Reo-Coker set for talks (Meaning Evil)

[Rudy Can't Fail]

For all his supposed short comings, I'd have him to date as arguably our most consistent performer this season, certainly alongside Heskey as our most improved player. His only real fault for me this season is he sometimes appears a bit casual tracking back. Talk of replacing him with Bradley based on a 17 minute appearance strikes me as some what nieve.

[eastie]

I'd kget rid of petrov and use his wages to offer reo- coker a new deal , he won't be a regular starter but given a choice between nige and petrov I would take nige anyday.

[SoccerHQ]

The thing is, if you let NRC go on a free, you are going to have to bring in a replacement. That player is going to cost us a fee plus wages , whereas NRC's situation should be just wages.

I'd rather pay a fee in addition to wages if it meant we had an improved player on the pitch.

Makoun and Delph between them will more than replace NRC.

[WikiVilla]

Any further news on us securing NRC for the rest of his career ?

[Dave]

Any further news on us securing NRC for the rest of his career ?

No, because he has nothing to gain by doing anything now.

He will wait to the summer and then sign for the person who offers him the most. Which is highly unlikely to be us.

[WikiVilla]

The title of the thread suggests talks were imminent ?

[villa1]

The title of the thread suggests talks were imminent ?

They may have been from the club's point of view, not necessarily his.

[SoccerHQ]

If he wanted to stay, he'd have signed that deal back in October when Houllier was praising him.

How many players deals run out in the summer and then they sign a new deal with that club? I can only think of Pedersen at Blackburn as a very recent example.

[JJ-AV]

I like Nige but we can get better for cheaper. I'd have not let him go in Jan but over the Summer we should look elsewhere.

[SoccerHQ]

As I've already said, the hype Delph is getting means he should over time develop into a tenacious NRC style prem midfield who can hopefully also pass properly.

And Makoun's already shown he's a decent player.

Hopefully Bradley gets the league so that will be another one into the mix for next season, keep Petrov as a SQUAD player, also got Bannan and I still live in hope Ireland will have a brain transplant, have a storming end to the season at Newcastle and will come back in better shape for pre season.

So yep he's been a decent player but I don't see him as one we'll miss tbh.

[WikiVilla]

Huge assumption that Bradley is any good at PL level, delph ? can he cut it / stay fit ? Makoun - jury still out if he's anything other than an anchor man / square ball merchant. We need the likes of NRC and Petrov IMO , on their day they are top 6 players

[Ad@m]

We need the likes of NRC and Petrov IMO , on their day they are top 6 players

Not a chance - neither would get in to any of the top sides' first 11.  If NRC wants to stay for a sensible wage as a squad player then great.  If not, let him look for his payday elsewhere.  Stan's just past it now.  The game is too quick for him and captain or not he shouldn't be in the Villa side anymore.

[WikiVilla]

Less than a month ago, petrov was awesome in the home win over man city ! All of a sudden he's the new whipping boy and people are bigging up Bradley even though he came from the foot of the bundesliga and is yet to play a PL game !?
Laughable

[PaulTheVillan]

I wouldn't be too fussed if we saw the back of Petrov & NRC in the summer. Oh & Pires.

[MoetVillan]

Wiki, one swallow doesnt make a summer.  Petrov has declined over the last year, a couple of good games mask a player that is too slow, too predictable, and far too negative.  The number of fouls he now gives away as opposed to winning shows he is losing what he had for pace.  You can count forward passes on one hand these days, which does not play to our strengths when we want to utilise Gabby, Bent, Downing and Young.