The end is nigh.

[pauliewalnuts]

More gossip round the dinner table?

Yes. It came from a very good sauce.

Was the conversation peppered with useful insights?

You'll have to take what he says with a pinch of salt.

I am too busy now. Will try and ketchup with you later.

Beware the HP Clappers, dave.

[Dave Clark Five]

Maybe they will be on speaking terms soon.

You don't post on Transfer Rumours do you DC5?

"MON's tenure at the helm of AV drawing to a close hence the truly glacial pace of transfer activity. Learner has simply lost faith and its decision time on all fronts. Expect action on several fronts once Friday's televised friendly is out of the way"

I do occasionally post rumours, such as the one that started this thread, but always with good inside knowledge. Milner's injury of last season was some duff information that I had been fed.

Where did you get that quote from? I heard something similar in Fleet Street earlier in the week.

[old man villa fan]

Thanks for your objective response, unlike some posters.

*SNIP*

Somebody responded last night saying that he believed the internet article I referred to was made up.  Obviously some guys know the source from experience.

I was merely pointing out that the author of the article in question had put absolutely no quotes, references or links into his article to tell us where his information had come from, I could find nothing from any other source to corroborate what he posted either.

It may be correct, he may have sources, but yes, you are correct in thinking that some of us know the gentleman in question, and our vast experience tells us that 99% of what he writes is 100% bollocks.

The numbers related to Spurs come from their accounts which are available on line.  These are correct so I do not anticipate that the Villa numbers are incorrect, although I have not read the Villa accounts to check.

[old man villa fan]

Anybody who quotes dire Metallica lyrics should be banned with haste.

Banning is the least of the punishment I would expect if I actually liked the music, something more akin to the use of a rope and a tree would be appropriate!

[Dave Cooper please]

Thanks for your objective response, unlike some posters.

*SNIP*

Somebody responded last night saying that he believed the internet article I referred to was made up.  Obviously some guys know the source from experience.

I was merely pointing out that the author of the article in question had put absolutely no quotes, references or links into his article to tell us where his information had come from, I could find nothing from any other source to corroborate what he posted either.

It may be correct, he may have sources, but yes, you are correct in thinking that some of us know the gentleman in question, and our vast experience tells us that 99% of what he writes is 100% bollocks.

The numbers related to Spurs come from their accounts which are available on line.  These are correct so I do not anticipate that the Villa numbers are incorrect, although I have not read the Villa accounts to check.

But no links in the article in question, and spurious numbers with regards to the amount of Villa staff, no breakdown as to whether these are highly paid players or just 20K a year admin bods or waitresses in the Corner Flag.

And absolutely no proof that Spuds' wage bill for players is less than ours, which is the whole point of this surely?

[old man villa fan]

But no links in the article in question, and spurious numbers with regards to the amount of Villa staff, no breakdown as to whether these are highly paid players or just 20K a year admin bods or waitresses in the Corner Flag.

And absolutely no proof that Spurs' wage bill for players is less than ours, which is the whole point of this surely?

Will you pay to get a copy of the Villa accounts or shall I so that we can see once and for all whether the numbers are correct.  To be honest, I'm not too bothered but you seem hell bent on rubishing the article.

If the numbers are correct it is pretty obvious that they are on salaries around £20k as you say because it actually quotes the numbers of playing staff of the two clubs and hence the main difference is non-playing staff.

The point that I raised is whether staffing and player costs may be included elsewhere in the accounts either as subcontract costs for match day and corporate service staff or in other current liabilities as payments to players in such things as image rights.  If they are, the comparison of costs in each clubs accounts for wages may not be a true like-for-like comparison of the amount paid to the players.

The whole point is the comparison of cost of running our squad compared to Spurs to see who is getting best value.  The accounts are only a financial summary at a point in time any way and reflect the year for the season before last.  It will be interesting to see the comparison of the 2010 accounts.

[Risso]

I've posted links to the Villa accounts a dozen times.  You can download them yourself from Companies House if you can spare a quid.

[ktvillan]

Take Modric and his 25k a week, for example. He's come from Croatian football. Great bit of business by Spurs to get him so cheaply.

We're known for buying players already playing in the UK - bar, what, two signings, they have all come from that market - a market where transfer fees and wages are massively inflated.

This is the crux of the matter. If you are the first to take the chance on an obvious talent from a lesser league, you could give him a long-term contract for comparatively little a week, with the high-wage new contract up your sleeve if their should be worrying interest from a Manchester United or a Chelsea. By paying only established players from this country, we have to match their wage demands which are already at a premium. This is clearly not a good strategy with our current turnover. If we were to get into the Champions' League then sure, no problem - at the moment though, as Capello would say, "is problem".

Yes but on a positive note, think of how much we must be saving by not bothering with a scouting network aywhere further than Glasgow.

[Concrete John]

Modric is always touted as an example of why our transfer policy is wrong and it fairness it's a very good example.  But lets not kid ourselves that it's 100% success rate either - Bosko Balaban anyone?

What we need to do is vary it so that w're recruiting from a variety of markets.  Martin's not wrong in what's he's doing, but he is wrong in not taking chances from overseas aswell.

[mshurst]

Some of these puns are a bit saucy.

Sorry.

[Risso]

Modric is always touted as an example of why our transfer policy is wrong and it fairness it's a very good example.  But lets not kid ourselves that it's 100% success rate either - Bosko Balaban anyone?

What we need to do is vary it so that w're recruiting from a variety of markets.  Martin's not wrong in what's he's doing

A lot of the time he is, unless you think that Shorey and Heskey have provided good value for money.

[Concrete John]

Do we really have to so the 'Shorey, Heskey & Marlon' v 'Milner, Ash & Warnock' thing AGAIN???

[Arsey]

Modric is always touted as an example of why our transfer policy is wrong and it fairness it's a very good example.  But lets not kid ourselves that it's 100% success rate either - Bosko Balaban anyone?

What we need to do is vary it so that w're recruiting from a variety of markets.  Martin's not wrong in what's he's doing, but he is wrong in not taking chances from overseas aswell.

when fit he has looked a quality footballer, perhaps too lightweight for the Prem though.  Regardless, Spuds would make a profit on him should these choose to sell.  What did we sell Balaban for?

[Concrete John]

Modric is always touted as an example of why our transfer policy is wrong and it fairness it's a very good example.  But lets not kid ourselves that it's 100% success rate either - Bosko Balaban anyone?

What we need to do is vary it so that w're recruiting from a variety of markets.  Martin's not wrong in what's he's doing, but he is wrong in not taking chances from overseas aswell.

when fit he has looked a quality footballer, perhaps too lightweight for the Prem though.  Regardless, Spurs would make a profit on him should these choose to sell.  What did we sell Balaban for?

Uhm, isn't that the point that I'm making?  That we shouldn't presume signing overseas players is an automatic ticket to the CL without spending a fortune?

[Monty]

Modric is always touted as an example of why our transfer policy is wrong and it fairness it's a very good example.  But lets not kid ourselves that it's 100% success rate either - Bosko Balaban anyone?

What we need to do is vary it so that w're recruiting from a variety of markets.  Martin's not wrong in what's he's doing, but he is wrong in not taking chances from overseas aswell.

when fit he has looked a quality footballer, perhaps too lightweight for the Prem though.  Regardless, Spurs would make a profit on him should these choose to sell.  What did we sell Balaban for?

Uhm, isn't that the point that I'm making?  That we shouldn't presume signing overseas players is an automatic ticket to the CL without spending a fortune?

No, but I think that the distinction between British and foreign is a false one. There is only good and bad and seeing as there are more foreign players than British players (not to mention sub-standard British youth coaching) it's safe to assume that there are more good players abroad than there are here.

Modric is a good player, Balaban wasn't good enough. Foreign or otherwise doesn't enter into it on that front. As for the not spending much, it is well known that English players are overvalued because of the insularity of the Premier League, and that players in mid-career cost more in wages anyway. Therefore the most cost-effective method for success at the moment is good, young players from smaller countries (it's not just England - Dutch, Brazilians, Argentinians and others cost too much as well from reflected glory).