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

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Got a feeling Mcleish might keep Heskey. He knows him well and he is our only other forward with aerial power. Shay Given not on Man City tour. Will we see our first signing over the weekend ??

How does he know Heskey well?

He used to play for the club that McLeish used to manage before McLeish was there. Oh, and they were both internationals. Different countries but it's one big community.

As above .......

Yep, 18 months between ther sentences at the Sty would make for bussom buddies!

They are also friends on Facebook .......

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Apparently Wigan are off on tour on Monday so you would hope if we do move for Nzogbia it will be this weekend

Absolutely. Let's hope our admin staff are back in today so we can make some progress on these transfers.

Surely we don't wait for "admin" people to return from holiday before we do any business!
I can only assume that RL, PF and AM have been busy behind the scenes, along with necessary others.
Or am I spectacularly naive?

[Concrete John]

I don't think we let Brad go - Spurs made a better offer, a two year deal. For big Brad, it's all about the length of contract now.

Exactly - he was out of contract so couldn't keep him a la Downing, just offer him a deal.  I'd have loved him to stay as a back up to whoever our new keeper is, but anything more than a 1 year deal is lunacy for a player his age.

[VillaAlways]

Given is nothing like as good a keeper as some think and we would probably have been better off keeping Brad.

Agreed Bentman. He's experienced. That's about it really. And has a dodgy shoulder.
Still can't understand why we let Brad go without having a definite replacement lined up...unless Brad desperately wanted out!? I know things have changed re manager etc but I don't think it's a secret that teams need a keeper!

Surely the medical would show any problems with his shoulder??

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I don't think we let Brad go - Spurs made a better offer, a two year deal. For big Brad, it's all about the length of contract now.

Think i remember now Merv...didn't we offer Brad one more year?
Can't blame him really...at his age. And probably keeper coaching duties added on at the end?

[UsualSuspect]

I think we were right to let Friedel go.

He wasnt worth a further two years and whilst his stop stopping is still fine his command of the back four and his 6 yard box is shit

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Given is nothing like as good a keeper as some think and we would probably have been better off keeping Brad.

Agreed Bentman. He's experienced. That's about it really. And has a dodgy shoulder.
Still can't understand why we let Brad go without having a definite replacement lined up...unless Brad desperately wanted out!? I know things have changed re manager etc but I don't think it's a secret that teams need a keeper!

Surely the medical would show any problems with his shoulder??

Hopefully!
Or Hopefully not!!
If he does come to us he can do another Brad/Van der Saar special and do us good service for a few years yet!

[Merv]

Apparently Wigan are off on tour on Monday so you would hope if we do move for Nzogbia it will be this weekend

Absolutely. Let's hope our admin staff are back in today so we can make some progress on these transfers.

Surely we don't wait for "admin" people to return from holiday before we do any business!
I can only assume that RL, PF and AM have been busy behind the scenes, along with necessary others.
Or am I spectacularly naive?
[/quote]

Don't know... I believe waiting for admin staff to return was a reason given (via Mat Kendrick on Twitter, unless I'm mistaken) for a delay in signings. I didn't think admin staff had the same summer break as players, but there you go. Maybe we should ask Sunderland when their admin staff report back...

[Concrete John]

Surely we don't wait for "admin" people to return from holiday before we do any business!
I can only assume that RL, PF and AM have been busy behind the scenes, along with necessary others.
Or am I spectacularly naive?

I can imagine we can talk to agents and agree internally if a player is and the price is right, but when it comes to the actual process of completing the transfer (official authorization of funds, PL and international clearance, work permits, etc.) there's probably a lot of people involved.

[pedro25]

Sunderland have signed 8 players already, Man City have bagged another couple.  Not one of our new signings (if we make any) will have a full pre season under their belts at Villa, so the usual excuses will be wheeled out when then don't turn it on straight away, wait till they have a full pre season etc.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Surely we don't wait for "admin" people to return from holiday before we do any business!
I can only assume that RL, PF and AM have been busy behind the scenes, along with necessary others.
Or am I spectacularly naive?

I can imagine we can talk to agents and agree internally if a player is and the price is right, but when it comes to the actual process of completing the transfer (official authorization of funds, PL and international clearance, work permits, etc.) there's probably a lot of people involved.

I reckon you're probably pretty much on the right track John. There's obviously loads of legal bits to be tied up and signed for etc. Does anybody know anybody who's ever had any involvment who could shed a little light on things in the crazy world of monied football?
 I have an old mate whose brother was high up with Forest during the really good European Cup years, but things must have changed massively since then!

[VillaAlways]

Given is nothing like as good a keeper as some think and we would probably have been better off keeping Brad.

Agreed Bentman. He's experienced. That's about it really. And has a dodgy shoulder.
Still can't understand why we let Brad go without having a definite replacement lined up...unless Brad desperately wanted out!? I know things have changed re manager etc but I don't think it's a secret that teams need a keeper!

City fans would disagree
http://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=225009

[Dr Butler]

Sunderland have signed 8 players already, Man City have bagged another couple.  Not one of our new signings (if we make any) will have a full pre season under their belts at Villa, so the usual excuses will be wheeled out when then don't turn it on straight away, wait till they have a full pre season etc.

blimey Pedro, the squad only returned for pre-season today I believe !

UTV
The Doc

[Concrete John]

Sunderland have signed 8 players already, Man City have bagged another couple.  Not one of our new signings (if we make any) will have a full pre season under their belts at Villa, so the usual excuses will be wheeled out when then don't turn it on straight away, wait till they have a full pre season etc.

The early parts of pre-season are all about fitness, so aslong as they are having that with someone there should be no excuse.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Given is nothing like as good a keeper as some think and we would probably have been better off keeping Brad.

Agreed Bentman. He's experienced. That's about it really. And has a dodgy shoulder.
Still can't understand why we let Brad go without having a definite replacement lined up...unless Brad desperately wanted out!? I know things have changed re manager etc but I don't think it's a secret that teams need a keeper!

City fans would disagree
http://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=225009

Good call VILLA!
They clearly love him. And we know the fans' view has gotta be the right one!
Looking forward to him joining us if all the hype is true!
Interesting to read the view on Albrighton!