pass it on. Like I say, I didn't speak to the guy.
Hope springs eternal.
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I don't expect any change of ownership this summer.
I would be surprised though if Randy's still our owner in 18 months/2 years time.
Just hope we survive in this league in the meantime.
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I don't expect any change of ownership this summer.
I would be surprised though if Randy's still our owner in 18 months/2 years time.
Just hope we survive in this league in the meantime.
Please, someone explain to me how he's suddenly become such a bad owner that relegation is inevitable.
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I don't expect any change of ownership this summer.
I would be surprised though if Randy's still our owner in 18 months/2 years time.
Just hope we survive in this league in the meantime.
This.
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I don't expect any change of ownership this summer.
I would be surprised though if Randy's still our owner in 18 months/2 years time.
Just hope we survive in this league in the meantime.
Please, someone explain to me how he's suddenly become such a bad owner that relegation is inevitable.
It isn't inevitable Dave. That's why we HOPE we'll survive.
I hope we'll steadily climb the table and finish a very creditable 6th. Just can't see it happening at the moment.
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We've been saying it's a big summer for a few years now. During O'Neill's time it was about getting the final piece of the jigsaw and keeping our better players (which we failed to do), now it's replacing most of the first team defence and retaining the better players (Bent, Gabby) and the more promising kids (Gardener).
Will we do those things? If so we can expect higher mid-table.
I think if we'd sign Bent at any point in MON's reign, we'd have made the top 4 in one of those seasons.
Ridiculous MON never went in for him when he signed for Sunderland for 10m and we signed Downing for 12m with a broken leg.
I wonder what MON actually thinks? Does he think he done right or dropped a clanger and should have had Bent up front against Utd in the final weeks of the 2010 season and not Heskey. The stubborn fool probably thinks Bent is shit and Heskey is the dogs watsits.
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I don't expect any change of ownership this summer.
I would be surprised though if Randy's still our owner in 18 months/2 years time.
Just hope we survive in this league in the meantime.
Please, someone explain to me how he's suddenly become such a bad owner that relegation is inevitable.
It isn't inevitable Dave. That's why we HOPE we'll survive.
I hope we'll steadily climb the table and finish a very creditable 6th. Just can't see it happening at the moment.
Alright then, why has he suddenly become so bad that we have to HOPE to survive?
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I don't expect any change of ownership this summer.
I would be surprised though if Randy's still our owner in 18 months/2 years time.
Just hope we survive in this league in the meantime.
Please, someone explain to me how he's suddenly become such a bad owner that relegation is inevitable.
It isn't inevitable Dave. That's why we HOPE we'll survive.
I hope we'll steadily climb the table and finish a very creditable 6th. Just can't see it happening at the moment.
Alright then, why has he suddenly become so bad that we have to HOPE to survive?
I don't think that we have to 'hope to survive' because Randy is a particularly bad owner.
I'm pretty sure that we'll finish in the mid-table area that most people expected at the start of the season, but the very fact that we're as many points away from bottom as we are from 6th means hoping that we survive isn't a particularly outlandish standpoint.
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I don't think that we have to 'hope to survive' because Randy is a particularly bad owner.
I'm pretty sure that we'll finish in the mid-table area that most people expected at the start of the season, but the very fact that we're as many points away from bottom as we are from 6th means hoping that we survive isn't a particularly outlandish standpoint.
It's part of the idea that I don't understand, as taken to extremis by dazzy & co, that not challenging at the top inevitably means we'll be struggling.
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Dave, I just see parallels with Newcastle the season before they went down. Bit different the way Mike Ashley went about things appointing a very popular manager in Keegan but there was a lot of cost cutting and selling of good players (like Milner) which left them with a squad full of egos on ridiculous wages.
Another one was Leeds the season before they went down. Sold the likes of Ferdinand but kept the likes of Kewell and Viduka who won enough games to keep them up just. That summer both went and their squad didn't have individual quality to cope and went down.
I think we're in that sort of status at the moment. We've sold some very good players, we still have good players in the squad who've helped win enough games to keep our heads reasonably comfortably just above the relegation zone but I worry more selling in the summer could lead us to disaster next season.
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I don't expect any change of ownership this summer.
I would be surprised though if Randy's still our owner in 18 months/2 years time.
Just hope we survive in this league in the meantime.
Please, someone explain to me how he's suddenly become such a bad owner that relegation is inevitable.
It isn't inevitable Dave. That's why we HOPE we'll survive.
I hope we'll steadily climb the table and finish a very creditable 6th. Just can't see it happening at the moment.
Alright then, why has he suddenly become so bad that we have to HOPE to survive?
I don't think Soccer HQ's saying that. He's just being realistic. Randy, perhaps, hasn't become so bad. The club is clearly tightening the reins all round so we assume that comes from the top. On the playing side that means we can't buy/afford the one or two quality players that would make us a better team. Randy's buiness has been hit hard so it's only reasonable to consider that he might want rid of something that may be a drain on his dwindling resources. Like any business, if a buyer comes in with the right price the business will be sold.
We all know that Randy's done some great things for the club. But things are tight at the moment and we are feeling it!
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It's funny how the parallels are always with doomsday scenarios and never with clubs like Spurs, who had a couple of years in mid-table then came back the better for it. Surely nobody would seriously compare us with Leeds and their financial position.
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It's funny how the parallels are always with doomsday scenarios and never with clubs like Spurs, who had a couple of years in mid-table then came back the better for it. Surely nobody would seriously compare us with Leeds and their financial position.
We're Aston Villa Dave!
European champions in 1982 and out of the top division a few years later! Etc.
I'm always optimistic but the reality of disappointment keeps getting in the way of my dreams!
I have the belief that we'll play some good stuff and get some great results this season, starting with a surprise win over Man City on Sunday. I'll be floating on air for a week if we do.
If we don't.......
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It's funny how the parallels are always with doomsday scenarios and never with clubs like Spurs, who had a couple of years in mid-table then came back the better for it. Surely nobody would seriously compare us with Leeds and their financial position.
Levy was still sanctioning big signings during that time, they just went on the wrong players. Davd Bentley for 14m anyone? And it is fair to say McLeish is no Redknapp.
Everton are in the same boat as us. Again if they lose Moyes and make a poor managerial appointment, they would be another under big threat from relegation as Moyes works miracles there every season imo with the budget he has.
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It's funny how the parallels are always with doomsday scenarios and never with clubs like Spurs, who had a couple of years in mid-table then came back the better for it. Surely nobody would seriously compare us with Leeds and their financial position.
Levy was still sanctioning big signings during that time, they just went on the wrong players. Davd Bentley for 14m anyone? And it is fair to say McLeish is no Redknapp.
Everton are in the same boat as us. Again if they lose Moyes and make a poor managerial appointment, they would be another under big threat from relegation as Moyes works miracles there every season imo with the budget he has.
That's another club. Same history as us, similar scenario. Did they start having protests and worrying after they dropped to mid-table?
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It's funny how the parallels are always with doomsday scenarios and never with clubs like Spurs, who had a couple of years in mid-table then came back the better for it. Surely nobody would seriously compare us with Leeds and their financial position.
Levy was still sanctioning big signings during that time, they just went on the wrong players. Davd Bentley for 14m anyone? And it is fair to say McLeish is no Redknapp.
Everton are in the same boat as us. Again if they lose Moyes and make a poor managerial appointment, they would be another under big threat from relegation as Moyes works miracles there every season imo with the budget he has.
That's another club. Same history as us, similar scenario. Did they start having protests and worrying after they dropped to mid-table?
They probably have few dazzyg style dimwits of their own.
If they did and they were as well-organised and well-attended as his protests have been so far, it's no surprise that we heard nothing about them.
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It's funny how the parallels are always with doomsday scenarios and never with clubs like Spurs, who had a couple of years in mid-table then came back the better for it. Surely nobody would seriously compare us with Leeds and their financial position.
Levy was still sanctioning big signings during that time, they just went on the wrong players. Davd Bentley for 14m anyone? And it is fair to say McLeish is no Redknapp.
Everton are in the same boat as us. Again if they lose Moyes and make a poor managerial appointment, they would be another under big threat from relegation as Moyes works miracles there every season imo with the budget he has.
That's another club. Same history as us, similar scenario. Did they start having protests and worrying after they dropped to mid-table?
They probably have few dazzyg style dimwits of their own.
If they did and they were as well-organised and well-attended as his protests have been so far, it's no surprise that we heard nothing about them.
Their existence is embarrassing enough.
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Pedantic I know but I must protest at the notion Everton have the same history of us. They wish.
Carry on...
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So reading between the lines Warnock is a piss head? Collins and Tonne have both got previous there. Get Peter Barlow in to complete the set! On a more upbeat note Joshua Webb Callum Robinson and Jordan Graham all performed well for England U17 the weekend.
Its sorted then, we just wait for them to grow a bit and we will be champions of europe
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There was the protest against Bill Kenwright before one of the games this season.
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It's funny how the parallels are always with doomsday scenarios and never with clubs like Spurs, who had a couple of years in mid-table then came back the better for it. Surely nobody would seriously compare us with Leeds and their financial position.
Levy was still sanctioning big signings during that time, they just went on the wrong players. Davd Bentley for 14m anyone? And it is fair to say McLeish is no Redknapp.
Everton are in the same boat as us. Again if they lose Moyes and make a poor managerial appointment, they would be another under big threat from relegation as Moyes works miracles there every season imo with the budget he has.
That's another club. Same history as us, similar scenario. Did they start having protests and worrying after they dropped to mid-table?
https://viewfromtheroyalbluemersey.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/the-second-blue-union-protest/
Like us, they want to be up there challenging.
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I dont think that it is any surprise that people are worried about relegation, we are 3 bad results from being dragged into it, we are also 3 decent results from mid table safety.Fortunately we have Wigan BBurn, Bolton and Wolves in the division.
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It's funny how the parallels are always with doomsday scenarios and never with clubs like Spurs, who had a couple of years in mid-table then came back the better for it. Surely nobody would seriously compare us with Leeds and their financial position.
Levy was still sanctioning big signings during that time, they just went on the wrong players. Davd Bentley for 14m anyone? And it is fair to say McLeish is no Redknapp.
Everton are in the same boat as us. Again if they lose Moyes and make a poor managerial appointment, they would be another under big threat from relegation as Moyes works miracles there every season imo with the budget he has.
That's another club. Same history as us, similar scenario. Did they start having protests and worrying after they dropped to mid-table?
https://viewfromtheroyalbluemersey.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/the-second-blue-union-protest/
Like us, they want to be up there challenging.
And what seems to be a small and not particularly popular minority were protesting. They want to be challenging, so do we and so does every other club. What makes us so special?
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Just had a guy come in to our place who says he knows some people connected to the club. I won't say who just in case. I didn't speak to him but some others did. I can't personally vouch for him.
Reckons that Lerner is selling up in March to some mega-rich folks. Mentioned "3rd richest" (in the world?) which could be (at the moment) Warren Buffet or could have meant Bernard Arnault. Maybe it is the Qataris as rumoured?
Yes, yes, pinch of salt but I thought I'd pass it on. Like I say, I didn't speak to the guy.
Mazrim do you work in a place called Heaven?
Heaven is a place, a place where nothing, nothing ever happens.
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Oh, well I might work there after all.
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I've said for ages that Lerner is looking to sell, and that McLeish is the equivalent of a "nightwatchman". What Maz says certainly has the ring of truth about it. I hope so anyway.
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Well, I look at things from Randy's point of view and wonder where the enjoyment will be coming from.
Villa will always be in his heart I think but now he can hardly come and watch games and is no longer in a position to help us challenge consistently for honours (which is more football's fault than his).
It's nothing really more than an asset now and I'm not sure that's what he signed up for.
The situation with his son doesn't look like it will change anytime soon (and fair play, family come first) so he's going to be largely stateside for the forseeable.
If (and it's a big if) a suitable offer was (has been?) made I think he would accept. That's my gut feeling.
I agree with Risso that as soon as McLeish's appointment became known and the subsequent reduction in spending (in fact, recouping money) my first thoughts were "he's preparing us for sale".
It was like a slap around the chops but knowing more about his personal situation now it would make sense.
I'm not jumping the gun though. Until I hear or see anything concrete, I'm treating these rumours as just that, rumours. But I wouldn't be suprised at all. And like it was before Randy took over, the club is still a very attractive option for investors or buyers. It's relatively cheap (you would imagine) compared to it's potential.
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In terms of who we should bring in, the first player that I would be after is Stuart Holden.
Seems to be the difference between Bolton being a top eight side and a bottom three side and plays exactly the role we need in exactly the place we are lacking.
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You mean as a holden midfielder?
Interesting choice. Not sure I agree he's the general that we need but it's good to hear ideas from left field.
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Even during our good periods, we've invariably gone for the better players at relegated or struggling sides.
Holden and Ashley Williams at Swansea are two players who would come into that category who would improve us. I wouldn't say no to Dann either. Defence and midfield needs rebuilding, I think most are agreed on that. That big outhouse Douglas at Twente was linked last week too. Newcastle -who seem to be the side most now point to as a model example of competing on a budget (amazing how quick things change) have done well with reasonably priced players from abroad. Definitely an area we can improve on.
Of the bigger sides towards the top of the table, we'd be better to target the younger players hungry to make an impact but perhaps not getting a game. Rather than seasoned, embittered pros who might think they're just doing us a favour by being here and are happy to coast. So Frimpong and Bertrand -ideally perhaps as loans with a view to a permanent deal.
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Frimpong is a good shout if Arsenal would let him go and if he recovers fully from injuries.
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I've said for ages that Lerner is looking to sell, and that McLeish is the equivalent of a "nightwatchman". What Maz says certainly has the ring of truth about it. I hope so anyway.
I'm not sure there's enough evidence. Something is wrong and we don't know the full stoary, but I wouldn't be so confident that it will end with a new owner and bucket loads of cash.
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I'm not sure there is confidence. Merely rumours and speculation.
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In terms of who we should bring in, the first player that I would be after is Stuart Holden.
Seems to be the difference between Bolton being a top eight side and a bottom three side and plays exactly the role we need in exactly the place we are lacking.
I was impressed with him when we played them up there a while back. Looks to be a very good player.
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I can't get the song "Cruel Summer" out of my head every time I see this thread!
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I don't expect any change of ownership this summer.
I would be surprised though if Randy's still our owner in 18 months/2 years time.
Just hope we survive in this league in the meantime.
Please, someone explain to me how he's suddenly become such a bad owner that relegation is inevitable.
I don't think he's a bad owner and I don't think relegation is inevitable, but I do have concerns.
Simple fact is we're bottom half and need to improve to stay comfortably clear of the bottom 3.
And another simple fact is that football is a money game, so Randy's belt tightening will effect our competitiveness on the pitch.
I do believe there's a long term plan and we're going to get better, but until we see that and it becomes more than faith based on Randy's past intentions, then a nagging doubt will remain.
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I've said for ages that Lerner is looking to sell, and that McLeish is the equivalent of a "nightwatchman". What Maz says certainly has the ring of truth about it. I hope so anyway.
At £3m compo plus £2m a year he is a bloody expensive nightwatchman. My father in law is only being paid £6 an hour for a similar post.
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What I imagine next years squad to be:
GK- Given, Guzan, Siegrist.
DF- Hutton, Lichaj, Stevens, Williams, Baker, Clark, *New left back*, *New centre half*, *New centre half*.
MF- Ireland, Gardner, Johnson, Carruthers, N'Zogbia, Albrighton, Delph, Herd, Bannan, *New midfield general*
F- Bent, Agbonlahor, *New #10 forward*, Delfouneso, Weimann, Burke.
Not too far away from my own reading of the squad situation, Maz. I wouldn't be over surprised to see Delph sold though, and if we do bring in a new forward, a No.10/Keane type, then I agree: Delfouneso (my prediction) or Weimann will go.
I also hope that, if we do move on the three main CBs - and I think we should, to be honest - we can bring two in. I've a fleeting suspicion McLeish may have to do with 1, to pair with Clark, and use Baker, Williams and Lichaj (who started as a CB) as cover.
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That squad that Mazrim put up is very worrying
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That squad that Mazrim put up is very worrying
Depends who comes in.
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I don't se a problem with is as long as....
*New left back*, *New centre half*, *New centre half*,*New midfield general*, *New #10 forward*
....are good enough.
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That squad that Mazrim put up is very worrying
Depends who comes in.
Yes, good point. You got faith in the current manager to bring in the quality we'll need?
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I've said for ages that Lerner is looking to sell, and that McLeish is the equivalent of a "nightwatchman". What Maz says certainly has the ring of truth about it. I hope so anyway.
Risso, I really do hope so.
Randy appears to be lacking interest now after a great beginning.
Every radio station talks about 'the rise and fall of Aston Villa' - it's a national pastime !
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Our rise, albeit steady and expensive, was hardly headline catching though, the media just love to see someone fall...
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Our rise, albeit steady and expensive, was hardly headline catching though, the media just love to see someone fall...
It was exiting to be a Villa fan though - such optimism after the Ellis years.
Now, sadly we're back where we were I feel, but with debt this time.
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Our rise, albeit steady and expensive, was hardly headline catching though, the media just love to see someone fall...
It was exiting to be a Villa fan though - such optimism after the Ellis years.
Now, sadly we're back where we were I feel, but with debt this time.
It was exciting, however, we was lucky at times, our Football wasn't the 6th best in the country, was average most of the times....
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AVFC was bought as an investment. Any investment may be sold, for the right price.
The galling thing for all Villa fans is that under that first cash injection, and MON’s leadership we got close, very close. Another “go” financially makes little commercial sense for any owner. When the market price now is £75m to buy Henderson/Downing/Carroll (plus wages) to get Liverpool challenging for fourth , there is no financial return.
I always regarded FFP as a cruel illusion, a devise to safeguard the wealthy, not empower the poor, and still believe that.
Where is the profit in buying and selling PL clubs in the short term/medium term? When Liverpool were first sold, Moore’s shareholding was decades old- and there were only two buyers, one of whom went bust the other of whom could not afford to run it. Three years later only one serious buyer emerged for the club, who only paid £200m cash, for a club whose income the previous year was around £180m.
Randy might always sell, not for a profit specifically, but just because he has had enough. Equally why does he HAVE to sell? Not because he can’t afford it.
In football, always follow the money ( a Champions league with lots of non-champions in it, a World cup in Qatar? Never!). A proper European league ( with some domestic element retained) will come. A world club tournament taking in a resurgent South America led by Brazil will follow. A world franchised club tournament with “assembled” teams from New York, Bejing, Kuala Lumpar, Sydney etc won’t be far behind.
I think that Randy will be around for a little longer yet.
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I thought this thread was going to be about N'ZMAV having it large in Ibeefa this coming summer. Bit disappointed.
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That squad that Mazrim put up is very worrying
Depends who comes in.
Yes, good point. You got faith in the current manager to bring in the quality we'll need?
I don't know about faith but until he's had the chance, who knows?
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Our rise, albeit steady and expensive, was hardly headline catching though, the media just love to see someone fall...
It was exiting to be a Villa fan though - such optimism after the Ellis years.
Now, sadly we're back where we were I feel, but with debt this time.
It was exciting, however, we was lucky at times, our Football wasn't the 6th best in the country, was average most of the times....
Who exactly do you feel should have finished above us then?
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It's funny how the parallels are always with doomsday scenarios
That is us Footballs fans Dave. We worry when we have a corner that opposition will score a breakaway goal!
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Remember everyone knows what we did last summer!
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We have Paul Montgomery and Arthur Numan as scouts and they have a good reputation. Let's see what they can come up with.
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What I imagine next years squad to be:
GK- Given, Guzan, Siegrist.
DF- Hutton, Lichaj, Stevens, Williams, Baker, Clark, *New left back*, *New centre half*, *New centre half*.
MF- Ireland, Gardner, Johnson, Carruthers, N'Zogbia, Albrighton, Delph, Herd, Bannan, *New midfield general*
F- Bent, Agbonlahor, *New #10 forward*, Delfouneso, Weimann, Burke.
I've heard that Warnock is off regardless. I expect Dunne and Collins to leave. I would offer Cuellar a new contract but I doubt that will happen. So we need at least two experienced centre halves and a senior left back.
One of Weimann or Delfouneso may have to leave but perhaps not.
So out from this years squad will go:
Marshall, Beye, Warnock (I've heard he is definitely off), Dunne, Collins, Cuellar, Jenas (although I reckon McLeish might try and sign him), Petrov, Keane (see Jenas) snd Heskey.
The resulting squad should see a very young group that will need very selective additions to guide them and take pressure off them.
But that's a saving in the region of 400k p/w before any acquisitions.
I actually can't see N'Zog, Ireland or Defouneso staying, in addition to your other "outs". The former is exactly what I expected - a hot n'cold palyer; Ireland is still IMO too temperamental; and young Nathan simply ain't good enough.
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I believe he is good enough, but that doesn't mean it's going to work out for him here.
The problem he has is that the likes of Robinson, Burke and Drennan will soon be ready for a look in and he'll have to shit or get off the potty.
It seems he's only getting cameos for Leicester so in hindsight its probably not the move he needed. He needs a run of 90 minute matches. We need him to have them.
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It's quite amusing looking at some of the 'bish bash bosh' assessments of our squad.
Kind of reminds me of last summer, when this attitude was applied to the losses of Downing and Young being easily made up through the utilisation of Albrighton, and the purchasing of N'Zogbia to play on the wings.
I think Mat Kendrick was about right in his article the Mail the other night when he said a bulk of the squad needs a major overhaul. Sadly though, if any of the last two summers are anything to go by, I think more players will leave than be brought in, with the squad being tinkered with rather than overhauled.
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So in September will it have been a Hot Town Summer in the City or will I be saying the Long Hot Summer Just Passed Me By?
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I keep hearing Dirty Black Summer by Danzig. But I don't know what that means for us.
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Boys of Summer, Don Henley...
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I believe he is good enough, but that doesn't mean it's going to work out for him here.
The problem he has is that the likes of Robinson, Burke and Drennan will soon be ready for a look in and he'll have to shit or get off the potty.
It seems he's only getting cameos for Leicester so in hindsight its probably not the move he needed. He needs a run of 90 minute matches. We need him to have them.
If he can't get a regular game for the side 13th in the Championship, doesn't that say a lot?
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I believe he is good enough, but that doesn't mean it's going to work out for him here.
The problem he has is that the likes of Robinson, Burke and Drennan will soon be ready for a look in and he'll have to shit or get off the potty.
It seems he's only getting cameos for Leicester so in hindsight its probably not the move he needed. He needs a run of 90 minute matches. We need him to have them.
If he can't get a regular game for the side 13th in the Championship, doesn't that say a lot?
Maybe. But they have pretty good forwards for that division and they rely on them.
I'd rather he went somewhere that would start him rather than use him as cover or a sub.
Look, I'm not denying he has to earn it and take his chance when he does.
The clock is ticking for his Villa career. But I'm convinced he has the talent at least.
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Yes, I agree he does (his scoring rate for the first team is actually pretty good), but he needs to do more to make a career at the top level. I think attitude and application may prove to be his downfall.
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I thought this thread was going to be about the infamous transsexual Donna Summer's enormous schlong.
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It could be.
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I thought this thread was going to be about the infamous transsexual Donna Summer's enormous schlong.
Really, I never knew that. I guess the long hot summer just passed me by.
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Yes, I agree he does (his scoring rate for the first team is actually pretty good), but he needs to do more to make a career at the top level. I think attitude and application may prove to be his downfall.
Luke Moore mark 2...
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Yes, I agree he does (his scoring rate for the first team is actually pretty good), but he needs to do more to make a career at the top level. I think attitude and application may prove to be his downfall.
Luke Moore mark 2...
That's my concern.
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Well, the guy I mentioned was in again. Unfortunately, I missed the chance to quiz him myself again but he's adamant that there's something happening behind the scenes. Mentioned this Prince that was supposedly at BMH and that its "almost all wrapped up".
Again, I urge caution as I'm hearing all sorts of conflicting things from people I trust.
Either somebody is getting carried away or there is something to it. My personal feelings are that it's interesting and I'll keep my eyes and ears open but always aware that it's possibly... well, fantasy.
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Quick question Maz - is this gut in the sort of job/position that would mean rubbing shoulders with those in high office at Villa?
For instance, and apologies if his comes across a bit snobby, but I'd believe a story like that more coming from a managing director than your milkman!
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The guy who told us has no affiliation with Villa but his friend (where the info comes from) certainly does.
And no, it's not an upstairs role. In fact, that's the least likely place a leak would come from I would imagine.
Sorry to be vague but 1: It's not my place to say and 2: I'm receiving this info somewhat 3rd hand.
I dont want to appear that I'm championing this info but I'd want to hear it if somebody else had got wind.
It's up to each person then to mull it over short of anything more concrete.
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Well if it's sincere and those people involved would be good owners, then that'd be great.
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The guy who told us has no affiliation with Villa but his friend (where the info comes from) certainly does.
And no, it's not an upstairs role. In fact, that's the least likely place a leak would come from I would imagine.
Sorry to be vague but 1: It's not my place to say and 2: I'm receiving this info somewhat 3rd hand.
I dont want to appear that I'm championing this info but I'd want to hear it if somebody else had got wind.
It's up to each person then to mull it over short of anything more concrete.
Fair enough - just wanted to try and guage how reliable you felt the original source was and if he would be realistically likely to hear about this before it broke in the press.
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It's like a quiz......did he have a 'tache.....was it Monk De Wally De Honk?
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I dont personally think it would happen. But if it were to the ideal situation for me would be it was the same guys who own PSG. That way they could only buy 49% of Villa and that way we could keep Randy as Chairman. He's made some big mistakes but he has the clubs best interests at heart.
Randy's devotion to our traditions and heritage, desire to keep ticket prices down + a lot of money to invest from elsewhere would be my ideal solution, it wont happen but if I could choose how the ownership of the club was.. that would be how i would want it.
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The guy who told us has no affiliation with Villa but his friend (where the info comes from) certainly does.
And no, it's not an upstairs role. In fact, that's the least likely place a leak would come from I would imagine.
Sorry to be vague but 1: It's not my place to say and 2: I'm receiving this info somewhat 3rd hand.
I dont want to appear that I'm championing this info but I'd want to hear it if somebody else had got wind.
It's up to each person then to mull it over short of anything more concrete.
Fair enough - just wanted to try and guage how reliable you felt the original source was and if he would be realistically likely to hear about this before it broke in the press.
Well, knowing what a secret squirrel Randy is, I doubt the press would know much sooner than we would if not later. If this guy is connected to who he says he is (and I have no reason to believe otherwise at this time) then its possible he would know something. We're not talking a bigwig or anything but word soon gets around an organisation.
I told Dave Woodhall this a couple of months ago just in case something came of it but Alex McLeish, who is a regular at a certain place my father in law's friend owns, was overheard saying he wouldn't be long at Villa. Now, whether that is related, was misheard, a passing frustrated remark, I don't know, but I thought I'd pass it on anyway.
Oh, I had forgotten to mention but the guy who came in reckons they're already talking about managers (Scolaris name was mentioned) should a takeover happen. But that seems unusually candid and premature to me. Even by rumourmongering standards. Anyway, what I know, you know.
Other people would tell me that all is as it seems and that Randy and McLeish are here to stay. I have no reason to doubt them either. The thought doesn't upset me either alhough a new era of "going for it" would seem more exciting of course.
What we know so far or what we think we know etc...
- Randy and Faulkner travel to France (which is unusual) with some advisor bods.
- Randy has been at BMH (with guests?) and has now returned to the US.
- A "Prince" has supposedly visited our facilities.
- Rumours of supposed interest from Qatar/Arnault.
- Randy no longer able to dedicate time to Villa in the UK as he would wish, has also taken some financial hits recently (economy, divorce... etc).
- Villa very much "trimming the fat off".
- North Stand plans on hold/cancelled.
- Shares supposedly being bought.
Could be something, could be nothing.
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It's like a quiz......did he have a 'tache.....was it Monk De Wally De Honk?
"Could you give me any more?"
- "Certainly, would £50 suffice?"
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I heard that some rich Arabs had a guided tour months ago. Dismissed it though as I thought if there was any truth in it, the press would have been all over it.
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I think sometimes the press are perceived as being far more competent than they actually are.
Plus I think many of them have learned not to bother snooping around Villa because they get next to nowt.
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Possibly right on both counts there Maz. Don't want to build my hopes up but, as someone said on here before, imagine what Man City type investment into the club AND surroundings could do for Aston and Aston Villa!
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Also, I know I'm biased, but I honestly, objectively believe that given our geographical location and size of our city, our potential returns on a massive investment piss all over every club in England bar Man Utd.
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Also, I know I'm biased, but I honestly, objectively believe that given our geographical location and size of our city, our potential returns on a massive investment piss all over every club in England bar Man Utd.
Although this is true, I feel most of these mega rish investors are looking for 'glamour' more than a return.
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Perhaps a bit of both.
Also, I know I'm biased, but I honestly, objectively believe that given our geographical location and size of our city, our potential returns on a massive investment piss all over every club in England bar Man Utd.
It would take some doing but I agree.
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Would need too much investment. Too many clubs nearby to make that happen
Wolves, Baggies, Blues, Stoke. Even Leicester and Leeds would all need to fall away into non-existance for us to become one of the biggest supported clubs in the country. If say 2 of them fell away into non-existance and we had over a decade's worth of constant success then yes the next generation of midlands supporters would probably be villains.
But if I were a neutral (and took FFP into consideration). I'd get a similar outcome and much quicker if I bought Newcastle. Only them and Sunderland up there, packed every week, get them challenging and I bet they already have a large supporter base around the rest of the country ( I know more Newcastle fans than Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea fans ).
Our advantage would be if we were a massive club we would have the best links in the country for neutral fans to visit. If we were going to be a club that had a massive following it is probably much easier for people to come to Villa Park than any other club in the country.
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Would need too much investment. Too many clubs nearby to make that happen
Wolves, Baggies, Blues, Stoke. Even Leicester and Leeds would all need to fall away into non-existance for us to become one of the biggest supported clubs in the country. If say 2 of them fell away into non-existance and we had over a decade's worth of constant success then yes the next generation of midlands supporters would probably be villains.
How is that any different to to the North West? Man City have Utd, Liverpool and Everton to compete with as well as Bolton, Blackburn, Wigan etc but their crowds grew immediately when the money came in.
We don't need to pick up that many new supporters immediately, just entice more of the people who class themselves as Villa fans to go to games; there are tens of thousands of them.
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Would need too much investment. Too many clubs nearby to make that happen
Wolves, Baggies, Blues, Stoke. Even Leicester and Leeds would all need to fall away into non-existance for us to become one of the biggest supported clubs in the country. If say 2 of them fell away into non-existance and we had over a decade's worth of constant success then yes the next generation of midlands supporters would probably be villains.
But if I were a neutral (and took FFP into consideration). I'd get a similar outcome and much quicker if I bought Newcastle. Only them and Sunderland up there, packed every week, get them challenging and I bet they already have a large supporter base around the rest of the country ( I know more Newcastle fans than Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea fans ).
Our advantage would be if we were a massive club we would have the best links in the country for neutral fans to visit. If we were going to be a club that had a massive following it is probably much easier for people to come to Villa Park than any other club in the country.
Newcastle isn't really well situated be a truly huge club. As you say, Brum has all the transport links, and given the high speed rail link, too, it will not be too far away from London and the continent in future years. Newcastle (as fine a club as they are) don't have Villa's heritage either. Of course I'm hugely biased, but in terms of the club, the infrastructure, the relatively low costs of stadium expansion and so on, Villa is the stand out club to buy. I recall GH comparing Villa to PSG when he first became our manager, so, who knows, maybe on the continent they are aware of the potential of Villa?
I would have thought it was ludicrous to buy Man City when the City of Manchester/Salford is already hosting a club punching way above its natural limitations, but obviously people with huge amounts of money look upon such obstacles as challenges. Trying to second guess what they look for in a club is task in itself.
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Agreed Chris. If we're talking about Man City type investment, we'd be selling out in no time to existing Villa fans. Does anyone seriously doubt that we'd sell out with players of the calibre of Aguero and Silva playing for us?
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Would need too much investment. Too many clubs nearby to make that happen
Wolves, Baggies, Blues, Stoke. Even Leicester and Leeds would all need to fall away into non-existance for us to become one of the biggest supported clubs in the country. If say 2 of them fell away into non-existance and we had over a decade's worth of constant success then yes the next generation of midlands supporters would probably be villains.
How is that any different to to the North West? Man City have Utd, Liverpool and Everton to compete with as well as Bolton, Blackburn, Wigan etc but their crowds grew immediately when the money came in.
We don't need to pick up that many new supporters immediately, just entice more of the people who class themselves as Villa fans to go to games; there are tens of thousands of them.
I agree. Just in towns like Bromsgrove and Redditch you will find plenty of folk who would say they support Villa but never go. There's plenty of Villa fans out there - more than enough to get behind the club if they felt the club was genuinely going to make a go of things.
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Trying to second guess what they look for in a club is task in itself.
I you believe the story, Abramovich took a helicopter ride round London, pointed at Chelsea and said "I'll have that one."
I think the whole thing about potential is a bit mis-leading when these takeovers happen, as the ground will immediately swell with the glory hunters and tourist fans due to the players on show and not the club they are playing for.
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There are probably far more supporters of SKY 4? 5? teams in the midlands than there are Wolves, Baggies and Blues fans etc. For arguments sake, lets call them... despicable shadow dwelling rat people. All it takes is to get a fair swell of them to buy your merch instead of Man City and Chelsea's and the coffers start filling up, your commercial contracts become massively lucrative and so on. It's not nice or something to really be proud of yet a cities half the size of Birmingham (Manchester and Liverpool) enjoy far greater fanbases so it has to start somewhere. You just need a period of success and (especially now) some smart marketing.
Anyway, back to the rumours. It is of course entirely possible than there will not be a takeover as such but rather new investment. Perhaps Randy knows he cant do it alone anymore and so is courting investors. He still keeps the reins or a major share but it doesn't cost him as much personally.
Maybe from his position that would be ideal.
I have no desire to be rid of him as such. I have immense respect for him and he's done a lot of good things for us. I just think he needs help. In terms of footballing advice, expertise and most certainly finances too.
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Can't see that happening at all to be honest. An investor would be investing in a loss making club with large debts that is being badly run. Far more likely that somebody might think that they'd do a far better job themself and buy the whole thing. If we get a rich arab who wants it as a Man City style plaything, they won't want a share of a club. If we get a decent businessman who wants to try and grow us commercially he isn't going to want somebody like Lerner around messing things up.
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Fair comment. But it might be the only way somebody gets a piece of Aston Villa, should they want it.
I agree its best for all concerned if there is one direction and I don't mean that prepubescent virgin ensemble on the telly.
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If we had the likes of Silva, Aguero etc, then of course we would sell out. We would fill 55k plus with that calibre of player, partly through the increased media attention too.
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Agreed, yet Man City don't, which is what I mean about greater potential returns. Also, we could have a 55k stadium much cheaper (by a couple of hundred million) than what it would cost Liverpool, Everton and Spurs for instance.
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Alex McLeish is confident he will be given money to spend by Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner to improve his squad at the end of the season.
Villa have been trying to cut costs over the past couple of years and that has forced McLeish to wheel and deal in the transfer market.
McLeish, who left local rivals Birmingham City to take charge at Villa Park last summer, has been the subject of protests from fans this season.
The Scot is aware that wages have to be trimmed, but he does not believe the days of Villa spending big money are necessarily over.
"I will have to do a bit of wheeling and dealing, but that doesn't mean we won't be able to spend money," said McLeish.
"We have to get the wages down to a level, but it doesn't mean we are going to say we can only afford £5,000-a-week wages for new players from now on.
"We may end up paying massive wages for someone who comes in the summer as long as it fits into that whole package."
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"I will have to do a bit of wheeling and dealing, but that doesn't mean we won't be able to spend money," said McLeish.
"We have to get the wages down to a level, but it doesn't mean we are going to say we can only afford £5,000-a-week wages for new players from now on.
"We may end up paying massive wages for someone who comes in the summer as long as it fits into that whole package."
Right, so basically there is a set ceiling and if we want a player on large wages, the squad has to be smaller. That's how I read that anyway.
All that 'proud history, bright future' really was a load of old piffle. Its no different to when Doug was here. It's a bit depressing when they expect us to keep coughing up for really expensive tickets, too. If this comment was meant to encourage the fans, then I have to admit its had entirely the opposite effect on me.
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It is still very possible that the 'huge summer' is spent preparing for trips to Barnsley, Leeds, Palace etc. Not safe yet by any means , remember our beloved manager's main attribute.... relegating .
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It is still very possible that the 'huge summer' is spent preparing for trips to Barnsley, Leeds, Palace etc. Not safe yet by any means , remember our beloved manager's main attribute.... relegating .
He's won more trophies than than he has been relegated.
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It is still very possible that the 'huge summer' is spent preparing for trips to Barnsley, Leeds, Palace etc. Not safe yet by any means , remember our beloved manager's main attribute.... relegating .
Cheer up. Why be so miserable now when the probability is that we will not be preparing for trips to such places at all.
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I've never seen the club need a bigger clear-out than it does right now. We need to buy dedicated pros who are hungry for success.
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Here is something that might interest Mazrim.
I was talking to a young Villa player the other night and he was telling me the gossip at the training ground.
He reckons that all the talk is of Randy selling a stake in the club (51% he said) to some arabs. I know the players are not party to board meetings but they have obviously got wind of something happening.
He also told me (and this probably will only be of interest to Maz and a few reserve and youth watchers) that we have only retained 3 of this seasons second year YTS players.
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That sounds consistent with other things I've heard which are also vaguely from the youth set up.
I stress again though, second hand info, though interesting.
Do you know which 3 have been retained?
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I've never seen the club need a bigger clear-out than it does right now. We need to buy dedicated pros who are hungry for success.
Yes, this club is now tumid with lethargy and incompetence at every level. Although it's still studded with very worthwhile people indeed.
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It is still very possible that the 'huge summer' is spent preparing for trips to Barnsley, Leeds, Palace etc. Not safe yet by any means , remember our beloved manager's main attribute.... relegating .
He's won more trophies than than he has been relegated.
Not down here he hasn't. Scotland doesn't count.
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A big summer indeed. However I can't see any fantastic new buys even if we trim the wage bill by getting rid of Heskey, Dunne, Collins, Warnock & Ireland. After all we may be able to flash the cash with respect to fees but wages are going to be low so who will come? We'll fill the ranks with wit average champoinship players. (however if they have some spirit & fight it wouldn't be a bad thing!) :(
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I don't expect any change of ownership this summer.
I would be surprised though if Randy's still our owner in 18 months/2 years time.
Just hope we survive in this league in the meantime.
No way RL will go. He's not sold up on the Brown's - he's had then since 2002 and they've been awful with fan dissatisfaction and been very unpopular with the fans. So if he not giving up on them he ain't giving up on us.
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Who are the 2nd years? I've lost track of who is in which year. Who are they? Not just the ones which have been kept?
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I don't expect any change of ownership this summer.
I would be surprised though if Randy's still our owner in 18 months/2 years time.
Just hope we survive in this league in the meantime.
No way RL will go. He's not sold up on the Brown's - he's had then since 2002 and they've been awful with fan dissatisfaction and been very unpopular with the fans. So if he not giving up on them he ain't giving up on us.
The Browns are in his family, Villa are not. Whilst I do not doubt his love for Villa he sees himself as a temporary custodian.
It's not the same with the Browns. He will feel obliged to keep them in the family as his father would have wanted.
I expect Randy to sell either part or whole relatively soon. But Villa will go before the Browns do. No doubt in my mind.
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If we had the likes of Silva, Aguero etc, then of course we would sell out. We would fill 55k plus with that calibre of player, partly through the increased media attention too.
I think there's huge potential there. Look at the following villa had in the forties through to the early eighties. Look at how quickly we became one of the few clubs to have an average attendance just shy of capacity during the years we challenged the top four.
Villa fans are often described as 'long suffering'. Given some entertainment and reasons to be positive they will flock into VP
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I've been thinking about this and the the reality is that the squad needs a massive overhaul. It has become stale, and there are probably about 10-12 or so that I would keep. I don't think a big overhaul will happen, but I think without it we are going to continue with the pattern we have seen this season and last.
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I've been thinking about this and the the reality is that the squad needs a massive overhaul. It has become stale, and there are probably about 10-12 or so that I would keep. I don't think a big overhaul will happen, but I think without it we are going to continue with the pattern we have seen this season and last.
I think we need to do it over a few windows. If we haven't got the funds to a) pay all the players we want rid off and b) buy and pay new ones we need, then lets do it in stages.
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My biggest fear when MON left (and this is not to open a debate about him) is that he depended on creating a group that were loyal to him and would play for him. Once he went then it was going to fall apart and the team spirit and cohesion would go. This on the whole is still MON's team, but with the best bits taken out and MON gone. We need a big overhaul of the squad and whoever is in charge needs the chance to build his own team.
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He also told me (and this probably will only be of interest to Maz and a few reserve and youth watchers) that we have only retained 3 of this seasons second year YTS players.
Is this normal? What does this imply?
It sounds a bad thing to me - cutting costs where we need to spend most - however it might be normal procedure based on how good the players are or have the players been poached?
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The Browns are in his family, Villa are not. Whilst I do not doubt his love for Villa he sees himself as a temporary custodian.
It's not the same with the Browns. He will feel obliged to keep them in the family as his father would have wanted.
I expect Randy to sell either part or whole relatively soon. But Villa will go before the Browns do. No doubt in my mind.
Randy's father only bought the Browns when the new franchise was placed in Cleveland in 1999. It's not like there's a decades long ownership like the Maras in New York or the Rooneys in Pittsburgh.
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The Browns are in his family, Villa are not. Whilst I do not doubt his love for Villa he sees himself as a temporary custodian.
It's not the same with the Browns. He will feel obliged to keep them in the family as his father would have wanted.
I expect Randy to sell either part or whole relatively soon. But Villa will go before the Browns do. No doubt in my mind.
Randy's father only bought the Browns when the new franchise was placed in Cleveland in 1999. It's not like there's a decades long ownership like the Maras in New York or the Rooneys in Pittsburgh.
But wasn't his Dad a life long fan before that?
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Yes, exactly. As Randy himself is.
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Is this normal? What does this imply?
It sounds a bad thing to me - cutting costs where we need to spend most - however it might be normal procedure based on how good the players are or have the players been poached?
No, its quite normal. The club have to make room for younger players coming through. Our first choice team for youth cup U18 and next gen U19 games had very few second year YTS lads in the team. U17 players like Webb, Lewis, Kinsella, Graham, Robinson, Melvin and Grealish usually get picked ahead of boys who are a year older.
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Is this normal? What does this imply?
It sounds a bad thing to me - cutting costs where we need to spend most - however it might be normal procedure based on how good the players are or have the players been poached?
No, its quite normal. The club have to make room for younger players coming through. Our first choice team for youth cup U18 and next gen U19 games had very few second year YTS lads in the team. U17 players like Webb, Lewis, Kinsella, Graham, Robinson, Melvin and Grealish usually get picked ahead of boys who are a year older.
Why? Purely down to the quality of the current crop?
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More lie a case of the ones who are younger just being better players and picked on merit.
If the players behind you are better bets then you're for the high jump. Cruel but how it works.
Room constantly has to be made for new players and for the best players to advance.
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It has to be a summer of some change of playing and coaching staff, but more importantly a change of attitude.
I can't remember this much depression even when Billy McNeill was here
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It has to be a summer of some change of playing and coaching staff, but more importantly a change of attitude.
I can't remember this much depression even when Billy McNeill was here
i think its that oft used word 'hope'
Mcneil didnt last long, SGT came in and straight away there was a positive feeleing around VP, relegation wasnt anywhere near the fianancial catastophie it is today and any team with a decent manager felt they could realisticaly have a crack at the title.
to think that we will finish somewhwere nondescript in the league, whilst playing not very interesting football, then having to watch Mcliesh with no money sell the deadword and bring in some of his own picks just fills me with dread,
in fact i cant think of anything more depressing than knowing thats what we are heading for this summer
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I've been thinking about this and the the reality is that the squad needs a massive overhaul. It has become stale, and there are probably about 10-12 or so that I would keep. I don't think a big overhaul will happen, but I think without it we are going to continue with the pattern we have seen this season and last.
I don't think it need a massive overhaul, the squad is sound IMO, but the manager is not getting the best out of them - tactics, squad selection, whatever - that squad should be higher up the table. I hate to say it a bit like the Bruce scenario at S-land, MON came in and got them playing more to their full potential.
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See I'm not convinced we've had two different managers this season and last and the same defensive frailty has been apparent through both, so I'd lay a lot of that blame at the door of those players. Hence I think we need a big change in personel throughout the club.
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As I see it, we have a top goal scorer (Bent), plus another very useful striker (Gabby) and a top goal keeper in Given. All top 6 players, IMO. As is Ireland, when his head is right, as it is right now.
The emerging youth players coming through I'm confident of being at least mid-table quality are Albrighton, Clark, Herd, Gardner and Bannan.
Then there's players who we should be getting more out of, which is basically N'Zogbia and the defence.
Lastly the good, but aging, Petrov, who needs replacing, although should be kept and experienced back up.
So there's quite a bit to work with there. And you'd hope a shake up of say 2 new players at the back may revitalise some of the existing defenders.
4 players of sufficient quality and in the right positions could really improve our team.
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I agree with a lot of posters, there needs to be an overhaul from top to bottom, starting with the manger but you know it wont happen.
It will be Mcliesh on a limited transfer budget a few in a few out, lack of ambition and lower attendancies.
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There should be a revamp no question, because some of the squad are getting older and not being outstanding players need to move over.
As for the present squad, I see it like this, under MON ( this isn't a MON post) the only difference was Young, Downing and Friedal, MON got us to consistent top half finishers, European qualification, Cup finals and Semi Finals, we have basically replaced Young and Downing with N'Zogbia, Bent, Ireland, Given, Hutton, and the younger players that where coming through under MON and Houllier are that much further on in there career's, like Clark and Albrighton.( some may say the squad has actually improved)
Got to say it, I actually can't see that much difference in terms of available talent that McLiesh has to work with, for me what it comes down to is using what you've got to work with, the right way, and its not happening.
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Carew was a massive player for us, we haven't replaced him.
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Carew was a massive let down in 2010-2011. Very unprofessional. And he's not exactly on fire at West Ham in the Championship. Don't miss him.
I do miss Milner though. Now that's a massive player (for us) who we haven't replaced. Not only was he a threat, but he even made us more defensive. A workhorse pro.
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To be fair I'm sure there's a lot of clubs who would love to have the talented crop of youngsters that we have at their disposal.
For me it's all going to be about getting the right balance and getting the most out of the players we have now. Unfortunately even when this manager gets the team right there seems to be a lack of motivation at times? saying that there are a few times this season that we have shown what a forceful,attractive team we can be, which is even more frustrating.
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Carew was a massive let down in 2010-2011. Very unprofessional. And he's not exactly on fire at West Ham in the Championship. Don't miss him.
I do miss Milner though. Now that's a massive player (for us) who we haven't replaced. Not only was he a threat, but he even made us more defensive. A workhorse pro.
Yep. And we only really got the best out of him in CM for one season. It's been said many times before but had he stayed with us I think he'd be one of the first names on the England team sheet by now, whereas the best he can hope for is being part of the squad.
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To be fair I'm sure there's a lot of clubs who would love to have the talented crop of youngsters that we have at their disposal.
For me it's all going to be about getting the right balance and getting the most out of the players we have now. Unfortunately even when this manager gets the team right there seems to be a lack of motivation at times? saying that there are a few times this season that we have shown what a forceful,attractive team we can be, which is even more frustrating.
With some imagination (and luck) Managing villa could be quite easy. The bulk of the squad will be filled with players from the youth set up. As the squad is so young there should also be the opportunity to get some older pro's to provide guidance (van Bommel type players who have always been leaders but are not quite at the top level anymore). Both of these types of players are cheap which should allow for a few big signing too.
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Carew was a massive player for us, we haven't replaced him.
He was good at defending the first post at corners.
To me the defence needs a massive overhaul and as long as we have an athletic back 4 that can actually defend corners next season I'll be happy enough.
I'm happy enough with the strikers, well Gabby and Bent and I think the midfield could be good if we just find the right mix and stick with it.
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I think it's almost comical how we are waiting for this financial cycle to close so we can begin to free up some wage space and buy some new names.. but we're one of the least attractive teams to join in the league right now. Can't see McLeish getting a big name. We'll just end up with more cant hack its.
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I think Villa's closed season will be like the typical British summer, a damp squib. I foresee more leaving than arriving, and those that do will hardly be world beaters. We will probably have one 'major' signing of 6-10 million (the manager has intimated there will be one of these). However, considering the managers time at dablues consisted of signing Villa's cast offs, it will be hard to see who he would go in for. Perhaps an idea will be to scour the squads of the teams to be relegated to see who we will be targeting.
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The player we miss most in my opinion in Barry. Bosses the midfield, calm on the ball, did the simple things well and laid on goal after goal. Until we replace him we have to accept that we won't go foreward.
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The player we miss most in my opinion in Barry. Bosses the midfield, calm on the ball, did the simple things well and laid on goal after goal. Until we replace him we have to accept that we won't go foreward.
Disagree.
I think the player we miss the most is Milner, by a country mile. Looking back now, you get a sense of just how much of what we did went through him.
I liked Barry, but he had a tendency to go missing for months on end.
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Barry was great but Milner was our heart and soul - everything we did went through him and we've never recovered from losing him.
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I don't see much point worrying about who we sign in the summer at the minute. The key to us sorting out both our defensive and offensive issues lies in getting the balance right in midfield and McLeish doesn't appear to have any idea how to do that.
I can't see any major improvements to our performances or results until something changes our approach to the game, we need to learn to play with the ball more, our possession stats have been shocking all season and go a long way to explaining why we've struggled to get Ireland, Nzogbia and Bent looking like the players they could be for us, I also think a better focus on keeping the ball would help the younger players too, as it's easier to get confidence and experience with the ball than it is defending deep and counter attacking.
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That could have happened under Houllier. It won't happen under McLeish.
You would have thoght that was the board's goal because they did try to get Martinez who has a similar method, but doing a U turn and getting McLeish at the helm just proves they have no clue.
Even with MON, at least it was counter football. With the current manager it's anti football and he was proud of his 0-1 scoreline with it being an excellent game plan.
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Apologies if this has been posted, in another thread or earlier in this one I just couldn't be arsed to read through...
Makoun...
As the midfield is currently dreadful... is there not an option to bring him back now? Do we think he would do us a job....
Big Eck said several months ago he would review the Makoun situation in the summer, but how can he do that without giving him a chance?
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Makoun will be sold on this summer if McLeish is still the manager.
I'd like to see him get another chance.
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Makoun will be sold on this summer if McLeish is still the manager.
I'd like to see him get another chance.
We need a midfield enforcer, which Makoun isn't, to replace Petrov, who would then partner 1 or 2 of Clark, Herd, Gardner, Ireland or Petrov himself. Plus possibly Bannan. I make that 6 or 7 players for 2 or 3 positions, depending on formation.
Given the current cash constraints, selling a player like Makoun who will be on a decent wage and could fetch a couple of million is a logical decision.
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I'd go for Mo Diame from Wigan who's on a free.
Mid 20s and would give us a physical presence in midfield. Yes he's not as technically gifted as Stan but I'd like to think if Gardner keeps on developing and Ireland is still here, those two would compensate technically in the middle three.
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It's odd with Wigan.
I've heard at times that Figueroa, Al-Habsi, McCarthy, Diame, Rodallega and Moses are all the sort of player that we should be looking at.
So why are Wigan so fucking awful?
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It's odd with Wigan.
I've heard at times that Figueroa, Al-Habsi, McCarthy, Diame, Rodallega and Moses are all the sort of player that we should be looking at.
So why are Wigan so fucking awful?
Not so long ago, they were playing cosmic football and running rings round us at VP, just like Swansea this season. And the Stripeyfilth played us off the park with their total football.
In the final analysis, you need big money to survive in the Prem for any period above the short term. And you do not want to be selling your best players, either .
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It's odd with Wigan.
I've heard at times that Figueroa, Al-Habsi, McCarthy, Diame, Rodallega and Moses are all the sort of player that we should be looking at.
So why are Wigan so fucking awful?
I think you answered your own question
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Considering the big loss their team has suffered is currently the moody, disinterested winger that is underwhelming Villa Park you have to wonder.
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It's odd with Wigan.
I've heard at times that Figueroa, Al-Habsi, McCarthy, Diame, Rodallega and Moses are all the sort of player that we should be looking at.
So why are Wigan so fucking awful?
Same thing with Blackburn:-
Robinson, Samba, Dann, Hoilett, N'Zonzi and Yakubu.
But then if your squad is imbalanced, your manager shit or the other players are truely useless, then those 5 or 6 better players aren't enough.
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But then if your squad is imbalanced, your manager shit or the other players are truely useless, then those 5 or 6 better players aren't enough.
But enough about the Villa, what about Blackburn and Wigan? *winky*
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It's odd with Wigan.
I've heard at times that Figueroa, Al-Habsi, McCarthy, Diame, Rodallega and Moses are all the sort of player that we should be looking at.
So why are Wigan so fucking awful?
Don't score enough goals. I've mentioned Rodallega in the past but he's been pretty poor this season for them and their other strikers are Di Santo and Connor Sammon which says it all.
Maynor Figueroa is another one who looked great a while ago but in the last year he hasn't been much better at left back then Warnock.
Really with the crowds Wigan get and Dave Whelan cutting back investment and selling their best players each summer, it's a miracle every year they survive in the league.