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

[Percy McCarthy]

I only know one Chelsea fan. He never goes.

[garyshawsknee]

I only know one Chelsea fan. He never goes.

I always thought Mellor was a fair weather fan.

[UK Redsox]

If he was cheap I'd be delighted with Holt, but he isn't so I feel transfer funds could be better spent elsewhere. For instance, we need pretty much an entirely new back four.

Could be a classic case of a British player costing twice as much as a similar standard player from abroad.

However, Holt has proved that he can score goals in the Premier League

[Shrek]

Rather than pay 5mill for a 31 year old Holt, why not grab 28 year old Pobgregynak for nothing?  Other than signing on fee's etc.  I'd be happy to let Gabby go for around ten mill, I'm sure MON would pay that kind of money

Pobgregynak would be a good signing. I'd certainly like to see him in aa Villa shirt.
I've not said we should sign Holt, just that we shouldn't turn our noses up if the price is right.
I've a feeling Gabby might go too, don't know why, just a feeling.

Agree Nigel.  I think Gabby has been a huge disappointment in the last couple of years, played out of position granted but very poor generally. I'd really like to see a good central midfielder signed.

Yet he had probably his best ever spell playing wide left towards the beginning of the season. I'd keep Gabby.

[Karl Bridges]

Rumour on Twitter is that Danny Murphy is coming in on a free.

[JJ-AV]

That makes a lot of sense actually. He'd have a lot to offer on the coaching side too.

[UK Redsox]

Rumour on Twitter is that Danny Murphy is coming in on a free.

Several years too late. I'd have loved to have seen Murphy at Villa when he left the Klan.

However, I was also advocating signing R****e S****e at the time

[wellmace]

I'm in agreement with those who think striker isn't a priority at the moment. A commanding midfielder has got to be the priority, in my view. Someone in the Essien mould.

After that a full-back and a centre half would do nicely.

Get rid of Hutton, and see how Gabby is under Lambert before deciding his future in Jan.

[brontebilly]

Dont think he will go back for any Norwich player to be honest.

He will try and pick out unfashionable players like he was and give them a chance. Can see us definitely bringing a few players in from the lower leagues.

Not sure how advanced his overseas scouting is so Id expect local trades this summer anyway.

Lambert seems to harp on about how he likes his players to be desperate to succeed. Will be interesting to see his views on Ireland, Gabby, Dunne, Collins, Hutton, Warnock, Nzogbia who at various stages have looked like they havent given too much of a toss about playing for the club.

[Summers]

Murphy would be a fantastic signing. We need a good experienced head in the middle, and Murphy is comfortable on the ball, can move it around, works hard and is good from dead ball situations.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

He's also 35 and has to be substituted in every game he starts as his legs are gone.

[Clampy]

The midfield does lack a bit of experience with Stan not being in there so from that point of view maybe Murphy would'nt be a bad idea to have coming off the bench for the last 20 minutes in games.

[Mister E]

For the first few months of the season Gabby was outstanding for us and would have been back in the England squad if it wasn't for injury. If he's been playing through the pain barrier since then it's bound to have affected his form. Lets see how he starts the new season before talking about getting rid. He's one of us. We should back him, not sell him.

I agree, BDE. He can still play a role for a manager that gets him fit and plays him to his strengths.

Priority has to be the defence - with Holman coming in, the MF is less a priority but another experienced holding MF wouldn't go amiss but it's the defence that's key firstly.

[Ads]

Its got to be about Bent. Getting the best out of Charlie, brining in another winger, somebody to shield and really boss the midfield to allow Ireland to supply centrally. Full backs who can defend but also attack too.

We have a twenty five goal a season striker and there are about three others in the league at the Mank clubs and Arsenal. With the right blend of purchases and with a new attacking purpose we can have a very good season.

[Matt Collins]

I think centre midfield has to be key. If he likes makoun that will make a difference but it's midfield where we've lost an entire top 6 set of players without replacing any of them. It is at least conceivable that we could fashion a decent defence with our current squad. I'm much less confident a out our midfield unless the kids step up massively.