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

[stubbsyandy]

I think it is almost certain that Bent being sold was where the money was coming from

[Merv]

As has been said far more articulately by others, unless we spend in the transfer window and get a couple of established/experienced players in, we are probably going to be relegated by the time May comes round. Not once under Houllier or McLeish did I ever feel this way, but I do now. The events of mainly the Christmas period up to now have shattered my faith in the club's future prospects. I'm genuinely concerned.

Word for word how I'm feeling, pretty much. I'd go as far to say that, as things stand, we are relegation favourites. Reading seem to have found something, they've pulled two wins from losing positions, QPR have started to look more solid and clearly have money to strengthen.

[Risso]

Even if this turns out to be an elaborate bluff, I will find it hard to forgive them for making me feel this hopeless.

I'd have thought that you felt hopeless quite a lot of the time Damon!

You're pretty perky about all this.

I've got so down about it I've come out the other side.  I have a manic look on my face that suggests that sharp implements should be locked away.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

The Hendrick Derby link is interesting.
He's getting on a bit, but he can really swing the ball.

[Steve R]

Maybe Lerner no longer sees Villa as an investment that needs to be protected, more a gambling table where he has lost heavily and can only lose more if he keeps putting money down.

It's the only thing that makes sense to me.

[Jarpie]

Maybe Lerner no longer sees Villa as an investment that needs to be protected, more a gambling table where he has lost heavily and can only lose more if he keeps putting money down.

It's the only thing that makes sense to me.

Or he has so little faith in Lambert to keep us up that he doesn't think we'd survive even with new players but can't afford to fire him.

[Greg N'Ash]

Maybe Lerner no longer sees Villa as an investment that needs to be protected, more a gambling table where he has lost heavily and can only lose more if he keeps putting money down.

It's the only thing that makes sense to me.

How does it make sense? if we go down he'll lose far far more than the 10m or so we need for players.  I realise its a risk to buy players in January but its a risk every other club in our position is taking because they know what's at stake.

[neo_Villan]

Who do we want first then next season... Wolves home??

At least we will be able to cheer one manager if it is them.

[Toronto Villa]

As has been said far more articulately by others, unless we spend in the transfer window and get a couple of established/experienced players in, we are probably going to be relegated by the time May comes round. Not once under Houllier or McLeish did I ever feel this way, but I do now. The events of mainly the Christmas period up to now have shattered my faith in the club's future prospects. I'm genuinely concerned.

you've put that really well. I come on this place every day and each day that goes by I wonder to myself "How the fuck has this happened, or been allowed to happen?" It's gotten to a point where the club simply have stopped wanting to compete, or even give the impression that it has a plan to get back on even keel. That the only plan is wait it out, hope that somebody signs the players that we don't have a place for and then maybe we'll do something again. For a club in one of the most lucrative leagues in the world not to want to invest when everyone else is at least making an effort is scandalous. I understand fully the need to have plan that is sustainable and within means, but to stop operating as a business in what is a ruthless environment is simply suicide.

I'm more convinced than ever that the club is now in contingency mode and is fully prepping itself for relegation. That they will no longer invest, no longer support the manager because they cannot trust him or anyone else that it is the right thing to do. The owner is also stuck because of generosity to previous managers. Money that'll never see again, so he can't readily sell and get much if anything back. The writing is clearly on the wall, and unless somethign drastically changes in the next few days, the next 18 months will very much be about selling off the higher value assets for as much as possible so that all running costs are at the bare minimum. It's thoroughly depressing.

[Risso]

Who do we want first then next season... Wolves home??

At least we will be able to cheer one manager if it is them.

Tranmere away please.

[Boz]

Anyone take back Luke young? Experienced defender and can teach lowton/ bennett a few lessons. Would any-one take Downing back, or Quaresma as a free agent, decent names and could add some creativity that we are lacking. Tuesday Night just went to show how much we are crying out for a winger and how much we need to sell Bannan and get some height into the team.

Luke Young yes, Downing no and we couldn't afford his wages which he isn't worth.

[Merv]

Maybe Lerner no longer sees Villa as an investment that needs to be protected, more a gambling table where he has lost heavily and can only lose more if he keeps putting money down.

It's the only thing that makes sense to me.

Maybe he looks at Newcastle and thinks, 'well, that worked out alright for them,' and is banking on us doing exactly the same.

[UK Redsox]

Maybe Lerner no longer sees Villa as an investment that needs to be protected, more a gambling table where he has lost heavily and can only lose more if he keeps putting money down.

It's the only thing that makes sense to me.

Maybe he looks at Newcastle and thinks, 'well, that worked out alright for them,' and is banking on us doing exactly the same.

Is that the same Newcastle who are only one point less in the shit than Villa ?

[Merv]

It is, yes.

[Villafirst]

From the bbc site

Leeds United have entered the bidding to sign Stephen Warnock, 31, report the Yorkshire Evening Post.

They have approached Aston Villa about a loan deal for the out-of-favour left-back.

The paper says that both Leeds and Wolverhampton Wanderers have expressed a firm interest in Warnock, who spent the first half of this season on loan at Bolton Wanderers


Well thats a lot of good isn't it. Why loan him if non-one's coming in?

The club has consistently let players go over the last few yeards and left themselves short of squad cover. Warnock's treatment is a disgrace. LERNER - JUST SELL UP FAST!!