Young days away from joining Man.Utd

[dave.woodhall]

It's a fact of life for us now sadly.  We get good players in, make them even better and sell them to the big boys.  What a sad fact.

It's a fact of life for about 89 league clubs, and has been for years. When did we last see off an approach for one of our players?

[sfx412]

Norm Crandles, how right you look like being.

Its going to be one of those windows where we count the quality out and be amazed at the alternatives McAllister brings in.

Be interesting to see if General K can PR this sale away.
If it happens of course.

[Nigel Macdougall]

As others have said it's happened for years,it started with Gerry Hitchens,Bruce Rioch,David Platt,Dwight Yorke ..........

[hawkeye]

It's a fact of life for us now sadly.  We get good players in, make them even better and sell them to the big boys.  What a sad fact.

It's a fact of life for about 89 league clubs, and has been for years. When did we last see off an approach for one of our players?

Well that is the point, If we want to play with the big boys we need to come up with a strategy that we are not reliant on a few stars supported by mediocrity but a siuation where a group of players come together believing that they can achieve something wearing a Villa shirt. 

[adrenachrome]

It's a fact of life for us now sadly.  We get good players in, make them even better and sell them to the big boys.  What a sad fact.

It's a fact of life for about 89 league clubs, and has been for years. When did we last see off an approach for one of our players?

When MoN and Randy saw off Liverpool's approach for Barry.

[Nigel Macdougall]

It's a fact of life for us now sadly.  We get good players in, make them even better and sell them to the big boys.  What a sad fact.

It's a fact of life for about 89 league clubs, and has been for years. When did we last see off an approach for one of our players?

When MoN and Randy saw off Liverpool's approach for Barry.

But not Man Citeh's

[dave.woodhall]

It's a fact of life for us now sadly.  We get good players in, make them even better and sell them to the big boys.  What a sad fact.

It's a fact of life for about 89 league clubs, and has been for years. When did we last see off an approach for one of our players?

When MoN and Randy saw off Liverpool's approach for Barry.

You mean the one they couldn't afford?

[timeoutbigbar]

Why is it (as someone pointed out in a different post) that Everton seem able to hold onto their best players year in year out (Lescott excepted).  Is it because of the team mentality and the settled atmosphere at the club or because their best players aren't individually that good?  I'm honestly not sure which it is.

[adrenachrome]

It's a fact of life for us now sadly.  We get good players in, make them even better and sell them to the big boys.  What a sad fact.

It's a fact of life for about 89 league clubs, and has been for years. When did we last see off an approach for one of our players?

When MoN and Randy saw off Liverpool's approach for Barry.

You mean the one they couldn't afford?

I was just answering the question posed.

[tonyh]

There is no loyalty in football, cricket or rugby, any upward move is garnished with the lure of the lira and success.

I wish that once in a while a footballer would pay cursory attention to the grass roots, or their current employer instead of the big time charley approach,

But I am on a fools errand

[hawkeye]

Why is it (as someone pointed out in a different post) that Everton seem able to hold onto their best players year in year out (Lescott excepted).  Is it because of the team mentality and the settled atmosphere at the club or because their best players aren't individually that good?  I'm honestly not sure which it is.

this is a good point, i think that Everton has a spirit that enables them to punch above there weight. we have got primidonas like Young Downing, old pros not that bothered Dunne Collins and on big money, we have suffered with too many players that dont get it.

[Greg N'Ash]

If he's days away from joining them are they abroad or is he abroad? They're got the CL final soon so really he could just wait there for them. Or are they just keeping an equal distance away from him and he's gradually cutting the distance because he's using faster transport? I really need to know.

[hawkeye]

Theye are in The Landmark Hotel opposite Marylebone Station. he is in Stevanege but will be at the game tomorrow

[pauliewalnuts]

It's a fact of life for us now sadly.  We get good players in, make them even better and sell them to the big boys.  What a sad fact.

It's a fact of life for about 89 league clubs, and has been for years. When did we last see off an approach for one of our players?

Other teams do it, that is true, but while people quote the example of Spurs, I can't remember the last time they did it three years on the bounce

[TimTheVillain]

There is no loyalty in football, cricket or rugby, any upward move is garnished with the lure of the lira and success.

You know, I think Ashley has been loyal.

I think he would be staying if Villa were playing Champions League football next season.

We are where we are.

Where we are isn't where top players aspire to be, so we are a stepping stone - a very good stepping stone.