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

[KevinGage]

Ah, that makes a bit more sense.

[Dave]

Daily Mail

Reports in France claim that Aston Villa are in pole position to make a January swoop, as their new French boss Gerard Houllier well acquainted with Makoun.

Ignoring the awful grammar that the Mail use, is there any reason why Houllier would be any more acquainted with him than anyone else as he left Lyon a year before they signed Makoun?

I'm putting this one down to lazy journalism.

[Rigadon]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3191389/Ashley-Young-halts-Aston-Villa-contract-talks.html

Who are we going to replace Young with then?

[VillaAlways]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3191389/Ashley-Young-halts-Aston-Villa-contract-talks.html

Who are we going to replace Young with then?

Ireland ??

[JUAN PABLO]

If true, at least G-hou knows what positions need improving.

[Concrete John]

Haven't seen enough of him to really form an opinion, whenever I've watched Lyon he hasn't particularly stood out.

Defensive midfielders often don't 'stand out' unless you're particularly looking at them and what they're doing on and off the ball.

[KevinGage]

Any player in any position can stand out John, if they're good enough at what they do.

It doesn't need to be a headline grabbing contribution.

For a DM, I'd look at how they win the ball, the area they cover and their distribution.
I merely made the point that the lad didn't leave a lasting impression on me anytime I've seen his side play.

[BedsVillain]

Any player in any position can stand out John, if they're good enough at what they do.

It doesn't need to be a headline grabbing contribution.

For a DM, I'd look at how they win the ball, the area they cover and their distribution.
I merely made the point that the lad didn't leave a lasting impression on me anytime I've seen his side play.

Agree Kevin, never been overally impressed with Makoun, always rated Toulalon as the main force in the Lyon midfield. Etienne Capoue would still be my pick from Ligue 1, and like you Kevin it's because of the way he wins the ball, gets about and distributes!
This clips sums the lad up for me...CLICKY

[KevinGage]

Good player, but always struck me as a bit gangly and awkward.

But then so was Ian Taylor to an extent.

He's quite young too, I think so he might fill out more over the next few years.

There's also a lad at Schalke, Joel Matip.
Already a Cameroon international (though born and raised in Germany) and only 19. Plays  either DM or CB and already looks a monster, even at that age.

Couldn't find any clips without some horrific uber rock or piss poor grainy images though.

Might be one to watch  (though not on youtube obv).

[N'ZMAV]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3191389/Ashley-Young-halts-Aston-Villa-contract-talks.html

Who are we going to replace Young with then?

Maybe if Young goes to Spurs we can take one of their wingers who don't play too often, Kranjcar or Bentley. It could also mean that Bannan plays more?

[BedsVillain]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3191389/Ashley-Young-halts-Aston-Villa-contract-talks.html

Who are we going to replace Young with then?

Maybe if Young goes to Spurs we can take one of their wingers who don't play too often, Kranjcar or Bentley. It could also mean that Bannan plays more?

As much as I like our Ashley he is one of the most frustrating players of recent times. I would've been gutted to see him leave in any of the last few transfer windows, but if we could get a decent fee for him, I'd feel a lot easier about him being replaced now we have a less myopic manager at the helm.

[Rigadon]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3191389/Ashley-Young-halts-Aston-Villa-contract-talks.html

Who are we going to replace Young with then?

Maybe if Young goes to Spurs we can take one of their wingers who don't play too often, Kranjcar or Bentley. It could also mean that Bannan plays more?

If the Villa replaced Young with David Bentley I'd be horrified. 

[Concrete John]

As much as I like our Ashley he is one of the most frustrating players of recent times. I would've been gutted to see him leave in any of the last few transfer windows, but if we could get a decent fee for him, I'd feel a lot easier about him being replaced now we have a less myopic manager at the helm.

Would that be he same 'myopic' manager that signed him for us in he first place?

[BedsVillain]

As much as I like our Ashley he is one of the most frustrating players of recent times. I would've been gutted to see him leave in any of the last few transfer windows, but if we could get a decent fee for him, I'd feel a lot easier about him being replaced now we have a less myopic manager at the helm.

Would that be he same 'myopic' manager that signed him for us in he first place?

Yep! That's the one....lucky for us he didn't play for Dynamo Watford!

[TheSandman]

I'd like to see us bring in two central midfield players. One who is more of a deep lying playmaker and an athletic defensive midfielder. Petrov is getting on and NRC isn't a good enough starter for where we want to be. Both could be decent enough squad players though.