January Transfer Speculation (or lack of) Thread

[PaulWinch again]

I suppose what harm can a 2 month loan deal do, but hardly inspiring. We need to be looking at young exciting players who are hungry to succeed and technically good.

[eastie]

If Keane comes in I can see either the Fonz or Heskey going.  For different reasons, I don't think either has a future at the club.

Keane has probably scored more goals at villa park already than those 2 put together , neither are good enough and keane would be an improvement on both.

Regarding craig gardner i must say he was outstanding for the mackems against man city and as a utility player could maybe be useful , possible swap deal for heskey and cuellar?

[NeilH]

As regards Weimann. Do you honestly think he's ready yet? And if he isn't do you think it is going to help him going into our current team?

Are you suggesting we loan him out again?  It might happen with the potential arrival of Robbie Keane. Im surprised Weimann hasn't been given a chance yet especially over this busy festive period.

I'm suggesting that chucking him into our side with the current malaise hanging over it is not going to help the lad.
Until we stop putting in Jekyll and Hyde performances then he'd be best building up his confidence in the stiffs or indeed out on loan.

[Irish villain]

If 2 months of Keane on loan means we are selling Bent and waiting to the summer to replace it would not shock anyone would it. Depends on what is offered, but were I Bent, who is a finisher, not creating a single chance at home to Swansea would make me want to leave, his career has totally stagnated.

Nothing shocks me these days. I am now prepared at all times for the likelihood that the worst possible scenario that I can envisage will happen.

[KevinGage]

Come on Martin, have a word with Ellis Short and offer Keane double the wages we'd pay.

You know you want to.

[Irish villain]

We're linked with Pienaar today. What are people's thoughts?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2081408/Aston-Villa-hunt-Tottenham-midfielder-Steven-Pienaar.html

[Shrek]

Keane is apparently training with spurs until the end of January.

[Rick_avfc]

We're linked with Pienaar today. What are people's thoughts?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2081408/Aston-Villa-hunt-Tottenham-midfielder-Steven-Pienaar.html

might be a good addition but whats more worrying is that in the same article, it says Eck is also interested in Keith Andrews and Damien Duff! FFS!

[brontebilly]

Bit annoying to see us get passed off the park by a young, exciting side who earn relatively little wages in comparison to our overpaid, prehistoric cloggers, then come home and find we're signing another of Dunne's mates on big wages so he can get fit for the Euros.

Instead of paying him 60k a week for a few months, why don't we invest the money in a younger player from the Championship, or give Weimann a go? It's not like we're competing for anything afterall.

Another one of Dunne's mates......... Is your xenophobic tone serious?

You would think the nationality of a player shouldn't matter. By the way which of Given, Dunne, Clark or Ireland aren't good enough for the club?

Don't think Keane is a good fit for the 4231 formation we are playing. Im also against loan deals of this type. But Gabby's form has pretty much gone, Bent regardless of service has been terrible this season and the less said about the other English international striker at the club the better. The Fonz and Weimann don't like look making it at this level. McLeish probably sees Keane as a no risk signing to help get us over the 40 points mark. He does still retain plenty of ability and has guile about him that all our other options lack.

[olaftab]

Robbie Keane effectively retired from this standard of football about 5 years ago.  I can not think of a more depressing signing. If it's going to be one of the MLS players I would rather have Juan Pablo Angel back for a couple of months.

[olaftab]

I think Weimann will make it. Needs more opportunity  here or a good loan spell.

[pauliewalnuts]

But Gabby's form has pretty much gone

Really?

Slight exaggeration, I'd say. He's looked excellent for most of the season. There's not a lot he can do in a match like yesterday when the other 10 men (or nearly 10) are doing next to nothing.

[Mister E]

Bit annoying to see us get passed off the park by a young, exciting side who earn relatively little wages in comparison to our overpaid, prehistoric cloggers, then come home and find we're signing another of Dunne's mates on big wages so he can get fit for the Euros.

Instead of paying him 60k a week for a few months, why don't we invest the money in a younger player from the Championship, or give Weimann a go? It's not like we're competing for anything afterall.

spot on! Get rid of the freeloading dinosaurs and try some hungry youngsters; can't do much worse.

Surely we need some kid of experience though and given our record of buying Championship players (Davis and Delph) I'd be very nervous about making that move.
As regards Weimann. Do you honestly think he's ready yet? And if he isn't do you think it is going to help him going into our current team?

Take your point, Neil, but we can still achieve a mix of youth and experience with what we've got; and give me the 110% effort coming from a kid taking their chance over the lumbering efforts of Heskey and Collins anytime.

[brontebilly]

But Gabby's form has pretty much gone

Really?

Slight exaggeration, I'd say. He's looked excellent for most of the season. There's not a lot he can do in a match like yesterday when the other 10 men (or nearly 10) are doing next to nothing.

When was his last goal? He doesn't look a goal threat at present.

He was very bright early on in the season but seems to be struggling now. Not sure how he can escape criticism for yesterday. Nor the Arsenal game where his attitude never mind the non performance was reminiscent of last season.

Blackburn, Wigan, Norwich, Bolton he was probably our best player but he has got to start getting back into goal scoring positions.

[Rick_avfc]

But Gabby's form has pretty much gone

Really?

Slight exaggeration, I'd say. He's looked excellent for most of the season. There's not a lot he can do in a match like yesterday when the other 10 men (or nearly 10) are doing next to nothing.

I think that has been a slight exaggeration.  I'd say he has been playing well / very good for most of the season.