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

[tomd2103]

Well, if both go, we promote Clark and Baker (not sure 'promote' is the right word as they've played a fair bit) and sign a new CB then that's only three, where you normally want 4 so there's two for each position.

I think one will stay.

I'm alright with one of Collins or Dunne staying, but I don't think we should be looking to keep both.  I really wouldn't be bothered which one left, though if pushed I'd be more inclined to keep Collins than Dunne.  Saying that, Collins tends to get injured more than Dunne, so it is a close call.  Really hoping this can be a breakthrough season for Clark amongst others.

[Surrey Villain]

I think Nursey is just regurgitating the vibes from fans.  It makes him popular and sells more papers.

I don't like to defend the Mirror or its football journos, but for a while now, Nursey has repeatedly got things right about Villa.

He used to be the biggest, most consistent whinger about the club, Randy etc, till he got invited to meet Houllier at BMH, after which he underwent some kind of dramatic opinion change, and became constantly supportive.

Whether he's getting fed snippets, I don't know, but he's been right far more often than wrong recently.

Long may that continue............

[AvFc4eVeR]

Well, if both go, we promote Clark and Baker (not sure 'promote' is the right word as they've played a fair bit) and sign a new CB then that's only three, where you normally want 4 so there's two for each position.

I think one will stay.

I'm alright with one of Collins or Dunne staying, but I don't think we should be looking to keep both.  I really wouldn't be bothered which one left, though if pushed I'd be more inclined to keep Collins than Dunne.  Saying that, Collins tends to get injured more than Dunne, so it is a close call.  Really hoping this can be a breakthrough season for Clark amongst others.

I would keep Collins, but have him as bench warmer with Baker, then have new CB with Clark starting, then next summer Collins will want to leave anyway, plus he wont get injured as often if he's on the bench.

[Concrete John]

Collins and Dunne both only have a year left, so even if only one goes this summer the other will be on his bike in 2013.  In many respects, that leaves us in a good position.

What we do is sign one new top CB now to be our defensive leader, then see if Clark and/or Baker can step up to be his regular partner.  If yes, then we won't be stuck with an expensive reserve past next summer, but if they can't we get some use out of him then let him go and sign a longterm partner for this year's new CB in summer 2013.

Basically, one stays as a 12 month safety net in case our emerging youth aren't as good as we think/hope!

[pedro25]

Or get rid of both but make sure one of the two new full back signings is a guy who can play centrally also, a Richards/Onuoha type of player (not saying we should/could sign either, just giving an example of the type of player.  We wouldn't need two full backs bombing on, just one and a more defensive centre half cover type on the other side may do.

[Mazrim]

I'd sooner ditch both Collins and Dunne and get two senior replacements with Baker and Clark as their back up but it depends on resources and if Lambert thinks he can get anything from them of course. I definitely think one is going.

[Karl Bridges]

I would just back up what Paulie said about James Nursey. He has very close connections to our new boss. People may need to revise the 'yeah but it's only the Mirror' statement he will be right a lot more often than not.

[Mazrim]

I agree. It seems they have a favoured local journalist (Kendrick) and now a favoured tabloid guy too (Nursey).
I certainly would not write off what he has to say any more.

[James]

James Nursey reckons Lamberts after 2 fullbacks, a centre half, a central midfielder and a striker with Naughton "looking likely".
I think that's at least what we need.

I think Given will go to QPR and Ruddy will come to Villa, with that Butland kid moving to Norwich. I think there's too many question marks over Shay at the moment.

QPR have just signed Rob Green, they won't need Given as well!

[tomd2103]

Collins and Dunne both only have a year left, so even if only one goes this summer the other will be on his bike in 2013.  In many respects, that leaves us in a good position.

What we do is sign one new top CB now to be our defensive leader, then see if Clark and/or Baker can step up to be his regular partner.  If yes, then we won't be stuck with an expensive reserve past next summer, but if they can't we get some use out of him then let him go and sign a longterm partner for this year's new CB in summer 2013.

Basically, one stays as a 12 month safety net in case our emerging youth aren't as good as we think/hope!

Would agree with that John.

[Merv]

One CB, if accurate, suggests one of Dunne or Collins staying.

Not necessarily, haven't we got 2 x  promising (and more importantly blooded), young centre halves already?

I see that John M has already answered with what I was going to say - I'm counting Clark and Baker for next season, but if Collins and Dunne both leave, with Cuellar already gone, that would leave us with just those two, plus one new CB. Three for the season, bit risky. That's why I think one of JC or RD will stay. Collins is younger, but I'd only want him as a back-up CB, whereas Dunne, for me, at least has that edge of class and leadership and would be my preference to retain for another season...

[QBVILLA]

I'm in the minority but i believe Dunne will be a major player for us next season. I'd be looking to move Collins on but not Dunne as in my opinion he's a far better player than many on here would lead you to believe.

[tomd2103]

I'm in the minority but i believe Dunne will be a major player for us next season. I'd be looking to move Collins on but not Dunne as in my opinion he's a far better player than many on here would lead you to believe.

I would agree that a fit, motivated Richard Dunne is a very good player.  Unfortunately we haven't seen a fit and motivated Richard Dunne since O'Neill walked out on us.

[Monty]

I'm in the minority but i believe Dunne will be a major player for us next season. I'd be looking to move Collins on but not Dunne as in my opinion he's a far better player than many on here would lead you to believe.

He's error-prone, has lacked professionalism in a big way at times, but on his day he is a very good all-round defender who is surprisingly good on the ball and not prone to the boof (that honour goes to Collins and Hutton without doubt). If it were a choice I'd keep him over Collins every day of the week.

[James]

'All round' is a very good description of Richard Tonne! Well done Montbert