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

[Clark W Griswold]

It would be nice to see us get our arse in gear re signings though. We managed it in Jan, but for all of MON's reign we seemed to fanny about. It's particularly annoying when it's to replace players that other clubs have got their arse in gear to sign off us. Hoping that McLeish may be better in that respect, and i would be getting pretty irritated if we haven't replaced Young and Freidel by this time next week as pre season starts this Thursday. Freidel had gone when McLeish started and it was obvious Young was off too. And so might Downing, hopefully we have a plan to sort that quickly if it happens.

[Greg N'Ash]

It would be nice to see us get our arse in gear re signings though. We managed it in Jan, but for all of MON's reign we seemed to fanny about. It's particularly annoying when it's to replace players that other clubs have got their arse in gear to sign off us. Hoping that McLeish may be better in that respect, and i would be getting pretty irritated if we haven't replaced Young and Freidel by this time next week as pre season starts this Thursday. Freidel had gone when McLeish started and it was obvious Young was off too. And so might Downing, hopefully we have a plan to sort that quickly if it happens.

thats it in a nutshell really. We are weaker than last season and have lost important players. You'd hope they'd be some urgency to get replacements in, whereas if the departures were the likes of Beye, and Ireland it would be less concerning. And we've also lost a lot of players in the last 12 months albiet mostly squad players but still leaves us thin on numbers

[Karl Bridges]

From Joe.ie

McLeish tells Dunne and Ireland they have a future at Aston Villa
today at 11:09 am

New Villa boss Alex McLeish has told Richard Dunne and Stephen Ireland that they have a future at the club.

Irishmen Dunne and Ireland looked set to depart the Midlands' club, but their new Scottish manager has phoned them on holiday in order to reassure them that he wants them to have a future at the club he now helms.

Dunne has been linked with Wolves and Ireland had been expected to make a summer move to Bolton.

According to the News of the World, a source claims that "the feedback was positive".

"Alex sees both players as part of his plans."

The news comes shortly after news that Manchester City expect Villa to dig deep if they are to bring Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given to Villa Park.

McLeish is thought to be ready to offer €3.3 million in order secure 35-year-old Given and make the Donegal man his first signing since his move from Birmingham City.

But City boss Roberto Mancini is said to be reluctant to let Given go as it would mean he would need to find another number 2 keeper to cover for Joe Hart.

Given is anxious to move on, having only played four games all last season - three in the Europa League and one in the Carling Cup.

[Greg N'Ash]

Great. I reckon by now after a month off Dunne's probably the size of jabba the hut. And i doubt Ireland's any less mental.

[costablancavillan]

Who in their right mind would consider Guzan as a first choice keeper? an absolute nana IMO. seen  him only play 2 good games, and that was in the peace cup Oh sorry 3 games , almost forgot Sunderland away in the CC cup 2009. and in reality it was only the penalty saves in all those games that made him reasonable.
Flappy come to mind

[Greg N'Ash]

Who in their right mind would consider Guzan as a first choice keeper? an absolute nana IMO. seen  him only play 2 good games, and that was in the peace cup Oh sorry 3 games , almost forgot Sunderland away in the CC cup 2009. and in reality it was only the penalty saves in all those games that made him reasonable.
Flappy come to mind

In that case he needs to be shipped out then. He could do a job at a CL club IMO but its pretty pointless having a 'keeper in his mid-20's who's not going to play - much better to promote a youth guy or bring in a veteran

[Eigentor]

Great. I reckon by now after a month off Dunne's probably the size of jabba the hut. And i doubt Ireland's any less mental.

Maybe, but hopefully Dunne will spend the pre-season getting into shape and not the first half of the season. And if he's too big we can put him in goal and be guaranteed a clean sheet. Only problem will be to find some sort of transportation to get him to the other side of the pitch during the break.

[Clark W Griswold]

Who in their right mind would consider Guzan as a first choice keeper? an absolute nana IMO. seen  him only play 2 good games, and that was in the peace cup Oh sorry 3 games , almost forgot Sunderland away in the CC cup 2009. and in reality it was only the penalty saves in all those games that made him reasonable.
Flappy come to mind

Well, i think he's absolutely brilliant, but i was recently sectioned under the mental health act.

[Toronto Villa]

Unless we are about to start the season next week, my guess is we're still fine on transfers, including a GK. The first couple of weeks is fitness related training anyway at most clubs, and players like Given or N'Zogbia that we are linke with will be working out anyway at their current clubs. The manager should be able to have discussions with his existing playing staff before spending the clubs money on players to replace them. I don't hold out much hope for Stephen Ireland personally, but the manager can't think that way. He's a big investment for the club, so before they write him off and sell him on the cheap, AM may as well get his thoughts on making a fresh start. He's a bloody good player if he wants to be, so it would save us a lot of money if we can bring him, along with Warnock and Dunne back to a level where they could contribute positively.

[eastie]

Agreed- a Stephen Ireland on top of his game would be a massive player in the villa team and eck should be given every chance to get the best out off him.

[abc123cox]

I'm still under the impression that Ireland is an absolutly class player - it's just if things don't go his way then he spits his dummy out of the pram and goes blabbing to the press!

If AM can get the best out of him then he could have the potential to change our midfield. Around!!

Please all imagine this....

Nzogbia.  Makoun/Hitz  Delph/Parker  Allbrighton

                 Bannan /  Ireland (man city 09/10)

                                Bent/Gabby

Yep know that looks good

[Clark W Griswold]

Personally i think with Dunne it depends on whether McLeish let's him know who is boss and then whether Dunne responds in the right way. Warnock, i just think it depends whether him and McLeish get on on a personal level and Ireland is like Callaghan, Curcic, Collymore etc where people will always cling on to the fact that he might change his attitude because he's got the talent, but he never will because he's a wrong 'un.

If i had to bet, i'd say Dunne will come good and Warnock and Ireland will be gone by the end of Jan.

[spangley1812]

Agreed- a Stephen Ireland on top of his game would be a massive player in the villa team and eck should be given every chance to get the best out off him.

Well said, I agree 110%........

[abc123cox]

I'm still under the impression that Ireland is an absolutly class player - it's just if things don't go his way then he spits his dummy out of the pram and goes blabbing to the press!

If AM can get the best out of him then he could have the potential to change our midfield. Around!!

Please all imagine this....

Allbrighton  Makoun/Hitz  Delph/Parker  Nzogbia

                 Bannan /  Ireland (man city 09/10)

                                Bent/Gabby

Yep know that looks good

Would defo prefer


Allbrighton.     Makoun.     Parker.   Nzogbia

                        Ireland (man city 09/10)

                                  Bent

That looks good enough for Europe

[Eigentor]

Dunne was on his way back to becoming a proper PL defender at the end of last season. If he's not in too bad shape when he returns to pre-season training, he'll be ok. Warnock has been on a steady decline since early 2010. AM will probably give him a chance, but if it is back to the ridiculous diving into tackles and conceding free-kicks in dangerous positions, he'll be gone by January. Ireland is unfortunately a lost cause. So I agree with Griswold.