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

[SoccerHQ]

Have Talksport on in the background (forgive me) and they've just been on about us denying making an enquiry for a player, didn't catch the name so who is it?

[Toronto Villa]

Have Talksport on in the background (forgive me) and they've just been on about us denying making an enquiry for a player, didn't catch the name so who is it?

Michael Owen

[Holy Trinity]

"Stevie G?" Urgh!

gardners words not mine. in an interview he did last season he was on about how stevie g was a great player and his total hero. he also said he wishes to be the next steven gerrard. trust me i hate the name as much as TSM

[SoccerHQ]

Have Talksport on in the background (forgive me) and they've just been on about us denying making an enquiry for a player, didn't catch the name so who is it?

Ah good although I already read the Lambert denial in the Mail yesterday!

Michael Owen

[Larry Duff]

I really hope Bannan can make it this season.  His performances for the reserves in the last five seasons have been fantastic.  I have been a bit dissapointed by some of his first team performances. In the reserves he rarely gives the ball away.  He nearly always plays centrally and is always the main man.

Bannan and Wiltshire have come out about 50/50 in their clashes but Bannan has outperformed everybody else including Essien in a 5-2 win at Villa Park.

He is a real talent but he needs to have a manager with faith in him.  Playing him on the right wing doesn't do him any favours.

[john e]

sometimes you just like players and even when they dont perform you make all the excuses under the sun for them because you believe in them, Bannan is like that for me, i really like him as a player.

i think he lost form after his 'incident' last season, he never looked quite the same,

 so its up to him this time, he has to put it all behind him learn his lessons and hopefully under a new manager that can appreciate his style and quality get him playing the best he can. seems to be doing that so far and Lambo is obviously looking hard at him, he could become a big player this season for us.

[Percy McCarthy]

Couldn't agree more Larry. Bazza's been an absolute joy to watch these last few years, I'll be gutted if doesn't make it with us. On the other hand, if he ever performs for the first team like he has for the reserves, I'm afraid he'd only be a Villa player for about ten minutes into the following transfer window.

[Matt Collins]

I'd still say Clark looks the best bet. Excited about Gardner though some concerns that he's too slow. Can't see him being a Steve G type player as not convinced he has that sort of explosiveness.

Watched the man u - villa reserve final last year though and bannan was absolutely streets ahead of Gardner, tho I appreciate he is older. Gardner was pretty poor that day so hopefully just a bad day at the office.

With bannan, I'd hope that playing in amore fluid formation which passes the ball better would see him improve: more two touch simple passing, less time hanging around and then trying a Hollywood ball when it does come to him

[brontebilly]

Just when he's playing Champions League.

Anyway, I've still got high hopes for him, but have been a bit underwhelmed by his first-team performances.

Big time, has shown very little thus far at senior level. Decent shot on him from outside the box but mobility seems a big problem.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I would rather give Bannan/Delph/Gardner etc a run in the team to see if we could unlock their great potential rather than play a steady eddy type like Herd

Steady Eddy? You must be mad. Herd has more than delivered as a defensive midfielder, something none of the mentioned are and has just as much of a right, if not more to be pushing for a first team shirt this coming season. I'm really hoping Lambert can see the talent of our younger players and will give them a chance to make their claims in the team this coming season.

[eamonn]

Herd doesn't have the flair of Bannan or Gardner though.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Chalk and cheese, Eamonn. As I said previously, Herd is is defensive midfielder, which neither Bannan, Gardner or Delph for that matter are.

[eastie]

I havent had the pleasure of seeing much reserve action and in honesty havent been too impressed with bannan in the premiership but i was impressed with his display against philadelphia and he looked better as part of a passing and fluid midfield, i hope he can keep up that kind of display in the new season and he will be an asset to us.

[supertom]

Having him play alongside El Ahmadi could work well, and depending on opposition maybe Herd anchoring them. But El Ahmadi seems to make himself available for a pass all the time and want to keep the ball moving. Bannan's movement is good too, so our midfield could be quite fluid.

Same would go for Ireland too. We'll be better set up to get more from him as well.

[Mister E]

Chalk and cheese, Eamonn. As I said previously, Herd is is defensive midfielder, which neither Bannan, Gardner or Delph for that matter are.

Herd was a revelation last season; and not just his tackling and covering back. He hit some very good passes (BRFC away stands out in my mind) as well getting into scoring positions when possible (Liverpool, Smethwick away).
I hope he can push on this season and secure an anchor role alongside KEA; that'll force the oother MF to 'up' their game if they want a first-team role.