Summer Transfer Thread: Speculation, Lies, Absolute Cr*p and Bosman Rumours

[tomd2103]

Newcastle and Levante in Spain have demonstrated that you don't have to spend big to be competitive at the top end of the table. 

But yes, I do think a major overhaul is required.

I would think that the wage bill needs trimming even further this summer, so with that in mind top earners like Dunne, Warnock and Heskey will probably be moved on to start with.  I think the summer could also see Makoun and even Ireland (he's shown some quality but is he worth £80,000 a week?) going.  In terms of players coming in, we have to start looking abroad, as the British market is way too expensive.  Key areas for me are LB, RW and CM.  Hopefully Guzan will stay and we will be covered at GK.  I'm also hoping Cuellar will stay and that him, Collins and Clark will contend the CB positions next season with maybe a loan signing if we get injuries.  We definitely need a new LB as it looks like Stevens is nowhere near ready yet and I also think we need a RW as we have been short in that area (though we have signed Holman).  Central midfield is the area needing most attention for me.  We probably need a couple of new faces in there, but mainly someone with a bit of experience who can be a real leader.  As for forwards, we should have Bent, Weimann and Gabby, and maybe we could look at another option there.  LA Galaxy have started terribly so maybe we could convince Keane to come back. 

[tomd2103]

James Nursey ‏ @JamesNursey Close
McLeish has told his #AVFC scouts to line up a new holding midfielder, striker, wide player & left-back so expecting Warnock to go

Who would buy him? I think we are going to find it hard to shift players on this summer.

He's on a good whack, but with only a year left.  So, similar to Dunne, I think a promoted or lower half club maybe interested if we could give them something of a payy off and they'll see it as extending their PL careers, and salaries, for another two to three years.   

If Dunne has a good European championships then there will be interest in him you would think. Glasgow Celtic perhaps. Still though both Dunne and Warnock (is there anyone else out of contract in the summer?) wont get anywhere near their wages elsewhere. would probably make financial sense for them to stay on at Villa for one more season and have one last payday on a Bosman in the summer after.
Beye and Heskey would surely have been let go on frees last summer but there was no chance of them getting anything near their current wage elsewhere and they chose to stay on. Cuellar too was available cheap enough but chose to stay on. Warnock isnt good enough for any side in the EPL. A loan move back to Blackburn in the championship is probably the best he can aim for.

a new manager (I'm refusing to accept that McLeish will be at the helm next season) will have to determine which of our younger players need to hit the road also. The current crop in the first team squad are:

albrighton (22), bannan (22), fonz (21), baker (21), lichaj (23), delph (22), clark (22), herd (23), gardner (19), weimann (20).

A decent vintage but the likes of carruthers and the next youth players are pushing though now. Some arent going to make it at the club unfortunately.

clark, gardner, weimann, herd and I think lichaj have shown enough to be kept on. albrighton, bannan, fonz, delph at this stage of their careers are struggling to make an impact for one of the worst sides in the division. they arent kids anymore and the first 3 remind me so much of peter whittingham at the same age. talent definitely evident but they are so lightweight and not making any kind of consistent impact. delph has had injuries but was shocking at the start of the season when given a chance to be a regular in the side. I think as supporters some of us are in denial about the 'kids'. Sometimes they just need regular football to shine and we need to accept that could be away from Villa Park.

Can't argue with most of that.  I think your assessment of the younger players (not "kids") is spot on, though I think Albrighton is worth perservering with for at least another season to see if he can recapture the form he showed when he first broke through.  The others you mention have hardly set the world alight when they have been on loan at Championship sides and are in danger of being overtaken by younger players coming through. 

[N'ZMAV]

I'd move Lichaj and Delfouneso on. Maybe Delph too. Even Bannan.

[Rick_avfc]

I think Lichaj needs more time.  He hasn't really had a long run in the team so to say move him on is a bit unfair.  As for the fonz and delph, I would definitely move them on.  I also think Bannan should be given one more chance and then move him on next summer (2013) if he is not cutting it at villa.

[Concrete John]

The quality of players coming in this summer has to be a major concern. It must be apparent to anyone with eyes by now thats the kids aren't ready and won't be next season either. we're probably screwing them up having to play them all the time now, so we need real ability coming in because the few senior players we have for the most part aren't good enough themselves, let alone able to nursemaid the kids. Mlcleish or not, its going to be tough next season if all we get is a load of free transfers

Just because a player is on a Bosman does not necessarily mean that they are lacking in quality.  Holman looks better then decent and one of this countries hottest prospects, Hoilett, will also be a freebie.

Yes, we need an influx of quality, but with the expected restricted resources some savvy navigation of the Bosman market is essential.

[Tom wintle]

Great..... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2132120/Bas-Dost-declines-Aston-Villa.html

[ozzjim]

Sounds like an agent trying to get money for his player to me. Probably won't come here, and not sure a striker, IF we keep Bent is that important. A wide player of quality, and maybe a man to go in the hole would be useful, but out and out we won't get a better striker than Bent, our shopping should be aimed at how we can create chances for him. Someone with genuine trickery and skill out wide would be useful.

[N'Zimidy]

A striker isn't necessary. Bent, Weimann and Gabby all fighting for one spot in the team is more than enough. Lets focus on some wingers and full-backs.

[ozzjim]

If we were to sign 6 first team quality player, with Holman on the right hand side being one, then I would say a centre half, left back, 2 central midfielders and a left winger would be my targets.

[Dante Lavelli]

Great..... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2132120/Bas-Dost-declines-Aston-Villa.html

That’s a shame.  But on the positive side, at least we identified him and tried.
I’m not sure he’d have been on MON’s radar at all.

[VillaAlways]

Great..... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2132120/Bas-Dost-declines-Aston-Villa.html

Randy's really done fantastic job of turning us into a small club

[tomd2103]

Sounds like an agent trying to get money for his player to me. Probably won't come here, and not sure a striker, IF we keep Bent is that important. A wide player of quality, and maybe a man to go in the hole would be useful, but out and out we won't get a better striker than Bent, our shopping should be aimed at how we can create chances for him. Someone with genuine trickery and skill out wide would be useful.

If we had more options out wide, I wouldn't mind having a look at N'Zogbia in "the hole".  If I recall correctly, that's where Wigan used him before he signed for us.  I also think Robbie Keane would be ideal in that position and shouldn't cost too much to bring back from the USA.  He'd bring a bit much needed quality and experience to the team as well. 

[Monty]

Bannan has, for me, suffered from poor first team coaching and tactics. His skills would be shown in a team who practice more pass-and-move football and play with greater fluidity. It's no accident that his best season, when he played a good run of games and achieved an international call-up, came under the progressive coaching of GH. If I were Bannan, and McLeish stayed this summer, I would definitely ask for a move. Swansea would make something of him, you feel.

[Clampy]

Bannan has, for me, suffered from poor first team coaching and tactics. His skills would be shown in a team who practice more pass-and-move football and play with greater fluidity. It's no accident that his best season, when he played a good run of games and achieved an international call-up, came under the progressive coaching of GH. If I were Bannan, and McLeish stayed this summer, I would definitely ask for a move. Swansea would make something of him, you feel.

Could'nt agree more, i think he's a bloody good footballer.

[Monty]

Bannan has, for me, suffered from poor first team coaching and tactics. His skills would be shown in a team who practice more pass-and-move football and play with greater fluidity. It's no accident that his best season, when he played a good run of games and achieved an international call-up, came under the progressive coaching of GH. If I were Bannan, and McLeish stayed this summer, I would definitely ask for a move. Swansea would make something of him, you feel.

Could'nt agree more, i think he's a bloody good footballer.

Or rather could, or even should, be a bloody good footballer. But he's displaying all the signs of a creative, technical talent being mishandled: trying to hit the early 'Hollywood' ball, not playing the long game in midfield but getting hurried and, the most significant, only displaying his true talent when hurried and forced to improvise. In those moments - the set-up for Gardner's shot against Fulham, for Herd's goal against Liverpool, the times he gets closed down in midfield and wriggles out of it - show the talent he has. It's just being seriously mishandled.