Downing Completes Liverpool Transfer

[Ian.]

I'm sure we wont spend that amount on replacements, I'm hoping AM can show some awareness and bring in players just as good as Stu or better for less. I'm sure they'e out there somewhere.

This is Alex McLeish we're talking about.  Sniffing out bargains isn't exactly one of his strong points.  Not that he has any strong points.

I don't know, maybe not. We found out MON couldn't and its about time we had someone who could sniff a bargain, I'm still hopefull that we can.

[pauliewalnuts]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html

So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.

Does any other club manage to fuck up their PR as much as we do?

That's either terrible management, terrible PR, or both.

I also love that "we're trying really hard to buy a goalkeeper" line.

Stuff like this just makes me even more convinced that the biggest problem we have isn't the chairman not being willing to spend, it is the chairman being surrounded by absolute fucking idiots.

[Redman]

One thing I will say is, does it take a circa £80 million spend to even just ensure the heady heights of 5th-7th now?  Top flight football in this country really is in La La Land.

Needless to say, Liverpool intend to finish higher than 5th-7th.

I appreciate the transfer policy seems unorthodox but it would be wrong to think this is just Kenny Dalgish going mental with a chequebook. On the contrary, it's a highly rational and scientific approach, believe it or not. And transfers are decided by committee.

It's about making the numbers work in your favour. To use an over-simplified example, 35% of all goals are the result of set-pieces. So buy Andy Carroll and Charlie Adam because the stats prove these players are more likely to convert set-pieces than any others.

Whether it will work or not, we'll see. But similar methods have revolutionized other sports.

[KevinGage]

Assess the squad over the season?

This squad spent most of last season flirting with relegation - we weren't mathematically safe until the last but one game of the season. Take out two of the three best players in it, and you're way, way back on where you need to be to stand still, let alone push on.

I understand Randy arriving at this point, but it is pretty hard to avoid the conclusion that we've given up even pretending we're going to try.

First part of the season was key there.

Ireland and Warnock might become key parts of the side, or Makoun might be better for a full pre season under his belt and a midfield three of Delph Makoun and Petrov might hit it off.

I'd be keen to exhaust those possibilities before we throw money about, gambling on players that  might not even match what we already possess. Though obviously if a deal like Parker or Milner presents itself, we need to be flexible in our approach and seize the opportunity.

[Risso]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html

So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.

I'd say that was almost an unbelievable quote if the board hadn't demonstrated time and time again that they are completely clueless.

[Ian.]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html

So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.

Does any other club manage to fuck up their PR as much as we do?

That's either terrible management, terrible PR, or both.

It don't fill you with confidence does it?

[Risso]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html

So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.

Does any other club manage to fuck up their PR as much as we do?

That's either terrible management, terrible PR, or both.

I also love that "we're trying really hard to buy a goalkeeper" line.

Stuff like this just makes me even more convinced that the biggest problem we have isn't the chairman not being willing to spend, it is the chairman being surrounded by absolute fucking idiots.

Idiocy loves company.

[Villafirst]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html

So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.

What do you expect from a jerk like Faulkner? No strategy or planning whatsoever. These are not football men running Villa - they haven't a fucking clue!!

[KevinGage]

One thing I will say is, does it take a circa £80 million spend to even just ensure the heady heights of 5th-7th now?  Top flight football in this country really is in La La Land.

Needless to say, Liverpool intend to finish higher than 5th-7th.

Oh I'm sure you do.

But do you really think Man U, Chelsea, Citeh or Arsenal are worried/ envious vis a vis most of your business to date?

I don't think Tottingham will be particularly miffed either. That's five for the kick off.

[VillaAlways]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html

So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.

Does any other club manage to fuck up their PR as much as we do?

That's either terrible management, terrible PR, or both.

It don't fill you with confidence does it?

Not to mention  now clubs now knowing they can now rip us off blind

[glasses]

At least he put a transfer request in, which means he forfeits the right to a pay off from us. Unlike Gareth Barry.

Although saying that, after we signed him when he was injured, how much of a ****** does that make him?

They are all a bunch of ******

I feel much better now

[Ian.]

Liverpool are spending a lot of money on good players, but not great players. Will they be happy with a fight for the 8th to 5th spot? King Kenny my arse.

Yeah but who gives a fuck about how Liverpool do.

Right now, we're looking like we're going to be all about 18th-15th, not 8th-5th.

I might as well deflect attention from our problems for the time being. I'll speculate on Liverpool going tits up before taking my head out of the sand.

[Clampy]

Disappointed. I'm glad it's being settled quickly rather than dragging out, but from being Player of the Year to all of a sudden wanting out. It's quite shit really.

It's over to you Alex to get the players with the coin hopefully burning a hole in your pocket.

Break a leg Stew. I mean that sincerely.

You're probably right with the ''coin'' quote - Lerner will scrape around the back of the sofa to give AM a pittance to re-invest if we're lucky. After all, AM did say there is ''no pot of gold'' to spend - so don't think by selling Downing there will be money to spend. Billionaire owner? A complete joke!

Let's have a bit of perspective here for a second. The three players that have left over the past two season's (Milner, Young and Barry) cost just under £35m to bring in. Throw in all the other money he has spent and the £24m he spent in January, then i think 'a complete joke' is harsh.

Let's just see what happens between now and the end of August. If the money has'nt been re-invested, then he'll know about it i'm sure.

[pauliewalnuts]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2392227,00.html

So we don't gave replacements lined up, but believe there are targets available? Top drawer management.

Does any other club manage to fuck up their PR as much as we do?

That's either terrible management, terrible PR, or both.

It don't fill you with confidence does it?

Not to mention  now clubs now knowing they can now rip us off blind

If we go for N'Zogbia now, it gives Dave Whelan the chance to make us look utter fucking mugs twice in a month.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Surely Mcleish has not let Downing go without a replacement already in place ? Hope we have done a deal with Nzogbia. And it is announced very soon. Nzogbia, Parker (on loan) Canales (on loan) Dann, and Foster would turn everything totally in to a very positive season ahead .........