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

[Toronto Villa]

I can see us holding ground on Downing just to fuck him off. We've just taken, depending on what you decide to believe £15m + for Young from Man U with one year left. We'd get something close to that for Downing next year too, so it's not like we have to sell him. And certainly if he makes a prick of himself, then £20m is a minimum after the Jordan Henderson deal. Harry got that one spot on as it related to Modric and Downing certainly shouldn't be anything less.

I actually am looking forward to tomorrow to hearing what he has to say, and then getting in a few good players. He has two very good players in Ireland and Warnock that when on form are worth around £10m - £15m between them. Get those two playing again and we are already looking a much more solid team. It's a big ask I grant you.

[PaulTheVillan]

I thought the blues board wouldn't meet his wage demands?

I think AMc is the sort of gaffer to get the best out of tempremental players. Bowyer, Ferguson etc.

[tommy_boy]

Haven't seen much from Hutton. He rarely plays. Is he good enough to be a starting Right Back? Is he better than a fit Luke Young?

[PaulTheVillan]

I think Hutton is good, he's an attacking full back. I'd say he is better going forward than Luke Young

[PaulTheVillan]

Hutton is also tall, would be good for set peices

[JJ-AV]

Discounting the top 4 - Barton is one of the best forward-thinking central midfield players in the country. Who's better? Modric, Gerrard. Names starting to get thin now.

Fine player, well liked at Newcastle and hasn't had any issues off the pitch for a while now.

His reputation is always going to follow him around, but his disciplinary record hasn't been noticeably bad at Newcastle.

[spangley1812]

I thought the blues board wouldn't meet his wage demands?

I think AMc is the sort of gaffer to get the best out of tempremental players. Bowyer, Ferguson etc.

Nzogbia/his agent had agreed a deal/shook hands with Blues and a fee had also been agreed with Wigan but then an hour later his agent is on the phone wanting an extra £10,000 pw and Blues rightly told hm to do one...........

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Adebayor? Wright-Philips? Joe Cole? Anelka? - I think they're all busted! They'll either be looking for a safe regular income or will simply fail to deliver.
Downing? - I think we'll keep him for at least the first half of the season.
McGinge will be looking for inexpensive players of potential - a la his purchases of Dann and Johnson when he first went to the Sty. There may be one "signature signing" but I think the rest will be not on the radar of the big spenders. It will probably be Adam or N'Zogbia (I hope not the latter; I think he's temperamental).

Agreed regarding the first 4 players in your post EffDee, all of them past their best. Adam/N'Zogbia would be interesting, but priority has got to be at least ONE good centre back to replace Dunne (unless he comes back in July fit not fat!) and a left back - a "revitalised" Warnock? I think Luke Young is the RB we need or get Walker and play LY at LB. Give Clarkey another year and he'll be ready to step in to 1st team full time at CB. Then we need creativity and I can't see those 1st 4 providing any of that! Thet's where we need Adam/N'Zogbia.

[tommy_boy]

Given
Hutton - Dunne - Collins - Warnock
Barton - Makoun - Delph
Albrighton - Bent - Downing

I Like! Best possible starting eleven for this year.. we also need a third winger, and maybe Walker instead of Hutton if he is available.. i also like Barton a lot, but did he have a conflict before two years with a Villa player? maybe i'm wrong, cant remember.. Luke Young should extend soon, he is a perfect Right/Left Back rotation player.

[Toronto Villa]

I've been watching the Gold Cup recently, and I have to say Eric Lichaj has done very well. He's started all the games I've watched, is playing right now against Jamaica, and interestingly he's playing at LB where he's looked very comfortable. Granted it's not the PL, but it's good to know he's adapted to either side well, and he'll be pushing for a place. Michael Bradley might not have given the ball away once in the last two games. He is superb at playing the link man, and rarely ever makes poor choices with the ball. I certainly hope we keep him.

[VWBelgian]

Get Kranjcar in for Ash, would be a great player.
I really hope the new skipper can do something with Ireland, he's got the potential...
Then i said it from newyear that Given should come in... he's available, but will he want to come?
Adebayor, he did well at Madrid, but his wages? First get rid of Heskey though.
As for defence: i want walker or Hutton. Warnock hmm ? Got Clarck, collins, dunne & cuellar, 4 good DC's. True collins and dunne were awoefull this season.

[tommy_boy]

I really think Lichaj has a bright future. He is quick, strong and rarely makes mistakes- very confident. And ofcourse, his long throws..

I hate Kranjcar, very slow..

[Summers]

I really want Barton.

I think it's just you & I on that train. Luckily, it's the right train. Brilliant player and would improve us.

[Mazrim]

It a very wrong train indeed.

[Grande Pablo]

I agree about Lichaj - looked very assured over Christmas yet we struggled with the lesser experienced but still exceedingly promising Herd & Baker later in the season.