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

[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.

Sorry should have put a smiley face at the end.

smiley or winky! sorry, got the wrong end of the stick there sir. In fact reading back, I probably should have used the word mentoring as opposed to grooming anyway.

[eastie]

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

Maybe not the phrase to use tv but I expect it doesn't have the same meaning in Canada , which I think is what Karl meant.

[Toronto Villa]

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

Maybe not the phrase to use tv but I expect it doesn't have the same meaning in Canada , which I think is what Karl meant.

grooming can mean developing, here and in the UK eastie. Got to also remember I'm just an English bloke living in Canada.

[PaulTheVillan]

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.

I like this post very much. *nods*

[eastie]

Didn't realise you were English tv - nice to see you flying the villa flag out there .

[The Man With A Stick]

Oh Jesus, god, please no!

[Mazrim]

Oh Jesus, god, please no!

A bit dramatic mate.
I think Bendtner is a decent player anyway.

[D.boy]

Thought you would be head bangin all weekend Maz, are your ears bleeding yet?

[The Left Side]

I'd rather take Given than Almunia

[villan1975]

I would rather a gibbon than almunia.Genuinely poor keeper and Bendtner managed to look ordinary in an Arsenal team that dominated and created plenty of chances so a big no for both.

[citizenDJ]

I think Bendtner is a very good player and I believe he would be a great signing for us; a more mobile, skilful, goalscoring Heskey, if you like.

Of course, I also fit that description myself...

[citizenDJ]

Incidentally, Dave Whelan is on Talksport's 'Transfer Tavern' in a bit; I wonder if he'll throw any light on the N'Zogbia situation?

As an aside, I've only ever listened to Talksport since the whole McLeish story broke and many on here were citing it as a source. There really is some utter dross on there, with woefully uniformed hosts and guests. I'm pleased to have found some decent stuff, though. Sam Matterface/Danny Kelly's evening show is fairly entertaining. It's funny how dramatically the tone of the station changes at 7 'o' clock-ish!

[PaulTheVillan]

I think Bendtner would be a good player in our squad & he'd have something to prove if Wenger flogged him.

[PaulTheVillan]

I've got a feeling Bendtner could be in talks with Spurs. Don't ask me why.

[Shrek]

VillaMatt has just heard a rumour we have agreed a fee for Alan Hutton. Anybody know if this is true?