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

[Merv]

Green.... I think he gets a bit of harsh criticism; I wouldn't say I'd be disappointed if we signed him, though I wouldn't be delighted, either. He's not exactly in the same bracket as Carson, I wouldn't say - who offered up another reminder of his ability in Saturday's game against Chelsea. I don't know why the Baggies don't pick Myhill.

I think Robinson's got the edge on Green though.

I'm sure we made a loan move for Van Aanholt back in August.

[JJ-AV]

I'm going to stick my head above the parapet and say I'd be really pleased if we sign Green.

Me too.

Me three. He's probably not mentally strong enough to play at the very highest level, and he has one or two bad games a season but on his day he's absolutely class.

His performance at Villa Park was the worst 'keeper performance of the season, but his performance against us on Saturday was the best. That sums him up, except the latter is alot more common. 31 gives him time to change, too.

[Risso]

Sometimes players whose reputation has become a bit tarnished need a clean break to re-establish themselves.  David James was in a similar position when he joined us, and mostly gave outstanding service (if we forget the small matter of the FA Cup final). 

I'm not sure I've really put a convincing argument together there to be honest.

[eastie]

prefer robinson to green but i wouldnt mind either to be honest ,whoever goes down there may be some decent players up for grabs from them.

[VillaZogmariner]

As I've said countless times before, if we are going to stick to these shores for a Goalkeeper then Robinson would be my first choice by a country mile.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I'm going to stick my head above the parapet and say I'd be really pleased if we sign Green.

Me too.

Allow me to blow both your Bonces off with a 12 bore shotgun.

He's way too nervy in the box with his handling, he's never been commanding enough.
He's a good shot stopper, but most keepers are these days.

We can do better.

[JUAN PABLO]

If we are looking for a left back then we should take a look at Patrick Van Aanholt,  presently on loan at Leicester from Chelsea.
Very similar to Kyle Walker in Style of play, good overlapping wing play with a good shot on him.

my Leicester mates reckon naughton is the man at RB .   

[Stu]

Sometimes players whose reputation has become a bit tarnished need a clean break to re-establish themselves.  David James was in a similar position when he joined us, and mostly gave outstanding service (if we forget the small matter of the FA Cup final). 

I'm not sure I've really put a convincing argument together there to be honest.

My dad still hasn't forgiven him for that, he'd waited 43 years to see Villa in the cup final and James ruined his big day.

[Ian.]

Sometimes players whose reputation has become a bit tarnished need a clean break to re-establish themselves.  David James was in a similar position when he joined us, and mostly gave outstanding service (if we forget the small matter of the FA Cup final). 

I'm not sure I've really put a convincing argument together there to be honest.

My dad still hasn't forgiven him for that, he'd waited 43 years to see Villa in the cup final and James ruined his big day.

The whole team, management, tactics, attitude absolutely everything was wrong that day. I have never blamed  just James.

[luke25]

Sometimes players whose reputation has become a bit tarnished need a clean break to re-establish themselves.  David James was in a similar position when he joined us, and mostly gave outstanding service (if we forget the small matter of the FA Cup final). 

I'm not sure I've really put a convincing argument together there to be honest.

My dad still hasn't forgiven him for that, he'd waited 43 years to see Villa in the cup final and James ruined his big day.

The whole team, management, tactics, attitude absolutely everything was wrong that day. I have never blamed  just James.

Simply horrible day, the last final at the old Wembley with the world watching and we set up for a draw, madness.

[The Man With A Stick]

Nobody covered themselves in glory that day, from what I can remember (which isn't a lot, thankfully).

[MoetVillan]

Goalkeeper is all about confidence.  We have struggled this year, even on the weekend with a goalie who is not confident.  Good shot stopper but does not command the troops, or make the calls, and is poorer on crosses than others.  Green is more of the same.  Id rather have Al Habsi from Wigan if we are going to raid a potential relegation team

[Mazrim]

I know a lot of 'Ammers consider Green and Parker to be almost entirely responsible for it still being in the balance and without them would have been relegated weeks or months ago. So that's encouraging if we are interested.

I always try and temper my immediate opinion of goalkeepers because too often they are only noticed when they drop a massive bollock or perform absolute heroics. There has been far more of the latter this season though even though he'll stick in the mind for the former.
As Fletch says though, there is better out there. Foster is better. If the Dogshitters are in the financial... Blues, we could take Foster and Johnson off their hands. As a favour to a neighbour... who happens to be a tramp with a dog on a rope.

They'd need to be quarantined though.

[MoetVillan]

I went to that final.  Bizarrely when I read about James messing up on this thread I have little recollection of the day.  Its like it has been erased from my mind, a repressed depressing memory

[BedsVillain]

I think our new keeper will be either Given or Robinson, with my preference being Robinson as he's younger and has been in excellent form this season.

And from a few pages back I'd want to keep Collins.  He's had his issues this season (they all have!) but I think he's a good defender and was actually a bargain for the £5m we got him for.  You sell Dunne, which will show him and others who's boss, and buy 1 new top CB and have that new player plus Collins and Clark for CB.  Then retain Cuellar and Young for extra cover, sign Walker and the much needed left back and our defensive squad looks like:-
Walker - with Cuellar/Young in reserve
New CB (Samba) - with Cuellar
Collins/Clark - competing with each other
New LB - with Young.

Plus Baker and Lichaj that's decent, although not sure Carlos will stick around to be 2nd choice RB and 4th choice CB.   

I think you're spot on with reference to Dunne and Collins. Can't help thinking that Collins was maybe influenced (badly) by Dunne and that he is well worth holding on too. I also think Carlos will be off this summer, there is talk of moves back to Spain already and this may well be his best bet to get a look in for the national team before it's too late. He's obviously not in the managers plans at the moment, so getting some money back for him makes sense. Along with whatever we can get for Dunne & Warnock we could have a nice amount to put towards a top quality CB to play alongside Collins/Clark with Baker as 4th Choice.

I also think it would be a great deal if we can sign Luke Young up for another year, he's a real assest to the team being able to cover both full back berths. If we could get someone like Oscar Wendt on a free we'd be able to spend on getting Kyle Walker on board too.

Defense for 2011/12:

RB: Walker, Young, Lichaj
CB: New CB (Vertonghen?) Collins, Clark, Baker
LB: Wendt, Young, Clark, Baker

Another CB might be desirable as Baker may benefit from another spell on loan.