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

[Toronto Villa]

that's kind of how I see it. The AM appointment while not ambitious or glamorous is an attempt in my opinion to settle everything down again. I'm sure the board could have gone for Benitez but what would be the point if we couldn't support his spending requirements "at this time"? I look at this very much like a David Moyes appointment. Getting in a man with something to prove, that will stay loyal and will hopefully build something that is sustainable while being back responsibily in the market.

Bloody hell Mr Brightside, you're working overtime tonight. 

Selling our best players?  Well done the board for getting good money for them! 
Appointed a manager who has been relegated twice in three seasons?  Great we've got someone with something to prove! 
Not spending big to replace our now departed players?  Great we're going for slow growth anyway!

You remind me of Comical Ali.

If this is a David Moyes-type appointment, then it is a third-rate, cut-price David Moyes.

Was this the superstar David Moyes from Preston North End we're talking about who had won next to fucking nothing in his entire managerial career yet ended up being quite good at a PL football club? Because they gave him a chance to make something of himself in a supportive environment.

Are you going to keep up with your drama queen, everything's shit, oh woe is us routine like normal? Fuck me grow a pair. I'd rather stay positive heading into a season than being morbidly depressed than some of you lot. It makes for a long season when all you really want is to be right about the appointment when some of us despite our initial disappointment want to see it actually work out.

[Greg N'Ash]

Hands up, who's in the mood for bindippers coming here and telling us what our players are worth and what their piss taking club will or will not pay?
Oh yes, delightful.

It's the curious logic of it all that I find most enjoyable.
 
Overpaid. But 'on their terms.'  Confused, much?

Downing is not the equivalent of Henderson and Carroll which is why Liverpool won't overpay.

I agree with the first part, which is why the second part makes no sense.  Absolutely 100% spot on that Downing isn't the equivalent of Henderson or Carroll.  He's infinitely better - to date. As far as potential/ resale value goes too, It's not as if he's on his last legs either, with no room for improvement. He's 26.

Liverpool's strategy is perfectly logical. It doesn't help the debate to suggest otherwise simply because you aren't in favour of it.

Clearly, Liverpool are valuing potential higher than they are proven ability. As Downing is also infinitely better than Albrighton, presumably you'd value the youngster at a lot less too?

At this point in time, yes.

Excellent delivery from wide, and shows promise. But he's still raw. Though I think it unlikely, he could yet go the way of Peter Whittingham and a few others.  Downing won't. He's an international, at the top of his game and was our player of the year last year. Yet he's still young enough to improve further.

You seem to speak with the assurance or authority that you are somehow instep with Liverpool's buying strategy. Does Comolli have you on speed dial if he's ever unsure about the merits of a prospective transfer?

Though on this one, I do actually hope you're both singing from the same hymn sheet. If your top brass value him to the extent that you do - ie less than a rookie like Henderson- that's hopefully where the matter ends.

Liverpool's strategy is pretty transparent. I don't know more than any other Liverpool supporter who has seen the interviews and read the quotes.

I would have thought Villa supporters would be more upset about selling Albrighton at this point, right? He is, at best, your future. It costs a lot of money to buy a club's future. And while there is an obvious risk investing heavily in unproven players, my guess is Liverpool are trying to reinvent themselves as a club where potential can be fulfilled. They don't want the finished product because they want to develop the player themselves and will pay big for the opportunity.

then why do you want Downing? Honestly, he's been one of our better players last season but thats not saying much really. A Downing on full form is hardly going to worry the likes of Manu, Citeh and chelsea. He's just not that good frankly.

[hilts_coolerking]

I'd rather stay positive heading into a season than being morbidly depressed than some of you lot.

You'd stay positive heading into an oncoming vehicle.

[Toronto Villa]

I'd rather stay positive heading into a season than being morbidly depressed than some of you lot.

You'd stay positive heading into an oncoming vehicle.

I'll miss the oncoming vehicle because I'm going to keep my eyes and mind open throughout. You've got your eyes closed because you're too scared to look at what might be coming. You've already given up on life like those on suicide watch. You want that vehicle to hit you. That's the difference between you and I. I'll stay positive. You won't.

[KevinGage]

Liverpool's strategy is pretty transparent. I don't know more than any other Liverpool supporter who has seen the interviews and read the quotes. 

Yet you can say with near certainty what Liverpool will and won't do. The (quite frankly mental) £35 million you offered for Carroll wasn't the first bid, remember.

I would have thought Villa supporters would be more upset about selling Albrighton at this point, right?

Who -apart from you- has said anything about selling him?

[Redman]

then why do you want Downing? Honestly, he's been one of our better players last season but thats not saying much really. A Downing on full form is hardly going to worry the likes of Manu, Citeh and chelsea. He's just not that good frankly.

I agree. I think he's quite a pragmatic target - we'd be missing a trick having a striker who's dominant in the air but nobody to put the ball on his head. Downing is as consistent with his left-foot as anybody else in England, right?

Liverpool played quite well against the top sides last season but faltered against the bottom. And with no CL, we can't attract the best players so my guess is we're targeting proven PL performers like Adam and Downing to improve consistency and investing in the future with the likes of Henderson and Wickham (oops).

[adrenachrome]

The Sun

ALEX McLEISH is ready with a £3million offer to give Alan Hutton a quick way out of Tottenham.

Big Eck wants to make the Scotland international one of his first signings at Aston Villa - 12 months after failing to lure him to Birmingham.

McLeish had a £6m bid for his former Rangers right-back rejected by Spurs last summer.

But now he is eyeing up a cut-price move for the defender after being told Villa cannot have England Under-21 star Kyle Walker on another loan.

Walker has just signed a new five-year deal and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made it clear he expects him to challenge for a first-team place after impressing during loan spells with Villa and QPR last term and at this summer's European Under-23 Championships.

Hutton cost Tottenham a whopping £9m from Rangers in February 2008.

But the Scot is entering the final year of his contract and Spurs could be happy to cash in on a cut-price deal now rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.

Hutton, 26, was already behind Vedran Corluka in the pecking order and is keen to make a fresh start away from North London after just 51 appearances in 3½ years at Spurs.

He also had a spell on loan at Sunderland in 2010 and Black Cats manager Steve Bruce wanted to sign him permanently - but was unwilling to meet Spurs' £5m valuation.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3679224/Alex-McLeish-ready-to-pounce-for-Alan-Hutton.html#ixzz1RHPG5nFg

[Redman]

Liverpool's strategy is pretty transparent. I don't know more than any other Liverpool supporter who has seen the interviews and read the quotes. 

Yet you can say with near certainty what Liverpool will and won't do. The (quite frankly mental) £35 million you offered for Carroll wasn't the first bid, remember.

I would have thought Villa supporters would be more upset about selling Albrighton at this point, right?

Who -apart from you- has said anything about selling him?

When it comes to Downing, it's obvious. He's simply too old to over-pay for. It's out-of-line with Liverpool's strategy. We're building for the long-term and at 27, Downing would be a relatively short-term signing.

The only reason I'm bringing Albrighton into it is to illustrate the point.

[Greg N'Ash]

then why do you want Downing? Honestly, he's been one of our better players last season but thats not saying much really. A Downing on full form is hardly going to worry the likes of Manu, Citeh and chelsea. He's just not that good frankly.

I agree. I think he's quite a pragmatic target - we'd be missing a trick having a striker who's dominant in the air but nobody to put the ball on his head. Downing is as consistent with his left-foot as anybody else in England, right?

Liverpool played quite well against the top sides last season but faltered against the bottom. And with no CL, we can't attract the best players so my guess is we're targeting proven PL performers like Adam and Downing to improve consistency and investing in the future with the likes of Henderson and Wickham (oops).

Fair enough. putting on my neutral hat since we bought him he's not pulled up any trees and i wouldn't rate him much higher than what he cost us. Obviously we'll screw you for every penny we can get but comparing him with the 3 previous midfielders we've lost he doesn't come close. Barry was consistent and adapable, milner, well you could build a team round him - we did unfortunately. Young had his defects but you can see why Ferguson wanted him. Downing, well he's a less skillfull, more consistent mcmannnnnammmmannnn. er man. At 26 i doubt he's going to get much better as he didn't even manage to get up to his Boro form with us.  Bizarre if true, but i'm guessing we'll take the money.

[The Left Side]

The Sun

ALEX McLEISH is ready with a £3million offer to give Alan Hutton a quick way out of Tottenham.

Big Eck wants to make the Scotland international one of his first signings at Aston Villa - 12 months after failing to lure him to Birmingham.

McLeish had a £6m bid for his former Rangers right-back rejected by Spurs last summer.

But now he is eyeing up a cut-price move for the defender after being told Villa cannot have England Under-21 star Kyle Walker on another loan.

Walker has just signed a new five-year deal and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made it clear he expects him to challenge for a first-team place after impressing during loan spells with Villa and QPR last term and at this summer's European Under-23 Championships.

Hutton cost Tottenham a whopping £9m from Rangers in February 2008.

But the Scot is entering the final year of his contract and Spurs could be happy to cash in on a cut-price deal now rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.

Hutton, 26, was already behind Vedran Corluka in the pecking order and is keen to make a fresh start away from North London after just 51 appearances in 3½ years at Spurs.

He also had a spell on loan at Sunderland in 2010 and Black Cats manager Steve Bruce wanted to sign him permanently - but was unwilling to meet Spurs' £5m valuation.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3679224/Alex-McLeish-ready-to-pounce-for-Alan-Hutton.html#ixzz1RHPG5nFg

Sounds like a good deal at 3m, let's hope it is done quick.

[Redman]

then why do you want Downing? Honestly, he's been one of our better players last season but thats not saying much really. A Downing on full form is hardly going to worry the likes of Manu, Citeh and chelsea. He's just not that good frankly.

I agree. I think he's quite a pragmatic target - we'd be missing a trick having a striker who's dominant in the air but nobody to put the ball on his head. Downing is as consistent with his left-foot as anybody else in England, right?

Liverpool played quite well against the top sides last season but faltered against the bottom. And with no CL, we can't attract the best players so my guess is we're targeting proven PL performers like Adam and Downing to improve consistency and investing in the future with the likes of Henderson and Wickham (oops).

Fair enough. putting on my neutral hat since we bought him he's not pulled up any trees and i wouldn't rate him much higher than what he cost us. Obviously we'll screw you for every penny we can get but comparing him with the 3 previous midfielders we've lost he doesn't come close. Barry was consistent and adapable, milner, well you could build a team round him - we did unfortunately. Young had his defects but you can see why Ferguson wanted him. Downing, well he's a less skillfull, more consistent mcmannnnnammmmannnn. er man. At 26 i doubt he's going to get much better as he didn't even manage to get up to his Boro form with us.  Bizarre if true, but i'm guessing we'll take the money.

I pretty much agree with all that.

[brontebilly]

The Sun

ALEX McLEISH is ready with a £3million offer to give Alan Hutton a quick way out of Tottenham.

Big Eck wants to make the Scotland international one of his first signings at Aston Villa - 12 months after failing to lure him to Birmingham.

McLeish had a £6m bid for his former Rangers right-back rejected by Spurs last summer.

But now he is eyeing up a cut-price move for the defender after being told Villa cannot have England Under-21 star Kyle Walker on another loan.

Walker has just signed a new five-year deal and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made it clear he expects him to challenge for a first-team place after impressing during loan spells with Villa and QPR last term and at this summer's European Under-23 Championships.

Hutton cost Tottenham a whopping £9m from Rangers in February 2008.

But the Scot is entering the final year of his contract and Spurs could be happy to cash in on a cut-price deal now rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.

Hutton, 26, was already behind Vedran Corluka in the pecking order and is keen to make a fresh start away from North London after just 51 appearances in 3½ years at Spurs.

He also had a spell on loan at Sunderland in 2010 and Black Cats manager Steve Bruce wanted to sign him permanently - but was unwilling to meet Spurs' £5m valuation.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3679224/Alex-McLeish-ready-to-pounce-for-Alan-Hutton.html#ixzz1RHPG5nFg

Sounds like a good deal at 3m, let's hope it is done quick.

Dont think he is any better than Luke Young to be honest. Not overly keen on him but he can be good going forward.

[eastie]

Bent's as good as gone if he carries on in similar vein to last season. Get used to it. If AM joining didn't tell you how the clubs priorities have changed then nothing will

That's negative bollocks Greg I'm afraid- at least wait a few months before making such judgements.

On the subject of the board, they had little choice but to sell Barry, Milner young and probably downing as once a player expresses a desire to leave them our hands are tied in many ways- unhappy players just do not perform to the same standard.

Regarding the manager- none of who know who the board targeted and who turned us down, it sea clear mcleish wasn't top choice but we may have been turned down by a lot better without it being made public.

Hutton will be a decent signing if it happens , but I don't think the board will invest the sort of cash needed to chase a top 4 place and people need to realise that 6th to 8th is about the level we are going to aiming- without massive spending the top 4 will remain a distant dream- we had the chance under mon and we blew it!

[eastie]

Today's press reporting reo-Coker in talks with Ipswich- how the mighty are fallen?

[Matt Collins]

Spurs seem to be making a good fist of hanging onto modric . . . Helped no doubt by retaining a strong ambition and a six year contract. Why we don't offer more than 4 year deals I don't know. We'd at least get more money if we sell.