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

[KevinGage]

When I see people arguing the case of players like Doyle, I wonder if to some degree (if not entirely), they're doing so as they know he's the sort of player the manager will sign, rather than because they really believe he's the type to push us on.

I think that's pretty much it.

The danger in that low level of expectation and consistently punching below our weight in the transfer market is that over time it impacts on the image of the club.

Even during the grim latter years of the Ellis/ O'Leary campaign, if you spoke to opposition fans and neutrals in general there was a feeling that if we could sort out the ownership issue, we'd be a major player again. You only have to cast your mind back to the then England manager  putting himself forward for the job. Martin Samuel (not normally known for being pro-Villa) said if there was one club out there capable of major bounding up the table improvement it was Aston Villa. This was all pre- O'Neill, lets not forget.

O'Neill has done a lot of commendable things, and part of his make-up is to try to take unheralded/ unfancied or outright damaged players and improve them. Perhaps with the idea that such a player will be more loyal or grateful to him for the opportunity and will naturally give his all. He had success with this earlier in his career, but not so much at Villa. His best signings for us have generally been the more expensive ones, the ones who came with already decent reputations.

If we keep going after the same type of players that the likes of Wigan, Sunderland and Stoke are chasing, the natural conclusion will eventually be  that we can only attract those type of players. That was never the case before, and it shouldn't be now. Such downgrading affects the perception of the club out there and ultimately has a knock on effect if and when we do actually try to go after bigger names.

[supertom]

I'm watching this Football Aid, we could still do with Zidane in the midfield!

SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I chuffing well wanted to watch that, but I've missed it!

Arse biscuits!

We don't need Zidane, we've got his Togolese equivilant.

[Concrete John]

I agree with Percy.  There'll be plenty of time to get worked up about O'Neill's predictable and uninspired signings once he's made them.

Go on then - predict them.

[PaulWinch again]

Brian Lara is better than Sidwell!

[Concrete John]

Brian Lara is better than Sidwell!

Brian Blessed is better than Sidders.

[pauliewalnuts]

When we signed Withey, everybody was asking why we had bought a 30 yr old journeyman.Was'nt too bad was he?

No, he wasn't, but I could quote plenty of examples where we, and other clubs, have signed players in similar situations where they have turned out naff. In fact, weren't some people saying just that when we signed Marlon?

Some players turn out good when not expected, some turn out bad when expected to be good. That's the way it is.

The fact is, though, that we're likely to do better if we sign better players. Doyle might very well turn out to be a latter day Peter Withe, but the odds are that he wouldn't

[Percy McCarthy]

The point being hilts, that a team who can spend £200m net in one season are our immediate competitors, suggesting that we did well to get anywhere near them, and that instead of criticism , maybe a bit of praise for the manager might be more appropriate.

He'll get no praise until he's won something for us.
In other words, never.

Actually, he gets quite a bit of praise already. Sir Graham was singing his praises in the Muckraker today.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

When we signed Withey, everybody was asking why we had bought a 30 yr old journeyman.Was'nt too bad was he?

No, he wasn't, but I could quote plenty of examples where we, and other clubs, have signed players in similar situations where they have turned out naff. In fact, weren't some people saying just that when we signed Marlon?

Some players turn out good when not expected, some turn out bad when expected to be good. That's the way it is.

The fact is, though, that we're likely to do better if we sign better players. Doyle might very well turn out to be a latter day Peter Withe, but the odds are that he wouldn't

A journeyman who'd won the League title with Forest. He may not have been everyone's dream to replace Andy Gray (and certainly not mine) but comparing Withe with Doyle is fatuous.

[tommy_boy]

When we signed Withey, everybody was asking why we had bought a 30 yr old journeyman.Was'nt too bad was he?

   Its almost impossible to judge how a player would fit in/settle, thats why i think his policy of home grown players, who have experience of Prem Lge/England is not as flawed as some seem to believe.


  Doyle is not a bad player, and i would probably prefer him to Keane because of his age.

  Doyle would'nt be a gamble, a player like Berbatov would.I think MON would take more of a gamble when he is happier with his strikeforce.

Agree 100%

[pauliewalnuts]

I agree with Percy.  There'll be plenty of time to get worked up about O'Neill's predictable and uninspired signings once he's made them.

Go on then - predict them.

If we don't sign one of Keane, Cole, Doyle, Zamora this summer, I'll eat my hat.

I don't actually have a hat, but I'll buy one purely to eat it for you.

[Concrete John]

I agree with Percy.  There'll be plenty of time to get worked up about O'Neill's predictable and uninspired signings once he's made them.

Go on then - predict them.

If we don't sign one of Keane, Cole, Doyle, Zamora this summer, I'll eat my hat.

I don't actually have a hat, but I'll buy one purely to eat it for you.

Come on - pick one!  It's far too easy to give four names!

I think it'll be Keane!!

Midfielders??

[Dave]

Parker or Jenas

I wouldn't rule out a bid for Kevin Nolan either.

[TaxDodger]

Parker or Jenas

I wouldn't rule out a bid for Kevin Nolan either.

Oh good God. Surely not?

[Greg N'Ash]

Someone should start a sweepstake on who will arrive. lets face it, its one of about 4 brit based players in any position. my own guesses based on a study of his signings so far in order of probability

1)  reserve player or not wanted from a top half side (Keane,Jenas, citeh lot etc)
2)  first team players from a bottom half side (Doyle zamora, parker)
3) from relegated/scottish team (????)
4) 1st team player from top half side (someone from stoke or blackburn)


i reckon we'd get most of 'em

[Nelly]

If we keep going after the same type of players that the likes of Wigan, Sunderland and Stoke are chasing, the natural conclusion will eventually be  that we can only attract those type of players. That was never the case before, and it shouldn't be now. Such downgrading affects the perception of the club out there and ultimately has a knock on effect if and when we do actually try to go after bigger names.

I think that the Liverpool fan who wrote the article that Gregnash linked to in the Benitez Thread said pretty much exactly this - that O'Neill had done a great job considering the stature of the club and therefore what players we were likely to attract.

Slightly depressing that it's been/might be borne out.

Not that I trust a Liverpool fan's opinion, but that's what the writer thought anyway.