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

[TheSandman]

There's not a great deal wrong with us going forward, so I don't know why we're even talking about new strikers.

It is at the back, with us needing practically an entire new defence, that we need to start working.

Agreed. I'm against the signing of Adam for the same reason. At best he seems to be a deep lying playmaker which is a role I see Makoun operating just as well. We need someone more defensively minded than Makoun (or at least someone who can tackle). £40 million may sound like a lot but if you ringfence £12million of that for Adam you might not have enough for defenders of the quality we would like. If it is £40 million net it's a bit more positive but we would still need to replace outgoing players and if we lose both Young and Downing that will be difficult and costly.

[Concrete John]

There's not a great deal wrong with us going forward, so I don't know why we're even talking about new strikers.

It is at the back, with us needing practically an entire new defence, that we need to start working.

Although I agree, my major concern with McLeish is that he'll sacrifice some of our attacking intent in order to shore the efence up.  What I expect to see is a new keeper and a few defenders coming in, as is needed, but with the full backs being promarily defensive minded and not have much attacking inclination - think more Carlos Cuellar than Kyle Walker at RB.  In central midfield I expect in to be a similar story with three solid players and one of them getting forward a bit more.  And it's here I forsee a problem as when you also factor in we need replacements for Ash and maybe Downing, we might end up with too a defensive minded midfield, which would starve Bent.  Would McLeish get real the flair players in?

I'd settle now for Downing to stay so we have him and Albrighton trying to create, but fear we may see someone like Adam, who sits deeper, in for Ash.         

[Toronto Villa]

There's not a great deal wrong with us going forward, so I don't know why we're even talking about new strikers.

It is at the back, with us needing practically an entire new defence, that we need to start working.

Although I agree, my major concern with McLeish is that he'll sacrifice some of our attacking intent in order to shore the efence up.  What I expect to see is a new keeper and a few defenders coming in, as is needed, but with the full backs being promarily defensive minded and not have much attacking inclination - think more Carlos Cuellar than Kyle Walker at RB.  In central midfield I expect in to be a similar story with three solid players and one of them getting forward a bit more.  And it's here I forsee a problem as when you also factor in we need replacements for Ash and maybe Downing, we might end up with too a defensive minded midfield, which would starve Bent.  Would McLeish get real the flair players in?

I'd settle now for Downing to stay so we have him and Albrighton trying to create, but fear we may see someone like Adam, who sits deeper, in for Ash.         

I disagree John. He has on the PL's best ever forwards and he's going to get him the ball. I don't think it's a case of sacrifice, more responsible defending that will take a more front seat. Think about how many more games we'd have won last year had we been able to defend better, especially from set pieces. We'll win games this season if we are able to cut out our mistakes by 50%. Bent will get his and when you have someone like that you don't waste the opportunity. Look at his Rangers teams from 2003-04 timeframe and he had a lot of talented players that he used to good effect.

[Concrete John]

There's not a great deal wrong with us going forward, so I don't know why we're even talking about new strikers.

It is at the back, with us needing practically an entire new defence, that we need to start working.

Although I agree, my major concern with McLeish is that he'll sacrifice some of our attacking intent in order to shore the efence up.  What I expect to see is a new keeper and a few defenders coming in, as is needed, but with the full backs being promarily defensive minded and not have much attacking inclination - think more Carlos Cuellar than Kyle Walker at RB.  In central midfield I expect in to be a similar story with three solid players and one of them getting forward a bit more.  And it's here I forsee a problem as when you also factor in we need replacements for Ash and maybe Downing, we might end up with too a defensive minded midfield, which would starve Bent.  Would McLeish get real the flair players in?

I'd settle now for Downing to stay so we have him and Albrighton trying to create, but fear we may see someone like Adam, who sits deeper, in for Ash.         

I disagree John. He has on the PL's best ever forwards and he's going to get him the ball. I don't think it's a case of sacrifice, more responsible defending that will take a more front seat. Think about how many more games we'd have won last year had we been able to defend better, especially from set pieces. We'll win games this season if we are able to cut out our mistakes by 50%. Bent will get his and when you have someone like that you don't waste the opportunity. Look at his Rangers teams from 2003-04 timeframe and he had a lot of talented players that he used to good effect.

I was putting it out there as more of a worry than a prediction, but I hope you're right!

Yes, we have a top striker and yes, we should have a solid defence under him.  It's that key area of the attacking midfielders that is the doubt I have, especially if Ash and Downing go.  It may be due to this being a major flaw (amongst numerous others) in his Blues side, but can he coach the likes of Delph, Bannan and Albrighton to make the most of them and/or get the right replacements for players leaving?  Will he set us up to be hard to beat all over the park and then just hope Bent can nick a goal or two?

Time will tell.

[eastie]

Makoun has played the holding midfielder role on many occasions and can cover the holding role or play in a more advanced role- he is very versatile and adept in both roles.

Adam would be a great signing in my view.

[Dave P]

Provided we keep Downing, an Adam type player would be all our midfield needs imo.  It's our defence / goalkeeping that needs major surgery.

[Toronto Villa]

Adam would be brilliant from a creativity standpoint, and I fully expect Delph to come into his own also. Remember we have Gary Gardner who I expect will be pushing for a place along with Bannan and Bradley.

One winger, a top goalkeeper a couple of new defenders, and most importantly a settled happy working environment. That will be worth 10 points on its own this year at Villa.

[Concrete John]

The thing with Adam for em is that he's this 'deep lying playmaker', that gives very little defensively, which is one of the main reasons Blackpool got overrun so often last season.  Would McLeish go for that?  If we sign him I expect him to play further forward with two holders behind him.

And can I just point out that I think he's overrated and no worth £12m!

[Merv]

You can. And I agree. And who, really, would pay relegated Blackpool £12m for a player in the final year of his contract? And for a player they paid £500,000 for?

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Think Bannan will benefit from the appointment of Mcleish. He mentioned Delph in the press conference and i am sure he will know all about Gary Gardner. Adam is a gamble but if we could get him for around £8m worth a punt. Tarrabat behind Bent would be fantastic. And he would be an exciting player to replace Ash ...........

[KevinGage]

Football cliche alert but i think we need a new spine of the team. Houllier seemed to recognise that with the purchase of Bent, now we need a keeper, a dominant central midfielder and a top centre half. Reckon 30m should cover it *cough*

Agreed Greg.

Someone made the point earlier that you generally pay top dollar for a forward or midfielder, so why should a goalkeeper be any different. It's one of the most crucial positions in any side.  Al Habsi or Given may be available for knockdown fees (in Given's case that's probably got something to do with his mental Money Citeh wages) but if Foster is better than both and available, get Foster.

It might cost a bit more, but he's younger and could be a key part of our side for at least the next five years. Friedel was decent, but that move always had a stop gap feel to it due to his age. Signing Foster should mean we don't even have to think about that position for a good while yet.

When it comes to CB's Dann seems to be the favourite at the moment and I wouldn't be against the idea. Or maybe a bid for the Bolton defender if the perceived interest from Arsenal and Man U amounts to nothing. He's in the last year of his deal there, we have a sell on clause, so it could make sense for them to cut a deal. Coyle was practically saying come and get him the other day.

For midfield, I'm not sold on Adam -for the obvious concerns about his workrate, tracking back and so forth. But maybe pair him with a Palacios or similar and you get the best of both worlds.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I don't know does not sound very encouraging. A blue nose came over to me at work and said your signing Campbell its Bollocks isn't it?

[Concrete John]

For midfield, I'm not sold on Adam -for the obvious concerns about his workrate, tracking back and so forth. But maybe pair him with a Palacios or similar and you get the best of both worlds.

I think we can get what Adam would give us from the likes of Bannan and Makoun.

I agree with the idea of a new spine and Foster and Dann would be good signings, but for midfield I think we need an enforcer in there that can dominate games.  BBC gossip page had Man Utd after Lassana Diarra today, so although he might be out of our range that's the sort I'd like to see brought in! 

[goldenjimi]

I think Flippin Eck signed Arteta for Rangers, we could do with abit of that at the Villa.

[supertom]

Quick question: Did we sign Bradley on a permanent? I honestly can't remember since it was rumoured on the web a month back.