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

[The Left Side]

If Hargreaves was a horse he'd be bonding two flat surfaces together.
A shame because he's a hell of a player. Or was.

Quality post

[Concrete John]

I think Hargreaves needs to be put down at this stage.

Pay as you play deal?

I'm guessing his agent/ bank manager would probably advise against that.

With his injury record he may not have much choice.  When is his Man Utd contract up?

[Dave]

I think Hargreaves needs to be put down at this stage.

Pay as you play deal?

I'm guessing his agent/ bank manager would probably advise against that.

With his injury record he may not have much choice.  When is his Man Utd contract up?

Three months time.

He's a good enough player that someone will offer him something better. I just hope it's not us.

[CJ]

Just listening to Radio WM ahead of the match. They reckon they have it from 'a good source' that Downing is struggling to settle and may be off in the summer.  Losing Ash and Downing would be pretty devastating - they currently represent almost all our attacking movement

[timeoutbigbar]

Just listening to Radio WM ahead of the match. They reckon they have it from 'a good source' that Downing is struggling to settle and may be off in the summer.  Losing Ash and Downing would be pretty devastating - they currently represent almost all our attacking movement

Have Le Havre got any more young 'promising' players to replace them with?

[Matt Collins]

Downing hasn't shown too many signs of struggling to settle to me. Can't see any of the NE clubs getting him anyway.

[KevinGage]

I think Hargreaves needs to be put down at this stage.

Pay as you play deal?

I'm guessing his agent/ bank manager would probably advise against that.

With his injury record he may not have much choice.  When is his Man Utd contract up?

Three months time.

He's a good enough player that someone will offer him something better. I just hope it's not us.

I genuinely can't see even one of the perennial strugglers (Bolton/ Wigan and co) taking a punt on him, unless it's reserve-style wages. If their resources are tight, they'll need to make wages and fees et.c stretch as far as possible. You just couldn't risk a guy who has been mostly injured for the past four seasons to last the pace/ not break down.

Maybe one of the teams that come up might take a gamble if they need a 'name,' to boost their profile as much as anything else. But I think it's more likely to be the MLS or some other third rate league for him. If he even stays in the game. He might just as easily decide to sack it off.

[Dave]

I think Hargreaves needs to be put down at this stage.

Pay as you play deal?

I'm guessing his agent/ bank manager would probably advise against that.

With his injury record he may not have much choice.  When is his Man Utd contract up?

Three months time.

He's a good enough player that someone will offer him something better. I just hope it's not us.

I genuinely can't see even one of the perennial strugglers (Bolton/ Wigan and co) taking a punt on him, unless it's reserve-style wages. If their resources are tight, they'll need to make wages and fees et.c stretch as far as possible. You just couldn't risk a guy who has been mostly injured for the past four seasons to last the pace/ not break down.

I wouldn't have thought Wigan or Bolton or either as they seem to be sensible, well-run clubs. Any that stay up of Blues, Blackburn, West Ham where the owners don't seem to be quite all there would probably feel it was worthwhile as the tedious 'statement of intent'.

[KevinGage]

Aye, West Ham have form for 'risky' deals.

That wouldn't be a huge stretch of the imagination, I suppose.

[KevinGage]

Speaking of gambles; how about taking Hitz off their hands if they do go down?

Only a gamble insofar as his recent fitness is concerned.

Could give us options at left back left midfield and centre left (even giving us that infamous height in the middle of the park Monty is so non plussed about).

Still loves the Villa apparently. Not that that should be enough, but compared to other players who might have similar ability it can make the difference, having a guy who actually wants  to be here. As opposed to a senior pro just going through the motions or looking for his next big move.

[Dave]

Yes please.

Gives us a nice option that we don't currently have.

[The Left Side]

I'd love to see Hitz back, let's just hope the 'ammers go down!

[Mazrim]

I love the enigma of Hitz and he's a top lad, but the reality is he's a very limited player. So it's a no thanks from me.

[Dave]

I love the enigma of Hitz and he's a top lad, but the reality is he's a very limited player. So it's a no thanks from me.

He wasn't great today (even if he did create their godl) but he is nothing like the player who left us. If we can get him cheaply there would be no reason not have him in the squad.

[KevinGage]

Don't get me wrong, he's not a player to necessarily build a side around.

But I would have been a wee bit more confident seeing him in our midfield (or even at left back) at times this season (injuries not withstanding).

He ran the show versus Liverpool a few weeks back, even against the calibre of some of the players they have in midfield. I know the old 'not good enough for where we want to be' line. But for Aston Villa 2011, he's plenty good enough. Better than some of the players we already have on the books anyroad. And seeing as we're most likely going to be losing a few this summer, a guy that can cover a number of roles would be better than a kick in the face.