Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[oldtimernow]

Salifou never let us down.....he just never...

[TimTheVillain]

Well, Barton isn't coming.

http://www.eatsleepsport.com/aston-villa/no-more-new-faces-planned-mcleish-1253194.html

I saw it tweeted a lot this am too, but apparently, that's a crap source of info, even if it's from the same source.

[oldtimernow]

yes but no but

[Concrete John]

These are the direct quotes:-

"We don't have any plans to bring anybody else in but you never know something might happen.

"We are mindful of the wage bill and we don't want it spiralling out of control."

If anything it says to me he'd like another one (or two), but needs to free up wages first.  Which we all pretty much knew anyway!

[UsualSuspect]

I wouldn't mind Upson on a free

I wouldn't touch Upson with a barge pole if he was available on a 2 for 1.

Why are people listing their dream teams with Joey barton in it?

[SoccerHQ]

Can see a loan or two just before the deadline but I'd be surprised if we sign anyone for big cash this window.

Could be like last season, eck given 6 months to judge the squad and then a few hefty signings in January.

[TheSandman]

I expect that the hefty signings will only come about if Lerner's new policy fails badly.

[oldtimernow]

To be honest I would rather us choose the youth factor against buying over priced second raters/disruptives.
Top 4 is unrealistic lets go for our home grown talent and hold on for the fun of the ride....otherwise we become just like the glory hunting brigade who only follow because of the amount of money spent/success etc

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I wouldn't mind Upson on a free

I wouldn't touch Upson with a barge pole if he was available on a 2 for 1.

Why are people listing their dream teams with Joey barton in it?

Agreed Usual. Is Upson better than what we've got? No. Just as risky as our current CBs unless they get their act together again. (Dann, however, has age and potential on his side).

Barton and dream teams just don't go together for me. In a realistic (!!??) sort of a way, posters just having a bit of fun.
What about Messi in there somewhere? Full back?

[TheSandman]

To be honest I would rather us choose the youth factor against buying over priced second raters/disruptives.
Top 4 is unrealistic lets go for our home grown talent and hold on for the fun of the ride....otherwise we become just like the glory hunting brigade who only follow because of the amount of money spent/success etc

The problem is that we have a number of second raters/disruptive influences that we seem determined to rely on next season. It's that which worries me.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

To be honest I would rather us choose the youth factor against buying over priced second raters/disruptives.
Top 4 is unrealistic lets go for our home grown talent and hold on for the fun of the ride....otherwise we become just like the glory hunting brigade who only follow because of the amount of money spent/success etc

With you on this one oldtimer.
I keep looking at all the players Sunderland have brought in and wonder why, and if it will make them any better at all! Can't see it myself

[oldtimernow]

To be honest I would rather us choose the youth factor against buying over priced second raters/disruptives.
Top 4 is unrealistic lets go for our home grown talent and hold on for the fun of the ride....otherwise we become just like the glory hunting brigade who only follow because of the amount of money spent/success etc

The problem is that we have a number of second raters/disruptive influences that we seem determined to rely on next season. It's that which worries me.

Me too....the youngsters did us proud last year as far as I am concerned it was the so called senior professionals who let us down with their petty and not so petty agendas.

[UsualSuspect]

I wouldn't mind Upson on a free

I wouldn't touch Upson with a barge pole if he was available on a 2 for 1.

Why are people listing their dream teams with Joey barton in it?

Agreed Usual. Is Upson better than what we've got? No. Just as risky as our current CBs unless they get their act together again. (Dann, however, has age and potential on his side).

Barton and dream teams just don't go together for me. In a realistic (!!??) sort of a way, posters just having a bit of fun.
What about Messi in there somewhere? Full back?

The way I see it Frank is that we have to properly blood our youngsters this year as lets be honest we are going to do sod all in the league.

The likes of Delph, bannan, Albrighton, Clark, Herd, Fonz etc etc need to be given games and if they ain't up to it they get shipped out.

Great players are great players by the time they are 20

[Dante Lavelli]

That'd be my hunch too SoccerHQ.

There have been a couple of signings this summer in Europe that are quite interesting. Chelsea have signed that DM from Barca and Bojan has also left. The fees are incredibly low as the deals include buy back options.

Is this something Villa should consider and who could we try and get. My suggestions would be Gago, Canales and Drenth.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

To be honest I would rather us choose the youth factor against buying over priced second raters/disruptives.
Top 4 is unrealistic lets go for our home grown talent and hold on for the fun of the ride....otherwise we become just like the glory hunting brigade who only follow because of the amount of money spent/success etc

The problem is that we have a number of second raters/disruptive influences that we seem determined to rely on next season. It's that which worries me.

Me too....the youngsters did us proud last year as far as I am concerned it was the so called senior professionals who let us down with their petty and not so petty agendas.

It's why I'm anti-Barton. Wherever he goes he's gonna want to start calling the tune as he has a pretty high opinion of himself. He's criticised the running of his club, but how much do players know about exactly how their clubs are run? Very little I would have thought. Its a bit like what Dunne and Collins were doing last season. Didn't like the new regime cos they thought they knew better? Can't see AM putting up with that and that's why I think he's doing the "clean slate" thing - see how they go and if they ain't up to it, replace them. As I've said before on here, it's no good having "experienced" players who you expect to get on and do the job they know needs to be done if they then don't do it!
Sunderland team matters are gonna be massively dominated by the ex Manure boys cos they've been there and done it!
What the f**k do players know about football? ;-)