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

[LeeS]

I hope McLeish brings Roger Johnson or Scott Dann with him. And, more importantly Ben Foster.

The key to their defensive sucess last season was the pair of them as a combo.  £20m - £25m could get all three.

Success? They conceded more goals than our shambolic defence last season!

So what is McLeish's famed defensive excellence based on then?

[Dave P]

OK let's have a go at this guessing game.

Out

A Young £16m (Man U)
Cuellar £5m (Rangers)
Dunne £1m (Dingles)
Agbonlahor £11m (Newcastle - Carroll money)

Total = £33m

In

Foster £8m
Johnson £7m
Dann £9m
N'Zogbia £10m
Pavlyuchenko £10m
Walker £8m
Der Hammer £Free
Westwood £Free

Total £52m - New spend £19m

Team would therefore be: -

                          Foster

Walker    Johnson    Dann    L Young

N'Zogbia  Delph  Makoun   Downing

              Bent    Pavlyuchenko

With Albrighton, Clark, Fonz, Heskey, Hitz, Petrov and Westwood on the bench.

That wouldn't be too bad.

[JJ-AV]

I couldn't stomach Gabby going.

[Dave P]

I hope McLeish brings Roger Johnson or Scott Dann with him. And, more importantly Ben Foster.

The key to their defensive sucess last season was the pair of them as a combo.  £20m - £25m could get all three.

Success? They conceded more goals than our shambolic defence last season!

OK so success a thinly veiled complement but you cannot deny that they were a very good trio.

[Dave P]

I couldn't stomach Gabby going.

Nor me, it's just a guess as I say.  Both Newcastle and Sunderland need a striker and have millions burning hole from sales of their former strikers.

[VillaAlways]

I couldn't stomach Gabby going.

Why would Gabby go ?

[King of the Nørth]

I couldn't stomach Gabby going.

Why would Gabby go ?

 To be honest If we could turn Delfouneso into a player then I'd sell Gabby and bring someone else in. Dont really see what he majorly contributes to the team. Doesnt score that much, not the best technically and never uses his pace to his advantage. I think the only reason fans want to keep him is he's a Villa fan and he's scored vital goals against the Scum. Imagine a strike force of Bent and Delfouneso.

[JJ-AV]

Delfouneso hasn't shown anything yet in senior football, IMO. Gabby is a big game player and a big game goalscorer.

I agree he shouldn't be first choice anymore, but he's well worth a place in the squad. His wages are lower than Bent's, Heskey's and what Carew was earning. No need to get rid IMO.

[VillaAlways]

I couldn't stomach Gabby going.

Why would Gabby go ?

 To be honest If we could turn Delfouneso into a player then I'd sell Gabby and bring someone else in. Dont really see what he majorly contributes to the team. Doesnt score that much, not the best technically and never uses his pace to his advantage. I think the only reason fans want to keep him is he's a Villa fan and he's scored vital goals against the Scum. Imagine a strike force of Bent and Delfouneso.

McLeish must rate Gabby though he's used to seeing him score against Blose <wink> I'm hoping he can get the best out of Gabby I got the impression he wasn't completely happy under GH

[Toronto Villa]

Gabby going?? He's Villa through and through and has stated every time he's asked that he has no desire whatsoever to leave. Certainly not to the likes of Newcastle or Sunderland. A fully fit Gabby is a huge asset to us, and I fully expect him to a Villa player a while to come, and look to make amends for last season where he never got going.

[Concrete John]

Right, had a think mabout it now and this is what I expect/would like to see happen.

Out:-
Young £17m
Downing £20m
Dunne £2m
Ireland £4m
Warnock £2m
Heskey £0.5m
Total £45.5m

In:-
Milner £18m
N'Zogbia £10m
Dann £9m
Foster £9m
Walker £8m
Parker £8m
New LB £8m (I'll leave him for Bif Eck to scout)
Total £70m

Net spend £24.5m

New squad:-
Keepers - Foster, Guzan and Marshall
Fullbacks - Walker, new LB, Young and Lichaj
Centrebacks - Dann, Collins, Cuellar, Clark and Baker
DCMs - Parker, Makoun, Petrov, Bradley, Herd and Hogg
Att mids - Milner, N'Zogbia, Albrighton, Delph and Bannan
Strikers - Bent, Gabby and Delfouneso

I've delibrately left net spending at a relatively modest £24.5m as it leaves scope for one extra late signing, probably in the attacking midfield/striker area, as a bit of a Brucie Bonus.

[TheSandman]

 Im not sure he'd go for ANY blues players tbh guys. We need a GK - how about McGregor from Rangers we were linked to? Probably cost half of what Foster would and Im sure would want to play for McLeish.

I never understand points like this. Why would he want to play for McLeish any more than another manager?

If I'm offered a new job half way across the country I dont base my decision on whether the manager is from the same city as me.

Exactly. Also McLeish hardly ever picked him at Rangers or Scotland.

I couldn't stomach Gabby going.

Why would Gabby go ?

I have no idea. McLeish is a big fan.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-461054/McLeish-tries-tempt-Agbonlahor-playing-Scotland.html

It's Bent I am more worried about. I don't see him leaving in this window but January or next summer I'm less sure.

I think we are either in for an exciting summer or a disappointing one.

[UsualSuspect]

4 million for Ireland

[Toronto Villa]

We still have to pay for Bradley so that's £5 million you have to account for. Don't see Parker in amonth of Sunday's John. He'll likely want to play in the CL, and he'll have some takers too. I can see him rolling up at Arsenal, though I wouldn't be in the least bit suprised if he ends up at Man U. I love your optimism of Milner, but he'll have a role to play for them in the CL. Now he's got there, he won't want to leave.

[Caiphus]

I know Gabby doesn't LOOK that good (literally or figuratively) but besides last season his goals have been pretty handy.  He's contributed plenty of assists in those years as well and they aren't just from knock downs but crosses and cut backs as well.  I know he isn't a proper winger and he isn't super consistent in wide areas, but he's gotten plenty of handy balls in over the years.  Plus he is pretty accurate with his head and both feet, it's really just 1 on 1s and when he has to think to much that lets him down.