January Transfer Window - Rumours, Links, B*llsh*t and Made-Up Nonsense

[UK Redsox]

Lets hope he bags a striker aswell as Makoun while he's out there because that should be the No 1 priority

Stopping leaking goals should be our first priority. Our defensive performances have been absolutely shocking so far this season.

We have the same defence as last year when it was often as tight as a nuns ***t

My understanding is the Collins was really brought as defensive cover rather than as a starter. Added to that, Warnock had a surprsingly good season (England squad and all that).

Therefore, I'm concerned that this year is the reality and last year was the illusion.

[brontebilly]

Think we have dodged bullets with Bridge and Adam. Both overweight slow players. Can't see how Adam would be suited to 442. a tidy footballer no doubt but he is a player that couldn't hack it in the SPL not too long ago don't forget. Bridge has been touched on by enough posters. We already have enough players that were decent 3 or 4 years ago we didn't need another one.

But the failure to make these deals happen is a clear sign that the managerial instability at the club naturally has prospective players and their agents wary. Considering we are in the relegation zone in mid January that is very worrying.

[ROBBO]

I think we had a couple of chances to get Bent in the past, pity.

[WikiVilla]

and I thought MON's transfer windows were depressing

[Villa'Zawg]

As if Sunderland approach us for our better players. Alright then, a straight swap for Darren Bent or A1 do one.

Why not Sunderland?

[PeterWithe]

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2011/01/12/villa-striker-search-may-have-to-wait/?

Villa striker search may have to wait

Villa boss Gerard Houllier has admitted his new striker search may have to wait until the summer as he attempts to land midfielders Jean Makoun and Charlie Adam.

The claret and blues have been linked with Monaco forward Dieumerci Mbokani and Tottenham striker Robbie Keane but, at this moment in time, it looks unlikely Houllier will move for either player in January.

But the manager is pressing ahead with deals for Lyon midfield general Makoun and Blackpool playmaker Adam, with offers on the table for the pair.

Both players are out of contract in 18 months time, although they will only be sold if the price is acceptable to both parties and it is understood neither player will join the club before Sunday’s Second City derby with Birmingham.

Houllier said: “It is true that Adam is a player we like. His passing is very good.

“Makoun could also be a good asset for us because he is experienced, he has played Champions League with Lille and Lyon and he is exactly what we need at times.

“He can play as a holding midfielder or as a box-to-box player. He can be both.

“We are working on it. There is dialogue going on at the moment.”

Houllier also intimated he is prepared to bide his time for a striker, in order to sign a player who matches a specific criteria rather than just bringing someone in for the sake of it.

He said: “If you say are you looking for a striker? I would say if the opportunity is there yes. But you don’t find them easily.

“Getting a striker itself is not a problem, it is mainly the type of striker that you want.

“We’re always looking for good players but we’re aware that when Emile Heskey’s not there, and John Carew, we’re struggling.”

Peterborough goalkeeper Joe Lewis is also on Houllier’s radar but, for the time being, the Villa boss is focusing on Sunday’s Second City derby with Birmingham at St Andrew’s.

He said: “I am excited about it. I think it is better to play Birmingham now.

“It’s a derby game and the players know that it’s a very important game for them, for their family and for the fans.

“If you are a Villa fan or a Villa player you know that this game is very important and probably more important than any other game.

“We will be up for it.”

[Small Rodent]

If we can't get a proven striker, stick some of the younger ones in if need be, and for God's sake, get the ball into feet and on the deck. Not in the air constantly to a suspended Heskey and out-of-favour Carew.

[WikiVilla]

I'd like to see Wiemann given a run if we aren't signing anyone

[Ger Regan]

And surely Cummings would be worth a risk bringing in? I presume he won't cost too much?

[Greg N'Ash]

We need a striker. taking a hell of a risk waiting till the summer.

[Mr Diggles]

I'd like to see Wiemann given a run if we aren't signing anyone

I agree.  I feel dirty.

[KevinGage]

Lets hope he bags a striker aswell as Makoun while he's out there because that should be the No 1 priority

Stopping leaking goals should be our first priority. Our defensive performances have been absolutely shocking so far this season.

We have the same defence as last year when it was often as tight as a nuns ***t

My understanding is the Collins was really brought as defensive cover rather than as a starter. Added to that, Warnock had a surprsingly good season (England squad and all that).

Therefore, I'm concerned that this year is the reality and last year was the illusion.

Warnock was on the fringes of the England squad whilst at Blackburn and was their player of the year prior to joining us, so I'm not sure that stacks up.

For that first half of the season with us last year he continued his good form. What's happened since then, I don't know. There were reports as far back as the summer that he was unsettled and wouldn't move from the North West. 

I'm not sure that alone is enough to explain the alarming dip in form. But that's what it is - a dip. Rather than him always being shit and the early part of last year being the exception.

[pauliewalnuts]

Think we have dodged bullets with Bridge and Adam. Both overweight slow players. Can't see how Adam would be suited to 442. a tidy footballer no doubt but he is a player that couldn't hack it in the SPL not too long ago don't forget. Bridge has been touched on by enough posters. We already have enough players that were decent 3 or 4 years ago we didn't need another one.

But the failure to make these deals happen is a clear sign that the managerial instability at the club naturally has prospective players and their agents wary. Considering we are in the relegation zone in mid January that is very worrying.

In which way is it a "clear sign"?

They can't really win, reading your post.

1. "The players are shit" - so we're approaching crap players.

and

2. "We can't sign them" - which isn't actually the case, as there's still plenty of transfer window left.

and

3. "The reason we haven't signed them yet is because of the instability at the club" - which you've decided without any actual evidence.

[eastie]

Has cummings signed or is still on trial?

[JJ-AV]

Gabby is looking pretty poor of late, and I cant help but wonder if there's an element of him thinking he's made it in the way he's performing, but I shall still be having a few quid on him scoring at Blues.

Nailed on, his record speaks for itself. What is it, seven games played, five scored?

And one of those games was a 10 minute cameo under DOL. The only start he hasn't scored in was the 1-0 win where he won the penalty.