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

[Drummond]

Wayne Hennessy, Boaz Myhill, Andy Marshall, Brad Guzan have all been on our books and all done ok but never fantastically. We've had Given, Friedel, James and Sorenson who were better keepers. The only understudy I can think of that has done well is Spink and look at how long ago that was.

[Olneythelonely]

Bosnich was understudy for a bit wasn't he?

[Merv]

I don't totally understand this new backlash coming Given's way. Is it because Ireland were poor at the Euros?

For all the 'injury prone' comments, Given missed around five games for us last season, and was pretty consistent throughout. Age is creeping up on him, sure, but he's in good condition, was in good form last season, and while we need to start planning for his long-term successor, I don't think that's Guzan, and I don't think we need to be looking for a new No.1 'keeper for 2012-13. We've enough positions to strengthen in without worrying about that.

[James]

Here are some bits and pieces in various papers today, relevant to this thread:

Hull boss Steve Bruce has made free agent Brad Guzan his main goalkeeper target this summer.

New West Brom boss Steve Clarke wants Cardiff winger Peter Whittingham.

Paul Lambert wants to make Senegal striker Ibrahima Balde his first Aston Villa signing.

Southampton are increasing their efforts to lur Rangers skipper Steve Davis to the South Coast.

Sweden defender Olof Mellberg is a target for Everton after contract talks with Olympiacos broke down.

Blackburn are offering Danny Murphy a staggering £2.5million contract to snub the Premier League and sign for them.

Just the usual press ramblings probably, no quotes etc, and most of the players involved have been mentioned on this thread or been at Villa at some point.

[James]

Wayne Hennessy, Boaz Myhill, Andy Marshall, Brad Guzan have all been on our books and all done ok but never fantastically. We've had Given, Friedel, James and Sorenson who were better keepers. The only understudy I can think of that has done well is Spink and look at how long ago that was.

Andy Marshall still is on our books!

[Irish villain]

Michael Oakes never really made it either despite a promising enough start in the mid 1990s.

[OCD]

Wayne Hennessy, Boaz Myhill, Andy Marshall, Brad Guzan have all been on our books and all done ok but never fantastically. We've had Given, Friedel, James and Sorenson who were better keepers. The only understudy I can think of that has done well is Spink and look at how long ago that was.

Andy Marshall still is on our books!

I didn't know Wayne Hennessey had been on our books either.

[KevinGage]

Wayne Henderson maybe?

[MoetVillan]

Wayne Hemingway?

[Percy McCarthy]

I know Ernest Hemingway was on somebody's books.

Ernest Hemingway's I think.

[JJ-AV]

I don't totally understand this new backlash coming Given's way. Is it because Ireland were poor at the Euros?

For all the 'injury prone' comments, Given missed around five games for us last season, and was pretty consistent throughout. Age is creeping up on him, sure, but he's in good condition, was in good form last season, and while we need to start planning for his long-term successor, I don't think that's Guzan, and I don't think we need to be looking for a new No.1 'keeper for 2012-13. We've enough positions to strengthen in without worrying about that.

I agree it's premature  to say he's on the decline and also agree we don't need a new first-choice 'keeper for the new season (although I'd have sold him had we been able to get £6m+ out of QPR), but his injury record is suspect.

He missed 6 last season, but he was carrying injuries throughout the season (he got injured at Fulham on the opening day IIRC), he's also injured now and clearly shouldn't have been playing for Ireland.

I rate him, he's a top 'keeper and I don't think there's much to choose between him and Friedel - but it's a position that you need someone solid in and if he's going to miss 2, 3 or 4 games next season does anyone really want Marshall in goal?

That's why, for me, it's important to sign someone, be it Guzan or someone else. And why I was disappointed when McLeish dropped Guzan as soon as Given was fit again, 'cos he was never going to stay around with that treatment.

[Damo70]

I would like to see us sign a younger keeper like Fielding at Derby who could really challenge for the number one spot and is more than capable of standing in on occasions. The problem is how much of the transfer budget do we want to spend on a player who will, no matter how you dress it up, basically be our number two keeper and probably spend very little time on the pitch.

[garyshawsknee]

Isn't our young Swiss (insert name)keeper supposed to be something special? He must be 21 by now.

[King of the Nørth]

 Has anyone mentioned that Brad Friedel wasnt really touted as a top class keeper until he was what, 30? If Guzan is only 27 or so there is still time. Maybe its just sentiment on that game when he saved like 10 penalties against Sunderland though.

[OCD]

I do like a goalkeeper who you have confidence in when your team concedes a penalty. Guzan's really the only one in recent history to offer that. Given hasn't saved a penalty, Friedel saved a number at Blackburn but didn't save one for us. You would probably have to go back to James or Bosnich to find a regular who had a decent penalty record. Penalties might not happen that often but they can be the difference between winning and losing a game or proceeding in a cup.