January Transfer Speculation (or lack of) Thread

[brontebilly]

The problem with Delph appears to be that he is a a bit of a jack of all trades.  I do think there's a player there, but he needs to make a position his own.  Left back?  Not for me.   

A problem for him is that Clark has come in and has given the midfield more balance so I can't see him getting too many more run outs in central midfield.  Maybe once Petrov retires Delph and Clark could be a midfield pairing for the future?

Nah they are both left sided. Agreed on the shouts for Delph at left back. Couldnt be any worse than Warnock anyway but its make or break time for him really at Villa. I think there is a player in there somewhere but obviously his confidence is low at the moment. Loan might be the job for him.

[ozzjim]

Stoke did something a lot of clubs make a mistake in not doing. Stoke looked at what works and rather than trying to play a different way, just bought better quality players to play in the same manner. Too many teams try and change what they do best, Stoke didn't and don't.

On a footballing basis however, I am always hoping they lose, and end up in some sort of oblivion with Pulis locked away for crimes against the beautiful game.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Delph would benefit from a loan, there's a technically very good footballer in there and I  think he needs his confidence up again.

[richard moore]

You only have to look at the orgasm inducing glee of Stoke fans in the last window when they signed.......wait for it.......Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios to see how dumbed down most people's expectations have become

No, Stoke signed possibly two of the biggest names in their history. That has nothing to do with anybody else. If I were a Stoke fan, I'd probably be excited by that as well.

As for 'very little' talent worth getting from abroad, according to whom? Tell us what you know of the Dutch, Swiss, French, Portuguese and Belgian leagues to come to that conclusion?

Dave, your reply made me laugh. Thanks for warming me up inside, it's such a cold day down here. I must apologise, you are right, those leagues are choc full of talent and I should know better as I indeed don't know much about the Swiss or Belgian leagues. And as a Stoke fan, you are right again, I would be over the moon at signing Palacios and Crouch...

[richard moore]

That's such a patronising attitude, Richard. For Stoke who have only been in the PL a short time those are significant signings. They've built themselves a strong squad and while I hate watching them you have to admire the way they have kept improving.

The January window is usually fairly slow, clubs don't really want to sell so it makes trading very difficult.

You are right Chris as ever, I admire Stoke for the way they keep improving, in fact I admire them in almost every way possible. I am sure you are right too, this January window will end up being a real corker, lots and lots of activity by the end of it. In fact, it could be one of the busiest ever now that you have made me think more clearly about it. There is so much quality out there, I can't understand why it is so slow really

[Chris Smith]

It comes as little surprise that you would enjoy smugly patronising smaller clubs.

Edit: that was in response to your original reply where you claimed to enjoy being patronising but subsequently deleted through not having the courage of your convictions.

[richard moore]

It comes as little surprise that you would enjoy smugly patronising smaller clubs.

It comes as little surprise that you would enjoy smugly patronising smaller clubs.

You are right Chris, as ever

[PaulWinch again]

I was playing 'fantasy manager' in my head, and I was thinking that the perception of Villa has taken such a hit that we'd struggle to get really good players in even if we did have money.

I mean, say Randy gave us £40m again. Would we be able to get a Bent type signing?

What players available this January could we get that would really improve us? Alex and Samba, certainly. Even those would come with massive wages that they're not worth.

Hoilett is a third, and if we had really big money to go on one player I'm sure Newcastle or Everton would sell us Cabaye and Baines if the money was right.

We really need to start looking abroad, IMO.

I agree looking abroad is where we can get real quality and value for money. It's the way forward under the financial constraints we are under.

[Summers]

As a Villa fan, I'd have been thrilled at signing Palacios. He'd have improved our midfield.

[richard moore]

It comes as little surprise that you would enjoy smugly patronising smaller clubs.

Edit: that was in response to your original reply where you cleaned to enjoy being patronising but subsequently deleted through not having the courage of your convictions.

It comes as little surprise that you would enjoy smugly patronising smaller clubs.

Edit: that was in response to your original reply where you claimed to enjoy being patronising but subsequently deleted through not having the courage of your convictions.

Of course, I must apologise for changing my post. You are right Chris, I did not have the courage of my convictions

[Chris Smith]

It comes as little surprise that you would enjoy smugly patronising smaller clubs.

It comes as little surprise that you would enjoy smugly patronising smaller clubs.

You are right Chris, as ever

We both know that I am.

[richard moore]

It comes as little surprise that you would enjoy smugly patronising smaller clubs.

It comes as little surprise that you would enjoy smugly patronising smaller clubs.

You are right Chris, as ever

We both know that I am.

We all know you are right. I can only apologise again for being so smugly patronising. I shall try to be less so in the future

[eamonn]

You have to admit richard, you do grumble quite a lot about the lack of quality in football today.

Solely watching Barcelona might be the only way to get your love back for the game though even then I'm sure you'll have some reservations!

[richard moore]

You have to admit richard, you do grumble quite a lot about the lack of quality in football today.

Solely watching Barcelona might be the only way to get your love back for the game though even then I'm sure you'll have some reservations!

I must apologise in that case to you as well Eammon, I am sorry for being that way

[brontebilly]

As a Villa fan, I'd have been thrilled at signing Palacios. He'd have improved our midfield.

he hasnt exactly thrived at Stoke this season. Felt Clark bullied their midfield in Stoke recently.

We badly need a new left back though. if not in January then the summer. Would be great if Delph or Stevens comes through there but likely we will have to go into the market to replace Warnock.