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

[Dave P]

My bluenose mate reckons he will ultimatly become a right back so maybe this is a long tem solution there if we are not going to sign Walker full time.

My only problem with it is Curtis' value is £3.5m and they want to give us him and £1.5 making Larsson, who contract is up in the summer, worth £2m ?  Not sure on that.

[Merv]

I think we'd be better covered at RM if Gezza didn't insist on playing Young off the striker.  I see Albrighton as first choice, but if he's not available I'd like to see Ash play there (better on the right than Downing) and someone else come into the centre.  Or maybe even go 4-4-2 with Gabby up top with bent.

Totally agree about LB.

Yes, yes and yes, agree with all those viewpoints, John.... but that's the crux of it. I don't believe Houllier wants to play Young on the right. So if Albrighton's not available (and he's had his absences this year).... I'm trying to think like Gerard!

Say we're playing Chelsea, and Malouda's rediscovered his best form and is absolutely flying wide left, and Albrighton is injured (or not even injured, you're looking for someone less attacking and more solid), who'd be better off playing RM, bearing in mind you'd perhaps want a bit more defensive cover? Gabby, or Downing, or Larsson?

Bear in mind also, as Chris Smith pointed out, that at the moment I'd say the likelihood is that Reo-Coker is leaving in the summer. Ashley Young might too. So it's with an eye on next season, too. Larsson can deliver a great ball but he's also a decent ball-winner and works hard.

I could see, in a midfield three: Larsson-Makoun-Delph/Downing

With a front three of Albrighton, Bent, Gabby.

Just a thought.

[Concrete John]

It's difficult to judge until we know what happens to Ash and NRC in the summer, but in that situation with Malouda I'd play NRC there from our present squad.

[Concrete John]

My only problem with it is Curtis' value is £3.5m and they want to give us him and £1.5 making Larsson, who contract is up in the summer, worth £2m ?  Not sure on that.

Excellent point.  Pinear went for £3m though in the same circumstances and although he's done a lot more to justify a high fee than Larsson has, taking a third off his value might be about right.  Guess it's all to do with what he'd be worth if he still had three years on his contract.

[Merv]

That's right. It's been mentioned before that Newcastle had agreed a fee of £1m for Larsson a couple of weeks back so there's no way we should entertain a valuation on the player more than that.

BTW, latest news from Stamford Bridge is that Malouda's just completed his hat-trick, tearing poor NRC apart... he looks totally out of depth right midfield and going forward he offers little. "Why didn't we sign Larsson?" scream the Villa faithful.... 

[eastie]

I think spurs wanted walker to get premier experience , I don't think there was a view to a permanent deal but if larsson comes in I guess having played full back for arsenal then he maybe will get the right back spot- sky saying davies talks are advanced but the deal is not dependant on larsson- if larsson doesn't agree terms it will just be straight cash.

Still no more news on Ireland and warnock as to whether they will be loaned out or reintegrated in the squad, houllier has shown in the past that he is man enough to give players a fresh chance not only with dunne but fowler at Liverpool - whether Ireland and warnock want it enough though is the key I guess.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

i was pleased when we got Ireland but like with Mancini he has not got on with Houllier. Warnock has just lost "it". To much positive energy would now be wasted on trying to resurrect these two. Loan out and reduce wage bill wih a hope they can re gain confidence and attitude in Ireland`s case and have another look at them in pre-season .......

[Marlon From Bearwood]

My only problem with it is Curtis' value is £3.5m and they want to give us him and £1.5 making Larsson, who contract is up in the summer, worth £2m ?  Not sure on that.

Excellent point.  Pinear went for £3m though in the same circumstances and although he's done a lot more to justify a high fee than Larsson has, taking a third off his value might be about right.  Guess it's all to do with what he'd be worth if he still had three years on his contract.

I thought Blose had agreed to sell Larrson for £1m to Newcastle (only for the deal to break down over personal terms)

He shouldn't be worth more than that

[pedro25]

Not sure our squad is particularly small, it's the quality that's lacking, imo we could lose Warnock, Ireland, Beye, Salifou, Osbourne, Marshall, Pires and Davies and bring in say only Figueroa, Larson and Adam and be far stronger, even with less players.  Having 5 or 6 guys out injured doesn't help and is unusual, but we still have several senior players who don't make the matchday squads.

[eastie]

I'D read reports of davies moving on loan to Leicester with a view to a £2.5 m move in the summer, that would make blues valuation of £1.5m plus larsson about right, but now the davies fee is being reported at £3.5m ? Maybe the fee is just speculation and until we find out the exact details it's hard to know what to think.

[Bosco81]

Not sure about Larsson playing at right back, I've never noticed him chasing back that much, but he does take a decent set piece.

I wonder whether it's to give Albrighton a bit of a rest, as well as he's played this season he does give free kicks away in dangerous areas at vital times.

I just hope it means Downing goes back on the left wing.

[Concrete John]

Not sure our squad is particularly small, it's the quality that's lacking, imo we could lose Warnock, Ireland, Beye, Salifou, Osbourne, Marshall, Pires and Davies and bring in say only Figueroa, Larson and Adam and be far stronger, even with less players.  Having 5 or 6 guys out injured doesn't help and is unusual, but we still have several senior players who don't make the matchday squads.

You're right to an extent, but I think the issue is that some of the 'quality' we do have is not producing, such as Ireland and Warnock.  We also have questions over too many players and so  properly judging what we need becomes difficult until they are answered:-
1.  Is NRC staying?
2.  Is Young staying?
3.  Can Gabby successfully convert to being a wide player?
4.  Which of the kids are going to REALLY come through?
5.  Where will Ciaran Clark actually play?

We have plenty of numbers, but where we need to sell and buy is still up in the air other than one or two obvious positions, such as LB and GK. 

[Shrek]

All I know is Seb Larssan is not good enough for Villa.

[Hookeysmith]

All I know is Seb Larssan is not good enough for Villa.

Agreed

if he is to play wide right then

In order

1/ Albrighton

2/ Young

3/ Gabby

4/ Herd

5/ My Mom

6/ Your Mom

7/ Larsson

dont really see the need for him tbh

[selly park trinity]

To be honest, I'd take him any day of the week.  He's a hard worker, can put in a great cross, doesn't waste the ball often.  I also like that he doesn't seem to get intimidated by the opposition much.  We get a big earner off the books who has the mental strength of a big girls blouse (I'm not Andy Gray or Richard Keyes), a bit of cash in the process.  He's a far better squad option than Salifou, Hogg, Herd etc and if we need to sell him we could get a good price in the future, if not he hasn't cost an exorbitant amount.  Good buisness imo.