January Transfer Speculation (or lack of) Thread

[Greg N'Ash]

 can't see a problem with Davis apart from the old never re-signing a former player rule - wasn't he POTY for us so hardly rubbish compared with pish like Delph and Ireland currently littering our squad. Whittingham would be odd though

[Mazrim]

Delph is not Pish and definitely a better player than Davis and Ireland is comfortably better if used and motivated (yes, I know). The quality of our team when Davis got that award was shocking and to be honest I think a few decent goals glossed over the fact he wasn't all that good.

[Greg N'Ash]

well i thought he was pretty good in a team lacking in quality and thats what we have currently. If we had Milner, Young, and Barry and a transfer budget of 80m i'd probaby think he was pointless too, but we haven't. As for delpth when is he going to come good? not as though he hasn't had time. getting on for 3 seasons isn't it? Ireland i've given up on so however good these guys could be potentially we need someone who can perform now.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Don't see the point in signing Davis except for a bit of (SP!?) experience.
I'd much prefer to see Delph/Bannan given an extended run, even Clark as the holding MF, and slowly introduce Gardner. If we're in transition let's use what we already have rather than gamble transfer funds on mediocre players like Davis. We've already got mediocre.
Then use the funds on getting a quality CM when the right one is available.

[Mazrim]

Delph is still a kid and still learning. I think that's often overlooked. Plus he had an injury for a whole season that would end careers not so long ago so I think more slack is called for. Its not like he's had three complete seasons. More like sporadic spells in the side and has done alright. Yes he has to prove himself so lets not buy somebody we know isnt good enough and stick with some players we already own who might be.

Or get better players.

[Concrete John]

Lets look at it this way - Jenas hardly played for us at all, so not signing Davis would mean we have the same midfield options we've used so far.  While we all know we need to improve that area of the park, we've managed to get by as a mid-table side with what we've got.  So, while all those in favour and/or think it would be a good deal may want him, would he really get us any further up the table?  No for me, so it would be a move to just consolidate where we are.  If that's the case, I'd rather take the chance we may slip a place or two and save the money for the summer. 

[PaulWinch again]

Delph is still a kid and still learning. I think that's often overlooked. Plus he had an injury for a whole season that would end careers not so long ago so I think more slack is called for. Its not like he's had three complete seasons. More like sporadic spells in the side and has done alright. Yes he has to prove himself so lets not buy somebody we know isnt good enough and stick with some players we already own who might be.

Or get better players.

The more I think about it, I do think it's a pointless signing. The improvement he would bring to the side would be negligable unless he has improved massively since he left. We may as well just save the money and get our kids in the side.

[Chris Smith]

If the youngsters are good enough they'll force their way into the side and if not they'll move on. Signing Steven Davis (or anyone else) will not be make any difference to that.

[PeterWithesShin]

I really can't see much point in signing Davis. He's not realistically going to improve us much, if at all. I'd assume he's going to be on 30K a week or so, so why tie up 1.5million a year in someone like him when wages are tight as they are. Surely we should be signing someone who at least has the potential to get us moving in the right direction?

If anything, I'd probably prefer not to sign anyone and to at least see if any of the kids we have are good enough then take stock of things on the summer. May save us a chunk of cash longterm. And if only 1 or 2 or the kids are good enough then that 1.5mill + transfer fee could then be better invested next summer on players who can move us back upwards.

[ashkar]

Diame, Jelavic and Dann/Samba will improve the spine of the side no end. Might not happen this Jan but we should try atleast for summer. Investment of about 25 m will be required. Diame might be needed to be brought in this Jan. Also i am sure by summer the following players will not be at villa,

OUT: Heskey, Cuellar, Beye, Ireland, Makoun, Jenas, Weimann and Lowry.

IN: Diame (5m), Dann/Samba (8m), Jelavic (10m), Donavon (season loan)

[Dave]

Sorry, Jelavic for £10m? What?

Because he scored not many goals in Austria and a few more in Scotland?

How is that in any way worth paying £10m for?

And Donavan has gone to Everton like he was always going to.

[KevinGage]

When Davis left, there was a feeling we were all geared to go on to bigger and better things.

If we had actually delivered on that, I could understand the snobbery/ reluctance to get a player like Davis back.   But for the past few years, our midfield has contained the likes of Steve Sidwell and NRC.   Different types of players maybe, but I'd say Davis is better than both of them. I don't think there's much in it between him and Petrov either.

In the season when he won Player of the Season, we had the likes of Barry, Mellberg, Baros and Milner in the side, so we weren't completely lacking in quality. 

I'm not suggesting that if he comes back we'll build a side around him, but he can cover a few positions, knows the club and shouldn't have any problems settling in. No brainer for me.   

[Lowendbehold]

Ignoring Ireland who appears well down the pecking order, the only experienced central midfielder is Petrov. He he were to get injured or lose form we would be in a mess relying on the kids.

So I think we need some experience in there.  Not sure about Davis though, but I haven't seen him play recently.

[brian green]

I think it is a reflection of how unimaginative we have become that we should chuck out Makoun as a total write off and consider re signing a player who has not improved since he left us and is at best a journeyman player.   McLeish is so safety first and belt and braces in everything he does.

[Boz]

I think it is a reflection of how unimaginative we have become that we should chuck out Makoun as a total write off and consider re signing a player who has not improved since he left us and is at best a journeyman player.   McLeish is so safety first and belt and braces in everything he does.

Summed up accurately. AM just seems to want players he's comfortable with from past experience and if it was in the SPL, it's unlikely they will be Premiership standard, and Davis is just an average player. As has been said by others, better to save the money for the summer. Signing Davis is not going to ensure our survival in the Premiership so why bother?