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

[neo_Villan]

We used to hate him just being subbed on, but Robert Pires would probably be a regular in our non-existant midfield.

[Des Little]

We used to hate him just being subbed on, but Robert Pires would probably be a regular in our non-existant midfield.

*shudders*

[brian green]

I participate in anything between six and ten auction sales a week.   The January window is indeed an auction.   While I agree the ones with the strongest nerves usually get the best bargains it frequently backfires.

On occasions because the mass of buyers holds back for last minute deals believing them to be less costly, the very pressure of everybody diving in at the last moment distorts the deals.   Trying to explain it graphically the dynamic of an auction can be likened to a letter 'M'.   Prices rise to a peak at about a third of the way through, then dip then rise again as panic sets in then fall sharply as only the rags are left unsold.   The canny buyer works out in advance what a commodity is worth, what he can afford to pay and buys whenever that commodity is genuinely offered to be sold, not just to invite a bid.

[john2710]

We need 4 players, we MUST buy a central midfielder who has some pedigree.

Knowing our luck, they'd get injured in their first game & miss the rest of the season.

[ozzjim]

We need 4 players, we MUST buy a central midfielder who has some pedigree.

Knowing our luck, they'd get injured in their first game & miss the rest of the season.

I woke up this am and in the dream I was having we had signed M'Villa and Capoue on deadline day, with the former saying it was his destiny to play for us.

Needless to say, I am not holding out hope of this dream coming true!

[Greg N'Ash]

We used to hate him just being subbed on, but Robert Pires would probably be a regular in our non-existant midfield.

heh. Cracking idea. We've never been the same since Bob "adapted-for-speed" Pires left.

*digs out black and white telly*

[ozzjim]

I was thinking too, surely there is a loan swap deal that could be done. Spurs - Bent for Huddlestone and Livermore maybe? Everton - Bent for Heitinga - you know clubs up the top in need of a decent forward give us their unwanted mid/ defenders and we swap the wages, so we are not too out of pocket.

[UK Redsox]

I read an article the other day written by a football agent. In it, he was saying how quiet he and other agents have been thus far in this window. He then went on to explain the probable reasons for this being so.

It seems that early in the window, clubs that make enquiries for players are often quoted inflated prices, both in terms of fees and wages. This is because the agent (and selling club) know a desperate club (e.g. QPR) will panic, pay what it takes, and the other three parties all make themselves a nice little wedge. The more savvy club, however, will bide its time...

As the lull of mid January passes, and the window draws to a close, the balance of power shifts to the buying club. The player could miss out on his signing -on fee, the agent loses his bonus, and the selling club are in danger of paying an unhappy players wages for another six months. All of a sudden, those rigid figures quoted on Jan 1st become negotiable.

I just hope it explains the reason we're taking things to the wire - and to be fair we do have a history of playing the market this way - because it doesn't take a genius to know what will happen if we do nothing in the next four days.

quite right. Also speaking of geniuses Wenger says that 90 % of deals are done in final week of window. And that alot of activity happens last 48 hours. So expect to see business for many clubs that want players happen! There is also the factor of matches on Tuesday and Wednesday for all prem clubs.   

How about making the January transfer window last just one week in the middle of the month.

[nodge]

I've heard we're after a player from British Columbia called Wiggo Agenne.  He's half Scottish half Sagittariun.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

We need 4 players, we MUST buy a central midfielder who has some pedigree.

Knowing our luck, they'd get injured in their first game & miss the rest of the season.

I woke up this am and in the dream I was having we had signed M'Villa and Capoue on deadline day, with the former saying it was his destiny to play for us.

Needless to say, I am not holding out hope of this dream coming true!

Crikey.

Were you on the cheese board last night?

[garyshawsknee]

Or crack pipe.

[eastie]

Aston Villa face a classic six-pointer against Newcastle on Tuesday and I already fear the worst, writes the Sunday People columnist Stan Collymore.

The Toon have signed three Frenchman – and the way Villa are heading at the moment, that new trio will probably turn in performances reminiscent of Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane and Alain Giresse!

I’m seriously concerned about how Villa are going to turn things around because I just don’t see any leaders in the team.

In-game management is vital to get through certain periods of a match, but I don’t see anybody telling the kids in this side how to cope with certain scenarios that crop up in games.

Last summer, I played for the English press in a game against the Ukraine press.

Our lot were running around like headless chickens, but I played in midfield and made sure everyone just focused on keeping the ball.

A few didn’t like it and asked me why I kept shouting at the them – but it worked and we won the game 3-0.

A team like Villa should have obvious figures to do the same thing for them, but I just don’t see it.

They are in a relegation scrap and I want answers from senior management now – and I mean people above manager Paul Lambert  – about how they think this messy situation is going to end in anything but the drop.

[eamonn]

Collymore in midfield actually doesn't sound unreasonable at the moment.
Come on Stan, be the hero you were meant to be fifteen chuffing years ago.

[walsall villain]

Collymore in midfield actually doesn't sound unreasonable at the moment.
Come on Stan, be the hero you were meant to be fifteen chuffing years ago.

Well I am getting on a lot but quite prepared to stand in the centre circle and rant at them, to be honest that is what I am doing from the lower Holte anyway. I won't demand a salary.

[jonzy85]

Can we just re sign Lee Hendrie?