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

[Chris Smith]

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With 10 millons for a goalkeeper, no. I think we should sign Robinso for 6 millionsn plus Westwood  on free and let them fight for no 1 shirt.

Robinson is just as good and still relatively young in keeper terms, so would represent much better value for money.

Not so sure on the value for money argument. Foster is a lot younger so we'd get longer service from him.

[luke25]

Robinson, Given or Foster for me...

however i think Brad has one more season in him.... he has been brilliant for us this year and we would surely be relegated if it wasn't for him!

with all due respect thats balls.

[Dave]

£10m would probably buy an international class of keeper on the continent, Steklenberg, Handanovic or Mandana.

Yes please.

[FatSam]

£10m would probably buy an international class of keeper on the continent, Steklenberg, Handanovic or Mandana.

We could have had Mandana for much less than that when he was on trial with us a few years ago - another example of MON's caution when it comes to players he has either not worked with before, or who have not played against his team.

[TheSandman]

Foster or Robinson for me if we're determined to shop within these Isles.

Wouldn't touch Given with a barge pole.

[olaftab]

Goalkeeper problem is simple. Extend Brad's contact for another 12 months and sign Westwood to be "groomed" for season after.

[abc123cox]

Goalkeeper problem is simple. Extend Brad's contact for another 12 months and sign Westwood to be "groomed" for season after.

like this idea!

[adrenachrome]

Goalkeeper problem is simple. Extend Brad's contact for another 12 months and sign Westwood to be "groomed" for season after.

like this idea!

Yeah but no but yeah but no but that was the plan with Brad Guzan, was it not?

[timeoutbigbar]

Goalkeeper problem is simple. Extend Brad's contact for another 12 months and sign Westwood to be "groomed" for season after.

like this idea!

Yeah but no but yeah but no but that was the plan with Brad Guzan, was it not?

Except for the glaring problem that he's a clown.

[TheSandman]

Will Westwood be any better?

I'm not sure he's the magic bullet for our goalkeeping problems that some make out.

If we sign him I'd like it to be as an understudy to a no 1 like Robinson.

[Shrek]

Freidel was on talksport with Stan Collymore earlier.

He said he is hopeful of staying next season, but all contract talks are on hold due to Houllier's health and MON tribunal.

Reading between the lines, sounds as though Ash is going and Downing is staying.

He also said that Bent was a massive boost to the team because of 2 things, one Bent's obviously a goal scorer which we needed but two that it showed the team that the chairman would back the manager when we were at our lowest.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

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With 10 millons for a goalkeeper, no. I think we should sign Robinso for 6 millionsn plus Westwood  on free and let them fight for no 1 shirt.

Robinson is just as good and still relatively young in keeper terms, so would represent much better value for money.

Not so sure on the value for money argument. Foster is a lot younger so we'd get longer service from him.

I'm with you on this, Chris. We should be aiming to buy the best keeper possible. It's a key position and I've never understood why we always think we can pick up a bargain compared to other positions, with the obvious exception of centre forwards. If the best costs £12m, buy him. It will be money well spent.

As for Foster, I'd love to see him at Villa Park. As he already likes the city and has his family settled, I reckon he'd jump at the chance and the Rags will be desperate for money. Certainly better than any of the other PL based goalkeepers mentioned.

Get the spine of the team right first.

[Dante Lavelli]

Foster would be a great signing.  The opportunity cost being that we might not be able to buy another key player elsewhere, but he would be our keeper for the next ten years so would be good value over that period.

I'd imagine that would mean we would have to forget about replacing petrov and rely on the youngsters to step up.

[Greg N'Ash]

well thats the trade off really. 10m on a 'keeper mean less on the rest of the team. Most people seem to think we need a fair few players and i doub't we'll be speeding much over 20m if you don't include the expected Young money which will probably be needed to replace him.

[KevinGage]

Foster and Bent would mean that we've got the goalkeeper and forward positions covered for the foreseeable.  Outside of the elite, I don't see any other sides who could then better us in those key positions.

A CB and a decent left back and then we'd be in business.