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

[PeterWithe]

To be honest that Guardian article makes us sound a shambles. And I'm really disappointed that Ireland has already jacked it in.

Needed doing and I'm very pleased our manager is tackling things head on. O'Neill left us with a huge tail of over-rated, over-paid dross

Despite me having a few reservations about GH I'm firmly in the 'he's got to be given time' camp, I like that article, this group of players have won fuck all and if upsets them that they have to adapt to new methods to change that then so be it.

My periods of hating football and players seem to be coming closer and closer together.

[Clark W Griswold]

During the next 2 windows I would sell Carew, Osbourne, Salifou, Sidwell, Beye, Davies, Freidel, either Dunne or Collins and Ash if he wants to go. I would buy a centre forward goalscorer, centre midfield bruiser, a left back, centre back and goalkeeper and a winger if Young goes. I think the 3 urgent ones for Jan would be a centre back, left back and striker.

EDIT : An of course, sell Ireland as well. He's been that invisible I forgot about him even being here.

[Mazrim]

The players who want out or dont survive the new standards of work ethics and professionalism are the type of players we dont need.
So please leave as soon as your gobshite agents can secure your moves, gentlemen. No more mugging us off for a fortune.

[JJ-AV]

GH performed some major surgery when he first went to Liverpool that also led to the introduction of Gerrard and Carragher. He changed a lot of things very quickly and it led to a decent period of success for the club. I get the impression he's had just about enough with one or two at the club and they're just an unwanted distraction now. We need to get rid of a few, in January if possible, and bring in players who want to actually contribute.

It's going to be a new dawn for the Villa.

Over recent years the spine of our team has been: Friedel, Dunne, Petrov, Milner, Young, Gabby, Carew.

Only Gabby could still be here come next season.

Instead I guess he'll build around Clark, Bannan, Albrighton... And give Lichaj, Hogg and Delfouneso more chances. As well as Gardner and Delph...

We're not going to go down, no chance. This is exactly the sort of thing some of us were championing pre-season.

Get some players who are on massive wages, but never going to improve to the level we need out, and replace them with the kids who could grow into top players, be Villa through and through and try to add bits of quality around them.

If 6th is our glass ceiling, I'd be much more happy with players we've created taking us there than Sidwell, Dunne, Petrov etc who are only here for the 50k+ a week pay cheques.

[JJ-AV]

To follow on...

Guzan
Luke, Lichaj, Collins, Cuellar, Clark
Bannan, NRC, Petrov, Hogg, Delph
Ashley (hopefully), Downing, Albrighton
Gabby, Heskey, Delfouneso

Could easily be the only players from our current squad who are still here next season.

There should be circa £20million in the kitty already from Milner and Gardner sales.

It's going to be a very exciting 18 months.

[peter w]

Going dowwwwn, going down, going down, going down, going down, go-in down...with JJ's squad.

[The Walshmeister]

A couple of French, a couple of Africans and a couple of Scottish is all we need.

I don't care if they are any good, we just need em!

[Toronto Villa]

GH performed some major surgery when he first went to Liverpool that also led to the introduction of Gerrard and Carragher. He changed a lot of things very quickly and it led to a decent period of success for the club. I get the impression he's had just about enough with one or two at the club and they're just an unwanted distraction now. We need to get rid of a few, in January if possible, and bring in players who want to actually contribute.

It's going to be a new dawn for the Villa.

Over recent years the spine of our team has been: Friedel, Dunne, Petrov, Milner, Young, Gabby, Carew.

Only Gabby could still be here come next season.

Instead I guess he'll build around Clark, Bannan, Albrighton... And give Lichaj, Hogg and Delfouneso more chances. As well as Gardner and Delph...

We're not going to go down, no chance. This is exactly the sort of thing some of us were championing pre-season.

Get some players who are on massive wages, but never going to improve to the level we need out, and replace them with the kids who could grow into top players, be Villa through and through and try to add bits of quality around them.

If 6th is our glass ceiling, I'd be much more happy with players we've created taking us there than Sidwell, Dunne, Petrov etc who are only here for the 50k+ a week pay cheques.

I'm with you on this. I believe that we will start to really make use of our academy. They've been brilliant for years, and while not all of them will make it, we clearly have an eye at the club for finding and developing talented footballers. We now have a manager who has contacts all across Europe, not only for young players but also for established players that can contribute on a far higher technical level than most of our current pros. I think the jury is still out on GH, and even for his staunchest supporters the confidence has been knocked a little. However, if he is true to what says about his committment and desire, I would think that within the next 12 months, the playing side of our club will look a lot different and better than what it is today.

[hawkeye]

The major investment in the squad took place under MON, I dont think that level of funding is now available, we have the chance to build on youth but i dont think we have any choice

[eamonn]

Going dowwwwn, going down, going down, going down, going down, go-in down...with JJ's squad.

He hasn't included the six slick signings we'll bring in, in place of the outgoing dross.

[eastie]

Good post jj , the only thing I'd add to it though is I think we need 2 keepers as I don't see guzan making it at this level-GED will rebuild the squad and I'm sure we will be better given time- I am looking forward to seeing GED wheel and deal and think mid table or top 10 would be quite acceptable under the circumstances this season.

Shay given , robbie keane and a midfielder would do for me in January!

[VillaZogmariner]

Not sure about Keane, but Given would be a great signing.

[wookster]

The major investment in the squad took place under MON, I dont think that level of funding is now available, we have the chance to build on youth but i dont think we have any choice

The majority of the investment that MON made at this club has been in bench warmers, way too much money spent on players not good enough to play for the club.  If it had been spent better we would not be in this mess.

[VillaZogmariner]

Looking at the squad the only players I think good enough to remain at Villa next season would be -

Young (L)

Cuellar
Collins
Clark

Reo-Coker
Delph
Bannan
Hogg

Albrighton
Downing
Young (A)

Agbonlahor
Delfouenso

Add to them the likes of Lichaj, Gardner and Herd who have been there or thereabouts with the squad. It still needs a lot of work doing to it to get it to a decent standard.

[LeeB]

Going dowwwwn, going down, going down, going down, going down, go-in down...with JJ's squad.

It's got "86/87" stamped all over it.