Michael Bradley signs (page 6)

[Chris Smith]

You have to say it's all very exciting isn't it? With all these different options, something approaching strength in depth and to top it all a good crop of kids coming through.

Excellent work Messrs Houllier and Lerner.

What a difference a month makes.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

You have to say it's all very exciting isn't it? With all these different options, something approaching strength in depth and to top it all a good crop of kids coming through.

Excellent work Messrs Houllier and Lerner.

What a difference a month makes.

I'll second that.
Feels really good and a complete turn around from a few weeks ago.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Heskey will be phased out over the next season or so and Weimann will hopefully come through with maybe another big striker coming in.

Whilst I think Heskey has done a good job so far this season, I'd be tempted to sell him in the summer. At least we'd get something for him where as a year later we'd probably have to give him away. As Lerner is finding out, this football lark is bloody expensive and when you add up how much we've lost with players running down their contracts, having to pay over 50% of wages to players out on loan, we really should only be paying top wages to those players that are essential to our progress. Sadly, Heskey doesn't fall into that catagory.

[pauliewalnuts]

Heskey will be phased out over the next season or so and Weimann will hopefully come through with maybe another big striker coming in.

Whilst I think Heskey has done a good job so far this season, I'd be tempted to sell him in the summer. At least we'd get something for him where as a year later we'd probably have to give him away. As Lerner is finding out, this football lark is bloody expensive and when you add up how much we've lost with players running down their contracts, having to pay over 50% of wages to players out on loan, we really should only be paying top wages to those players that are essential to our progress. Sadly, Heskey doesn't fall into that catagory.

I'd agree with that.

He's at least managed some decent contributions this season, but there are certain players who clearly are nearing the end of their usefulness for us, and will be contributing less, for wages which are still hefty, and he's one of them.

[Mazrim]

Yeah, when I said over the next season I suppose I meant in the summer or January if we get a decent offer.
Then get a powerful forward in although Gabby, Bent and Delfouneso are all strong and hold it up. Still, the option of sending on a Battleship is always nice.
Maybe try and pull off a real coup and go and get that Lukaku kid.

[JJ-AV]

If Ash doesn't sign a new deal, we should sell him. If he does then we would sell Downing.

[pedro25]

I think Friedel, NRC, Marshall, Salifou and Pires are all out of contract in the summer and I expect them all to leave.  Not sure when L Young, Guzan, Warnock, Osbourne, Heskey and Beye's contracts run out, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them leave in the summer too.  I think Ash will probably also go in the summer.  We will then probably need at least 2 keepers, 1 left back, a winger, a striker, an attacking/creative centre mid and Walker and Bradley permanently coming in as a minimum.

[Concrete John]

Yeah, when I said over the next season I suppose I meant in the summer or January if we get a decent offer.
Then get a powerful forward in although Gabby, Bent and Delfouneso are all strong and hold it up. Still, the option of sending on a Battleship is always nice.
Maybe try and pull off a real coup and go and get that Lukaku kid.

It was around this time last year we were calling him 'Gentle Ben'. 

[JJ-AV]

I think Friedel, NRC, Marshall, Salifou and Pires are all out of contract in the summer and I expect them all to leave.  Not sure when L Young, Guzan, Warnock, Osbourne, Heskey and Beye's contracts run out, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them leave in the summer too.  I think Ash will probably also go in the summer.  We will then probably need at least 2 keepers, 1 left back, a winger, a striker, an attacking/creative centre mid and Walker and Bradley permanently coming in as a minimum.

Thank McGrath it's Houllier chasing them and not MON.

[Mazrim]

Yeah, when I said over the next season I suppose I meant in the summer or January if we get a decent offer.
Then get a powerful forward in although Gabby, Bent and Delfouneso are all strong and hold it up. Still, the option of sending on a Battleship is always nice.
Maybe try and pull off a real coup and go and get that Lukaku kid.

It was around this time last year we were calling him 'Gentle Ben'. 

Not me. I was calling him a useless c**t or something.
He's always had his uses, until he signed for us and then resumed them after MON went for some reason.
Still, I dont think it's anything more than one last hurrah and it's best to move him on soonish.
Until that time, and when he gets a chance, I hope he goes out in a blaze of tumbling glory.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Bradley must replace Reo Coker. 6`2 a fitness freak and can pass and with an eye for a goal. It almost represents everything Reo Coker has not got ....

[Mazrim]

Reo Coker has the strength and the engine and he's no slouch.
But he lacks vision and awareness.

Petrov lacks the engine and any kind of mobility but has a degree of vision and awareness.

Bradley has the engine, mobility and awareness.
In other words, he's a genuine box to box midfielder and the others are not. Makoun, by all accounts and from what I've seen of him also has these traits. So does Delph and Gardner.

Its a no brainer for me and I'm delighted Houlier has addressed it or is in the process of addressing it.
You have to have mobile, commited and clever players who are tidy on the ball in this league. Otherwise it puts enormous strain on your defence and your forwards rarely see the ball. It becomes a much harder propostition.

[sfx412]

You have to say it's all very exciting isn't it? With all these different options, something approaching strength in depth and to top it all a good crop of kids coming through.

Excellent work Messrs Houllier and Lerner.

What a difference a month makes.

Indeed a very decent Jan window for a change, amazing what a professional approach from an experienced, manager can do. What's nearly as exciting is the exit of such expensive time wasters as Sidwell, Davies, Carew and especially Ireland which not only complies with the Boards desires but probably removes the disruptive influences from the squad.

Well done indeed. A win tonight would put the icing on the cake nicely

[PeterWithe]

The Daily Mail

I am the new Roy Keane, boasts  Aston Villa's new signing Michael Bradley

Aston Villa newcomer Michael Bradley admits he has taken inspiration from Roy Keane as he looks to bring the same all-action midfield style to Villa Park.United States international Bradley has joined Villa on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach for the remainder of the campaign.The 23-year-old is a massive admirer of the qualities of former Manchester United skipper Keane and hopes he can be a positive influence at Villa Park.

Bradley said: 'The one I looked up to was Roy Keane and the job he did at Manchester United.'The way he was able to be the engine and heart of their team and help them be successful was something to aspire to.'On the kind of player the Villa faithful can expect to link up in Gerard Houiller's team alongside Stiliyan Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker, the Amercian added, 'I am a midfielder who likes to give everything he has for the team. I can attack and defend and impose myself in the centre of the field. I will do whatever it takes to help the team be successful.'When you look at football nowadays, to have midfielders who can get forward, get in the box and get goals, that's important too and I try to do that. I have watched all sorts of games from when I was little and watched midfielders obviously.Bradley is relishing the challenge of adjusting to the demands of the Barclays Premier League.He said: 'You watch the Premier League games and right away the speed and power of the game comes across.'That's what sets the Premier League apart from any other in the world.'To be part of that and be here and test myself in that environment, will be great.'In each step along the way I have tried to improve myself as a player, take something each day into the matches and work hard. 'Now I have to take the experience I have gained along the way and use it as I get going in England.'Bradley is in line to make his home debut for Villa against Fulham on Saturday as the Villans look to climb into the top half of the Premier League table.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1352471/I-new-Roy-Keane-boasts-Aston-Villas-new-signing-Michael-Bradley.html#ixzz1Cj6N8600

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I am the new Roy Keane, boasts  Aston Villa's new signing Michael Bradley

He said nothing of the sort. No wonder the journalist never put his name to the article. Twat.