Summer 2010 Transfer Thread: B*llsh*t, Rumours & Wishes

[JUAN PABLO]

We haven't made a single ambitious signing in the Randy era.

We've made some decent ones, some very good ones, and the odd shit one, but we haven't made a single one we couldn't theoretically have signed pre 2006.

I'm not too sure how many ambitious signings we have made since I started watching the Villa circa 1970....

I'd say there have been lots actually.  Not all have been successful, but I'd say the following all showed more ambition or at least a desire to try and do something different:

Dean Saunders
Dalian Atkinson
Stan Collymore
Savo Milosevic
Sasa Curcic
Andy Townsend
JPA

I would take a few of them now, obviously at their peak  ;-D

[PeterWithe]

And Joe Cole was only ever after a massive payday.

I was reading a piece by Jamie Redknapp the other day basically slagging off Chelsea for releasing him, he went on to say that Cole was not being greedy and was asking for reasonable wages (£90k a week). I wonder which planet  Redknapp spent the summer on.

[Chris Harte]

I'd say there have been lots actually.  Not all have been successful, but I'd say the following all showed more ambition or at least a desire to try and do something different:

Dean Saunders
Dalian Atkinson
Stan Collymore
Savo Milosevic
Sasa Curcic
Andy Townsend
JPA

Going further back I'd be tempted to throw in the loan signing of Didier Six from Mulhouse in 1984.

[eastie]

That 3-0 win against man u gave us a rare glimpse of the real didier, great memory!

[Concrete John]

And Joe Cole was only ever after a massive payday.

I was reading a piece by Jamie Redknapp the other day basically slagging off Chelsea for releasing him, he went on to say that Cole was not being greedy and was asking for reasonable wages (£90k a week). I wonder which planet  Redknapp spent the summer on.

The day he signed they had pictures of him meeting Roy Hodgson for the first time when he flew out to wherever they were.  Yeah, signing for a club before even meeting the manager is a sure sign you're not in it for the money!

[eastie]

Talking to a couple of boro fans at the weekend and they reckon downing played his best football for them in central midfield and was hit and miss on the wing, maybe mon sees him as the answer if milner goes and is planning on mcgeady and ash out wide?

I would prefer 3 central midfielders and just ash out wide personally as our centre midfield were overun too many times last season , unless you have 2 extremely productive wingers then it's a luxury and I'd go for just one, giving ash the licence to roam either side.

[KevinGage]

We haven't made a single ambitious signing in the Randy era.

We've made some decent ones, some very good ones, and the odd shit one, but we haven't made a single one we couldn't theoretically have signed pre 2006.

I'm not too sure how many ambitious signings we have made since I started watching the Villa circa 1970....

I'd say there have been lots actually.  Not all have been successful, but I'd say the following all showed more ambition or at least a desire to try and do something different:

Dean Saunders
Dalian Atkinson
Stan Collymore
Savo Milosevic
Sasa Curcic
Andy Townsend
JPA

Ray Houghton was Liverpool's player of the year in 1991/92 and we signed him that close season. Stan Staunton was highly rated in 1991 and the Redscouse pretty much regretted his departure from the start.

Time can dull the senses, and all those players listed above have varying reputations with Villa fans because of what they ultimately achieved in C&B. But at the time they arrived they were all seen as big signings, and showed a certain level of ambition.

BFR nailed it when he said this soon after signing er, Earl Barrett: "When top players become available, a club like Aston Villa should always be interested."

[Mazrim]

If for no other reason, it would interesting to hear Risso's language if he ever saw Downing lining up in midfield for us.

[Concrete John]

I think all those players were top signings at the time, but that was before the advent of the Champions League, which is now very important to a player.  The likes of Collymore and Saunders certainly wouldn't sign for us now if they have a chance of CL football.

It's a catch 22, unless you're Man City.

[andyh]

If for no other reason, it would interesting to hear Risso's language if he ever saw Downing lining up in midfield for us.

A central midfielder who is scared shitless about tackling ?
That would be interesting.

[eastie]

Of course bearing in mind that downing played in central midfield at boro before his injury in petrovs tackle, maybe he now has to regain the courage and put that injury behind him.

[Concrete John]

When Milner was playing wide I was one of those arguing he should play centrally.  I just don't see that in Downing.

[MalcolmP]

That 3-0 win against man u gave us a rare glimpse of the real didier, great memory!

He was awesome that day as was Steve McMahon in midfield - two performances as rare as beating Man U 3-0

[Des Little]

If Downing ever makes a centre midfield player I'll be amazed.  The thing is, if we are after McGeady then either Young or Downing will have to move inside.  The thought of it makes me shudder.

[Greg N'Ash]

If Downing ever makes a centre midfield player I'll be amazed.  The thing is, if we are after McGeady then either Young or Downing will have to move inside.  The thought of it makes me shudder.

yep, you do get a feeling if mcgeady comes then that may be our lot for midfield spending. He's notorious for taking his time bringing in replacements. My only hope is the delpth injury/sidwell possible departure will speed him up.