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

[The Left Side]

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2011/05/11/aston-villa-stewart-downing-happy-to-stay-on-at-fantastic-club-97319-28677101/
 
Good news IMO, Ash could certainly take note of some of the things downing is saying here.

Great news, let's hope this is not just paper talk and he does hang around.

[ozzjim]

I never wanted him at first, but he has the potential to be really good in the right system. Need him on the ball more, and would like to see him play off Bent. Better passer than young.

[fbriai]

There are some great quotes in there. I found these of particular interest:

"Darren Bent’s come here, he’s a big player and probably the main striker for England at the moment. I know he was desperate to come here."

"I know it’s been a disappointing season, but I can see the bigger picture."

Nice to hear about players really wanting to come to Villa Park and also how some of them are buying into the ethos that has been put in place since Lerner took over, how the culture of the club is important too.

[Mazrim]

"ROBERT GREEN will lead the West Ham exodus with a summer move to Aston Villa - even if the Hammers somehow escape relegation.
The England keeper, 31, has only 12 months of his £25,000-a-week contract to run and the club have made no attempts to negotiate a new deal.

West Ham, who have one of the highest-paid squads in the Premier League, will launch a major cost-cutting exercise if they end up being relegated.

Co-owner David Gold has admitted the club will struggle to keep any of their England stars in the Championship and Villa have earmarked Green as a replacement for Brad Friedel, who is 40 next week.

Green is keen to make a fresh start after spending five years at Upton Park and feels Villa will give him the platform to rebuild his international career following his disaster at the World Cup.

Out-of-contract Matthew Upson, Kieron Dyer, Lars Jacobsen, Jonathan Spector, Danny Gabbidon and Zavon Hines are all also set to leave the Hammers, while loanees Robbie Keane, Wayne Bridge and Victor Obinna will return to their parent clubs"

- The Sun.

[JJ-AV]

Upson is on a free? I know he's had a pretty average season, but for nothing (dependant on his wage demands) might he be an addition at the break (presuming those three are going).

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Whenever I’ve seen Hines he’s looked a decent prospect as an impact player from the bench. The only negative that I could see would be that our own youngsters are of a similar standard.

Maybe he would offer a bit of variety!

[Greg N'Ash]

I really don't think we should be looking at any of west ham's mugs. Especially not the 'keeper and centre half of the worst defensive unit in the league

[mal]

I really don't think we should be looking at any of west ham's mugs. Especially not the 'keeper and centre half of the worst defensive unit in the league

worked alright for Chelski last time around....

[Greg N'Ash]

there's no-one of the quality of cole or lampard there currently. certainly not in the defence anyway.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

"ROBERT GREEN will lead the West Ham exodus with a summer move to Aston Villa

[Mazrim]

I have my doubts about Green too but according to West Ham fans, a couple of howlers aside, he's been in really good form and kept some matches civilised when West Ham could have been humiliated.
I know that's his job but still, I'd rather Green in goal than Friedel. I think we can do better but for nowt he's a pretty good option.
I was very impressed with him at Norwich and up to the England nightmare he was highly regarded.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

The thing that sticks in my mind is how easily we rattled him on the first day of the season.
Like many keepers, good shot stopper but not much else.

[Dr Butler]

I have my doubts about Green too but according to West Ham fans, a couple of howlers aside, he's been in really good form and kept some matches civilised when West Ham could have been humiliated.
I know that's his job but still, I'd rather Green in goal than Friedel. I think we can do better but for nowt he's a pretty good option.
I was very impressed with him at Norwich and up to the England nightmare he was highly regarded.

I have several Wet Sham season ticket holders in my village and they all love him and have said many times that he has kept scores to a respectable level when they are getting tonked.

UTV
The Doc

[JJ-AV]

His two performances against us sum him up. Awful performance on the opening day and probably the best 'keeping performance of the season in the reverse fixture.

What I don't like about him is his bad games seem to be that, whereas a Gomes or Foster just makes an error, Green is in the Carson or Almunia category of having dodgy 90 minute performances.

That said, he's the right age, good experience, a fantastic shot stopper, and there's no reason to think that with a step up to a big club he might not be able to step his consistency up.

[Greg N'Ash]

Green does seem to have these inspired games but then has others when he's all over the place. I think i'd swap the occassional superhuman performance for just a steady 'keeper with a bit of consistency