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

[eastie]

Seems Parker has changed his mind and told west ham he's prepared to play a season in the championship- a quality player indeed but I get the feeling he wouldn't want to leave London again.

[Concrete John]

Seems Parker has changed his mind and told west ham he's prepared to play a season in the championship- a quality player indeed but I get the feeling he wouldn't want to leave London again.

I read that on the BBC Gossip thingee, but to me it said "I could stay and cost you £60k a week if the championship, so you'd better rethink pricing me out of a move with all this £4m loan nonsense!"

[Villafirst]

I hope McLeish will realise after two or three PL games that he's short in midfield

Surely as an experienced manager he would know this already.

I think McLeish does see it I just don't think the owner does.

Agree. Lerner is just trying not to spend anymore money, which is a disgrace when Gen Krulak stated that RL would back his Manager. If we bought Dann and Parker the squad would have a bit more depth as currently it looks very thin. How we let O'Hara slip under the radar and join the dingles for £5M amazes me - he would've fitted in well in our midfield.

[Mazrim]

O'Hara is desperately average. No thanks.

[UsualSuspect]

 Petrov is too ponderous and slows the game down too much, has had 1 good season in 4/5, and the quicker he goes the better.We are a better team without him, and i would rather play Hogg or Herd or Delph than him .Makoun and Ireland should play alongside another, would love Parker, but Diarra or Mariga, or Capoue would be ideal, and then let Bannan, Gardener, Delph , Hogg and Herd put them under pressure.

 Barton is not a defensive midfielder, Tiote is that player at Noooocastle, yes he can put a foot in, usually late and high, or in his case a punch as well, but Tiote is the DM, you buy /sign Barton, it means Bannan and Gardener could be pushed further down.Bannan has impressed me in these friendlies

Totally agree with that.

I've only watched petrov in the flesh so to speak over the past 2 seasons but when he gets the ball he just slows things down to a snails pace.

This is fine if you're up against it with 10 mins left but that is his game all the time. We have so much pace in our team but at home especially we always seem to fuck about getting the ball wide.

[Villafirst]

O'Hara is desperately average. No thanks.

He certainly added drive and energy into the Wolves midfield and weighed in with a few goals towards the end of last season - surely better than Petrov??

[Mazrim]

O'Hara is desperately average. No thanks.

He certainly added drive and energy into the Wolves midfield and weighed in with a few goals towards the end of last season - surely better than Petrov??

No, not really.

[TheSandman]

 Petrov is too ponderous and slows the game down too much, has had 1 good season in 4/5, and the quicker he goes the better.We are a better team without him, and i would rather play Hogg or Herd or Delph than him .Makoun and Ireland should play alongside another, would love Parker, but Diarra or Mariga, or Capoue would be ideal, and then let Bannan, Gardener, Delph , Hogg and Herd put them under pressure.

 Barton is not a defensive midfielder, Tiote is that player at Noooocastle, yes he can put a foot in, usually late and high, or in his case a punch as well, but Tiote is the DM, you buy /sign Barton, it means Bannan and Gardener could be pushed further down.Bannan has impressed me in these friendlies

I agree.

As an aside that Tiote is a cracking player.

[LeeB]

O'Hara is desperately average. No thanks.

He certainly added drive and energy into the Wolves midfield and weighed in with a few goals towards the end of last season - surely better than Petrov??

Err, no.

Stan is Kevin Richardson for the Jedward generation. Everyone thinks he's shit, apart the managers who keep picking him.

[Concrete John]

Stan is Kevin Richardson for the Jedward generation. Everyone thinks he's shit, apart the managers who keep picking him.

Very true.

There seems to be a view of him where people focus on what he's lacking, without ever bothering to look at what he does bring to the side.

Replace/upgrade him?  Sure, but it'll take a very good player to do that! 

[Greg N'Ash]

Petrov isn't shit. He's just past it frankly

[KRS]

The next 2 friendlies will provide a better indication, but the issues are blatantly obvious for all to see...including AM and Randy. Even if we paper over the cracks in the first 5 or 6 games, we're only a couple of injuries away from a relegation scrap. Thats slightly negative I know, but I have absolutely no confidence in the depth of squad...yes they may try and may work hard, but trying and working hard doesnt give you points at the end of 90 minutes.

What are your expectations for the season KRS?
I think there are a whole host of teams that are a few injuries away from a relegation scrap, us included, but that's kind of where I see Villa right now. I would be happy for us to go into the season a bit lacking in certain areas if it means we get to test some of our youngsters.

I'd prefer this because one or two might prove to be good enough saving us shed loads in the future. I'd hope there will be money available but I'd prefer more Bent type signings than spending a similar amount now on squad players to ensure we have a recognised, experienced (probably well paid) reserve for every position.

I think we're in unchartered waters so I dont really have any expectations as such as I see we're very much in a transitional period. If we finish higher than last season then that will be satisfactory but we could easily slip into the bottom half with teams around us strengthening more so than we are it seems. Its going to be another turbulent season with inconsistent performances and results.

[Clampy]

I think we're at the stage with Petrov where he'd ideal to bring on for the last 15 mins in games if we're winning to give us a bit of a foot hold in midfield. We definatley need an upgrade on him.

[midnite]

 Petrov is too ponderous and slows the game down too much, has had 1 good season in 4/5, and the quicker he goes the better.We are a better team without him, and i would rather play Hogg or Herd or Delph than him .Makoun and Ireland should play alongside another, would love Parker, but Diarra or Mariga, or Capoue would be ideal, and then let Bannan, Gardener, Delph , Hogg and Herd put them under pressure.

 Barton is not a defensive midfielder, Tiote is that player at Noooocastle, yes he can put a foot in, usually late and high, or in his case a punch as well, but Tiote is the DM, you buy /sign Barton, it means Bannan and Gardener could be pushed further down.Bannan has impressed me in these friendlies

Which again shows we need another able body in midfield as I though the end of last season sideways stan was our best midfielder. Im not really a fan, think out of frustration as the talent is certainly there, we keep seeing it from time to time but he takes too long. Which isn't a problem when it's then released forward and the move starts but it's always then sidewards or back to the keeper allowing the opposition plenty of time to regroup. Then hoofed up field by freidel and Collins and straight to the opposition.

As someone else has said, I also think as good a player as Barton is, he would add that grit in midfield but a defensive midfielder he isn't. Would rather take a punt on hargreaves on a cut wage or PAYP deal for the season. If he proves he can stay fit offer a full contract at the end of the year once he's earnt it maybe? Dunno how these things work!!

[Concrete John]

I think we're at the stage with Petrov where he'd ideal to bring on for the last 15 mins in games if we're winning to give us a bit of a foot hold in midfield. We definatley need an upgrade on him.

Fully agree with that.