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

[Monty]

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

I wondered when I typed that. And when I typed "unprofessional in a big way".

[pauliewalnuts]

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.

He always strikes me as an example of that type of player who, if they tried hard enough and were more dedicated, could be amongst the best around in their position.

Dunne, I mean.

[Neil Hawkes]

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...

I see your point and out of the two I would also prefer Dunne to stay - for much the same reasons you have stated

[Mazrim]

Dunne always strikes me as a player "earning a living" rather than striving for any sort of excellence.
For that reason I would now like him to leave even if a less talented but more committed player came in.

Collins on the other hand is committed but limited. I like the way he busts a gut to win that header or tackle but all too often hes sucked to the ball and if he doesnt win it, leaves horrendous gaps that are all too often exploited.
For that reason I would now like him to leave.

I also think the two of them are too comfortable in mediocrity. Lambert wont allow that at least. Hopefully we can replace both but if you're twisting my arm to choose one to keep then it's Dunne. If only in the hope Lambert can draw that extra fire out of him to excel to a level Collins is not capable of.

But it feels like the right time to take a scorched Earth policy to the defence (and most of the team for that matter) with the youngsters as back up. Lichaj, Herd, Baker, Williams and Clark are perfectly capable back up and squad depth. What we need now is the frontline. For instance... Naughton, Douglas, Olsson (or Kjaer) and Bertrand.

[JJ-AV]

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 are waiting for England to get knocked out to announce the signing of Green.

[Hookeysmith]

We have to realise that he will not (PL that is) come in and make huge sweeping changes - we have the nucleus of as decent team already, their shitness last year i place firmly at the door of pisspoor managing and coaching

A few additions by all means but talk of Dunne / Collins / Warnock / Hutton / Fonz all going and then replacements coming in as well as replacing Heskey / Beye / Carlo will be wide of the mark - then to expect addtions to what was an already thin squad are in cloud cuckoo land i am afraid

I think the club identified the obvious movers, those out of contract, and the rest will be based on what we have (unless silly money comes in for any of them) and a few PL identifies himself as "his"players to freshen things up

[Mazrim]

We have to realise that he will not (PL that is) come in and make huge sweeping changes -

Not really because that's exactly what I'm expecting him to do. It depends on your definition of huge though.

[paul_e]

For me Dunne has to go.  The game against Spain was the final nail in the coffin, he's just too slow to play at the level we should be aiming for.

I'm not a huge fan of Collins either but he's cheaper and I think he'd be less likely to fuss about a spell on the bench.

I don't want PL to go out and buy 2 new centre backs this summer as I feel Clark and Baker have earned the right to have a spell in the team.  2 new signings would expect to start, I just don't want to see another Cahill situation where we lose a good player for him not getting a fair run in the team.

[JJ-AV]

I assume we have little chance cos of QPR with the Hughes and London connection, but I'd like us to go for Danny Murphy.

I know, I know. It's completely the opposite of what we're mostly looking at. But he's a leader, captain and would be an ideal replacement for Stan.

[Steve R]

I think it's more a case of who we can reasonably expect to find buyers for.

We could even find ourselves going into the season with all of Dunne, Collins, Warnock and Hutton still on the books given the wages they are currently on.

Unless we come up with Sidwellesque deals and all but pay for them to go elsewhere we may well be stuck with them. It is unlikely all of them will leave this summer.

The priority to me is offloading Hutton; he is the one we are stuck with for the longest.

With the exception of Bent (and obviously Petrov), I'd listen to offers for any of our senior professionals and take it from there. I'm not sure if we are practically in a position to choose who we care to replace, it's going to be more a question of opportunity if and when it arises.

In the mean time we do have areas where we are very light in numbers/experience - mainly central midfield but also up front. That is where the immediate focus should be.
 

[King of the Nørth]

I'm sure a good link man could get Bent and Gabby working as a front 2. But I wouldnt be suprised if we went after an up and coming powerful striker like Jordan Rhodes or Lukaku on loan or maybe Sturridge. Did DiMatteo play him much? Without checking I dont think he did or at least I think his chances will be more limited next season. He'd be a star here. He may fancy that.

Gabby and Sturridge either side of Bent sounds like a good idea to me. And behind them Ireland (or Holman) pulling the strings, a box to box workhorse (Frimpong) and a defensive powerhouse midfielder (Moussa Sissoko).

 Those and I'd be ecstatic. Although dont think Sturridge's ego would let him drop down to a team like us (Villa fan or not). Would also prefer to purchase Rhodes rather than loaning Lukaku.

 Was going to ask what kind of striker is Rhodes? Is he a big powerhouse of a striker than as opposed to a smaller poacher like Defoe for example?

[paul_e]

I think it's more a case of who we can reasonably expect to find buyers for.

We could even find ourselves going into the season with all of Dunne, Collins, Warnock and Hutton still on the books given the wages they are currently on.

Unless we come up with Sidwellesque deals and all but pay for them to go elsewhere we may well be stuck with them. It is unlikely all of them will leave this summer.

The priority to me is offloading Hutton; he is the one we are stuck with for the longest.

With the exception of Bent (and obviously Petrov), I'd listen to offers for any of our senior professionals and take it from there. I'm not sure if we are practically in a position to choose who we care to replace, it's going to be more a question of opportunity if and when it arises.

In the mean time we do have areas where we are very light in numbers/experience - mainly central midfield but also up front. That is where the immediate focus should be.
 

If we sign 2 players this summer it has to be a left back and right back.  We have 2 who were barely championship standard last season, going into a new season with those 2 starting is asking for a relegation battle.  3rd player is a central midfielder.

[King of the Nørth]

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.

 The probable thinking is we'll get more for a 28 years old Collins than a 31(?) years old Dunne. Sell Warnock and Collins then release Dunne on a free next year. Im sure 1 of the promoted clubs are dumb enough to take them of our hands.

[Merv]

I assume we have little chance cos of QPR with the Hughes and London connection, but I'd like us to go for Danny Murphy.

I know, I know. It's completely the opposite of what we're mostly looking at. But he's a leader, captain and would be an ideal replacement for Stan.

I agree with you, I've always really rated Murphy and even at 35 I think he can do a really good job for us. Rarely gives the ball away, he's still very fit, he's got the discipline and understanding to hold his position and use the ball very effectively. In a three-man midfield, he'd be very good. I'd happily give him a one year deal with a further year's option based on reaching a set number of appearances.

[garyshawsknee]

A decent rb and lb is a must,especially if they're good going forward,as it would allow us to be flexible,play a diamond,narrow midfield without wingers when needed.

Selassie from Czech would be perfect,others surely have an eye on him though.