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

[Matt Collins]

We'd get more than £5m surely?

The alternative way of looking at it is who would be interested in buying him and how much they could afford. Therein lies your answer...

For me that's why he'll stay. Who would pay much more than £5m, and why would we sell for that price? Not worth anyone taking the chance on a bigger fee,  not worth us taking the chance he'll return to previous form

[Dave]

I'm sure it's nonsense, but if the earlier logic of moving Ireland on just because of the wages - Gabby's enormous Houllier-era contract is presumably for quite a lot each week.

I'd say there's more logic moving Gabby on for wage bill reasons than Ireland.

[danlanza]

I'm sure it's nonsense, but if the earlier logic of moving Ireland on just because of the wages - Gabby's enormous Houllier-era contract is presumably for quite a lot each week.

I'd say there's more logic moving Gabby on for wage bill reasons than Ireland.

If it was a choice between Gabby or Ireland then in my view Gabby would have to go.Just my opinion.

[gervilla]

I'm sure it's nonsense, but if the earlier logic of moving Ireland on just because of the wages - Gabby's enormous Houllier-era contract is presumably for quite a lot each week.

I'd say there's more logic moving Gabby on for wage bill reasons than Ireland.

If it was a choice between Gabby or Ireland then in my view Gabby would have to go.Just my opinion.

I agree. I can see Ireland contributing more to the "dynamic new and improved Villa " for 2012-13.
I'd like to think Gabby can come good again but I'm afraid he could be a busted flush as they say.

[KRS]

If, and its a big IF, these rumours are true then his real value as an English Premier League forward would be at least £7m...and IF we can get £7m for him then that would pay at least half of what it would cost to get Luuk de Jong...absolute no brainer if either of these options are realistic.

[saunders_heroes]

I'm sure it's nonsense, but if the earlier logic of moving Ireland on just because of the wages - Gabby's enormous Houllier-era contract is presumably for quite a lot each week.

I'd say there's more logic moving Gabby on for wage bill reasons than Ireland.

If it was a choice between Gabby or Ireland then in my view Gabby would have to go.Just my opinion.

Ireland has barely contributed a single thing of note since arriving at Villa and hasn't even hinted at anything decent either. If one of he and Gabby were facing the elbow, my money would be firmly on the former.

[danlanza]

I'm sure it's nonsense, but if the earlier logic of moving Ireland on just because of the wages - Gabby's enormous Houllier-era contract is presumably for quite a lot each week.

I'd say there's more logic moving Gabby on for wage bill reasons than Ireland.

If it was a choice between Gabby or Ireland then in my view Gabby would have to go.Just my opinion.

Ireland has barely contributed a single thing of note since arriving at Villa and hasn't even hinted at anything decent either. If one of he and Gabby were facing the elbow, my money would be firmly on the former.

Fair comment. I would rather have both of them on fire for this season and playing to their full potential. We will see.

[TheSandman]

Gabby is the only member of our current squad that would me make me very said if he left. I really hope those rumours aren't true.

I don't care if he's not a great player, there comes a point where you need someone in the team who loves wearing the Claret and Blue, and would run through a brick wall for the club. And that's a lot more than I can say for a lot of our players.

what brick wall was that ?

He gives absolutely everything he has when he plays. 110%.

It's just a shame that's often not good enough.

I'd sincerely doubt he was giving 110% late last season when he was strolling around the pitch seemingly without a care in the world. Considering he was captain at the time it was bordering on disgraceful. I don't want him to leave, I think £5million would be a daft amount to sell him for but I'm not going to be upset should he leave due to his inconsistency. He deserves another chance unlike some though.

I'm sure it's nonsense, but if the earlier logic of moving Ireland on just because of the wages - Gabby's enormous Houllier-era contract is presumably for quite a lot each week.

I'd say there's more logic moving Gabby on for wage bill reasons than Ireland.

If it was a choice between Gabby or Ireland then in my view Gabby would have to go.Just my opinion.

Ireland has barely contributed a single thing of note since arriving at Villa and hasn't even hinted at anything decent either. If one of he and Gabby were facing the elbow, my money would be firmly on the former.

I'd disagree with that. He has hinted at decency a fair bit and picked up a few man of the match rewards last season.

[villadelph]

I'm sure it's nonsense, but if the earlier logic of moving Ireland on just because of the wages - Gabby's enormous Houllier-era contract is presumably for quite a lot each week.

I'd say there's more logic moving Gabby on for wage bill reasons than Ireland.

If it was a choice between Gabby or Ireland then in my view Gabby would have to go.Just my opinion.

Ireland has barely contributed a single thing of note since arriving at Villa and hasn't even hinted at anything decent either. If one of he and Gabby were facing the elbow, my money would be firmly on the former.

Nonsense. Absolute nonsense.

Stephen Ireland is the only player in our squad that can trap a ball and pass to a teammate. Our inability to link up is absolutely pathetic. No one can turn on a ball, or guide the play upfield like Ireland. I think once we see how Lambert is able to construct an offensive build we will see the best of Stephen Ireland. A player who had a knack for scoring in the past and has always been a professional on the ball. Saying he's contributed nothing is a load of bull.

[saunders_heroes]

I'm sure it's nonsense, but if the earlier logic of moving Ireland on just because of the wages - Gabby's enormous Houllier-era contract is presumably for quite a lot each week.

I'd say there's more logic moving Gabby on for wage bill reasons than Ireland.

If it was a choice between Gabby or Ireland then in my view Gabby would have to go.Just my opinion.

Ireland has barely contributed a single thing of note since arriving at Villa and hasn't even hinted at anything decent either. If one of he and Gabby were facing the elbow, my money would be firmly on the former.

Nonsense. Absolute nonsense.

Stephen Ireland is the only player in our squad that can trap a ball and pass to a teammate. Our inability to link up is absolutely pathetic. No one can turn on a ball, or guide the play upfield like Ireland. I think once we see how Lambert is able to construct an offensive build we will see the best of Stephen Ireland. A player who had a knack for scoring in the past and has always been a professional on the ball. Saying he's contributed nothing is a load of bull.

He had a good 18 months at Man City a few years ago. Other than that he's been pants. Been practically useless at Villa. No offence, but you must have been watching Villa in a parallel universe if you think he's been any good with us.

[villadelph]

I'm sure it's nonsense, but if the earlier logic of moving Ireland on just because of the wages - Gabby's enormous Houllier-era contract is presumably for quite a lot each week.

I'd say there's more logic moving Gabby on for wage bill reasons than Ireland.

If it was a choice between Gabby or Ireland then in my view Gabby would have to go.Just my opinion.

Ireland has barely contributed a single thing of note since arriving at Villa and hasn't even hinted at anything decent either. If one of he and Gabby were facing the elbow, my money would be firmly on the former.

Nonsense. Absolute nonsense.

Stephen Ireland is the only player in our squad that can trap a ball and pass to a teammate. Our inability to link up is absolutely pathetic. No one can turn on a ball, or guide the play upfield like Ireland. I think once we see how Lambert is able to construct an offensive build we will see the best of Stephen Ireland. A player who had a knack for scoring in the past and has always been a professional on the ball. Saying he's contributed nothing is a load of bull.

He had a good 18 months at Man City a few years ago. Other than that he's been pants. Been practically useless at Villa. No offence, but you must have been watching Villa in a parallel universe if you think he's been any good with us.

You must've not been watching at all then. This season Ireland was clearly a first half player. He got lots of touches, didn't turn the ball over and kept his passes short and neat. He had issues continuing that form in the second half of games but Eck's tactics called for him to sit even deeper and hinder his attributes.

Name a better passer on our team, name someone else that can collect a ball and turn someone in the central midfield. He had some pretty impressive assists and clearly without doubt has the best vision on the team. For christs sake the man won player of the year, how can you even argue with that. It was a collective open poll for for MOTM performances.. Either you don't know what you're looking at or refuse to recognize his talents.

You'll see.

[Matt C]

Links to Snodgrass at Leeds again with a suggestion Delph might go the opposite way on loan.

[supertom]

Ireland was average last season. A few glimpses of decent play do not make a good season. How many assists did he actually get? I'm guessing at 3-4. He only scored a couple too. Not good enough.
That said he was one of our best players last season. He wasn't my player of the year, because he's still not consistent enough. But I'll give him the benefit of doubt that he was stifled by our piss poor organisation and management. Merson played in a very defensive, boring side though, but still managed to drag us through games single handed and make things happen off his own back. Irelands been a country mile from being close to that level.

I want to see far, far more from him. My main concern is whether he'd actually fit into a system Lambert wants to play. Does he like the floating sort of player Ireland is? Time will tell. He might may opt for someone more disciplined and consistent like Holman maybe.

[Matt Collins]

I hope we get at least one player to get us excited. We definitely need more quality.

Hoilett's in the news today, with suggestions Newcastle have turned him down and being linked with that pie. Unless there are money issues (ie he wants a shed load) I have a piece of that pie.

The whittingham rumours don't seem to be bearing fruit.

[nigel]

Some are tweeting that Gabby is off to Swansea for £5m. It's probably bollocks so I guess somebody had to post it, may as well be myself.

I'd literally cry.

I heard it's actually closer to 3m and he's fallen out with Lambert.

I hope it's just a tongue in cheek comment, ToLambo, but, 'Fallen out with Lambert?'
He only met him yesterday, didn't he?