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

[Concrete John]

I agree that Liverpool may not be the force everyone is expecting next season.

There is a bit of smoke and mirrors spending wise as they only 'new' money they've put in is for Henderson, so what they do have has been largely wasted thus far.  And Mireles was a big part of their recovery under Dalgleish last season , who looks to be leaving. 

[eamonn]

I'd rather see Delph, Bannan and Gardner make their mark on the team than have Milner back.
Delph is nearest to Milner's all-round game but more skilful and potentially better. I just hope his career-worth of injuries are now over.

[MoetVillan]

I kind of hope that Liverpool get talked up as title contenders.  Last time that happened was two summers ago, and they seriously blew it. They cannae take the pressure.

[eastie]

Much rather Milner than Delph at this moment in time , Milner would solve many of our problems in one stroke and bent would relish it I reckon.

[TheSandman]

I'd rather see Delph, Bannan and Gardner make their mark on the team than have Milner back.
Delph is nearest to Milner's all-round game but more skilful and potentially better. I just hope his career-worth of injuries are now over.

I agree. Very much so. People seem to forget that we have a lot of players who already play the same position as Milner.

As things stand Milner is probably a better player. We may finish a position or two higher but the margins are not big enough to be worth £15-20million. We should give youth a chance.

[kingus]

Sky Sports are reporting that SkyBet have closed the market on Shay Given signing for Villa this summer.  Make of that what you will.

[Le Lapin]

 Diego would be awesome for a loan to buy. But whats the point, we've already got 1 troublesome attacking midfielder on our hands. Were gonna have to wait 1-2 weeks just to see what McLeish wants to do with 'superman'. I like the business that Sunderland are doing. Some quality players there. Bruce has a knack of picking up some great players. Elmohamady, Gyan, Sessegnon aswell as Wickham, Westwood etc would take them all at our club tbh. Could def be one of our rivals next season for 6-9th.

If we're lucky...

[Concrete John]

I'd rather see Delph, Bannan and Gardner make their mark on the team than have Milner back.
Delph is nearest to Milner's all-round game but more skilful and potentially better. I just hope his career-worth of injuries are now over.

I agree. Very much so. People seem to forget that we have a lot of players who already play the same position as Milner.

As things stand Milner is probably a better player. We may finish a position or two higher but the margins are not big enough to be worth £15-20million. We should give youth a chance.

We had a lot of players who played in the same position as Bent, but look at the difference he made!

I can see him playing with Delph or Bannan and a holding player behind them.  Yet the simple issue is he is a LOT better than anything we have right now and would improve our team tremendously.

[loopylaa]

Mate doing his b licence with shay given last week says shay said he would be signing for villa this week

[Concrete John]

Sky Sports are reporting that SkyBet have closed the market on Shay Given signing for Villa this summer.  Make of that what you will.

One Murdoch company talking about another Murdoch company?  Surely not.....

[King of the Nørth]

Mate doing his b licence with shay given last week says shay said he would be signing for villa this week

 Hmm great GK but 35 years old and persistant inuries. Does he really have that much more left in him? Before anyone mentions Friedel its not the same as Friedel hasnt had as many injuries as Given so doubt he could last as long in the game.

[MoetVillan]

Still, Milner offered him a lift down in his car.

[KevinGage]

On balance, I think I'd prefer to see us stonewall any bid Liverpool make (unless it's absolutely mental money) for Downing. Losing two of our better players in one window is one obvious reason. But the other is each time we've done it in seasons previous, the  buying club has edged further beyond us.

Yes, that buying club was Citeh and chances are they would probably have done so anyway. But we finished ahead of Liverpool the season previous and despite being utterly gash for most of last season, we weren't exactly a million miles off them again last year.

If they push on and outstrip us, so be it. But lets not help them out by giving them one of our better players to tip the balance. They're still one of the clubs we can realistically close ground on. Plus, if they don't get Downing I wouldn't bet against  Comoli landing the dippers with an absolute turkey, based on his hit and miss record at Tottingham.

Downing might be in a strop for a bit, but if he values his England place he'll knuckle  down and concentrate on his own game. Another 12 months of decent form and he'll probably have better options than the Redscouse anyroad, plus he'll be a fair bit cheaper for any buying side with his contract situation.

[madirishvillain]

KevinGage

very good post, but we will accept offers of 15million plus for Downing

we are downsizing big style at the minute

[paulcomben]

Is anybody asking what happens if Bent gets injured...?