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

[Concrete John]

Although I'd take a chance on Verhoek aswell, I think wide and central striker positions will be filled from a pool of Bent (central only), N'Zogbia, Gabby, the Fonz, Heskey and Albrighton (wide only).

[Villafirst]

Indeed. We need at least a squad option for the wide positions.

I don't think there will be anymore additions in this window - Lerner will not commit anymore money which I think is totally wrong. We're short of experienced cover in  the fullback and central defender positions and still need a dominant no-nonsense central midfielder plus cover on the wings. Everyone can see it except our American owners. May as well start the January Transfer speculation thread!

[Dante Lavelli]

If the money is not there then we can't spend it. Didn't we make a £30+m loss last year and a £40+m loss the year before that. We cannot keep spending at those levels.

[Villafirst]

If the money is not there then we can't spend it. Didn't we make a £30+m loss last year and a £40+m loss the year before that. We cannot keep spending at those levels.

The cheque book will soon re-surface as it did in January this year if we're in the bottom 3 or 4. Lerner got desperate last January when he could see his asset about to implode.

[Dante Lavelli]

Exactly. Randy found some more of his own money in order to ensure villa stayed in the top division. I think that he wants us to try and maximise the assets we have before he does that again. I can't really blame him as there has been so much waste within the squad over the past few years, not to mention players sold who could have done a job for us, had they been properly utilised by the respective managers.

[Villafirst]

Exactly. Randy found some more of his own money in order to ensure villa stayed in the top division. I think that he wants us to try and maximise the assets we have before he does that again. I can't really blame him as there has been so much waste within the squad over the past few years, not to mention players sold who could have done a job for us, had they been properly utilised by the respective managers.

That's all very well, but the squad is desperately short of experienced cover - just wait and see what happens if we suffer injuries (as we did last Autumn) or suspensions. There's not much scope for rotation so the regulars run the risk of burn-out and injuries.

[eastie]

Indeed. We need at least a squad option for the wide positions.

I don't think there will be anymore additions in this window - Lerner will not commit anymore money which I think is totally wrong. We're short of experienced cover in  the fullback and central defender positions and still need a dominant no-nonsense central midfielder plus cover on the wings. Everyone can see it except our American owners. May as well start the January Transfer speculation thread!

Thats the spirit -not!
Think positive my friend , your glass is half full.Top 8 at worst , 6th at best me feels.

[Dante Lavelli]

Exactly. Randy found some more of his own money in order to ensure villa stayed in the top division. I think that he wants us to try and maximise the assets we have before he does that again. I can't really blame him as there has been so much waste within the squad over the past few years, not to mention players sold who could have done a job for us, had they been properly utilised by the respective managers.

That's all very well, but the squad is desperately short of experienced cover - just wait and see what happens if we suffer injuries (as we did last Autumn) or suspensions. There's not much scope for rotation so the regulars run the risk of burn-out and injuries.

Well if you've got £20m that you can lend Randy so we can buy some more players then I'm sure he'd appreciate it. Don't expect much if any return on your investment though.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

Exactly. Randy found some more of his own money in order to ensure villa stayed in the top division. I think that he wants us to try and maximise the assets we have before he does that again. I can't really blame him as there has been so much waste within the squad over the past few years, not to mention players sold who could have done a job for us, had they been properly utilised by the respective managers.

That's all very well, but the squad is desperately short of experienced cover - just wait and see what happens if we suffer injuries (as we did last Autumn) or suspensions. There's not much scope for rotation so the regulars run the risk of burn-out and injuries.

How do you expect the squad to get this all important experience if you block their passage to the first team with mediocre bench warmers?

[garyshawsknee]

Indeed. We need at least a squad option for the wide positions.

I don't think there will be anymore additions in this window - Lerner will not commit anymore money which I think is totally wrong. We're short of experienced cover in  the fullback and central defender positions and still need a dominant no-nonsense central midfielder plus cover on the wings. Everyone can see it except our American owners. May as well start the January Transfer speculation thread!

Thats the spirit -not!
Think positive my friend , your glass is half full.Top 8 at worst , 6th at best me feels.

I think you've had too many glasses Eastie!! I like your positive spirit,but as things stand if we match last seasons finish,i think we've done well.

[ozzjim]

We will have done brilliantly. The situation is quite farcical, as the wage bill has been vastly reduced, while we have now lost our 2 best creative players, and our only destructive midfield player. We have replaced one. Simple truth is that Randy has gone from being a good chairman and backing his manager, to appointing a very unpopular one and then hanging him out to dry. I feel sorry for him, as 2 players and I think we could be a surprisingly effective side. As it is, I think we are going to be very hard to watch at times, and wil nick enough points to come about 12th. Clearly that is the revised ambition. Bent and NZogbia will be gone next summer I am sure.

[TimTheVillain]

We will have done brilliantly. The situation is quite farcical, as the wage bill has been vastly reduced, while we have now lost our 2 best creative players, and our only destructive midfield player. We have replaced one. Simple truth is that Randy has gone from being a good chairman and backing his manager, to appointing a very unpopular one and then hanging him out to dry. I feel sorry for him, as 2 players and I think we could be a surprisingly effective side. As it is, I think we are going to be very hard to watch at times, and wil nick enough points to come about 12th. Clearly that is the revised ambition. Bent and NZogbia will be gone next summer I am sure.

..........with FAR too much on Albrighton's shoulders I think.

farcical indeed, and I agree with your synopsis.

[Salsa Party Animal]

I'm all for taking a punt on players, epsecially if its just to get them over for evaluation. It shows imagination to go after guys like this.
You'd be amazed how many very good players were picked up from obscurity by clubs with a bit of imagination and a scouting network with an eye for what suits their clubs needs.

We had Steve Mandanda over for trial and some bell end decided to let him go.
A lot of fans said "who?" but he's now a top goalkeeper.

I still don't know who is Steve Manadanda

[Dave]

That's not really his fault is it?

[KevinGage]

I think there's a little Steve Manadanda in all of us, if we look into our hearts.