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

[PaulWinch again]

If it's Davies or nobody, I'd want Davies back in the squad.

[DrGonzo]

The only squad Davies would shine in is Police Squad.

[Merv]

Don;t get why Graham is in such apparent demand. His record is ok but nothing special especially since most of it is in the lower leagues

He did well in the PL last season, and okay again so far this, given his limited starts. I think he's a decent footballer - his first time pass for De Guzman's second at the weekend was very smart.

But - absolutely not what we need at the moment. Saturday showed we have the forward players to hurt teams - Benteke, Gabby, N'Zogbia, and that's also with Weimann and Bent to be able to call on.

Saturday also showed why we need midfield reinforcements primarily.

[Irish villain]

MON had a definite blind spot with defenders.

Sold Cahill, inherited Laursen and bought Knight, Davies, Dunne, Collins and Beye.

Ok so Dunne and Collins were decent signings but he didn't have spunk a lot of money trying to find a defence. He was lucky to inherit Laursena and then pushed Mellberg out to right back.

Midfield players were his strength in fairness.

[Merv]

I suppose he got it right, eventually. Just a shame he spent so much money signing two brand new back fours 12 months apart.

In my opinion, overall, he probably inherited a better defence than anyone he signed.

[Monty]

MON had a definite blind spot with defenders.

Sold Cahill, inherited Laursen and bought Knight, Davies, Dunne, Collins and Beye.

Ok so Dunne and Collins were decent signings but he didn't have spunk a lot of money trying to find a defence. He was lucky to inherit Laursena and then pushed Mellberg out to right back.

Midfield players were his strength in fairness.

Really? Yes, we know the good ones he signed, but Sidwell, Salifou, NRC? And Dunne was a good signing, but Collins was poisonous. I'm just not sure that signings are much of a strength. Sometimes good players, really good players even, but for the amount of money he spends there's just far too much mediocrity.

[Greg N'Ash]

Don;t get why Graham is in such apparent demand. His record is ok but nothing special especially since most of it is in the lower leagues

He did well in the PL last season, and okay again so far this, given his limited starts. I think he's a decent footballer - his first time pass for De Guzman's second at the weekend was very smart.

But - absolutely not what we need at the moment. Saturday showed we have the forward players to hurt teams - Benteke, Gabby, N'Zogbia, and that's also with Weimann and Bent to be able to call on.

Saturday also showed why we need midfield reinforcements primarily.

yep. Given decent service, Weimann, Bent , Benteke, Gabby is a far better forward line that you'd usually find down in the relegation area.

[mattjpa]

Mods, is it worth changing the name of this thread to the Hughes/Reo Coker/Mellberg/Davis thread seeing as the only thing  we seem to be discussing is which ex players we should get back. I think it is being borne out of a mutual longing for mid table security and the chance of just being 'average' again.

In fact, just bloody lock it off. The constant lack of nothingness as we approach Jim White day is like water torture...

[Jimbo]

The average book is shorter than this thread. I really hope nobody's wasted their time reading it all.

[MoetVillan]

still more interesting that Satanic Verses

[tomd2103]

MON had a definite blind spot with defenders.

Sold Cahill, inherited Laursen and bought Knight, Davies, Dunne, Collins and Beye.

Ok so Dunne and Collins were decent signings but he didn't have spunk a lot of money trying to find a defence. He was lucky to inherit Laursena and then pushed Mellberg out to right back.

Midfield players were his strength in fairness.

I know their Villa careers didn't coincide with each other, but I would have loved to have seen us field a back four of L Young / Laursen / Mellberg or Dunne / Bouma on a regular basis for a couple of seasons.   

[David_Nab]

I'm at point where I am wanting the window to close to stop other clubs improving to give us more of a chance of staying up!!

[paul_e]

MON had a definite blind spot with defenders.

Sold Cahill, inherited Laursen and bought Knight, Davies, Dunne, Collins and Beye.

Ok so Dunne and Collins were decent signings but he didn't have spunk a lot of money trying to find a defence. He was lucky to inherit Laursena and then pushed Mellberg out to right back.

Midfield players were his strength in fairness.

I know their Villa careers didn't coincide with each other, but I would have loved to have seen us field a back four of L Young / Laursen / Mellberg or Dunne / Bouma on a regular basis for a couple of seasons.   

If you're going down that route Young is a very weak link in that side, was better on the left than the right.  You have to go back a bit further but Mark Delaney is easily the best right back we've had since sky created football.

[Monty]

still more interesting that Satanic Verses

I really liked that book.

[JUAN PABLO]

Listening to Chelsea's Raimrez who can not speak english so obviously Makoun not playing for us has nothing to do with him not speaking english.