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

[garyshawsknee]

I don't think we really need a winger that desperately. Downing has played well this year and Albrighton is excellent, so even if Ashley Young goes we're okay.

A workhorse in midfield who is okay on the ball might be useful. Not sure what Makoun is like? A striker is definitely on the wish list too.

With Downing and Albrighton having good seasons, I think we could afford to sell Ashley Young, get a striker and a midfielder like Scott Parker & we'd be a better side.

The thought of watching a team without AY, and including someone like Scott Parker, who in my opinion is utter garbage, makes me shudder, regardless of the striker brought in. He is not the answer to our midfield issues.

How often have you seen Parker this season? The spammers at work reckon he's carrying the team.

 The only thing I have against Parker is his age. If he was a year or two younger i'd have straight in the team,he's the energetic midfielder we've missed since we sold Milner,and he's a leader as well.

[ROBBO]

What makes Ashley Young think he's too good for Villa, these players need to take a hard look at themselves
and realise what a good club they're at. Two years ago i would have been ropeable if he left but although still a useful player he is by no means that indespensible any more.

[PaulTheVillan]

I don't think we really need a winger that desperately. Downing has played well this year and Albrighton is excellent, so even if Ashley Young goes we're okay.

A workhorse in midfield who is okay on the ball might be useful. Not sure what Makoun is like? A striker is definitely on the wish list too.

With Downing and Albrighton having good seasons, I think we could afford to sell Ashley Young, get a striker and a midfielder like Scott Parker & we'd be a better side.

The thought of watching a team without AY, and including someone like Scott Parker, who in my opinion is utter garbage, makes me shudder, regardless of the striker brought in. He is not the answer to our midfield issues.

If you've watched Parker this season you'll see that he is a class all round midfielder, that we don't have.

Also, I said that if we get a striker. A good striker upfront with Gabby or Heskey would make us a better team.

[glasses]

I watched Scott Parker in the flesh in the opening game of the season, and have seen him a couple of times in live matches, and on MOTD, this season. I have watched him for years and never been impressed. A class all round midfielder he is not. Carrying West Ham, thats the team propping up the league isn't it? Hardly a massive achievement. Would not have been good enough for us last season, so why is he now? No different to Petrov or Sidwell imo.

[hawkeye]

as garyshawsknee said Parker is an excellnt player, if it came to signing a 30 year old i would take Parker over Robbie Bllody Keane anyday

[stevenjos]

H

What makes Ashley Young think he's too good for Villa, these players need to take a hard look at themselves
and realise what a good club they're at. Two years ago i would have been ropeable if he left but although still a useful player he is by no means that indespensible any more.

He sees Barry and Milner say "we want to leave for more money" and our board goes.. Ok!

[cdbearsfan]

I remember seeing Parker beat us 3-0 on his own at The Valley. Still, not sure we should be signing 30 year olds now unless they are World class or/and goalkeepers.

[KevinGage]

In the latest Guardian article it mentions we were moving away from recruiting older players and mentioned Keane by name. Good.

I'd make an exception for Parker though. He does what Petrov does but a bit better and would bring more drive to the side.

That said, If he's going anywhere it'll most likely be to join 'arry's mob. Could free up Palacios or Krankjar, you never know. Wouldn't turn my nose up at either of those.

[Mazrim]

I'd turn my nose up at Krancjar. I dont know what anybody sees in him to be honest. The odd nice ball aside, he's mostly anonymous.

[KevinGage]

Not a player to  necessarily build the side around, but we're light on numbers in the middle of the park and he would increase our options.

At the very least he might fulfil the Berger role for us, someone to come off the bench and change the game with a few incisive through balls (rather than the permanently injured version of Berger, obv).

On a cheap deal, say what 'arry paid Portsmouth for him, we could do a lot worse. Always looked one of Pompey's more productive players and not getting into the Tottenham line up considering some of the players they have in midfield is nowt to be ashamed of.

[Mazrim]

He's no central midfielder and we have better wide players so I dont see the point.
I'd hope for better personally. With NRC, Petrov and Delph back to fitness, maybe Gardner soon, plus somebody like M'Vila or Fofana coming in and Clark, Bannan and Hogg covering we'll be O.K there. Another wide man as cover would be useful but as he'd just be sitting about like he is at Spurs I cant see it being Krancjar. I hope not, anyway.

[KevinGage]

Looks like this one is at an advanced stage:

clicky

Aston Villa steal a march on Chelsea and Liverpool with move for Le Havre's Gueida Fofana
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER

Aston Villa are in negotiations to sign Gueida Fofana - a player tipped to fill Patrick Vieira's former role as France's midfield mainstay.
Sportsmail can reveal that Villa bosses have been in discussions with Le Havre since Monday in an attempt to agree a fee for the 19-year old, who captained his country to a 2-1 win over Spain in the European Under-19 Championships final in France last summer.


The athletic 6ft tall midfielder was in the sights of Liverpool and Chelsea at the start of the season but is on the verge of joining Villa after Gerard Houllier stole a march on his Barclays Premier League rivals.
Aware that Fofana is out of contract at the end of the season, Houllier moved in with an offer of around £800,000 up front, with a sell-on clause entitling Le Havre to 20 per cent of any subsequent transfer.

If he's anything like Viera he'd be most welcome.

[eamonn]

Not a player to  necessarily build the side around, but we're light on numbers in the middle of the park and he would increase our options.

At the very least he might fulfil the Berger role for us, someone to come off the bench and change the game with a few incisive through balls (rather than the permanently injured version of Berger, obv).

I thought Pires was going to fulfil the Berger role. And there's no way Kranjcar is going to swap Spurs bench for ours. The only reason he wants to leave is to get regular starts.

[JJ-AV]

Nice, looks like ones in then.

8 months to settle in England and get used to the way we play before next season.

Hopefully Weidenfeller on a pre-contract, Wheater and a centre forward to follow!

[PeterWithe]

I'm pretty sure I read that Parker was on something like £75k a week at WHU, he's unlikely to take a pay cut for his last big move and is going to want four years, whilst he is a fantastic player, if he loses form/the plot thats going to be a problem.