SSN: "Downing won't commit to Villa"

[Dante Lavelli]

Why should Randy keep having to cough up money out of his own pocket?
The Kendrick tweet - as I read it - implies that he will again to buy a keeper, but further signings will have to be generated from player sales.

Rumours abound that it's worse than that.
We'll generate about £40m from sales, but only be allowed to spend half of it.

I think we're in the shit.

Are these Rumours from a decent source? From mere press speculation I have not read this. If true it would indeed be a worry - fuck me I'm a happy clapper - it'd also be a great opportunity for the likes of the Fonz, Clark, Bannan and Albrighton to step up as they'd be playing virually every week.

[villa for life]

Isn't it to the advantage of a club to make out that they don't have a lot to spend? Lerner probably just doesn't want to be taken advantage of as might happen to a club who have just made or will make close to 40 million from selling two players. Clever play from Lerner if you ask me..

[Nirog72]

One of the things I am most looking forward to next season is seeing the kids progress (hopefully). That doesn't make you a happy clapper Dante, it would be fantastic to see a side many of whom have been nurtured through the ranks playing in a league match. I actually have a slight concern whenever we buy someone new because it may block progress for one of the kids. I know lots of people on here say the same.

[PaulWinch again]

Isn't it to the advantage of a club to make out that they don't have a lot to spend? Lerner probably just doesn't want to be taken advantage of as might happen to a club who have just made or will make close to 40 million from selling two players. Clever play from Lerner if you ask me..

I hope that's the case, I really do.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

The thing is with Downing is that he's not as good as he thinks he is. He has "Southgate" syndrome. If Liverpool offer a good amount of money, then take it and use it elsehwere. Downing is hardly the greatest player and one who is irreplaceable.

I don't understand what all the fuss ia bout Liverpool anyway. I don't see them as being any better than what we could potentially be. Henderson and Carroll, I don't think, are any better than what we have and Gerrard is falling away as he gets older. The only great player they have is Suarez, who looks very good, but will be off when he realiss Liverpool won't be in the Champions League.

[PaulWinch again]

Southgate was very very good, and after leaving Villa should have been at one of the top sides.

[Shrek]

Downing is quality, he is brilliant in possession and never loses the ball.

For me I'd sell him and buy N'Zogbia or visa versa.

[villa for life]

there aren't too many "very very" good players who don't play for the top clubs. If they are good enough, they usually end up there or at least the top clubs show signs that they want them.
Southgate never really made one position his own, as he was quite handy in defence and midfield.

[Redman]

I remember big 'Eck pushing hard to sign Jovanovic before we got him.

How would you feel about throwing him in as a sweetener?

I quite rate the guy to be honest and am a bit disappointed he never got a decent crack under Roy or Kenny.

One of the papers ran a story last week that moves to some Belgian clubs had fell through as he was on over £100k a week with two years left on his deal, if I were him I'd be going nowhere either.

He's on £70k a week but his signing on fee is spread over the first year pushing it to around £120k. He wants a pay-off of reportedly £2.5m to leave. I'd value him at around £5m so there's a potential bargain there for somebody.

[Matt Collins]

Many many signs point to the conclusion we are in the shot financially. But not the bent signing. Very few clubs male signings on that scale no matter how perilous their league position.

If out kids were of man utd, Liverpool or west ham late 90s / early 00s calibre I'd be excited. Given that 2 of our bright lights barely got a kick on the championship and none started a game at the under 21 euros this is a big big risk if thats our new strategy.

[Ads]

Shot financially?

[Risso]

Crap managerial appointment, and the flogging of our best players for the third summer running.  It's hardly going to get the crowds flocking back is it?

[Mazrim]

No. I'm affraid not.
I hope the club are planning on arresting this negativity thats swamping us at the moment.
We need some good news and soon.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Why should Randy keep having to cough up money out of his own pocket?
The Kendrick tweet - as I read it - implies that he will again to buy a keeper, but further signings will have to be generated from player sales.

Rumours abound that it's worse than that.
We'll generate about £40m from sales, but only be allowed to spend half of it.

I think we're in the shit.

Are these Rumours from a decent source?

From a very reliable source, Dante.

[TheSandman]

You can't blame Downing can you? Even leaving aside the possibility that our ambitions have arguably been reduced Liverpool are a better option than us as things stand. Same goes for Spurs. If Lerner is determined to run the club on the cheap then you definitely cannot blame Downing and everyone on this site who claims they would act differently if they were in his position is a liar.

If budgets are being reined in then the person I really feel sorry for is McLeish. He, like all of us, sees that the squad needs heavy remodeling but he may not get the money he needs to do it. The fact is with so many of our supporters ready to turn on him that if next season goes tits up he will be the person who will get the blame despite it not actually being his fault. If I was more cynical I'd suggest that if the board are prepared to dramatically rein in costs at whatever cost then an unpopular appointment might be a desirable one as it can act as a scapegoat.