Huge Summer....

[ozzjim]

If we had the likes of Silva, Aguero etc, then of course we would sell out. We would fill 55k plus with that calibre of player, partly through the increased media attention too.

[Percy McCarthy]

Agreed, yet Man City don't, which is what I mean about greater potential returns. Also, we could have a 55k stadium much cheaper (by a couple of hundred million) than what it would cost Liverpool, Everton and Spurs for instance.

[VWBelgian]

Alex McLeish is confident he will be given money to spend by Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner to improve his squad at the end of the season.
 
Villa have been trying to cut costs over the past couple of years and that has forced McLeish to wheel and deal in the transfer market.
 
McLeish, who left local rivals Birmingham City to take charge at Villa Park last summer, has been the subject of protests from fans this season.
 
The Scot is aware that wages have to be trimmed, but he does not believe the days of Villa spending big money are necessarily over.
 
"I will have to do a bit of wheeling and dealing, but that doesn't mean we won't be able to spend money," said McLeish.
 
"We have to get the wages down to a level, but it doesn't mean we are going to say we can only afford £5,000-a-week wages for new players from now on.
 
"We may end up paying massive wages for someone who comes in the summer as long as it fits into that whole package."

[Stu]

"I will have to do a bit of wheeling and dealing, but that doesn't mean we won't be able to spend money," said McLeish.
 
"We have to get the wages down to a level, but it doesn't mean we are going to say we can only afford £5,000-a-week wages for new players from now on.
 
"We may end up paying massive wages for someone who comes in the summer as long as it fits into that whole package."

Right, so basically there is a set ceiling and if we want a player on large wages, the squad has to be smaller. That's how I read that anyway.

All that 'proud history, bright future' really was a load of old piffle. Its no different to when Doug was here. It's a bit depressing when they expect us to keep coughing up for really expensive tickets, too. If this comment was meant to encourage the fans, then I have to admit its had entirely the opposite effect on me.

[charlie]

It is still very possible that the 'huge summer' is spent preparing for trips to Barnsley, Leeds, Palace etc. Not safe yet by any means , remember our beloved manager's main attribute.... relegating .

[Ian.]

It is still very possible that the 'huge summer' is spent preparing for trips to Barnsley, Leeds, Palace etc. Not safe yet by any means , remember our beloved manager's main attribute.... relegating .

He's won more trophies than than he has been relegated.

[Dante Lavelli]

It is still very possible that the 'huge summer' is spent preparing for trips to Barnsley, Leeds, Palace etc. Not safe yet by any means , remember our beloved manager's main attribute.... relegating .

Cheer up.  Why be so miserable now when the probability is that we will not be preparing for trips to such places at all.

[Irish villain]

I've never seen the club need a bigger clear-out than it does right now. We need to buy dedicated pros who are hungry for success.

[Larry Duff]

Here is something that might interest Mazrim.

I was talking to a young Villa player the other night and he was telling me the gossip at the training ground.

He reckons that all the talk is of Randy selling a stake in the club (51% he said) to some arabs.  I know the players are not party to board meetings but they have obviously got wind of something happening.

He also told me (and this probably will only be of interest to Maz and a few reserve and youth watchers) that we have only retained 3 of this seasons second year YTS players.

[Mazrim]

That sounds consistent with other things I've heard which are also vaguely from the youth set up.
I stress again though, second hand info, though interesting.

Do you know which 3 have been retained?

[Mazrim]

I've never seen the club need a bigger clear-out than it does right now. We need to buy dedicated pros who are hungry for success.

Yes, this club is now tumid with lethargy and incompetence at every level. Although it's still studded with very worthwhile people indeed.

[Jimmy Smash]

It is still very possible that the 'huge summer' is spent preparing for trips to Barnsley, Leeds, Palace etc. Not safe yet by any means , remember our beloved manager's main attribute.... relegating .

He's won more trophies than than he has been relegated.

Not down here he hasn't. Scotland doesn't count.

[preston28]

A big summer indeed. However I can't see any fantastic new buys even if we trim the wage bill by getting rid of Heskey, Dunne, Collins, Warnock & Ireland. After all we may be able to flash the cash with respect to fees but wages are going to be low so who will come? We'll fill the ranks with wit average champoinship players. (however if they have some spirit & fight it wouldn't be a bad thing!) 

[preston28]

I don't expect any change of ownership this summer.

I would be surprised though if Randy's still our owner in 18 months/2 years time.

Just hope we survive in this league in the meantime.

No way RL will go. He's not sold up on the Brown's - he's had then since 2002 and they've been awful with fan dissatisfaction and been very unpopular with the fans. So if he not giving up on them he ain't giving up on us.

[Shoody]

Who are the 2nd years? I've lost track of who is in which year. Who are they? Not just the ones which have been kept?