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

[PaulTheVillan]

I thought this was a sticky.

I think Nasri will end up at United.

[Toronto Villa]

I see Carlton Cole's moving to Sturk after the two sides agreed a fee. I hope they get used to a lot of missed chances up there.

[PaulTheVillan]

Cole & Jones up front? That'll be as bad as when MON played Heskey & Carew.

[eastie]

thank you!

[Karl Bridges]

With regards to Ireland, Matt Kendrick has interviewed him and says he is determined to be a success at Villa. I think the full interview will be in the Mercury tomorrow.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

I know Ireland is a prick. But he is a good footballer when focused. With 5 wks serious training and his mind on the job he could be the player he was when he was voted "player of the season" at Man City. How far is Gary gardner from being the "real deal" ?

[Phil from the upper holte]

The nzogbia link has been knocking around for weeks. If we do want him why are we not gettin it done?

[Toronto Villa]

With regards to Ireland, Matt Kendrick has interviewed him and says he is determined to be a success at Villa. I think the full interview will be in the Mercury tomorrow.

I really hope so now. If we can see a Stephen Ireland that we all hoped for when he joined it's a massive plus. I think McLeish needs to get in some positive influences into the club like a Shay Given and Scott Parker to help not only Ireland, but help groom some of the younger players too.

McLeish was commenting yesterday that Ireland was Man City player of the year a couple of years ago and that he along with others will be given a clean slate to prove themselves. In many ways when I watched McLeish a number of things struck me.

That he feels incredibly fortunate to be where he is and to have the facilities now at his disposal. It's better than anything he's ever worked with.
That he's got the most talented players he's probably ever had to work with.
That he's got some very talented players that for whatever reason weren't fully utilised last season that will be like having new signings for this season (Yes, I know that's a bit of Dougism).
That he has got amongst the most talented crop of young players at any PL club.
That he might be like MON in terms of player relationships, but the antithesis of MON in being far more visible on the training ground.
That he has a board that will be a million times better from working the relationship he had with two previous meddling boards at Blues.
That even though he knows the parameters that he has to work within, he will still likely have more money to spend on players than he has ever had.

He needs to now get his first few signings made, get his staff fully sorted and lift the mood of the fans who are still rightly cautious. I liked Stan's comments yesterday about him being a bad loser. I want that in a Villa manager, and more importantly I want that in our players.

[Karl Bridges]

I don't think grooming youngsters is what we need at all TV.

[Toronto Villa]

I don't think grooming youngsters is what we need at all TV.

why not? I think our younger players need proper leaders around the club if they are to develop and become as good as they can be. Last year could not have been easy for any of them with all of the in-fighting. What they need now in my opinion is to have a settled working environment and some model pros helping them become better players and people. We have a top coaching staff, but positive influential players are just as important.

[oldtimernow]

after the initial underwhelming response to AM appointment I am starting to warm to the guy ( who is now OUR manager)....perhaps we should start our own pre season training so that as the season kicks off we will be ready with our support...

A clean slate for all no matter who they are and where they came from perhaps is a starter

[Matt Collins]

I like the guy, he's very amiable. I'm just worried whether he's good enough and whether we'll be at least moderately attractive to watch.

[Karl Bridges]

I don't think grooming youngsters is what we need at all TV.

why not? I think our younger players need proper leaders around the club if they are to develop and become as good as they can be. Last year could not have been easy for any of them with all of the in-fighting. What they need now in my opinion is to have a settled working environment and some model pros helping them become better players and people. We have a top coaching staff, but positive influential players are just as important.

Sorry should have put a smiley face at the end.

[frank black]

The nzogbia link has been knocking around for weeks. If we do want him why are we not gettin it done?

Because agents will tell players to hang on just in case other offers are better. It maybe we tell Liverpool to jog on. Then they buy nzogbia. I can imagone we re not everyone's number one destination.

[bob]

I don't think grooming youngsters is what we need at all TV.

why not? I think our younger players need proper leaders around the club if they are to develop and become as good as they can be. Last year could not have been easy for any of them with all of the in-fighting. What they need now in my opinion is to have a settled working environment and some model pros helping them become better players and people. We have a top coaching staff, but positive influential players are just as important.

WHOOOOOSH!