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

[PaulTheVillan]

Sensible of AM to play down the cash we've got to spend.

[Greg N'Ash]

I cant see wigan letting Nzogbia go until they have tied up the potential signing of Shaun Wright Phillips so we might be in a for a slightly longer wait to get our man

can't see Wigan affording SWP's wages or him agreeing to a drop. Think he'll cling on there in a MFH stylee

I think Man City will offer to pay the difference in contracts (or something similar) like they did with Dunne & Ireland.

Given (1st team) N'Zogbia (1st team) Hitz (backup behind Bannan & Delph) would be good additions.

Thats a massive loss to take though. No idea how long he has left on his contract but he's on about 100k a week. Most i can see Wigan stumping up is 30-40k so Citeh would be looking at paying him 3m even if he had only a year left.

[*shellac*]

Word is is that the talks with Wigan over N'Zogbia are at an advanced stage.

Great!

[Rip Van We Go Again]

The Hitzlsperger link is gathering pace this morning.

Is it?

I hope not.

Same here.
I could just about handle the idea of him being a squad filler (although i'd rather Hogg's eye or Gardner were given that role), but not as part of our midfield first choice 3. Simply not good enough.

[Mazrim]

I cant see wigan letting Nzogbia go until they have tied up the potential signing of Shaun Wright Phillips so we might be in a for a slightly longer wait to get our man

can't see Wigan affording SWP's wages or him agreeing to a drop. Think he'll cling on there in a MFH stylee

I think Man City will offer to pay the difference in contracts (or something similar) like they did with Dunne & Ireland.

Given (1st team) N'Zogbia (1st team) Hitz (backup behind Bannan & Delph) would be good additions.

Thats a massive loss to take though. No idea how long he has left on his contract but he's on about 100k a week. Most i can see Wigan stumping up is 30-40k so Citeh would be looking at paying him 3m even if he had only a year left.

He's never going to get in their side again so Citeh may as well subsidise his wages elsewhere rather than pay him all of his wages to do shag all.

[JJ-AV]

Given
Cuellar - Dunne - Collins - Luke
Makoun - Hitzlsperger
Downing - Ireland - N'Zogbia
Bent

Marshall - Clark - Warnock - Petrov - Delph - Albrighton - Gabby

On paper looks very strong as a first 18 to me.

[Mazrim]

Hitzlsperger gets in the team before Delph and Petrov? Madness!

[Monty]

Hitzlsperger gets in the team before Delph and Petrov? Madness!

And leaves no place in the squad for Bannan. I disagree with this on many levels.

[Rick_avfc]

The Hitzlsperger link is gathering pace this morning.

Is it?

I hope not.

Same here.
I could just about handle the idea of him being a squad filler (although i'd rather Hogg's eye or Gardner were given that role), but not as part of our midfield first choice 3. Simply not good enough.

Im sorry but IMO, Hogg is not good enough and its a bit too early for Gardner.  I'd like to see Gardner make more cup appearences this season with maybe the odd subs appearance late on in the game.  The last thing I want to see is Gardner being thrown into the deep end and then not living up to expectations and then getting loaned out for more experience.

[Mazrim]

I'm not sure about Hogg either and Gardner is young but I would have no doubts throwing him in before playing Hitzlsperger who I know isnt good enough.
But even if you discount Hogg and Gardner there's still Makoun, Delph, Bannan, Petrov, Herd and even Ireland (I would also consider Clark an option for defensive mid) who should be considered before him. And that's before anybody else is brought in.

[Rick_avfc]

I'm not sure about Hogg either and Gardner is young but I would have no doubts throwing him in before playing Hitzlsperger who I know isnt good enough.
But even if you discount Hogg and Gardner there's still Makoun, Delph, Bannan, Petrov, Herd and even Ireland (I would also consider Clark an option for defensive mid) who should be considered before him. And that's before anybody else is brought in.

Petrov is one who I dont really rate and will fail to finish 90mins of football.  Ireland I can see being sold to generate funds.  As a squad player, Hitzlesperger would be a decent addition.  Im not sayin he should start every game but for a bit of experience, he will be useful to have on board.  People are forgetting that when we had a midfielder crisis last year and the youngsters were thrown in, we lost and drew a fair few games. They dont need that sort of pressure if they want to develop further and become successful especially now that the league is becoming more competitive than it was when fergie was able to use his youth players that went on to win the league.  The last thing I want at Villa is a repeat of last season. we need experienced players more than the youth players just so we can get some stability first and then blood in the youth or less experienced players.

[JUAN PABLO]

Didn't AM say last week he wasn't sure if he would get all of the AY money?

Thats exactly the thing i would be saying if I was AM.   You dont be telling clubs , we have the money ...

[JUAN PABLO]

Word is is that the talks with Wigan over N'Zogbia are at an advanced stage.

Great!

double great . I really rate him ( as Ive said before )  and can see him being a top player with us .

[JUAN PABLO]

Given
Cuellar - Dunne - Collins - Luke
Makoun - Hitzlsperger
Downing - Ireland - N'Zogbia
Bent

Marshall - Clark - Warnock - Petrov - Delph - Albrighton - Gabby

On paper looks very strong as a first 18 to me.

If Downing stays , Ireland releases the bats from his mind and Hitz ( not for me ) , there is better.   and Cuellar at RB again , no thanks ...

[Greg N'Ash]

Seems a bit of a pointless bluff really. If we haven't got the Young money then we won't be buying NZogbia full stop. Whelan's hardly going to say "awwh your skint, have him for 6m"